Podcasts about all loving

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2023 3:14

Meeting someone of great power can be cause for excitement. For example, meeting with the president of a company you wish to work at, or meeting someone famous for the first time, or meeting with the bishop or the Holy Father may all cause a certain excitement. But it could also cause a certain fear and anxiety. Of course the most important and “influential” person you will ever meet is your God. God is Omnipotent and Omniscient, that is, All-Powerful and All-Knowing. He is also All-Loving and, in that perfect love, descends from His throne of grace and majesty to converse with you, to care for you, and to fulfill every need that you have. He comes to fill you with the abundance of joy. Each “meeting” with our Lord must be one of great excitement in that it must be taken seriously, with attention and love being offered back to this most important Person you will ever come to know (See Diary #885).What is your interior experience when you go to Him in prayer? Is it an encounter in which you are overly casual and unprepared? Is it an encounter that gives you fear and anxiety, looking for ways to avoid Him? Or do you allow yourself to be comforted and consoled by the fact that the God of the Universe cares for you enough to step down from His throne of grace and converse with you in your weakness and sin? The Lord's perfect humility should delight and amaze you and give you courage to turn to Him with your whole heart.Lord, I am amazed at Your love for me. You who are the God of the Universe come to me in my weakness and sin. You are attentive to me and offer the perfect care of a loving Father. Help me to always be in awe of the humility You manifest as You descend from Your throne of grace and enter my soul. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

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If God Exists, Why Does He Allow Evil, Pain, Suffering, and Sickness?

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2023 16:41

Throughout history, a single question has plagued humanity; a question often asked about an issue that all Abrahamic religions face. If an All-Powerful God, who is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, Loving, Most-Merciful, and All-Just in control of All things and matters, exists, then why do people experience evil, pain, and suffering in this world? Why must we contend with sickness, natural disasters, starvation, war, calamities, corruption, and killings? If God is Most-Merciful, All-Loving, All-Good, and All-Just, why does He allow such atrocities to happen? The existence of evil ranks among the top reasons people reject the concept of religion or the belief in a Higher Power. This concept is known as the "problem of evil." Many have concluded that God could not exist because of the presence of evil; if He does exist, He is a cruel, unjust God who enjoys seeing people suffer and in pain. They summarize that such a God is not worth worshipping if He is unaware, uncaring, and incapable of removing and controlling evil elements.People who reject God because they cannot grapple with the problem of evil do not adequately understand the conditions of darkness and pain. They reject God because of their lack of understanding. The decision to disbelieve the existence of God only adds more confusion, leading to the emergence of questions as to why we were created, where we are destined to go, etc. An atheist that rejects God removes God from the equation, but suffering still exists. Disbelieving only eliminates the quality and significance of the suffering and no longer gives it purpose or meaning. One could have suffered their whole life, only to end up in their grave eternally with no justice or recompense for what they had endured, and those who committed evil can get away with their misdeeds. However, with God in the equation, suffering has meaning, and the victims and the oppressed eventually receive justice in this world or the next. Without God in the picture, they may not. The fact that evil exists does not negate the existence of God.The Angels first asked the question of evil upon God, the Almighty's announcement that He was creating a new form of beings called humans."And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, Indeed, I will make upon the Earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30)The Angels responded with a question:"…They said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and You?" (Quran 2:30) God answered: "…Indeed, I know that which you do not know" (Quran 2:20)Although God did not explain nor rationalize the answer to their question, the Angels were satisfied with this response; this is owing to their complete humility before, trust in, and faith in God's Wisdom and Knowledge while recognizing His Wisdom as Perfect and without flaws. The Angels did not assume God's Wisdom was incorrect simply because they could not understand nor comprehend that Wisdom. Humans never will understand the reason behind the world's pain and suffering, as our limited, finite minds cannot comprehend God's logic. However, the fact that our intellectual capacity cannot understand and evaluate the Wisdom behind pain and suffering does not nullify that Wisdom. How can we judge the situation or God without attaining the necessary information to do so? God states in the Quran:"…And mankind has not been given of knowledge except a little" (Quran 17:85)

Reflection 31 - The Unfathomable Nature of God

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 1:52

We cannot come to know God in His essence. He is beyond us and is unfathomable. But we can get to know God by seeing His actions in our lives and in the world. Look at His attributes. Look at His works. Look at what He has done in your life and in the lives of others. He is Omnipotent, All-Knowing, All-Loving and bestows all that is good in superabundance (See Diary #30).Reflect, today, upon the unfathomable nature and essence of God. Knowing that we can never fully comprehend the perfection of God is the first step in coming to know Him more intimately. Humble yourself, this day, before the great mystery of our God and let His untouchable nature touch you in your heart.Lord, You and Your ways are beyond me. Yet in the mystery of Your divine presence I come to know You. Help me Lord, as I ponder Your divine essence, to be drawn into a deeper love of You. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

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The Importance of Concentration & Mindfulness During Salat Prayers

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2023 1:07

During Prayer, Muslims are directed to disconnect themselves and clear their minds of worldly matters as they converse with God. They pray to a God who is near, All-Loving, All-Hearing, All-Caring, and All-Powerful. Muslims are to concentrate on their words and humble themselves only to the Almighty. A Muslim affirms that God is the Master and that they are the servant and slave of God who needs the Almighty's direction, help, and guidance to the straight path. The Islamic Prayer is so sacred that it is prohibited to eat, drink, or converse as they pray."And establish Prayer and give Zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]" (Quran 2:43) While not mandated, it is highly encouraged for one to awaken in the middle of the night to pray to God, as this is a common practice of righteous people.

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Reflection 169- Calm in the Presence of the King

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2022 3:14

Meeting someone of great power can be cause for excitement. For example, meeting with the president of a company you wish to work at, or meeting someone famous for the first time, or meeting with the bishop or the Holy Father may all cause a certain excitement. But it could also cause a certain fear and anxiety. Of course the most important and “influential” person you will ever meet is your God. God is Omnipotent and Omniscient, that is, All-Powerful and All-Knowing. He is also All-Loving and, in that perfect love, descends from His throne of grace and majesty to converse with you, to care for you, and to fulfill every need that you have. He comes to fill you with the abundance of joy. Each “meeting” with our Lord must be one of great excitement in that it must be taken seriously, with attention and love being offered back to this most important Person you will ever come to know (See Diary #885).What is your interior experience when you go to Him in prayer? Is it an encounter in which you are overly casual and unprepared? Is it an encounter that gives you fear and anxiety, looking for ways to avoid Him? Or do you allow yourself to be comforted and consoled by the fact that the God of the Universe cares for you enough to step down from His throne of grace and converse with you in your weakness and sin? The Lord's perfect humility should delight and amaze you and give you courage to turn to Him with your whole heart.Lord, I am amazed at Your love for me. You who are the God of the Universe come to me in my weakness and sin. You are attentive to me and offer the perfect care of a loving Father. Help me to always be in awe of the humility You manifest as You descend from Your throne of grace and enter my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

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24. Carrying Our Unique Cross

What Laura Likes

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 13:56

It's time to discuss our unique crosses. We all have a cross that God has chosen, that God who is All-Good and All-Loving and All-Knowing. So who are we to question Him as to its heaviness, it's long-suffering, it's prickly parts? I hope these two stories will give you pause and help you think though how you are approaching your own cross.YouTube video (see video description for more details)Prayers, resources, friendly virtual hugs and more at the What Laura Likes Community! Help other Catholic women and wives carry their daily crosses- and, perhaps, find help for your own: community.whatlauralikes.comHomilies Mentioned: Our CrossChanging Our CrossWEBSITE: https://whatlauralikes.comSOCIAL LINKSCommunity: community.whatlauralikes.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/whatlauralikes2018IG: https://instagram.com/whatlauralikes18Email: laura@whatlauralikes.comSupport the show

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24. Carrying Our Unique Cross

What Laura Likes

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 13:56

It's time to discuss our unique crosses. We all have a cross that God has chosen, that God who is All-Good and All-Loving and All-Knowing. So who are we to question Him as to its heaviness, it's long-suffering, it's prickly parts? I hope these two stories will give you pause and help you think though how you are approaching your own cross.YouTube video (see video description for more details)Prayers, resources, friendly virtual hugs and more at the What Laura Likes Community! Help other Catholic women and wives carry their daily crosses- and, perhaps, find help for your own: community.whatlauralikes.comHomilies Mentioned: Our CrossChanging Our CrossWEBSITE: https://whatlauralikes.comSOCIAL LINKSCommunity: community.whatlauralikes.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/whatlauralikes2018IG: https://instagram.com/whatlauralikes18Email: laura@whatlauralikes.comSupport the show

god prayer cross unique catholic carrying all good all knowing all loving

Proofs that Islam is the Only True Religion of God?

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2022 8:07

Many proofs exist that Islam is the true religion of God. Among the many proofs of Islam's truthfulness is that it is the only religion whose message and teachings have been preserved and never tampered with or changed over time. As for Christianity and other religions, we do not have their original Revelation and teachings preserved for our perusal. If you look at Christianity, for instance, since Jesus Christ and the disciples spoke Aramaic, Jesus Christ's Message and teachings were in this language. Today, we do not have copies of Jesus Christ's teachings in the language he taught them. We have manuscripts in Koine Greek, which was not Jesus Christ's language. It was not until 300 years later, in the 4th century, that manuscripts were cherry-picked and compiled into books from various unknown sources and authors. Then these manuscripts were translated again years later into English and other languages spoken today. The same can be said with the Revelation and teachings sent with Prophet Moses and Prophet David PBUT. Their Revelations were never preserved. God did not preserve their Revelations because they were meant for previous nations and not for us today. Islam, on the other hand — its Scripture, the Holy Quran — stands the same today as when it was first revealed 1400 plus years ago, word for word, letter by letter. God taught it to Angel Gabriel, who taught it to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, who taught it to his companions, who wrote it down in the role of scribes and memorized it letter for letter. Millions of people of every generation have memorized the Holy Quran. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have this 600+ page Holy Book memorized by heart. Amongst the many proofs of Islam's truthfulness is that Islam speaks to the predisposition and innate belief that God has put in the hearts of every human. Take the concept of God, for instance. The idea of God is simple, understandable, and not complex as in other religions. Islam teaches the existence of only One Supreme Being, who is All-Mighty, All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Loving, who created the whole universe and everything in it. All other beings are creations of God and not the actual Creator. All the great religious disputes of the past pointed to One God, including Judaism. If there were more than one God, there would be chaos of gods fighting each other for control. If the gods did not fight each other for power and control, that would mean that these gods were dependent on and submissive to each other — in other words, not gods. All past prophets of God mentioned in the Old Testament stressed the teachings of One Creator. Islam acknowledges the historical progression of these great prophets sent by God to humanity, starting with Prophet Adam, Abraham, Noah, Jesus, and Prophet Muhammad PBUT. Islam acknowledges the continuation of these great Prophets of God, all who came with the same general message. Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, is part of this family of prophets, like Jesus Christ and the rest. While all Prophets came down with the same general message and theology, the laws they came with were fine-tuned based on the time, place, and circumstances of their existence. Muslims believe in all the past Prophets and Messengers that God continually sent, and Prophet Muhammad's Message was no different! The Prophets of God that Islam teaches were all holy, righteous men. None ever did anything immoral or questionable, as other religions such as Christianity wrongfully claimed. For those who think that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH might have fabricated his Prophethood for worldly gain, it is imperative to realize that the Prophet, believers from his family, and his companions went through many years of persecution, hardship, and lost kinship because they believed in and spread

Reflection 31 - The Unfathomable Nature of God

Wyoming Valley Church Devotional Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2022 1:52

Reflection 31: The Unfathomable Nature of GodWe cannot come to know God in His essence. He is beyond us and is unfathomable. But we can get to know God by seeing His actions in our lives and in the world. Look at His attributes. Look at His works. Look at what He has done in your life and in the lives of others. He is Omnipotent, All-Knowing, All-Loving and bestows all that is good in superabundance (See Diary #30).Reflect, today, upon the unfathomable nature and essence of God. Knowing that we can never fully comprehend the perfection of God is the first step in coming to know Him more intimately. Humble yourself, this day, before the great mystery of our God and let His untouchable nature touch you in your heart.Lord, You and Your ways are beyond me. Yet in the mystery of Your divine presence I come to know You. Help me Lord, as I ponder Your divine essence, to be drawn into a deeper love of You. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2022 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

god jesus christ lord reflection humble reflect nature of god omnipotent unfathomable all knowing all loving my catholic life

Trusting

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2022 11:59

Trusting is hard for us because it means we need to rely on someone else to help us. But when the object of our trust is someone Almighty, All-Loving and All-wise, it changes everything. We will discuss why and how to trust the Lord. We hope this would bless your soul!

lord trusting almighty all loving

#278 Seek God's Will In Everything

Devotional Life With Paul and Jeanne

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 9:16

Believers have the opportunity for an everyday companion. One who is All Wise, All Present, All Powerful, and All Loving. You guessed it, it is the Lord Himself. And when you stop think about it, why would we want to leave Him out of anything we say or do, and that everyday? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dl-700/support

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Trusting Christ's Intercession Alone

Doon United Reformed Church

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 34:00

1. All Loving-2. All Powerful-3. All Sufficient

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397 Why Christianity 10: Suffering and Evil (Jerry Wierwille)

Restitutio Classes

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2021 35:39

Let’s face it, suffering is a major problem for those of us who believe in a good and powerful God. How do you answer skeptics who challenge your belief in God because of the gratuitous suffering endemic in human history? In this episode we’ll explore some answers to this question offered by several worldviews before Read more about 397 Why Christianity 10: Suffering and Evil (Jerry Wierwille)[…]

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397 Why Christianity 10: Suffering and Evil (Jerry Wierwille)

Restitutio

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2021 35:39

Let’s face it, suffering is a major problem for those of us who believe in a good and powerful God. How do you answer skeptics who challenge your belief in God because of the gratuitous suffering endemic in human history? In this episode we’ll explore some answers to this question offered by several worldviews before Read more about 397 Why Christianity 10: Suffering and Evil (Jerry Wierwille)[…]

god christianity evil suffering problem of evil pol pot gk chesterton rwandan genocide trilemma all powerful moral evil all loving friederich nietzsche omnibenevolent jerry wierwille

Reflection 169- Calm in the Presence of the King

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2021 3:14

Meeting someone of great power can be cause for excitement. For example, meeting with the president of a company you wish to work at, or meeting someone famous for the first time, or meeting with the bishop or the Holy Father may all cause a certain excitement. But it could also cause a certain fear and anxiety. Of course the most important and “influential” person you will ever meet is your God. God is Omnipotent and Omniscient, that is, All-Powerful and All-Knowing. He is also All-Loving and, in that perfect love, descends from His throne of grace and majesty to converse with you, to care for you, and to fulfill every need that you have. He comes to fill you with the abundance of joy. Each “meeting” with our Lord must be one of great excitement in that it must be taken seriously, with attention and love being offered back to this most important Person you will ever come to know (See Diary #885).What is your interior experience when you go to Him in prayer? Is it an encounter in which you are overly casual and unprepared? Is it an encounter that gives you fear and anxiety, looking for ways to avoid Him? Or do you allow yourself to be comforted and consoled by the fact that the God of the Universe cares for you enough to step down from His throne of grace and converse with you in your weakness and sin? The Lord's perfect humility should delight and amaze you and give you courage to turn to Him with your whole heart.Lord, I am amazed at Your love for me. You who are the God of the Universe come to me in my weakness and sin. You are attentive to me and offer the perfect care of a loving Father. Help me to always be in awe of the humility You manifest as You descend from Your throne of grace and enter my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2021 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

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12.2.178 - Blessed Ridvan!

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2021 6:08

He is God! O Thou kind Lord! We are poor children, needy and insignificant, yet we are plants which have sprouted by Thy heavenly stream and saplings bursting into bloom in Thy divine springtime. Make us fresh and verdant by the outpourings of the clouds of Thy mercy; help us to grow and develop through the rays of the sun of Thy goodly gifts and cause us to be refreshed by the quickening breeze wafting from the meadows of Truth. Grant that we may become flourishing trees laden with fruit in the orchard of knowledge, brilliant stars shining above the horizon of eternal happiness and radiant lamps shedding light upon the assemblage of mankind. O Lord! Should Thy tender care be vouchsafed unto us, each one of us would, even as an eagle, soar to the pinnacle of knowledge, but were we left to ourselves we would be consumed away and would fall into loss and frustration. Whatever we are, from Thee do we proceed and before Thy threshold do we seek refuge. Thou art the Bestower, the Bountiful, the All-Loving. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá Days of Remembrance - pg. Riḍván - Selection 21, Paragraph 4 Night hath succeeded day, and day hath succeeded night, and the hours and moments of your lives have come and gone, and yet none of you hath, for one instant, consented to detach himself from that which perisheth. Bestir yourselves, that the brief moments that are still yours may not be dissipated and lost. Even as the swiftness of lightning your days shall pass, and your bodies shall be laid to rest beneath a canopy of dust. What can ye then achieve? How can ye atone for your past failure? - Bahá'u'lláh Check out our new blog, Outdoor Oasis: https://bahaioasis.wixsite.com/outdooroasis Email: bahaioasis@gmail.com Instagram and Twitter: @bahaioasis Snapchat: bahai.oasis --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bahaioasis/message

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Reflection 31 - The Unfathomable Nature of God

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2021 1:52

We cannot come to know God in His essence. He is beyond us and is unfathomable. But we can get to know God by seeing His actions in our lives and in the world. Look at His attributes. Look at His works. Look at what He has done in your life and in the lives of others. He is Omnipotent, All-Knowing, All-Loving and bestows all that is good in superabundance (See Diary #30).Reflect, today, upon the unfathomable nature and essence of God. Knowing that we can never fully comprehend the perfection of God is the first step in coming to know Him more intimately. Humble yourself, this day, before the great mystery of our God and let His untouchable nature touch you in your heart.Lord, You and Your ways are beyond me. Yet in the mystery of Your divine presence I come to know You. Help me Lord, as I ponder Your divine essence, to be drawn into a deeper love of You. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2021 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

god jesus christ lord reflection humble reflect nature of god omnipotent unfathomable all knowing all loving my catholic life

17.16.177 - Thou Art the Ever-Forgiving

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2021 5:22

***Please let us know how often you'd like to hear a new Bahá'i Oasis podcast (daily, once a week, 2 times a week, etc.). Email: bahaioasis@gmail.com — Instagram and Twitter: @bahaioasis ~~~~ O God our Lord! Protect us through Thy grace from whatsoever may be repugnant unto Thee, and vouchsafe unto us that which well beseemeth Thee. Give us more out of Thy bounty, and bless us. Pardon us for the things we have done, and wash away our sins, and forgive us with Thy gracious forgiveness. Verily, Thou art the Most Exalted, the Self-Subsisting. Thy loving providence hath encompassed all created things in the heavens and on the earth, and Thy forgiveness hath surpassed the whole creation. Thine is sovereignty; in Thy hand are the Kingdoms of Creation and Revelation; in Thy right hand Thou holdest all created things, and within Thy grasp are the assigned measures of forgiveness. Thou forgivest whomsoever among Thy servants Thou pleasest. Verily, Thou art the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Loving. Nothing whatsoever escapeth Thy knowledge, and naught is there which is hidden from Thee. O God our Lord! Protect us through the potency of Thy might, enable us to enter Thy wondrous surging ocean, and grant us that which well befitteth Thee. Thou art the Sovereign Ruler, the Mighty Doer, the Exalted, the All-Loving. The Báb --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bahaioasis/message

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18.13.177 - O Lord! I am a child...

