A Jehovah witness couple sent a tract and a letter to a Muslim Sister in the USA. She forwarded the question and I tried to answer these meaningful questions,
My Dear Neighbors,
I would like to thank you for your goodwill towards me and some other neighbors. I have gone through the tract and I can see the questions are important as you put it. I do not know much about the bible but I will endeavor to answer the questions in light of the Quran and the bible. It is however necessary for you to know that I am a Muslim.
QUESTION 1: DOES GOD REALLY CARE ABOUT US?
This is a very serious question that must have been a result of incessant contemplation on why a loving God would allow pains, suffering in terms of genocide, poverty, disease etc. The answer is however not far fetched since we have the glorious Quran, a word and truth from Allah (Allah is the Arabic name for God), in it was everything explained in similitude.
Allah has created things for us to eat, to drink; created earth, sky, sun, moon, stars, and everything we need. There are hundred trillion cells in our body and all of them receiving nutrition. We don’t need to buy oxygen; we all get it for free. The blessings and bounties of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala are “infinite” we can’t count them.
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an,
And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude. (Surah Ibrahim, chapter number: 14, verse:34)
and that,
If ye would count up the favors of Allah, never would ye be able to number them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah Nahl, Chapter number 16, verse 18)
Absolutely, God cares. For every ‘NATURAL” sickness, there is a cure. That some people create diseases in labs either to see their medicines or to depopulate some people is not God’s concern for he has given us dominion on earth. God didn’t create terrorism, politics did and God is not a politician neither is he interested in the oil of the middle east nor the gold of Iraq.
Lastly, God wants us to reflect on how much he has given us so He says,
“It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle. With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind of fruit: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought. He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the sun and the moon; and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who are wise. And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude). It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract there from ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful. (surah An-Nahl verse 10-14, Quran “
QUESTION 2: WILL WAR AND SUFFERING END?
This is another interesting question. I would have loved to say ‘YES’ but the answer is NO. I actually do not know how you have defined suffering in this sense but if it means a state of want or poverty, It cannot end as it is a natural phenomenon and it calls for balance in the world. That we have the rich and the poor calls for balance on earth. I do not know if you believe in ‘DESTINY’ , I do. We are not all destined to be rich and not all will be poor for being wealthy and in poverty have interventions from the paranormal. From the bible and the Quran, we are asked to give alms to the poor, imagine everyone being rich, would you give alms to the billionaire next door?
Allah assures us that the reality of this life is that each and everyone of us is being tested, and we will be brought back to our Lord in account for every deed we have performed, both the good and the bad.
“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.” (Quran 67:2)
Thus, have I defined suffering, pardon me if it doesn’t tally with your definitions.
How can we expect wars to end when we have countries generating revenue from the sale of arms and ammunitions? How can wars end when in the 21st century, we create wars to sell weapons? How can wars end when we have leaders who are drunk with the opium of power, clothed in regalia of greed, drinking from the cup of dishonesty, dancing to the tune of covetousness and of course wearing the shoe of oppression?
There are prophets of God like Jesus and Muhammad ( peace of God be upon them) who foretold the signs of the end times and nations rising against nations was not excluded in their prophecies. I do not know who attribute these verses to Jesus Christ neither am I sure about its authenticity but perhaps they can help us understand why there is so muc bombings and divisions on earth today.
In Luke 12:49, Jesus said, “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning”.
He said again,
· (Matthew 10:34-36)–“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35″For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”
· (Luke 12:51,52)–“Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two, and two against three . . . ”
War and suffering can never end on earth till the day of judgment where the righteous will be admitted to paradise where there will be no war nor suffering and when I mean paradise, not the one where angel Michael and other angels were fighting against Satan and hi colleagues and not also the kingdom of heaven that suffereth violence, the violence making the violent taking it by force (Matthew 11: 12)
QUESTION 3: WHAT HAPPENS TO US WHEN WE DIE?
When we die, another journey begins and it begins from the grave. The sinner starts to suffer from the grave while a righteous believer will be free from this type of punishment. So many people wonder how this punishment shall occur when one is dead but they do no wonder why they dream and they feel it whether they had enjoyed or suffered in the dream. On the day of recompense, the day of accountability , all souls shall be rewarded according to their deeds, the unbelievers would have their reward in hell where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth while the believers will be in paradise.
QUESTION 4: IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THE DEAD?
There is hope of life for the dead (Resurrection). However, all doors of repentance, rectification of misdeeds are shut after death.
QUESTION 5: HOW CAN I PRAY AND BE HEARD BY GOD?
The bible has this to say, Matthew 26,
“39 Going a little farther, Jesus fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
What happens after/
Hebrews 5:7
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
It is however expedient that not all prayers can be answered fro God is the most wise. There are some times we think something is good for us and it would harm us and some times evil occurs and it is good for us but we don’t know.
Another criteria that validates prayer is being a pious servant of God, submitting totally to his will and worship him. How we can worship God is in the book of Nehemiah 8:4-6, something similar displayed by Jesus in Matthew 26:29 and also same request made by Satan that Jesus bow to worship him, He (Satan) wanting God’s glory. It is obvious that many Christians have become heretics in this regard as few seem to follow what Jesus taught. When Jesus was asked how to pray, he taught them the Lord’s prayer. How most Christians pray today, they seem to have no biblical proof for it.
QUESTION 6: HOW CAN I FIND HAPPINESS IN LIFE?
“Verily, In the rememberance of Allah(God) do hearts find rest (QURAN 3: 18). This way can one find happiness and tranquility. In addition, to be successful in the hereafter ,one needs be a Muslim who submits totally to the will of God. (Reference; quran 3:19,85,102).
In your letter, there is another question, WHAT IS THE PURPPOSE OF LIFE?
As Muslims we believe in the one and only Creator Allah. He is the only One worthy of worship and has indeed created us for a purpose. He has sent many Messengers and Prophets to guide humanity to the straight path, with Muhammad (pbuh) being the Final Messenger and the Quran being the Final Revelation.
Allah says in the Quran that we were indeed created for a purpose beyond that of mere play and enjoyment.
“Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?” (Quran 23:115)
Allah states that the reality of this life is one of deception and we should not fall for its temporary enjoyments.
“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children – like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.” (Quran 57:20)
Allah assures us that the reality of this life is that each and everyone of us is being tested, and we will be brought back to our Lord in account for every deed we have performed, both the good and the bad.
“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.” (Quran 67:2)
Allah also teaches us that the purpose of life is to also worship Him alone without associating partners with Him. This does not necessarily mean praying 24 hours a day with our face planted on the ground, but rather live our lives in obedience to God in accordance with the moral code outlined in the Quran. This includes being kind to your parents, relatives, neighbours, the poor and the needy. It also means fuliflling the commands of God whether it is to perform the 5 daily prayers, pay the Zakat (Charity), fast the month of Ramadan and perform the Hajj (Pilgrimage).
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Quran 51:56)
I am a Muslim and I invite you to Islam.
Six Questions Raised By Jehovah’s Witnesses Answered – Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman
English 
