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He thought that we were testing him. He then implored his Lord for forgiveness, bowed down, and repented. We forgave him in this matter. We have granted him a position of honor with us, and a beautiful abode.
It is our ego which makes us angry, makes us shout at or abuse others, feel jealous, backbite, feel superior or inferior. It’s only when we start fighting against our ego that the mist of deception starts to clear ever so slowly, and you begin to see your shriveled soul in the mirror and start to take corrective action. But, believe me, fighting one’s ego is the most difficult thing in the world, and one can never say for sure that one has conquered it completely. Like all cancers the cancer of ego can only be in remission. Come to think of it, it is highly egotistical to say that one has no ego!
Life is like the game of snakes and ladders which we used to play when we were small kids, with the only difference being that it is not a game of chance which depends on the throw of dice, but instead it depends on the choices one makes, according to which we land on neutral, snakes or ladders squares. And Satan has been given full freedom in this world by GOD, so Satan will try to put maximum snakes on the board where the final prize is a polished-like-gem submitter who will inherit Paradise. Therefore, it is not going to be easy. We will fall quite a lot, especially in the beginning, when we try to improve ourselves in all aspects of our life as submitters. But we have to steadfastly persevere, get up and move on, never give up, fight Satan with all our might, and strive in the cause of GOD at every opportunity, because ultimately it’s a question of our souls.
In conclusion, I would like to say that the proportion of our looking at our physical self in the mirror as compared to observing the development of our souls in the mirror of our consciousness should be in proportion to how long the body is going to last compared to the soul. In other words, we should be doing an awful lot more internal reflection and a lot less worrying about our physical appearance.
We are looking forward to hosting the conference in Tucson this year. God willing the conference will begin on August 16 at 2PM with the Friday Congregational Prayer. This will be followed by welcoming everyone, particularly all the new submitters and hearing how they came to find the message.
Submitters are our real family, and we anticipate that there will be many new people, attending their first conference. We want to take this opportunity to remind and emphasize the Quranic commandment from God that we should treat each other nicely. God has made the believers a family [49:10] The believers are members of one family; you shall keep the peace within your family and reverence GOD, that you may attain mercy.
[17:53] Tell My servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the devil is man’s most ardent enemy.
This is very important for us to remember. It’s Satan who’s trying to cause division and discord. And we fall into his trap when we resort to name-calling and abusive behavior toward one another. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but as submitters, we should be humble enough to recognize that we are in daily need of guidance ourselves (1:6-7) and should not try to coerce anyone else to follow our opinion (2:256). We should not label a submitter with a differing viewpoint as a “disbeliever,” an “idol worshiper,” a “hypocrite,” or any other name.
Believers Set the Example
[49:11] O you who believe, no people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you mock one another, or make fun of your names. Evil indeed is the reversion to wickedness after attaining faith. Anyone who does not repent after this, these are the transgressors.
We come from different backgrounds and we all have different strengths and weaknesses. This is part of what makes our community so wonderful. And it’s, of course, part of God’s system. [49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another.
The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.
This verse tells us clearly that the only criterion for judging is righteousness, and we know that God is the best judge of all righteous behavior, seen and unseen.
[17:54] Your Lord knows you best. According to His knowledge, He may shower you with mercy, or He may requite you. We did not send you to be their advocate.
[17:84] Say, “Everyone works in accordance with his belief, and your Lord knows best which ones are guided in the right path.”
The conference is a time for spiritual renewal, for heightening our awareness and reverence of God. It’s not the time or place for personal agendas. So, let us all come together to celebrate God’s favors, mercy and blessings upon us.
This is our first conference since our brother Abdullah Arik departed. The message of Worship God Alone will never die. We had to continue after Dr. Khalifa’s departure in 1990, and, God willing, we will continue until our last breath, even if the disbelievers dislike it.
[40:14] Therefore, you shall devote your worship absolutely to GOD ALONE, even if the disbelievers dislike it.
[6:162] 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. [6:163] “He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit.” [6:164] Say, “Shall I seek other than GOD as a lord, when He is the Lord of all things? No soul benefits except from its own works, and none bears the burden of another. Ultimately, you return to your Lord, then He informs you regarding all your disputes.”
[3:144] Muhammad was no more than a messenger like the messengers before him. Should he die or get killed, would you turn back on your heels? Anyone who turns back on his heels, does not hurt GOD in the least. GOD rewards those who are appreciative.
The Tucson community looks forward to welcoming all submitters to God alone for the 2013 conference, God willing. Please send in your conference registrations as soon as you can. And remember to book your hotel room directly. All information is available on our website. May God bless you.