Is-Life-Just-a-Game-banner

Is Life Just a Game?

Articulating a compassionate and intelligent case for Islam in a post-secular society is quite difficult. Due to an increase in materialism, the value of religion has diminished. One way of starting a conversation is to get people thinking about the implications of their ideas about man, life and the universe. Once it can be shown that there are some absurd consequences and unpalatable logical implications, it can create fertile ground to have rational discussions about why Islam is true. A popular view about life is that it is “just a game”. We have one life (YOLO) and we should make the most of it. However, is life just a game? This belief ignores or denies the supernatural and any form of Divine accountability. Why would there be? When you play a game you either win or lose, and then you move on to the next game, and then you eventually die. The formula is simple; believing life is just a game equals no ultimate purpose and value. Not only does it make life ludicrous but it also represents a very bleak outlook on our existence. As this article is going to explain, this conclusion is a result of thinking rationally and logically about the implications of thinking that life is just for frivolous play. “And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play.” The Qur’an, Chapter 44, Verse 38 No Purpose Is it reasonable to believe? To help us try and answer this question, let us take the following into consideration: You are probably reading this article sitting on your chair, and wearing some clothes. Have you ever asked yourself the question: for what purpose? Why are you wearing the clothes, and what purpose does the chair have? The answers to these questions are obvious. The chair’s purpose is to allow us to sit down by supporting our weight, and our clothes fulfil the purpose of keeping us warm, hiding our nakedness, and of course making us look good. Our clothes and the chair are lifeless objects with no emotional and mental abilities, and we attribute purpose to these. Yet, some of us do not believe we have a purpose for our own existence. Naturally, this seems absurd and counter intuitive. Having a purpose for our lives implies that there is a reason for our existence, in other words some kind of intention and objective. Without a purpose we have no reason to exist, and we do not really have a deep, profound meaning for our lives. This is the implication of believing life is just a game. If we take the logical conclusion of this indifferent view on our existence, we are essentially on a sinking ship. This metaphorical ship is our planet, because according to scientists this planet is heading towards its inevitable demise, and will suffer what they call a “heat death”, where the Sun will eventually destroy the earth.[1] Therefore, if this ship is going to sink, then what is the point of reshuffling the deck chairs or giving a glass of milk to the old lady? The Qur’an represents humanity’s intuitive stance on this issue, “Our Lord! You have not created all this without purpose” The Qur’an, Chapter 3, Verse 90 Islam’s view on the purpose of our lives is empowering. It elevates our existence from being a mere product of matter and time, to recognising us as conscious beings that freely choose to have a relationship with the One that created us. Under the belief that life is just a game, there is no ultimate purpose for our existence. We are just based on blind, random, non-rational, physical processes. And they say, “There is none but our worldly life, and we will not be resurrected.” If you could but see when they will be made to stand before their Lord. He will say, “Is this not the truth?” They will say, “Yes, by our Lord.” He will [then] say, “So taste the punishment because you used to disbelieve.” The Qur’an, Chapter 6, Verses 29 to 30 No Value What is the difference between a human and a chocolate bunny? This is a serious question. According to the belief that life is just a game with no afterlife, everything that exists is essentially a rearrangement of matter. Everything is a result of prior physical causes and processes. If this is true, then does it really matter? If I were to pick up a hammer, smash a chocolate bunny, and then I did the same to myself, according to this perspective there would be no real difference. The pieces of chocolate and the pieces of my skull would just be rearrangements of the same stuff; cold, lifeless matter. The typical response to this argument includes the following statements: “we have feelings”, “we are alive”, “we feel pain”, “we have an identity” and “we’re human!” These responses are quite intuitive, but not all intuitions are true. According to this perspective, these responses are just neuro-chemical occurrences in one’s brain. In reality, everything we feel, say or do can be reduced to the basic constituents of matter. Therefore, this sentimentalism is unjustified if one adopts this worldview, because everything, including feelings, emotions or even the sense of value, is just based on matter and cold physical processes and causes. Coming back to our original question: what is the difference between a human being and a chocolate bunny? The answer according to the life is just a game perspective; there is no real difference. Any difference is just an illusion – there is no ultimate value. If everything is based on matter and prior physical causes and processes, then nothing has real value. Unless, of course, one argues that what matters is matter itself. Even if that were true, how could we appreciate the difference between one arrangement of matter and another? Could one argue that the more complex something is the more value it has? But why would that be of any value? Remember,

Is Life Just a Game? Read More »

Why do Muslim players celebrate goals with a prostration?

