This is the fourth of the five-part series regarding what Islam can do for you. Some people think that Islam is a panecea for all life’s problems, saving people from death or making them perfect angels BUT the truth is Islam is far above all that. This Friday we are going to look at what others said what Islam actually did for them and this world!
"Now I realize I can get in direct contact with God, unlike Christianity or any other religion. As one Hindu lady told me, “You don’t understand the Hindus. We believe in one God; we use these objects (idols) to merely concentrate.” What she was saying was that in order to reach God, one has to create associates, that are idols for the purpose. But Islam removes all these barriers. The only thing that moves the believers from the disbelievers is the salat (prayer). This is the process of purification." -- Yusuf Islam ( formerly known as Cat Steven ).
"So the hypocrisy of American society came to surface and lay uncovered before me. Islam unknotted many complications for me. As a matter of fact, I came to think of myself as a complete human being, in the literal sense of the word. After becoming Muslim, I felt a tremendous change in me." -- Jermaine Jackson.
"There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white... America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white - but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespecitve of their color." -- Macolm X.
"Since then I have lived a Muslim life in theory and practice to the extent of my ability. The power and wisdom and mercy of God are boundless. The fields of knowledge stretch out ever before us beyond the horizon. In our pilgrimage through life, I feel assured that the only befitting garment we can wear is submission, and upon our heads the headgear of praise, and in our hearts love of the One Supreme. “Wal-Hamdu lil’ Lahi Rabbi ‘l-’Alameen (Praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds.” --William Burchell Bashyr Pickard, poet and novelist, UK.
"The universal brotherhood of Islam, regardless of race, politics, color or country, has been brought home to me most keenly many times in my life and this is another feature which drew me towards the Faith." --
Colonel Donald S. Rockwell, poet and critic, USA.
“Math is logical. It consists of using facts and figures to find concrete answers. That is the way my mind works, and it is frustrating when I deal with things that do not have concrete answers. Having a mind that accepts ideas on their factual merit makes believing in a religion difficult because most religions require acceptance by faith. Islam appeals to man’s reasoning." -- Jeffrey Lang, professor of mathematics and writer, USA
"I could not have drawn up a list of demands, but I had a fair idea of what I was after. The religion I wanted should be to metaphysics as metaphysics is to science. It would not be confined by a narrow rationalism or traffic in mystery to please its priests. There would be no priests, no separation between nature and things sacred." -- Michael Wolfe, journalist, USA.
"After all, it was a matter of love; and love is composed of many things; of our desires and our loneliness, of our high aims and our shortcomings, of our strength and our weakness. So it was in my case. Islam came over me like a robber who enters a house by night; but, unlike a robber, it entered to remain for good." -- Leopold Weiss, statesman and journalist, Austria.
Peace be upon those who follow the truth.
Wednesday 23 November 2016
Friday 11 November 2016
WHAT CAN ISLAM DO FOR YOU? PART 3
I have already established the indisputable truth that Islam cannot spare anyone's life's problems nor it can save anyone from death nor it can make anyone live completely without sin in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.
However, people have to know what Islam at least can do for them so this Friday, we are going to discuss the benefits that come from converting to Islam and some of the many advantages gained therefrom.
When a person realises they have discovered one of life's most basic truths, a sense of calmness and well being descends upon them. Establishing a relationship with God in the most pure and simple way is liberating and exhilarating, and it results in serenity. However it is not the only advantage of converting to Islam, there are other benefits that one would experience and we will discuss them here one by one.
1. Converting to Islam liberates a person from slavery to manmade systems and lifestyles.
Islam emancipates the mind from superstitions and uncertainties; it liberates the soul from sin and corruption and frees the conscience from oppression and fear. Submission to the will of God, does not curtail freedom, on the contrary it gives a very high degree of freedom by freeing the mind from superstitions and filling it with truth and knowledge.
Once a person accepts Islam they are no longer slaves to fashion, or consumerism, and they are free from the slavery of a monetary system designed to subjugate the people. On a smaller but equally as important scale Islam liberates a person from the superstitions that rule the lives of those not truly submitted to God. A believer knows that good and bad luck do not exist. Both the good and the bad aspects of our lives come from God and as Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, explains all the affairs of a believer are good:
"If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him".
