₦airaland Forum

People's Relationship With Allah

Of all the ties that people have, their relationship with Allah is obviously the first and foremost. It determines their other relationships with their fellow human beings, family, community, and state. It prescribes the whole range of human's relationships with all that exists in the universe. If humans gain a proper understanding of their sound relationship with Allah, sever their false ties, and maintain the prescribed relationship, they will grow into obedient servants of his Lord, valuable members of their family, sincere citizens of their state and loving, and caring human beings concerned with the welfare of all humankind. It transforms them into morally trained and pious people. This transformation lies at the heart of self-development that was recommended by the messengers of Allah.

Conversely, if humans fail to maintain any of these ties, they will not accrue blessings and crookedness will mar their conduct. We should understand from the outset that all these relationships are interconnected; any negative quality in any of them has a bearing on our overall conduct.

When people study the Qur'an, they learn that they can establish a correct and sound relationship with Allah only if they adapt themselves to divine attributes. Each and every divine attribute makes certain demands on people's heart, soul, and deeds. If we fulfill these demands, it signifies the forging of a perfect relationship with our Lord. These demands are clearly spelled out by the Shari `ah.

It is noteworthy that while the Qur'an lays down some commands, it makes a point of speaking of divine attributes in that context. It reinforces the point that a particular command or duty incumbent upon humans proceeds from that particular divine attribute. One who discharges Shari`ah duties with this realization that such and such duty refers to a particular divine attribute recognizes the essence of the Shari `ah.

In acting upon commands of the Shari `ah with this knowledge, people can understand what divine attributes are reflected in them. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) termed this form of understanding as ihsan. In other words, people obey Allah as if they see Allah. This seeing consists in their perception of some divine attribute in every Shari `ah command. They are filled with the realization that Allah's watchful eyes are observing them.

When believers recite the Qur'an, they will become aware that every command or note of guidance is followed by a reference to some divine attribute. An observation is followed by the affirmation that Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware; a command by the affirmation that Allah is All-Knowing and All-Wise.

Similarly, a prohibition is followed by the warning that Allah is All-Mighty and All-Powerful. This gives us assurance that Shari `ah represents a manifestation of divine attributes. One who follows Shari `ah strictly follows the way of Allah. Implicit in this is the point that only those can appreciate the essence of Shari `ah commands who perceive divine attributes in them. Those unable to do so have only a formal religious outlook, devoid of any stability or vitality.

A Common Misconception

It is imperative at this point to draw attention to a common misconception. It is one thing to fulfill the obligations proceeding from divine attributes and quite another to strive to be an incarnation of divinity. The latter is patently false and un-Islamic.

Shari`ah helps humans maintain their ties with Allah and the underlying objective is that, both outwardly and inwardly, that they should discharge the obligations necessitated by divine attributes. Human's perfection consists in their striving for this goal in accordance with Shari `ah.

As it is, prophethood represents perfection. However, it is not something which can be acquired. It is a divine favor. Allah elevates to this exalted rank whom He wills.

However, some people who have low levels of knowledge and understanding don't seek to adapt themselves to divine attributes. Rather, they mistakenly aspire to be an incarnation of the divine. Their disciplines are not geared towards behaving as perfect servants of Allah, but to acquire divine attributes and to merge with the divine. This stance is at odds with the Shari `ah. The Shari `ah aims only at rendering man into a perfect and obedient servant of Allah.

The self-development recommended by Shari `ah is geared towards this same goal. Those who try to approximate divinity are mistaken in both their conception and their execution. Since Allah is independent, they think that they too should strive for independence. Likewise, they seek to imitate other divine attributes such as those of self-sufficiency and knowledge, including knowledge of the unseen.

They exert themselves to attain these attributes by undergoing spiritual exercises. Even when they discharge obligations of the Shari `ah, their motives are false and un-Islamic. For them, these obligations are the means for achieving objectives. At some stage, they are willing to violate all Shariah restrictions, considering them negatively as a barrier to their pursuits.

It is obligatory for all Muslims to follow the Shari `ah, and anyone who does not follow it holds a false concept of man’s relationship with Allah. Regarding people's relationship with Allah, the basic Islamic principle is that people should do their best to act in line with divine attributes. Since Allah is generous, people should devote all of their energy to behaving as His most grateful servant.

Allah is the Creator, thus people must make it a point to obey all His commands. By the same token, since Allah is All-Hearing and All-Knowing, people should invoke only Him and repose all trust in Him. In recognition of the truth that Allah is the All-Holy, people should purify themselves both outwardly and inwardly. Since Allah is the Judge and All-Mighty, people should shun any injustice out of fear of Him. In sum, each and every divine attribute places certain obligations on people. The more people advance in this direction, the nearer they are to Him.

