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What makes a
Muslim different
from other
people?
Non-Muslims may
answer this
question in a
number of ways;
They may talk
about cultural
and moral
differences,
about "different
outlooks on the
world" or values
which they deny
outright.
Alternatively,
some may say the
difference has
its roots in the
different
ideologies which
Muslims embrace.
However, all
these answers
relate to
"visible"
differences that
appear to be the
consequences of
a more
fundamental one.
Often, they fail
to grasp the
reasons
underlying this
difference. (In
fact, if they
are not Muslims,
it is because
they have failed
to grasp this
very
difference.)
There is one
point to be
stressed before
proceeding to
explain the
basic attribute
that makes a
Muslim
different: When
we talk about a
"Muslim," we are
not referring to
someone whose ID
card has the
word "Muslim"
written on it.
Muslim is
actually the
name Allah gives
to those who
adhere to His
religion. The
basic attribute,
referred to in
the Qur'an, that
distinguishes
Muslims from
other people is
their being
aware of Allah's
infinite might.
Awareness of
Allah's infinite
might does not
in all cases
mean affirmation
of the existence
of a Creator,
however. The
Qur'an
underlines this
fact as follows:
Say: "Who
provides for you
out of heaven
and earth? Who
controls hearing
and sight? Who
brings forth the
living from the
dead and the
dead from the
living? Who
ordains all
things?" They
will reply,
"Allah." Say,
"Then will you
not fear Allah?
Such is Allah,
your Lord, the
Truth, and what
is there after
truth except
misguidance? How
then can you
turn away from
Him?" (Surah
Yunus: 31-32)
In the verse
above, the
questions are
put to somebody
who acknowledges
the existence of
Allah, accepts
His attributes
yet, despite all
these
attributes, has
no fear of Allah
and thus turns
away from Him.
(In fact, Satan
does not reject
the existence of
Allah either.) |
