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Offline Reader Questions

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'Good' Atheists?
« on: February 05, 2015, 11:24:24 PM »
Salam Again brother Joseph,

This question has been bothering me for some time and I would like to ask if an atheist does much good in their lives why will they still not be given paradise? Why does God not admit people into paradise for not believing in Him? Why does He care at all if He is All-Powerful?(May God forgive me for saying this). These questions are rely troubling me,

Your Brother in faith,

Offline Joseph Islam

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Re: 'Good' Atheists?
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2015, 11:45:00 PM »
Wa alaikum assalam,

One’s life would be arguably meaningless if one was born with an innate capacity to do right and wrong and then to simply die with no accountability including no recourse to justice and forgotten as occupying a blip of time.

It can also be argued that 'doing good' or 'the right thing' is something we, as humans, are expected to do (as inherent) as this is the 'innate mould' that we were created in. Therefore, if one does good, it does justice to its innate self / soul, If it transgresses, it goes against the mould in which humans were created and thus subject to retribution.

091:007-10
"And a soul (Arabic: Nafsin) and Him Who perfected / proportioned it. And inspired it (with conscience of) what is wrong for it and (what is) right for it. He is indeed successful who causes it to grow (purifies it), and he is indeed a failure who corrupts it (buries it)"

Even despite this, it remains noteworthy that God weighs the balance in the favour of humans by multiplying any good done, but only holding a sinner responsible to the extent of the transgression.

006:160
"He that does good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that does evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil (or the like of it Arabic: illa mith'laha) : no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them"

Thus, if atheists engage in good behaviour (or what is apparent good behaviour), it can be argued, that this is nothing fantastic as they are expected to be good as are all humans. However, denial of the existence of God and rejecting truth once manifested is nothing but haughtiness against their Creator. This is separate matter.

One of the reasons for creation was to separate truth from falsehood and so that one could accept the truth once it had been manifested to them.

Belief in a supreme Master (from a Quran’s perspective, a matter of truth), arguably eliminates so many insidious forms of idolatry which can only contribute to strife and disharmony. [1]

021.016-18
"And We did not create the Heaven and the Earth and what is between them for mere play / sport. If We intended that We take a pastime, We could surely have taken it from the things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)!  Nay! We cast the truth (Arabic: bil-haqi) against the falsehood (Arabic: l-batili), so that it breaks its head, and lo! falsehood does perish! and woe to you for which you ascribe!"

004.135
“O you who believe! Be custodians of justice, as witnesses to God, even if it against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), less you deviate, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, then indeed God is well-acquainted with all that you do”

As far as God not admitting people to His mercy for not believing in Him (and as already intimated above), there is a crucial clarification which is respectfully missing in such a sentiment. This goes to the heart of the definition of ‘kufr’ (disbelief) from a Quran’s perspective which is a denial once the truth of a matter has been made wholly manifest to one (so there is no reason left to deny it), yet, out of utter haughtiness, one still denies it. Please note the requirement of ‘manifestation of truth’ as a precursor to becoming a ‘disbeliever’. The following article [2] below, I trust clarifies this.

One can only imagine a world wholly bereft of Godly guidance in which individuals simply lived their lives based on personal whims and what they desired. It was such heinous practices of yore such as sacrificing humans, heinous transgressions and sordid, lustful behaviour that was often curtailed by inspired patriarchs of the past and it was only rejection, after the truth was manifested to their people, that Divine punishment was meted out to them.

I hope this helps, God willing
Joseph

REFERENCES:

[1] IDOLATRY ACCORDING TO THE QURAN
http://quransmessage.com/articles/idolatry%20according%20to%20the%20quran%20FM3.htm
[2] UNDERSTANDING 'KUFR' (DISBELIEF) FROM A QURANIC PERSPECTIVE
http://quransmessage.com/articles/understanding%20kufr%20FM3.htm
'During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act' 
George Orwell