Al-Mubaah


Conditions for al-Mubaah to Become an Act of Worship

1 -- Al-Mubaah (the permissible) acts, such as walking, eating, standing and wearing clothes, should not be considered acts of worship themselves. This is why the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, criticized Abu Israel when he saw him standing in the sun. When he asked why he was standing, they told him, "This is Abu Israel ! He made a vow to stand and not sit down, to avoid the shade, to keep silent and to fast." The Prophet said, "Order him to speak, seek the shade, sit down and let him continue his fast (which is the only act of worship Abu Israel vowed to perform)." [Abou Dawood, ibn Majah & others, also al-Bukhari related the Hadith without mentioning standing in the sun]

2 -- When Al-Mubaah is a means of performing acts of worship. Ibn Ash-Shaat said, "When one intends to be stronger and able to perform the various acts of worship by performing the Mubaah, such as eating, sleeping and earning money, it (each of these permissible acts) will become an act of worship." It must be noted here, however, that Al-Ezz ibn Abdu As-Salam said that in this case, the Muslim will only gain a reward for the intention and not for the act itself. Ibn Taymiyyah said, "One should only perform the acts of Al-Mubaah that will enable him to perform acts of worship, and should also intend by doing them to be able to perform the acts of worship."

3 -- To perform Al-Mubaah believing that it is legislated by Allah. When the Muslim performs Al-Mubaah, he should do so believing that Allah has permitted it for him. Allah likes that His permissible be made use of, just as He likes that one fulfills His obligations. Also, Allah does not accept from one to be difficult with himself, going to the extreme and becoming like monks. What Islam legislates is the middle and the best way to demonstrate and prove one's slavery to Allah. One conducts himself according to a complete, yet reasonable set of codes of conduct. The Halal is what Allah has made Halal, the Haram is what Allah has made Haram and Al-Mubaah is what Allah has made Al-Mubaah. Those who treat Al-Mubaah in this manner will gain Allah-s reward, Allah willing.

4 -- When an act of worship is conditionally permitted (Mubaah), like voluntary fasts, then one is not allowed to exhaust or physically harm himself by going to the extreme with regards to this Mubaah. In this case, it is an obligation that one breaks his fast and eat and drink to save himself from harm. If he does not do this, then he may be punished for harming himself. On the other hand, if people abandon and avoid various Mubaahs, such as marriage, commerce, agriculture or industry, they will all be committing a sin. These areas are required in our Muslim Nation.

Salam Llaha Allaykum yah Jamahatul Muumiin wa li Muumiinat

Will there be a second coming of Mohammed just like Jesus' second coming or did Mohammed die finally jut like that?

He is not coming back like Jesus because he was dead. Jesus was not dead hence his second coming and when he did come the second time, he would kill the Ad-dajjal, die and would be buried just like others were buried.

can anyone depeci this,

mkunia wluod u mrary jlvoevaj

Una don cmoe hree agian.
Is lvoe wtorh bgegnig for? abi na by fcore

mkniua, why now. Aebg, if @jvaaolve maens wtah he siad, you can gvie it a try, but waht aobut bros babs? Rmemeber one at a tmie o. Grin Grin

Dnot mnid tehm btoh jare. I dnot eevn konw who is dceeinvig who agian. Mkunia sohlud try gvie am cnahce or cmoe out and tell her satnd.

Ok maadm.I dindt konw taht I wnsat fowloilng.I hpoe am gtetnig it.

Reward him handsomely for trying to defend the murder of a 13 year old girl?

Did he do that?

I try to be tolerant of all religions but whenever I come to this forum, I can't help going away thinking Islam is just a disgusting, inhumane form of slavery.

I am not perturbed because you said that you thought the above about Islam. If you have any fact against Islam, you may table it and we discuss and not just thinking its this or that

@blissfullynaughty

When ever I come to nairaland I sometimes come to the religion forum. I like the debates and the topics, I try to contribute whenever I feel I have something significant to say. I try as best as possible not insult anybody because I believe it achieves nothing.

Good, you know that.

Unfortunately, I can not say the same for a lot of people, especially Muslims.

Really? You are not being sincere to yourself. You can go to your threads and see whats happening among the contributors.

If I have ever come across a group of people who do not have good etiquette's when holding a debate, I would have to say it is the Muslims all over the world.

All over the world . How many have you debated with and where? I have witnessed lots of debates between muslims and christians and can conveniently tell you that you statement up lacks credibility, its a lie.

