Steinmann

No other religion professed by a large community have I found so comprehensible and encouraging.  There seems no better way towards tranquility of mind and contentment in life, no greater promise for the future after death.

The human being is part of a whole; man cannot claim more than being just a particle of creation in its magnificent perfection.  As such, he can only fulfill his purpose of living by carrying out his function in relating himself to the whole and to other living parts.  It is the harmonious relationship between the parts and the whole that makes life purposeful, that can bring it nearest to perfection, that helps a human being to achieve contentment and happiness.

What place does religion occupy in this relationship between Creator and creation?  Here are some people’s opinions on religion.

“A man’s religion is the chief fact with regard to him; the thing a man does practically believe ... the thing a man does practically lay to heart, and know for certain, concerning his vital relations to this Universe, and his duty and destiny there ... that is religion.” (Carlyle Heroes and Hero-worship)

“Religion is the sense of ultimate reality of whatever meaning a man finds in his own existence or the existence of anything else.” (G. K. Chesterton, Come To Think of It)

“Religion a daughter of hope and fear explaining to ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.” (Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary)

“The body of all true religion consists to be sure, in obedience to the will of the Sovereign of the world, in a confidence in His declarations, and in imitation of His perfection.” (Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France)

“All religion relates to life, and the life of religion is to do good.” (Swedenborg, Doctrine of Life)

“Every man, either to his terror or consolation, has some sense of religion.” (James Harrington, Oceana)

At one time or another every human being is confronted with the Unknown, Incomprehensible, with the purpose of his existence.  Questioning himself he creates a belief, a conviction --- ‘Religion’ in its widest sense.

Why do I consider Islam as the most perfect religion?

First and foremost, it acquaints us with the Whole, the Creator:

Again and again throughout the Quran we are reminded of the Oneness of the Creator, “Indivisible”, “Eternal”, “Infinite”, “Almighty”, “All-Knowing”, the “All Just”, the “Helper”, the “Merciful”, the “Compassionate.”  So the Whole becomes a reality; again and again we are asked to establish a satisfactory relationship between Him and us;

One might argue that in order to recognize and believe in God and to live happily in a community, it is necessary to believe in Divine messages.  Does not a father guide his children?  Does he not organize his family’s life so that it may live together harmoniously?

Islam claims to be the only true religion that rehabilitates the truth of its predecessors.  It claims that the guidance provided by the Quran is clear, comprehensible and reasonable.  By guiding our way towards achievement of a satisfactory relationship between the Creator and the created, it brings about a co-operation between physical and spiritual forces enabling us to equalize internal and external forces in order to be at peace within ourselves - the most important factor to establish a harmonious state between one living part and another and an important condition towards our striving for perfection.