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2020 1:47

O Lord! I am a child; enable me to grow beneath the shadow of Thy loving-kindness. I am a tender plant; cause me to be nurtured through the outpourings of the clouds of Thy bounty. I am a sapling of the garden of love; make me into a fruitful tree. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful, and Thou art the All-Loving, the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bahaioasis/message

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Chapel - November 13, 2020

BLC Chapel Services

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 24:55

Order of Service: - Prelude - Loving and Forgiving Psalm 103: Soloist: Loving and forgiving are you, O Lord; slow to anger,rich in kindness, loving and forgiving are you. All: Loving and forgiving… S: All my being, bless the Lord, bless the holy name of God. All my being, bless the Lord, remembering the goodness of God. All: Loving and forgiving… S: God forgives us all our sins, healing those who live in pain, saving us from final death. God fills us with goodness & love. All: Loving and forgiving… S: Good and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, rich in love. God remembers not our sins; forgiving and loving is God. All: Loving and forgiving… S: As heaven soars above the earth, so great the love of God for us. As far as east is from the west, the Lord takes our sins from us. All: Loving and forgiving… - 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18: But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 590 - O Happy Day, When We Shall Stand - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Prof. Andy Schmidt (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Dennis Marzolf (Pianist), Heather Juedes (Soloist), Mariah Munsen (Instrumentalist)

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8.8.177 - Prayer for Children 4

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2020 4:07

O Lord! Make these children excellent plants. Let them grow and develop in the Garden of Thy Covenant, and bestow freshness and beauty through the outpourings of the clouds of the Abhá Kingdom. O Thou kind Lord! I am a little child, exalt me by admitting me to the kingdom. I am earthly, make me heavenly; I am of the world below, let me belong to the realm above; gloomy, suffer me to become radiant; material, make me spiritual, and grant that I may manifest Thine infinite bounties. Thou art the Powerful, the All-Loving. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bahaioasis/message

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7.8.177 - Prayer for Children 3

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 2:06

O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. O God! Protect these children, graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God! These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness. Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bahaioasis/message

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16.5.177 - Praise & Gratitude 4

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2020 2:45

Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! I yield Thee thanks for having enabled me to recognize the Manifestation of Thyself, and for having severed me from Thine enemies, and laid bare before mine eyes their misdeeds and wicked works in Thy days, and for having rid me of all attachment to them, and caused me to turn wholly towards Thy grace and bountiful favors. I give Thee thanks, also, for having sent down upon me from the clouds of Thy will that which hath so sanctified me from the hints of the infidels and the allusions of the misbelievers that I have fixed my heart firmly on Thee, and fled from such as have denied the light of Thy countenance. Again I thank Thee for having empowered me to be steadfast in Thy love, and to speak forth Thy praise and to extol Thy virtues, and for having given me to drink of the cup of Thy mercy that hath surpassed all things visible and invisible. Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, the All-Loving. Bahá'u'lláh ~~~~ Thank you for listening! Email: bahaioasis@gmail.com ~ Twitter: @bahaioasis ~Instagram: @bahaioasis ~Leave us a voice message, prayer, devotion or song: https://anchor.fm/bahaioasis/message ~ Love one another and be kind ❤️

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Reflection 169: Calm in the Presence of the King

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 3:10

Meeting someone of great power can be cause for excitement. For example, meeting with the president of a company you wish to work at, or meeting someone famous for the first time, or meeting with the bishop or the Holy Father may all cause a certain excitement. But it could also cause a certain fear and anxiety. Of course the most important and “influential” person you will ever meet is your God. God is Omnipotent and Omniscient, that is, All-Powerful and All-Knowing. He is also All-Loving and, in that perfect love, descends from His throne of grace and majesty to converse with you, to care for you, and to fulfill every need that you have. He comes to fill you with the abundance of joy. Each “meeting” with our Lord must be one of great excitement in that it must be taken seriously, with attention and love being offered back to this most important Person you will ever come to know (See Diary #885).What is your interior experience when you go to Him in prayer? Is it an encounter in which you are overly casual and unprepared? Is it an encounter that gives you fear and anxiety, looking for ways to avoid Him? Or do you allow yourself to be comforted and consoled by the fact that the God of the Universe cares for you enough to step down from His throne of grace and converse with you in your weakness and sin? The Lord’s perfect humility should delight and amaze you and give you courage to turn to Him with your whole heart.Lord, I am amazed at Your love for me. You who are the God of the Universe come to me in my weakness and sin. You are attentive to me and offer the perfect care of a loving Father. Help me to always be in awe of the humility You manifest as You descend from Your throne of grace and enter my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2020 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

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9.5.177 - Prayer for Children 3

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2020 1:28

O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. O God! Protect these children, graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God! These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness. Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bahaioasis/message

children lord prayer protect o god thy bountiful abdu all loving

How Many gods Are There?┇Can There Be MORE Than one god?┇Polytheism vs Monotheism┇

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2020 7:35

The idea of the existence of multiple gods is illogical at its core. There can be only One God. According to the Holy Quran, if other deities or gods existed other than Allah the Glorious, the gods would compete to establish superior strength, leaving the Heavens and the Earth in ruins. If one of two gods willed an act to occur, then the other god would either be forced to submit to that will or oppose it. If the second god submits to the first god’s will, then that would render the second god less than All-Powerful and not at all omnipotent—in other words, not a god. God is All-Powerful and can do anything He Wills. If he opposes the will of the first god, then a conflict would arise between the two gods, creating chaos in the Heavens and the Earth. The Universe would fall into a state of disorder, chaos, and disarray. There can only be One Omnipotent Creator. "Say, [O Muhammad], "If there had been with Him [other] gods, as they say, then they [each] would have sought to the Owner of the Throne a way" (Quran 17:42) Islam is a monotheistic religion; a faith in which followers admit and recognize the existence of one Supreme God and Being, who is Almighty, All-Powerful, All-Knowledgeable, All-Loving. Islam stresses the existence of only One God. The same God of Prophet Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon them all. Islam demonstrates the fact that, through the centuries, God has continued to bless humanity with holy Prophets who come bearing the same general Message. God is the only One to whom worship is due; He is the Creator of all, the Provider, the Sustainer of everything. He is the Supreme, the Eternal. God has no father nor mother, nor son nor daughter, nor a partner nor an equal. It is He who gives life and causes death; it is He who is Unique in His Names and Attributes. Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent" (Quran 112:1-4)

Reflection 31: The Unfathomable Nature of God

Aus Table Talk | Adventist Conversations

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2020 1:59

We cannot come to know God in His essence. He is beyond us and is unfathomable. But we can get to know God by seeing His actions in our lives and in the world. Look at His attributes. Look at His works. Look at what He has done in your life and in the lives of others. He is Omnipotent, All-Knowing, All-Loving and bestows all that is good in superabundance (See Diary #30).Reflect, today, upon the unfathomable nature and essence of God. Knowing that we can never fully comprehend the perfection of God is the first step in coming to know Him more intimately. Humble yourself, this day, before the great mystery of our God and let His untouchable nature touch you in your heart.Lord, You and Your ways are beyond me. Yet in the mystery of Your divine presence I come to know You. Help me Lord, as I ponder Your divine essence, to be drawn into a deeper love of You. Jesus, I trust in You.

god jesus christ lord reflection humble reflect nature of god omnipotent unfathomable all knowing all loving

The Problem of Evil?? What IS Evil?? Jay Dyer

Jay's Analysis

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2019 19:39

See the video! After many requests, I am responding to the typical objection of the “problem of evil” if there is a Being who is All Loving and All Good, how can He permit evil? In this brief Q n A I will respond to the 3 main objections from our philosophic perspective as outlined in Job and other places in patristics. Our view of evil is that it is a privation, a negation and a move of the will away from the Good. It has no being in itself and ontological existence.

god bible truth evil philosophy proof apologetics dyer problem of evil all good theodicy jay dyer all loving

Theodicy; A Loving God In A Suffering World?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2019 78:31

If God is all powerful and loving, why is there suffering in the world? Why does God allow evil to exist? Today we talk about Theodicy and how an all powerful and loving God can exist with our evil and suffering world. Listen along and maybe you'll be able to find peace in this question that we all ask and wrestle with at some point in our lives

god evil suffering loving god omnipotent theodicy all loving

Problem of Evil; Why Does God Allow Evil & Suffering

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2019 12:53

Throughout history, a single question has plagued humanity since the beginning. An item that has been asked many times. An issue that all Abrahamic religions face. The question that if an All-Powerful God, who is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, All-Loving, All-Merciful, and All-Just, is in control of All things and matters, does exist, then why do people experience evil, pain, and suffering in this World? Why must we contend with sickness, natural disasters, starvation, war, calamities, corruption, and killings? If God is indeed All-Merciful, All-Loving, All-Good, and All-Just, why does He allow such things to happen? This very concept is known as the problem of evil. Many have come to the wrong conclusion that because of the existence of evil, God could not possibly exist--or that he is a cruel, unjust God who enjoys seeing people suffer and in pain. A God that is not worth worshipping, who is unaware, uncaring and incapable of removing and controlling elements of evil. The existence of evil ranks amongst the top reasons as to why people reject the concept of religion or the belief in a Higher Power. People that reject God because they cannot grapple with the problem of evil do not have nor claim to have an understanding of or a solution to the conditions of darkness and pain. The decision to disbelieve the existence of God only adds more confusion to the situation; leading to the emergence of questions as to why we were created, where we are destined to go, etc. They choose to reject God because of their lack of understanding. To understand the problem of evil and as well as many other life concepts, one must have faith—the very belief system which provides wisdom. The question of evil was asked by the Angels themselves when God the Almighty announced that He was creating a new form of beings called humans. "And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the Earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30) The Angels responded with a question: "...They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and You?" (Quran 2:30) God answered: "…Indeed, I know that which you do not know" (Quran 2:20) Although God did not explain nor rationalize the answer to their question, the Angels were completely satisfied with this response; this is owing to their complete humility before, trust in, and faith in God's Wisdom and Knowledge, recognizing His Wisdom as Perfect and without flaw. The Angels did not assume God's Wisdom was incorrect simply because they could not understand nor comprehend that Wisdom. We humans never will fully understand the reason behind the World's pain and suffering, as our limited, finite minds cannot comprehend the logic of God. However, the fact that our intellectual capacity cannot understand and evaluate the Wisdom behind pain and suffering in full does not nullify that Wisdom. How can we judge the situation or God Himself without all the information needed to do so? God states in the Quran: "...And mankind has not been given of knowledge except a little" (Quran 17:85) We as humans only can understand the Wisdom behind pain and suffering on a general level. We have no right to question our Creator—as everything belongs to Allah, the Glorious including us, and to Him we will return. Whereas hardship, pain, and suffering do exist in this World, these incidents are the exception and not the rule. Muslims disbelieve the concept of pure evil. All things that God has created are either purely good or possesses a balance of good and evil. Nothing is purely evil with no goodness inherent. Whereas evil can dominate more than the good in some instances, everything holds an element of some good. Every evil is good in at least some aspects; for instance, while sickness may harm the body temporally from one angle, that same sickness also strengthens the immune system and teaches one patience with the healing process. Similarly, whereas Volcanos can harm, they rejuvenate the ecosystem that facilitates life in the first place. Without Volcanos, we would not be able to grow food; this is because Volcanos spew out minerals resulting in rich fertile soil. Whatever God Wills, the good will always eventually outweigh the bad. Additionally, one person's calamity can be another person's blessing; for instance, when one person loses a job, another person finds a new occupation. Good and evil need each other to exist. How can a person be generous if no charitable beneficiaries are available? Poor and hungry people need to exist for charity and generosity to occur. How can forgiveness happen when there is no offense to forgive? How can one learn patience without the perception of evil and calamities? Similarly, following natural disasters, humanity tends to show generosity and support by sending medical assistance, food, donations, etc., to those affected. Consequently, a negative occurrence enables positive results to be manifested. God loves the good that is generated from the perception of evil. Pain and suffering are blessings in disguise. Also, we need the existence of evil to recognize and appreciate good. It's when we are deprived of something valuable that we feel the appreciation and blessings of God. One needs to experience hardship to value the better times. Sometimes one needs to experience illness to appreciate good health, or poverty to appreciate substance. It's only in the darkness that one recognizes and appreciates the light. The perception of evil, pain, and suffering is not a punishment. Allah states in the Quran: "What would Allah gain from your punishment if you are grateful and believe? And ever is Allah Appreciative and Knowing" (Quran 4:147) God does not love evil. Amongst the many pearls of Wisdom behind pain and suffering, and probably the most important, is the idea that trials and tribulations lead people back to God. Sometimes it's through tough times that people return and reconnect to their Lord in desperation, and with the utmost sincere prayers and supplications. Any calamity that brings one back to his Lord is not a true disaster; instead, a blessing in disguise. It is in times of tragedy that one increases his expressions of repentance, humility, and supplication, recognizing he needs the Almighty. "And when affliction touches man, he calls upon Us, whether lying on his side or sitting or standing; but when We remove from him his affliction, he continues [in disobedience] as if he had never called upon Us to [remove] an affliction that touched him. Thus, is made pleasing to the transgressors that which they have been doing" (Quran 10:12) Amongst the essential reasons behind perceived evil is the idea that life is a test for humanity, filled with many trials and tribulations. "[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving" (Quran 67:2) Through these tests, a person's faith in and loyalty to God is revealed. God states: "Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars" (Quran 29:2-3) In another verse, God states: "Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger, and those who believed with him said, 'When is the help of Allah?' Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near" (Quran 2:214) In another Verse, God states: "And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient" (Quran 2:155) God can create any World He desires, including a World with no evil and suffering. However, God, the Glorious, chose to give humanity the freedom of choice and free will. If He did not allow harm to occur, He would be depriving mankind of freedom and free will. Since life is a test, this test would be meaningless without a degree of free will being given to humanity. Sometimes humanity chooses to act in evil ways. God is not the direct cause of these acts of evil. Instead, He is the One who Allows and Wills it to happen for the greater good--and for reasons we may or may not understand. According to the Holy Quran, evil deeds performed by mankind also result in punishments on this Earth. Every suffering in this World is a fraction of a bit of what mankind has afflicted on this Earth. "Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]" (Quran 30:41) God references the fact that many past nations have been destroyed due to their evil actions and disobedience. "So, We took retribution from them, and We drowned them in the sea because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them" (Quran 7:136) Amongst the many wisdoms inherent in the perception of evil is the fact, God loves to forgive--as He is the All-Merciful, the All-Forgiving. But for forgiveness to take place, there must exist sins and sinners to forgive. The protestation of human pain, suffering, misfortune, and hardship faced by innocent people, and the claim that 'life is unfair,' are legitimate complaints; but only if belief in the Hereafter is denied and neglected. Indeed, we all must face an afterlife; a Judgment day in which justice will be served and everyone will be compensated for their life actions. The evildoers will be punished for their sins, and the oppressed will be compensated and rewarded for their patience. "And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]" (Quran 14:42) Indeed, with great trials and patience come great rewards. If one were to measure the suffering of this World against the blessings of the Hereafter, what is 20, 40, 60 years of suffering against an eternity of bliss? "And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew" (Quran 29:64) This World was never meant to be a perfect place devoid of hardship. Muslims believe that an ideal life without pain and suffering awaits them in the next World, not this World. This World is a stepping stone to the afterlife, that will lead you either to Paradise or the Hellfire. It's through the passing of test trials and tribulations that God raises one's rankings. It is for this very reason that God tests those He Loves. Additionally, when any calamity befalls a Muslim, God expiates some of his sins. When a patient person sees his misfortunes on the Day of Judgment and receives the reward he derived from his patience, he would wish that a more major calamity had struck him. The Holy Qur'an offers different remedies of coping with hardship, such as faith, prayer, patience, trust, and reliance, which God will give in the hopes of guaranteeing contentment and surety. It's essential that one recognizes that God will not place them in a situation where they cannot manage. "Allah does not burden a soul except [with that within] its capacity…" (Quran 2:286) Realize, in every hardship that one faces, God has given them the requirements to handle the situation and pass the test associated with it. He knows that one can cope with the situation, or he would not have placed that person in that difficulty in the first place. And realize that no harm can befall anyone except by the Permission and Will of the Almighty. God states: "Say, 'Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector’ And upon Allah let the believers rely upon" (Quran 9:51) A person of faith has a different attitude than others regarding calamities. He has surety and contentment in his or her heart, knowing that life is full of tests and trials; and that with time and patience, things will improve, and he will be rewarded. And remember my dear brother or sister, what your Lord has promised: "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease" (Quran 94:5-6)