I don't know wether, it stems from insecurity, or inferiority complex, I feel the only method they use to get there point across is to threaten others who dare to question their religion and polygamist prophet.

If you want to debate or discuss my religion with me, you are welcome. If its even my prophet, you are welcome as well. There is nothing like inferiority complex or insecurity. Quran is online for you to read and Hadith as well. You can do the reading and come back here with issues to treat and I would oblige you. If you really want to debate Islam with me or any other muslim, then you try to be humble and respectful as respect begets respect and when you do thatm you would surely be taught all about Islam.

Unfortunately this problem seems to be consistent with almost ALL groups of Muslims (no names are necessary, I am sure we all know the way they behave - see all the death threats against Salman Rushdie, the Danish Cartoon saga, the destruction in Nigeria that resulted in the cancellation of the Miss World pageant).

All group of muslims ke? Which do you know. Do you really believe in what SR said and did the Cartoonist had to go that far though I didnt support the killing that erupted as a result of it? Now do you as a christian support the Miss world pageant? Does it have any scriptural backing? Does the bible allow you dress and expose your nudity?

It leaves me to think, that there is still so much that Islam does not teach you. You always talk about your Mohammed, but I put it to you that if a great number of you look at his teachings and conclude that he advocated violence and intolerance, you need to j[b]ettison your religion and get a better one. [/b]At the very least,  I believe a lot of you need to go back to the drawing board.

Do you care to show me fact from your emboldened statement and we discuss? Hope you are aware of my background and you shouldnt come here with your allegation up because I would take you through OT and NT and down to Jesus but thats not what we are here to discuss. So I would be happy if you could supply intolerance and violence he advocated.

SIGNS OF WEAK IMAAN

1. Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.

2. Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Qur an.

3. Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat.

4. Neglecting the Sunnah.

5. Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.

6. Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Qur an, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.

7. Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.

8. Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.

9. Desiring status and wealth.

10. Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.

11. Ordering others to do good deeds when not practicing them ourselves.

12. Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.

13. Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makrooh (not recommended) things.

14. Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the masjid.

15. Not feeling concerned about the situation of muslims.

16. Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.

17. Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.

18. Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.

19. Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.

20. Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.

WAYS TO INCREASE OUR IMAAN

1. Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Qur an. Tranquility then descends and our hearts become soft. To get optimum benefit, remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you. People are described in different categories in the Qur an; think of which one you find yourself in.

2. Realize the greatness of Allah. Everything is under His control. There are signs in everything we see that points us to His greatness. Everything happens according to His permission. Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black ant on a black rock on a black moonless night.

3. Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life e.g. how to make wudu properly. Know the meanings behind Allah's names and attributes. People who have taqwa are those who have knowledge.

4. Attend gatherings where Allah is remembered. In such gatherings we are surrounded by angels.

5. We have to increase our good deeds. One good deed leads to another good deed. Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity and also make it easy for him or her to do good deeds. Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts.

6. We must fear the miserable end to our lives; the remembrance of death is the destroyer of pleasures.

7. Remember the different levels of akhirah, for instance when we are put in our graves, when we are judged, whether we will be in paradise or hell.

8. Make dua, realize that we need Allah. Be humble. Don't covet material things in this life.

9. Our love for Subhana Wa Ta'ala must be shown in actions. We must hope Allah will accept our prayers, and be in constant fear that we do wrong. At night before going to sleep, we must think about what good we did during that day.

10. Realize the effects of sins and disobedience- one’s imaan is increased with good deeds and our imaan is decreased by bad deeds. Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it. When calamity befalls us- it is also from Allah. It is a direct result of our disobedience to Allah.

O Allah Your mercy is our desire, Do not abandon us to our affairs even for the twinkle of an eye and rectify all our affairs; there is no god except You.

THE WEAKNESSES OF MAN

God created man in a most complete state and equipped him with superior characteristics. His superiority over all creatures - as shown by his distinctive intellectual skills of thought and comprehension, and his readiness to learn and develop cultures - is unquestionable.

Have you ever thought why it is that despite all these superior features man has such a fragile body, which is always vulnerable to external and internal threat? Why is it exposed to the attacks of microbes or bacteria, which are so tiny they are invisible to the naked
eye? Why does he have to spend a certain part of each day keeping himself clean? Why does he need bodily care? And why does he age in the course of time?

People assume that these needs are natural phenomena. Yet, being in need of care as a human serves a special purpose. Every detail of the needs of man is specially created. The verse "man was created weak"( Surat an-Nisa: 28) is the manifest statement of this fact.

