There are many bloggers, vloggers, YouTube channels, social media pages dedicated to Islam. Everyone says they have the right message. It is easy when your knowledge base is large enough to identify false or misleading information. However, what will happen when you reach someone with knowledge much greater than yours? Will you blindly follow these ideas?
What happens when this person mixes in truth with falsehood? Will you believe the falsehood simply because the truth was identifiable?
We live in a world where the internet is global, and religious preachers are likewise global. We are also in a world where there are bad actors. There are those motivated by sectarianism, nationalism, war, or simply misguided people, who will put out false and misleading information.
There are countless books and articles written by scholars in Islam over the past 1300 years. Do you have time to read everything? The answer is no.
So how does one combat this? There is only one way. It is to improve your ability to read, comprehend, and understand, and to do your own research from every source you can find. The ultimate source is the Quran. But you cannot and should not stop there, you should educate yourself in everything. Many individuals have studied Islam and history and philosophy. Your job is to consume everything relevant to you. When you do, you will realize, no one has any 100% solid evidence for their claims. Everyone is guessing and making assumptions. This should not discourage you, this is something that should be understood among Muslims. Allah states, “Those blind ˹to the truth˺ and those who can see are not equal..” (40:58).
We must be mindful that only Allah can see. Allah provides some information to these messengers, who simply relay that information to us, however the messengers cannot see either. They simply bring us the light from God (ie. the message), that will help us be guided.
Similarly, today, you have the same message that was given to us through the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). You have the same opportunity to review the Quran, study the Quran, and become familiar with the theme and mysteries of the Quran. Most of those that misguide others, the hang their hat on the mysteries of the Quran and try to answer them with assumptions. You must be aware that these are in fact assumptions, and these assumptions cannot contradict the clear rules and themes of the Quran.
Keep learning and keeping an open mind, however, never leave the straight path Allah has laid before you, follow the clear scriptures. This of course, is what makes Islam special.
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