DEEP THINKING

DEEP THINKING

Have you ever thought about the fact that you did not exist before you were conceived and then born into the world and that you have come into existence from mere nothingness?

Have you ever thought about how the flowers you see in your living room everyday come out of pitch black, muddy soil with fragrant smells and are as colourful as they are?

Have you ever thought about how mosquitoes, which irritatingly fly around you, move their wings so fast that we are unable to see them?

Have you ever thought about how the peels of fruits such as bananas, watermelons, melons and oranges serve as wrappings of high quality, and how the fruits are packed in these wrappings so that they maintain their taste and fragrance?

Have you ever thought about the possibility that while you are asleep a sudden earthquake could raze your home, your office, and your city to the ground and that in a few seconds you could lose everything of the world you possess?

Have you ever thought of how your life passes away very quickly, and that you will grow old and become weak, and slowly lose your beauty, health and strength?

It is He Who stretched out the earth and placed firmly embedded mountains and rivers in it and made two types of every kind of fruit. He covers over day with night. There are Signs in that for people who reflect. (Qur'an, 13:3)

Have you ever thought about how one day you will find the angels of death Allah appointed before you and that you will then leave this world?

Well, have you ever thought about why people are so attached to a world from which they will soon depart when what they basically need is to strive for the hereafter?

Man is a being whom Allah furnishes with the faculty of thought. Yet, most people do not use this very important faculty as they should. In fact, some people almost never think.

In truth, each person possesses a capacity for thought of which even he himself is unaware. Once man begins to use this capacity, facts he has not been able to realise until that very moment begin to be uncovered for him. The deeper he goes in reflection, the more his capacity to think improves, and this is possible for everyone. One just has to realise that one needs to reflect and then to strive hard.

Someone who does not think will remain totally distant from truths and lead his life in self-deception and error. As a result, he will not grasp the purpose of the creation of the world, and the reason for his existence on the earth. Yet, Allah has created everything with a purpose. This fact is stated in the Qur'an as follows:

We did not create the heavens and the earth and everything between them as a game. We did not create them except with truth but most of them do not know it. (Surat ad-Dukhan: 38-39)

Did you suppose that We created you for amusement and that you would not return to Us? (Surat al-Muminun: 115)

Those who remember Allah, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire. (Qur'an, 3:191)

Therefore, each person needs to ponder the purpose of creation, first as it concerns him himself, and then as it pertains to everything he sees in the universe and every event he experiences throughout his life. Someone who does not think, will understand the facts only after he dies, when he gives account before Allah, but then it will be too late. Allah says in the Qur'an that on the day of account, everybody will think and see the truth:

That day Hell is produced, that day man will remember; but how will the remembrance help him?

He will say, "Oh! If only I had prepared in advance for this life of mine!" (Surat al-Fajr: 23-24)

The truth can be told to a person in many different ways; it can be shown by the use of details, pieces of evidence and by every means. Yet, if this person does not think over this truth on his own, sincerely and honestly with the purpose of comprehending the truth, all these efforts are useless. For this reason, when the messengers of Allah communicated the message to their people, they told them the truth clearly and then summoned them to think.

While Allah has given us a chance in the life of this world to reflect and derive conclusions from our reflections, to see the truth will bring us great gain in our life in the hereafter. For this reason, Allah has summoned all people, through His prophets and books, to reflect on their creation and on the creation of the universe:

Have they not reflected within themselves? Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and everything between them except with truth and for a fixed term. Yet many people reject the meeting with their Lord. (Surat ar-Rum: 8)

A man who reflects grasps the secrets of Allah's creation, the truth of the life of this world, the existence of hell and paradise, and the inner truth of matters. He gets a deeper understanding of the importance of being a person with whom Allah is pleased, and so he lives religion as is its due, recognises Allah's attributes in everything he sees, and begins to think not according to what the majority of people demand but as Allah commands. As a result, he takes pleasure from beauty much more than others do, and does not suffer distress from baseless misapprehensions and worldly greed.