Man's infinite needs are created on purpose: to make him understand that he is a servant of God and that this world is a temporary residence for him.
Man has no influence whatsoever on the date and place of his birth. Likewise, he never knows where or how he will die. Moreover, all his efforts to eliminate the factors negatively affecting his life are vain and hopeless.

Man has indeed a fragile nature requiring a lot of care to survive. He is intrinsically unprotected against, and feeble in the face of, abrupt and unforeseeable incidents that occur in the world. Equally, he is exposed to unpredictable health risks, no matter whether he is a resident of a high civilisation or of a remote, undeveloped mountain village. It is quite likely that at any moment man can develop an incurable or fatal disease. At any time, an accident may happen dealing unrecoverable harm to one's bodily strength or one's most enviable charms.

Furthermore, this applies to all people: status, rank and race, etc., know of no exception to such an end. Both the life of a celebrity with millions of fans and that of a common shepherd may well be completely altered one day by an unexpected incident.

The human body is a weak organism of bones and flesh averaging 70-80 kilograms in weight. Only a frail skin protects it. No doubt, this sensitive skin can easily be hurt and bruised. It becomes cracked and dry when exposed to too much sunlight or wind. In order not to surrender to natural causes man always has to be on guard against the effects of the environment.

Although man is equipped with marvellous bodily systems, the "materials" - the flesh, muscles, bones, nervous tissue, cardiovascular system and fat - are prone to decay . If man were of a different material, rather than flesh and fat, a material that gave no access to external intruders such as microbes or bacteria, there would be no chance of becoming sick. However, flesh is the frailest 'substance': it becomes rotten and even worm-eaten when left at room temperature for some time.

As a constant reminder of God, man often feels the fundamental needs of his body. Exposed to cold weather, for instance, he runs health risks; his immune system gradually "collapses". On such an occasion, his body may fail to maintain the constant body temperature (37°C) that is fundamental to good health. His heart rate slows, the blood vessels contract, and arterial pressure increases. The body starts to shiver as a means of regaining heat. A lowered body temperature of 35°C accompanied by a depressed pulse and contracted blood-vessels in arms, legs and fingers signals a life-threatening condition. A person with a body temperature of 35°C suffers severely from disorientation and constantly falls asleep.

Mental functions slow. A slight decrease in body temperature can cause such consequences, but even more exposure to cold weather, bringing body temperature below 33°C, causes loss of consciousness. At 24°C, the respiratory system fails to function. The brain is damaged at 20°C and finally the heart stops at 19°C bringing on the unavoidable end: death.

These are only very few examples. The purpose in providing these examples is to emphasize that, due to the inexorable factors endangering his being, man will always fail to find profound satisfaction in his way of living. The aim is to remind the reader that
man should avoid blind attachment to life and stop spending all his life running after dreams and, instead, always remember God and the real life, the Hereafter.

There is an eternal Paradise promised to man. In paradise, man will be entirely insulated from all the physical weaknesses and imperfections that surround him on earth. Everything he desires will be within easy reach. Furthermore, fatigue, thirst, exhaustion, hunger, and injury do not exist in paradise.

Man is in need of the guidance of God is surely of great relevance to everyone. God states this in the following verse:

O mankind! You are the poor in your relation to God. And God! He is the Absolute, the Owner of Praise. (Surah al-Fatir: 15)

@Mukinatu,thanks a million
Bisimillah Rahman Raheem.

Bismillah Rahman Raheem means In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful.

To show appreciation, you can say 'Jazakallahu Khayran' meaning May Allah reward you for the good or you say 'Shukran', meaning thanks.

Gdoo, i leov htis htrade

@Lady

just as islam was spread by the sword so are muslims kept by the sword.

Where did you get your story/fact from?

Show Your Gratitude through Worship

One of the fundamental components of a person's relationship with Allah is worship. As one's heart is filled with gratitude to one's benefactor, one expresses indebtedness, humility, and surrender to him. This is a natural response, observed even in domestic animals and pets. They express gratitude by gesture or look, but human beings are required to express gratitude in a much more pronounced manner. It is an ordinary experience that a person owing a debt of gratitude to another expresses these feelings in appropriate manners and speech.

Those failing to thank their benefactors are generally regarded as at least uncouth or ill-natured. It is part of the human nature to hold one's benefactor in esteem. Given this, we can see what gratitude we owe to our true Benefactor, Allah, Who is the source of all favors and blessings. We owe our very existence to Him. His favors are not ephemeral, but eternal.

