At the end of this article I have included 3 charts and an explanatory note, as follows: 1.

A Chart (Series 4) that lists the titles of the 10 Six Minute Talks with the corresponding Talk Number. These Scripts or Articles could be read or downloaded from ScribD 2. A Chart (Series 3) that lists out the series of talks that covers the subject Muslim History or Islamic History. This interesting subject is covered in two approaches. One set of talks (Talk Nos 114 & 116) are an outline of what happened, and The second lot of talks (Talk Nos 117 to 119) is a description of the reaction of the Muslim world or the Muslim Populace to the changes or the social tribulations that were taking place right throughout this history. 3. A Chart (Series 2) that lists out the 16 Talks (or Episodes) under the series Knowing Allah Taaalah or Knowing GOD These Scripts or Articles too could be read or downloaded from ScribD 4. Notes to these talks or to these scripts/ articles

The main objective of these talks (and therefore the scripts of these talks), is to stimulate thinking. Sensible, rational and logical thinking. So, my message, think, think & think! Be sensible, be rational and be logical.

Dear Friends,

Dear Friends, Assalamu Alaikum, An Amazing Universe When we look around us and even within us we are amazed at the many innumerable and wonderful systems and processes that keep everything in this world functioning. These amazing, countless and wonderful systems and processes can be observed by looking out to space, studying earths atmosphere, observing what is on land, what is below land and even what is within us. The objects, the bodies, the systems the processes each one of them amazing, and the beauty of it all is that each of these are actually working together, we could even describe them as synchronized and working in concert. In fact we would even observe that each of these is in need of each of the others. They are inter-related. Each one depending on the others, each one in their own way directing the others and even in a way each one energizing the others! Actually there are so many billions of such objects bodies systems and processes it is just impossible to describe them in mere words. But then everyone who has lived knows what I mean. From the day we are born, as we gradually grow older our curiosity is aroused by all these phenomena around us. And since curiosity is hard coded into us, we cannot but help ask many questions. We find answers to some of these questions, but then to many others we just cannot fathom out Why? Human beings right through the centuries have been seeking answers to these questions. Two approaches to seeking There are two approaches that are used; What are those two approaches? The first is, where we look around, see the wondrous systems and processes working around us, observe, investigate and study these systems and then come to the conclusion or the theory that everything we see, every process and system around us is planned and created by miraculous design. We realize that everything simply everything is meticulously managed and is in the complete control of some great & majestic but hidden power. And that indescribable power is the one whom we refer to as GOD. The second is where we look around see the wondrous systems and processes working around us, observe, investigate and study these systems and then come to the conclusion or the theory that everything around us is running on its own. There is no God. They attribute everything to nature and explain the present circumstances as a continuously evolving process. This conclusion or theory is known as naturalism. So the two approaches for seeking the answers are that of those who believe that everything happens through GOD and the other of those who believe that everything happens through nature, and that there is no evidence of God. 1

The Religionists & the Atheists The first group could be referred to as religionists. The second group could be referred to as atheists. There is one more group, a sort of an in-between grouping, who says We cannot for sure say there is a God or that there isnt. We have to be convinced This group is referred to as the agnostics. To believe that there is a GOD and then to seek is actually more exciting, because this belief itself demands that in our learning we should seek out the rationale, the logic, the sequence and the objectives and purposes of everything. So returning to the original question, from the day we are born as we gradually grow older we begin to ask many questions. We find answers to some of these questions and we just cannot fathom out the answers to others. That does not mean we give up. Right through the history of civilization, Man has been seeking the answers to these questions. What are these questions? They are generally referred to as the fundamental questions of life. The fundamental questions regarding life There are 100s of them. Let me list out a few; Who am I? What am I doing on Earth? Why am I alive? What is the purpose of my life? What happens when I die? What was I or where was I before I was born? Is there a God? How did life begin? And so on and so on. There are 100s of such questions and each question leads on to so many other questions. When we analyze these questions we realize that what we are seeking for is what we could describe as the Truth The answer we are seeking has to be a great truth. It has to be a great enlightening truth. Otherwise it cannot be a satisfactory answer. The 4 categories of Truths Now truth itself can be categorized. Let me describe 4 categories of truth. 1. Scientific Truth This is probably the most established and easily understood type of truth. This type of truth is also referred to as empirical truth because it is based on evidence that can be measured. 2. The Time Referred or Historical Truth This is based on documents or archeological evidence that can be used to prove that a particular event took place in the past. 3. Moral Truth This is when we might know what is right or wrong but we are not necessarily able to prove it. 4. Spiritual Truth This is where people believe in a particular religious authority and follow it. Through their religious faith they discover the real truth, a truth that comes from God. Naturalists or those who deny the central role of God, depend heavily or almost exclusively on scientific and historical truths. They want tangible evidence. They want evidence that can be measured. 2