These are only a few of the beautiful things a person who thinks will gain in the world. The gain in the hereafter of someone who always finds the truth by thinking, is the love, approval, mercy and the paradise of our Lord, which are above everything else.

ALLAH (SWT) ENCOMPASSES ALL THINGS IN HIS KNOWLEDGE

ALLAH (SWT) ENCOMPASSES ALL THINGS IN HIS KNOWLEDGE

Allah (swt) created the order of the universe in superb detail to allow man to grasp His greatness. A verse referring to this order reads, "... so that you might know that Allah has power over all things and that Allah encompasses all things in His knowledge." (Sura at-Talaq: 12). Faced with the sublimity of the details of this order, man becomes in awe, recognizing that Allah's wisdom, knowledge and might is infinite.

So expansive is Allah's knowledge that what for us is "infinite" is in His sight already ended. Every event that has taken place since the creation of time, until deep into eternity, was predetermined and ended in Allah's sight. (See Timelessness and The Reality of Fate, by Harun Yahya) This is related in the Qur'an as follows:

We have created all things in due measure. Our command is only one word, like the blinking of an eye. We destroyed those of your kind in the past. But is there any rememberer there? Everything they did is in the Books. Everything is recorded, big or small. (Sura al-Qamar: 49-53)

Man must seek to appreciate the extent of Allah's knowledge, and reflect to comprehend His greatness.

Billions of people have appeared on earth since time immemorial. Therefore, Allah (swt) created billions of pairs of eyes, billions of different fingerprints, billions of different eye tissues, billions of different types of humans... If He so willed, He could also create billions more. As stated in the Qur'an, "... He adds to creation in any way He wills. Allah has power over all things." (Sura Fatir: 1)

Allah (swt) also possesses the power to create many other things beyond our limited imagination. The entire extent of the treasures Allah (swt) has bestowed in this world for His servants is all within His sight. He sends down to us only that which He wills, all within a measure predetermined:

There is nothing that does not have its stores with Us and We only send it down in a known measure. (Sura al-Hijr: 21)

This matter, manifested everywhere in Allah's superb creation, holds true for both that which we know as well as that which we do not. To this, Allah (swt) draws attention in the verse, "... and He creates other things you do not know." (Sura an-Nahl: 8), He creates many other things of which we are entirely unaware.

Allah (swt) has created many worlds and beings which we cannot see. To better understand the possibility of the existence of other worlds, we should consider the following: a picture is two dimensional-width and length. The world in which we live, however, is 3 dimensional-width, length and depth-(time can be considered as the 4th dimension). The rest is beyond our comprehension. However, in the sight of Allah (swt), there are other dimensions. Angels, for instance, are beings that live in another dimension. According to the Qur'an, angels can see and hear us from the dimension and space in which they exist. Furthermore, the two angels, seated on our either shoulder, each, and at every moment, is recording every word we speak and every deed we do. Yet, we do not see them. Jinn are also beings of another dimension, as we are informed by the Qur'an. They, like us human beings, are also tested, all through their lives, and Allah (swt) will ultimately bring them before judgement. However, they are possessed of completely different attributes than humans; their existence is dependent upon an entirely different system of cause and effect.

These are all facts that deserve careful consideration in order to attain a better grasp of Allah's splendid creation. It is within Allah's power to create innumerable new worlds, beings and situations. Furthermore, each is He able to create with a limitless degree of differentiation. Indeed, in a nature unknown to us, Allah (swt) will create Paradise and Hell. While systems left to their own in this world tend to age, become corrupted, and eventually expire, in Paradise, unaffected by the passage of time, nothing will deteriorate; "rivers of milk whose taste will never change" is an example to elucidate this feature of Paradise. The human body too will not degenerate; nor will anything ever age. According to the Qur'an, everyone in Paradise will be of like age, will live together for all eternity, in the best condition, and without growing older or losing their beauty. Allah (swt) also informs us in the Qur'an that in it will be bursting springs for us from which to drink. Hell, on the other hand, will be utterly different; in it, Allah (swt) will create unimaginable torment. No one will be able to conceive the pain of such torment until he experiences it.