One should reflect gratitude to Allah by way of surrendering humbly and fully to Him. In doing so, one acts in a natural way and will be blessed with tranquility and spiritual contentment. However, those overwhelmed by neglect or ignorance fail to give thanks to their Creator and Benefactor. They even fail to think of Him or do so only in a passing and cursory manner.

The gratitude we owe to Allah is manifested in our worship. It is expressed both verbally and by gesture and body movement. Worship embodies outwardly our gratitude to our Benefactor. One's whole being is involved in the act of worship. Each body part contributes in its own way, and one's mental and spiritual faculties are also actively involved. One whole being takes part in paying homage to the Creator, because it is incumbent upon to involve also all those means and ways by which one meets their worldly needs.

There is no need of weighty arguments to illustrate that the worship of Allah manifests our gratitude to our real, true Benefactor. This appears clearly in the opening surah of the Qur'an, Al-Fatihah. The surah is woven around the theme of gratitude and it forms an essential part of prayer in Islam. It emerges from studying this surah that one's gratitude in response to Allah's lordship, mercy, and compassion prompts one to exclaim (We worship You alone) (Al-Fatihah 1:5).

It is also evident from other Qur'anic verses that worship is synonymous with the expression of gratitude to Allah. For example, (Worship Allah and be among His grateful servants) (Az-Zumar 39:66). Elsewhere, one is directed to worship and thank Him: (So seek your provision from Allah, and serve Him, and give thanks unto Him) (Al-`Ankabut 29:17). It is reported about Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that he stood for so long in his Night Vigil Prayer that his feet would swell up.

I put the below in quote because of some non muslims that have been saying all sorts of things ignorantly:

Take the following hadith as illustrative: The Prophet's wife `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, I asked, "Messenger of Allah, why do you exert yourself so much while all your sins have been forgiven?" To this he replied, "`A'ishah, should I not be a grateful servant of Allah?" (Muslim).

Worship is prompted by one's feeling of gratitude to Allah. Allah's commands are not meant to put us through any inconvenience. Rather, Allah has prescribed certain forms for expressing our gratitude, and these forms are approved by Him. These accrue numerous blessings to us.

In terms of its essence, true worship is characterized by genuine and overflowing gratitude to Allah. By worshiping Allah, one discharges obligations toward the Creator, Master, Benefactor, and Lord. One does not do so for the sake of benefiting in any way the Creator and Master but rather earns blessings for oneself and makes oneself worthy of more rewards. It is clear from several Qur'anic verses that Allah is to be worshiped because He is the Creator, Master, Sustainer, and Lord.

Our worship does not profit Him in any way, and our refusal to worship Him does not harm Him in the least. However, unbelievers refusing to worship Him are liable to fall more deeply into error and are more likely to follow the path of Satan rather than the straight way prescribed by Allah.

Story from the Holy Quran


COMPANIONS OF THE CITY

In the beginning they were two in number. But their strength rose with joining another person; all the three felt more strong enough to spread the Message. All of them relentlessly continued to tell the people of the City that there is no god but Allah, Creator of the whole universe. They told them that it is wrong to worship any other object except one God; it is better for them to give up worshipping any god other than Allah. They offered the people true way of life as ordained by Allah.

But the people refused to believe them or in Allah. They said to the three that they were also human beings like others, and that there was no specialty in them. Then, how could they believe the three were sent by Allah as His messengers.

Allah says “When we (first) sent to them two apostles, they rejected them: but We strengthened them with a third: they said: ‘Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you’.”

“The people said: ‘you are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but life.

“The three apostles said: ‘Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you: And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message’.” They continued: This entire universe is not created by man. And in your heart of hearts you also believe that there is One Who created this universe. Now you yourselves decide whether it is right or wrong to worship any god other than the One God.

The people had no answer to these plain talks. They had no reply. But they still were adamant. They were not going to digest the plain speaking; they refused to see the reason. They said: “For us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you, and a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us.”

The apostles said: “Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen), if ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds.”

There used to live a righteous person on the outskirts of the City, He knew they were the apostles of Allah and whatever they were saying was Truth. He knew how the people were continuously rejecting the apostles. He also knew that the salvation of the people of the City lay in accepting the Right Path shown by these apostles and lives accordingly. But when he saw that the people were refusing to accept the apostles he decided not to sit idle and remain a silent spectator. And he decided this was time to tell the people that it was all true whatever the consequences. So he “came running” from the farthest part of the City, saying, “O my People! Obey the Apostles! “Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves) and who have themselves received guidance. It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back. Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me. I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error. For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!”

Alas! the transgressors were not going to listen to him either. They became furious over the good tidings the righteous person told them. They all pounced upon him and lynched him to death. Truly those who refuse to listen to anything good reason never dawns on them and Truth becomes anathema to them and elude them.

