December 2006: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 3

Faith, Belief and Action

Cont’d from page 2

If we feel content and satisfied by accepting beliefs but do not care to practice them then we should keep in mind the Quranic verse:

[29:2] Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test?

Many people believe that the sword brought about the conquest of Islam. While this might be true in some cases there were also many who embraced Islam due to the strength of character and noble conduct of “godly” people that influenced society.

Belief and faith could rightly be considered the basic fundamentals like the foundation of a building. They form the first step in the doctrine of Submission. By God’s leave, they help guide us to the right path without which we would be lost in the wilderness. Acceptance of beliefs and faith are not the end but the means to reach the end. Beliefs help you attain faith only if they are practiced upon. Only then can we aspire to be closer to God and do what is most pleasing to Him.

[9:109-110] Is one who establishes his building on the basis of reverencing GOD and to gain His approval better, or one who establishes his building on the brink of a crumbling cliff, that falls down with him into the fire of Hell? GOD does not guide the transgressing people. Such a building that they have established remains a source of doubt in their hearts, until their hearts are stilled. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.

Why is Islam called not just a religion but also a way of life? This is because the Quran offers us a total and all encompassing package for beliefs, deeds and actions all together. There is an action and deed called for at every step of the way. We have to follow the teachings with dedication and in all sincerity. We can only do this when belief is ingrained deeply in our heart. We know that our deeds and actions will be weighed with the resultant reward and punishment in the Hereafter.

The Contact Prayer (Salat), Obligatory Charity (Zakat), Fasting and Hajj are all obligatory on us as these are God’s commands. Undoubtedly, they will bring upon us God’s blessings. However, they do not absolve us from being righteous and performing our obligations to fellow human beings like parents, relatives, feeding the poor and the traveling alien etc. Fulfilling one does not absolve us from carrying out the other. By denying them their due share we are in fact usurping their rights and we could face God’s wrath both in this life and most certainly in the Hereafter. No piecemeal performances are allowed and there is no part time submission:

[2:208] O you who believe, you shall embrace total submission; do not follow the steps of Satan, for he is your most ardent enemy.
[26:89] Only those who come to GOD with their whole heart (will be saved).

Alim C. /India

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“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5

 

Readers’ Comments

Asalamu 'Alaykum,

Thank you very much for your help. I have also been concerned about another problem in the modern Muslim world. I don't think that the Hadith is an acceptable guideline, because in today's Muslim world, it has caused corruption, misunderstanding of the True Islam, a destruction of its perfection, and has also given Non-Muslims and other Muslims a bad impression that Islam is very strict, causing them to hate the Religion itself.

And is it possible that the terrible position Muslims are in today, as in Iraq, Lebenon, Afghanistan, etc., is because they are in error and on misguidance for following a book other than the Qur'an? Because such people are accepting another book in place of the Qur'an's authority, it is almost as if they are following a completely different religion, or are they?

The True Islam has been concealed under a cloak. I have come to realize that the majority of the Muslims that exist today have been completely misguided. Those who only follow the Qur'an are the ones who are hated and interrogated. The Prophet, being only one man, was under the same circumstance as today's minority Qur'an-Only Muslims; these are the Muslims that are constantly being picked at, which is unfair because they're only doing what Allah told them to do and none other than that. All of my relatives have been misguided by the Hadith, even when I explain to them about the Truth, they are ignorant and do not listen. How far are such people from the Truth and are they truly Muslim? I would appreciate it very much if you helped me on this issue.

Thank you very much for your help and may Allah be pleased with you!

Asalamu 'Alaykum
Sister in Islam,
S. S. A.

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[3:99] Say, “O followers of the scripture, why do you repel from the path of GOD those who wish to believe, and seek to distort it, even though you are witnesses?” GOD is never unaware of anything you do.