This article aims to foster an understanding of beliefs grounded in reasoning and best practices. Beyond the realms of media manipulation, propaganda, distortions, and misappropriations, there is a pressing need to cultivate an environment where people can engage in respectful dialogue about their beliefs without fear or prejudice. Concealing facts does not promote social harmony or mutual respect.
Spreading misconceptions breeds hatred, which in turn fuels violence and chaos. It is essential to encourage a shift in perception towards religion, transforming it from an emotionally charged issue into a subject of serious thought based on reasoning. Even if disagreements arise, everyone should be allowed to express their beliefs.
Truth has been a lost asset of humanity for a long time, becoming almost foreign due to its prolonged absence. Despite living in an age of science, technology, and information, our understanding of truth based on reasoning remains alarmingly deficient. Scientific objectivism is often replaced by gross blindness in this regard. Many people believe that faith, regardless of its kind, is inherently blind and lacks a foundation in reasoning.
This view argues that reasoning halts at belief, negating any rational, scriptural, logical, or natural justification for one’s faith. Yet, every belief system and religion, despite their contradictions, claims to be true. When asked for proof, they often retreat to the assertion that belief is beyond reasoning. Can truth, in its absolute sense, be self-contradictory? This raises the complex question of which contradictory versions of belief we should trust.
Distinguishing between belief founded on knowledge and belief preceding knowledge is crucial. Knowledge acquired after belief is often tailored to fit the belief, making it a scapegoat. True obedience to a prophet, based on rational, historical, and scriptural evidence, differs from blind faith. Intellectual conviction with proof matters greatly. For truth seekers, knowledge should precede belief, and proof should precede knowledge. Any “proof” must stand up to scrutiny and challenge from skeptics.
This article outlines the empirical reasoning process the author underwent, interrogating and examining beliefs objectively, free from prejudice.
Beliefs and practices can be categorized into Orthodoxy, Orthopraxy, and Orthodopraxy. Orthodoxy emphasizes belief over practice, while Orthopraxy values practice over belief. Both lack natural synchronization between body and mind. Orthodoxy is like a seed that doesn’t sprout, while Orthopraxy imagines fruit without a seed. A rational person would seek Orthodopraxy, combining right belief with consistent practice.
To understand the right set of beliefs with proof, let’s consider figures like Jesus, Moses, Buddha, and Krishna. While miracles performed by Jesus and Moses may have served as proof for their contemporaries, they remain historical anecdotes for posterity. Muhammad ﷺhowever, is a well-documented historical figure. Known for his honesty, the claim of Muhammad ﷺto prophethood presents a paradox: if his claim was false, how could he be considered honest? This paradox challenges historians who recognize his integrity but deny his prophethood.
Muhammad ﷺexplicitly claimed to be the final prophet, supported by the Quran as proof. The Quran presents itself as a standing proof, inviting scrutiny and challenge. It also asserts that Muhammad’s coming was foretold in the Old and New Testaments, a claim that can be verified scripturally and historically.
Verses from the Quran support this assertion, and historical figures like Waraqah bin Naufal, King Nagus of Ethiopia, and the Christian tribe from Najran recognized the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ. Muhammad’s influence is noted by historians like Michael H. Hart, Thomas Carlyle, and others, marking him as a pivotal figure in history.
Recognizing Muhammad ﷺas the final prophet and the Quran as his proof invites deeper exploration of the truths they present. Truth should not be the private property of any sect or nation.
(to be continued…)