“As much as you fear God (the Creator), the creation will fear you, and as much as you love God (the Creator), the creation will love you, and as much as you are preoccupied with God (the Creator), the creation will be preoccupied with your affairs.” Yahya bin Moaz.
Between the Korean story and the consequences of Marxism:
I recollect an occasion when I was seated in the courtyard of the mosque, engaged in the glorification of the Creator, offering prayers
for my children during the blessed month of Ramadan.
At that moment, a relatively older gentleman of Korean descent approached me and stated, “I wish to pose a question.”
I replied, “Please, go ahead.”
He remarked, “I harbor a deep respect for Arabs and Muslims, and I do not wish to wrong them or diminish their rights by failing to honor their culture. Being in an Arab Muslim country during Ramadan, I am eager to know where I may smoke my cigarette.”
I responded, “In your hotel room, you may do as you please.”
He then inquired, “Can a Muslim also smoke a cigar during the day of Ramadan in the privacy of his bedroom?”
I elucidated, “The act of fasting constitutes a covenant that a Muslim enters into with his Creator.
Should a Muslim choose to violate this
covenant in secrecy within his bedroom, that matter lies solely between him and the Creator.”
He pressed, “What do you mean by ‘the Creator’?”
I explained, “The Creator of the universe, of humanity, and of all beings, with whom we shall ultimately meet for reckoning after death.”
He retorted, “No, thank you; I do not wish to meet Him. Please excuse me.”
I found it impossible to suppress my laughter and said to him: “We shall all encounter Him, whether we desire it or not. You entered this life by the decree and will of the Creator, not by your own volition, and you will confront Him on the Day of Judgment by the command of the Creator and His decree.”
I was taken aback to observe the man trembling with fear, weeping, as he exclaimed: “You have exaggerated the matter; I came merely to inquire about a safe place to smoke my cigarette, and now you have led me to the notion of a Creator, accountability, and punishment.”
I replied:
“The purpose of cultivating awareness of the Creator’s presence and fostering mindfulness of His omniscience (taqwa) is the essence of fasting during the month of Ramadan, which directly addresses your inquiry regarding the possibility of a Muslim violating his covenant and smoking in secrecy during the day of Ramadan. I have remained on topic.”
He countered, “No one created us. Each individual is free to hold their own beliefs.”
I then referenced a thought that resonated with me, stating:
“The question of creation fundamentally pertains to human freedom. If we accept the premise that humans are devoid of freedom and that all their actions are preordained, whether by internal or external forces— then the necessity for divinity to elucidate and comprehend the universe diminishes.
However, if we acknowledge human freedom and accountability for one’s actions, we implicitly or explicitly affirm the existence of the Creator. Only the Creator possesses the capacity to bring forth a free being, thus, freedom can only arise as a consequence of creation.” (Ali Izzet Begović, Islam Between East and West).
He implored, “Please, I wish to return to the hotel.”
I responded, “Very well, you can go.” He departed hastily.
I recall recounting this narrative to my family members and colleagues at work for a week following this incident.
It stirred within me a complex array of emotions, oscillating between amusement at the absurdity of the situation and sorrow for the man and others like him who dwell in ignorance and perplexity.
Marxism emerged with the intent of dismantling all sacred societal values, professing to liberate humanity from inherited, antiquated beliefs and ideologies passed down through generations.
Yet, it not only sought to eradicate erroneous beliefs but also endeavored to dismantle the fundamental belief and natural inclination to acknowledge a Creator of the universe and to engage directly with Him without intermediary.
They rationalized this pursuit of comprehensive liberation by advocating for the dismantling of all constraints that inhibit individuals from indulging their desires.
In demanding liberation from all forms of servitude to both humanity and inanimate objects, Marxism simultaneously neglected the profound connection between humanity and its Creator an essential servitude that liberates individuals from everything except the Creator, thereby ensuring security in both this life and the Hereafter.
Indeed, challenging false beliefs is a commendable endeavor, and the pursuit of human liberation is an admirable goal.
However, there must exist a singular, straightforward path that guides humanity to safety. It is both futile and reckless to obliterate all avenues available to humanity and leave them adrift, relying solely on their whims to establish illusory objectives for their lives and to satisfy fleeting desires and pleasures.