Say: Allah is a sufficient witness between me and you. He is certainly aware of and sees His servants. (Qur'an, 17:96)

On everything in this world, Allah (swt) has placed a limit. Everything has a finite existence. This being the case, in order to comprehend "eternity," and Allah's infinite might, we need to exercise our minds and compare these ideas with something that is familiar. We can only come to know to the extent that Allah (swt) permits us. Allah (swt), however, is infinite in knowledge. Let us consider the following example, Allah (swt) has created 7 basic colours. It is impossible for us to visualize another colour. (The case is similar to describing the colour red to someone who is blind by birth; no description would be adequate.) However, Allah (swt) is able to create more than these basic colours. Although, unless He so wills, we will never be able to have a grasp that which is beyond what He has willed for us to know.

All that we have just mentioned belongs to that knowledge that Allah (swt) has allotted us in this world. But, one point deserves particular attention; because Allah's power and might is infinite, anything can happen, and at any time, by His will. Allah's Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (saas) also referred to the eternal power of Allah (swt) when he said, "The seven heavens and the seven earths are no more in Allah's Hand than a mustard seed in the hand of one of you." Allah (swt) explains the infiniteness of His knowledge in the Qur'an as follows:

If all the trees on earth were pens and all the sea, with seven more seas besides, was ink Allah's words still would not run dry. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (Sura Luqman: 27)

In brief, no matter how hard we strive to do so, we cannot possibly come to grasp the extent of Allah's knowledge, because it is unlimited. We can comprehend it only as far as Allah (swt) permits us to do so:

Allah, there is no god but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep. Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them but they cannot grasp any of His knowledge save what He wills. His Footstool encompasses the heavens and the earth and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the Magnificent. (Sura al-Baqara: 255)

 

ALLAH'S INSPIRATION TO EVERY MAN: CONSCIENCE

ALLAH'S INSPIRATION TO EVERY MAN: CONSCIENCE

Conscience is a spiritual quality that bids man good attitude and thought, and helps him think straight and tell right from wrong.

One of the important aspects of conscience is that it is common to all people. In other words, what feels right to the conscience of a man also feels right to the conscience of all others provided that the same conditions prevail. The conscience of one man never falls out with that of another. The reason lies in the source of conscience: it is the inspiration of Allah. Through the conscience, Allah lets us know the best and the most beautiful behaviour and manners which it will please Him for us to adopt.

That conscience is an inspiration from Allah is mentioned in the Qur'an, in Surat ash-Shams:

And the self and what proportioned it and inspired it with depravity or taqwa, he who purifies it has succeeded, he who covers it up has failed. (Surat ash-Shams: 7-10)

The seven heavens and the earth and everyone in them glorify Him. There is nothing which does not glorify Him with praise but you do not understand their glorification. He is All-Forbearing, Ever-Forgiving. (Qur'an, 17: 44)

In the above verses, Allah declares that He has inspired the self with depravity (to act in a sinful manner, to disobey, to deviate, to lie, to turn away from righteousness, to stir up trouble, to decline in good manners). The opposite is taqwa (awe or fear of Allah which inspires a person to be on guard against wrong action and eager for actions which please Him). It is this very conscience that makes man guard against evil deeds and find the right way.

One of the most important aspects of conscience is that it helps man to find what is right of his own accord. Conscience will surely show man what is right, even if nobody else will. So, what matters for man is to take recourse to his own conscience, listen to what it says, and act upon it. For this reason, we can say that conscience is the main component of religion.

Anyone who does evil or wrongs himself and then asks Allah's forgiveness will find Allah Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur'an, 4:110)

Above all, there is one point that must be borne in mind; every man, from the moment of gaining consciousness, is responsible for what Allah inspires him with and what his conscience tells him. From the moment he starts to conceive the events around him and becomes able to judge for himself, he is expected to possess and be able to exercise the ability to hear and distinguish the voice of his conscience, and to have the will to follow it. From this point forward, he will be questioned about the actions he takes in the course of his life. If he follows his conscience, he will be rewarded with an eternal life in Allah's heaven, but if he follows his self, he will meet an eternal sealed vault of fire.