Why Do Muslim Women Wear Hijab? What is the Hijab Veil Scarf?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2019 16:52

In today’s modern vernacular Arabic, the word ‘Hijab’ refers to a ‘headscarf.’ Yet in classical Arabic and the language of the Holy Quran, Hijab refers to a physical curtain, a screen, a partition, or a barrier, that separates one from others when they stood behind a curtain. The one that is being covered by or that is found behind the Hijab is not only covering their head and whole body but also the space around them as they stand behind a curtain, a screen, a partition, or a barrier. According to the Holy Quran, this covering was an extra layer of coverage required to be worn only by Prophet Muhammad’s wives “…And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts...” (Quran 33:53) Not only did the Prophet’s wives have to cover their heads and body, but they were required to place a cover or a curtain in front of them to conceal their space when speaking to people other than their mahram (a person whom that individual may not marry because of their close blood relationship such as a brother, uncle, nephew, etc..). The Almighty gave additional rules of etiquette pertaining to how one should speak to the wives of the Prophet peace be upon him, dictating that there should stand a physical separation of the noble Women from the common folk, by a barrier that would be opaque, not see-thru, and impenetrable. It provided an extra layer of privacy and is simultaneously a symbol of their high status and dignity. It’s essential to express that the classic meaning of the term ‘Hijab’ in the Holy Quran is not the same as how we understand and use the term today. The wearing of the Hijab was not required by anyone other than the Prophet’s wives, as is outlined in the Holy Quran. As for all other Muslim women, the Quran explicitly instructs that women should wear a headscarf in a different verse. "And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed" (Quran 24:31) The Holy Quran uses the word ‘Khamar’ to refer to a headscarf—that which covers your head. The word Khamar comes from a root word which means to cover something. The word Khamar is similar to the Arabic word Kha’mir which is the word for alcohol, as alcohol impairs one’s intellect---one cannot think straight while under the influence of alcohol, as it creates a barrier between the mind and the power of speech and reasoning. God states in his Book to tell the believing women to wear their Khomar (the plural of Khamar) over their bosom as in throwing their shawl over and cover their chest area. So, besides covering one’s chest, the head should be covered too—as the covering of the head is already implied by the use of the word Khomar in this Verse. So, the essentials of the Khamar dictate that the hair is covered, and that cloth cover the chest of the women. Whereas generally the women of the days of the Prophet peace be upon him would wear headscarves, some of them would push their veils back exposing their chest area. So, God commanded them to cover their chest as well. Besides covering the head, neck, and chest area, God instructs the believing Muslim woman to throw unto themselves a Jilbab—which references a loose outer garment which does not define their body shape and conceal their beauty. This is regarding a situation in which a Muslimah leaves her home or is in the presence of those who are not her Mahram. "O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful" (Quran 33:59) Because these Verses in the Holy Quran are explicit and direct, no disagreements or disputes have been posed to this edict by representatives of Islamic scholarship in the past; unless it concerns whether women should also cover their face and feet. The primary reason why a Muslim woman wears the Hijab can be attributed to a Muslima’s belief that her true purpose in life is to worship God the Almighty according to His instructions; as revealed in God’s final Revelation to mankind, the Holy Quran and through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, the final Messenger of God. God made the wearing of the Hijab an obligation and instructed the believing women to wear the head covering in the Holy Quran. So, wearing it is an act of righteousness and an act of obedience to God. A Muslim woman wears the Hijab to gain the pleasure of her Master. It is the core teaching of Islam that whatever God instructs one to do; it is always best for them to follow the instruction—whether or not one may understand the logic behind it or not. A Muslim woman trusts God and does whatever He instructs her to do, believing that it is best for her, as God knows what’s best for her more than she knows herself. God is the Creator of everything and is All-Knowing, All-Wise. Only when she submits to God and obeys His commands, does she reap the benefits and feel tranquility and contentment of life; as she knows that God is pleased with her. By focusing on and submitting to the demands of God, she is set free and is no longer a slave to and prisoner of society’s pressures and desires. “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do" (Quran 16:97) Islam stresses the relationship between the body and the mind. In covering her body, a Muslim woman shields her heart from spiritual impurities. A Muslim woman wears the Hijab to uphold Islam’s code of modesty. Islam’s code of modesty extends to all aspects in one’s life, including their dress and how they carry themselves. A Muslim’s clothing is an outer manifestation of inner purity, beauty, and humility, as wearing the Hijab embodies moral conduct, character, manners, and speech. A Muslim woman guards her modesty and does not attract unnecessary attention from people, such as a second look, admiration, praise, or sexual attraction from those other than her husband. Whereas attention from others may boost one’s ego for a short period, a Muslim woman acknowledges that this attention might lead to consequences in the long term, such as jealousy from others, envy, competition, affairs, being a bad role model for children, and possibly a marriage break-up; as we see all so often in the west and around the world where dressing immodestly is common. A Muslim woman boasts the trait of Hayaa’ (modesty, bashfulness, and a sense of shame) within her and values her beauty, so she veils herself as the Hijab diverts attention away from her and conceals and protects the Muslimah. God also instructs women to lower their gaze when the opposite gender is present, which shows the trait of Haya. “And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts (by being chaste)…” (Quran 24:31) A Muslima is honored in Islam and Sharia (Islamic Law). Islam elevates the one that covers herself, safeguarding her integrity by not allowing herself to be treated as a sexual object; to be valued and judged externally based solely on her appearance, rather than internally on her righteousness, character, mind, and intellect. A Muslima woman does not desire to adorn her body for men, sexualizing herself to gain attention from those other than her husband. "...That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused (molested). And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful..." (Quran 33:59) According to this Verse in the Holy Koran, a Muslima should wear a Hijab and dress modestly so she can be recognized as a Muslima, a woman that is chaste and serious about her modesty. A Muslima sets a standard for herself and sends a message for everyone around her she is not one to sell herself cheap and knows her value, that she is a strong woman with courage, inner strength, endurance, and is a practicing Muslima that would not harm, oppress, or cheat anyone. The Hijab is a shield that helps prevent a Muslima from being a victim of molestation, taunting, humiliation, or teasing. Not only does she wear modest garb to protect herself, but she wears it to protect men and society at large. Contrary to popular belief, many assume that the Hijab is worn solely to restrain men’s illicit desires. It is not the women’s responsibility to regulate a man’s behavior. Every man is responsible and accountable for their conduct and action. The Holy Qur’an also instructs men to be modest, lower their gaze, guard their modesty, and to handle themselves sensibly in every sphere of their lives. God states: "Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do" (Quran 24:40) The Holy Koran instructs men to observe modesty first before addressing women. While many often incorporate the concept of the Hijab with wearing a headscarf, that is only one application of the idea. The Hijab is much more than a head covering, but the overall concept of being modest and humble in other aspects of life as well. A similar instruction is given in the Bible: ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart’ (Gospel of Mathew 5:27-28) In the Holy Quran, the Almighty specifically addresses women when He asks them not to show off their adornments, except that which it is proper and easily apparent, and to draw their veils over their bodies due to the physical and biological distinctions that exist between males and females and their modes of attraction to one another. This is evident in today’s world, where the disgraceful exposure of sex-appeal is catered overwhelmingly to men as opposed to women—by corporations and industries mindful of how their advertising and selling of products influence their purchasing behavior. Some feminist movements and media outlets portray the Hijab as a depiction of oppression and slavery of women. While sadly some Muslim women are oppressed in some Muslim countries even though it goes against the teachings of Islam, the overall oppression of women happens in many parts of the world regardless of the oppressor’s religion or culture, even if they are atheist in faith. While one can say that a particular government or group of people generally oppress women, it is not truthful to say that Islam oppresses women. No Islamic laws oppress women, Islam states women have every right to a decent life without facing aggression or abuse of any sort. If women were indeed granted their God-given rights, oppression would not exist in the manner it does today. Unfortunately, Islam is not being practiced as it should be—even in Muslim land. Islam honors women; yet sadly across the globe, Muslim women fall victim to cultural aberrations that have no place in this beautiful, perfect faith. A Muslim woman who covers her hair or places her religion above worldly pursuits is sometimes labeled oppressed; but in reality, oppression is not defined by a piece of material on one’s head, but by a weakening of the heart and mind. Liberation means freedom, but not freedom to do as one pleases. Freedom must never come at the expense of oneself or others. When a Muslim woman fulfills the role for which she was created, to find God, build a relationship with, and follow His guidance and commands, not only is she liberated—but is empowered and honored. She is liberated and freed from the shackles of society, the pressures of society, and the unrealistic stereotypes and images dictated by the media. Muslim women who chose to cover their hair and dress modestly view the act as a right, and not a burden. The concept of Hijab is not a concept unique to Islam. Both Christianity and Judaism share many beliefs, including covering one’s hair in public with a veil. It was the custom of Jewish women and Catholic Nuns to go out in public with their heads covered. As recently as 40-50 years ago, it was unheard of for a Christian woman to go to church without covering her head nor wearing a long skirt. In fact, the concept of a female head covering is found in the Bible stating a woman must cover her head and if she shows her head uncovered, she dishonors her head—and should have her head shaved off: ‘But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one las if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be ma shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered’ (1 Corinthians: 11: 5-6) Unlike related passages found in the Holy Qur’an, Paul in this verse presented the veil as a sign of man’s authority. A woman wearing her headscarf, in his view, should do so to show her subordination to a man. This sexist view of women covering their heads reflects the influence of certain individuals in the west, who think the Hijab is oppressive and a symbol of inferiority and degradation. This is because they subconsciously are reacting to the Judea-Christian concept of the veil which is the symbol of woman’s subjection to her husband. This is not the case in Islam at all. The concept of the Hijab comes with necessary conditions which should be followed by Muslima women. The terms are that the whole body, except for the face and hands, should be covered, and by clothing that is loose, not tight, and not transparent. The dress should not attract attention or accentuate the body, should not be perfumed, and should not resemble clothing worn by men or unbelievers—nor should it be overly elegant nor ornate. God has given an exception to this rule to those who are no longer capable of bearing children, who no longer desire marriage or sexual relations, and who cannot excite the passions of men. These ladies do not need to cover themselves to the same degree as other women do. They are allowed to remove their outer garment, known as a Jilbab in Arabic. "And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing" (Quran 24:60) The Prophet of God peace be upon him praised modest women, who guard their chastity, and the beauty bestowed upon them by God. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him also cursed those women that display and flaunt their beauty in public, stating that those women will not smell the fragrance of Paradise. Our Prophet peace be upon him has warned us that towards the end of time, women will exist who are dressed yet naked, he warned us of women who will turn away from righteousness and will be inclined to do evil, leading others astray—including their husbands. To my dear believing sister, let not the whispers of shaitan (satan) mislead and misguide you. And let not satan drag you from your Creator, the All-Merciful, All-Loving. You need to recognize that you are not in a position to negotiate your faith, what you should accept and what you should decry. You need to submit fully and willingly. And realize, my dear sister, that you are blessed and honored to be amongst the people of La Ala Ila Allah (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah). Do not procrastinate, as your death can occur at any moment, bringing with it an end to the test of your faith and actions. The act of not wearing a Hijab or not dressing modestly is a sin, but to justify your actions is much worse. When you are honest with yourself and will admit your transgressions, you gain the chance for repentance, change, and forgiveness. Feeling guilty of sin is the first step of repentance. Like any other act of worship, the act of dressing modestly and wearing Hijab will require faith, sacrifice, discipline, and patience. Dressing modestly strengthens the relationship between you and your Lord. To my dear sister who is struggling through her journey of Hijab, strengthen your prayer rituals and connection with God and His Holy Book. Supplicate to Him and beg for His Help. Pray and enhance your relationship with Him, as these acts will keep you away from sins and unlawful acts—giving you the power you need to resist evil elements. Take the first step now and never give up on your quest for faith. Wear the Hijab for the sake of God alone and ignore the outside noise, ignore people’s stares and comments, and realize that this journey is worth the struggle. Realize that pleasing people is a goal you can never achieve and that pleasing your Creator is the road to contentment and peace. Our Prophet peace be upon him narrated: ‘Whoever seeks Allah's pleasure by incurring the wrath of the people, Allah will suffice and protect him from the people. And whoever seeks the people's pleasure by Allah's wrath, Allah will entrust him to the people.’ Surround yourself with righteous, practicing sisters, realizing that you are too precious to be on display for each man to see. And realize, my dear sister, that you and your believing sisters are the last true representatives of femininity on this Earth.

Pre-Destination in Islam (Al-Qadr)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2019 7:10

The last pillar of the Islamic faith in which every Muslim must believe is the concept of Al-Qadr, which closely translates to pre-ordainment (or predestination/ Divine Decree, destiny, fate). When one believes in the tenet of Al-Qadr, which we'll translate as 'Divine Decree,' he or she affirms that everything good or bad that happens in his or her life comes from God the Almighty; something He Willed to happen. Al-Qadr in Arabic linguistically means to measure, to determine, to assess, to decide, to judge. In the context of Religion, the term translates to ‘Divine determined measurements and sustenance for everyone and everything, in accordance with His Wisdom and Power.’ God states in his Book: Indeed, all things We created with predestination (Quran 54:49) God the Almighty, being All-Knowing and All-Wise, knows of what we have done in the past, what we are doing now, and what we will do—even before the time of our birth. After all, can God truly be God if He didn't know everything, including the future? Whereas mankind has the free will to make their own choices in life, everything that occurs in life occurs only with the Will and Power of God. Al-Qadar comprises four components. The first component is the belief that God is All-Knowledgeable of and instigates all things and events—whether major or minor—at all times and places and regardless of their occurrence. The Almighty's foreknowledge is infallible and complete. "And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the Earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record" (Quran 6:59) The second component of Divine Decree is the belief that Allah has recorded everything from the beginning of time to the Day of Judgment, in a Tablet He has kept known as the 'Lawh Al-Mahfooth' (The Preserved Tablet). Each's lifespan, amount of substance, deeds, happiness, sorrow, and more is written and recorded in this Tablet. In fact, according to a narration of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, Allah, the Glorious, had recorded the measurements of all matters pertaining to His creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and earth. "Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the Heaven and Earth? Indeed, that is in a Record. Indeed that, for Allah, is easy" (Quran 22:70) The third component of Divine Decree is the belief that nothing can occur without the Will and Power of Allah, whether the event stems from the action of the Almighty or actions of humanity. Nothing Occurs Haphazardly; the Almighty has planned everything. "And your Lord creates what He Wills and Chooses..." (Quran 28:68) A Muslim acknowledges that whatever has touched or afflicted him, was meant to afflict him, and could not have been avoided or prevented. And whatever has not reached or afflicted him, was not meant to touch or afflict him, and he can avoid nothing unless God has willed it. Our Prophet peace be upon him narrated, 'Know if all of humanity gathered to harm you, they could not harm you unless Allah had decreed. The Pen has been lifted, and the pages have dried.' The fourth and last component of Divine Decree is the belief that Allah is the Creator and Originator of all things. "...and has created each thing and determined it with [precise] determination " (Quran 25:2) Whereas Allah, the Merciful, has bestowed on every human being the free will to make his or her own decisions, that does not provide an excuse for one to sin or abandon the tasks and responsibilities they are obligated to do. The fact that God has predestined everything does not change the fact that human beings have the free will to choose their course of actions. Just because each's choices are known to God beforehand, doesn't mean that they will not be held accountable on the Day of Judgment for the decisions they make and actions they take. God forces nothing upon anyone. It's also important to note that God will hold no one accountable for things out of their control, or for things they cannot do. Allah is All-Just, All-Wise, and He tests humanity according to their strength and what their soul can bear. A Muslim acknowledges the fact that whatever difficulty they are facing will be made easy for them and that they will have a way to resolve it. "God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear" (Quran 2:286) A Muslim acknowledges that whatever befalls him or her, is in accordance with God's Will and Plan, whether or not they understand and accept this fact. A Muslim place his trust and reliance in God, as God brims with Wisdom in all matters. A Muslim affirms that God is All-Loving and loves His servants over one's parents do; and a Muslim affirms that whatever God does must have a good motive, so a believer always assumes good and does not lose faith. The topic of Divine Decree will never fully be understood and comprehended by humans, as this concept deals with the essence of God's Power and Will—which is beyond what our finite minds can comprehend. A Muslim benefits from the act of learning, believing, and understanding in Divine Decree in several ways. Amongst the benefits is the peace of mind and contentment in the heart that a Muslim attains as he or she acknowledges that nothing happens without a purpose. A Muslim is confident that whatever afflicted him could not have escaped him, and whatever missed him could not have reached him, as God is in full control of all happenings and events, and he predestines everything. This recognition would help a believer endure difficulties and hardships. A believer would not grieve about what could have happened if things had taken a different course, and a believer would not worry about the future because he knows that the events of tomorrow are written and predetermined already. The act of learning and believing in Divine Decree increases one's belief in, the trust of, and reliance on God, and increases one's likelihood of performing good deeds. Faith in Divine Decree decreases one's pride and arrogance, as he acknowledges that his intelligence and actions did not emanate from him and that God is the source of all that comes his way. Belief in Divine Decree makes a person refrain from fearing anyone else; inspiring his bravery as he acknowledges that no one can afflict harm on him without the Permission and Will of God. Without a strong belief in God, the human learns, life would not be worth living.

