Right and Wrong

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What should our Submission be? We should willingly present a complete and unreserved compliance to the Authority of God. He has clearly defined right and wrong for us, so we have a firm belief that any act we do or refrain from doing due to God’s command is the right choice.

It can’t just be lip service though, as explained in [49:14-15] The Arabs said, “We are Mu’mens (believers).” Say, “You have not believed; what you should say is, ‘We are Muslims (submitters),’ until belief is established in your hearts.” If you obey GOD and His messenger, He will not put any of your works to waste. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. 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.

This is who we are striving to be.

Alim

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[4:110] Anyone who commits evil, or wrongs his soul, then implores GOD for forgiveness, will find GOD Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

 

It’s a Blessing to Receive

Most of us have heard the saying: “It’s better to give than to receive.” Well, I remember about 30 years ago I got taught a very good lesson about this saying. I was working then, and I would look for opportunities to help people. I’ve always been a “people care-giver.” I’d help people pay their rent, buy food, listen to them, just whatever I could do to help them. I believed in “better to give than receive,” and I wanted to get those blessings from God. We know that God loves when you help those less fortunate than you.

But one day, here comes the lesson. A sister came to help me; she wanted to give me money and food. I said, “Oh no, I don’t really need the help. Thank you just the same.” Then that sister turned to me. She said, “Oh yeah, Latefah, I forgot. Only you can help people and get blessings from God. You don’t want to receive help from me, so I can’t get God’s blessings, huh?”

Well, I was shocked. I said, “Sister, I didn’t mean to hurt you or let you miss your blessings from God. So I will accept your gifts, praise God.” And I didn’t feel bad inside either.

So this is the lesson that can be learned. If you are a person who always denies other people’s help or service, or always want to be the one to give, think about this. It’s hard at first, but you get used to it, like I did. Now, I feel good inside to receive, just as good as when I give. There comes a time when you must let others help you, and you have to feel good about it.

God uses all of us to help each other in one way or another. So if you’re that person who always says no, take the gift and praise God. If you really don’t need the help, fine, you can pass it on to someone who does. But remember to let other people do their work so they can get their blessings from God. I now feel the same inside, giving thanks to God, when giving or receiving.

[2:262-263] Those who spend their money in the cause of GOD, then do not follow their charity with insult or harm, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.  Kind words and compassion are better than a charity that is followed by insult. GOD is Rich, Clement.

[2:274] Those who give to charity night and day, secretly and publicly, receive their recompense from their Lord; they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[2:277] Those who believe and lead a righteous life, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), they receive their recompense from their Lord; they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

Carolyn