The abandonment of individuals to their whims and unrestricted freedoms can’t establish justice among them in any conceivable manner.
Islam, by dismantling societal taboos, has presented a genuine, intuitive, and innate alternative to which individuals can refer in their life affairs namely, returning to their Creator and the source of their existence.
By abolishing class distinctions, instituting a scale of justice, and delineating a singular, clear path with well-defined boundaries concerning freedoms among individuals, Islam has imbued life with purpose and significance.
The quagmire of corrupt beliefs and antiquated ideas that have accumulated throughout history, spawned by wars, political strife, and
competition, has engendered social stratification, distorted the balance of justice, fostered animosity toward traditions, customs, and norms, and incited liberation movements such as Marxism and other revolutions against prevailing and unjust systems that exploit distorted ideologies in the name of religion. Naturally, the social justice and respect for the rights of others that Marxism espouses can only be realized in an absolute and authentic sense through the enactment of the laws of the Creator of the universe, accompanied by the hope of divine reward.
Islam, unlike other liberation movements, safeguards the freedom of belief for others and guarantees the practice of their rituals. However, it emphasizes the principle that true religion is singular, epitomized by monotheism. Islam permits this realm of freedom in belief and personal practice while guiding individuals toward the proper and alternative route to attain the pleasure of the Lord of the worlds, without coercing anyone to adhere to it, thereby leaving the choice to embrace it as voluntary. This characteristic is not found in the ideologies or principles of any liberation movement.
Moreover, Islam dos’t merely command social justice; it implore individuals to establish justice within themselves and subsequently within their families and communities, irrespective of distinctions between the affluent and the impoverished.
It does not stop there, but also advocates for benevolence, which entails excellence and sincerity in action while cultivating a consciousness of the Creator’s vigilance as if the individual were beholding the Creator.
Human beings cannot endure the burden of applying justice that may come at the expense of their personal interests except through faith in a cause that transcends their narrow self.
One cannot achieve justice without the awareness of the Creator’s watchfulness.
Islam has made the obligation of combat solely a means of self-defense, engaging those who intend to wage war against Muslims to hinder them from fulfilling their duty to convey the message of monotheism by reminding humanity to renew their connection with their Creator and to engage with Him directly.
The consequence for apostasy has been established for those who betray Muslims, akin to any contemporary civil law that imposes the death penalty on traitors to the state.
Throughout history, the foundation of Muslim conquests has been to include others and share life with them.
Ensuring that “they have what Muslims have and bear what Muslims bear in terms of rights and responsibilities,” notwithstanding variations in implementation, which have occasionally exhibited flaws and adopted political dimensions due to human frailty in subsequent eras.
There is no parallel between Islamic conquests and the actions of Western colonialism, for instance, over the past two centuries.
The cities conquered by Muslims emerged as some of the most illustrious centers of science and civilization for decades: Baghdad, Samarkand, Cairo, and so forth. In contrast, those occupied by the West have descended into desolation.
The Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis famously requested that the following phrase be inscribed on his grave:
“I hope for nothing, I fear nothing. I am free.”
Yet, in reality, this represents a delusional conception of liberation.
Humans are inherently programmed to cling to something, necessitating feelings of fear, hope, desire, and ambition. What remains is to direct these sentiments and attachments toward their Creator and source of existence.
“Uphold Justice; It Is Closer to Piety”:
I remember being very impressed with a book authored by an acquaintance of mine, convinced of its potential to benefit humanity.
However, I encountered injustice from this individual, which led another person to exploit this circumstance, taking advantage of my role as amember of the committee responsible for reviewing this author’s work for publication and distribution.
They requested that I cast my vote against the book.
In this context, I was reminded of the noble verse:
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or your parents and relatives…
Consequently, I voted to accept the book without hesitation.
This experience reinforces my pride in the teachings of this magnificent religion. The Creator said: *And not equal are the good deeds and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is best; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity will become as though he were a devoted friend. * (Fussilat: 34)
We often encounter discussions surrounding the promotion of the concept of loving one’s enemies, a principle espoused by Buddhism
today, and the preference for this notion over the principle of justice.
Scientifically, however, it is beyond human capacity to control the processes of love and hate.
