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As Submitters we have been blessed with the Quranic knowledge that we are here on earth as a final chance to kill our egos and truly devote ourselves absolutely to God alone. In the February issue we introduced the idea of working with the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as one way to examine ourselves and grow our souls. In that first article we shared that a Submitter might benefit from working with some or all of the 12 steps and looked at a number of Quranic verses that relate to the first and second steps. Now we look at some Quranic verses related to the next two steps.
Step 3 relates to the most important decision of our lives: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Why should we not turn ourselves totally over to Him? Especially that 74:56 tells us ….He is the source of righteousness; He is the source of forgiveness. And: Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to God alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. (2:112)
From the Quran we know that our life in this world is our final chance to grow our souls, to devote ourselves to God alone: The One who created death and life for the purpose of distinguishing those among you who would do better. He is the Almighty, the Forgiving. (67:2) Moreover actually turning over our will and our lives (i.e., submitting) to God is the only way to escape Satan’s clutches. When he disobeyed God: He said, “My Lord, since You have willed that I go astray, I will surely entice them on earth; I will send them all astray. Except those among Your worshipers who are devoted absolutely to You alone.” (15:39-40)
As Submitters it is easy to assume that of course we have already made the decision to turn our wills and lives over to God, and that we are devoted to Him alone. But often knowingly or unknowingly we hold on to old habits, thoughts, memories, etc., that we do not realize block us from truly devoting ourselves absolutely to God. Until we are able to do so we are still fair game for Satan as God makes clear four times in Sura 37 (Verse 74 for example): Only God’s servants who are absolutely devoted to Him alone (are saved).
That is why the next step is important because it helps us really examine and come to realistically know ourselves. Only then can we tell if we are really devoted to God alone in all ways. So we pray for God’s guidance and help, and begin to take the next step.
Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Making a moral or personal inventory is more than just listing all of the things that we think we have done wrong. It is a self-reflection that includes looking at the positives as well as the negatives of our past and present. And it means looking for the patterns in our behavior and thoughts. This can be an exercise we repeat throughout our lives. As we grow in our understanding of ourselves and of Submission we begin to see ourselves in a more realistic light and work on improving our weaknesses. God willing, we can become like those who: If they fall in sin or wrong their souls, they remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins―and who forgives the sins except God―and they do not persist in sins, knowingly. (3:135)
It is easy to fool ourselves into believing that we are doing just fine in our Submission to God alone. Certainly our egos would have us believe that, and as Satan’s representative our companion’s job is to blind us to our faults. The Quran is full of examples of hypocrites, many of whom do not realize that they are hypocrites. So we must come to really know ourselves to avoid this disastrous condition.
Let’s say we have a good job,
a lovely home, good health, and more than we need. In that case can’t we just look at our lives and tell that we are good Submitters? Not necessarily; don’t forget this scary reminder: When they thus disregard the message given to them, we open for them the gates of everything. Then, just as they rejoice in what was given to them, we punish them suddenly; they become utterly stunned. (6:44) The footnote for this verse is: Before the guilty are thrown out the window, they are taken up to a high floor.
We can never assume we have made it, for even the messengers worry about their own necks (21:28). God in His mercy helps us in so many ways, including telling us in several verses of the Quran how to be righteous. For example please look at 2:177, 3:133-135, 25:63-74, 39:33, 46:15, 76:7-10. Indeed He is the very source of righteousness (74:56 as quoted above).
We know that repenting and reforming wipes out our sins (9:11). God may even overlook some sins (42:30 & 34) or turn them into credits (25:70). However, we cannot assume that we will not be held responsible, so we must become aware of all that we need to repent and reform for. Thus this step, however difficult it seems, can be a great gift to us.
God knows us better than we know ourselves: Whether you declare your convictions (or not) He knows the secret, and what is even more hidden. (20:7) With continued self-reflection and work, God willing, we will learn the lessons He is teaching us as He shows us the secret parts of ourselves. He helps us to change bit-by-bit what needs work, like peeling the layers of an onion. God helps us remove that which keeps us from absolute devotion to Him until, God willing, He grows us from being Submitters into Believers: 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. (49:15)