Prayer (Salah/ Namaz) in Islam

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2019 13:44

The second Pillar of Islam is the mandatory round of ritual prayers that every Muslim must perform five times every day. The Islamic method of Prayer is a ritualized form of worship, which involves the recitation of Verses from the Holy Quran and supplications to God; all while standing, bowing and prostrating. This mandatory act of worship is called Salah in Arabic and differs from the act of merely praying or supplicating to God in an impulsive act, just speaking one's mind. Instead, the Salah prayers demand a formalized structure in which one prays a certain way at specific times, as demonstrated to us by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him; drawing direct inspiration from Angel Gabriel, who learned from God Himself. The Arabic word ‘Salah’, which is generally translated as Prayer in English, is linguistically derived from the Arabic word meaning 'connection'; in that this mode of Prayer connects the servant with his Creator. Salah is a Muslim's way of establishing direct contact with God the Almighty. Salah represents a Muslim's affirmation of servanthood and submission to his Creator's Will. In Salah, a Muslim acknowledges his weakness and neediness by seeking and begging for God's guidance, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Salah, or this Islamic ritualized Prayer, is one form of worship amongst many in this beautiful faith. However, Salah holds an extraordinary status in Islam because Prayer builds a relationship between a servant and his Creator. Salah is considered the center pole of the Religion of Islam; whoever demolishes or denies this practice in their life, demolishes his or her Religion. According to Islamic Scholars, this is the only form of worship which—if neglected—would exclude the disobedient from the folds of Islam. When prayer time arrives, one is expected to discontinue their present activity and pray to connect with God, the All-Merciful; refreshing his/her faith for his or her benefit. The act of Prayer helps to remind one why they are here in this world and for what purpose. Prayers help direct a person's thoughts and actions away from sin; from that which is not beneficial. Prayers redirect a believer's thoughts to the remembrance of God. The Salah prayer is specifically a human form of worship. All other creatures of God, including animals and plants, submit without question to the Almighty in their unique way. Everything in the Sky and Earth declares Allah's perfection and worships Him in their way; a way in which we humans may not understand. All other creations of God are in continuous glorification, praise, and remembrance of God, and worship in their own way. Just like the other members of creation-worship Allah, man is expected to worship God. "Do not you see that Allah - glorify Him whoever (is) in the Heavens and the Earth and the birds (with) wings outspread? Each one certainly knows its Prayer and its glorification. And Allah (is) All-Knower of what they do" (Quran 24:41) Humanity was created for Prayer and Divine worship. God states in the Quran: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (Quran 51:56) God commands humanity to establish and perfect their Prayer, by praying properly with concentration and the utmost humility. Every Muslim must work and practice to improve their prayer technique, which is a lifetime commitment. Muslims must engage in a lifelong effort to master this art of communication with their Creator. The ones that fall into a habitual routine, reciting their words without concentration and humility, would miss the point of Prayer; not benefitting from their Prayer nearly as much as those who pray earnestly and with full concentration and mindfulness. Neglecting mandatory Prayer is a grave sin in the Islamic faith. Allah, the Glorious shares a dialogue in the Holy Koran in which the residents of Paradise ask the people of the hellfire as to the reason for their condemnation and that condemned respond: "They will say, 'We were not of those who prayed, nor did we used to feed the poor, and we used to indulge in vain talk with the vain talkers, and we used to deny the Day of Recompense, Until there came to us the certainty'"(Quran 74:43-47) The state of one's Prayer will be the first thing that will be asked of each on the Great Day of Judgement. If one’s Prayers was in order, then everything else will fall into place. If one’s Prayer was not in order, then he will be doomed. The Messenger of Allah stated: ‘The first of man's deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be Salat. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful; but if it is incomplete, he will be unfortunate and a loser…" (At-Tirmidhi). Prayer should be directed only to God the Almighty, as he is the Only One in full control of everything—including man's destiny. He is All-Powerful, All-Wise, All-Knowing, All-Hearing, and can fill anyone's needs and remove all of man's pain and miseries. The Islamic ritual of Prayer expresses submission to God, showing humility to, devotion toward, and love of God. Praying to the Creator daily is the best way to build a personal connection with Him while seeking His guidance, Blessings, and Forgiveness. Muslims pray to God to gain spiritual strength and peace of mind and to strengthen the foundation of their faith. A Muslim temporarily steps out of his/her daily activities five times a day to connect to God; to stay mindful of Him in this world of stress, struggle, and distractions. Prayers remind Muslims that Allah is in control of all things so they can put their worldly concerns into perspective. The Islamic prayer method and mode act as a spiritual diet. Such as the body requires food and water throughout the day, our spirit needs to partake in the remembrance and worship of God to stay spiritually healthy; is not the soul more valuable than the body? When someone does another person a favor or helps them, it's human nature to want to thank that individual for their aid. Since God has blessed humanity with a countless number of favors, including one's wealth, health, family, and gifts of all kinds, a Muslim prays numerous times to thank Him throughout their day and night. The best way to demonstrate gratitude is through these five daily prayers. The Islamic ritual prayers come with many benefits—in this world and the next—for the ones that engage in them sincerely and mindfully, with concentration and humility. Amongst the benefits of praying is that the act guards and protects a believer from sins and evil doings. "Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish the Prayer. Indeed, the Prayer prevents from the immorality and evil deeds, and surely (the) remembrance (of) Allah (is) greatest. And Allah knows what you do" (Quran 29:45) When one becomes lackadaisical in their worship or neglects Prayer altogether, he or she will experience the consequence of feeling distant from God; which may cause increased instances of sinning and evil doing. As they distance themselves from Prayer and the remembrance of God, they become easier targets for Satan to reach out to and tempt them. The one that guards and faithfully practices his prayers would be mindful of everything else that matters. The one that neglects his prayers would be neglectful of what matters in this life. Amongst the many benefits of Prayer is the transformative power that Prayer has on a person. Prayer transforms a person's attitude, behavior, mentality, thoughts, and priorities; redirecting these elements to what really matters in life. Prayer softens one's heart towards Allah and his Creation. Muslims that are steadfast in their Prayer is continually looking to help others and have a genuine concern for them—not just themselves. If one does not see the benefits and positive effects of their prayers, one should question their sincerity, humility, and concentration in praying. God references the fate of past generations who did not take advantage of their prayers—wasting them. "But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so, they are going to face Destruction" (Quran 19:59) Salah (Prayer) is also connected to the state of our Ummah (Muslim community). If our Prayer is strong, then everything else in the state of our community will be healthy. Prayer solves those many problems our nation is facing. Much like the pillars of a building, where one cannot move them and need to walk around them physically, a Muslim's life revolves around their five daily prayers; instead of casually trying to fit their prayers into their life. A Muslim's prayers are always their top priority in life; everything else comes secondary. The five obligatory daily prayers for Muslims are: Fajr Prayer: From dawn to right before sunrise Zuhr Prayer: Just after noon (mid-day, when the sun passes the median point in the sky) Asr Prayer: Late part of the afternoon (halfway between noon and sunset) Maghrib Prayer: Directly after sunset Isha Prayer: Late evening, dark night (approximately an hour and a half after sunset) The five daily Prayers set the rhythm of a Muslim's day. Prayers must be performed at their appointed due times unless a reasonable excuse exists to delay them. Prayers are prohibited to be postponed to where they overlap into the next Prayer's timeframe. Before the Prayer is begun, a Muslim is required to perform ablution (wudu in Arabic), which is the act of cleaning and purifying oneself from any physical bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or any impurity with water. The ritual of ablution comprises washing one's hands, face, arms, head, and feet. It's essential that a Muslim must be clean and free of impurities in his body, clothing, and the area in which the Prayer will be performed. One drop of waste matter present anywhere would void one's Prayer. Prayers can either be performed individually or in a congregation with others at a Mosque (a Muslim place of worship) which is highly recommended for males. In Muslim countries, Prayer is publicly announced to the community—not by bells—but by an Islamic chant or call of Prayer known as Adhan in Arabic. Prayer is commenced by standing up facing the direction of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, where the Holy House of God—known as the Kaaba—is situated. Muslims from all over the globe face the direction in which the first house was built for the worship of the One God. It's important to note that Muslims do not worship the Kaaba; instead, Muslims only use the Holy House as a direction to face while worshipping the One God, as instructed by God Himself. During Prayer, Muslims are directed to disconnect themselves and clear their minds of any worldly matter as they are conversing with God. They pray to a God who is near, who is All-Loving, All-Hearing, All-Caring, All-Powerful. A Muslim is to concentrate on their words and humble themselves only to the Almighty. A Muslim affirms that God is the Master and that he or she is the servant and slave of God who needs the Almighty's direction, help, and guidance to the straight path. The Islamic Prayer is so sacred that it is prohibited for one to eat, drink, or hold a conversation as they pray. Muslims are commanded to pray in how was taught by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. The Islamic prayer movements comprise standing, bowing, and prostrating. According to our Prophet, man is closest to God when he is in prostration. The Prayer comprises recitations from the Holy Quran, praises of the Almighty, and supplications seeking guidance, forgiveness, and more. "And establish Prayer and give Zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]" (Quran 2:43) While not mandated, it is highly encouraged for one to awaken in the middle of the night to pray to God, as this is a common practice of righteous people. The Islamic Prayer is a ritual which has been unchanged for more than 1400 years and is repeated five times a day by hundreds of millions of people all around the globe. Earlier Prophets and Messengers also performed Salah prayer, in which the act of prostration was involved. According to the Gospel of Mathew, Prophet Jesus fell with his face to the ground and prayed: ‘Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed: 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Not as I will, but as you will'"(Mathew 26:39) It's important to note that God is transcendent, free of all needs, and independent. He is in no need of human worship or reverence, as He gains nothing from it. Muslims do not pray or worship God for God's sake; instead, they praise and worship God for their own sake. God made worship and the remembrance of Him beneficial to mankind, both in this world and the next. "And whoever strives only strives for [the benefit of] himself. Indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds" (Quran 29:6) The benefits of praying to the Almighty are vast, and the blessings of Prayer are beyond our imagination. Prayer motivates one to do good and strive for the best, so one can live a good life in this world--and in the next world, eternally. "Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish Prayer for My remembrance" (Quran 20:14)

What is the Religion of Islam? | Who is Allah? | What is Quran? | Who is Prophet Muhammad? | Muslim?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2018 5:47

Islam is the voluntary ‘submission’ or ‘surrender’ to the Will of God, in exchange for the acquisition of peace and contentment in this life and the hereafter. The Religion of Islam teaches and encourages one to submit to the will of God, in exchange to gain peace & contentment. The word Islam is the synonym of the noun ‘aslama’ which means ‘resigned or submitted.’ In the context of religion, it means, ‘to submit one’s will, to the will of God.’ The Religion of Islam encourages one to submit to the will of God, in exchange to acquire peace and contentment in this life and the hereafter. Only when one submits to God, by believing in Him and obeying His commandments, does one achieve an innate and lasting sense of security, true peace of mind, and surety of heart. The word 'Islam' is derived from an Arabic root word which means peace, purity, safety, salutation, submission, acceptance, surrender, and obedience. With the act of submission, one would attain peace within themselves, and in accordance with their Creator and their fellow beings. The religion of Islam demonstrates that only through the doing of good and the seeking of God’s pleasure can one find true happiness, peace, and contentment in life. Man cannot live peacefully or successfully without religion, and this religion cannot be man-made. Religion has to be utterly Divine, with no human alteration. The only Revelation in the world today that still rings good and true is the final Book, the last and final Testament of God, The Holy Quran. All other traditional Revelations were lost in the annals of time or underwent endless human-made modifications that rendered them impractical for humanity. Islam is a monotheistic religion; a faith in which followers admit and recognize the existence of one Supreme God and Being who is Almighty, All-Powerful, All-Knowledgeable, All-Loving. Islam stresses only One God. The same God of Prophet Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon them all. Islam demonstrates the fact that, through the centuries, God has continued to bless humanity with holy Prophets who come bearing the same general message. The message is simple: one should worship God Alone with no partners, love Him with all his or her heart, and follow His Commandments. God is an entity worthy of worship, veneration, adoration, and reverence since He is the creator of everything. No other being is worthy of worship. This has always been God’s Message to mankind, as conveyed through the words of Prophets and Messengers. Prophet Moses peace be upon him declared to the people of Israel: ‘Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord’ (Deuteronomy 6:4). A full 1500 years later, Prophet Jesus peace be upon him repeated the same Message to the people of Israel: ‘The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord’ (Mark 12:29). Finally, 600 years later, Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him called out across the hills of Mecca: "And your God is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Beneficent, the Especially Merciful” (Quran 2:163) Throughout history, anyone who practiced monotheism by submitting to the will of God and following his prophet was considered a Muslim. Human beings have been practicing Islam since the creation of Prophet Adam. Throughout the ages, God sent Prophets and Messengers to guide and teach their nations. All Prophets preached the same general Message to their nations. Muslim believe the Prophets preached that submitting to God would bring one peace and contentment to one’s heart in this world; and would award on the attainment of God’s kingdom and grace in the next world. No other is worthy of worship; not the Sun, the Moon, nor an idol. Contrary to popular belief, Islam is not a new religion that came into existence 1400 years ago, back in the 7th century. Islam has existed since the first moment that man set foot on the earth. “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam (submission to Him)” (Quran 3:19) Islam is the only religion that God ever commanded humankind to follow. Islam, therefore, is the only religion that has ever been acceptable to and ordained by God. Allah states in the Quran: “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) The final Prophet of mankind, Prophet Muhammad, was not the founder of Islam, as many people mistakenly think. Instead, he was sent as the last and final Prophet; one delivered from the hand of Almighty God to convey His message to our nation, the final nation. Islam is not a religion solely based on creeds, customs, and rituals; rather, Islam is a complete way of life that guides man in every field and aspect of this sometimes-perilous existence. Islam teaches the art of living; how one should steer and navigate his or her life. Islam instructs us about the things in this life beneficial to us, and that which is ultimately destructive and should be avoided. Islam guides followers in every aspect of their lives. Islam emphasizes how the belief in God empowers one to become more righteous, obedient, moral, and ethical overall; rejecting all forms of evil. Islam changes a person’s thoughts, actions, and life perspective; helping them to see this world as it is, and to prepare for the afterlife. Muslims believe Islam neither neglects the needs, wants, hopes, and aspirations of this worldly life; nor does it abandon the preparation needed to ready oneself for the hereafter where man shall live eternally. Islam takes the middle path. It is better for one to ponder deeply about his or her future, and to live a good life in anticipation of his/her future eternal life. Each person is expected to devote some time to his present life to ponder what will occur in the life to come. Islam is a religion based on faith, love, compassion, peace, mercy, goodwill, and ethical treatment to all of God’s creations including humankind, animals, and plants. Islam is a religion based on self-righteousness, in which Muslims strive to perform good deeds toward the attainment of their salvation, and the goal of entering Heaven with God’s Mercy in the afterlife. A person that submits his or her will to Almighty God and follows His commandments is called a Muslim. A Muslim is one who does not follow his desires, lusts, and impulses. A Muslim is one that does right, stands for good, and loves God with all his or her heart. The act of knowing and loving God is the only thing that can bring about true contentment in the soul. If one does not have a relationship with his Creator, his soul will always seek something to fill the emptiness in his or her heart. All the wealth and material goods of this world could never be able to fill the emptiness and gap of a vacant soul. Happiness is not derived from the gathering of possessions. Real wealth is obtained only from the richness and contentment of the heart and soul. And the only true poverty is the poverty of the spirit and heart. Islam answers the fundamental questions that malign the conscience of every human being. Why was I created? What am I doing here? What is the purpose of my existence? Islam delivers a meaningful purpose to one’s life in this world; and the guidance needed to fulfill one’s life purpose. Other religions do not answer the big questions of life, such as ‘Who made us?’ ‘Why are we here?’ and ‘Where are we headed?’ Man cannot live peacefully in this world without knowing who he is, who has created him, where he is headed, what his role is, and how to fulfill that role to the best of his or her ability. The need to answer these questions has been implanted in man’s inner nature by the Almighty. However, the human intellect alone cannot answer these questions unaided. Muslims believe Man needs Divine guidance to discover these all-important spiritual answers. The answers lie in Islam. Islam teaches people that they were created to worship God and that the basis of all true worship is God-consciousness; a concept that includes the fear of God, the love of God, His recognition, piety, and loyalty. Since Islam encompasses all aspects of life and ethics, God-consciousness is encouraged in the execution of all human affairs. Islamic worship is not limited to religious rituals such as praying and fasting. Instead, Islam clarifies that everyday human acts such as eating, drinking, greeting others, sitting, learning, dressing, sleeping, giving charity, are all acts of worship if done for God alone and in accordance with His Divine Laws and guidelines. The teachings of the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhamad peace be upon him can supply both ethereal mercy and a healing for the human soul. They provide the ultimate guidance for leading a productive, successful life. Islam demonstrates the best way of living a life. God created man to be a follower and a worshipper. If he is not devoted to God, he will devote himself to others; whether they are false gods, saints, idols, philosophers, etc., following them by thoughts and actions that would lead him astray. In Islam, Muslims do not worship the creations of God, such as the sun, the moon, or an idol; instead, they worship the Creator Himself. Islam recognizes that God has created humans with an innate eagerness and ability to seek God, to acknowledge and understand the existence of their Creator. The highest and most significant thinkers of the past never would deny the various signs that point to the existence of their Creator. However, what led many people of the past astray is the lack of knowing God properly and the fact they did not have access to a true and preserved Revelation originating from God. Aimed at the ones that deny God’s existence, God poses an argument in the Quran stating: "Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]?" "Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain" (Quran 52:35-36) The aim of these verses is for mankind to reflect and ponder on the fact they could not have come into existence from nothing, nor could they have created themselves. In another Verse, God states the skies and the Earth are fashioned perfectly, hence showing proof they were originated from the act of a Creator. "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason" (Quran 2:164) The miracles of nature, the Earth, the Universe are enough evidence to show mankind that there is ‘something bigger than us.’ Humanity does not need God to show them anything more for them to believe; the world is already enough of a miracle. "It is He who sends down rain from the sky; from it is drink and from it is foliage in which you pasture [animals]. He causes to grow for you the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and from all the fruits. In that is a sign for a people who give thought. And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. In that are signs for a people who reason. And [He has subjected] whatever He multiplied for you on the earth of varying colors. Indeed, in that is a sign for a people who remember. And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, and [He subjected it] that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful. And He has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it shift with you, and [made] rivers and roads, that you may be guided, And landmarks. And by the stars they are [also] guided. Then is He who creates like one who does not create? So, will you not be reminded?" (Quran16:10-17) Surely these words will answer the questions and address the doubts of people who ponder, people who think, people who reflect. The Religion of Islam states that God forces no one to submit to His Will. He has laid out a clear path for human beings while making it known that humans must choose from two routes: The straight path that leads to Heaven, or the erroneous way which leads to hell. Human beings are free to make their own choices. Islam forces no one to submit. A human who worships God, pledging their devotion to Him and obeying His commands, has grasped the firm handhold and eternal bond that will never break. Whoever denies God’s existence or worships anyone other than Allah, stands to face eternal punishment in the hereafter. Life is a test of one’s faith. God the Almighty, out of his abundant Love and Mercy for humanity, has not left us in pure darkness; leaving us alone and unenlightened to discover the right path through the frailties of guesswork or trial and error. God gifted mankind with an intellect and a logical mind that can reason, ponder, and reflect. God bestowed upon humanity the gift of Divine Guidance, that outlines the Criterion for ultimate truth and knowledge. One is expected to use his or her intellect and reason to contemplate and recognize God’s signs, to build a relationship with Him, and to follow His guidance. These signs serve to speak loudly, without the need of talking to God directly, which would then not require any effort or reflection by the human. "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do" (Quran 16:97) The disbelievers, the rejecters of the truth, the deniers of God, will live a narrow, depressed life in this world and abide in hellfire forever in the hereafter. "And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind" (Quran 20:124) The goal of Islam is for the one to become a faithful servant of God. Judgment Day is a blink away. You live, and you die, and then you will inevitably be resurrected to face your Lord, who will judge you based on the way you lived your life. "…Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him, we will return" (Quran 2:156)

