Page 96 - Islam and Karma

ISLAM AND KARMA

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T The Qur’an is a guide that helps us to
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There are many ideas, philosophies and beliefs current in the
world. Several of these are based on superstitious and dangerous be-
liefs, ideas and practices, though they also have some positive fea-
tures. The concept of karma, for instance, contains several erroneous
and superstitious elements. It is true that there are some things about
it that might encourage people to live a morally good life. However,
the only way to distinguish what is truly good from what is truly evil
is to consult the Qu’ran and the Sunnah of the Messenger, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, which Allah sent to us as our only
guide. During the course of this book, we have described some of the
characteristics of the idea of karma, and have explained why various
aspects of this idea are true or false. In doing this, our only criterion
and source of reference has been the verses of the Qur’an. For instance,
when criticising the belief in reincarnation which forms part of karmic
philosophy, we were guided by the verses of the Qur’an. The reason
for this is that all sources apart from Allah's Book and the Sunnah of
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, are products
of human thought, so they cannot be absolutely reliable. The only ab-
solutely reliable source is Allah's own Book and His Messenger’s
Sunnah. Those who delude themselves that they can live their lives ac-
cording to any other book or source cannot avoid error.
Allah tells us of the Quran's ability to distinguish truth from false-
hood in the following verse:
… and He has sent down the Furqan (The standard by which to
discern the true from the false). Those who reject Allah’s
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