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Slider_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] Liverpool FC’s Egyptian-born forward Mohamed Salah is currently one of the Premier League’s most prolific goal-scorers. Beautiful though they are to watch, what is most interesting about Salah’s goals are his celebrations and their reception. Because consistently, Salah does two things after scoring. First, he hugs his teammates, a typical response. But then, he prostrates, known as sujood in Arabic. An individual who willfully submits himself to the commands of Allah (God) is considered to be a Muslim. There are over 1.5 billion Muslims around the world and Mohamed Salah is one of them. A Muslim prays 5 times a day. In the prayer, one bow & prostrates during which one praises Allah (God), asks for forgiveness and guidance. During the 5 daily prayers, a Muslim performs sujood (prostration) 34 times. In Islamic thought, sujood (prostration) is perceived of as the physically lowest, but spiritually highest, position a person can take. Mohamed Salah’s performance of sujood (prostration) outside of salaah, then, is a specific expression of gratitude for goals scored. Though many other Premier League footballers are Muslim, Salah is the only one who regularly prostrates on the pitch. Many players in other sports also perform a prostration. You may then ask the questions ‘What is sujood?’ and ‘what is its’ significance?’ Carry on reading as we delve into this topic a little deeper and answer these questions. “Sajdah” is an Arabic word, which means prostration to the Almighty God. During this condition, a Muslim Praises and Glorifies the Name of Allah, the Exalted. The above-mentioned expression completes the true gist of being in the powerless position in front of the Almighty Lord; therefore, it is not merely a state of placing one’s head down but actually is a complete form of Veneration of God. A Muslim prostrates to Allah (God) in order to thank HIM. A Muslim believes that all power & glory belongs to the Creator of heavens and earth. A Muslim places the highest part of his body (forehead) on the lowest place on earth signifying total submission believing it’s with Allah’s command and strength that a person has been able to do good. He thanks him, asks for forgiveness and guidance. Relying on Allah (God), a higher being is the solution to many problems relating to stress, worry, and anxiety. Knowing there is a greater being controlling everything, that you can turn to at all times of need, gives one a type of humbleness and submission. It is the custom of the world that whoever invents something astonishing is praised and admired by the rest of the humankind. This mode of tribute is meant to admit the unparalleled intelligence and astuteness of the architect. Similarly, Allah (God) is the Creator of the entire universe and everything present in it also declare His Greatness as the Almighty Lord says in the Holy Quran: وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ “And to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of creatures, and the angels [as well], and they are not arrogant.” (Al-Qur’an 16:49) It means that every object made by God, the Exalted, whether it is in heavens, space or on earth, demonstrates the act of humbleness in front of the Creator of the worlds. It is also imperative to note that this mode of showing gratitude to the Most Merciful by His Creation is done in the form of prostration. The Almighty Lord says: فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ “So exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him].” (Al-Qur’an 15:98) Hence, Allah (God) directs all of us to be in a state of Sujood (prostration) before Him, which is the most rightful and just way to illustrate the required level of gratitude and meekness to the Most Powerful. The benefits of sujood (prostration) is as follows: 1. Nearness to the Most Merciful: كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِب No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah]. (Al-Qur’an 98:19) 2. Achievement of Jannah (paradise): Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Prostrate much because there is no Muslim that prostrates to God except that God raises him one degree in Paradise by it and forgives for him a sin.” (Ahmad) 3. Being distinguished in the hereafter: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “My Ummah (nation) on that day will surely have bright faces because of Sujood (prostration) and bright arms and feet because of ablution.” (Ahmad) 4. Cause of Rising in One`s Status Near Allah (God): Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever humbles himself before Allah (God), Allah will elevate him.” (Muslim) You should try to place your forehead on the ground and ask for guidance, steadfastness & forgiveness. May Allah make us from those who prostrate to Him alone. Ameen. Source: whydomuslims  

Why do Muslim players celebrate goals with a prostration? Read More »

