Critical Thinking Assignment
Part One
The origin of Islam is explained in the summary of the creation of the earth and the heavens. The creation of the earth and the heavens was done in six days (Weider, & Gutlerrez, 2011). God created the sun, moon, trees and the firmament. He also created man and this explains the origin of Islam.
The question of Identity
Islam is seen as a way of life of the Islamic people. It is the way f life of human beings and thus it shows being civilized. It embodies and can make real the things, which make people to be human. People can choose to be Islamic while others have the religion chosen for them by other people (Weider, & Gutlerrez, 2011). It is good for people to identify with Islam because without it, people can be lost, perplexed and living as animals where they will just follow their instincts, their desires and impulse, which may cause destruction in their lives. Through, identity, people try to understand themselves and the world. The personal identity of the Muslims is defined in relation to Allah.
The question of Meaning
Islam is a monotheistic worldview, which believes that God entrusted man with the faculty of knowledge, power of action and will. Therefore, when men use these divine qualities well in understanding God and adhering to His law, they will have nothing to fear in the present and the future (Weider, & Gutlerrez, 2011). Islam does not show that man was created in the image of God. According to Islam, God created men to serve him. In this connection, Islam means submission and thus a Muslim is a person who submits.
The question of Morality
On the question of morality, Islam does not hold on to salvation but it invites its people to accept the guidance of God. Human beings should not do what which is not part of the fundamental orientation of human nature. God is thus the standard morality but human beings still choose to do good or evil (Sayyid, 2005). As a result, men are good but imperfect and that is why God send his prophets on the earth to constantly remind men to have good morals.
The question of Destiny
Regarding the question of destiny, Islam worldviews show that it is the goodness of a person, which will save him/her in the Day of Judgment. Islam tries to describe judgment by balancing between the good and bad deeds (Sayyid, 2005). People who will have a heavy balance will get salvation and go to heaven while those who will have a light balance will lose their souls and go to hell. Heaven will be a place where believers will meet all their desires while hell will be a place of torment. However, there is no assurance of salvation in Islam except for those fighting in the Holy War.
Part 2
The question of Origin
On the question of origin, Islam compares with Christian worldview because they all believe in the creation of God. The two religions believe that God created the earth in six days. God also created man in the last day of his creation (Phillip, 2008). However, while Christian worldview believes that man was created in the image of God while the Islam worldview does not show that.
The question of Identity
Just like Islam, Christianity is a way of life for the Christians. Both Islam and Christianity make real things, which make people to be human. Without any of these two religions, people will appear lost and perplexed (Phillip, 2008). However, though some people can have the Islam religion chosen for them, in Christianity it is the choice of an individual person, which makes him/her a Christian. The personal identity of Islam is defined in relation to Allah while that of Christians is defined in relation to God.
The Question of Meaning
Both Islam and Christian worldviews show that God created man to serve him and to follow his laws. However, while the Christian worldview shows that man was created in the image of God, the Islam worldview shows that God gave man a divine quality of the faculty of knowledge, will and power of action (Phillip, 2008). In addition, Islam believes that when men use the divine qualities well, they will have nothing to fear in the present and in the future. For the Christians, men have to obey God and do all what is there for the Glory of His name.
The Question of Morality
The Islamic and Christian worldviews invite people to accept the guidance of God in all what they do. The purpose of Man on earth is to do what God wants him to do. While Islam believes that sin is part of human nature, Christianity shows that sin can be avoided (Phillip, 2008). However, when men sin before God, they are forgiven as in the case of Adam and Eve. Since men still sin before God, there is need for the prophets to keep on reminding them concerning the will of God in order to enhance perfection.
The Question of Destiny
The Islam and the Christian Worldviews show that the goodness a man will save him in the Day of Judgment. While the Islam worldview shows that a good balance between the good and bad deeds will help people to attain heaven, the Christian worldview only shows that those who do good deeds will go to heaven (Phillip, 2008). However, there is no assurance of salvation in Islam except for those who fight the Holy War while there is an assurance of salvation in Christianity for those who ensure good deeds.
References:
Sayyid, Q. (2005). Basic Principles of Islamic Worldview. New York: Islamic Publications
International
Phillip, G. (2008). What is in the Christian Worldview? (Basics of Faith). New York: Penguin
Publishers
Weider, L. & Gutlerrez, B. (2011). Consider. New York: Academix Publishing Services