What is the Purpose of Life? | Why Are We Here? | Why Were We Created? | Meaning of Life?| (Longer)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2018 25:53

God is real. He is the One and the Only God. He is worthy of worship and veneration. He is All-Loving. He is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing. He owns everything, including you and I, the Sun, the Moon, the World, everything it contains. He is in control of all things. He wants people to believe in Him, to do good and to avoid evil so they can achieve the reward of Paradise. God sent all of humanity on this worldly journey as a test, to weed out the worthy from the unworthy, to test which of those amongst His servants would perform best. Humanity would be lost on Earth if they were left to their own devices because they wouldn't know what God expects of them. When one acts according to their feelings, desires, and passions, they become oppressed by the sadness, worry, and fear that results from these impulsive actions. Humans can't navigate the twists and turns of this life without God's Guidance. Humans must ask their Creator for guidance, and to show them the Straight Path. God bestowed Guidance unto His servants in the form of Revelation and through prayer; the form of communication through which Muslims connect with God at least five times a day. The goal of a follower of Islam is to become a faithful servant of God by submitting to His Will and to worship Him Alone. Those who pass this test would enter Paradise eternally; those who fail, meanwhile, would enter hellfire in the afterlife. Let's take a closer, more in-depth look at this subject. Everything populating the Heavens and Earth, including animals, the Mountains, the Skies, and the Earth, are all in a state of submission to the Sovereignty of Allah, the Glorious. They are all living for, obedient to, in submission to, and are at the disposal of God and His Laws. They all exist in a state of Islam (submission to Allah). God states in the Quran: "To Him submits whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth" (Quran 3:83) Everything in nature functions according to fixed laws set forth by God and cannot deviate from those laws. The Sun knows its role---it knows the cycle of its rotation; it knows its role as the giver of light, heat, and energy on Earth. The Earth knows its rotation cycle around its axis. Your own eyes, heart, brain, your entire body and all of its components, are working subject to the laws of nature—and have no choice but to do as they are intended. All of God's creation worships Him in a manner appropriate to their situation. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Mountains, the trees, the animals, the whole Universe all exist in a state of subjugation to Allah, the Almighty. All prostrate to Him, with all of them worshipping Him in an appropriate manner. God, the Almighty said: "Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the Heavens and whoever is on the Earth and the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many, the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allah humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allah does what He wills" (Quran 22:18) Man is expected to worship and praise his Creator, much like the surrounding creations are continuously praising God in humility; in a way we may not understand. All the creation praises, worship, and lives in submission to the Almighty, in their unique style. God's creation prostrates to Him as per its nature, even if they do not press their foreheads to the ground. "The seven heavens and the Earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allah] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving" (Quran 17:44) All of God's creations know their mission and purpose. Just like the physical world submits to its Lord, human beings must submit to the Will and Laws of God. Unlike other creations of God, man was gifted with the qualities of intelligence, the ability to comprehend and understand, and the wisdom to think, reflect, and ponder over his Creator and his life purpose. Man was also gifted with the ultimate beauty of expression, and with the ability to make choices and decisions. God created many astounding creations, and the noblest of those creations are human beings. God states in the Quran: "We have certainly created man in the best of stature" (Quran 95:4) Man faces a choice: the offer to submit before God like all other creations or to go astray and violate God's laws. All will be held accountable for their decisions and choices. All humans are born with an innate eagerness and ability to seek God, to recognize and understand the existence of their Creator. Once many discover the truth, they hasten to submit to Allah; entering a state of total submission. Islam answers the questions that trouble the conscience of every human being: Why was I created? What am I doing here? What is my life's purpose for existence? Islam answers these massive life questions. Mankind was also born in a pure and pristine original state; one that inclines toward that which is ethical, morally and spiritually pure, upright and wholesome. They incline to help others, removing objects from the road, thanking people, etc. Everyone has an internal moral conscience, calculator, compass. If it is not corrupted, man's intrinsic moral conscience suffers discomfort and upset when someone wrongs; this because this conscience always points toward good, which brings one closer to God. This goodness, which is programmed in humans, compels them to be grateful when something good comes its way. Every human has an instinct to believe in and worship a Creator who is One—who has no partners. This belief does not come about as a result of learning or personal reflection but is placed by God into the heart of every human. With time, the changing of one's environment, and outside influences from parents and friends, this innate belief in God affects and confuses a person. Prophet Muhammad narrated: 'Every child is born in a state of fitrah (a natural belief in God), then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.' (Saheeh Muslim) Humans have the eagerness to thank their Creator. God has reinforced man's natural disposition with the signs He has planted throughout creation, to testify to His existence. A primary aim of the Holy Qur’an is to invite people to ponder and reflect. Allah refers to the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, the merging of the night into the day, and the merging of the Day into Night, as His miraculous signs and evidence of an existence of a Creator. The Quran teaches that the signs and proofs of God's knowledge, Wisdom, Power, Mercy, and existence are evident in the world around us. Together they point to a Creator, a Maker, a Designer, a Fashioner. This creation is flawless and perfect. Life on Earth and the Universe itself demonstrates so much order, purpose, intelligence, and design; all of which prove the existence of a Creator that designed and fashioned everything. Thus, God calls on man to ponder, reflect, and think deeply about the design of this complex creation, to build a better understanding of his Creator. When one reflects, one realizes that the world and everything it contains was created with intelligence and Infinite Wisdom—not by chance. Human beings—regardless of who they are, where they are, and when they live—are always curious to why they exist in this world, for what purpose? Only our Creator can tell us why we are here, and for what purpose! God encourages one to observe and ponder over His beautiful creation. He asks man to reflect upon the Mountains, the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Trees, etc. so they will realize their blessings. They will witness a clear sign, evidence, and proof of His existence, look up to the sky and admire the beauty of the ocean, mountain, and sunset: Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and [how] it has no rifts? (Quran 50:6) One should ask him/herself when was the last time he/she admired and pondered over this beautiful creation? Recognizing the signs of God's existence would require personal effort, and this recognition occurs in accordance with his or her wisdom and conscience. For the people who understand, everything around them is a sign and evidence of their creator’s existence. Pondering upon the intricacy and order of this magnificent creation would help one conclude that this glorious Universe indeed has a Wise Creator who crafted, fashioned, and molded everything. One would eventually perceive the fact that the entire Universe, including oneself, and one's own body, is created by a Superior Power. One would conclude that this world was created in proportion, and with measure and definite purpose. "And We did not create the heaven and Earth and that between them for mere play" (Quran 21:16) God also encourages people to look at their creation, their own body, and how it was constructed so perfectly. "We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?" (Quran 41:53) Pondering over the creation of mankind and the Universe would help one realize that the Deity behind this ethereal creation can re-create it once again. One would understand that God can easily and quickly resurrect all of humanity for Judgement Day. "How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless, and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him, you will be returned" (Quran 2:28) In today's materialistic world, the endless quest for fame and wealth distracts many from reflecting on the beautiful creation of God and the purpose behind it. We live in a world where people are obsessed with materialism, and their main aim and focus in life is to gather all the money and prizes they can. We are in a world where people are obsessed with taking as much as possible from this world. A perpetual state of excessive materialism can affect one's inner peace. One cannot achieve satisfaction in life if he or she is chasing material gains to an excessive and extreme extent; rather, one should look at the situation of those who are less fortunate. In this way, one will have a greater appreciation of the love, gifts, benefits and mercy that the Almighty has bestowed upon them regarding their wealth, family, friends, housing, etc. Humanity was created and born with a sense of awe, of wonder, but many have killed that sense of wonder somewhere along his or her journey to adulthood. Many no longer feel the fear and awe at God's creation around them because of their excessiveness, obsession and distraction of materials of this world. Many are so occupied by useless material goods, vain talk, and gossip they have forgotten and are immune to the miracles happening around them every second of every day. One should think deeply and ask more significant questions about life and his/her purpose, rather than thinking of that which is less significant. For the few that ponder and think deeply on this creation, which others overlook, they discover within it signs and great lessons all around them that lead them straight back to their Creator. Signs that lead one to an appreciation of the Wisdom and Wonders of the Almighty's creation, bringing them thus closer to their Lord. In the Holy Koran, God invites individuals of understanding to think about the issues which other people overlook. "Praise be to God. He will show you His Signs, and you will recognize them. Your Lord is not heedless of anything you do" (Quran 27:93) A person's purpose in life is to find God, build a relationship with Him, and engage in a continuous effort to submit to His will. The best joy and the most peace that one can achieve in this world is derived from the servitude to God and being an obedient slave of God. God states unequivocally that humankind was created to worship Him. God states: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (Quran 51:56) One can easily misunderstand this to mean that God wants humans to be in constant prayer, to dwell on the remembrance of God at all times, and to spend their entire lives in constant seclusion and absolute meditation. This is not the case. In Islam, worshipping God includes and entails every act, belief, statement, or sentiment of the heart which God approves and loves. The act of worship in Islam is comprehensive in scope. The worship of God can include actions such as removing an object from the road, helping one in need, being kind to one's parents, lawfully making money, sharing food with neighbors, visiting an ill person, etc. The act must be done sincerely to please God and not with boastful or impure motives. The action should also be consistent with the Almighty's guidance and laws. Any thought or act that brings a person closer to his Creator would be considered an act of worship. To worship God is to get to know Him, learn His names and attributes, to love Him, to obey His commandments, and to enforce His laws in every aspect of life. To worship God is to serve His cause; engaging in the struggle and the quest of doing right, shunning evil, and being just to others. According to the Quran, following and obeying God's commandments and refraining from prohibited activities would make one's life easier, more comfortable, and lighten one's burdens. "And Allah wants to lighten for you [your burden/ difficulties], and mankind was created weak" (Quran 4:28) Some mistakenly believe that disobeying the commands of God while partying their whole life away would make for a more enjoyable, peaceful life. They also think if they find God and follow His commands, then they will deprive themselves of things they could have otherwise enjoyed—and this couldn't be further from the truth. Quite the opposite is true. While the commands of other religions are often viewed as burdensome and rigid, the rules of Islam are not seen this way by the devout Muslim. A devout Muslim would see these rules as what's best for him or her, so that they may be guided to success, happiness, honor, and contentment in this life and the next. God states that if you abide by his advice, He will relieve the burdens of your life, rendering your existence much easier, comfortable, and more relaxed. You would find contentment in the heart. You would find more peace and harmony, not only within yourself but with the things and people around you. Each of God's commandments is enforced to benefit the one that follows them. Anything that God makes impermissible is harmful to one or society. For example, alcohol is prohibited in Islam because of its danger and evilness. A lot of studies and evidence demonstrate the effects and risks of drinking alcohol. Those who follow these simple edicts will enjoy a pleasant, contented life in a blessed world. God promises in the Holy Quran: "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do" (Quran 16:97) God created particular desires within the human being. One can control these desires according to God's Law or to turn them loose and go his or her separate way. Allah, the Glorious, created humanity knowing that they would sin. Therefore, God taught humans, starting with Prophet Adam peace be upon him how to repent and purify self of the sin. Life in this world is also a test for humankind. Everyone faces a separate and unique test. Some get tested through a life of poverty; some are tempted by wealth, some enjoy good health, some suffer from bad health, etc. God states in his Holy Book: "[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deeds - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving" (Quran 67:2) At times, the Almighty tests His creation with calamities and sometimes with blessings, to show who will be thankful and who will be ungrateful, and to show who will obey and who will disobey. "And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient" (Quran 2:155) God is testing every individual. God tests all of humanity in different ways. One should not mistake his/her life problems for punishments; or as signs that God is displeased with him or her. Likewise, one never should interpret his or her wealth, previsions, and pleasures as signs that Allah is pleased with them, or that they are privileged. Sometimes, quite the opposite is true. Allah also says: "Know that your wealth and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a mighty reward" (Quran 8:28) God in His Wisdom and Mercy has decreed that people be tried and tested in various ways to develop their psyches, strengthen and improve their character, and evolve them into beings which are pleasing to Him. Sometimes when one undergoes certain instances of suffering, he/she immediately thinks about and prays to God even if he' s/she's not religious. At times, the very experience of suffering leads one to God. A Muslim view this world as a temporary stop en route to a final destination: the afterlife, where man would live eternally. Not that this temporary world is not important or shouldn't be taken seriously, but this life should not be lived sinfully and at the expense of the Hereafter—which is a lot longer and better in scope. If one's goal in life is to become wealthy, then there would be no purpose in existence after one achieves the goal of wealth. How could wealth then be considered the aim of life? This world is not about acquiring material goods or physical pleasures. A Muslim view and interacts with this world for what it is, just a means to an end. Detachment from this world doesn't mean that you abandon all material possessions and own nothing substantial; instead, a healthy detachment from this world means that nothing should hold, own, and enslave you. This life is about attaining a higher purpose. One should be preparing for the eternal joy of the afterlife. The purpose of life in Islam is to become faithful, sincere servants of God. "And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew" (Quran 29:64) This life is temporary and will someday end for the individual, and an end for humanity altogether; but the Hereafter is eternal. The experience of life in this world is almost nothing compared to life in the Hereafter. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him stated: 'What is the example of this worldly life compared to the Hereafter other than one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.' Whereas the essential purpose for which humankind was created is embodied in the worship of God, God does not need human worship. He certainly did not create human beings out of a need to seek His Glory. If not a single person worshipped God, it would not diminish His Glory. God exists with no needs. On the other hand, humanity was created with needs and wants. Thus, it is mankind that requires the worship of God. Human beings need to worship and glorify God by obeying his divinely revealed laws; because obedience to God is the key to success in this life and the Hereafter. Mankind is encouraged to remember God as often as possible for their benefit. Remembrance of God is imperative, as sin is generally committed when God is forgotten. The forces of evil operate most freely when cognizance of God is weak or lost. "Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers." (Quran 58:19) It's Satan and his children that seek to occupy one's mind with irrelevant thoughts, material distractions, and desires that make them forget their Lord. "O, believers! Remember God often." (Quran 33:41) The Almighty instructs man to show gratitude to Him by glorifying Him. "Glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him]" (Quran 15:98) In glorifying God, man is in harmony with the rest of the creation; an act which naturally Glorifies the Creator throughout the day and night, in its own and unique matter. Since it is not possible for mankind to have a detailed knowledge of God, and to know what God expects of them without Divine Revelation, God sent His Messengers throughout the ages, to every nation, to guide and educate people about their Creator; advising them how to worship Him, and how one should live his/her life. The Messengers came bearing a Holy Book from the Almighty. All Messengers and all Books preached the same general Message that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah—who has no flaw and is all worthy of praise and gratitude.

