The Creator is the foundation of everything, the foundation of communication between people, to ensure that truth is truth. If the Creator, the foundation of the entire universe, is forgotten, then this universe comes to an end. “Abd Al-Wahab Al-Mesiri”
Happiness often comes from simple, meaningful experiences—such as nature, creativity, and connection—that support lasting well-being. By contrast, short-term highs from things like alcohol or gambling can become addictive, harm relationships and behavior, and lead to dependence, making long-term fulfillment and responsibility harder to maintain.
The Devil threatens you with ˹the prospect of˺ poverty and bids you to the shameful deed ˹of stinginess˺, while Allah (the Creator) promises you forgiveness and ˹great˺ bounties from Him. (Qur’an, Al- Baqara 2:268)
Fun is linked to feel-good brain chemicals released by activities like exercise, and social connection. Gratitude and positive self-talk can also increase happiness and can be practiced intentionally. While chasing quick pleasure may backfire, boredom and mild stress can support reflection, organization, and focus on meaningful goals.
The core issue is endless desire, and the solution is temperance. By learning self-control, people can achieve deeper fulfillment through greater self-awareness and understanding of the Creator, leading to a more meaningful and lasting form of happiness.
True happiness is not about fulfilling every desire, but about guiding and shaping desires toward meaningful, long-term purpose.
People should resist harmful impulses and choose responsible alternatives—like earning money through work instead of stealing, being honest instead of cheating, and channeling romantic desire into committed marriage rather than avoiding responsibility.
Self-control is viewed as a defining human quality. By mastering desires rather than being ruled by them, a person affirms their humanity. In contrast, acting purely on impulse without considering consequences can lead to harmful behavior and a loss of higher moral judgment.
Happiness and tranquility arise from each being fulfilling its natural role. Likewise, every element finds satisfaction in what it is meant for. The eye delights in beauty, the ear in beautiful sounds, and emotions such as desire and anger find balance through accurate expression. Ultimately, the heart finds the highest satisfaction in recognizing the Creator for whom it is created, and true happiness is realized through engaging with the central questions of life.
In a full-day interfaith dialogue focused on exploring how different religions nourish the soul with joy, I shared the Islamic perspective. I responded to questions that I had submitted in advance to the organizing committee, presenting my answers from an Islamic viewpoint, where I said:
In the name of the Creator, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon all His Prophets—from Adam to Muhammad, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Christ. Peace be upon you all.
When I refer to the Creator (Allah)I mean the same Divine Presence known across faiths: Waheguru in Sikhism, the higher power in Buddhism, Bhagwan in Hinduism, God the Father in Christianity, and Yahweh in Judaism.
It is an honor to be here at this interfaith retreat, reflecting the beauty of our shared humanity. Though we come from different traditions, we are united in seeking truth, fostering human compassion, and nourishing our souls with joy in the Creator’s- grace and mercy.
In Islam, the heart finds peace in remembering the Creator- the One Who created us all and Who will judge us all after death – and in our responsibility toward one another.
How would you define joy?
In Islamic thought, joy and happiness are closely related but differ in their source, stability, and ultimate purpose, whereas modern psychology often treats them as similar emotional states.
In Islam, joy is a lasting inner peace rooted in connection with the Creator, His mercy, and hope of Paradise, rather than a fleeting emotion.
Joy is a deep, lasting inner state rooted in awareness of the Creator’s mercy, often remaining steady even during hardship. Happiness is usually more external and temporary, while external rejoicing can be either positive or negative depending on its context and behavior.
- Praiseworthy happiness: Rejoicing in the Creator’s bounty, the Qur’an (the word of the Creator), or a victory for the believers.
- Blameworthy happiness: Exulting in worldly possessions, arrogance, or the misfortune of others.
Inner joy is a lasting spiritual state that can sustain a believer even through hardship, and it is not dependent on material conditions like worldly happiness. It is seen as a gift from the Creator, rooted in connection to His Mercy and Grace.
The Creator said: Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “In Allah – the Creator’s- grace and mercy let them rejoice. That is far better than whatever ˹wealth˺ they amass.” (Qur’an, Yunus 10:58)
Joy is an inner state of the heart or soul, while happiness is often outwardly expressed. In this view, complete happiness is in the Hereafter, while the deepest joy in this life comes from recognizing and obeying the Creator. In Islam, contentment is the link between joy and happiness, meaning satisfaction with the Creator’s decree. It allows a person to maintain inner joy even when external happiness is affected by hardship.
