January 2014: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

Who is God and why should we seek Him?

Cont’d from page 1

It is truly amazing that despite His greatness, God is forgiving, the Most Kind, the Compassionate (4:96, 6:103, 15:49, 16:18, 38:66, 85:13-15).

[67:2] The One who created death and life for the purpose of distinguishing those among you who would do better. He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.

[57:9] He is the One who sends down to His servant clear revelations, in order to lead you out of the darkness into the light. GOD is Compassionate towards you, Most Merciful.

[1:4] Master of the Day of Judgment.

God is informing us that He is the ultimate judge (6:62). His deep and immense knowledge of everyone allows Him to be absolutely just (17:54-55, 21:112). Indeed, His scales are precise.

[21:47] We will establish the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection. No soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for. We are the most efficient reckoners.

God is the best judge since He knows all the facts and He never errs or forgets (20:51-52). The depth of His knowledge is reflected in the fact that He knows the innermost thoughts (5:7, 17:25, 39:7, 64:4).

Noah leaves judgment to God in the following verse: [11:31] “...Nor do I say to those despised by your eyes that GOD will not bestow any blessings upon them. GOD knows best what is in their innermost thoughts. (If I did this,) I would be a transgressor.”

This verse [1:4] also reminds us that we will be held accountable (69:19-20); we are responsible for our actions, utterances and thoughts. This life is our opportunity to redeem our souls by believing and leading a righteous life (2:62, 25:71, 42:13, 87:14-15).

It is not wise to become pre-occupied with this worldly life for it is an illusion that will quickly come to an end (10:45, 31:33, 35:5, 40:39, 57:20, 79:46).

[6:32] The life of this world is no more than illusion and vanity, while the abode of the Hereafter is far better for the righteous...

[17:52] The day He summons you, you will respond by praising Him, and you will then realize that you had lasted in this life but a short while.

[1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.

When we get to know God and His awesome attributes, we realize that He is the only One that is worthy of worship. Imploring Him for help is logical behavior for He is the only One that can help us. This gives us hope and a real refuge. Any time there is adversity, no matter how severe, we can turn to Him for help and He will hear us and answer our prayers (22:61).

[2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.

Job sets the example for us:  [21:83-84] And Job implored his Lord: “Adversity has befallen me, and, of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.” We responded to him, relieved his adversity, and restored his family for him, even twice as much. That was a mercy from us, and a reminder for the worshipers.

This story reassures us that God will answer our prayers when we pray to Him, just like He answered Job’s prayer and relieved his afflictions. All we need to do is worship Him and implore Him alone.

Zachariah is another good example. He did not despair even when asking God for a miracle: [19:4-5] He said, "My Lord, the bones have turned brittle in my body, and my hair is aflame with gray. As I implore You, my Lord, I never despair. I worry about my dependants after me, and my wife has been sterile. Grant me, from You, an heir.

God answered his prayer and not only granted him a son but granted him John, a wise, kind and righteous child (19:7,12-13), another demonstration of His immense grace and mercy.

[1:6] Guide us in the right path;

Why should we seek and appreciate God’s guidance? His guidance is the ultimate blessing, the gift to pray for and appreciate. For it will bring us peace, security and contentment and help us on the road to redemption (6:127, 20:47, 24:55, 48:4-5). The gift of guidance benefits us in this life and in the eternal Hereafter. As we nourish our souls on the path of faith, we also attain happiness, a quality of the soul that is elusive for many.

[16:97] Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense (on the Day of Judgment) for their righteous works.

God’s guidance is available to anyone, regardless of race, background or name; God will guide us if we want to be guided (16:93). He will show us His signs and proofs (2:164, 10:101, 21:37, 27:93). He will show us the truth (22:54).

[10:6] Surely, in the alternation of night and day, and what GOD created in the heavens and the earth, there are proofs for people who are righteous.

As we start to see the rewards of believing in God and doing good and we start to feel the presence of God in our lives and experience how He provides for us, helps, supports, protects, reassures and heals us and fills our hearts and souls with contentment (29:60, 40:64, 51:58, 26:77-80, 7:128, 8:62, 61:13, 3:150, 3:173, 12:64, 2:260, 8:9-11, 48:4), our fear, grief and worries start to dissolve (2:112, 5:69).

[10:62-64] Absolutely, GOD's allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. They are those who believe and lead a righteous life.

Cont’d on page 3