You know what the Idolaters did not know.

Ever asked yourself why we believe?

Couldn’t we just go without God and religion? With the advancement of today’s world, why would anybody need Islam anyway? So many controversies - who would want it?

Glad you asked. 

1) The Reason Why We Believe & The Psychology Behind It

Believing is the act of accepting something as true or real, even without direct evidence. It involves trust, faith, and confidence in a person, idea, or concept.

Humans have an inherent need to believe in something for several psychological, emotional, and social reasons. Here are some key factors why humans believe.
_{(Keep in mind that the following points are not from an Islamic perspective but are more scientific.)}

Search for Meaning and Purpose

Human beings have always asked existential questions: Why am I here? What is the purpose of life?

I remember watching a video from “Talk Islam” titled “The Meaning of Life” about 6 years ago. It was mind-opening for me. I learned why Islam is the truth, about the miracles of our deen, and finally the purpose of believing.

It took me out of my naivety into awareness.

Yes, I was born Muslim, but I was never taught the real reason behind life. I mean, my family wasn’t taught either, now, were they?

Another Reason for Believing: Understanding 

When we believe in something, we form coherent narratives about the world. For example, in Islam, knowing that we are made for an afterlife makes calamities more bearable. 

The Role of Faith

Some people base their beliefs on feelings, even if they haven’t fully understood the concept. It fits their life, their desires, and they take what they want and leave the rest. Easy.

Then there’s Islam.

Yes, most of us are so-called “born-Muslims.” We follow Islam because we were born in it, learned the rules of wudu and prayer, went to schools, universities, and work.

Then, we met people who accused us of either 9/11, being inherently bad, or being oppressed women, right?

It was strange to me. What was going on, and why was this happening? Are we Muslims really like they say? It kinda seemed like it—no one had an answer.

 Or maybe I wasn’t looking.

The day I found out that the Ayat they were quoting in the news were true, my world shattered.

Really? Islam says to “kill them wherever you find them” and to “hit women”? Having seen domestic abuse around me, living a life of big calamities and turbulences, I wanted to know why. And how? Does this fit our endlessly merciful God?

That was the time I changed my "why" into "because," my fear into courage, and ultimately my naivety into maturity. I started researching, reading, and, eventually, loving, caring, and working.

But it wasn’t until a few years ago, when I finally reached the peak of my identity crisis, depression, and major anxiety, that I changed inside out.

 But that’s a story for another time.

 2) We Hear and We Obey

Ok, so that means we blindly follow, don’t we? Yes and no. Let me explain.

Allah (SWT) didn’t give you that brain for no reason. One fact about the brain that may shock people: it’s made to think. I know, even neurons have a purpose. Crazy!

 Allah says in the Quran:

 Surah Al-Imran (3:190-191): 

"Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], 'Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'"

The status of people of knowledge is unimaginable:

 Sunan Ibn Majah: 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Allah, His angels and all those in the heavens and on the earth, even ants in their hills and fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct others in beneficial knowledge.”

 Surah Az-Zumar, Ayah 9: 

“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.”

 Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11): 

"Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees."

Sahih Muslim: 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them."

What I found even more astonishing is this:

When I researched the psychological findings I mentioned earlier, I read that “faith is based on what family or society tells us” or that “it’s just a feeling, even without evidence”—which baffled me.

Because, as just demonstrated, Islam has a huge focus on knowledge and reflective thinking and asking from people of knowledge. But here’s what I need to point out:

We hold the truth. The only problem is that we’ve taken it for granted. We’ve taken it as something “given” and proceeded to live life without it. We took the deen as something simple. But it’s heavy.

So heavy that the Sahaba and Salaf carried it on their shoulders, paved the way for us with their sweat, blood, and tears, and we took it and threw it away again.
We might have done that for a few years now, to be honest.

But still, there is hope to rise from the ashes and reclaim our truth. Reclaim the legacy the saabiqun (forerunners) left for us. Take over the hearts of people by what Islam truly teaches: Tawhid.

And that’s why we ‘blindly’ follow—after concluding that Islam is the truth. 

Because we know. Just like the Sahaba knew and withstood torture, persecution, hunger, severe calamities, boycotts, and much more.

The Unbreakable Truth of Islam

Islam has a plethora of evidence that traces back to the Prophet (SAW) to show us:
You are on the right path, claim it!

