Islamic thought has experienced much advancement since the time of Prophet Muhammad; with the emergence of new schools of thoughts such as the Mu’tazila, the difference between Sunni and Shi’a, and the bewildering world of Sufism, etc. At the same time, a Muslim is inclined to ask the question: Was it true advancement? After all, knowledge as it were, was complete with the Holy Qur’an. Why search for more? – The answer is provided by the Qur’an; as Allah says to the Prophet of Islam, “Say: O Lord! Give me more knowledge! (Surah 20)”
The Prophet Muhammad had said, “Seek knowledge even if you must go to China. ” Hence, the scientists and scholars of Islam left no stone unturned to seek more knowledge. The ordinary believers who do not spend as much time with knowledge as do the saints, scientists, and scholars; were left to answer the essential question for themselves: Who is more correct – the scientist, the scholar, the saint, or the Mu’tazila, Sunni, or Shi’a? Also in Islam there are different schools of thought teaching dissimilar albeit similar modes of the five daily prayers, e. g. Hanafi, Shafi, etc.
To add to the variety of religious practices from which to choose, the modern-day Muslim is confronted by a host of global religions, some of which remind him of his own, and some of which remind him about truth that is intrinsic to the soul. So, who is correct and who is not? The answer to this insolvable question comes from the following verse of the Qur’an: “Those who believe and those who are Jews, Christians and Sabeans, [in fact] anyone who believes in God and the Last Day, and acts honorably will receive their earnings from their Lord: no fear will lie upon them nor need they feel saddened” (Surah 2).
The Qur’an insists on belief in oneness of God. And so, all saints, scholars and scientists of Islam in addition to the ordinary believers have one belief in common at the very least: Belief in One God, Allah Supreme, Lord of the universe. This is the heart of Islam. Belief in Muhammad as the prophet of Islam, and beliefs in the Day of Judgment as well as the unseen world of angels are also basic. The rest of the theories are not for all minds to gather anyway. I am reminded of my grandmother’s words in this context: Never argue on religion. Works Cited The Qur’an. (trans. T. B. Irving). Online. Internet. <http://arthursclassicnovels.com/arthurs