February 2015: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

Love

Cont’d from page 1

of this life, but the righteous works provide an eternal recompense from your Lord, and a far better hope.

[9:24] Proclaim: "If your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouses, your family, the money you have earned, a business you worry about, and the homes you cherish are more beloved to you than GOD and His messenger,* and the striving in His cause, then just wait until GOD brings His judgment." GOD does not guide the wicked people.

*9:24 Since the odds are overwhelming against any human being to actually believe and devote the worship to God alone (12:103, 106), it is virtually impossible to see a whole family believe. Thus, most believers have been faced with the question: "Either me or God and His messenger." This question is consistently stated by spouses of the believers, or their parents, their children, etc. Consistently, the believers made the right choice. This is a mandatory test for all believers (29:2).

Moses and his brother Aaron give us a good example of the role people play in our lives, and why we love them, but how it's ultimately all about God. Moses asked for the support of his brother so that they might both glorify and remember and commemorate God together, as partners.

[20:29-35] "And appoint an assistant for me from my family. My brother Aaron. Strengthen me with him. Let him be my partner in this matter. That we may glorify You frequently. And commemorate You frequently. You are Seer of us."

All of the things of this world, such as provisions, should help us to praise God more and appreciate and thank Him more, and therefore love Him more.

So, what is love? Wikipedia on love breaks it up into: “human bonding”, “cultural views”, “religious aspects”, and the philosophical theories of why love exists and whether it’s rational. We can conclude that the comprehensive concept of love is broad and

difficult to define. Understanding what God tells us He loves (or does not), helps us understand love better.

In light of the Quran, who does God not love? The aggressors (2:190), disbelievers (3:32), unjust (3:57, 42:40), betrayers/guilty (4:107, 8:58, 22:38), wasters (6:141), gluttons (7:31), transgressors (7:55), unappreciative (22:38), arrogant (28:76), corruptors (2:205, 28:77), boastful/proud (57:23).

And who does God love?  The charitable (2:195, 3:134), just (49:9), repenters, clean (2:222), righteous (3:76, 5:93, 9:4, 9:7), steadfast (3:146), good doers (3:148), benevolent (5:13), equitable (5:42, 60:8), those who purify themselves (9:108), trust in Him (3:159), and fight in His cause united in one column (61:4).

These are characteristics that God finds pleasing, and they are also commandments. They work for the soul, and they also teach us good behavior that works in any dimension or any relationship of love and trust.

[3:148] Consequently, GOD granted them the rewards of this world, and the better rewards of the Hereafter. GOD loves the good doers.

God willing, we view every day as an opportunity to love our Most Gracious, Most Merciful Creator. To seek to please God, to trust in Him, and love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-30, Quran 3:18). And to be among those in: [3:31] Proclaim: "If you love GOD, you should follow me." GOD will then love you, and forgive your sins. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[5:54] O you who believe, if you revert from your religion, then GOD will substitute in your place people whom He loves and who love Him. They will be kind with the believers, stern with the disbelievers, and will strive in the cause of GOD without fear of any blame. Such is GOD's blessing; He bestows it upon whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous, Omniscient.

[19:96] Surely, those who believe and lead a righteous life, the Most Gracious will shower them with love.

Faiz

Way of Life

What is so fascinating about Islam (Submission) is the simplicity with which it encompasses our life. It is not just mosque-based “only on Fridays”, or like the Church which hits home on Sundays. It does not encourage hertmitism (57:27) and seclusion from the world as an exhibition of faith.  It is not restricted to prayers and rituals alone but spread over the entire scope of life. Any step or deed we do for the sake of God is an act of worship. We will be duly rewarded or punished for all our actions performed in our lifetime as our activities are closely scrutinised by our Creator.

[50:16-18] We created the human, and we know what he whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein. Two recording (angels), at right and at left, are constantly recording. Not an utterance does he utter without an alert witness.

Many people get lost in the ceremonial aspects and the detail of rituals and miss “the big picture” or purpose behind them. If one tiny detail is missed or a hair left unwashed during ablution, it need not become a federal case. At the same time you cannot live “footloose and fancy-free”. You do need to sincerely follow your worship practices.

Our acts of worship should, God willing, change our thinking and behaviour. If there is no significant transformation or improvement it means that we are not   receptive (83:14). Take an example — we use a sharp knife to cut a slice of fruit and it does so cleanly. Later, the fruit is covered with a steel mesh and the same knife is used to cut it. It cannot cut it. The knife has not lost its capability but the fruit has lost its receptivity. The same is with the case of prayer.

[2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent.

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