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Just like AA, we have resources to help us in our struggle.
We have the Quran, our guide to salvation. We can go to meetings (studies) and gain support from other submitters. And it’s important to turn to submitters for help. Every person on earth is an egoholic. Alcoholics learn that they must stay away from other alcoholics because it’s easy to be dragged down. The same is true for submitters. We’re told to ally ourselves with believers instead of disbelievers and “You shall force yourself to be with those who worship their Lord day and night, seeking Him alone. Do not turn your eyes away from them, seeking the vanities of this world.” [18:28]
God knows the help and support we require. And then he gives us the worship practices so we can find the skills needed to conquer our addiction. If we study the Quran, it gives us everything we need.
First we need to acknowledge that ego is a problem. In 2:87 God talks about people whose ego caused them to be arrogant toward the messengers.
….Is it not a fact that every time a messenger went to you with anything you disliked, your ego caused you to be arrogant? Some of them you rejected, and some of them you killed.
In 5:30 we learn that Cain’s ego provoked him into killing his brother. So rejection, arrogance and killing are byproducts of ego. Not very healthy!
In 25:43 and 45:23 (same numbers in a different combination), God shows us that our ego can become our god, and once that happens we are lost.
[25:43] Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?
[45:23] Have you noted the one whose god is his ego? Consequently, GOD sends him astray, despite his knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a veil on his eyes. Who then can guide him, after such a decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?
God says: “Would you not take heed?” That means it’s not too late. He could have banished us to hell after our first ego-driven offense of not upholding His absolute authority. He could have sent us to hell when we said we were strong enough to be human beings on earth. He could have thrown us away when Adam and Eve, representing us all, failed to obey His one simple order: “Don’t approach this one tree.” But God, in His infinite mercy, has given us one final chance for redemption. And the stumbling block to that redemption is still the same—our ego.
When we let our ego have control, we are diminishing our soul, our link to God. The practices that God has given us—prayers, charity, fasting—are all geared to diminish our ego and grow our soul. If we are reverent during our prayers, it means we’re acknowledging that God is in full control and we want to submit our will to His. If we give charity cheerfully, with kind words and compassion, night and day, secretly and publicly, giving from the things we love, and giving during the good times, as well as the bad times, we recognize that what we have isn’t ours—it’s all from God. When we fast, especially on long hot days, we tell our body that it’s not in control. We’re doing this for God—not for God’s benefit, but because God told us to and we submit to God’s will.
We have two choices. We can allow our ego to control our lives and thus kill our soul. Or we can follow God’s laws and do the practices that He has given us, and thus kill our ego. Satan works hard to encourage us to do the former. There are all kinds of instant gratifications when we do.
But the lasting benefits all come when we do the latter. When we recognize that the ego is a drug and therefore will provide temporary pleasure, we can resist its allure and look for the permanent happiness that God promises.
Drugs on this earth give a fleeting joy—a temporary sense of elation followed frequently by depression and a need for a bigger dose, more and more frequently. And because drugs, ego included, lead us away from God, they condemn us to spend eternity in the Hellfire. God, on the other hand, promises us joy in this world and eternal joy in the Hereafter. There’s no drug that can come close to that.
[10:63-4] They are those who believe and lead a righteous life. For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD's unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph.
[32:17] You have no idea how much joy and happiness are waiting for you as a reward for your (righteous) works.
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By God’s grace, we have placed over 2,000 English translation of the Qurans with public libraries across the United States, Canada and abroad. You can check the list of libraries the Qurans made available at the link below.
http://www.masjidtucson.org/let_the_world_know/
God willing, we are still looking for volunteers from the various communities to get in touch with the libraries to make sure that complimentary Qurans are placed with receptive libraries.
God willing, you can contact us by email at info@masjidtucson.org if you are interested in contributing in any way.