Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

The new year is a good time to examine ourselves (Quran 59:18) and see what we need to do to fulfill the purpose of our Creation (Quran 51:56, 67:1-2) and make it back to God's kingdom. We must ensure that our priorities are correct.

Is my priority pleasing God, or my boss? Is it doing the five daily prayers to please God, or pleasing my friends who may not understand why I bow and prostrate? Is it going to the Friday prayer or taking care of business? Is it to be with the believers in Quranic study or fulfilling my own desires by seeking recreation on Friday nights? What is it? I have to examine myself carefully, and must correct the situation immediately. If I put pleasing friends ahead of pleasing God (effectively, setting them as an idol before God), God will embarrass me in front of those friends (Quran 18:42). However, if I put pleasing God ahead of pleasing friends, God will shower me with dignity and respect in front of those friends (Quran 35:10). God controls the minds and hearts of all the people. God is the one who makes people love or hate or respect you.  

New Year's Reflection: What can I do better this year to make God my Lord and number one priority (Quran 6:32, 17:18-19, 29:64)?


         The Purpose of Our Existence
[Quran 51:56] I did not create the jinns and the humans except to worship Me alone.

         Choose Your Priorities Carefully This Life
[Quran 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.
         The Hereafter
[17:19] As for those who choose the Hereafter as their priority, and work righteousness, while believing, their efforts will be appreciated.

[Quran 7:205-206] You shall remember your Lord within yourself, publicly, privately, and quietly, day and night; do not be unaware.*
Those at your Lord are never too proud to worship Him; they glorify Him and fall prostrate before Him.
{footnote} *7:205 Your god is whoever or whatever occupies your mind most of the day. This explains the fact that most of those who believe in God are destined for Hell (See 12:106, 23:84-90, and Appendix 27).



References:
Who Is Your God? http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix27.html
Why Were We Created? http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix7.html
Road To Happiness: Seek to Please God, http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/perspectives/happiness/roadtohappiness.html

Peace.