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By Ijaz Chaudry
Introduction;
I have left this article very short for a reason.
The reason is this, Islam and Paganism has fundamental differences which
have been highlighted within this short article.
If one can grasp these fundamental differences between the two religions
than one need not venture further because rest becomes irrelevant.
Difference between
Paganism and Islam, Islamic point of view;
Paganism;
The recognition of the
divine in nature is at the heart of Pagan belief. Pagans are deeply aware of the
natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and
death. Most Pagans are eco-friendly, seeking to live in a way that minimises
harm to the natural environment.
Islam;
Muslims believe in
living in harmony with nature;
[25:63] The
worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when
the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.
However, Muslims do not
believe that the nature is the source of divinity itself.
Muslims believe that God created the Heavens and the Earth, God also
initiated the creation and perpetuated the life cycles.
Thus we can enjoy the beauty
and benefits of the nature but should Praise God for its creation and no one
else;
[2:21] O people,
worship only your Lord - the One who created you and those before you - that you
may be saved.
[2:29] He is the
One who created for you everything on earth, then turned to the sky and
perfected seven universes therein,* and He is fully aware of all things.
*2:29 Our universe with its billion galaxies, spanning
distances of billions of light years, is the smallest and innermost of seven
universes (Appendix 6). Please look up 41:10-11.
[40:79]
GOD is the One who created the livestock for you; some you ride, and some
you eat.
Paganism;
Pagans worship the
divine in many different forms, through feminine as well as masculine imagery
and also as without gender. The most important and widely recognised of these
are the God and Goddess (or pantheons of God and Goddesses) whose annual cycle
of procreation, giving birth and dying defines the Pagan year. Paganism strongly
emphasises equality of the sexes. Women play a prominent role in the modern
Pagan movement, and Goddess worship features in most Pagan ceremonies
Islam;
Setting up of any other
god beside the Creator is the utmost sin in Islam.
The reason for this is that God created the Heavens and the Earth, God
created us and all the creation to sustain us, God provides for us and for all
the creation (even though some of the creation can't even carry its provisions
like insects) and to God ultimately we will go who will judge us.
Now if we thank someone else for all this than it is not fair at all.
Therefore idolising besides God is the most, worst sin in Islam.
God can forgive lesser sins for whomever He wants but will not forgive
idol worship if maintained till death.
One can repent and believe in God anytime, before death approaches!
[2:22] The One
who made the earth habitable for you, and the sky a structure. He sends down
from the sky water, to produce all kinds of fruits for your sustenance. You
shall not set up idols to rival GOD, now that you know.
The
Unforgivable Sin
[4:116] GOD does
not forgive idol worship (if maintained until death),* and He forgives lesser
offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who idolizes any idol beside GOD has
strayed far astray.
*4:116 A simple definition of no idolatry: Believing
that all help to us ultimately is initiated by God.
This article has
direct reference to material on
www.bbc.co.uk/religion.
Thus the paragraphs under the heading “Paganism” is from BBC.
Lot of effort has been taken to leave this material in its original form
and minimize the amount of material in proportion to what BBC has put on their
site. This is done in
compliance with Section 110 (5) of the Copyright Act 1976.