Is choosing joy the same as ignoring problems?
Human life is an urgent mission on planet Earth. In this task the life of a human being is a series of decisions he makes in every minute of this life starting from his puberty, for which he will be held accountable after death by his Creator.
If a person is not preoccupied with the task for which the Creator created him, which is to recognize Him through having a direct connection with Him, then he will invent a task of his own.
As a soccer player for example, whose fitness is the core of his mission, he follows a strict regimen of training and food in order to achieve a higher goal for him, which is to get the trophy. He doesn’t care about all the difficulties he faces. On the contrary, he feels extremely happy despite the difficulties. because his primary focus is on achieving his goal, which is to win the cup.
From an Islamic perspective, a person’s truly meaningful priorities can be understood through seeking answers to four fundamental questions:
- Where he came from?
- Why did he come?
- Where does he return?
- What is the motto of his mission?
To understand how Islam distinguishes between fleeting pleasure and true happiness, consider this example.
Imagine a person on a flight who has no idea where they came from, where they are going, or why they are there. Even if they were seated in first class, would they truly be able to enjoy the journey?
That’s a powerful metaphor—and the short answer is: probably not, at least not deeply.
Pleasure and enjoyment aren’t just about external comfort (like a first-class seat). They’re heavily shaped by meaning, context, and awareness. Lack of answers to fundamental questions would lead to several things:
- Lack of purpose: Even luxury can feel hollow without a “why.”
- Lack of narrative: Humans experience life as a story. Without a past or future, the present loses richness.
- Underlying anxiety: Confusion tends to create unease, which cancels out comfort.
- Detachment from experience: Enjoyment often comes from connecting moments to goals, memories, or identity.
A flight without meaning may still be cozy, but it feels shallow and fleeting, showing the difference between comfort and true satisfaction. In the same way, life isn’t just about improving external conditions like money or social ranks; without goals or direction, they don’t automatically bring true satisfaction.
answers to central questions of life are in the following verse:
The Creator said:
Rather seek, by means (wealth) of what Allah (the Creator) has given you, to attain the abode of the hereafter, while not neglecting your share (of legal enjoyment) in this world. Be good to others as Allah (the Creator) has been good to you, and do not seek corruption in the land, Verily, Allah (The Creator) likes not the corruptors (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupts). (Qur’an, Al- Qasas 28:77)
To shift from the fleeting joy of worldly rank to the lasting joy of the Creator, we rely on four essential pillars of knowledge.
- Knowledge of Self: Realizing your spiritual nature beyond physical needs.
- Knowledge of God: Recognizing Him as the source of all beauty and power. With his inherent attributes, which align with sound reasoning.
- Knowledge of This World: Seeing it as a temporary marketplace for the journey.
- Knowledge of the Next World: Understanding the reality of eternal bliss.
Therefore, humans should aim for this highest form of happiness.
A person cannot attain genuine happiness unless they find satisfactory answers to all their existential questions—answers that are consistent with reason and their innate nature, make logical sense, and are free from mystery or ambiguity.
Physicist Albert Einstein says 1:
“Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that some spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe, one that is vastly superior to that of man. In this way, the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort.”
Among the teachings of Islam are:
- The universe has a Great Creator, Who created it for great wisdom.
- Humans have a Great Creator, Who created them for great wisdom.
- The Creator is separated from humans.
- The Creator does not come to earth in any animal form or a human form.
- Humans are separated from each other.
- Each person has an independent soul.
- The Creator is the Creator and the Owner of the human soul, not a part of it.
- The Creator of male, female, and animals is beyond such categories, and using the pronoun “He” is only a linguistic convention due to the limits of human language.
- The universe is separated from the Creator and humans.
- For this universe, and for this life, there is an end, where the Creator will hold human beings accountable for their deeds.
Based on these principles, some people declared war—and as a result, they lost their true sense of peace and “happiness.”
What beliefs or habits might be blocking you from experiencing joy?
In Islam, genuine happiness and inner peace are seen as the natural condition of a sound heart that is connected to its Creator. Anything that obstructs this state usually comes from a lack of understanding—ignorance of the true nature of one’s relationship with the Creator -the points mentioned above- and the purpose of life. It can also result from spiritual ailments of the heart, harmful mental patterns, or habits that pull a person away from divine mercy.