Those who base their seeking on the belief in one God depend more on moral truths and spiritual truths. That is why I say that To believe that there is a GOD and then to seek is actually more exciting because now in our seeking we use the humaneness within us. Naturalists are academic. They need hard facts, tangible evidence and measurable readings. They seek in the way machines could be programmed to seek. Religionists on the other hand use their moral conscience as well as their spiritual conscience to derive and to seek. This concept of morality and spirituality are unique to humans only. We do not find or detect these faculties in other animals. To those of us who believe in God, the fact that we possess these faculties is itself a pointer that we have to use our moral conscience and our spirituality in seeking God, in seeking out the truth, and in seeking the answers to all the fundamental questions. God has provided us with the appropriate faculties or the tools to seek out the answers to these fundamental questions. Spirituality Let me list out some points that would describe or explain to us what this spirituality really is; 1. It is our spirituality that generates our emotions such as love, hurt, anger, sadness and joy. 2. It is our spirituality that enables us to recognize and cherish special moments in our lives such as falling in love, encountering beauty and danger. 3. It is our spirituality that enables us to recognize value and appreciate relationships. 4. It is our spirituality that provides for us the feelings of awe, wonder and even mystery. 5. It is our spirituality that enables us to seek out the meaning in life 6. It is our spirituality that enables us to express our feelings in and for art, music, drama and literature. 7. It is our spirituality that provides for us those feelings of duty, responsibility towards others as well as valuing and caring for our environment. 8. Finally, it is our spirituality that drives and sustains the curiosity to explore important questions. So in our search for the truths we have now accepted two important concepts; The first concept is that there is a God who has created everything. God cannot be seen, but then everything we see surrounding us or even within us, the systems and processes working miraculously, are all impeccable and are all pointers or evidence of this most powerful most wise and most beneficial God. The second concept is that in searching for the truths we need to utilize the concepts of morality and spirituality. But then just accepting these two concepts do not answer those questions. We have accepted that there is a God, but then that accepting does not provide for us the answers to the multifarious questions we ask about God. Similarly we have accepted that in seeking out the truths we would recognize and utilize the tools of morality and spirituality to discern truth form decorations or from false hood. But then accepting these concepts does not magically deliver to us the many answers. So then what would be the next important step to seeking out the answers to the many fundamental questions? The role or the functions of religions This is the role or function played by religions. 3

By accepting that there is a God and accepting that we must use our sense of morality and our spirituality we have actually placed ourselves at the doorstep of religions. It is the religions that provide us the pointers that reinforce our belief in God along with all His attributes. It is the religions that teaches us right morality It is the religions that guide us to spirituality. Now when I make those statements, I can immediately sense a question that people are going to pose. This is a question that has been troubling me all my life. In fact I am sure many of you would say, This question has been troubling us too. We just did not know how to ask and how to seek So I am really quite pleased that through our seeking we have now come to a juncture where we could ask and seek the answers to questions that were earlier un-ask-able. What is that question? It has to be explained. Let me explain the question through a list of points. 1. We say that we are seeking the truth. 2. By definition of the truth, there can be only one truth 3. Thus the answer that describes the truth can only be one answer 4. The truth cannot be a set of different answers to different people. 5. If it is a set of different answers to different people then it cannot be the truth. 6. Then why is it that different religions give different answers? 7. If religions explain the truth then every religion should be the same, if there are any differences it should be just cosmetic differences. These minor differences could be due to the geographical location that this religion was revealed in or due to the practices of the time it was revealed in. However, other than for these minor, what I call cosmetic differences, the core truth of all true religions should be the same. Why is it not so? All global religions were introduced by the original leader of that religion. For example; Buddhism was introduced by Lord Buddha. The Religion of the Jews was introduced by Prophet Moses Christianity was introduced by Jesus Christ, and Islam by Prophet Muhammad Each of these original leaders presented teachings that satisfactorily answered the fundamental questions that people had always been asking. People or those followers who listened to the teachings or the message espoused by these leaders were completely wowed and their lives took on a dramatic turn. These followers of each original leader of each religion were well satisfied, both morally and spiritually that their quest for the truth had taken new meaning. They devoted the rest of their lives in fulfilling the now realized purposes of their lives and in delivering this message to others who were in turn thirsting for this knowledge. But then today we do not see those scenes that describe the events, when the truth is explained. We do not see scenes where people say; I have now, to my satisfaction discovered or realized the answers to many fundamental questions, and it is through this religion that I have been given direction We do not see or hear that. 4

