|
Cont’d from page 1
We should find ways to please Him, to seek Him (5:35). Find ways to strive (22:78). And we do it not because God needs our worship, but because we need it for happiness and eternal life.
[5:35] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and seek the ways and means to Him, and strive in His cause, that you may succeed.
[22:78] You shall strive for the cause of GOD as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion—the religion of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you “Submitters” originally. Thus, the messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and hold fast to GOD; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best Supporter.
[29:6] Those who strive, strive for their own good. GOD is in no need for anyone.
Striving to make God our priority, is devoting our life to God. Strivers obey the commandments God has set out for us on how to live our lives, how to treat each other, what to forbid, and what to advocate. Strivers dedicate their lives and money to God. They do it because they want the higher ranks from God. They want the extra credit, and to be admitted an honorable admittance (17:80) back with God.
[17:79-80] During the night, you shall meditate for extra credit, that your Lord may raise you to an honorable rank. And say, “My Lord, admit me an honorable admittance, and let me depart an honorable departure, and grant me from You a powerful support.”
God is the King, the Most Sacred, the Peace, the Most Faithful, the Supreme, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the Most Dignified (59:23). Be He glorified—far above having partners.
Who, among the righteous, wouldn’t want God leading their lives every moment of every day?
[2:207] Then there are those who dedicate their lives to serving GOD; GOD is compassionate towards such worshipers.
[3:104] Let there be a community of you who invite to what is good, advocate righteousness, and forbid evil. These are the winners.
* * * * *
[49:15] Mu'mens (believers) are those who believe in GOD and His messenger, then attain the status of having no doubt whatsoever, and strive with their money and their lives in the cause of GOD. These are the truthful ones.
[57:10] Why do you not spend in the cause of GOD, when GOD possesses all wealth in the heavens and the earth?
Special Honor
Distinguished from the rest are those among you who spend before the victory and strive. They attain a greater rank than those who spend after the victory and strive. For each, GOD promises salvation. GOD is Cognizant of everything you do.
[94:5-8] With pain there is gain. Indeed, with pain there is gain. Whenever possible you shall strive. Seeking only your Lord.
* * * * *
We welcome articles and comments from readers. Please send your articles to: info@masjidutcson.org
God’s Message in Mathematics
by Abdullah Arik
Series 1: The Basmalah ……….…. $5.00
Order 2 or more for $4/each, includes shipping
Peace,
I hope and pray by the time you receive this letter, you are in the best of spirit and health.
First of all, I would like to thank your staff for the time and consideration that all of you have taken in spreading of knowledge and words of encouragement as well as inspiration with direction that you give brothers like myself in the time of need.
Right now, I feel that Allah is attempting to guide me back to the path that he requires of me but free will and wrong choices led me to destruction which I truly had to learn. Also, though I have been down the path of life of trial and error before, this time I truly feel the purification that exist which is possibly for the better that coincides with the Quran in regard to jihad. I would appreciate your prayers and dua for Allah to arrange my affairs better because I know if it is left up to me, the focus of myself will waver. I end this letter.
* * * * *
Editor’s note
We learn from Quran: "You may dislike something which is actually good for you, and you may like something which is actually bad for you." (Qur’an 2:216).
What appears to be a real disaster may actually be a great blessing in disguise.
Discovering God and joining his kingdom is the greatest achievement any human being can achieve. If incarceration is what it takes for anyone to attain this precious goal, it is a small price indeed for such a great treasure.
The Qur’an teaches us that if a disbeliever possesses all the treasures of the world, even twice as much, he would readily give it all up in exchange for a believer’s achievement (10:54, 13:18, and 39:47).