Response to Mohammed

Submitted by John Bastile (Malaysia), Oct 28, 2005 at 00:21

Dear Mohammed,

I refer to your reply to me on October 27, 2005 at 18:34.

... actually you did not reply to any of my questions. You posed your own questions instead and assumed them to be answers. I'll answer your questions. However, I do hope that you'll answer mine as well.

My questions are:
1. Why is it that the Quran refers to Allah as "We"? This "We" was often used in Greek mythologies as well as pre-Islam Arabs. Does "We" include Allah and the prophet Muhammed?

2. Is the flying buraq (bird / horse) that took your prophet Muhammed to the farthest mosque a fact as per the scientific quran or a borrowed from the ancient tales?

3. Is it true that you believe that Allah create infidels by planting veils in their hearts/eyes/ears and led them astray? Then orders the faithful muslims to either convert them or kill them? Is it true that Allah will then send to eternal hell-fire?

My response to your questions:

1. Do you ask God why some are born diseased, without limbs or eyes and some completely healthy?

Yes I did. However, I did not hear bells ringing... I don't think I'm schizophrenic. So, I did not hear God's voice speaking to me directly. I'm human and I'm sane. So, I cannot claim to represent the Almighty God.

However, since you used the premise "God" in your argument-question, I shall make the assumption that both of us believe in a Creator of the Universe. The higher-level answer to your question, I'm afraid I do not know. I'll ask Him when I see Him.

Nonetheless, as stewards of the Earth, we are responsible to many birth defects. We, as humans, contribute to pollution. We use synthetic chemicals in food processing. Several experimented with drugs. We are exposed to radiation. Thus, to a certain extent, we are responsible.

However, I believe that God loves all of us. Deformed, blind or healthy. I believe that we, the healthy, are duty-bound to take care of the handicap. It is wrong to blame them by saying that it is the sins of their fathers neither is it punishment from God. It is definitely wrong to kill them as infidels wherever you may find them.

2. Do you ask God some suffer extreme pain in Tsunami, hurricanes and earthquakes where as others stay safe and happy?

Did I ask God for this? If you believe in Adam and Eve, whether Christian or Muslims, the belief led us to understand that it is SIN that drove us out from the Garden of Eden. Here on Earth, we are subject to her elements. People die from extreme heat of the desert. People die from extreme winter. People die from natural elements everyday. Natural disasters exacerbate the numbers and seize media attention.

To a lower level of explanation, there are people who are aware of the risks and still remain where they are. People who stay in California and Tokyo understand that they face earthquake risks and so do people who reside near active volcanoes. At times, these are economic decisions.

What I do not believe is that a loving Creator would order such events to punish people. Linking God to natural events make Him look vengeful and powerful. The Mullahs will have great ecclesiastical power if the people subscribe to these beliefs.

Moreover, people who are saved from natural disasters may not necessarily be happy, as per your statement.

3. Do you ask God why some are born in a very rich and loving home and some are born unwanted and thrown in a garbage dump?

Wealth distribution is definitely the work of humans. In a normal society, economic wealth is obtained by commerce and industry. It is hoped that muslims learn this trick. In unnatural ways, economic wealth is obtained by conquest, trickery or political maneuvering. Is it Allah's will that a baby is unwanted and thrown in a garbage dump? No, it's the parent's will.
You must understand, we don't believe in pre-destination. We believe that you are accountable for your doings.

You quote your Quran as follows:
005.101 YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! Ask not questions about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble.

How can asking questions because of things that are not clear causes me trouble? Unless, there is a fatwa to kill me if I ask too many questions. Is this the key reason why muslims countries fall behind in every aspects of humanity – from scientific discoveries, sports, art, human rights, and religion? Yes, even religion. The Christians have experienced Medieval Catholicism, Thirty Years War, Reformation and Separation. We don't behead people anymore. The Jewish people no longer stone people. Hindus no longer burn their widows. Muslims, ... instead long to be back to their Glorious Days. They're still fighting to have the "pure and original" Sharia laws applied to them.

If issues were made clear to me, why do I still have questions?

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