August 2023: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

The Danger Of Personal Opinion

Cont'd from page 1

[6:116] If you obey the majority of people on earth, they will divert you from the path of GOD. They follow only conjecture; they only guess.

[10:36] Most of them follow nothing but conjecture, and conjecture is no substitute for the truth. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.

Leaders, well-educated people, experts, and charismatic speakers often persuade people to follow their opinion. Soon they become convinced that this is the truth and they will repeat it often and work to convince others. Leaders are looked up to just by virtue of their title or presence. It’s hard to contradict a charismatic leader. And once the majority is won over, it becomes even more difficult to break through.

[9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords, instead of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.

[34:34] Every time we sent a warner to a community, the leaders of that community said, “We reject the message you are sent with.”

So, it’s the leaders who work hard to convince people that the message is not to be believed. They may fear losing their revered position. They don’t want to be challenged. They will fight hard to support their opinion, even when shown clear proofs.

Who is the most thorough and resolute of all who work to lead people astray? Satan, of course. He has vowed that he will skulk for humans and will entice the majority of them to follow him (7:16-17, 4:118-119). He finds most people more than willing to listen to his conjecture.

Satan Claims the Majority

[34:20] Satan found them readily fulfilling his expectations.

They followed him, except a few believers.

How does Satan get to us? Often through our jinn companion. [41:25] We assign to them companions who adorn everything they do in their eyes. Thus, they end up incurring the same fate as the previous communities of jinns and humans, who were also losers.

But God gives us tools to fight Satan.

[16:98] When you read the Quran, you shall seek refuge in GOD from Satan the rejected.

[7:200] When the devil whispers to you any whisper, seek refuge in GOD; He is Hearer, Omniscient. From Satan

[23:97] Say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils. [23:98] “And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me.”

And yet most people simply don’t heed the warnings. God knows what’s in their hearts and once their decision is to disbelieve, He leads them on the way they have chosen.

[47:16] Some of them listen to you, then as soon as they leave they ask those who were enlightened, “What did he just say?” GOD thus seals their hearts and, consequently, they follow only their opinions.

[45:23] …GOD sends him astray, despite his knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a veil on his eyes. Who then can guide him, after such a decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?

God has provided so many miracles for us to appreciate and understand His greatness. Certainly the mathematical code should convince everyone to drop their opinions and turn to the truth. But humans are the same today as in the past and they would rather follow conjecture than investigate and learn the truth. [6:4] No matter what kind of proof comes to them from their Lord, they turn away from it, in aversion.

[54:2] Then they saw a miracle; but they turned away and said, “Old magic.” [54:3] They disbelieved, followed their opinions, and adhered to their old traditions.

We have the truth; we have the proof; we have the knowledge that following opinion and conjecture is dangerous. God willing, we will find the ways to put aside our personal opinions and seek only God’s truth.

[2:147] This is the truth from your Lord; do not harbor any doubt.

[49:1] O you who believe, do not place your opinion above that of GOD and His messenger. You shall reverence GOD. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

Douglass

* * * * *

Appreciating the Creations of God

Human beings around the world (with the exception of a minority who are atheists) believe and accept that everything in this material world is created by God. It is estimated that about 7% of the world’s population do not believe in God. The ideology of God differs according to the different religions and their beliefs. But the creator of this universe is God and that is largely un-debated. I will try to express my views on “Appreciating the creation of God” in the light of Quran.

We can benefit from looking around and reflecting upon the creations of God. And from appreciating all these creations. This will strengthen our belief in God. The easiest way to do this is by observing ourselves. Look at the delicate and precise mechanism of our body. Each part of our body is a wonder in itself. And each has an intricate function which to date, we have failed to replicate. And God can repeat this creation any number of times. [29:19] Have they not seen how GOD initiates the creation, then repeats it? This is easy for GOD to do.

[30:27] And He is the One who initiates the creation, then repeats it; this is even easier for Him.

Cont'd on page 3