What I see in modern day Religions Let me describe what I now see in the different religions. In beliefs in rituals and in practices they are very diverse. Religions by definition would be the path to enlightenment, the path to knowledge, the path to guidance. The opposite of truth is falsehood. The words or the qualities associated with this falsehood are dogmas, blind belief, cult behavior, irrationality, intolerance, false veneration, superstition, holier than thou attitudes and even terrorism in the name of religion or in the name of truth, and even sectarianism. How could this be? Surely this is not truth or even the way to truth? This is not enlightenment? How did this come about? And then none of the religions, as we understand today even attempt to give satisfying answers to very fundamental questions. Let me describe a very fundamental question that has troubled me and I am sure is troubling many of us. Our problem is that we do not know how to voice this question and how to seek the answers, the answers that truly satisfy. Whilst describing the search for truth, as I mentioned earlier, we have accepted two important concepts. What are they? 1. That there is a GOD 2. That we must use our moral conscience and our spiritual senses to seek out the truths. Now every religion tells us about God. When we accept that everything happens through the planning and designing of God then we also accept that everything has a purpose. So the Universe has a purpose, the Earth has a purpose, there is a purpose for life, there is a purpose for death and most importantly there is a purpose for my life. One of the most important truths that I am searching for is the answer to the fundamental question, Why am I alive? What happens after death? Another important fundamental question is, What happens after death? Both these are very reasonable questions that any human being who believes in God would ask. Now it is logical to believe that being good is a fundamental ingredient of life. The question we can ask here is how do you define good, or what are the criteria or the ingredients of this expected goodness. Now every religion also tells us that our life does not end with death, but that after death there is another life, and the condition of that other life depends on how we live this life. So we are told that if we are good we would go to heaven and if we are evil, then we would go to hell. Now hell is not an uncomfortable room! The most horrible of punishments are doled out to the inmates of hell. In fact one of the punishments is that the hell dwellers would be eternally burnt. Now that is a terrible punishment. There are many factors in this punishment that makes us think, that is not just 5

That is very unfair. A person lives on this earth for maybe 60 to 70 years. Then why should he be burnt in hell fire for forever and forever? Is this not very unjust? Is this not very unfair? We have a sense of wrong and right. We agree that sometimes people who do wrong have to be punished. The punishments that we approve of are fines, imprisonment and death sentence. We would never dream of burning a person alive. Everybody would scream unjust if someone was being burnt as a punishment. Then we say that God is very just. We say that God is very merciful. We say that God is very forgiving. And then we also say that God is going to punish some people by sentencing them to hell die forever and forever. What is this terrible thing that this person has done to deserve being sentenced to hellfire for forever and forever? Surely these beliefs are very contradictory? How could it be? How could I accept this as one of the fundamental truths? We cannot make it out. Actually all religions explain this justice, and if we realize the criterion for this justice then we too would begin to realize Oh, this is the sin that these people are committing We would recognize this sin and we too would agree that this sin is so terrible that this sinner has to be sentenced to Hellfire for forever and forever. What is this sin? What should we not learn through religions? Religions do not teach us dogmas. Religions do not teach us blind beliefs. Religion teaches us through realization, through opening our senses, through rationally, logically and sensibly pursuing the instructions given to us by each of the original leaders of religions. If we say there is only one truth then it follows that all these messages all these instructions have to be similar and related. They have to be pointers to they have to be instructions to they have to be describing the real and only truths The original leaders of all these true religions sought out and understood those truths. Their sincere followers too sought out and understood those truths. Then why is it that we are unable to understand those truths? Why is it that we do not even have an inkling as to how we should even begin seeking out the answers to these fundamental questions and fundamental truths? Are we not following that same religion? Are we not following the same teachings? Or are we? That would really be the next most important question we should seek an answer to before trying to seek out answers to the other fundamental questions. The question; Are we following the religion as instructed by the original leader of our religion? Important question isnt it? 6