Death is not distant from any one of us. It is perhaps even closer than we think. That Allah did not create the life of this world for a vain purpose and that death is not an end is an undeniable fact. We all have to organise our life according to this great truth, because after death, we will be judged according to the life we lived, and we will either be welcomed in paradise, or thrown into hell. Even if one is not convinced by the truth of this, can he really afford to risk so much and not work for his life in the hereafter? The only solution is to obey the commands of Allah by listening to the conscience. If someone does not follow his conscience or use it fully, when he meets the angels of death, he will be plunged into an agony of remorse and hopelessness, which he will suffer for eternity.

Whatever we do, our conscience will not leave us until we die. Conscience is a power that works totally out of our will. It is Allah's voice. We will all continue to hear this voice until we die, but those who do not follow this voice will taste the intense regret of it after they die. Accordingly, in the Qur'an, many examples are given from the conversations in the hereafter in which those in hell confess what they failed to do in life. Therefore, in truth, everyone knows what he must and must not do and evading the conscience does no good.

'What caused you to enter into Hell Fire?' They will say, 'We were not among those who prayed, and we did not feed the poor. We plunged with those who plunged, and denied the Day of Judgement, until the Certain came to us.' The intercession of the interceders will not help them. What is the matter with them that they run from the Reminder like panicked donkeys fleeing from a lion? In fact each one of them wants to be given an unfurled scroll. No indeed! The truth is they do not fear the hereafter. No indeed! It is truly a reminder to which anyone who wills may pay heed. (Surat al-Muddaththir: 42-55)

If man does not want to make the above speech, he must listen to his conscience, follow the Qur'an, follow the Messenger (saas) and follow the rightly-guided people. He must never turn his back on the truth once it has been shown to him, and try to turn off the voice of righteousness within him.

LOVE OF GOD AND FEAR OF GOD

LOVE OF GOD AND FEAR OF GOD

Allah is He to Whom the kingdom of the heavens and earth belongs. He gives life and causes to die. You have no protector or helper besides Allah. (Qur'an, 9:116)

... Take provision; but the best provision is fear of Allah. So have fear of Me, people of intelligence! (Qur'an, 2:197)

God says, "Do not take two gods. He is only One God. So dread Me alone." (Sura an-Nahl: 51)

Fear of God is one of the essential attributes of a believer. Because, it is fear of God that draws a person nearer to God, makes him attain a deeper faith, enables him to conduct himself responsibly towards God every moment of his life, and nurtures his dedication to values of the Qur'an. The fact that the good morals God expects from His servants come with the fear of God is reaffirmed by the Prophet Muhammad (saas) in these words:

Fear God wherever you are; if you follow an evil deed with a good one you will obliterate it; and deal with people with a good disposition. (At-Tirmidhi)

Failure to understand the real meaning of fear of God causes some to confuse it with other kinds of mundane fears. However, fear of God differs greatly from all other type of fear.

The Arabic word used in the original text of the Qur'an (khashyat) expresses overwhelming respect. On the other hand, the Arabic word used in the Qur'an to refer to worldly fears (hawf) expresses a simple kind of fear, as in the fear one feels when faces with a wild animal.

A consideration of the attributes of God leads to a better understanding of these two kinds of fear, both expressed by different words in Arabic.

Worldly fears are usually caused by a potential threat. For example, one may fear being murdered. However, God is the All-Compassionate, the Most Merciful and the Most Just. Therefore, fear of God implies showing respect to Him, the All-Compassionate, the Most Merciful and the Most Just, and avoiding exceeding His limits, rebelling Him and being of those who deserve His punishment.

