|
Cont'd from page 2
the outside wall still says, “Happiness is Submission to God.” It doesn’t say Happiness is Islam. As regards social interaction with your prison mates, you can get to know people and engage with the world. The people you meet—friends, associates and colleagues—may be better submitters than you already or may become so in the future. The Quran does not say that you must exclusively associate with submitters or all your friends must be submitters like you. Otherwise, how will you give the message to people? How will they know you as a righteous person? Naturally, God does advise you to choose your friends carefully. The rules of handling situations that mock or affect your religion are detailed in the Quran (60:8-9, 4:140, 5:57, 6:68-70). While you don’t want to get preoccupied with this worldly life, you can still engage in this world and make good choices, with His help. Keep God as a priority and follow the Quran. But unless you interact with people, how will you know what is the most relevant information you can give them to interest them in the truth?
Lastly, remember that while our prison experience is tough, it is also designed to make us happy and enjoy the ride. Your journey can be made smooth and exciting by constantly finding favor with the Judge who rules on the terms of your sentence, and who is also the Lord of the prison and the universe beyond. The secrets to do that are in the Quran.
Perfect Happiness: Now and Forever
[41:30] Those who proclaim: “Our Lord is GOD,” then lead a righteous life, the angels descend upon them: “You shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news that Paradise has been reserved for you.
[41:31] “We are your allies in this life, and in the Hereafter. You will have in it anything you wish for; you will have anything you want.
[41:32] “(Such is your) ultimate abode, from a Forgiver, Most Merciful.”
If you have not been following this series of articles, we have been reflecting on using the Quran as a basis for Submitters using the 12 steps that are used in many self-help groups. The February and March issues of the newsletter of this year discuss the first four steps. In this article we look at the next two steps.
As Submitters we know that it is important to focus on our relationship with God. We also know that He already knows our defects, errors, and sins (and our strengths, and credits). He knows us better than we know ourselves. In spite of that, the Quran makes it clear to us that we must repent to Him for our sins. [66:8] O you who believe, you shall repent to God a firm repentance. Your Lord will then remit your sins and admit you into gardens with flowing streams…. There are over 50 other verses that speak of repentance. This reflects the fact that there is great healing power in admitting our wrongs. Additionally verses 9:102-104 tell us that God redeems those who confess their sins and He accepts the repentance of those who worship Him.
Please note that this step requires us to admit the exact nature of our wrongs. To be able to admit that exact nature to God we have to have examined our wrongs through the self-reflection of Step 4 and thus admitted them to ourselves. Why does this fifth step involve another human being? Perhaps it may not always be appropriate. But there may be situations where consultation can help us see things from different perspectives. The following verse gives a Quranic basis for this: [42:38] …Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves …
While working on their souls, some have found consultation helpful because explaining something to another gave them greater clarity and insight into the issue. We are not always able to determine if indeed we have something to repent for, or we are not sure of the exact nature of a wrong. Talking it over with someone who we know we can trust is often a great help. Additionally, being able to admit an error to another human being may require a struggle with our egos, which we know we must kill: [2:54] … You must repent to your Creator. You shall kill your egos. This is better for you in the sight of your Creator…
However the most critical aspect of this step is admitting to ourselves and to God how we have erred. Even if we do not know someone that we can trust, we know that we can always trust God: [39:38] … Say, “God is sufficient for me.” In Him the trusters shall trust.
One would think that once one recognizes any defect of character one would want to have God remove it immediately. However human beings are often irrational and complex creatures. We may know that we are wrong but are not quite ready to let go of anger or an old resentment, or we are hesitant to change something even when we know we should for our own good. We need to be ready for the healing of old wounds and letting go of the past to make progress.
As long as we cling to old patterns, we are not ready for the future. Like Satan, we may still be trying to prove our version of reality to be correct, regardless of the damage to our souls. Rather than repenting, asking for forgiveness and reforming after he refused to obey God and prostrate before Adam, he asked for a respite and said that he would mislead as many humans as possible into his kingdom (17:61-62, 38:71-83). Thus, he is still caught up in arrogance and wanting to be a god beside God rather than submitting to the one true God. [17:62] He said, “Since You have honored him over me, if You respite me till the Day of Resurrection,
Cont'd on page 4