But the man who was done to death was ordained with peace and immense blessing of Allah. He was said: “Enter thou the Garden.” And when he opened his eyes in the Paradise full of choicest things, he said: “Ah me! Would that my People knew (What I know)! – For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and was enrolled me among those held in honour!”

On the other hand, the people of the City were not left alone. There are many ways of Allah’s Punishment. He did not send down upon them any army to crash them for their transgression. And He has no particular mode or Penalty. Similarly these people also received a different kind of wrath. Allah says, “And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us to do so. It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! They were (like ashes) quenched and silent.”

Unfortunately people seek help of others in mitigating their sufferings, instead of finding solution in the system of life which Allah has sent to us through His true apostles and prophets. “Ah! Alas for (My) servants! There comes not an apostle to them but they mock him.” They deem the divine law as outdated. They conveniently ignore and forget the fate of the previous generations. “See they not how many generations before them We destroyed?” Those who do not take lesson from such examples should go through the history and find out how those who followed the prophets were successful and how those who disobeyed them met their doom. Allah says ‘Not to them will they return: But each one of them –all-will be brought before Us (for Judgement).” So everyone has right unto himself to choose his way of life- mundane, worldly or eternal.

You have read the fate of the people of the City. You might be thinking as to who were these people of the City, where was this City, who were the apostles, who was the righteous person, so on and so forth. But since this is a parable, what is of utmost importance to us is to draw lessons from it.

1. Whenever people reject outrightly divine guidance and never relent despite best efforts to persuade them, their end and ruination becomes inevitable. Allah sends His grievous punishment in the form of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, fie and stones from heaven, storm, drought, severe diseases or other such calamities, which banish the transgressors from the surface of the earth. This is apart from the punishment in store for wrong-doers after death.

2. If one comes to understand and distinguishes between the right and wrong, one is not supposed to sit idle. He should fight for the cause of right and spend all his might in upholding the same.

A Momin (true believer) never cares for life after accepting the Truth-whether it will be constructed one or get ruined. It is only power of Truth that he leaves no stone unturned in upholding the banner of Truth.

Got it

Because y'all misquote our holy book and refer to Jesus as Isa.

They have come again o. In what way have I misquoted your bible?

Know better than you ke,no way. Am still a student learning from you all sir.

Is this supposed to be in this section?

Dead Hearts

While thousands of Muslims are killed all over the world, and while tens of thousands are imprisoned and tortured for calling to the path of Allah and for enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, most Muslims remain remarkably silent and have no worry except for the material things of life. Their hearts have been filled with the love of this life and the forgetfulness of the Hereafter.

Allah says in the Qur'an[b]: "You will indeed find them, of all people, most greedy of life, even more than those who do not believe in Resurrection. Each one of them wishes he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from due punishment. [/b]

For Allah sees well all that they do" (Al Baqarah, 2:96). Many Muslims today have become so much attached to their life that their desire is to dwell among their family, house, money and commerce. They have forgotten that matters of the Hereafter should come before matters of this life and that we must strive to follow the orders of Allah, not just those we find easy and convenient to follow. Some Muslims today claim that it is better to perform extra prayers and extra fasting rather than enjoin the good and forbid the evil or defend the lives of weak Muslims. Such people would even blame the Muslims who strive to perform these obligations.

This is what Ibn al-Qayyim had to say about such people: ''The Shaitan has misled most people by beautifying for them the performance of certain voluntary acts of worship such as voluntary prayers and voluntary fasting while neglecting other obligatory acts of worship such as enjoining the good and eradicating the evil, to the extent that they do not even make the intention of performing them whenever they are able to. Such people are considered by the scholars to be on the bottom of the scale of religion: For the essence of our religion is to perform what Allah ordered us to do.

The one who does not perform his obligations is actually worse than the one who performs sins. Anyone having some knowledge about the revelation of Allah, the guidance of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, and the life of the companions would conclude that those who are pointed at today as the most pious people are in fact the least pious. Indeed, what kind of piety is there in a person who witnesses Allah's sanctities being violated, his religion abandoned, the Sunnah of His Messenger shunned, and yet remains still with a cold heart and a shut mouth' Such a person is like a dumb Shaitan! In the same way the one who talks falsehood is a speaking Shaitan. Isn't the misfortune of Islam due only to those who whenever their life and food are secure, would not care about what happens to the religion? The best among them would offer a sorry face.

