He does have a point here. I’ve often considered how I would ever derive any sense of personal ethics if there were not a merciful god over me, watching and policing my every thought and move.
The threat of having molten brass poured down my throat and iron hooks pulled across my face is exactly the sort of conditioning that I need to motivate me to live a moral, productive lifestyle. I’m not sure that I would ever be able to realize virtues such as not murdering, not raping, and doing unto others as I would have them do unto me if it were not for the divine words of Allah.
Surely, human beings are incapable of coming up with such conclusions on their own.
Surely, we can only realize such truths through the inspired words of the Messenger--who himself implemented an outright and unambiguous ban on killing, owning slaves, sexual slavery, child marriage, genocide, caravan raiding, intimidation of religious minorities, and restrictions of personal freedom. All praises are due to Allah who has guided us to his straight path of morals and good manners.
Haha HM, it's unfortunate that most of my Muslim friends don't even know about the kinds of things you mentioned in the last paragraph. Knowledge does free you