Major Polytheistic Faiths: An Analysis of Similarities in Perception and Practice

Ash Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri

Polytheistic religions in the world have a deep history and have their roots as early as the paleolithic era. While diverse, the majority of these faiths have a massive overlap with each other in its principles, beliefs in practices. In this study, we have done a concise analysis of the major polytheistic faiths of the world, namely, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism Sikhism and Taoism. In doing so, we have found interesting patterns and similarities across these faiths. It’s our understanding that recognizing these patterns will greatly benefit the readers in getting a broader understanding of polytheism and how the human psyche in a general sense, played a major role in the formation of these religions.

Can an Ideal State be established within the fold of Islamic Law?

Ash Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri

An ideal state is said to be a blend of democracy, moderate secularism, people’s welfare and controlled capitalism provided it meets with certain conditions. This research paper discusses the above parameters of an ideal state and identifies the areas of improvements in them so that a perfect mix of an ideal state is presented to our readers. We have also analyzed if this foolproof model of an ideal state can be established within a state governed by Islamic laws.

Political Religion, its implications and the Islamic System

Ash Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri

Political religion has been in existence from time immemorial. However, philosophers started writing about it at the start of 20th Century when communism became a dominant political movement in the world. We have explained what is meant by political religion and how it is used by politicians and people in power in different countries. Various types of regimes that came into existence using political religion have also been described briefly.

Is there a conflict between Religion and Science?

Ash Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri

Religion has two essential elements, believe in a Creator God, and believe in the creation of this cosmos which includes its inhabitant creatures. It is believed that the first generation of human beings who inhabited Planet Earth believed in the creator God. Later, many religions came into being who deviated from this belief. Currently, it is estimated that there are over 10,000 religions in the world whose beliefs are varied from each other. Science is an intellectual research and practice of observing and studying the physical world to find facts and use them for the benefit of mankind. On the face of it, both religion and science look totally disconnected from each other. However, as the scientific discoveries progressed and facts of the physical world were unfolded, these seemed in contradiction with certain beliefs of the people following different religions. Particularly, the theory of evolution, which was meant to benefit mankind, proved to be a cursor for some people to solidify their belief in non-existence of a Creator God of this Cosmos. We have discussed all aspects related with this issue and have tried to find facts in this context.

Religion and Secularism

Ash Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri

Secularism is an ideology that has philosophical, political, cultural, and social implications on human society. It is employed differently by different people. Secularism is of different types like political secularism, philosophical secularism, and moderate secularism. There are some other sub-categories of secularism as well. It is observed that moderate secularism is the best form of secularism which is one of the characteristics of an Ideal state. We have tried to answer what are the other characteristics of the Ideal State and if it can be formed under a non-secular religious society. This paper is our extensive research in this context.

The comprehensiveness of Spiritual Intelligence

Ash Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri

Intelligence can be described as the ability of a person to analyze information, and based on that analysis, act in an optimal way. A lot of research has been undertaken by psychologists, scholars, educators, etc., in this context and they have identified various types of intelligences inherent in human beings. But their focus has been on corporate business and certain worldly pursuits. This research paper provides in depth study of spiritual intelligence and its various branches covering vast fields of knowledge. We have divided Spiritual Intelligence into three broad categories, viz., Ethical Intelligence, Spirits intelligence, and Mystical intelligence. A detailed study of all these categories is provided in this paper. This research paper requires focused reading as it deals with the areas rarely attempted by anyone so far.