Your friend is only Allah and His Messenger and those who believe... (Qur'an, 5:55)

The consequences that a fear of God has on people make this difference apparent. Faced with a deadly danger, a person panics; seized with hopelessness and desperation, he fails to exercise his reason and discover a solution. Fear of God, however, actuates wisdom and adherence to one's conscience. Through fear of God, a person is motivated to avoid that which is evil, corruptive, and likely to cause either physical or mental harm to him. Fear of God fosters wisdom and insight. In a verse of the Qur'an, God informs us that it is through fear of God that wisdom and understanding is acquired:

You who believe! If you have fear of God, He will give you a criterion (by which to judge between right and wrong) and erase your bad actions from you and forgive you. God's favour is indeed immense. (Sura al-Anfal: 29)

Worldly fears cause man anxiety. Fear of God, however, not only gives rise to increased spiritual strength, but also to peace of mind.

It is through fear of God that man avoids those evil actions displeasing God. A verse of the Qur'an states, "... God does not love anyone vain or boastful." (Sura an-Nisa': 36). A God-fearing person strives diligently to abstain from boasting, and to engage rather in actions to earn God's love. For that reason, fear of God and love of God are mutually exclusive.

Fear of God, in fact, removes the obstacles to drawing nearer to God and earning His love. Foremost of these obstacles is one's lower self. From the Qur'an, we learn that there are two aspects of the soul; the one inspiring evil and mischief, and the other, guarding against every inclination to evil.

... The self and what proportioned it and inspired it with depravity and a fear of God, he who purifies it has succeeded, he who covers it up has failed. (Sura ash-Shams: 7-10)

Struggling against this evil, and not giving in it, requires spiritual strength. This strength derives from fear of God. A God-fearing person is not enslaved by the selfishness of his soul. The awe he feels for God draws him away from thoughts and deeds unworthy of His pleasure. A verse of the Qur'an informs us that only those who fear God will take heed of the warnings imparted to them:

You can only warn those who act on the Reminder and fear the All-Merciful in the Unseen. Give them the good news of forgiveness and a generous reward. (Sura Ya Sin: 11)

Man's striving must be to feel a more profound fear of God. To effect this noble sentiment, he must reflect upon God's creation and recognize the supreme artistry and power represented in its every detail. His thinking must enable him to attain a better grasp of His grandeur and add to his awe. Indeed, God commands us:

You who believe! Have fear of God with the fear due to Him and do not die except as Muslims. (Sura Al 'Imran: 102)

So have fear of God, as much as you are able to, and listen and obey and spend for your own benefit. It is the people who are safe-guarded from the avarice of their own selves who are successful. (Sura at-Taghabun: 16)

The more a believer fears God, the more loving he becomes. He better acknowledges the beauty of God's creation. He acquires the ability to recognize the multitude of people, nature, animals, and in everything around him, as reflections of God's sublime attributes. Consequently, he comes to feel a deeper love for such blessings, as well as for God, their Creator.

A person who grasps this secret also knows what love of God is. He loves God, over and above anything else, and understands that all beings are the work of His creation. he loves them in accordance with God's pleasure. He loves believers who are submissive to Him, but feels aversion for those who are rebellious towards Him.

The true love that makes man happy, brings him joy and peace, is love of God. Other forms of love, felt for beings other than God, are, in the words of the Qur'an, love peculiar to idolaters, and consistently leads to anguish, sorrow, melancholy and anxiety. The idolaters' love and the love believers feel for God are compared in a verse as follows:

Some people set up equals to God, loving them as they should love God. But those who believe have greater love for God... (Sura al-Baqara: 165)

ALLAH HAS POWER OVER EVERYTHING

ALLAH HAS POWER OVER EVERYTHING

Both East and West belong to Allah, so wherever you turn, the Face of Allah is there. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Qur'an, 2:115)

Allah (swt), the Creator of everything, is the sole possessor of all beings. It is Allah (swt) Who heaps up the heavy clouds, heats and brightens the earth, varies the direction of the winds, holds birds suspended up in the sky, splits the seed, makes a man's heart beat, ordains photosynthesis in plants, and keeps planets in their separate orbits. People generally surmise that such phenomena occur according to "the laws of physics," "gravity," "aerodynamics," or other physical factors; however, there is one point these people ignore: Allah (swt) created all such physical laws were created. In fact, the only possessor of power in the universe is Allah (swt).

