Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Peace be upon you, Why were we created? The Quran has the answer to this crucial question. It all began a few billion years ago when "a feud arose in the Heavenly Society" (Quran 38:69). One of the high-ranking creatures, Satan, entertained supercilious thoughts that his God-given powers qualified him to be a god besides God. He thus challenged God's absolute authority. Not only was Satan's idea blasphemous, it was wrong--only God, and no one else, possesses the qualifications and ability to be a god. Consequent to Satan's blasphemy, a division occurred in the Heavenly Society, and all constituents of God's kingdom became classified into four categories (angels, animals, jinns and humans). Humans are the creatures who did not make up their minds; they failed to make a firm stand with God's absolute authority (Quran 20:115). Contrary to common belief, the "Original Sin" was not Adam's violation of God's law when he ate from the forbidden tree. The original sin was our failure to uphold God's absolute authority during the Great Feud. Because our life in this world is a series of tests designed to expose our polytheistic ideas, idol worship is the only unforgivable offense (Quran 4:48, 116). The world is divinely designed to manifest our decision to uphold either God's absolute authority, or Satan's idolatrous views (Quran 67:1-2). The day and the night change constantly to test our willingness to uphold God's laws by observing the Dawn Prayer and fasting during the hottest and longest days. Only those who are totally certain about God's absolute authority are redeemed (Quran 26:89). [67:1] Most exalted is the One in whose hands is all kingship, and He is Omnipotent. The Purpose of Our Life* [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. *67:2 See the Introduction and Appendix 7 for details of the purpose behind this world. References: Why Were We Created? (Appendix 7), http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix7.html Introduction, http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/introduction.html Peace.