Test His Message

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) claimed prophet-hood over 1400 years ago. His message was simple: There is none worthy to be worshipped but God, and he (Prophet Muhammad) is the final messenger of God To test whether this claim is true we must rationally investigate the historical narratives and testimonies concerning the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Once we do this, we will be in a position to come to a balanced conclusion in this regard. In epistemology (which is narrowly defined as the study of knowledge and belief) testimony is considered to be one of the sources of knowledge, and when applied correctly, can form justified beliefs. Testimony is a valid source of knowledge only when it comes from a reliable source, especially if there are multiple sources in agreement. Obviously there are conditions as to how we can use testimony, but in the majority of cases, testimony is considered a valid source of knowledge. Let’s take a look at the universally accepted, non-violence based philosophy of Mohandas Gandhi (better known as Mahatma Gandhi). The majority of the world’s population did not have the opportunity of meeting with him, eating with him or even joining him for a peaceful protest. Imagine for a moment, a claim is made that for a short period of time, Mahatma Gandhi was a prison officer and was involved in the torture over 2000 people. For anyone to take this claim seriously, evidence would be necessary to prove the slurs on his character. In fact, a claim such as this actually undermines our understanding of how Gandhi could have led India to independence based on his philosophy of non-violence and civil right movements. Conversely, if we examine why we have such a high level of certainty that Mahatma Gandhi was a pacifist, we will conclude that it is due to recurrent testimony – that is, when a large number of people have reported a claim to knowledge such that it is impossible for them to agree upon a lie or to simultaneously lie. This is accentuated by the fact that most of these people never met one another and lived in different places, during different time periods. Therefore to claim they have lied is tantamount to claiming a mass conspiracy in which people across countries and time periods colluded to ensure its propagation. In light of the above, accepting the slurs on Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) character and rejecting his prophet-hood, could be equated to accepting these fickle and unfounded claims on Mahatma Gandhi and rejecting his pacifist philosophy! In order to assess Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) claim to prophethood, let us discuss the possible options: 1. DID HE LIE? Early historical sources on the Prophet Muhammad’s (upon whom be peace) life illustrate and emphasise the integrity of his character. He was not a liar and to assert as much is indefensible. The reasons for this abound, for instance he was known even by the enemies to his message as the “Trustworthy”[1]. Further proof of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) reliability and credibility is enforced and substantiated by the fact that a liar usually lies for some worldly gain, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) rejected all worldly aspirations, and suffered tremendously for his message [2]. He rejected the riches and power he was offered to stop promulgating his message. Significantly, he was persecuted for his beliefs; boycotted and exiled from his beloved city – Makkah; starved of food; and stoned by children to the point where his blood drenched his legs. His wife passed away and his beloved companions were tortured and persecuted [3]. The psychological profile of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was obviously incongruent with a liar, and to maintain that he was dishonest is tantamount to making bold claims without any evidence. The late Emeritus Professor in Arabic and Islamic Studies W. Montgomery Watt in, Muhammad at Mecca, explores this: His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as a leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement – all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solves.[4] It was the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) truthfulness that was a key aspect of his success on both political and religious levels. Without his trustworthiness, which was an integral part of his moral behaviour, he could not have achieved so much in a relatively short space of time. This view is addressed by the historians Edward Gibbon and Simon Oakley in, History of the Saracen Empire: The greatest success of Mohammad’s life was effected by sheer moral force.[5] 2. WAS HE DELUDED? If someone is deluded, they have a strong conviction in a belief despite there being evidence to the contrary. The teachings of Muhammad (peace be upon him) are not that of someone who is deluded. Amongst many of his teachings, he taught how to perfect good character and be of service to others. Another way of looking at the issue of delusion is that when someone is deluded they speak falsehood whilst believing it to be true. To undermine this claim, the Prophet (upon whom be peace) foretold of many things that would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms of Chosroes [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad (peace be upon him) foretold, and this is not something that is congruent with a deluded individual. There were a number of instances when this occurred. For example: The Messenger predicted ‘Ammar’s martyrdom in a ‘civil’ war: What a pity O ‘Ammar, a rebellious group will kill you. [6] The Prophet foretold that Fatima would join him first of all after his death: Before his death, the Messenger called his daughter Fatima to his bedside and

Test His Message Read More »

Subscribe Now

We let you receive the latest information on Islam, as well as offers, tips, and updates.