Determining the Truth of a Religion
How to evaluate and determine the truth of different religions.
The Question
Among the many religions in the world, which one is correct? This fundamental question requires a systematic approach to evaluation.
Three Aspects of Evaluation
To determine the truth of a religion, it must be tested from three essential aspects:
1. Theology (Aqidah)
The concept must include the existence of God (Allah).
A true religion must acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
2. Worship (Ibadah)
There must be a way to worship and connect with the Divine.
A true religion must provide clear methods and practices for worshipping God and maintaining a spiritual connection.
3. Social Interaction (Muamalah)
There must be guidance for human interactions and social conduct.
A true religion must provide comprehensive guidance for how humans should interact with each other and live in society.
Related Quranic Verses
Surah Ash-Shura
Arabic: لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
Translation: "Nothing is like Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing."
Reference: Quran 42:11 - Emphasizes the uniqueness and incomparability of Allah.
Surah Al-Anbiya
Arabic: لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا
Translation: "If there were other gods besides Allah, both heavens and earth would be in chaos."
Reference: Quran 21:22 - Demonstrates the logical necessity of monotheism.
Surah Al-Imran
Arabic: إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
Translation: "Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, 'Be,' and he was."
Reference: Quran 3:59 - Shows the power and uniqueness of Allah's creation.
Surah Al-Ikhlas
Arabic: قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Translation: "Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'"
Reference: Quran 112:1-4 - The complete definition of Allah's oneness and uniqueness.
Critical Questions About Divinity
The Question of Maryam and Isa
Some people claim that Isa (Jesus) should be worshipped because he was born without a father. However, this reasoning is flawed when we examine it logically.
The Adam Comparison
Question: If Isa is divine because he was born without a father, then why isn't Adam considered divine? He was created without both father and mother.
Arabic: إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
Translation: "Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, 'Be,' and he was."
Reference: Quran 3:59 - This verse shows that both Adam and Isa were created by Allah's will alone.
Miracles and Divine Power
Ibrahim's Miracle
Arabic: وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ادْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا
Translation: "And when Ibrahim said, 'My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.' He said, 'Do you not believe?' He said, 'Yes, but to satisfy my heart.' He said, 'Take four birds and train them to come to you. Then place a part of them on each mountain and call them; they will come to you in haste.'"
Reference: Quran 2:260 - Ibrahim was able to bring dead birds back to life with Allah's permission, just like Isa could heal the sick.
The Weakness of False Gods
Surah Al-Hajj
Arabic: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيْئًا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ
Translation: "O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allah will never create a fly, even if they gathered together for that purpose. And if the fly should steal from them a thing, they could not recover it from it. Weak are the pursuer and pursued."
Reference: Quran 22:73 - This verse challenges the logic of worshipping anything that cannot even create a fly, let alone control it.
Key Logical Points
• If being born without a father makes someone divine, then Adam should be more divine (no father or mother)
• Miracles performed by prophets are through Allah's permission, not their own power
• True divinity requires the ability to create and control, not just perform miracles
• False gods cannot even create something as simple as a fly, making them unworthy of worship
• Only Allah has the power to create, sustain, and control all things
Key Concepts
Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)
The fundamental principle that Allah is One, with no partners, equals, or associates.
Al-Ikhlas (Sincerity)
The term إخلاص (Ikhlas) means bersih, tiada campuran (pure, without mixture).
أخلص (Akhlaso) means the process of removing impurities to become pure.
ال (Al) means makrifat (definite article "the") and khusus (specific/particular).
Therefore, الإخلاص (Al-Ikhlas) means the specific purity - to set aside everything else and establish Allah alone, referring to the unwavering focus on Allah alone without any partners or associates.
Uniqueness of Allah
Nothing is like Him, He has no equal, no partner, and no offspring. He is completely unique and incomparable.
Evaluation Criteria
Logical Consistency
The religion's teachings must be logically sound and internally consistent.
Divine Revelation
Must be based on authentic divine revelation, not human invention.
Comprehensive Guidance
Must provide complete guidance for all aspects of human life.
Universal Applicability
Must be applicable to all people, times, and places.
Key Takeaways
- • A true religion must address theology, worship, and social interaction
- • The concept of God must be logically sound and unique
- • There must be clear methods of worship and spiritual connection
- • Social guidance must be comprehensive and practical
- • The religion must be based on authentic divine revelation
- • Allah's oneness and uniqueness are fundamental principles
- • The beauty of Islam: even after presenting complete truth, there is no compulsion - demonstrating confidence in truth and respect for human dignity
Final Principle: Religious Freedom
The Beauty of Islamic Approach: Even after presenting the complete truth with logical evidence, Islam still grants complete freedom of choice. "La ikraha fid-din, lakum dinukum waliyadin" - "There is no compulsion in religion. To you your religion, and to me mine."
This demonstrates confidence, not weakness: The truth is so clear that it doesn't need force. The truth is already established and unchanging - no matter what choice a person makes, the truth remains constant.
The profound wisdom: As Allah says in 2:256: "There is no compulsion in religion" - but the verse continues: "the truth is very clear from falsehood." This shows ultimate confidence in divine truth and respect for human dignity and free will.
Two Fundamental Verses
Surah Al-Baqarah
Arabic: لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ
Translation: "There is no compulsion in religion."
Reference: Quran 2:256 - This verse establishes the fundamental principle that faith cannot be forced upon anyone.
Surah Al-Kafirun
Arabic: لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ
Translation: "To you your religion, and to me mine."
Reference: Quran 109:6 - This verse emphasizes mutual respect and acceptance of religious differences.
Historical Context & Significance
• These verses were revealed in Medina when the Muslim community was establishing itself
• They represent a revolutionary concept for the 7th century - religious tolerance and freedom
• The verses establish that conversion must be through conviction, not coercion
• They provide the foundation for peaceful coexistence between different religious communities
Modern Implications
• Religious freedom is a fundamental human right that must be protected
• Interfaith dialogue and understanding should be based on mutual respect
• No one should be forced to abandon or adopt any religious belief
• True faith comes from personal conviction and spiritual journey, not external pressure