Allah (swt) rules all the systems in the universe, regardless of whether we are aware of them, or if we are asleep, sitting, walking. Each of the myriad of processes in the universe, all essential to our existence, is under Allah's control. Even our ability to just take a small step forward depends on countless minutely predetermined details, including earth's force of gravity, the structure of the human skeleton, the nervous system and muscular system, the brain, the heart, and even the rotation speed of the earth.

What is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Allah. Allah encompasses all things. (Qur'an, 4:126)

Attributing the existence of the world and of the entire universe to sheer coincidence is complete delusion. The exquisite order of the earth and the universe completely contradicts the possibility of formation through coincidence, and is, rather, a clear sign of Allah's infinite might. For instance, the earth's orbit around the sun deviates only 2.8 mm in every 29 kms from the right path. If this deviation were 0.3 mm longer or shorter, then living beings all over the earth would either freeze or be scorched. While it is virtually impossible for even a marble to revolve in the same orbit without any deviation, the earth accomplishes such a course despite its gigantic mass. As stated in the Qur'an, "... Allah has appointed a measure for all things..." (Sura at-Talaq: 3). In effect, the splendid order in the universe is maintained as a result of fantastic systems that depend on highly delicate equilibriums.

Many hold the perverted belief that Allah (swt) "created everything and then left them on their own." However, any event, taking place in any area of the universe, occurs solely by Allah's Will, and under His control. The Qur'an states the following:

Do you not know that Allah knows everything in heaven and earth? That is in a Book. That is easy for Allah. (Sura al-Hajj: 70)

It is very important to grasp this fact for someone who strives to get near to Allah (swt). The Prophet Muhammad's (saas) below prayer is a very good example:

O Allah: All the Praises are for You: You are the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. All the Praises are for You; You are the Maintainer of the Heaven and the Earth and whatever is in them. All the Praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth. Your Word is the Truth, and Your Promise is the Truth, and the Meeting with You is the Truth, and Paradise is the Truth, and the (Hell) Fire is the Truth, and the Hour is the Truth. O Allah! I surrender myself to You, and I believe in You and I depend upon You, and I repent to You and with You (Your evidences) I stand against my opponents, and to you I leave the judgment (for those who refuse my message). O Allah! Forgive me my sins that I did in the past or will do in the future, and also the sins I did in secret or in public. You are my only Allah (Whom I worship) and there is no other Allah for me (i.e. I worship none but You). (Al-Bukhari)

Everything in the heavens and everything in the earth belongs to Allah. All matters return to Allah. (Qur'an, 3:109)

Elaborate processes taking place in the bodies of living things are impressive examples that help us to grasp Allah's might. For instance, at every moment, your kidneys filter your blood and extricate those harmful molecules to be excreted from the body. This screening and elimination process, which can be carried out by a single kidney cell, can only be accomplished by a giant haemodialyser (artificial kidney). A haemodialyser was consciously designed by scientists. A kidney, however, does not sense, or have a decision-making centre, nor the faculty of thought. In other words, an unconscious kidney cell can accomplish tasks that otherwise demand an elaborate thinking process.