In Islamic teachings, joy is often blocked by attachment to the material world, lack of gratitude, and habits that distance one from the Creator’s mercy, such as backbiting, neglect of the ritual prayer, and excessive consumption of prohibited food. Key barriers include impatience, envy, arrogance, and replacing positive actions with excuses, which drain spiritual and mental peace.
Habits of the Heart and Mind.
Comparing oneself to others can lead to dissatisfaction, as focusing on small difficulties while ignoring blessings reduces gratitude and peace; instead, one is encouraged to appreciate what they have.
Arrogance and ego can create resentment and inner distress, while habits like backbiting, lying, and malice damage inner calm and well-being.
Likewise, an excessive need to always be right often comes from ego and harms relationships, where kindness is more important than winning arguments.
Prophet Muhammad said: “I guarantee a house in Paradise for one who gives up arguing, even if he is right.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)
Criticizing others: Before pointing out someone’s faults, consider your intention—whether it is genuinely for the sake of the Creator or motivated by ego and self-interest.
Prophet Muhammad said: Make things easy for people and do not make them difficult; give glad tidings and do not drive them away. (Al-Bukhari)
Low self-esteem and perfectionism come from excessive self-criticism instead of recognizing one’s value as a creation. This can limit the use of one’s abilities, while faith and good deeds uplift a person’s worth, making it important to overcome negative self-perception.
Indeed, those who believe and do good—they are the best of ˹all˺ beings. (Qur’an, Al-Bayina 98:7)
Beliefs Blocking Joy:
The “worthiness trap” is the belief that joy must be earned only through hardship, rather than being available through balance and gratitude. A lack of trust in the Creator also leads to anxiety and a need to control every outcome, which disrupts inner peace.
True joy comes from striving sincerely while trusting the Creator’s plan for the results.
˹He is the˺ Lord of the east and the west. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, so take Him ˹alone˺ as a Trustee of Affairs. (Qur’an, Al-Muzammil 73:9)
Negativity and pessimism lead to distress, while Islam encourages optimism and avoiding constant worst-case thinking or focusing only on what is missing. Ignoring the present by postponing happiness to the future also reduces contentment.
Engaging in harmful or prohibited behaviors and toxic relationships can darken the heart, as can cutting family ties. Likewise, sins and uncontrolled desires are seen as damaging to the heart, hardening it and preventing spiritual growth and inner peace.
Core practices for soul nourishment:
True joy is found in the alignment of the heart with its Source. You can nourish your soul by integrating these spiritual practices:
The soul’s deepest joy is found in knowing the Creator, a spiritual fulfillment that is believed to increase as the soul becomes more aware. This is strengthened through sincere worship, treating prayer as a heartfelt connection rather than a routine, along with regular repentance and gratitude.
Setting intentions purely for the Creator, finding peace in prayer, and maintaining balance in eating, sleeping, and social life following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—all help nourish inner contentment.
Three men asked about the Prophet’s worship and, upon learning of it, felt their own efforts were insufficient. Each then vowed extreme practices: constant night prayer, continuous fasting, and lifelong celibacy. The Prophet Muhammad corrected them, explaining that he worships the Creator with balance—fasting and breaking fast, praying and resting, and also marrying—and said that those who reject his balanced way are not following his example.
Practicing patience means seeing trials as opportunities for growth rather than humiliation, which builds resilience. Serving others through kindness and volunteering increases life satisfaction and brings inner expansion. Constant remembrance of the Creator strengthens the heart and supports lasting inner peace.
Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah (the Creator). Surely in the remembrance of Allah (the Creator) do hearts find comfort. (Qur’an, Al-Ra’d 13:28)
Cultivating the mindset.
Islam teaches that the joy you spark in others ultimately enriches your own soul. Negative emotions and worldly attachments often act as obstacles to the soul’s nourishment.
Letting go of envy and anger supports both physical and emotional well-being. Patience, gratitude, and repentance are key to inner peace. Islam encourages enjoying worldly blessings without becoming attached to them, since true richness is contentment.
Simple acts like smiling, serving others, and giving charity bring spiritual reward and happiness. Temperance helps control desires, while gratitude, strong relationships, and trust in the Creator’s decree reduce anxiety and strengthen inner peace.
Stop daily habits that drain energy.
Excessive talk, eating, and sleep can dull the heart and reduce inner joy. Neglecting prayer weakens spiritual connection and leads to inner restlessness. Keeping poor company can negatively affect one’s character and well-being, like a harmful influence on the soul.
Stop blaming others:
Blaming others for your problems keeps you stuck. Take responsibility for your actions and your growth instead of placing your happiness in others’ hands.
