#Faith

In this chapter, the author presents atheism not simply as disbelief, but as a state of consciousness severed from the metaphysical — from God. Atheism is not merely the denial of a deity, but often the cry of a soul that has lost its connection, shaped by trauma, distorted religious experiences, or philosophical confusion.

Key insight:

“An atheist is not someone who doesn’t believe — they are someone who lost belief. And disbelief is born not from knowledge, but from pain.”

The author notes that religious formalism, fear-based preaching, and shallow ritualism can drive people away from faith more than secular arguments.

Examples:

“If a child grows up hearing only threats of Hell — they don’t imagine God, but fear.”
 “If a scientist’s sincere question is met with blame instead of reason — they may reject the whole foundation.”

He encourages approaching atheists not as enemies, but as seekers — souls hungry for meaning, whose doubts can become paths to deeper understanding, if guided with patience, not pressure.

The author also differentiates atheistic thought from pure materialism, reminding that not all materialists are disbelievers, and not all atheists are anti-religious.

In this chapter, the author explores lying and false oaths not as minor faults, but as spiritual transgressions that undermine the essence of faith and the structure of the heart. A lie is not just a fault of the tongue — it is a signal of moral disorder. A false oath is a double offense: against truth and against God, who is called upon as witness.

Key insight:

“A lie is not a misstep of speech — it is the heart turning toward darkness. A false oath clouds the boundary between truth and belief.”

The author references Quranic verses that condemn those who conceal the truth with falsehood or earn worldly gain by swearing in God's name. These are acts that corrode the soul and rupture spiritual clarity.

Examples:

“A merchant swears by Allah to close a deal — turning a sale into haram and using God as a witness to deceit.”
 “One lies to justify themselves — but this is not protection; it’s an attack on justice.”

The author criticizes cultural excuses for lying — like “white lies” or “harmless falsehoods” — stating that every lie stains the heart, no matter how small.

He warns:

“When a child hears adults joke with lies — they begin to lose their immunity to truth.”

In this chapter, the author addresses a profound element of Islamic creed — the belief that all things, including good and evil, occur by the decree of Allah. This is the sixth pillar of iman, yet often misunderstood. The author clarifies that belief in destiny (qadar) is not about surrender or passivity, but about inner balance, resilience, and elevated trust.

Key insight:

“Belief in destiny is not surrender — it is a refined form of patience and gratitude. Man acts — Allah affirms.”

The author explains that humans are granted freedom of choice, but outcomes lie in divine wisdom. This reveals a delicate harmony between effort and submission.

Examples:

“If illness strikes — that is a test. How you respond — that is your choice.”
 “If one becomes wealthy — it is provision. How one uses it — that is accountability.”

Using Quranic verses and prophetic traditions, the author shows that faith in qadar does not excuse inaction. Rather, it teaches to accept with dignity, stay humble in success, and resilient in trial.

Main ideas:
 – Destiny as understood in Islamic theology
 – The fine line between free will and divine will
 – Good and evil as opportunities for response, not judgments
 – Patience, gratitude, and trust as pillars of belief in qadar
 – Destiny is not fatalism — it is a guide for striving with wisdom

In this chapter, the author explores a timeless question: Can the existence of God be comprehended through reason, or is it solely a matter of faith and the heart? He presents a nuanced view — the intellect is a tool for seeking, but faith resides in the heart.

He writes:

“The mind sees boundaries; the heart crosses them. God is boundless. Therefore, He is not understood by reason but recognized by the soul.”

The author elaborates on Islamic concepts such as:

  • Tafakkur — contemplation,
  • Taqlid — blind imitation,
  • Yaqin — certainty of faith.

He distinguishes between thoughtful belief and ritualistic religiosity.

Examples:

“The desire to prove God stems not from His absence, but from inner uncertainty.”
 “Seeing harmony in creation brings us closer to the Creator — but harmony is the bridge, not the destination.”

The author reflects on Quranic phrases like “Verily, in this are signs for those who reflect”, explaining that such verses invite us to discover God through observing the world.

Main themes:
 – Reason can guide toward faith, but not replace it
 – God is partially knowable — through His signs and attributes
 – Faith is not irrational; it completes the intellect
 – The Quran calls for reflection as a spiritual path
 – The journey to know God begins with the mind, but ends in the heart

In this chapter, the author explores Muslim identity not just as a religious label, but as a lived commitment, a path of internal discipline and conscious moral responsibility. To be Muslim is not merely to recite a declaration of faith — it is to build one’s life around that testimony.

He writes:

“Being Muslim is not just bearing witness — it’s living that witness. Prayer is not about timing — it’s about structure. Fasting is not about hunger — it’s about restraint. Zakat is not about wealth — it’s about compassion.”

The author highlights that while the five pillars of Islam serve as spiritual coordinates, they are not the endpoint. True Muslim character emerges in behavior, intention, and moral consistency — in patience, justice, generosity, modesty, and gratitude.

Examples:

“If the mouth fasts but the tongue remains loose — the fast is spiritually hollow.”
 “If one remembers God in the mosque but forgets Him outside — the testimony is incomplete.”

The chapter also examines the Kazakh notion of a real Muslim — one whose life reflects faith, not just rituals.

Topics discussed:
 – The five pillars of Islam as a framework for living
 – Alignment between inner intention and outward practice
 – Muslim character as spiritual signature
 – Faith as social and personal responsibility
 – The ideal Muslim as a union of devotion and dignity

In this chapter, the author introduces the Kazakh concept of ұждан (uzhdan) — often translated as “conscience,” but richer in its spiritual depth. Uzhdan is not merely guilt or social pressure; it is an inner moral law, a voice of the heart that operates independently of rules, observers, or legal systems.