It is possible to encounter millions of such examples in living beings. Molecules, composed of unconscious matter, perform tasks so remarkable they would otherwise suggest consciousness. The consciousness apparent in these cases though is, of course, of Allah's infinite wisdom and knowledge. It is Allah (swt) Who designed the kidney cells, as well as the molecules discussed, and Who orders them to accomplish their respective tasks. In the Qur'an, Allah (swt) informs us that He constantly sends down "commands" to the beings He created:

It is Allah Who created the seven heavens and of the earth the same number, the Command descending down through all of them, so that you might know that Allah has power over all things and that Allah encompasses all things in His knowledge. (Sura at-Talaq: 12)

Fully aware of this fact, The Prophet (saas) used to say in the morning: "O Allah, by Thee we come to the morning, by Thee we come to the evening, by Thee are we resurrected." In the evening he would say: "O Allah, by Thee we come to the evening, by Thee we die, and to Thee are we resurrected." (Abu Dawud)

Clearly, Allah (swt), Who created everything in the universe, is surely able to bring the dead to life. Of this fact, Allah (swt) states the following:

Do they not see that Allah-He Who created the heavens and the earth and was not wearied by creating them-has the power to bring the dead to life? Yes indeed! He has power over all things. (Sura al-Ahqaf: 33)

THE ONLY GUIDE IS THE QUR'AN

THE ONLY GUIDE IS THE QUR'AN

Alif Lam Ra. This is a Book We have sent down to you so that you can bring mankind from the darkness to the light, by the permission of their Lord, to the Path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy. (Surah Ibrahim: 1)

Allah sent down the Qur'an for people to reflect upon, so that they can know that He is the only God, to learn how to worship Him, and to become heedful. The Qur'an, our only guide, provides us with explanations for everything we need, shows us the path which pleases Allah, and gives the good news of the great consequences of surrendering as a servant to Him:

... We have sent down the Book to you making all things clear and as guidance and mercy and good news for the Muslims. (Surat an-Nahl: 89)

The Qur'an is the book in truth Allah sent to His servants. It is an admonition, a healing and a mercy for believers. Believers who can grasp this important reality reflect deeply on every verse of the Qur'an, and spend all their lives in compliance with it. Allah provides the answer of any question they seek in the Qur'an:

We have brought them a Book elucidating everything with knowledge, as guidance and a mercy for people who believe. (Surat al-A'raf: 52)

Since the Qur'an explains everything relevant to being a servant to Allah, man is responsible for living by the Qur'an, observing its limits and complying with its commands. On the Day of Reckoning, people will be questioned based on this book alone.

Therefore, never forget that the way you conduct yourself, your thoughts and decisions, in brief, your entire way of life, should be in compliance only with the Qur'an, and not with what the majority of people want. Living by the Qur'an is the unique way to salvation.

"Am I to desire someone other than Allah as a judge when it is He Who has sent down the Book to you clarifying everything?" Those We have given the Book know it has been sent down from your Lord with truth, so on no account be among the doubters. (Qur'an, 6:114)

Moreover, it is necessary to read and comprehend the Qur'an in order to live by the religion revealed in it, even though those around you may be far from complying with it. The majority of people might have never read the Qur'an. Among those who are familiar with the Qur'an, on the other hand, there may be those who only memorize verses in Arabic without reflecting on their meaning. They may even consider the Qur'an as a kind of amulet (Surely Allah is beyond all that which they falsely ascribe to Him) and thus keep it on the upper shelves of closets. But if what you want to accomplish is salvation, you need to comply with Allah's commands, not those of the majority of people. You need to read the admonitions Allah has sent down and know by heart His commands. The reason why the Qur'an was revealed is made clear in the following verses:

This is a communication to be transmitted to mankind so that they may be warned by it and so that they will know that He is One God and so that people of intelligence will pay heed. (Surah Ibrahim: 52)

It is a Book We have sent down to you, full of blessing, so let people of intelligence ponder its Signs and take heed. (Surah Sâd: 29)

As is seen in the above quoted verses, Allah informs us that only the people of intelligence, who have the faith described in the Qur'an, can take heed. The Qur'an is made easy for us to reflect and take advice:

"Am I to desire someone other than Allah as a judge when it is He Who has sent down the Book to you clarifying everything?" Those We have given the Book know it has been sent down from your Lord with truth, so on no account be among the doubters. (Surat al-An'am: 114)

In this way We have sent it down as Clear Signs. Allah guides anyone He wills. (Surat al-Hajj: 16)