Humans are innately inclined to love those
who do good to them and to despise those who inflict harm. Can a person genuinely love the individual who has murdered their child or assaulted their spouse?
Islam offers a rational and pragmatic alternative to the commandments of Buddha:
*O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice. And let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. * (Al-Ma’idah: 8)
This implies that one must not allow animosity towards a person to lead to injustice. Instead, one should treat all individuals with equity.
Islam Doesn’t demand that we harbor affection for those who have wronged us; it requires us, instead, to refrain from committing injustice
against them.
What is Islam?
We frequently encounter challenges with some new Muslims or those who, having distanced themselves from religion.
They decide to embrace it after a prolonged absence from the teachings of the Creator of the universe.
They have studied jurisprudence, comparative religions, and the regulations of prayer, adorning themselves with the garb of Islam. Yet, mere appearance is insufficient; they often fail to grasp the essence of Islam upon its adoption.
Among them are deceivers, hypocrites, and oppressors. It is astonishing that Satan has adorned for them the belief that all of this may be in the service of the Creator.
Their mantra in life is: “Whoever is not with me is against me.”
Even minor disagreements can suffice to incite injustice. In the context of wars against Muslims, we find them brandishing the flags of afflicted Muslim nations, questioning where Allah’s victory is, while some among them have pilfered their sister’s inheritance or encroached upon their neighbor’s land.
Naturally, a Muslim must defend their sacred beliefs to protect the Creator’s religion, not merely for a piece of land or a nation.
Support the believers:
Allah supports the believers when they are genuinely committed to faith.
(If you support Allah). However, the dilemma arises when some misinterpret this as a call to engage solely in acts of worship, personal
devotion, and reliance only on spiritual causes, such as prayer and trust, while neglecting to establish justice and practice piety. True piety encompasses more than merely fasting and praying; it requires the implementation of justice.
Those who oppress others and deny them their rights, yet maintain their prayers and fasts while continually beseeching for victory, resemble students who neglect their studies but pray for success. No amount of daytime fasting, or nighttime prayer can ensure success in academia; the path to achievement is well-defined.
The establishment of justice and the support of truth form the bedrock of applying Islam in the world, as the struggle between truth and falsehood is the very essence of the test.
Nations are subjected to divine scrutiny, determining who will align with truth and who with falsehood.
Everyone’s results are recorded, preordained by the Creator’s knowledge, which will serve as evidence against them on the Day of Judgment.
Human beings are differentiated by their stances. The myriads of issues we face in this life, whether within domestic spheres, workplaces, or public spaces, serve solely to document human responses to these
challenges.
Will a Muslim bear witness to the truth in favor of someone with whom they disagree?
Will an employer dispense justice to an employee who may outshine them in competence, or will they choose to oppress them to satisfy their pride?
Will a merchant honor the rights of the consumer, or will he disregard this to attain earthly gains?
A person may perish, yet their actions remain inscribed with the Creator, attesting for them or against them. Others will come into existence later, leaving their own marks.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) declared: *The ones before you were destroyed because they would let the Noble among them go unpunished when he stole, while imposing the punishment on the weak among them. And by Allah, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would cut off her hand. *
A Story and a Lesson:
I have consistently advised a girl I know to be diligent in establishing a family with a husband and children, who would provide support in the
future. Her perennial response has been that she has yet to find a pious man, insisting on not settling for less even if it means remaining unmarried.
I pondered: Do you truly comprehend the essence of piety and how it can be realized?
She sought vengeance in every interaction with her peers; those who supported her aspirations for a coveted position were aided by her, while those who disagreed with her were unjustly deprived of their rights, under the pretext of *working for the sake of Allah.*
Yet, the truth is that she does not perceive the presence of the Creator; she is ensnared by her desires to fulfill her worldly ambitions.
Given that the concept of piety is profoundly honorable.
In fact, few manage to obtain piety, due to the myriads of influences that infiltrate the heart,
mind, and hidden priorities, coupled with the inability to control one’s internal desires. True piety is achievable solely through divine assistance, persévérance, and patience.
(The inability to regulate the heart’s inputs or outputs stands as one of the most significant indicators of human frailty and helplessness.)