But if they were challenged in one of the things their heart is attached to like their money, they would spare no efforts to get it back. These people, besides deserving the anger of Allah, are afflicted with the greatest calamity without even knowing it: They have a dead heart. Indeed the more alive a person's heart is, the stronger its anger for the sake of Allah and the more complete his support to Islam and Muslims." (A'alaam al-Muwaqqi'een, volume 2, page 176).

Narrow Escape - Better said - Another Chance By Y.Yilmaz

Since my childhood, I have been afraid of small, confined spaces and furiously fled such places. Later, I understood that this condition was known as claustrophobia, but I have never been able to master it. Now, unwillingly, I had to enter a closed narrow space. I was wrapped in a shroud and lying in a long coffin. I could hear the voice of the people around me quite well. And although my eyes were closed, I could see them clearly.

"He died so young," they said and added, "He had so many things to do."

It was true that I had left a great deal of work half done; I had not set up a good business for my son, completed the payment of the instalment of the car and TV. Winter was around the corner, but I had not prepared the leaking roof or bought the fuel. Now the dream to establish a big firm and employ my friends had dispersed to nothing.

Suddenly, I was irritated by a noise that, as if coming through a microphone, echoed in every remote cell of my brain:

"It is all over!"

I wished it had not been all over, I did not know why the accident happened. I was a good driver.

As I was trying to recall the events that had taken place, I realized that my friends surrounding the coffin were covering it by putting the lid over me. No matter how much I wanted to shout, I could neither move nor speak. I was in complete darkness and turned my eyes towards the light coming from the gaps in the coffin.

I said to myself in horror, "Oh my God! What am I going to do now?"

Seized with fear, I could think of nothing. Later, I was lifted onto their shoulders as they began to carry the coffin. Hearing the noise coming from outside, I understood that it was raining. The noise of the raindrops mingled with the creaking of the coffin. We must have gone to the mosque for the funeral prayer.

I remembered that although the mosque was so close to my home, I had never paid it a visit. I had planned to start prayers after the age of fifty and I would quit the bad habits everyone complained about. If the accident had not occurred, I would have been a good fellow.

The voice that I heard before repeated, "It is all over!" A little later my funeral prayer was completed. The imam was asking people's opinion as to "what kind of character I was." I knew that among them were some eight or ten persons who did not give an opinion. I accepted that I had given them some evil and harm, but if the accident had not occurred, I would have been pleased to make amends and duly compensate them for the equivalent of any harm done. After the prayer in the mosque was completed, I was lifted onto the shoulders again.

Due to the inclination of the coffin, I understood that we were on the road uphill to the grave. I was aware that it was pouring rain and the rain was seeping through the cracks in the coffin onto the shroud, making it damp. Nevertheless, I tried to listen to the conversations coming from outside. Some of my friends were talking about the stagnation of the market, some were commentating on a Western film they had seen the previous evening on the TV. Another, carrying my coffin whispered, "What a bad day the deceased chose to die, we have got wet through and through."

I could not believe what I heard and I thought that I must have misunderstood. Were they not the ones for whom I had sacrificed my wealth and my health?

A little later my journey finished and my coffin was put down on the ground. The lid was removed again. The arms holding my weak and lifeless flesh put it into the hole where a little water had collected. Lying on the ground, I looked around:

"Oh my God, was it a grave?" I did not know why I had not thought until then that I would be buried in a grave. No one heard my silent cries, and my best friends seemed to be competing each other to cover my body with thick boards.

I was in complete darkness once more. I began to pray with all my cells, "Oh my Merciful God," I said, "Is there another chance to be a real servant of Yours?"

The same voice repeated, "It is all over, everything has finished."

I was shaken by the noise of the earth.

With a final effort to get up, I opened my eyes. I was lying on my comfortable bed and it had all been a nightmare. One of my neighbours, a doctor, was standing at the bedside.

"It is all over," he repeated. "You are all right."

I sat up slowly from the bed. I was dripping with perspiration, feeling I had lost twenty kilos in weight. It was raining heavily outside and the whole house was shaken by thunder.

While I was trying to recover myself in front of the bewildered eyes of the others, I whispered, "Oh my Lord, a thousand thanks to You. What would I do if You had not given me another chance to be an obedient servant of Yours?

Remember death.

But our lives are such that we become so occupied with the things of this life that we forget that we are going to die. As Allah said, the gathering of wealth has deluded man from the realities of life and they only wake up when they end up in their graves.

At-Takathur 102: "The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things), until ye visit the graves. But nay, ye soon shall know the reality…"

This is a fearful statement, that if we live lives unconscious of our deaths and thereby be lost in trivialities, these are things that are really ultimately not going to benefit us in the next life.