After a person is freed from manmade systems and lifestyles he or she is free to worship God in the correct manner. A believer is able to put his trust and hope in God and sincerely seek His mercy.
2. Converting to Islam allows a person to truly experience God’s love.
Converting to Islam allows a person to achieve God’s love by following His guide to life - the Quran, and the authentic teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad. When God created the world He did not abandon it to instability and insecurity. He sent a rope, firm and steady, and by holding tightly to this rope an insignificant human being can achieve greatness and eternal peace. In the words of Quran, God makes His desires perfectly clear, however human beings have free will and are free to either please or displease God.
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love God then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), God will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 3:31)
"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And God is All-Hearer, All-Knower." (Quran 2:256)
3. A benefit of converting to Islam is that God promises Paradise to the believer.
Paradise, as described in many verses of Quran, is a place of eternal bliss and it is promised to believers. God shows his mercy to the believers by rewarding them with Paradise.Whoever denies God or worships something with, or instead of Him, or claims that God has a son or daughter or partner, will be doomed in the Hereafter to the hellfire. Converting to Islam will save a person from the torment of the grave, suffering on the Day of Judgement and eternal hellfire.
"And those who believe (in the Oneness of God) and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward of the workers." (Quran 29: 58)
4. Happiness, tranquillity and inner peace can be achieved by converting to Islam.
Islam itself is inherently associated with inner peace and tranquillity. The words Islam, Muslim and salaam (peace) all come from the root word "Sa - la – ma" denoting peace, security, and safety. When one submits to the will of God he or she will experience an innate sense of security and peacefulness.
Perfect happiness exists only in Paradise. There we will find total peace, tranquillity and security and be free from the fear, anxiety and pain that are part of the human condition. However the guidelines provided by Islam allow us, imperfect humans, to seek happiness in this world. The key to being happy in this world and the next is seeking the pleasure of God, and worshipping Him, without associating partners with Him.
Many people around the globe spend countless hours reading and studying the principles of Islam; they pour over translations of the meanings of the Quran and are held entranced by the life and times of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him. Many need only a glimpse of Islam and convert immediately. Still others recognise the truth but wait, and wait and keep on waiting, sometimes to the point of putting their hereafter in peril. Therefore today we continue our discussion on, the sometimes not so obvious benefits of converting to Islam.
“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)
5. Converting to Islam is the first step in establishing a lifelong connection to the Creator.
Every single member of the human race is born innately knowing that God is One. Prophet Muhammad said that every child was born in a state of fitrah, with the correct understanding of God. According to Islam this is a natural state of being, instinctively knowing there is a Creator and naturally wanting to worship and please Him. For many, allowing God into their lives and worshipping Him in a way that is pleasing to Him, gives a whole new meaning to life.
“Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
Through acts of worship such as prayer and supplication, one begins to feel that God is close at hand, through His infinite knowledge and wisdom. A believer is secure in the knowledge that God, the Most High, is above the heavens, and comforted by the fact that He is with them in all their affairs. A Muslim is never alone.
“He knows what goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And God is the All-Seer of what you do.” (Quran 57:4)
6. Converting to Islam reveals God’s mercy and forgiveness towards His creation.
As feeble human beings we often feel lost and alone. It is then that we turn to God and seek His Mercy and Forgiveness. When we turn to Him in true submission His tranquillity descends upon us. We are then able to feel the quality of His mercy and see it manifest in the world around us. However in order to worship God, we need to know Him. Converting to Islam opens the gateway to this knowledge, including the fact that God’s forgiveness knows no bounds.
Many people are confused or ashamed of the many sins they have committed over the course of their lives. Converting to Islam completely washes those sins away; it is as if they never happened. A new Muslim is as pure as a new born baby.
“Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.” (Quran 8:38)
If after converting to Islam a person commits more sins the door to forgiveness is still wide open.