Often, individuals mistakenly believe they have attained “freedom” from lusts and desires while simultaneously claiming a connection to God.
However, they soon reveal their true selves through the trials they face, similar to the previously mentioned girl.
A person may be tempted by promises of wealth or a lofty position, becoming like a madman chasing their desires, ultimately losing both this world and the Hereafter.
A thief may pilfer, asserting his freedom to act and choose; yet, in reality, he is enslaved to his whims and desires.
If a Muslim prays and fasts but neglects to uphold justice in any of life’s circumstances, they do not truly understand the essence of Islam. If one achieves justice without recognizing their Creator, believing in Him, and he /she adhering to His commandments as proponents of Marxism advocate then their actions become mere futility.
If an individual professes belief in the Creator, claiming that faith resides solely in the heart, independent of external manifestations and actions such as prayer and pilgrimage, this assertion is unfounded.
Is it reasonable to submit a blank exam paper while asserting that knowledge resides in the mind, not on paper?
True Islam emerged to establish justice under the divine framework of a Creator for the universe, to worship Him, and to execute His commands through the application of authentic revelation.
The Creator is the rightful owner of all creation; it is inappropriate for humans to legislate laws in the universe or assign rights to individuals.
Only the Creator of humankind possesses the authority to do so.
I wrestled with confusion regarding these real-life situations until I encountered a profound statement from Dr. Mustafa Mahmoud: *What is transpiring these days is that everyone raises their hands in prayer to alleviate oppression; yet each person is a noppressor in their own sphere, resulting in unanswered prayers as the world sinks further into injustice. *
*If we were to navigate towards Allah on the vessel of truth, and each of us acted justly within our realms, dedicating ourselves sincerely to our work and exercising caution in our words, Allah would bestow His
mercy upon us, providing us sustenance from above and below, rendering us independent of anyone or anything. However, we speak of
religion without truly understanding it, and we advocate for ethics while failing to embody them. *
*This world has become a reflection of our actions; it is no wonder!
The wise declare: As you are, you will be governed. The struggle against oppression begins within us first. Everything initiates with us and ultimately returns to us. Between overt oppression and covert justice lies
a delicate thread that only those attuned to the heart can perceive. *
Allah’s promise is unequivocal and clear in Surah Al-A’raf:
*And if the people of those cities had believed and been conscious of Allah, We would have opened up to them blessings from the heavens and the earth; but they denied, so We seized them for what they had earned. * (96)
The key phrase lies in Piety.
Imam Muhammad Al-Ghazali remarked:
*Indeed, the proliferation of disbelief in the world bears half its burdens upon the religious, who have alienated Allah from His creation through their misconduct and inappropriate speech. *
The Existence of the Creator:
I recall a dialogue with an American who had embraced Buddhism, during which I felt an overwhelming fatigue as the conversation
stretched on for four continuous hours.
The American sought to assert that by singing to nature through specific chants, he could attain his desires.
When I inquired about the origin of nature, he replied, “I am not interested in knowing who created it. You Muslims are adamant about focusing on ‘who’ and stubbornly resist the advanced world with such a mentality.”
He asserted, “No one witnessed the creation of the universe to know who created it.”
I responded:
“No one witnessed the beginning of the universe, but everyone would witness its end (on the Day of Judgment), for if we had witnessed it’s beginning, it would imply that we existed outside this universe.
Even if we captured light emitted billions of years ago within this universe, we would certainly not be able to observe the moment of its inception, as we are still within it. Can a fetus see its mother at the moment of conception?”
Therefore, the origins of this universe, how life began, and how the Earth formed will remain a mystery beyond human comprehension, no matter how advanced science becomes.
The only means to obtain such knowledge is from the source of this universe, the Creator, through unaltered and authentic revelation.
Everything else is merely theory, reliant on a primordial matter, with no one explaining its origin or how it was formed neither the Big Bang theory nor the theory of evolution adequately address the emergence of the first cell on Earth, without mentioning how it formed or where it came from!
He replied, “I do not care about ‘who’ created it.”
I asked him, “What is the first word you utter when someone knocks at your door?”
He answered, “I say, ‘Who is it?’”
I further queried, “And what is the first word you utter when you receive a call from an unknown person?”
