June 2003: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

The Purpose

Cont’d from page 1

In order to be successful in worshiping God alone, and pass the admission tests to enter God’s Kingdom, we need to choose our priorities carefully. Throughout the Quran, God reminds us that our top priority should be righteousness. That we should race towards righteousness.

[5:48] You shall compete in righteousness.

[3:133] You should eagerly race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth; it awaits the righteous.

[2:148] Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. Wherever you may be, GOD will summon you all. GOD is Omnipotent.

So, the formula for success is righteousness. To do righteous works is to worship God alone. If we can fulfill these requirements, then God promises us that He will forgive us, and admit us into His Kingdom under His protection. God will let us know He is with us. We will have no doubt about it.

[5:9] GOD promises those who believe and lead a righteous life forgiveness and a great recompense.

In choosing our priorities, we must be careful not to become preoccupied with this worldly life. Preoccupation with this life leads to exile from God. Exile from God means that we are no longer under God’s protection, so we become victims of Satan’s incompetence, chaos, and misery.

[7:51] Those who do not take their religion seriously, and are totally preoccupied with this worldly life, we forget them on that day, because they spurned our revelations.

[17:18] Anyone who chooses this fleeting life as his priority, we will rush to him what we decide to give him, then we commit him to Gehenna, where he suffers forever, despised and defeated.

[3:14-15] Adorned for the people are the worldly pleasures, such as the women, having children, piles upon piles of gold and silver, trained horses, livestock, and crops. These are the materials of this world. A far better abode is reserved at GOD. Say 'let me inform you of a much better deal: for those who lead a righteous life, reserved at their Lord are gardens with flowing streams, and pure spouses, and joy in GOD's blessings.' GOD is Seer of His worshippers.

We are reminded in the Quran that the materials of this world are nil, and that we attain value at God only through righteousness. The materials of this world are all that the disbelievers get. We should not be impressed by their apparent success.

[57:20] Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from GOD and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion.

[3:91] Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, an earthful of gold will not be accepted from any of them, even if such a ransom were possible. They have incurred painful retribution; they will have no helpers.

[9:85] Do not be impressed by their money or their children; GOD causes these to be sources of misery for them in this world, and their souls depart as disbelievers.

We must never forget that Satan is our worst enemy.

[35:5-6] O people, GOD's promise is the truth; therefore, do not be distracted by this lowly life. Do not be diverted from GOD by mere illusions. The devil is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be the dwellers of Hell.

So for our own good, let us make the best choice. For our own good let us make righteous works our priority. For our own good let us compete in righteousness.

[41:46] Whoever works righteousness, does so for his own good, and whoever works evil does so to his own detriment. Your Lord is never unjust towards the people.

Righteousness is God’s only criterion for distinguishing among the people; and God defines righteousness in 2:177.

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. God is Omniscient, Cognizant.

[2:177] Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the contact prayers and give the obligatory charity; and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.”

Cont’d on page 4