Who is Allah? | Who is God The Almighty? | Is the God of Islam The Same God Of Christians & Jews?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2018 5:50

The word ‘Allah’ is the unique name of God. He is The One and Only, the Absolute & Eternal God. He is the creator of the Heavens and Earth, the creator of the Universe. He is the Lord of all lords, King of all kings. He is the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful. Allah Neither Begets, nor is He Begotten. And He knows no equal. God offers a description of Himself in His book, the Holy Quran, stating: Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent" (Quran 112:1-4) The word Allah translates to God. Allah is not a foreign God and does not bear a foreign name. Allah, rather, is the semantic term for God. Regardless of this, some people harbor the mistaken belief that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews; and that ‘Allah’ is the ‘God of the Arabs or God of the Muslims’. This is far from the truth. The word “Allah” is the Arabic name that connotes the Almighty God. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians use this same word to refer to God. If one were to peruse an Arabic translation of the Bible, one would see the word ‘Allah’ being used in place of the term ‘God.’ However, Muslims, Christians, and Jews all have different concepts of God. Muslims and Jews both reject the Christian beliefs of the Trinity and the Divine incarnation. This, however, does not mean that each of these three religions worships a different God. There is only One true God. Muslims prefer to use the name ‘Allah’ as opposed to the English word ‘God’ because the English word ‘God’ can be made plural and can be rendered masculine or feminine; whereas the Arabic word ‘Allah’ cannot be made plural and is genderless. For instance, if you add the letter ‘s’ to the word God, it becomes ‘gods’--which is the plural of God. In the case of the Arabic word ‘Allah,’ one cannot make the word plural by adding ‘s’ or in any other way morphing the word’s structure. Likewise, if one adds ‘ess’ to the end of the word ‘God,’ it becomes ‘goddess,’ which connotates a female god. God is not female nor male. He is genderless. The word ‘Allah’ in the Arabic language does not have a gender. It cannot be made feminine. Muslims reject the use of the word ‘God’ because it has different connotations to different people. God means different things to different people because the term ‘God’ indicates an entity worthy of worship; and regretfully, people assign a godlike status to many other beings, divine or otherwise. However, sometimes while speaking to non-Muslims, one may use the word ‘God’ instead of ‘Allah’ to help the intended audience understand the context of the word; to relate the message you are referring to the One Supreme Being. The word Allah comes from the origin of the word Al-ilah, which enjoins the two terms ‘The’ and ‘God’ as in ‘The God.’ The term illah, which is the closest synonym to God in the Arabic language, is rich and has several meanings. Illah refers to an entity worthy of worship and service, an object of devotion and love, someone you turn to in desperate times, someone you adore and think about all the time. Illah also is one you turn to for protection, help or aid. You find sanctuary and rest in your Illah, who is always present to comfort and guide beings of His creation. The relationship with God is expressed in the Arabic word Al-Rabb, which is used frequently in the Quran. Linguistically it is defined as ‘sticking close to something.’ It also means ‘joining something with another.’ In the Holy Qur’an, the word Al-Rabb implies that the owner (God) has full authority over his property (his servants) and is a Master who ultimately sustains His creation by regulating affairs, providing provisions, and granting all varieties of favors and blessings. Al-Rabb also means the One who sustains and nurtures the hearts and souls of His creation. Muslims believe in One, unique, incomparable God, who has no son, no daughter, no father, no mother, no family, and no partner. He is the Knower of the unseen and the Source of All Mercy. He is the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, the Wise. All that is in the Heavens and Earth magnify Him. Muslims believe that none should be worshipped but Him alone. He is the true God, and every other deity is false. None carries the right to be worshipped, revered, adored, invoked, supplicated, or shown any act of worship, but Allah alone. God is unique, indivisible and similar to nothing. Whenever you try to compare God to anything in this world, it cannot be God; because God, to put it is incomparable. Our finite human minds can fully comprehend and grasp God as a concept. Muslims avoid conceptualizing His image, because imagining or visualizing Him would limit Him. The human imagination is limited, as it is based on what it observes and experiences directly. The human imagination cannot fully grasp the state of God, who is timeless and eternal with no beginning or end. God has a unique nature and is free from gender and human weakness and is beyond anything which human beings can imagine. God states: “There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then worship Him, and He has the power to dispose of all affairs. No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is the Sublime, Well-Aware" (Quran 6: 102-103) God is the King, the Holy, the one free from all defects. The Protector, the Keeper, the Sustainer of Earth and the Universe and all it contains. He is the Glorious, the Great, the Deserving of all Praise. The Kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth belong to Him. Nothing is hidden from Him, and Nothing is beyond His capabilities. He is the Lord and Master of the physical Universe and the Ruler and Lawgiver for human life. Allah is the creator of everything from the smallest to the biggest of things. It is He who heats and brightens the Earth, varies the direction of the winds, and keeps planets in their separate orbits. He is the one that merges the night into the day and merges the day into the night. He is the Master of the Day of Judgement. Allah does not sleep nor slumber, nor sleeps overtake Him. Afterall, created the universe in six days with no rest. God states: “[He is] Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing (Quran 42:11) God is Loving, Compassionate, Merciful; He is the answerer of prayers, and He is indeed involved and concerned with the daily affairs of all human beings. God is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is the Giver of life and the Causer of death. He is the Master of the Day of Judgment. He is the Most-High, the most Supreme. He is the most generous and the most loving to his creation. God gives, without measure, to His servants. He gifted mankind life and the ability to hear, feel, taste, and see. God gifted humans their hearts, minds, souls, strengths, and skills. “And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful” (Quran 14:34) God created all things from nothing. He is in no need of His creation, although His creation is all in need of Him. He is all Knowledgeable and encompasses all things, the open and the secret, the public and the private. He knows all secrets that lay hidden in the hearts and minds of men. He knows of all that happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen. Our Lord neither errs nor forgets. He is free from all defects and imperfections. He is the One that accepts repentance from His servants and forgives all sins. Allah knows of what you endure and understands your feelings and struggles. Allah understands because He was there with you all along. Allah has power over all things. No other power nor might nor strength nor influence can cause benefit or harm to anyone or anything, except that which flows through Him. Nothing can ever happen unless God wills it to be so. “Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record" (Quran 6:59) God can make anything happen. He states in His book: “Whenever We will anything to be, We say unto it Our word "Be," and it is” (Quran 16:40) Some people assume that God, as perceived in the faith of Islam is a harsh, stern, cruel God; one who demands to be respected, worshipped, and obeyed fully, and is not loving and kind to His creation. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is All-Loving. He claims among His names Al-Wadoud in Arabic (the All-Loving). The love of God in the Holy Qur’an is expressed and emphasized many times throughout His Book. God bespeaks His love for the righteous, the charitable, the steadfast, the doers of good, the just, the fair, the benevolent, those who trust Him; the ones that are clean, the ones that purify themselves, and the ones who fulfill their obligations. The entire Universe and everything it contain is proof of Allah’s love for all of His creation. He loves us so much that He gave us an endless variety of foods, a vast array of land and wildlife, the sun, the moon, the stars, family, offspring, and much more. Everything one sees feels, hears, tastes, and smells are all forms of blessings, given to us by our Loving Creator. He didn’t have to do this, but He bestowed these blessings upon us. His boundless mercy encompasses everything. "And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful" (Quran 16:18) God is also All-Just. Hence, evildoers and sinners must be held accountable for their actions. God is Holy, Righteous, and Fair. If He didn't punish for evil, He would allow that evil to exist without consequences. Since God cannot let that happen, His justice requires that a proper punishment is incurred and executed for evil sins. Although Allah is not answerable to anyone, He has promised to be Just and Fair to everyone. He has prohibited injustice against the innocent. Allah never would punish an innocent person, nor hold anyone accountable for the sins of another. Unlike Christianity, Islam imposes no burden of the original sin. Every human being is born with a clean slate and is rewarded or punished only based on one’s willful intent, words, and deeds. Allah is the Absolute Judge, the Legislator. God is the One who distinguishes right from wrong. God even is more merciful to His creation than a mother is to her child. God is far removed from injustice and tyranny. He is All-Wise in all of His actions and decrees. For one to be genuinely devoted to Allah and to love Him above all else imaginable, one needs to have knowledge of God that goes beyond the basic aspects of His role as the sole Creator and Sustainer. To reward any seeker who strives to learn more about the Creator, Allah has revealed a great deal of information about Himself and His Attributes. Allah has the most Magnificent, Beautiful of names and sublime Perfect attributes. No one shares His Divinity, nor His Attributes. Allah’s Attributes are incomparable, Greater and more perfectly than those acquired by people, as there is nothing like Him, His Attributes, and Actions. God has an infinite number of names and has a particular and special category of 99 names listed in the Holy Koran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Of His names is The Ever-Merciful, The Forgiving, The Loving, The Nourisher, The Sustainer, The Compassionate, The Exalter, The Just, The Great, The Protector, The Caregiver, The Ever-Living, The Powerful, The First, The Last, The Pardoner, The Light, The Supporter, The Eternal, The Preserver, The Wise, The Originator, and The One Who Gives Life and Resurrects. If our Creator is Eternal and Everlasting, then His attributes must adhere to this same edict. God has perfect attributes. He has limitless and infinite hearing, vision, mercy, and—above all—love. Muslims attribute certain factors to every quality of God: None of His attributes ever knew a beginning, nor will they ever have an ending. For instance, He always has been All-Hearing and always will be All-Hearing. Allah hears everything from our inner thoughts and tiniest whispers to the buzz of a mosquito's wing and the eruption of Volcanos. Language is no barrier for Him, for God understands all. All of His attributes are infinite. Whereas humans can hear only what’s in front of them, God can listen to simultaneous conversations inside and outside a room; God can hear all. All of our attributes as humans were given to us as gifts, whereas all of God’s attributes originated within Him. His attributes were not given to Him; they were within Him all along. The most significant and most honorable knowledge is that of Allah’s Names, Attributes, and Actions. God encourages His creation to learn His names so they can discover more about Him. How would one love, worship, fear, and trust God if they do not know His Identity and His Attributes? By learning Allah’s names and attributes, one can appreciate His Power over all things and increase the pleasure and sublime awe he or she finds in God’s company. That is why knowledge of Allah is a central tenant of the Islamic faith. It is when one genuinely ponders on the Majesty of Allah, that one’s humility increases. Muslims are advised to study and ponder His Names and Attributes and are encouraged to worship and call Him by those names. God states: “And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them” (Quran 7:180) God is above His creation, above the heavens, above His Throne. However, He never is contained by any sort of physical dimension. Allah is close, very close. God is close to those who believe in Him, and He answers their every call. Saying that God is with His servants, does not mean that He intermingles or dwells with His creation; rather He establishes His presence with His creation by His Knowledge and Power. Nothing is hidden from Him of what His creation does or says. God states in the Quran: “Verily Allah knows all the hidden things of the Heavens and the Earth; Verily He has full Knowledge of all that is in (men's) hearts” (Quran 35:38) God is very near. He sees and knows every aspect of His creations. He hears every word that is uttered. He is knowledgeable of even one's inner thoughts. God knows all of our dreams, secrets, desires, and wishes. Nothing is hidden from Him. “We created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein” (Quran 50:36) Allah is in no need of His creation, although His creation needs Him. Allah wants humans to worship Him for their own benefit. Mankind needs God in their lives at all times and for all purposes. Those who recognize the Majesty of the Creator of All, soon become awestruck and humble in their knowledge. One that rejects God and His Guidance is like a patient refusing a doctor’s medicine for his pain. This patient would be foolish, ignorant, and illogical in his actions; as would be one who rejects Allah. Allah is Fully Omnipotent and Self-sufficient. He is in no need of humanistic worship or anything else. Allah is Perfect

What is The Purpose & Meaning of Life | Explained According to Islam and Quran | Why Was I Created?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2018 7:03

