Concept Of Religion And Mankind (Part 2)
Allah promises both groups, the Mu’minoon and Muhsinoon, Gardens of Bliss. They are promised the highest support that the righteous can attain: the assertion that Allah is with them. This is indicated in Allah’s words: “Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him) and those who are Muhsinun (good-doers).” (Surah An-Nahl: 128)
On the other hand, the wrongdoers are expected to face punishment in this world and in the Hereafter; their account is up to Allah. The wrongdoers cannot escape from the punishment of Allah. This is indicated in Allah’s words: ‘Say: “Tell me, if the punishment of Allah comes to you suddenly (during the night) or openly (during the day), will any be destroyed except the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoing people)?”‘ (9 Surat Al-Anam: 47)
The religion with Allah is Islam (submission to His will). So, our whole being should be saturated with Islam, which has three basic principles:
(i) total submission and sincere devotion to Allah: the Lord of the Heavens and the earth,
(ii) establishing prayers, praise, and adoration as drawing man nearer to his Lord, and
(iii) the help of Allah’s creation by deeds of practical charity.
No thinking mind, if it only judges the matter fairly, can fail to find the truth. Human beings who live a life with religion and have faith understand the purpose of their existence. If religion is missing, there will be no peace, and no spiritual world can be found for those who have no faith. Whosoever accepts life without religion makes the devil his partner, and destruction will be his destiny. But the most tragic consequence of rejecting Allah’s religion is that human beings become the victims of the Shaytan (Satan), who hinders them from the straight path. Allah said, ‘And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah) (i.e., this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him Shaitan (Satan – devil) to be a Qarin (an intimate companion) to him’ (Surat Az-Zukhruf: 36)
To be given the faculty of distinguishing between right and wrong and then reject the truth is the worst foolishness a man can commit. The true slaves of Allah are those who are true in faith, words, and deeds, and they have firm specific virtues:
(a) Those who are patient and always show firmness and self-control;
(b) In social conduct, they are true in their dealings and sincere in their promises;
(c) They are obedient with sincere devotion in worship to Allah;
(d) Their spiritual worship is profound and reflected in their outward behavior;
(e) Their love of fellow men shows itself in their acts of charity, and
(f) Their self-discipline is great and reflected in their acts of worship.
Consequently, the last of the messages, namely the Holy Qur’an, was sent to guide mankind to the path of knowledge and to the truth about itself. Allah reassured the man that in his enlightened progress, if he were truthful in his intention and conscientious in obedience to Allah and performed his duties. He, the Most High, would support him with a spirit of His own, open up to him, and guide him to the righteous path. This is so that they may know the truth through His guidance and by His grace, and help them to remove their doubts in consideration of their sincere determination and efforts. This is indicated in Allah’s magnificent statement: ‘And say [(O Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to these polytheists and pagans etc.]: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah. He will show you His Ayat (signs, in yourselves, and in the uniAyat, or punishments, etc.), and you shall recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do (11 Surat An-Naml: 93).
Accordingly, no one could have any excuse, and thus would Allah’s appeal be established against mankind who still reject the Truth and dispute concerning Allah after He has shown the disputants His signs. Allah said, ‘And those who dispute concerning Allah (His religion of Islamic monotheism, with which Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has been sent), after it has been accepted (by the people), of no use is their dispute before their Lord, and on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.’ (Surat Ash-Shura: 16)
Our spiritual desire can only be attained by obeying Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Moral issues, the question of right and wrong in conduct, and all types of deeds and words should be weighed in accordance with Islam. Then Allah will rectify our behavior and cure any shortcomings that there may be in our knowledge and character. Our faith is not a question of words; it is deeds that decide. Each one of us is responsible for our words and deeds. If anyone has doubts about the Unity of Allah, the final judge is Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and His Pleasure is our goal. This is the truth, and the truth lies in man’s knowledge of the reality about himself. It permits him to know the realities about the world around him and then question his existence, the degree of his relationships and links, and his constitutional rights, responsibilities, and obligations therein. That is the message of Islam, the chosen religion of all mankind. A message Allah has designated to whomever He wishes from among His chosen slaves. From His own knowledge did He sent down revelation to mankind so that they may be guided to the Truth and be introduced to it. Allah said, ‘And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam, and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky.’ (Surah Al Anam: 125)
Allah has provided mankind with all faculties to distinguish between right and wrong, and then to deny the truth is the worst madness that a man can execute. Man, therefore, must inevitably bring his own punishment, whether he calls himself a Jew, a Christian, or any other sect. Goodness in Allah’s sight is not owing to color or race but to sincere devotion to Him. Narrated by Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu). Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Allah does not judge according to your bodies and appearance, but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.” (Muslim)
Accordingly, those who reject the truth after it has been clearly explained to them are among the worst of creation and are destined for punishment. Whereas those who live a life of faith and struggle to remain faithfully obedient to the laws of God (Allah) are among the best of creation and will attain Allah’s Pleasure. This is signified in the words of Allah: ‘Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islam, the Qur’an, and Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikun will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures. ‘Verily, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) and in His Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of creatures.’ (Surat Al-Biyinah: 6-7)
What then is the excuse of those who turn away from religion (Islam) after Allah’s Proofs and Signs have been described to them?