Let me now describe to you what I call a clue, which would open our eyes to the fact as to whether we are following our religion as instructed by the original leader of our religion. When we look around and observe the teachings of our religion or even of other religions we would gradually realize that each of our religions is actually being practiced in 3 models. There are 3 versions of each religion There is the religion of the scripture. Then there is the religion of the preacher. And finally we have the religion of the practitioner that is you and me. By name it is one religion. But in fact it is actually 3 religions or 3 models of the same religion. So we ask the question What has happened, how did we end up with these three models? Initially there was the scripture which is the original message of the original leader of that religion. Then as time went on each generation whilst seeking out the answers began to write out their views. All these views, by whomsoever it has been written are all actually commentaries on the scripture. Generation by generation these commentaries were being built on. One built on the other. So we had writings or commentaries based on earlier commentaries, which in turn were based on earlier commentaries, which in turn were based on earlier commentaries and so on, ultimately ending with the scripture. But then as this process of building upon commentaries upon commentaries progressed, the message in the scriptures took on a new direction. Obviously these new developments obscured the pointers to the truth. So today, because we prefer the commentaries built on commentaries model to the original scriptures, we find that many of the concepts that should have been clear to us have now become obscure. That is why we follow a model of our religion that is now being described as a set of dogmas, blind belief, cult behavior, irrationality, intolerance, false veneration, superstition, holier than thou attitudes and even terrorism in the name of religion or in the name of truth, and even sectarianism. What should we learn through religions? It is through religion that we seek or learn the truth. But then have we not converted or transformed these religions from being the pointers or the way to the truth to an art of obscuring the truth? Remember that each of our religions is actually available in 3 models. There is the religion of the scripture. Then there is the religion of the preacher. And finally we have the religion of the practitioner that is you and me. It is time we returned to the unencumbered, unfettered, un-obscured, readings or seekings as described only only only in the scriptures. Only then would we learn the truth. May Allah Taaalah guide us all and accept us all. Jazza Kalla Khairan. Assalamu Alaikum
Imtiaz Muhsin Colombo Sri Lanka crescent786@hotmail.com You Tube Channel - HaneefanMusliman

APPENDIX

Series 4

The Talks Numbered 125 to 134 are a series of Six Minute Talks presented in the month of Ramadhlaan (2013). The titles are as follows: Talk No Talk Number & Title 125 The Muslim 126 Shaithaan 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 How did the Prophets Earn? The Swudhoor Scoldings the Prophet Received Understanding Allahs Justice Arabic language of the AQL Pretending to be Mumin Jinns and Insaan The Mu'min Comments
http://www.scribd.com/doc/152723750/125-The-Muslim

http://www.scribd.com/doc/152865037/126-Shaithaan
http://www.scribd.com/doc/152865622/127-How-DidProphets-Earn

http://www.scribd.com/doc/152866510/128-The-Swudhoor http://www.scribd.com/doc/152867109/129-Scoldings-the-ProphetsReceived http://www.scribd.com/doc/152944005/130-Understanding-Allah-sJustice http://www.scribd.com/doc/153575145/131-Arabic-The-Languageof-the-AQL

http://www.scribd.com/doc/153575915/132-Pretending-to-Bea-Mu-min

http://www.scribd.com/doc/153687834/133-Jinns-and-Insaan
http://www.scribd.com/doc/153688620/134-The-Mu-min

Series 3 Note on Talks on History of Muslims

As Muslims it is necessary that we are aware of the History of Muslims over the last 1400 years. It is necessary for us to realize the winds of change over these last 1400 years especially since Muslim Populations have been through quite some turbulent times. I have covered this vast area in 5 talks. (This is insufficient) The first two talks were on the history and the next three talks were from another viewpoint. I discuss the response of the Muslims due to the many changes that were affecting their lives their religion and thus their culture. These Talks are numbered and titled as follows: Talk No 114 116 117 118 119 Topic The History Series The Effects of 1400 Years - Part 1 Effects of 1400 years - Part 2 The Muslim Response Series The Religious Response of Muslims due to Events surrounding the Caliphates of the Khulafaa Ur Raashidheen The Religious Response of Muslims due to Events surrounding the beginning of the Ummayyads The Religious Response of Muslims due to Events in the Period of the Muslim Empires Date Broadcast Jan 25th 2013 Feb 8th 2013 Feb 22nd 2013 March 29th 2013 April 5th 2013