“O you who believe! Turn to God with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)…” (Quran 66:8)
7. Converting to Islam teaches us that trials and tests are part of the human condition.
Once a person converts to Islam he begins to understand that the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of this life are not random acts of a cruel and unorganised universe. A true believer understands that our existence is part of a well-ordered world, and life is unfolding in exactly the way God, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained.
God tells us we will be tested and He advises us to bear our trials and tribulations patiently. This is difficult to understand unless one embraces the Oneness of God, the religion of Islam, where God has given us clear guidelines about how to behave when faced with trials and tribulations. If we follow these guidelines, found in the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, it is possible to bear afflictions with ease and even be grateful.
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones.” (Quran 2:155)
Prophet Muhammad said, “A man will be tested according to the level of his religious commitment, and the trials will keep affecting a believer until he is left walking on the face of the earth with no burden of sin whatsoever”.
A Muslim knows with certainty that this world, this life, is no more than a transient place, a stop on the journey to our eternal life in either the hell fire or the paradise. To face the Creator with no burden of sin is a marvellous thing, certainly worth the tests that befall us.
8. Converting to Islam answers all life’s BIG questions.
One of the major benefits of converting to Islam is that it lifts the fog. Suddenly life, and all its ups and downs becomes clearer, it all makes more sense. The answers to the big questions that have been plaguing humankind for millennia are all laid bare. At any time during our lives, when we stand on the precipice, or at the fork in the road we ask ourselves – “Is this it, is this really all there is?” Well no, this is not all there is. Islam answers the questions and asks us to look beyond materialism and see that this life is little more than a transient stop on the way to life everlasting. Islam gives a clear aim and purpose to life. As a Muslim we are able to find answers in the words of God, the Quran, and in the example of His final messenger Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him.
Being Muslim indicates complete submission to the Creator and the fact that we were only created to worship God Alone. That is the reason we are here, on this spinning planet in the seemingly infinite universe; to worship God and God Alone. Converting to Islam frees us from the only potentially unforgiveable sin, which is to associate partners with God.
“And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind, except to worship Me (Alone).” (Quran 51:56)
“Oh humankind, worship God, you have no other god but Him.” (Quran 7:59)
It must be said however, that God is not in need of human worship. If not a single human worshipped God, it would not diminish His glory in any way, and if all of humankind worshipped Him, it would not increase His glory in any way. We, humankind, need the comfort and security of worshipping God.
9. Converting to Islam allows every aspect of life to be an act of worship.
The religion of Islam was revealed for the benefit of all humankind who will exist until the Day of Judgement. It is a complete way of life, not something only practiced on the weekend or at annual festivals. A believer’s relationship with God is twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. It does not stop and start. Through His infinite mercy, God has provided us with a holistic approach to life, one that covers all aspects, spiritual, emotional and physical. He has not left us alone to stumble in the darkness rather God has given us the Quran, a book of guidance. He has also given us the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad that explain and expand on the guidance of the Quran.
Islam fulfils and balances our physical and spiritual needs. This system, designed by the Creator for his creation, not only expects a high standard of behaviour, morality and ethics but it also allows each and every human act to be transformed into worship. In fact, God commands the believers to dedicate their lives to Him.
“Say: ‘Surely my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for God, the Lord of all the worlds.’” (Quran 6:162)
10. Converting to Islam makes all relationships harmonious.
God knows what is best for His creation. He has complete knowledge of the human psyche. Consequently Islam clearly defines the rights and responsibilities we have towards God, our parents, spouses, children, relatives, neighbours, etc. This brings order out of chaos, harmony out of confusion and replaces friction and conflict with peace. Converting to Islam allows one to face any and all situations with confidence. Islam is able to guide us through all aspects of life, spiritual, political, familial, societal and corporate.
When we fulfil our obligation to honour and obey God we automatically acquire all the manners and high standards of morality that Islam demands. Converting to Islam means submitting to the will of God and this entails honouring and respecting the rights of humankind, all living creatures and even the environment. We must know God and submit to Him in order to make decisions that will earn His pleasure.
