Just as day replaces night, spring follows winter, and autumn takes the place of summer, death follows life. The Creator, Who governs everything, does nothing in vain. He creates the most beautiful and intricate beings out of the lowest, seemingly unpromising, materials. Since it is the very nature of His creativity to bestow freshness and … Continue reading Why does one creature’s life depend on the death of another? →

Both the Bible and the Qur’an relate how God destroyed the people of Prophet Lot and Prophet Noah. Noah’s people refused to abandon their idolatry and evil ways and embrace Islam, even though he called upon them do so for centuries, and so God destroyed them by a great flood. Lot’s people consistently ignored his … Continue reading Why Are Whole Nations no Longer Punished? →

Question: What are the good things that faith promises us? Is it possible to talk about differing degrees of feeling these beauties in one’s heart? Answer: So far, much has been said about the beauties that faith promises in both worlds and the many ways to deliverance. Particularly, Bediüzzaman addresses this issue in detail in … Continue reading What Faith Promises Us →

Following death, each person’s spirit is taken to God’s Presence. If it led a good, virtuous life and became refined, the angels charged with taking it to His Presence wrap it in a piece of satin and take it, through the heavens and all inner dimensions of existence, until they reach His Presence. Along the … Continue reading What Happens to the Spirit in the Intermediate World? →

As God Already Gives His Blessings and Peace to Prophet Muhammad, What is the Wisdom in Our Invoking God’s Blessings and Peace Upon Him? Does He Need Our Invocations? Prophet Muhammad is like the core of all the good deeds, prosperity and divine blessing. He is the unfailing, unerring guide, the exemplar to be taken … Continue reading Does God Need our Invocations? →

Those who ask this question imply: “Since we believe in God and His Prophet, we will go to Paradise. But those who were born and live in non-Islamic countries do not benefit from the Divine Light and Guidance, so they will go to Hell.” The question is a debating ploy, claiming on one the hand … Continue reading What Happens to People Born and Living in Non-Islamic Countries? →

Every event, including the manner and time of death, are predestined. Everything occurs within the framework of the Divine Decree, and also within an individual plan for each being. Such plans are always in harmony with one another. This is a system established by God in the past eternity. It never changes, and will continue … Continue reading Are the Manner And Time Of Death Predetermined? →

God created each one of your cells, as well as those of all other animate and inanimate parts of creation, and gave us our human nature. He has given us everything; we have given Him nothing. So how can you complain or accuse Him of being unjust? Injustice comes from not giving what is due. … Continue reading Why Are Some People Created ”More Equal” Than Others? →

God bestows material wealth and poverty upon individuals for reasons known only to Him. For example, a poor person might inherit wealth when a rich family member or relative dies. Some people inherit intelligence, shrewdness, and business acumen, while others who could undertake these responsibilities successfully are denied the chance to do so. The Prophet … Continue reading Why Are There Fortunate and Unfortunate People? →

Based on the verse cited above, it seems that God controls us. However, the Qur’an says that God has given us reason, intellect, and free will so that we can choose the way of good or evil. How can we reconcile these? The Arabic word hidaya usually is translated as “guidance.” However, it also has … Continue reading Can We Choose Our Actions? →