matters of life and death

• The most widely accepted scientific explanation for the origins of the universe is the big bang theory.
• Most muslims would accept the big bang theory as it does not go against what the qur'an teaches about the origins of the universe. However they would believe that allah caused the big bang.
• Source of wisdom and authority for the origins of the universe-

  "he who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the most merciful any inconsistency. So return your vision to the sky; do you see any breaks?"
• Islam teaches that all human life belongs to allah since he created it. Therefore, muslims are expect to value all human life, including their own. The human body is from allah and should be treated in a way that is respectful. That is why a characteristic of human life is it sanctity.
• The most widely accepted scientific explanation for the origins of human life is evolution. This is the idea that all species are related and gradually change over millions of years through natural selection and survival of the fittest.
• Many muslims would find it difficult to accept that humans are a product of evolution and another species of the animal kingdom. This is because allah created the first human in a speciak way, in its final form, accoring to the qu'ran.
• Other muslims may understand the qur'an is not literally and accept evolution as part of allahs creation process of human life
• Sources of wisdom and authority for the creation of human-

  "he began the creation of man from clay. He then made his posterity out of the extract of a liquid disdained. Then he proportioned him and breathed into him from his created soul made for you hearing and vision and hearts."
• Muslims believe in the sancity of life and the muslim teachings around abortion centre around when life begins.
• Muslims generally believe in 'ensoulment', which is when allah introduces the soul in the foetus.
• Some would say the baby gains a soul after conception, 40 days of pregnancy and others 120 dys.
• Muslims support belief in life after death by the islamic teaching that all humans are made up of body and soul. The body is something temporary which will die, but the soul will live forever.
• Muslim responses to life after death-

  Remembered lives - most muslims wouldnt use this to support afterlife as they do not believe in the idea of past lives of reincarnation

  Paranormal - although the soul lives on, most muslims believe that the soul goes to another realm after death.

  Logic - most muslims would use logic to justify an afterlife.

  Reward - most muslims would use the idea of reward to justify an afterlife since they believe those who live righteously will be rewarded with paradise by allah
• Sources of wisdom and authority for afterlife -

  "What is with Allah is better and more lasting; so will you not use reason?...To Him is praise in the first life and the

  Hereafter. And His is the final decision, and to Him you will be returned…The reward of Allah is better for he who believes

  and does righteousness.”

  "
• The qu'ran respondes to people who deny the existence of an afterlife. For example the qur'an teaches that the afterlife will be a way for allah to reward and punish people as a form of justice for the way they lived on this earth.
• Since muslims believe that the qur'an is the direct word of allah and contains no errors, they may accept the qur'an as the best proof of the afterlife.
• For most muslims, euthanasia may be considered as a form of murder since life is being taken before it naturally ends.
• Muslims also recofnise that a situation where euthanasia is considered is extremely difficult for all those involved.
• Muslims believe in the sanctity of life and the muslim teahcings around euthenasia centre around this. Muslims generallt believe that euthenasia is not permissible. This is because only allah decides when life ends, and life is sacred.
• Some non-religious people may argue that euthanasia is completely up to the patient as it is their life. They would consider the quality of life rather then the sanctity of life as they wouldnt accept that life is created by allah.
• source of wisdom and authority for euthenasia-

  "o you who believe, seek help through prience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient... we will surely test you with something.. but give good tidings to the patient"
• Muslims believe allah is the creator of the universe, and this means the earth belongs to him. Therefore muslims should act with this in mind.