In conclusion, there is one benefit of converting to Islam that makes every day a delight. No matter what circumstances a Muslim finds him or herself in, they are secure in the knowledge that nothing in this universe happens without the permission of God. The tests, trials and triumphs are all good and if faced with complete trust in God, they will lead to a happy conclusion and real contentment.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer! They are all for his benefit. If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him”.
However, people have to know what Islam at least can do for them so this Friday, we are going to discuss the benefits that come from converting to Islam and some of the many advantages gained therefrom.
When a person realises they have discovered one of life's most basic truths, a sense of calmness and well being descends upon them. Establishing a relationship with God in the most pure and simple way is liberating and exhilarating, and it results in serenity. However it is not the only advantage of converting to Islam, there are other benefits that one would experience and we will discuss them here one by one.
1. Converting to Islam liberates a person from slavery to manmade systems and lifestyles.
Islam emancipates the mind from superstitions and uncertainties; it liberates the soul from sin and corruption and frees the conscience from oppression and fear. Submission to the will of God, does not curtail freedom, on the contrary it gives a very high degree of freedom by freeing the mind from superstitions and filling it with truth and knowledge.
Once a person accepts Islam they are no longer slaves to fashion, or consumerism, and they are free from the slavery of a monetary system designed to subjugate the people. On a smaller but equally as important scale Islam liberates a person from the superstitions that rule the lives of those not truly submitted to God. A believer knows that good and bad luck do not exist. Both the good and the bad aspects of our lives come from God and as Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, explains all the affairs of a believer are good:
"If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him".
After a person is freed from manmade systems and lifestyles he or she is free to worship God in the correct manner. A believer is able to put his trust and hope in God and sincerely seek His mercy.
2. Converting to Islam allows a person to truly experience God’s love.
Converting to Islam allows a person to achieve God’s love by following His guide to life - the Quran, and the authentic teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad. When God created the world He did not abandon it to instability and insecurity. He sent a rope, firm and steady, and by holding tightly to this rope an insignificant human being can achieve greatness and eternal peace. In the words of Quran, God makes His desires perfectly clear, however human beings have free will and are free to either please or displease God.
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love God then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), God will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 3:31)
"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And God is All-Hearer, All-Knower." (Quran 2:256)
3. A benefit of converting to Islam is that God promises Paradise to the believer.
Paradise, as described in many verses of Quran, is a place of eternal bliss and it is promised to believers. God shows his mercy to the believers by rewarding them with Paradise.Whoever denies God or worships something with, or instead of Him, or claims that God has a son or daughter or partner, will be doomed in the Hereafter to the hellfire. Converting to Islam will save a person from the torment of the grave, suffering on the Day of Judgement and eternal hellfire.
"And those who believe (in the Oneness of God) and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward of the workers." (Quran 29: 58)
4. Happiness, tranquillity and inner peace can be achieved by converting to Islam.
Islam itself is inherently associated with inner peace and tranquillity. The words Islam, Muslim and salaam (peace) all come from the root word "Sa - la – ma" denoting peace, security, and safety. When one submits to the will of God he or she will experience an innate sense of security and peacefulness.
Perfect happiness exists only in Paradise. There we will find total peace, tranquillity and security and be free from the fear, anxiety and pain that are part of the human condition. However the guidelines provided by Islam allow us, imperfect humans, to seek happiness in this world. The key to being happy in this world and the next is seeking the pleasure of God, and worshipping Him, without associating partners with Him.
Many people around the globe spend countless hours reading and studying the principles of Islam; they pour over translations of the meanings of the Quran and are held entranced by the life and times of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him. Many need only a glimpse of Islam and convert immediately. Still others recognise the truth but wait, and wait and keep on waiting, sometimes to the point of putting their hereafter in peril. Therefore today we continue our discussion on, the sometimes not so obvious benefits of converting to Islam.