Gaining Islamic knowledge is not only an Ibadah, but an obligation in Islam:

Sahih Muslim: 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”

Our deen is based on clear truth, as Allah says in the Quran:

Surah Yunus, Ayah 35: 

قُلْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَهْدِىٓ إِلَى ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى لِلْحَقِّ ۗ أَفَمَن يَهْدِىٓ إِلَى ٱلْحَقِّ أَحَقُّ أَن يُتَّبَعَ أَمَّن لَّا يَهِدِّىٓ إِلَّآ أَن يُهْدَىٰ ۖ فَمَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ

"Ask ˹them, O Prophet˺, ‘Can any of your associate-gods guide to the truth?’ Say, ‘˹Only˺ Allah guides to the truth.’ Who then is more worthy to be followed: the One Who guides to the truth or those who cannot find the way unless guided? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?"

It’s decadent to believe that any other than Allah can guide us to the truth!

The Quran has a huge focus on truth. As we move forward in the newsletters, I’ll be slowly introducing more facts about the miracles of Islam and addressing heavy misconceptions or frustrations even Muslims have about Islam.

So stay tuned and share this newsletter with someone who could benefit, in shaa Allah!

Having stated that, let’s move on to the final question: Why should we believe?

3) If not Islam, then what?

Our Deen is our Lifestyle. It’s woven into every moment of our lives. 

• You eat, you say bismillah. 

• You are thankful, you say alhamdulillah. 

• You are astonished, you say subhanallah. 

Our Deen is literally in our veins. But why? Why is our Deen so important, and what does Allah say about this?

Take this ayah as an example:

Surah Az-Zumar, Ayah 29 

ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًۭا رَّجُلًۭا فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ مُتَشَـٰكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًۭا سَلَمًۭا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ۚ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Allah sets forth the parable of a slave owned by several quarrelsome masters, and a slave owned by only one master. Are they equal in condition? Praise be to Allah! In fact, most of them do not know.

Now, let me show you what Tadabbur of Ayat or Surahs from the Quran can look like:

First: Why did I choose this ayah? 

In this ayah, Allah gives us a parable about shirk. Throughout the Quran, Allah provides parables because this is how humans understand better. How magnificent and wise Allah truly is, subhanallah!

Allah presents two scenarios:

1) A slave owned by multiple, conflicting masters. 

2) A slave owned by only one master. 

Allah uses a parable that resonated with the people of Quraysh, and even today, this illustration remains incredibly clear—timeless miracles of the Quran! Allah doesn’t spell out the answer, instead, He asks a question: Are they equal in condition?

This question shows us the futility of multiple gods. A person divided among many "masters" will be pulled in countless directions, never at peace. 

For the Quraysh, these were physical idols, but for us, "masters" could mean anything else too: money, fame, food, entertainment. Anything that fills your heart could become your “god.”

After this, Allah says: Alhamdulillah!—Praise be to Allah! This phrase is marked with ج, a recommended pause.

Stop. Say Alhamdulillah. Think. And then reflect:
In fact, most of them do not know. 

Allah shows us that if we remove Him from our hearts, something else will inevitably replace Him. We’ll end up serving

• Money 

• Fame 

• Food 

• Drugs 

• People

• Beauty 

This is the message of this ayah: Tawhid. 
La ilaha illallah—There is no God worthy of worship except Allah.

Allah’s role in our life 

Because Allah isn’t just our Creator. Taking Allah as your Rabb means that you have only one deity to please—and that deity ALONE decides your future.

• I want Al-Hakim (The All-Wise) to decide when I get what I want. 

• I want Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) to decide my future. 

• I want Al-Haadi (The Guider) to always guide my path.

Remember the end of the ayah above: Why ‘Alhamdulillah’? 

1. Allah established a strong proof with a few words against the idolaters. 
2. In the very next ayah, Allah says: “but most of them know not.” 

Be thankful that Allah made you know. 

• Know truth from falsehood. 

• Know love from hate. 

• Know peace from calamities. 

• Know justice from injustice.

Be thankful that you know both—because it is Islam that gives meaning to both worlds: the good and the bad.

You are more, because Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater).

PS: If I could just take a moment to encourage you to do Tadabbur. Reflections like these come to us through Tadabbur, reflecting on Allah’s words.

Use the Free Tadabbur-Guide you got from me and if you need a surah to start with: choose Az-Zumar, ayah 30. And tell me what you found out!

Until the next newsletter, for now, I leave you,

في امان الله 
^{_{(In the protection of Allah),}}  
❦ Dunja ❦