God is real. He is the One and the Only God. He is worthy of worship and veneration. He is All-Loving. He is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing. He owns everything, including you and I, the Sun, the Moon, the World, everything it contains. He is in control of all things. He wants people to believe in Him, to do good and to avoid evil so they can achieve the reward of Paradise. God sent all of humanity on this worldly journey as a test, to weed out the worthy from the unworthy, to test which of those amongst His servants would perform best. Humanity would be lost on Earth if they were left to their own devices because they wouldn't know what God expects of them. When one acts according to their feelings, desires, and passions, they become oppressed by the sadness, worry, and fear that results from these impulsive actions. Humans can't navigate the twists and turns of this life without God's Guidance. Humans must ask their Creator for guidance, and to show them the Straight Path. God bestowed Guidance unto His servants in the form of Revelation and through prayer; the form of communication through which Muslims connect with God at least five times a day. The goal of a follower of Islam is to become a faithful servant of God by submitting to His Will and to worship Him Alone. Those who pass this test would enter Paradise eternally; those who fail, meanwhile, would enter hellfire in the afterlife. Let's take a closer, more in-depth look at this subject. Everything populating the Heavens and Earth, including animals, the Mountains, the Skies, and the Earth, are all in a state of submission to the Sovereignty of Allah, the Glorious. They are all living for, obedient to, in submission to, and are at the disposal of God and His Laws. They all exist in a state of Islam (submission to Allah). God states in the Quran: "To Him submits whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth" (Quran 3:83) Everything in nature functions according to fixed laws set forth by God and cannot deviate from those laws. The Sun knows its role---it knows the cycle of its rotation; it knows its role as the giver of light, heat, and energy on Earth. The Earth knows its rotation cycle around its axis. Your own eyes, heart, brain, your entire body and all of its components, are working subject to the laws of nature—and have no choice but to do as they are intended. All of God's creation worships Him in a manner appropriate to their situation. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Mountains, the trees, the animals, the whole Universe all exist in a state of subjugation to Allah, the Almighty. All prostrate to Him, with all of them worshipping Him in an appropriate manner. God, the Almighty said: "Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the Heavens and whoever is on the Earth and the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many, the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allah humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allah does what He wills" (Quran 22:18) Man is expected to worship and praise his Creator, much like the surrounding creations are continuously praising God in humility; in a way we may not understand. All the creation praises, worship, and lives in submission to the Almighty, in their unique style. God's creation prostrates to Him as per its nature, even if they do not press their foreheads to the ground. "The seven heavens and the Earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allah] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving" (Quran 17:44) All of God's creations know their mission and purpose. Just like the physical world submits to its Lord, human beings must submit to the Will and Laws of God. Unlike other creations of God, man was gifted with the qualities of intelligence, the ability to comprehend and understand, and the wisdom to think, reflect, and ponder over his Creator and his life purpose. Man was also gifted with the ultimate beauty of expression, and with the ability to make choices and decisions. God created many astounding creations, and the noblest of those creations are human beings. God states in the Quran: "We have certainly created man in the best of stature" (Quran 95:4) Man faces a choice: the offer to submit before God like all other creations or to go astray and violate God's laws. All will be held accountable for their decisions and choices. All humans are born with an innate eagerness and ability to seek God, to recognize and understand the existence of their Creator. Once many discover the truth, they hasten to submit to Allah; entering a state of total submission. Islam answers the questions that trouble the conscience of every human being: Why was I created? What am I doing here? What is my life's purpose for existence? Islam answers these massive life questions. Mankind was also born in a pure and pristine original state; one that inclines toward that which is ethical, morally and spiritually pure, upright and wholesome. They incline to help others, removing objects from the road, thanking people, etc. Everyone has an internal moral conscience, calculator, compass. If it is not corrupted, man's intrinsic moral conscience suffers discomfort and upset when someone wrongs; this because this conscience always points toward good, which brings one closer to God. This goodness, which is programmed in humans, compels them to be grateful when something good comes its way. Every human has an instinct to believe in and worship a Creator who is One—who has no partners. This belief does not come about as a result of learning or personal reflection but is placed by God into the heart of every human. With time, the changing of one's environment, and outside influences from parents and friends, this innate belief in God affects and confuses a person. Prophet Muhammad narrated: 'Every child is born in a state of fitrah (a natural belief in God), then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.' (Saheeh Muslim) Humans have the eagerness to thank their Creator. God has reinforced man's natural disposition with the signs He has planted throughout creation, to testify to His existence. A primary aim of the Holy Qur’an is to invite people to ponder and reflect. Allah refers to the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, the merging of the night into the day, and the merging of the Day into Night, as His miraculous signs and evidence of an existence of a Creator. The Quran teaches that the signs and proofs of God's knowledge, Wisdom, Power, Mercy, and existence are evident in the world around us. Together they point to a Creator, a Maker, a Designer, a Fashioner. This creation is flawless and perfect. Life on Earth and the Universe itself demonstrates so much order, purpose, intelligence, and design; all of which prove the existence of a Creator that designed and fashioned everything. Thus, God calls on man to ponder, reflect, and think deeply about the design of this complex creation, to build a better understanding of his Creator. When one reflects, one realizes that the world and everything it contains was created with intelligence and Infinite Wisdom—not by chance. Human beings—regardless of who they are, where they are, and when they live—are always curious to why they exist in this world, for what purpose? Only our Creator can tell us why we are here, and for what purpose! God encourages one to observe and ponder over His beautiful creation. He asks man to reflect upon the Mountains, the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Trees, etc. so they will realize their blessings. They will witness a clear sign, evidence, and proof of His existence, look up to the sky and admire the beauty of the ocean, mountain, and sunset: Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and [how] it has no rifts? (Quran 50:6) One should ask him/herself when was the last time he/she admired and pondered over this beautiful creation? Recognizing the signs of God's existence would require personal effort, and this recognition occurs in accordance with his or her wisdom and conscience. For the people who understand, everything around them is a sign and evidence of their creator’s existence. Pondering upon the intricacy and order of this magnificent creation would help one conclude that this glorious Universe indeed has a Wise Creator who crafted, fashioned, and molded everything. One would eventually perceive the fact that the entire Universe, including oneself, and one's own body, is created by a Superior Power. One would conclude that this world was created in proportion, and with measure and definite purpose. "And We did not create the heaven and Earth and that between them for mere play" (Quran 21:16) God also encourages people to look at their creation, their own body, and how it was constructed so perfectly. "We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?" (Quran 41:53) Pondering over the creation of mankind and the Universe would help one realize that the Deity behind this ethereal creation can re-create it once again. One would understand that God can easily and quickly resurrect all of humanity for Judgement Day. "How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless, and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him, you will be returned" (Quran 2:28) In today's materialistic world, the endless quest for fame and wealth distracts many from reflecting on the beautiful creation of God and the purpose behind it. We live in a world where people are obsessed with materialism, and their main aim and focus in life is to gather all the money and prizes they can. We are in a world where people are obsessed with taking as much as possible from this world. A perpetual state of excessive materialism can affect one's inner peace. One cannot achieve satisfaction in life if he or she is chasing material gains to an excessive and extreme extent; rather, one should look at the situation of those who are less fortunate. In this way, one will have a greater appreciation of the love, gifts, benefits and mercy that the Almighty has bestowed upon them regarding their wealth, family, friends, housing, etc. Humanity was created and born with a sense of awe, of wonder, but many have killed that sense of wonder somewhere along his or her journey to adulthood. Many no longer feel the fear and awe at God's creation around them because of their excessiveness, obsession and distraction of materials of this world. Many are so occupied by useless material goods, vain talk, and gossip they have forgotten and are immune to the miracles happening around them every second of every day. One should think deeply and ask more significant questions about life and his/her purpose, rather than thinking of that which is less significant. For the few that ponder and think deeply on this creation, which others overlook, they discover within it signs and great lessons all around them that lead them straight back to their Creator. Signs that lead one to an appreciation of the Wisdom and Wonders of the Almighty's creation, bringing them thus closer to their Lord. In the Holy Koran, God invites individuals of understanding to think about the issues which other people overlook. "Praise be to God. He will show you His Signs, and you will recognize them. Your Lord is not heedless of anything you do" (Quran 27:93) A person's purpose in life is to find God, build a relationship with Him, and engage in a continuous effort to submit to His will. The best joy and the most peace that one can achieve in this world is derived from the servitude to God and being an obedient slave of God. God states unequivocally that humankind was created to worship Him. God states: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (Quran 51:56) One can easily misunderstand this to mean that God wants humans to be in constant prayer, to dwell on the remembrance of God at all times, and to spend their entire lives in constant seclusion and absolute meditation. This is not the case. In Islam, worshipping God includes and entails every act, belief, statement, or sentiment of the heart which God approves and loves. The act of worship in Islam is comprehensive in scope. The worship of God can include actions such as removing an object from the road, helping one in need, being kind to one's parents, lawfully making money, sharing food with neighbors, visiting an ill person, etc. The act must be done sincerely to please God and not with boastful or impure motives. The action should also be consistent with the Almighty's guidance and laws. Any thought or act that brings a person closer to his Creator would be considered an act of worship. To worship God is to get to know Him, learn His names and attributes, to love Him, to obey His commandments, and to enforce His laws in every aspect of life. To worship God is to serve His cause; engaging in the struggle and the quest of doing right, shunning evil, and being just to others. According to the Quran, following and obeying God's commandments and refraining from prohibited activities would make one's life easier, more comfortable, and lighten one's burdens. "And Allah wants to lighten for you [your burden/ difficulties], and mankind was created weak" (Quran 4:28) Some mistakenly believe that disobeying the commands of God while partying their whole life away would make for a more enjoyable, peaceful life. They also think if they find God and follow His commands, then they will deprive themselves of things they could have otherwise enjoyed—and this couldn't be further from the truth. Quite the opposite is true. While the commands of other religions are often viewed as burdensome and rigid, the rules of Islam are not seen this way by the devout Muslim. A devout Muslim would see these rules as what's best for him or her, so that they may be guided to success, happiness, honor, and contentment in this life and the next. God states that if you abide by his advice, He will relieve the burdens of your life, rendering your existence much easier, comfortable, and more relaxed. You would find contentment in the heart. You would find more peace and harmony, not only within yourself but with the things and people around you. Each of God's commandments is enforced to benefit the one that follows them. Anything that God makes impermissible is harmful to one or society. For example, alcohol is prohibited in Islam because of its danger and evilness. A lot of studies and evidence demonstrate the effects and risks of drinking alcohol. Those who follow these simple edicts will enjoy a pleasant, contented life in a blessed world. God promises in the Holy Quran: "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do" (Quran 16:97) God created particular desires within the human being. One can control these desires according to God's Law or to turn them loose and go his or her separate way. Allah, the Glorious, created humanity knowing that they would sin. Therefore, God taught humans, starting with Prophet Adam peace be upon him how to repent and purify self of the sin. Life in this world is also a test for humankind. Everyone faces a separate and unique test. Some get tested through a life of poverty; some are tempted by wealth, some enjoy good health, some suffer from bad health, etc. God states in his Holy Book: "[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deeds - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving" (Quran 67:2) At times, the Almighty tests His creation with calamities and sometimes with blessings, to show who will be thankful and who will be ungrateful, and to show who will obey and who will disobey. "And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient" (Quran 2:155) God is testing every individual. God tests all of humanity in different ways. One should not mistake his/her life problems for punishments; or as signs that God is displeased with him or her. Likewise, one never should interpret his or her wealth, previsions, and pleasures as signs that Allah is pleased with them, or that they are privileged. Sometimes, quite the opposite is true. Allah also says: "Know that your wealth and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a mighty reward" (Quran 8:28) God in His Wisdom and Mercy has decreed that people be tried and tested in various ways to develop their psyches, strengthen and improve their character, and evolve them into beings which are pleasing to Him. Sometimes when one undergoes certain instances of suffering, he/she immediately thinks about and prays to God even if he' s/she's not religious. At times, the very experience of suffering leads one to God. A Muslim view this world as a temporary stop en route to a final destination: the afterlife, where man would live eternally. Not that this temporary world is not important or shouldn't be taken seriously, but this life should not be lived sinfully and at the expense of the Hereafter—which is a lot longer and better in scope. If one's goal in life is to become wealthy, then there would be no purpose in existence after one achieves the goal of wealth. How could wealth then be considered the aim of life? This world is not about acquiring material goods or physical pleasures. A Muslim view and interacts with this world for what it is, just a means to an end. Detachment from this world doesn't mean that you abandon all material possessions and own nothing substantial; instead, a healthy detachment from this world means that nothing should hold, own, and enslave you. This life is about attaining a higher purpose. One should be preparing for the eternal joy of the afterlife. The purpose of life in Islam is to become faithful, sincere servants of God. "And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew" (Quran 29:64) This life is temporary and will someday end for the individual, and an end for humanity altogether; but the Hereafter is eternal. The experience of life in this world is almost nothing compared to life in the Hereafter. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him stated: 'What is the example of this worldly life compared to the Hereafter other than one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.' Whereas the essential purpose for which humankind was created is embodied in the worship of God, God does not need human worship. He certainly did not create human beings out of a need to seek His Glory. If not a single person worshipped God, it would not diminish His Glory. God exists with no needs. On the other hand, humanity was created with needs and wants. Thus, it is mankind that requires the worship of God. Human beings need to worship and glorify God by obeying his divinely revealed laws; because obedience to God is the key to success in this life and the Hereafter. Mankind is encouraged to remember God as often as possible for their benefit. Remembrance of God is imperative, as sin is generally committed when God is forgotten. The forces of evil operate most freely when cognizance of God is weak or lost. "Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers." (Quran 58:19) It's Satan and his children that seek to occupy one's mind with irrelevant thoughts, material distractions, and desires that make them forget their Lord. "O, believers! Remember God often." (Quran 33:41) The Almighty instructs man to show gratitude to Him by glorifying Him. "Glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him]" (Quran 15:98) In glorifying God, man is in harmony with the rest of the creation; an act which naturally Glorifies the Creator throughout the day and night, in its own and unique matter. Since it is not possible for mankind to have a detailed knowledge of God, and to know what God expects of them without Divine Revelation, God sent His Messengers throughout the ages, to every nation, to guide and educate people about their Creator; advising them how to worship Him, and how one should live his/her life. The Messengers came bearing a Holy Book from the Almighty. All Messengers and all Books preached the same general Message that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah—who has no flaw and is all worthy of praise and gratitude.

What is The Religion of Islam? (Longer Version)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2018 14:01

Islam is the voluntary ‘submission’ or ‘surrender’ to the Will of God, in exchange for the acquisition of peace and contentment in this life and the hereafter. The Religion of Islam teaches and encourages one to submit to the will of God, in exchange to gain peace & contentment. The word Islam is the synonym of the noun ‘aslama’ which means ‘resigned or submitted.’ In the context of religion, it means, ‘to submit one’s will, to the will of God.’ The Religion of Islam encourages one to submit to the will of God, in exchange to acquire peace and contentment in this life and the hereafter. Only when one submits to God, by believing in Him and obeying His commandments, does one achieve an innate and lasting sense of security, true peace of mind, and surety of heart. The word 'Islam' is derived from an Arabic root word which means peace, purity, safety, salutation, submission, acceptance, surrender, and obedience. With the act of submission, one would attain peace within themselves, and in accordance with their Creator and their fellow beings. The religion of Islam demonstrates that only through the doing of good and the seeking of God’s pleasure can one find true happiness, peace, and contentment in life. Man cannot live peacefully or successfully without religion, and this religion cannot be man-made. Religion has to be utterly Divine, with no human alteration. The only Revelation in the world today that still rings good and true is the final Book, the last and final Testament of God, The Holy Quran. All other traditional Revelations were lost in the annals of time or underwent endless human-made modifications that rendered them impractical for humanity. Islam is a monotheistic religion; a faith in which followers admit and recognize the existence of one Supreme God and Being who is Almighty, All-Powerful, All-Knowledgeable, All-Loving. Islam stresses only One God. The same God of Prophet Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon them all. Islam demonstrates the fact that, through the centuries, God has continued to bless humanity with holy Prophets who come bearing the same general message. The message is simple: one should worship God Alone with no partners, love Him with all his or her heart, and follow His Commandments. God is an entity worthy of worship, veneration, adoration, and reverence since He is the creator of everything. No other being is worthy of worship. This has always been God’s Message to mankind, as conveyed through the words of Prophets and Messengers. Prophet Moses peace be upon him declared to the people of Israel: ‘Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord’ (Deuteronomy 6:4). A full 1500 years later, Prophet Jesus peace be upon him repeated the same Message to the people of Israel: ‘The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord’ (Mark 12:29). Finally, 600 years later, Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him called out across the hills of Mecca: "And your God is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Beneficent, the Especially Merciful” (Quran 2:163) Throughout history, anyone who practiced monotheism by submitting to the will of God and following his prophet was considered a Muslim. Human beings have been practicing Islam since the creation of Prophet Adam. Throughout the ages, God sent Prophets and Messengers to guide and teach their nations. All Prophets preached the same general Message to their nations. Muslim believe the Prophets preached that submitting to God would bring one peace and contentment to one’s heart in this world; and would award on the attainment of God’s kingdom and grace in the next world. No other is worthy of worship; not the Sun, the Moon, nor an idol. Contrary to popular belief, Islam is not a new religion that came into existence 1400 years ago, back in the 7th century. Islam has existed since the first moment that man set foot on the earth. “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam (submission to Him)” (Quran 3:19) Islam is the only religion that God ever commanded humankind to follow. Islam, therefore, is the only religion that has ever been acceptable to and ordained by God. Allah states in the Quran: “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) The final Prophet of mankind, Prophet Muhammad, was not the founder of Islam, as many people mistakenly think. Instead, he was sent as the last and final Prophet; one delivered from the hand of Almighty God to convey His message to our nation, the final nation. Islam is not a religion solely based on creeds, customs, and rituals; rather, Islam is a complete way of life that guides man in every field and aspect of this sometimes-perilous existence. Islam teaches the art of living; how one should steer and navigate his or her life. Islam instructs us about the things in this life beneficial to us, and that which is ultimately destructive and should be avoided. Islam guides followers in every aspect of their lives. Islam emphasizes how the belief in God empowers one to become more righteous, obedient, moral, and ethical overall; rejecting all forms of evil. Islam changes a person’s thoughts, actions, and life perspective; helping them to see this world as it is, and to prepare for the afterlife. Muslims believe Islam neither neglects the needs, wants, hopes, and aspirations of this worldly life; nor does it abandon the preparation needed to ready oneself for the hereafter where man shall live eternally. Islam takes the middle path. It is better for one to ponder deeply about his or her future, and to live a good life in anticipation of his/her future eternal life. Each person is expected to devote some time to his present life to ponder what will occur in the life to come. Islam is a religion based on faith, love, compassion, peace, mercy, goodwill, and ethical treatment to all of God’s creations including humankind, animals, and plants. Islam is a religion based on self-righteousness, in which Muslims strive to perform good deeds toward the attainment of their salvation, and the goal of entering Heaven with God’s Mercy in the afterlife. A person that submits his or her will to Almighty God and follows His commandments is called a Muslim. A Muslim is one who does not follow his desires, lusts, and impulses. A Muslim is one that does right, stands for good, and loves God with all his or her heart. The act of knowing and loving God is the only thing that can bring about true contentment in the soul. If one does not have a relationship with his Creator, his soul will always seek something to fill the emptiness in his or her heart. All the wealth and material goods of this world could never be able to fill the emptiness and gap of a vacant soul. Happiness is not derived from the gathering of possessions. Real wealth is obtained only from the richness and contentment of the heart and soul. And the only true poverty is the poverty of the spirit and heart. Islam answers the fundamental questions that malign the conscience of every human being. Why was I created? What am I doing here? What is the purpose of my existence? Islam delivers a meaningful purpose to one’s life in this world; and the guidance needed to fulfill one’s life purpose. Other religions do not answer the big questions of life, such as ‘Who made us?’ ‘Why are we here?’ and ‘Where are we headed?’ Man cannot live peacefully in this world without knowing who he is, who has created him, where he is headed, what his role is, and how to fulfill that role to the best of his or her ability. The need to answer these questions has been implanted in man’s inner nature by the Almighty. However, the human intellect alone cannot answer these questions unaided. Muslims believe Man needs Divine guidance to discover these all-important spiritual answers. The answers lie in Islam. Islam teaches people that they were created to worship God and that the basis of all true worship is God-consciousness; a concept that includes the fear of God, the love of God, His recognition, piety, and loyalty. Since Islam encompasses all aspects of life and ethics, God-consciousness is encouraged in the execution of all human affairs. Islamic worship is not limited to religious rituals such as praying and fasting. Instead, Islam clarifies that everyday human acts such as eating, drinking, greeting others, sitting, learning, dressing, sleeping, giving charity, are all acts of worship if done for God alone and in accordance with His Divine Laws and guidelines. The teachings of the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhamad peace be upon him can supply both ethereal mercy and a healing for the human soul. They provide the ultimate guidance for leading a productive, successful life. Islam demonstrates the best way of living a life. God created man to be a follower and a worshipper. If he is not devoted to God, he will devote himself to others; whether they are false gods, saints, idols, philosophers, etc., following them by thoughts and actions that would lead him astray. In Islam, Muslims do not worship the creations of God, such as the sun, the moon, or an idol; instead, they worship the Creator Himself. Islam recognizes that God has created humans with an innate eagerness and ability to seek God, to acknowledge and understand the existence of their Creator. The highest and most significant thinkers of the past never would deny the various signs that point to the existence of their Creator. However, what led many people of the past astray is the lack of knowing God properly and the fact they did not have access to a true and preserved Revelation originating from God. Aimed at the ones that deny God’s existence, God poses an argument in the Quran stating: "Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]?" "Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain" (Quran 52:35-36) The aim of these verses is for mankind to reflect and ponder on the fact they could not have come into existence from nothing, nor could they have created themselves. In another Verse, God states the skies and the Earth are fashioned perfectly, hence showing proof they were originated from the act of a Creator. "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason" (Quran 2:164) The miracles of nature, the Earth, the Universe are enough evidence to show mankind that there is ‘something bigger than us.’ Humanity does not need God to show them anything more for them to believe; the world is already enough of a miracle. "It is He who sends down rain from the sky; from it is drink and from it is foliage in which you pasture [animals]. He causes to grow for you the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and from all the fruits. In that is a sign for a people who give thought. And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. In that are signs for a people who reason. And [He has subjected] whatever He multiplied for you on the earth of varying colors. Indeed, in that is a sign for a people who remember. And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, and [He subjected it] that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful. And He has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it shift with you, and [made] rivers and roads, that you may be guided, And landmarks. And by the stars they are [also] guided. Then is He who creates like one who does not create? So, will you not be reminded?" (Quran16:10-17) Surely these words will answer the questions and address the doubts of people who ponder, people who think, people who reflect. The Religion of Islam states that God forces no one to submit to His Will. He has laid out a clear path for human beings while making it known that humans must choose from two routes: The straight path that leads to Heaven, or the erroneous way which leads to hell. Human beings are free to make their own choices. Islam forces no one to submit. A human who worships God, pledging their devotion to Him and obeying His commands, has grasped the firm handhold and eternal bond that will never break. Whoever denies God’s existence or worships anyone other than Allah, stands to face eternal punishment in the hereafter. Life is a test of one’s faith. God the Almighty, out of his abundant Love and Mercy for humanity, has not left us in pure darkness; leaving us alone and unenlightened to discover the right path through the frailties of guesswork or trial and error. God gifted mankind with an intellect and a logical mind that can reason, ponder, and reflect. God bestowed upon humanity the gift of Divine Guidance, that outlines the Criterion for ultimate truth and knowledge. One is expected to use his or her intellect and reason to contemplate and recognize God’s signs, to build a relationship with Him, and to follow His guidance. These signs serve to speak loudly, without the need of talking to God directly, which would then not require any effort or reflection by the human. "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do" (Quran 16:97) The disbelievers, the rejecters of the truth, the deniers of God, will live a narrow, depressed life in this world and abide in hellfire forever in the hereafter. "And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind" (Quran 20:124) The goal of Islam is for the one to become a faithful servant of God. Judgment Day is a blink away. You live, and you die, and then you will inevitably be resurrected to face your Lord, who will judge you based on the way you lived your life. "…Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him, we will return" (Quran 2:156)