Whoever does good, it is to their own benefit. And whoever does evil, it is to their own loss. Your Lord is never unjust to ˹His˺ creation. (Qur’an, Fussilat 41:46)
Stop trying to impress others.
Pretending to be someone you’re not leads to stress and emptiness. Seeking to please Allah (the Creator) brings true peace and success in this life and the next.
“Whoever seeks knowledge to compete with scholars, argue with fools, or attract attention, Allah (the Creator) will admit him into the Fire.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Release unhealthy attachments.
Attachment often comes from fear. Love is natural, but over-attachment can leave you empty when something is lost. Anchor your heart in Allah, not in temporary things.
“If you worship Muhammad, know that Muhammad has died. But if you worship Allah, know that Allah is Ever-Living and never dies.” (Abu Bakr)
Leave excuses behind.
Excuses prevent growth: “I’m too old,” “I’m too young,” “I’ll start later.” These thoughts only hold you back from becoming better.
“Mankind will not perish until they begin to excuse themselves for their actions.” (Mishkat)
Leave the past behind.
Do not dwell on what cannot be changed. Live in the present and trust that everything happened by Allah’s wisdom.
“No amount of guilt can change the past, and no amount of worry can change the future.” (Umar ibn al-Khattab)
Release your fear.
Fear of loss, illness, or uncertainty can consume you. When you place your trust in Allah (the Creator) and fear Him alone, your heart becomes lighter and more secure.
That ˹warning˺ was only ˹from˺ Satan, trying to prompt you to fear his followers.1 So do not fear them; fear Me if you are ˹true˺ believers. (Qur’an, Al-Imran 3:175)
Stop living for other people’s approval.
Constant concern about what others think can steal your peace of mind. Trying to please people is never-ending and exhausting, but seeking to please Allah ( the Creator) brings true and lasting peace.
“Whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure at the cost of people’s displeasure, Allah ( the Creator) will be pleased with him and will make people pleased with him.” (Ibn Hibban)
How does your mindset influence your emotional well-being?
Charles Taylor2 describes secular modern Western society as increasingly human-centered, where reality is often understood mainly through what is observable and empirically verified, sometimes setting aside what lies beyond it.
Despite high levels of material comfort, some Western societies still face challenges related to meaning, mental health, and dealing with hardship, and in certain cases, severe distress can lead to self-harm or suicide during major life difficulties.
Victor Frankl3 noted that many modern people have material means to live but lack meaning in life, which can make existence feel like a prison. Without meaning, suffering can appear chaotic, inexplicable, and deeply distressing.
He said: “Today people have all means of living but with no meaning of life itself, which makes life as a prison that contains people rushing between the walls of life and death. They fear every moment in a life without meaning, where pain and hardship feel as if cannot be explained, avoided, or understood—creating a sense of chaos and tragedy.”
A common mistake is assuming that material comfort alone leads to lasting happiness, even though we often recognize it does not. People still chase wealth and success, sometimes neglecting family and relationships in the process.
Many major goals also fail to bring the fulfillment we expect, and people frequently struggle to understand what they truly want or what will actually make them happy, resulting in repeated misjudgments.
Lasting happiness is not achieved simply by “making it” in life. Even with sudden fame or wealth, the initial excitement fades as people adapt and return to a normal emotional baseline. Research on lottery winners shows that long-term happiness is often similar to others, which can lead to a cycle of chasing greater highs without lasting fulfillment.
The main purpose of life isn’t to enjoy a temporary sense of happiness, but to achieve inner and deep peace through knowing and worshipping the Creator. Achieving this aim will lead eventually to eternal bliss and true happiness. So, if this is our goal, we will go through every trouble to achieve it.
Equality among humans is a moral principle rather than a physical or natural fact, since people differ in appearance, status, and abilities. From this view, equality is grounded in belief in the Creator, who affirms the equal worth of all human beings as His creation. Likewise, it is believed that happiness is either without meaning or gains significance through belief in the Creator; and if the Creator and an afterlife exist, then happiness extends in purpose beyond this world. Therefore, we should aim for this highest form of happiness. After all, when has striving for something meaningful ever held us back?
Can joy be a choice, or is it simply a reaction to circumstances?
An atheist once asked about the importance of following international ethics within a religious framework, suggesting that good manners and cooperation are sufficient without belief in the Creator, as long as the goal is developing the world. Many atheists, in fact, practice good ethics and actively contribute to societal and worldly progress.