“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)
5. Converting to Islam is the first step in establishing a lifelong connection to the Creator.
Every single member of the human race is born innately knowing that God is One. Prophet Muhammad said that every child was born in a state of fitrah, with the correct understanding of God. According to Islam this is a natural state of being, instinctively knowing there is a Creator and naturally wanting to worship and please Him. For many, allowing God into their lives and worshipping Him in a way that is pleasing to Him, gives a whole new meaning to life.
“Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
Through acts of worship such as prayer and supplication, one begins to feel that God is close at hand, through His infinite knowledge and wisdom. A believer is secure in the knowledge that God, the Most High, is above the heavens, and comforted by the fact that He is with them in all their affairs. A Muslim is never alone.
“He knows what goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And God is the All-Seer of what you do.” (Quran 57:4)
6. Converting to Islam reveals God’s mercy and forgiveness towards His creation.
As feeble human beings we often feel lost and alone. It is then that we turn to God and seek His Mercy and Forgiveness. When we turn to Him in true submission His tranquillity descends upon us. We are then able to feel the quality of His mercy and see it manifest in the world around us. However in order to worship God, we need to know Him. Converting to Islam opens the gateway to this knowledge, including the fact that God’s forgiveness knows no bounds.
Many people are confused or ashamed of the many sins they have committed over the course of their lives. Converting to Islam completely washes those sins away; it is as if they never happened. A new Muslim is as pure as a new born baby.
“Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.” (Quran 8:38)
If after converting to Islam a person commits more sins the door to forgiveness is still wide open.
“O you who believe! Turn to God with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)…” (Quran 66:8)
7. Converting to Islam teaches us that trials and tests are part of the human condition.
Once a person converts to Islam he begins to understand that the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of this life are not random acts of a cruel and unorganised universe. A true believer understands that our existence is part of a well-ordered world, and life is unfolding in exactly the way God, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained.
God tells us we will be tested and He advises us to bear our trials and tribulations patiently. This is difficult to understand unless one embraces the Oneness of God, the religion of Islam, where God has given us clear guidelines about how to behave when faced with trials and tribulations. If we follow these guidelines, found in the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, it is possible to bear afflictions with ease and even be grateful.
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones.” (Quran 2:155)
Prophet Muhammad said, “A man will be tested according to the level of his religious commitment, and the trials will keep affecting a believer until he is left walking on the face of the earth with no burden of sin whatsoever”.
A Muslim knows with certainty that this world, this life, is no more than a transient place, a stop on the journey to our eternal life in either the hell fire or the paradise. To face the Creator with no burden of sin is a marvellous thing, certainly worth the tests that befall us.
8. Converting to Islam answers all life’s BIG questions.
One of the major benefits of converting to Islam is that it lifts the fog. Suddenly life, and all its ups and downs becomes clearer, it all makes more sense. The answers to the big questions that have been plaguing humankind for millennia are all laid bare. At any time during our lives, when we stand on the precipice, or at the fork in the road we ask ourselves – “Is this it, is this really all there is?” Well no, this is not all there is. Islam answers the questions and asks us to look beyond materialism and see that this life is little more than a transient stop on the way to life everlasting. Islam gives a clear aim and purpose to life. As a Muslim we are able to find answers in the words of God, the Quran, and in the example of His final messenger Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him.
Being Muslim indicates complete submission to the Creator and the fact that we were only created to worship God Alone. That is the reason we are here, on this spinning planet in the seemingly infinite universe; to worship God and God Alone. Converting to Islam frees us from the only potentially unforgiveable sin, which is to associate partners with God.
“And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind, except to worship Me (Alone).” (Quran 51:56)
“Oh humankind, worship God, you have no other god but Him.” (Quran 7:59)
It must be said however, that God is not in need of human worship. If not a single human worshipped God, it would not diminish His glory in any way, and if all of humankind worshipped Him, it would not increase His glory in any way. We, humankind, need the comfort and security of worshipping God.
9. Converting to Islam allows every aspect of life to be an act of worship.
The religion of Islam was revealed for the benefit of all humankind who will exist until the Day of Judgement. It is a complete way of life, not something only practiced on the weekend or at annual festivals. A believer’s relationship with God is twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. It does not stop and start. Through His infinite mercy, God has provided us with a holistic approach to life, one that covers all aspects, spiritual, emotional and physical. He has not left us alone to stumble in the darkness rather God has given us the Quran, a book of guidance. He has also given us the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad that explain and expand on the guidance of the Quran.