Series 2 The Talks numbered 054 to 071 is under a series titled Knowing Allah Taaalah or Knowing GOD
The details of the scripts of these 16 Episodes (Talks) are as follows;
Talk No Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 Episode 7 Talk Number & Title 054 Ilm Knowing Allah 055 Rationality - The Foundation of Islam 056 Is Man Special? 057 Ar Rahmaan - The Beneficent 058 Nature or GOD? 059 Our Relationship with GOD! Sub Series: 060 Is this what we are created for? (Is this what we are created for? Part 1) Sub Series: 061 What do we see on Earth (Is this what we are created for? Part 2) Sub Series: 062 Who are WE? Where do we fit in? (Is this what we are created for? Part 3) Sub Series: 063 Our benefits on Earth (Is this what we are created for? Part 4) Sub Series: 066 What makes us 'Stand Out'? What makes us 'Special'? (Is this what we are created for? Part 5) Sub Series: 067 Who is in charge? (Is this what we are created for? Part 6) Sub Series: 068 What ALLAH Teaches Us, About Himself (Is this what we are created for? Part 7) Sub Series: 069 Our Special Faculties How they should be used, How they should not be used! (Is this what we are created for? Part 8) Sub Series: 070 The TWO Paths 071 Is this what we are created for? A review of Parts 1 to 8 from the Sub Series Is this what we are created for? Date Broadcast th Dec 9 2011 Dec 16 2011
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Details of Picture on Cover Wellawatte Jummah Mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka Parasangaswewa Mosque (a remote village) in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka Mutwal Jummah Mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka The Akbar Mosque in Slave Island, Colombo, Sri Lanka Mosque in Matara, from the Southern Province of Sri Lanka Beach Mosque at Kalmunaikudi in the Eastern Province, Sri Lanka A Mosque in the Kurnegala District, Sri Lanka Maradana Jummah Mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka Colpetty Jummah Mosque, in Colombo, Sri Lanka The Jummah Mosque at Natpidimunnai, in the Ampara District, Sri Lanka The Devatagaha Mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka A Mosque in a rural village in the Ampara District, in Sri Lanka The Jummah Mosque in Oluvil a village in the Ampara District, Sri Lanka The Dhanakawewa Jummah Mosque in a remote village in the Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka Mosque at Madhavakulam in the Puttlam District, Sri Lanka A Mosque by a river in the Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

Dec 23 2011 th Dec 30 2011 th Jan 6 2012 th Jan 13 2012 Jan 20 2012 Jan 27 2012 Feb 3 2012
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Episode 8

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Episode 9

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Feb 10 2012 Feb 17 2012 Feb 24 2012 Mar 2 2012

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Episode 11

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Mar 9 2012

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Episode 15 Episode 16

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Please Note
1. I have had the great privilege, (since Aug 2010), of presenting talks on the weekly Radio Program Culture of Islam [Friday 5.30 to 6.00 am, Radio Sri Lanka - FM 97.4] 2. Since these are Radio Talks, I refer to, or address the audience as listeners 3. I am well aware that the audience to these talks would consist of people belonging to a variety of faiths. So as to make people of all faiths feel included, I very often use words and names that are common to all religions. 4. For these reasons, I use the name GOD, as well as Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc as well as the names Allah, Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam), Moosa (Alaihis Salaam), Easa (Alaihis Salaam) etc 5. Muslims by habit usually say Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam, when the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, and Alaihis Salaam' when the name of a Prophet is mentioned. However, in these series of talks I have reduced the use of these prayers & sayings to the bare minimum. 6. Muslims, also by habit, use a number of Arabic prayers or sayings, such as Alhamdulillah, Insha Allah and so on. Again, I have reduced the use of these prayers or sayings to the bare minimum. 7. Sometimes I have to write Arabic words in the English script. I have devised my own way of writing Arabic in English, as follows;

th TH

s Ss SW

DHL DHZ

H h

Gh GH

Information on these talks along with all download links can be found on my on my Blog (http://imtiazm.wordpress.com/) The dates or the schedules of these talks can be viewed on the Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/ImtiazMuhsin786) The Scripts of these talks can be downloaded from www.ScribD.com (http://www.scribd.com/imtiaz_muhsin_1) (www.ScribD.com Author Imtiaz Muhsin) The audio files of these talks can be downloaded from YouTube (YouTube Channel Imtiaz Muhsin) The YouTube Link to this talk is at

All Praise and Thanks is due to Allah and Allah alone Alhamdulillah!