Who is Allah (God)? (Longer Version)

Greater Philadelphia Center For Spiritual Living

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2018 16:15

The word ‘Allah’ is the unique name of God. He is The One and Only, the Absolute & Eternal God. He is the creator of the Heavens and Earth, the creator of the Universe. He is the Lord of all lords, King of all kings. He is the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful. Allah Neither Begets, nor is He Begotten. And He knows no equal. God offers a description of Himself in His book, the Holy Quran, stating: Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent" (Quran 112:1-4) The word Allah translates to God. Allah is not a foreign God and does not bear a foreign name. Allah, rather, is the semantic term for God. Regardless of this, some people harbor the mistaken belief that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews; and that ‘Allah’ is the ‘God of the Arabs or God of the Muslims’. This is far from the truth. The word “Allah” is the Arabic name that connotes the Almighty God. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians use this same word to refer to God. If one were to peruse an Arabic translation of the Bible, one would see the word ‘Allah’ being used in place of the term ‘God.’ However, Muslims, Christians, and Jews all have different concepts of God. Muslims and Jews both reject the Christian beliefs of the Trinity and the Divine incarnation. This, however, does not mean that each of these three religions worships a different God. There is only One true God. Muslims prefer to use the name ‘Allah’ as opposed to the English word ‘God’ because the English word ‘God’ can be made plural and can be rendered masculine or feminine; whereas the Arabic word ‘Allah’ cannot be made plural and is genderless. For instance, if you add the letter ‘s’ to the word God, it becomes ‘gods’--which is the plural of God. In the case of the Arabic word ‘Allah,’ one cannot make the word plural by adding ‘s’ or in any other way morphing the word’s structure. Likewise, if one adds ‘ess’ to the end of the word ‘God,’ it becomes ‘goddess,’ which connotates a female god. God is not female nor male. He is genderless. The word ‘Allah’ in the Arabic language does not have a gender. It cannot be made feminine. Muslims reject the use of the word ‘God’ because it has different connotations to different people. God means different things to different people because the term ‘God’ indicates an entity worthy of worship; and regretfully, people assign a godlike status to many other beings, divine or otherwise. However, sometimes while speaking to non-Muslims, one may use the word ‘God’ instead of ‘Allah’ to help the intended audience understand the context of the word; to relate the message you are referring to the One Supreme Being. The word Allah comes from the origin of the word Al-ilah, which enjoins the two terms ‘The’ and ‘God’ as in ‘The God.’ The term illah, which is the closest synonym to God in the Arabic language, is rich and has several meanings. Illah refers to an entity worthy of worship and service, an object of devotion and love, someone you turn to in desperate times, someone you adore and think about all the time. Illah also is one you turn to for protection, help or aid. You find sanctuary and rest in your Illah, who is always present to comfort and guide beings of His creation. The relationship with God is expressed in the Arabic word Al-Rabb, which is used frequently in the Quran. Linguistically it is defined as ‘sticking close to something.’ It also means ‘joining something with another.’ In the Holy Qur’an, the word Al-Rabb implies that the owner (God) has full authority over his property (his servants) and is a Master who ultimately sustains His creation by regulating affairs, providing provisions, and granting all varieties of favors and blessings. Al-Rabb also means the One who sustains and nurtures the hearts and souls of His creation. Muslims believe in One, unique, incomparable God, who has no son, no daughter, no father, no mother, no family, and no partner. He is the Knower of the unseen and the Source of All Mercy. He is the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, the Wise. All that is in the Heavens and Earth magnify Him. Muslims believe that none should be worshipped but Him alone. He is the true God, and every other deity is false. None carries the right to be worshipped, revered, adored, invoked, supplicated, or shown any act of worship, but Allah alone. God is unique, indivisible and similar to nothing. Whenever you try to compare God to anything in this world, it cannot be God; because God, to put it is incomparable. Our finite human minds can fully comprehend and grasp God as a concept. Muslims avoid conceptualizing His image, because imagining or visualizing Him would limit Him. The human imagination is limited, as it is based on what it observes and experiences directly. The human imagination cannot fully grasp the state of God, who is timeless and eternal with no beginning or end. God has a unique nature and is free from gender and human weakness and is beyond anything which human beings can imagine. God states: “There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then worship Him, and He has the power to dispose of all affairs. No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is the Sublime, Well-Aware" (Quran 6: 102-103) God is the King, the Holy, the one free from all defects. The Protector, the Keeper, the Sustainer of Earth and the Universe and all it contains. He is the Glorious, the Great, the Deserving of all Praise. The Kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth belong to Him. Nothing is hidden from Him, and Nothing is beyond His capabilities. He is the Lord and Master of the physical Universe and the Ruler and Lawgiver for human life. Allah is the creator of everything from the smallest to the biggest of things. It is He who heats and brightens the Earth, varies the direction of the winds, and keeps planets in their separate orbits. He is the one that merges the night into the day and merges the day into the night. He is the Master of the Day of Judgement. Allah does not sleep nor slumber, nor sleeps overtake Him. Afterall, created the universe in six days with no rest. God states: “[He is] Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing (Quran 42:11) God is Loving, Compassionate, Merciful; He is the answerer of prayers, and He is indeed involved and concerned with the daily affairs of all human beings. God is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is the Giver of life and the Causer of death. He is the Master of the Day of Judgment. He is the Most-High, the most Supreme. He is the most generous and the most loving to his creation. God gives, without measure, to His servants. He gifted mankind life and the ability to hear, feel, taste, and see. God gifted humans their hearts, minds, souls, strengths, and skills. “And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful” (Quran 14:34) God created all things from nothing. He is in no need of His creation, although His creation is all in need of Him. He is all Knowledgeable and encompasses all things, the open and the secret, the public and the private. He knows all secrets that lay hidden in the hearts and minds of men. He knows of all that happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen. Our Lord neither errs nor forgets. He is free from all defects and imperfections. He is the One that accepts repentance from His servants and forgives all sins. Allah knows of what you endure and understands your feelings and struggles. Allah understands because He was there with you all along. Allah has power over all things. No other power nor might nor strength nor influence can cause benefit or harm to anyone or anything, except that which flows through Him. Nothing can ever happen unless God wills it to be so. “Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record" (Quran 6:59) God can make anything happen. He states in His book: “Whenever We will anything to be, We say unto it Our word "Be," and it is” (Quran 16:40) Some people assume that God, as perceived in the faith of Islam is a harsh, stern, cruel God; one who demands to be respected, worshipped, and obeyed fully, and is not loving and kind to His creation. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is All-Loving. He claims among His names Al-Wadoud in Arabic (the All-Loving). The love of God in the Holy Qur’an is expressed and emphasized many times throughout His Book. God bespeaks His love for the righteous, the charitable, the steadfast, the doers of good, the just, the fair, the benevolent, those who trust Him; the ones that are clean, the ones that purify themselves, and the ones who fulfill their obligations. The entire Universe and everything it contain is proof of Allah’s love for all of His creation. He loves us so much that He gave us an endless variety of foods, a vast array of land and wildlife, the sun, the moon, the stars, family, offspring, and much more. Everything one sees feels, hears, tastes, and smells are all forms of blessings, given to us by our Loving Creator. He didn’t have to do this, but He bestowed these blessings upon us. His boundless mercy encompasses everything. "And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful" (Quran 16:18) God is also All-Just. Hence, evildoers and sinners must be held accountable for their actions. God is Holy, Righteous, and Fair. If He didn't punish for evil, He would allow that evil to exist without consequences. Since God cannot let that happen, His justice requires that a proper punishment is incurred and executed for evil sins. Although Allah is not answerable to anyone, He has promised to be Just and Fair to everyone. He has prohibited injustice against the innocent. Allah never would punish an innocent person, nor hold anyone accountable for the sins of another. Unlike Christianity, Islam imposes no burden of the original sin. Every human being is born with a clean slate and is rewarded or punished only based on one’s willful intent, words, and deeds. Allah is the Absolute Judge, the Legislator. God is the One who distinguishes right from wrong. God even is more merciful to His creation than a mother is to her child. God is far removed from injustice and tyranny. He is All-Wise in all of His actions and decrees. For one to be genuinely devoted to Allah and to love Him above all else imaginable, one needs to have knowledge of God that goes beyond the basic aspects of His role as the sole Creator and Sustainer. To reward any seeker who strives to learn more about the Creator, Allah has revealed a great deal of information about Himself and His Attributes. Allah has the most Magnificent, Beautiful of names and sublime Perfect attributes. No one shares His Divinity, nor His Attributes. Allah’s Attributes are incomparable, Greater and more perfectly than those acquired by people, as there is nothing like Him, His Attributes, and Actions. God has an infinite number of names and has a particular and special category of 99 names listed in the Holy Koran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Of His names is The Ever-Merciful, The Forgiving, The Loving, The Nourisher, The Sustainer, The Compassionate, The Exalter, The Just, The Great, The Protector, The Caregiver, The Ever-Living, The Powerful, The First, The Last, The Pardoner, The Light, The Supporter, The Eternal, The Preserver, The Wise, The Originator, and The One Who Gives Life and Resurrects. If our Creator is Eternal and Everlasting, then His attributes must adhere to this same edict. God has perfect attributes. He has limitless and infinite hearing, vision, mercy, and—above all—love. Muslims attribute certain factors to every quality of God: None of His attributes ever knew a beginning, nor will they ever have an ending. For instance, He always has been All-Hearing and always will be All-Hearing. Allah hears everything from our inner thoughts and tiniest whispers to the buzz of a mosquito's wing and the eruption of Volcanos. Language is no barrier for Him, for God understands all. All of His attributes are infinite. Whereas humans can hear only what’s in front of them, God can listen to simultaneous conversations inside and outside a room; God can hear all. All of our attributes as humans were given to us as gifts, whereas all of God’s attributes originated within Him. His attributes were not given to Him; they were within Him all along. The most significant and most honorable knowledge is that of Allah’s Names, Attributes, and Actions. God encourages His creation to learn His names so they can discover more about Him. How would one love, worship, fear, and trust God if they do not know His Identity and His Attributes? By learning Allah’s names and attributes, one can appreciate His Power over all things and increase the pleasure and sublime awe he or she finds in God’s company. That is why knowledge of Allah is a central tenant of the Islamic faith. It is when one genuinely ponders on the Majesty of Allah, that one’s humility increases. Muslims are advised to study and ponder His Names and Attributes and are encouraged to worship and call Him by those names. God states: “And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them” (Quran 7:180) God is above His creation, above the heavens, above His Throne. However, He never is contained by any sort of physical dimension. Allah is close, very close. God is close to those who believe in Him, and He answers their every call. Saying that God is with His servants, does not mean that He intermingles or dwells with His creation; rather He establishes His presence with His creation by His Knowledge and Power. Nothing is hidden from Him of what His creation does or says. God states in the Quran: “Verily Allah knows all the hidden things of the Heavens and the Earth; Verily He has full Knowledge of all that is in (men's) hearts” (Quran 35:38) God is very near. He sees and knows every aspect of His creations. He hears every word that is uttered. He is knowledgeable of even one's inner thoughts. God knows all of our dreams, secrets, desires, and wishes. Nothing is hidden from Him. “We created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein” (Quran 50:36) Allah is in no need of His creation, although His creation needs Him. Allah wants humans to worship Him for their own benefit. Mankind needs God in their lives at all times and for all purposes. Those who recognize the Majesty of the Creator of All, soon become awestruck and humble in their knowledge. One that rejects God and His Guidance is like a patient refusing a doctor’s medicine for his pain. This patient would be foolish, ignorant, and illogical in his actions; as would be one who rejects Allah. Allah is Fully Omnipotent and Self-sufficient. He is in no need of humanistic worship or anything else. Allah is Perfect

The Power Back of Creation

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2018 25:03

Rev. Dr. Maxine Kaye, talk from January 7, 2018: - Based on Chapter 1 of Science of Mind: "The Thing Itself". - For centuries, humankind has sought that which underlies and informs all creation. - There is One Life, All-Knowing, All-Loving, All-Giving; It is God. - Discovering Universal, Creative Intelligence, we find our divine nature.

god science mind rev one life power back all knowing creative intelligence all loving

Reflection 169: Calm in the Presence of the King

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2017 3:10

Meeting someone of great power can be cause for excitement. For example, meeting with the president of a company you wish to work at, or meeting someone famous for the first time, or meeting with the bishop or the Holy Father may all cause a certain excitement. But it could also cause a certain fear and anxiety. Of course the most important and “influential” person you will ever meet is your God. God is Omnipotent and Omniscient, that is, All-Powerful and All-Knowing. He is also All-Loving and, in that perfect love, descends from His throne of grace and majesty to converse with you, to care for you, and to fulfill every need that you have. He comes to fill you with the abundance of joy. Each “meeting” with our Lord must be one of great excitement in that it must be taken seriously, with attention and love being offered back to this most important Person you will ever come to know (See Diary #885).What is your interior experience when you go to Him in prayer? Is it an encounter in which you are overly casual and unprepared? Is it an encounter that gives you fear and anxiety, looking for ways to avoid Him? Or do you allow yourself to be comforted and consoled by the fact that the God of the Universe cares for you enough to step down from His throne of grace and converse with you in your weakness and sin? The Lord’s perfect humility should delight and amaze you and give you courage to turn to Him with your whole heart.Lord, I am amazed at Your love for me. You who are the God of the Universe come to me in my weakness and sin. You are attentive to me and offer the perfect care of a loving Father. Help me to always be in awe of the humility You manifest as You descend from Your throne of grace and enter my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.

god jesus christ father lord universe presence reflection calm omnipotent holy father omniscient all knowing all powerful all loving

All Loving

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2014 44:21

The term “God” is often used and rarely considered. Most people discuss the being we call God without ever pondering what makes him that in the first place. This series of sermons describes the three key attributes that are generally ascribed to God – omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnibenevolence (all loving) – and clarifies how all three can be simultaneously true of one divine being. Through this clarification, hearers will begin to understand that who God is, matters to who they are and how they live.

god loving god is love attributes of god omnipotent omniscience all good who is god all knowing all powerful scripture: 1 john 4:7-4:12 all loving omnibenevolent

All Loving

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2014 44:21

The term “God” is often used and rarely considered. Most people discuss the being we call God without ever pondering what makes him that in the first place. This series of sermons describes the three key attributes that are generally ascribed to God – omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnibenevolence (all loving) – and clarifies how all three can be simultaneously true of one divine being. Through this clarification, hearers will begin to understand that who God is, matters to who they are and how they live.

god loving god is love attributes of god omnipotent omniscience all good who is god all knowing all powerful scripture: 1 john 4:7-4:12 all loving omnibenevolent

All Knowing

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2014 35:01

The term “God” is often used and rarely considered. Most people discuss the being we call God without ever pondering what makes him that in the first place. This series of sermons describes the three key attributes that are generally ascribed to God – omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnibenevolence (all loving) – and clarifies how all three can be simultaneously true of one divine being. Through this clarification, hearers will begin to understand that who God is, matters to who they are and how they live.

god attributes of god omnipotent omniscience all good who is god all knowing all powerful all loving

All Knowing

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2014 35:01

The term “God” is often used and rarely considered. Most people discuss the being we call God without ever pondering what makes him that in the first place. This series of sermons describes the three key attributes that are generally ascribed to God – omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnibenevolence (all loving) – and clarifies how all three can be simultaneously true of one divine being. Through this clarification, hearers will begin to understand that who God is, matters to who they are and how they live.

god attributes of god omnipotent omniscience all good who is god all knowing all powerful all loving

All Powerful

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2014 36:45

The term “God” is often used and rarely considered. Most people discuss the being we call God without ever pondering what makes him that in the first place. This series of sermons describes the three key attributes that are generally ascribed to God – omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnibenevolence (all loving) – and clarifies how all three can be simultaneously true of one divine being. Through this clarification, hearers will begin to understand that who God is, matters to who they are and how they live.

god powerful yahweh attributes of god omniscience omnipotence who is god all knowing all powerful all loving omnibenevolent

All Powerful

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2014 36:45

The term “God” is often used and rarely considered. Most people discuss the being we call God without ever pondering what makes him that in the first place. This series of sermons describes the three key attributes that are generally ascribed to God – omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnibenevolence (all loving) – and clarifies how all three can be simultaneously true of one divine being. Through this clarification, hearers will begin to understand that who God is, matters to who they are and how they live.

god powerful yahweh attributes of god omniscience omnipotence who is god all knowing all powerful all loving omnibenevolent

Knowing > Knowing About

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2014 38:49

The term "God" is often used and rarely considered. Most people discuss the being we call God without ever pondering what makes him that in the first place. This series of sermons describes the three key attributes that are generally ascribed to God - omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnibenevolence (all loving) - and clarifies how all three can be simultaneously true of one divine being. Through this clarification, hearers will begin to understand that who God is, matters to who they are and how they live.

god knowing god attributes of god omniscience omnipotence all knowing all powerful all loving

Knowing > Knowing About