From: bv8bv8bv8@gmail.com   
      
   Why Islam? The Beauty and Benefits of Islam   
      
   Are all religions the same? How do I know which is correct? Why should I   
   choose Islam?   
      
   This pamphlet aims to discuss some of the beauties, benefits and unique   
   aspects of Islam as compared to other beliefs and religions.   
      
   1. Close Relationship with the Creator   
   At the core of Islam is the focus of an individual's personal relationship   
   with God, their Creator. It encourages a believer to have sustained awareness   
   of God which is a key to lasting happiness.   
      
   Islam teaches that God is the source of peace. By focusing on this important   
   relationship and following God's guidance, believers will be able to acquire   
   inner peace and tranquillity. Seeking lasting happiness through other means,   
   such as following one's    
   desires or the accumulation of material possessions, will never fill the void   
   we have. This need can only be filled with the awareness of God.   
      
   True contentment is found in acknowledging and obeying the Creator: "Truly, in   
   remembering God do hearts find rest." Quran 13:28   
      
   The primary reason for this close relationship is that Muslims have a direct   
   connection with their Creator. There is no intermediary, such as praying to,   
   or through, others, in worshipping God.   
      
   2. Positive Outlook on Life   
   Islam gives a person a clear perspective on the events that happen in their   
   life, both good and bad, as they are, in fact, tests from God. It encourages a   
   person to understand events in the context of the overall purpose of life,   
   which is to acknowledge    
   God and obey Him. He created humans with intellect and free will to test them   
   as to who will wilfully choose to follow His guidance. This life is an   
   ultimate testing ground and although we cannot control everything that happens   
   to us, we can control how    
   we react. Islam encourages a person to focus on what is in their control, to   
   be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient during hardships. Patience   
   or gratitude - this is the formula for a happy life.   
      
   Islam encourages the believer to remain free from the extremes of worldly   
   happiness that may cause one to forget God, and the extremes of sadness that   
   may cause one to lose hope and blame God. By not being overly attached to the   
   material world, a Muslim    
   is empowered not only to better handle any calamities, but to be beneficial   
   and generous to society. This leads to a more balanced and optimistic outlook   
   on life.   
      
   3. Pure and Clear Concept of God   
   Unlike other religions, Islam is not named after its founder or the community   
   of its birth. Islam is an attributive title that signifies obedience to God,   
   the Creator of the Universe. One of its main beauties is that it acknowledges   
   the complete    
   perfection, greatness and uniqueness of God with absolutely no compromises.   
   This is reflected in Islam's pure teachings of the attributes of God.   
      
   God is One and Unique:   
      
   God has no partners, no equals and no rivals.   
   God has no father, mother, sons, daughters or wives.   
   God alone is worthy of all worship.   
   God is the All-Powerful:   
      
   God has full authority and power over all things.   
   Obedience to God does not increase His Power, nor does disobedience decrease   
   His power.   
   God is the Most High:   
      
   There is nothing above or comparable to God.   
   The attributes of God do not resemble that of His creation.   
   No part of God is present in anyone or anything.   
   God is Perfect:   
      
   God does not have any human limitations, such as resting on the seventh day   
   after He created the universe.   
   God always maintains attributes of perfection and does not do anything to   
   compromise this perfection such as "becoming a man" as claimed by other   
   religions. God does not do ungodly acts, so if God became man and took on   
   human attributes, he would,    
   necessarily, no longer be God.   
   4. Emphasises Both Evidence and Faith   
   Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. It encourages   
   people to use their God given intelligence to think and ponder over their life   
   and the universe. Although this life is a test, God has provided sufficient   
   signs and guidance to    
   people who are open-minded and sincere to be able to acknowledge the truth.   
   "We (God) have certainly sent down Signs that make things clear: and God   
   guides whom He wills to the straight path."Quran 24:46   
   Unlike other religions, there are many clear proofs, signs and miracles that   
   the book of Islam, The Quran, is from God.   
      
   The Quran:   
      
   Is free from any errors or contradictions, despite it being revealed over a   
   period of 23 years.   
   Is preserved, word-for-word, since it was revealed in its original Arabic   
   language, unlike other scriptures which have been distorted, changed or lost.   
   Contains a simple, pure and universal message that has a profound effect on   
   all those who are sincerely searching for the truth.   
   Contains a unique and inimitable style of language that is universally known   
   as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and linguistic beauty - yet the Quran was   
   revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known to be   
   illiterate.   
   Contains many amazing scientific facts which have only been discovered   
   recently, despite being revealed over 1400 years ago.   
   The most rational explanation for the many unique and miraculous aspects of   
   the Quran is that it cannot be from other than God.   
      
   5. Forgiveness of Sins   
   Islam encourages a balance between hope in God's mercy and fear of His   
   punishment - both of which are required to lead a positive and humble life.   
      
   We are born sinless but have the free will to commit sins. God created us and   
   knows we are imperfect and commit sins, but the key is how we react to   
   committing those mistakes.   
   "Do not despair of God's mercy; He will forgive you of all your sins."Quran   
   39:53   
   Islam teaches that God is the Most Merciful and will forgive and pardon those   
   who sincerely want to repent. The beautiful steps for repentance include being   
   sincere, remorseful, refraining from committing the sin as well as having the   
   intention not to    
   repeat it. Islam encourages a continuous process of self-development and   
   self-purification. This process happens directly between the individual and   
   God - there is no need for sins to be shared or "confessed" to a righteous   
   person/priest. Furthermore,    
   God does not need to sacrifice himself to forgive sins, nor is anyone "born   
   into sin".   
      
   6. Accountability and Ultimate Justice   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)