Some Distinctive Features of Islam — Page 21
21 Some Other Distinctions The subject of Islam’s distinctive features is a very vast one, and I have been able to deal with only just a few aspects that I had chosen for this presentation. Time will permit no more than a passing reference for certain other aspects which I would not wish to omit; ! Islam holds God to be the Creator of the universe and presents His Unity in stark simple terms, comprehensible and appealing both to a rustic and an intellectual. Islam calls God a Perfect Being, the fountainhead of all Excellencies and free of all blemishes. He is a living God Who manifests Himself everywhere and Who loves His creation and listens to their supplications. He, therefore, communicates with mankind as before, and has not barred the avenues to reach Him directly. ! Islam holds that there is no contradiction between God’s word and His deed. It, thus, frees us from the traditional rivalry between science and religion, and does not require man to believe in anything beyond the law of nature determined by Him. He urges us to ponder over nature and to put it too beneficent use, for everything has been created for the benefit of mankind. ! Islam does not make idle claims or compel us to believe what we do not understand. It supports its teachings with reason and explanation, satisfying our intellect and also the depths of our soul. ! Islam is not based on myths or folklore. It invites everyone to experiment for himself and holds that truth is always verifiable, in one form or another.