Islam fulfils and balances our physical and spiritual needs. This system, designed by the Creator for his creation, not only expects a high standard of behaviour, morality and ethics but it also allows each and every human act to be transformed into worship. In fact, God commands the believers to dedicate their lives to Him.
“Say: ‘Surely my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for God, the Lord of all the worlds.’” (Quran 6:162)
10. Converting to Islam makes all relationships harmonious.
God knows what is best for His creation. He has complete knowledge of the human psyche. Consequently Islam clearly defines the rights and responsibilities we have towards God, our parents, spouses, children, relatives, neighbours, etc. This brings order out of chaos, harmony out of confusion and replaces friction and conflict with peace. Converting to Islam allows one to face any and all situations with confidence. Islam is able to guide us through all aspects of life, spiritual, political, familial, societal and corporate.
When we fulfil our obligation to honour and obey God we automatically acquire all the manners and high standards of morality that Islam demands. Converting to Islam means submitting to the will of God and this entails honouring and respecting the rights of humankind, all living creatures and even the environment. We must know God and submit to Him in order to make decisions that will earn His pleasure.
In conclusion, there is one benefit of converting to Islam that makes every day a delight. No matter what circumstances a Muslim finds him or herself in, they are secure in the knowledge that nothing in this universe happens without the permission of God. The tests, trials and triumphs are all good and if faced with complete trust in God, they will lead to a happy conclusion and real contentment.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer! They are all for his benefit. If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him”.
Friday 4 November 2016
WHAT CAN ISLAM DO FOR YOU? PART 2
Hi. If you have read my article posted last Friday I wouldn't have to introduce the topic again. Today we are going to see what Islam can do for people. We are going to pay attention to the Quran and see what God says Islam can do for us.
Do you agree that no one's word is truer than God's? I'm sure you will agree if you indeed believe in God and love Him. God says:
38. We said (to Adam and Eve): "Get you down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
39. "But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein." [Quran 2:38-39]
After God sent Adam and his wife down to the earth, He sent down Revelation such as the Books of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Prophet Muhammad to them and to their progeny and He sent the Messengers to them. So whoever believes will enter Paradise and whoever disbelieves will enter Hell.
After the sending of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) everyone should believe in him and follow Islam, including those who believe in Moses and Jesus (pbut) in order to attain Salvation because Islam places faith in all the Prophets, not just one.
277. Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [Quran 2:277]
God promises those who embrace Islam and follow its teachings and pray in the manner that the Prophet had taught us will have their reward with their Lord. They will not fear their enemies nor will they grieve at what terrible things they say.
256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things. [Quran 2:256]
Here God says that whoever accepts Islam as his/her religion will never be forsaken by their Lord.
257. Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (For ever). [Quran 2:257]
God protects those who turn to Islam. He leads them to Enlightenment and Wisdom from the darkness of polytheism and idolatry.
61. In whatever business you may be, and whatever portion you may be reciting from the Quran,- and whatever deed you (mankind) may be doing,- We are Witnesses thereof when you are deeply engrossed therein. Nor is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom on the earth or in heaven. And not the least and not the greatest of these things but are recorded in a clear record.
62. Behold! verily on the friends of God there is no fear, nor shall they grieve;
63. Those who believe and (constantly) guard against evil;-
64. For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present and in the Hereafter; no change can there be in the words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme felicity. [Quran -- Jonah 10:61-64]
God says no matter what profession you may be doing. You may be a farmer, a tattoo artist, a ballerina etc but becoming a friend of God by turning to Islam and taking heed of all its commands and prohibitions is the supreme felicity one can attain in this world and in the Hereafter.
“Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Quran) for mankind in truth. So whoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his ownself; and whoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss. And you (O Muhammad) are not a trustee or disposer of affairs, or guardian over them”
[Quran 39:41]
This means that whoever accepts Islam and follow its teachings will attain good and those who do not do that will attain loss. This is the Decree of God which will NEVER change. No matter who we are, which religion we follow, how we are treated in this world or how many good works we have done we are ALL subjected to this Decree.
This Decree of God has been in existence since time immemorial. If He sends an Apostle with Clear Signs, people should believe in him. If they do not they will be losers. The last Apostle God sent to mankind was Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Therefore, everyone should believe in him and accept Islam, including the believers of Moses and Jesus because it was the SAME GOD Who inspired all of these Prophets!
2. “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things”
[Quran 65:2-3].
“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (Paradise in the Hereafter)”
[Quran 16:97].
70. O Messenger. say to those who are captives in your hands: "If Allah finds any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." [Quran 8:70]
55. Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace: 'They will worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me. 'If any do reject Faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked. [Quran 24:55]
But how can all this be true when there is a lot of mockery, slandering and prejudice against those who have embraced Islam?
“Consider it (slander) not a bad thing for you. Nay, it is good for you. Unto every man among them will be paid that which he had earned of the sin, and as for him among them who had the greater share therein, his will be a great torment”
[Quran 24:11]
“Truly, We (God) will suffice you against the scoffers”
[Quran 15:95]
6. Behold! they sat over against the (fire),
7. And they witnessed (all) that they were doing against the Believers.
8. And they ill-treated them for no other reason than that they believed in Allah, Exalted in Power, Worthy of all Praise!-
9. Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness to all things.
10. Those who persecute (or draw into temptation) the Believers, men and women, and do not turn in repentance, will have the Penalty of Hell: They will have the Penalty of the Burning Fire.
11. For those who believe and do righteous deeds, will be Gardens; beneath which rivers flow: That is the great Salvation, (the fulfilment of all desires), [Quran 85:6-11]
God is the Best Protector and the Best Helper so why should anyone be scared to become a Muslim and earn the Favour of his Lord?
Do you think if you are already a Jew or a Christian and believe in God you are in no need of Islam?
Do you think if you follow all your religious values you are already on the right path and there is nothing special Islam can do for you?
Do you not know that many of your wise men, kings and scholars, when the pure and clear call of Islam reached them, had no choice but to affirm the truth of this religion, and they venerated Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and many of them announced their entry into Islam?
The king of Abyssinia, Negus affirmed that, and became a Muslim.
If these people were good Christians who followed all their religious values and believed in Abraham and Jesus, then what did they accept Prophet Muhammad and Islam for? Because this was the religion of Abraham and Jesus!
“And this (submission to God) was enjoined by Abraham upon his sons and by Jacob (saying), ‘O my sons! God has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims)’” [Quran 2:132]
Your mothers taught you Abraham. Your fathers taught you religious values. But what good is it going to do when you don't follow the religion of Abraham?
It was Abraham who built the Sacred House of God in Mecca, the direction towards which the Muslims pray.
It was he who named those who submit their selves to their Lord 'Muslims'.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a descendant of Ishmael, son of Abraham.
"Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to God, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in Faith? For God did take Abraham for a friend."
[Quran 4:125]
God says if the Jews and Christians become Muslims it would be best for them. Otherwise, they will certainly become losers in the Eternal World even if they were made to look like winners in this temporary world in order to test the others:
"You are the best of Peoples (=Muslims), evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God. If only the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) had faith (accepted Islam), it were best for them: among them are some who have Faith (they become Muslims), but most of them are perverted transgressors (ignore Islam)."
[Quran 2:110]
O mankind! The Messenger (Muhammad) has come to you in truth from God: believe in him: it is best for you. But if you reject Faith (Islam), to God belong all things in the heavens and on earth and God is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [Quran 4:170]
“Say (O Muhammad): “if you (really) love God then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and Sunnah), God will love you and forgive you your sins. And God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran 3:31].
The truth is from your Lord so do not be doubtful about His religion.
Islam cannot spare anyone's problems nor it can save anyone from death but it is the final and only Gateway to Salvation for mankind.
Peace be upon those who follow the truth.
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