Quote:

“Uzhdan is a law that sharia doesn’t write. It speaks within. Even when no one sees or hears, if something feels wrong — that is uzhdan speaking.”

The author defines uzhdan as a spiritual mechanism that connects humans with truth — even beyond formal belief. It is the bridge between faith and ethics, between religious practice and inner knowing.

Examples:

“A man returns a lost bag of gold, even though no one was watching. He didn’t fear punishment — uzhdan guided him.”
 “Faith without uzhdan becomes ritual. Real religion lives not only in deeds, but in the quiet integrity of the heart.”

The author urges that uzhdan should be the foundation of education, leadership, commerce, and science. Without it, even religious systems remain hollow.

In this chapter, the author explores compassion (meyirim) and ethics (adep) not as surface-level politeness, but as internal structures of the soul, reflecting spiritual maturity and the heart’s alignment with the Divine. Compassion is not weakness — it is the strength of spirit. Ethics is not restriction — it is a spiritual compass that maintains harmony between a person, society, and God.

Quote:

“Compassion is not weakness, but strength of the soul. Ethics is not restraint, but a way to sustain inner freedom.”

According to the author, compassion is not merely kindness to others — it is a deep, universal empathy, rooted in the divine names Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim. Ethics is not a code of behavior, but an outward reflection of internal equilibrium.

Examples:

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) stopped a boy from throwing stones — not by shouting, but with gentle speech. True compassion corrects; it does not punish.”
 “A truly ethical person strives to avoid inconveniencing others, even at personal cost.”

A Kazakh saying — “Әдепті бала — ата-ананың айнасы” (“An ethical child is a mirror of the parents”) — illustrates how true manners stem from deep intention and inner strength, not just habit.

Main ideas:
 – Compassion as divine quality reflected in the heart
 – Ethics as a connection between the individual and the world
 – True freedom emerges through ethical self-regulation
 – Harshness reflects spiritual dryness
 – Lack of compassion and manners reveals inner coarseness

In this chapter, the author explores good and evil not as external actions, but as internal states arising from a person’s consciousness, intent, and moral clarity. Good is not simply behavior — it is the soul’s alignment with purity. Evil is not always violence — it may be the distortion of truth and harmony.

He writes:

“Evil is not only cruelty — it is the refusal to recognize truth. Good is not a gift — it is the voice of conscience.”

The author reframes evil not just as succumbing to desire (napsi), but as the breakdown of one’s inner order. The response to evil, then, is not just punishment, but awakening — restoring integrity of the heart.

Examples:

“Sometimes evil is silence. To witness injustice and do nothing is to be complicit.”
 “A single word of kindness may save an entire life.”

He portrays good and evil as intent-driven energies, not fixed categories. Goodness is not about visibility but sincerity; evil may hide in indifference or omission. True ethical clarity lies in the heart’s quiet judgment.

The chapter discusses:
 – Islamic theological views on good and evil
 – Authentic good as hidden, unforced action
 – Evil as moral disconnection or inner negligence
 – Sawab (reward) and gunah (sin) as energetic outcomes
– Goodness as something that transforms the doer first

In this chapter, the author explores iman (faith) not as religious affiliation, but as an inner structure of consciousness, a discipline of the heart, and a foundation for spiritual and ethical life. Faith is not outward appearance — it is a balanced state between the individual, God, society, and conscience.

He revisits the six pillars of belief (faith in God, angels, scriptures, prophets, the Day of Judgment, and destiny), revealing their practical relevance to daily life.

Example:

“Belief in Allah is not just declaring His existence — it is embodying His attributes. To be just is to reflect Al-Qadir; to be merciful is to reflect Ar-Rahman.”

On destiny (taqdir), he writes:

“Destiny is a thread — how you weave it depends on intention. Faith does not cancel free will; it enhances accountability.”

The author bridges iman with Islam, action (amal), and ethics (akhlaq), using insights from Sufi thought. Faith is not merely knowledge — it is a living quality of the heart, proven through deeds.

He also examines the Kazakh notion of “imanды adam” (a person of faith), noting:

“Such a person is not simply religious. They are humble, just, compassionate. One who fears God — also fears harming another soul.”

This chapter serves as the conceptual foundation for the entire book. The author explores the notion of “ақиқат” (truth) not as a static dogma but as a living reality, one that can be discovered through belief, reflection, intuition, and the traditional worldview of the Kazakh people. In this framework, truth is not merely theoretical — it is the alignment between heart, reason, word, and deed.

A central focus of the chapter is the semantic deconstruction of the Kazakh word “дәстүр” (tradition). The author divides this word into two meaningful components:

  • “Дәс” (des) — the inner moral essence or spiritual code of tradition, a reflection of deep ethical grounding;
  • “Түр” (tur) — the external form or ritual expression.

The author asserts:

“The path to truth lies not through ‘tur’ (ritual form), but through ‘des’ (inner essence).”

This conceptual model is used to challenge superficial approaches to religion. A faith based solely on outward observance, detached from sincere moral content, cannot lead to truth. True spirituality, according to the author, arises from sincerity, internal order, and an intuitive connection to the Divine.

The text also explores the relationship between intellect and heart:

“Reason is the edge of illusion; the heart is the dwelling place of truth.”

This idea reflects Sufi influence, in which the heart is regarded as the primary vessel of divine knowledge. The chapter gracefully weaves together Islamic theology, philosophical reasoning, and Turkic metaphysics.

There is also a mention of the author's model of the “eight categories of sharia”, which attempts to systematize religious practice across multiple dimensions — legal, ethical, spiritual, and cultural. This model reinforces the idea that sharia is not merely a legal framework, but a structured path toward inner harmony.

Overall, this chapter is not simply a theoretical preface, but a spiritual roadmap. It encourages the reader to begin the quest for truth within — through the purification of speech, intention, and the heart itself.