June 2017: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

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His name on any food we eat (5:4, 6:118-21, 22:36). We can do more than just mention. We can marvel at the ways God has packaged our food—bananas, oranges; at the ways He made them colorful—broccoli, carrots; and the ways He made them delicious—strawberries, chocolate. Each bite can be a chance to thank God and glorify Him.

Working and playing can be distracting times. If you find yourself distracted by your computer, your phone, a video game, your job, there are still ways to remember God through all of this. Remember to say “God willing” (18:23-4) as often as you can. Say, “Praise God” when something goes well, and “Praise God” when it doesn’t go well. You can set up reminders on your phone or computer—a little alarm every half hour or so which will just tell you it’s time to put God first. It will make you smile—your little secret. No one in the office needs to know what the alarm means, but your heart will rejoice in remembering God (13:28).

TV and movies can be fun and entertaining, a way to relax and unwind, but they can pull us away from God. Or they can be a means of remembering Him. I’ll often insert “God willing” into the dialogue, knowing that’s what the character should be saying, and throw in “mashallah” when a scene is truly beautiful.

[40:55] Therefore, be patient, for GOD’s promise is true, and ask forgiveness for your sin, and glorify and praise your Lord night and day.

As much as we try to be righteous, we know that we will slip up. Asking forgiveness often is a good way to remember God. We can also implore Him for things. Under the subtitle  “Supplication: A Form of Worship”, verse 40:60: Your Lord says, "Implore Me, and I will respond to you. Surely, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Gehenna, forcibly."

And the footnote explains: *40:60 Supplication, imploring God for anything, even material luxuries, is a form of worship. Hence the commandment to implore God whenever we have any need. An atheist will never implore God for anything.

This shows that we recognize that only God can grant us anything and we are not too proud to ask. It keeps God on our mind.

What about sleeping? How do we consciously remember God during a time we are unconscious? Well, we can maximize the time before and after sleep. Before you go to bed, in addition to reading Quran, you can take some time devoted to thanking God for your day. Think about how He helped you in a difficult situation, all the ways you were blessed today. As you fall asleep, try to meditate on God’s names or your blessings. If you wake up during the night, use the time again to meditate. If you can, take the opportunity to meditate through much of the night (73:2-4&20). But even if it’s only for a few minutes as you fall back to sleep, it’s a chance to remember God.  [3:191] They remember GOD while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell. [4:103] Once you complete your Contact Prayer (Salat), you shall remember GOD while standing, sitting, or lying down…. (Both of these verses have footnotes that again remind that your god is whatever or whoever occupies your mind most of the time).

And when we wake up, our first thought should be God. We can train ourselves to say something every morning—in English or Arabic—as soon as the alarm goes off. “Bismallah,” “Alhumdulallah,” “La Elaha Ella Allah,” “There is no god but God,” “He is the One and only God,” “Glory be to God.” That way our very first thought each day will be God. He is the One who sends down peaceful slumber (3:154, 8:11). And when we consistently implore Him as we go to bed and as we wake, our sleep will be much more peaceful, restful and joyful.

Ramadan is here and it’s a perfect time to keep God in the forefront of our mind.

Remember His blessings when we feel hunger, and thank Him for His provisions when we break the fast.

24/7 is a lot. It’s all the time. But if we can devote our prayers and all our practices to God alone and make Him the priority in our lives, He will reward us with Paradise, both in this world and in the Hereafter.

[6:162-3] Say, "My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe. He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit."

[76:24-6] You shall steadfastly carry out your Lord’s commandments, and do not obey any sinful disbeliever among them. And commemorate the name of your Lord day and night. During the night, fall prostrate before Him, and glorify Him many a long night.

Lydia

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Letter from a Prisoner

Greetings,

I am writing in regards to this wonderful message I came across—Submitters Perspective. This is truly what I’ve been looking for—good, solid information about Islam. This bulletin that you published is so eye-opening and just lets you know what God has done for us. I’ve only read about 8 issues but have fallen in love with the information from the Holy Quran that you put in the monthly bulletin.

At the present time I’m in the Arizona Dept of Corrections. I’m here for two reasons: 1) consequences of MY actions, and 2) make a change in my life. I like to think I’m making steps toward peace in my life and to live by Faith (SP vol. 30, issue 8).

God bless,

Jermaine