He replied, “I say, ‘Who is on the phone?’”
I said to him, “Why is it that when it comes to knowing who created you, you say, ‘I do not care about ‘who’?”
He asked, “And who created the Creator?”
I answered, “We humans have only two choices: to believe in an eternal matter that has no beginning or to believe in an eternal Creator who has no beginning or end. Matter cannot be the Creator.
How could human hearing, sight, speech, and intellect emerge from a source that neither
sees, hears, thinks, nor speaks?”
Among the Quranic chapters that I found remarkable in responding to this type of individual, who worships creations rather than the Creator, is Surah Al-Mulk:
*Does He not know who created while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?
It is He who made for you the earth subservient, so walk in its pathways and eat from His provision. And to Him is the resurrection.
Have you become secure from He who is in the heaven that He would cause the earth to swallow you and suddenly it would quake?
Or have you become secure from He who is in the heaven that He would send upon you a storm of stones? Then you would know how severe My warning was.
And certainly, those before them denied, so how was My reproach?
Do they not see the birds above them, spreading their wings and retracting them? None holds them except the Most Merciful. Indeed, He is, of all things, Seeing.
Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful?
The disbelievers are not but in delusion.
Or who is it that provides for you if He should withhold His provision?
But they have persisted in aversion and turning away. *
I also told the American:
“If the Creator does not exist, there is no life after death, nor is there any purpose to this life.
There are physical sensors in your body that detect sight, hearing, and touch, but there is also a non-material sensor that perceives truth within our conscience.
The conscience is the voice of truth that resonates within a person. But is the conscience a material thing like the nature you venerate?
Define the conscience for me. Where does it come from? Does it matter? Or energy? Does the law of survival of the fittest, which promotes the struggle for existence, recognize something called mercy or conscience?
Or is it merely a selfish law? Just as a person believes in their mind, conscience, and thoughts without seeing them, so too should they believe in the one who bestowed these concepts and characteristics upon them without seeing Him.
I further said: Whatever you present and whatever you will offer humanity, no matter its impact on human development, ultimately holds no meaning. For no matter how humanity advances, you and humanity will eventually perish. Neither you nor your legacy will endure.
Conversely, those who truly believe in the Creator exist in a vivid dream, with complete certainty that this life holds meaning and purpose.
The message of the Messenger of the Creator, Muhammad (peace be upon him), came to liberate the world from the narrowness of worldly concerns to its expansiveness, from the oppression of religions to the justice of Islam, and from the worship of creations to the worship of the Creator of creations. It is our duty to convey this message to the world
today using methods that align with the requirements of the age, to declare to everyone: This is the path: *So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. And never be of those who associate others with Allah. (Ar-Rum: 30) *
The True Religion:
The true religion is the belief that there is one Creator of the universe, who is the one and only God. The religion of God must be one, easy, comprehensible, and simple, compatible with human nature, and suitable for all times and places. It consists of:
Monotheism: The belief that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah (the Creator), who has no partner or offspring. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and everything within it. He is not incarnate in the form of a human or an animal, the Creator of Christ, Krishna, and Muhammad, the Creator of nature, which includes humans, animals, and inanimate objects. He is distinct from His creations and does not unite with them.
Worship: The worship of the Creator alone, without associating anyone or anything else with Him.
Faith in the Messengers: Following the messengers, including Moses and Christ, who were created by the Creator without a father, just as Adam was created without a father or mother, and believing in what theybbrought (in their respective times). (The glad tidings of the coming of the Prophet Muhammad, urging adherence to him and belief in him for those who have heard of him).
Morality: Engaging in good deeds and avoiding sins. *Say, “Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path—a correct religion, the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among the polytheists.” * (Al-An’am: 161)
Abu Al-Attahiyah beautifully summarized the world in six verses:
We come to this world as equals, The child of kings is like the child of commoners. We depart from this world as you see, Similar upon barefoot graves. Our deeds elevate or diminish our standing, And our judgment will be based on truth on the Day of Reckoning. Houri, rivers, high palaces, And Hellfire, where one shall burn, and a blazing fire. So, choose for yourself what you desire, As long as your days and nights endure. And tomorrow your fate shall not be reversed, Either the gardens of eternity or the abyss.
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