I replied that in religion, developing the earth and good manners are not the ultimate goals but means. The true purpose is to know the Creator, understand one’s origin, path, and destiny, and seek His pleasure. Good character and constructive actions are valuable when they align with attaining the Creator’s approval.
The Creator informed Prophet Muhammad:
Say, I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So, whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord (on the day of Judgment) – let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone. (Qur’an, Al-Kahf 18:110)
Happiness is often a reaction to events, while joy is a choice.
What boundaries might you need to set to protect your peace?
Unhappiness often comes from being overly attached to worldly desires, jealousy, neglecting spiritual responsibilities, and a hardened or corrupted heart. The difference between a content person and a discontent one is not always visible outwardly, but it is deeply rooted in the state of the heart—its relationship with Allah and its alignment with moral and spiritual values.
True happiness is not something the world can simply give. Rather, it is something the heart develops through faith, gratitude, patience, and righteous deeds.
The pleasure gained from sin is brief and is often followed by lasting regret and sorrow over what has been done. Ibn al-Jawzi 4 mentions that forbidden things are made appealing to the soul, and when a person is told not to do something, their inner self is naturally drawn toward it.
He explains this tendency in two ways:
- First, the soul resists restriction. Just as people feel discomfort when confined or limited—whether in health, sight, or physical space—the soul similarly dislikes being constrained.
- Second, there is an inherent inclination toward rebellion within the human being, making it difficult to accept authority or limitations.
Both lawful and unlawful pleasures are temporary, but the joy found in obedience to the Creator is deeper, more lasting, and more fulfilling.
People often seek pleasure through external means, but it is important to maintain balance by enjoying permissible comforts in moderation. While food, travel, and leisure are allowed, excessive pursuit of luxury and entertainment can lead to imbalance and overindulgence.
Pleasure can be achieved through substances. Happiness cannot.
What role does self-compassion play in nurturing your soul?
The highest purpose of the human soul is to seek Truth, and it takes great pleasure in doing so. This is evident even in simple things, such as learning to play a game well; gamers enjoy mastering new skills, and athletes take pride in performing with excellence.
The greater and more noble the subject of knowledge, the deeper the joy it brings. For instance, meeting a minister may bring happiness, and an even closer connection to a president brings greater honor and joy. I recall meeting influential figures like kings, presidents, and ministers and feeling great joy, which led me to reflect on the ultimate meeting with the Creator of all such people.
Since nothing is higher or more than the Creator, how immense must the joy be that comes from truly knowing Him? To dismiss this idea simply because we have not experienced it ourselves is short-sighted.
Similarly, true intuitive knowledge of the Creator can only be reached through refining the soul by developing virtues such as temperance, courage, and wisdom. However, both knowledge of God and true happiness are achieved only when these virtues are directed toward the pursuit of the happiness of the hereafter.
The hand of the devil is evident in the mass scale abuse of vulnerable women and children by monsters in the pursuit of their next craving of lust. We eat, shop, marry, go on holiday and throw parties in the pursuit of pleasure and happiness. The reality is very different.
Since death has not been overcome, human beings need a spiritual life that deals with this reality and what lies beyond it. The Islamic understanding of the spiritual life is not limited to this worldly existence. It is a method that makes life and the hereafter fruitful. It is a method that can turn five minutes of communicating with the Creator in this life not only into five hours, but into eternity.
This world is not everything, and it cannot be everything while it contains all these pains and injustices. There must be another world behind it, in which rights are returned to their owners, and every oppressor finds his punishment. With pain, overcoming it, being patient with it, and striving against it, the personality grows, the will becomes more solid and persistent, and man becomes something other than animals and plants
A mother may care for her children whether she is a believer or not, but a believing mother renews her intention and seeks her reward from the Creator, so she is less affected by lack of appreciation. In contrast, someone who relies only on external validation may feel deep distress or commit suicide when their efforts go unrecognized.
This might seem a complex matter beyond our reach. We are eager and ready to discuss intricate matters that have no real relevance or direct impact on our lives but we are reluctant to learn about the actual, critical priorities of our existence. The question is that why wouldn’t we want to make the effort to learn about love of the Creator? What is really holding us back?
In Islam, nourishing the soul through joy means cultivating a calm inner contentment rooted in gratitude and connection with the Creator, rather than material pleasure. This is strengthened through worship, service to others, and a balanced, positive outlook on life.
The True Religion of the Creator is:
- Believing in the Creator of the universe.
