From: obaidr@bullet.ecf (OBAID ARIF)
Subject: 2+2=5 ?
Originator: obaidr@bullet.ecf.toronto.edu
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 04:31:28 GMT

In article <1992Apr8.110823.30003@davidsys.com> khan@davidsys.com writes:
>  If you add two plus two and it equals four in
>your mind, but then supposing you find that
>Islam says that two plus two equals five, then
>you better go with Islam, because in the end
>when your perception of this universe is allowed
>to improve, you will find that 2 + 2 = 5!
>
>  Thus, God wants to check if you trust Him.
>This is the whole story of this world. 
>It is the ultimate illusion, created to test
>a human being's imaan.
>
	I do not agree with your 'reasoning', Khan Sahib. If 2+2 is indeed 4
and we have established that without a doubt, then Islam will never ask us
to believe in '2+2=5' hypotheses. In fact, what is happening is the opposite!
Islam is saying "2+2=4" whereas we are choosing "2+2=5" even though we know
that the 1st statement is correct and the 2nd is false! 
	What will you do if your religion tells you that the earth is flat
and you have confirmed it with Science and Common Sense that it is not flat ?
Will you still follow it blindly? If you do, then you will be doing a 
great injustice to yourself. 
	The foundation of Islam is on the statement:"Bring your proof". Hence, 
if the Qur'an says "if you throw a ball in the air it will not come down ever"
and you observe this not to be the case then you have found an inconsistancy 
in the Qur'an for which the qur'an has this to say:

	"Do they not ponder over the Qur'an? Had it been from other than 
	 Allah, they would have surely have found therein much discrepancy."

				[Surah 4 verse 82]

	This verse tells us the criterion for proof of which book, if any, is
from the Creator. If this is what the Quran has to say about inconsistencies
then if it contained a verse such as the statement I have made above, we 
would conclude that the book is NOT from the Creator and hence would discared it.
	Yes, according to the Qur'an the believers will be tested of their
imaan. But what is tested of them is not whether they believe in some 
nonsense but rather the following:

	"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear, And Hunger, some
         loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil), but give
         glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,-

        "Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah We belong, and to 
         Him is our return":-
	

	"They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from their Lord, And Mercy.
         And they are the ones That receive guidance."

						[ Surah 2, verses 155-157]

>  Do not go too much into worldly schemes.
>You will get further away from developing
>the ability to distinguish from reality
>and illusion. Always look for Signs, and for
>that you need a soft heart, a heart that
>can hear the whisper of the wind, the pattern
>of circumstances and their effects.
>
	What you need to look for Signs from the Creator is a mind that 
is devoid of beliefs for which it has no proofs. A clear and thinking mind,
so that the process of reasoning can effectively take place. Emotions 
will not lead you to the truth.

>  You are actually two entities: the body
>and the soul. The soul understands imaan,
>but the body may be unaware of its own soul.
>When the body's need for ego is vanquished,
>soul and body become one, and the body recognizes
>the soul. It is important to perform prayer
>and remembrance of Allah swt to make this
>connection between the two entities.

	"O ye who believe! seek help with patient Perseverence and Prayer:
         for God is with those who patiently persevere."
					[Surah 2 verse 153]



Arif Obaid