And what happens on the Day of Judgement, when we stand before Allah and answer for each and every deed that we have done, when nothing escapes Allah, when the things that we have in this life will be of no benefit to us. The only thing that will benefit us is to stand before Allah with a pious and healthy heart.

'When we die, we leave behind all that we have and take with us all that we are.'

MAY ALLAH GUIDE US ALL ON TO THE STRAIGHT PATH.

Dont mind him. He is not a Muslim but here as mischief maker and confusionist but would never suceed.

@Davidylan

why are u so obsessed about "lies" IN THE BIBLE? Must you hypocrite read it?

You have been serving the junk in your section but had to reply when you came here to register your ignorance. You should have posted it in your section if you dod not want me to read.

Who did your God Jesus cried to when on the cross?
Why did your God Jesus say he would sit at the right hand side of God and not on that God's sit?
If your God is Jesus, Why did your God Jesys say that sin against him has forgiveness but that of Holy spirit has no forgiveness?
Who did your God Jesus pray to at Gethsemane to save him?
Why did your God Jesus say that He who sent him is greater than him?
Did your God Jesus need to change, punish, kill himself to save his creation?


How does the above affect allah?

Are the questions too hard for you? You claimed that your God Jesus is still the as the ONE that created heaven and earth including your Jesus and had to ask you those questions. I learnt that your God is immortal but how come he died on the alleged cross, crying 'My God why has thou forsaken me and finally gave up the ghost?

Yoou decietful man, cloaked in the veil of hypocrisy and evil . . . TRY TAKING DOWN QURANIC VERSES FOR A CHANGE. Are you not tired of forever running to the bible?

Boy, I can never be bored in the sense that it happened to be my first holy book to be read, still reading and would continue reading same because it is what you believe in. So I use what you believe to discuss with you. Besides, I need to have knowledge in both books abi no be so?

NIMSHI PLEASE STOP DECIEVING yourself? U would DESTROY UR ISLAM THIS WAY!!! U ARE DECIETFUL, U OPENLY DENY FACTS. STOP IT. STOP BEING MISCHEVEOUS AND COME OUT FROM UR HIDING PLACE. IF U ARE A MUSLIM U NEED TO RE-READ THE QURAN OVER AND OVER!!!!!!!!!

He is not a Muslim and would have known that from his posts. He keeps making denials without Quranic verse, Hadith to back same up.

@Davidylan

Kai, you this guy would not stop being mischievous. Na jeley I siddon for my section when you came with your lies.

Jesus Christ IS GOD. Read it till your eyes bleed. That your charlatan called mohammed lied just to lend some credibility to his false god does not demean this FACT.

Who did your God Jesus cry to when on the cross?
Why did your God Jesus say he would sit at the right hand side of God and not on that God's sit?
If your God is Jesus, Why did your God Jesys say that sin against him has forgiveness but that of Holy spirit has no forgiveness?
Who did your God Jesus pray to at Gethsemane to save him?
Why did your God Jesus say that He who sent him is greater than him?
Did your God Jesus need to change, punish, kill himself to save his creation?


Make you no run because we would go through the bible as reference

@David-the liar

you people are just hypocrites. there is a thread on this same board of yours with MUSLIMS discussing their favorite islamic music! Which is it? Is music haram or halal in islam?

Have you been there lately or here with your hogwash?

I didn't know Olabowale can run from a fellow islamic faithful. You think that Nimshi is Funmi that knows nothing about your religion. You Lost!

Yes, he knows a lot about Islam and has been demonstrating it in most threads.

I tire for the guy o.

Good. So be it. In case you have any contribution in the light of the Quran,hadith,you have my contributions

Did u read my last post or you didnt pay attention as well?

Nimshi:Do you care to share what he attempted to do? Having read SV,Do you still care to tell his views you would endorse and we look at it in the light of the Quran and Hadith since you are a muslim

Nimshi: let me know your argument against Qaradawi and we look at it together. I wouldnt know what else you still need after giving you detailed links in which you only need to read.You raised thread in which response was provided and stil asked question. It would be ideal to give me your own contribution since you claim to be a muslim and we look at it islamically. I wouldnt want to go into any discussion thats devoid of Quranic verses and Hadith but will discuss with you when say your stand in those threads you created and we look at it together. Until then,no comments from me.

You created some threads and asked for people's contribution in which you have not been doing but denying some claims which you have not been able to back with Quranic verses and Hadiths. Also,since you said that you would only respond probably when you feels,then count me out of your threads that lack Quranic verses and Hadith. If you stil need my contribution in line with islam,then you may profer me your stand and we look at it in the light of Quran and hadith.