- He is the One and Only God who does not come to earth in the form of a human being or an animal. He Who created Adam without a father or a mother, and who created Christ without a father, for He is the one who creates and does not give birth.
- Human beings must abandon the worship of idols and the doctrine of the Trinity, and refrain from resorting to mediators such as priests, and saints. They have to stop resorting to graves or resorting to the Prophet of God Muhammad or any member of his family, or resorting to any of God’s prophets asking for help.
- Humans must believe in all the prophets of God from Adam to Muhammad, including Christ and Moses, may blessings and peace be upon them all.
- Humans must have faith in the Day of Judgment where human beings will be held accountable for their deeds.
In true Islam, there are no priests to mediate between you and the Creator, for He is closer to you than your jugular vein. If a Creator is the source of human rationality, then that Creator is even closer to a person than their own reason.
Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ created humankind and ˹fully˺ know what their souls whisper to them, and We are closer to them than ˹their˺ jugular vein. (Qur’an, Qaf 50:16)
This is the Absolute Truth that people are called to accept and submit to. No matter how much Islam is opposed, it will continue to emerge, grow stronger, and spread, because Truth ultimately prevails. Embracing the True Religion is seen as the only Path to Happiness in both this world and the Hereafter.
˹The believers among˺ those who were given the Scripture rejoice at what has been revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺, while some ˹disbelieving˺ factions deny a portion of it. Say, “I have only been commanded to worship Allah, associating none with Him ˹in worship˺. To Him I invite ˹all˺, and to Him is my return.” (Qur’an, Al-Ra’d 13:36)
Ibn al-Qayyim 5said:
- “In the heart there is a dishevel; it can’t be accumulated unless we direct ourselves to the Creator, and upon Him is desolation. It will not be removed unless man is left alone with Him in his solitude.
- In the heart there is a sadness exists within the heart; it will not go away unless we acknowledge the pleasure of knowing Him and our sincere treatment with Him.
- In the heart there is an anxiety exists; it won’t go away unless we meet with Him and escape from Him to Him.
- In the heart there is a fire of heartbreak, it will not be extinguished unless we get satisfied with the destiny, His commands, and whatever He forbade us from, and for us to embrace patience on that until the time of His meeting after death.
- In the heart there is a strong request: the request does not stop without the Creator being the only required.
- In the heart there is a neediness exists within the heart; only His love, His constant remembrance, and devotion to Him can fill this need, and even if one gets the world and everything in it, that need will never be met !!”
Notes:
- The word Allah was mentioned in the earlier version of the Old Testament 89 times. (Refer to Genesis 2:4, Book of Daniel 6:20 Hebrew and Arabic Bible).The word ‘Allah’ appears in the original Sanskrit text. (Reg Veda – Book 2 hymn 1, Verse 11).The Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the Middle East use the word “Allah” to refer to God, which refers to The Only True God. ↩︎
- The reference of God to Himself as WE or US in many verses of the Qur’an denotes Grandeur and Power in Arabic. In the English language this is known as the royal WE, where a plural pronoun is used to refer to a single person holding a high office, such as a monarch. For the avoidance of doubt, the Qur’an has consistently reminded us of the SINGULAR pronoun in reference to God, when called upon by His servants. ↩︎
- The Qur’an is the last sacred book sent by God, but not the only book, as Muslims believe in all the earlier revelations of God (the scriptures of Abraham, the book of David, the Torah, the Gospel ,etc.). Muslims believe that the original message in all the sacred books is Pure Monotheism (unifying God in worship). Unlike the Divine scriptures that preceded, the Qur’an has not been kept in the hands of any particular group or clergymen of all Muslims which would lead to the misinterpretation or alteration of it. On the contrary, the Qur’an has always been within the reach of Muslims who recite it in their daily prayers, and they refer to it for all their concerns. Muslims read and recite the same Qur’anic text that was read and recited during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. Not a single letter has been added or removed from the Qur’an. The language of the Qur’an, the prophecies which came true, the accuracy in historical accounts, the mathematical inimitability and scientific accuracy, all prove that the Qur’an could not have been produced by a man who lived in Arabia in the 7th century and who could not read or write. God the Almighty challenged the Arabs and the non-Arabs to bring forth a book similar to the one He revealed, even though the Arabs at that time were masters of eloquence and rhetoric, they were unable to meet the challenge, and they realized that the Qur’an could not be from any other than God, the Lord of the universe. ↩︎
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