Aside from that stated in these verses, there is yet another fact we need to keep in mind: the Qur'an is a guide for believers whereas it may misguide disbelievers. Those who do not believe that they will be gathered in the presence of their Lord on the Day of Judgment and that the Qur'an is the book in truth sent by the Lord, fail to grasp the divine purpose of its verses. They remain deaf and blind towards them. This condition is related in the Qur'an as follows:

When you recite the Qur'an, We place an obscuring veil between you and those who do not believe in the hereafter. We have placed covers on their hearts, preventing them from understanding it, and heaviness in their ears. When you mention your Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn their backs and run away. (Surat al-Isra': 45-46)

Undoubtedly, this attitude of the disbelievers results from their insincerity and their inclination to follow their whims and desires. Examples of this inherent lack of understanding among the disbelievers are as follows:

Those are the Signs of the Wise Book-guidance and mercy for the good-doers... (Qur'an, 31:2-3)

We have only appointed angels as masters of the Fire and We have only specified their number as a trial for those who are disbelievers; so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in their faith, and both those who were given the Book and the believers might have no doubt; and so that those with sickness in their hearts and the disbelievers might say, "What did Allah intend by this example?" In this way Allah misguides those He wills and guides those He wills. No one knows the legions of your Lord but Him. This is nothing but a reminder to all human beings. (Surat al-Muddaththir: 31)

Believers, on the other hand, are of an entirely different state of mind. As soon as they hear Allah's verses, they conform to this most beautiful message, and thus, attain salvation both in this world and beyond. The attitude typical of a believer towards Allah's signs is related in the Qur'an as follows:

Allah has sent down the Supreme Discourse, a Book consistent in its frequent repetitions. The skins of those who fear their Lord tremble at it and then their skins and hearts yield softly to the remembrance of Allah. That is Allah's guidance by which He guides whoever He wills. And no one can guide those whom Allah misguides. (Surat az-Zumar: 23)

Allah has informed us that believers with sincere faith will have the faculty to grasp the Qur'an as the book in truth. Only disbelievers harbour doubts about its justness:

… and so that those who have been given knowledge will know it is the truth from their Lord and believe in it and their hearts will be humbled to Him. Allah guides those who believe to a straight path. But those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt of it until the Hour comes on them suddenly or the punishment of a desolate Day arrives. (Surat al-Hajj: 54-55)

People will be judged according to the Qur'an on the Day of Judgment. Allah reveals this truth in the following verse;

So hold fast to what has been revealed to you. You are on a straight path. It is certainly a reminder to you and to your people and you will be questioned. (Surat az-Zukhruf: 43-44)

That the majority of people are far removed from the Qur'an, and that they have almost abandoned it, should not deceive you. That is because, as people regard a lifespan of 60-70 years as guaranteed, they tend to wait for the later years of their lives as the appropriate time to follow the Qur'an. They wrongly conclude that living by the religion would deprive them of the pleasures of youth. By this insincere reasoning, however, they prepare a bitter end for themselves.

The sole guide that explains for you how to be a servant to Allah is the Qur'an. You must structure your life according to its commands. That is because, on the Day of Judgment, believers and disbelievers alike, will be judged according to their obedience to the Qur'an. You can only hope to attain Paradise and deliverance from eternal punishment provided that you sincerely carry out what the Qur'an commands.

CHAPTER 1 ISLAMIC FAITH AND MORALITY NEVER FORGET THAT THE ONLY

CHAPTER 1
ISLAMIC FAITH AND MORALITY

NEVER FORGET THAT THE ONLY GOD IS ALLAH

... They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them... (Surat at-Tawba: 67)

The following is just common sense: If we see a castle made of sand along the seashore, we are certain that someone has made it. Only a foolish person would claim that it was coincidentally formed by the effect of waves and winds. Everything existing in the universe has evident design. Moreover, this design apparent in every detail of created things is incomparably more perfect, superior and complex than that of a sandcastle. Therefore, we are confronted with a crystal clear fact: The universe is created by a superior Creator. That Creator is Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.

The existence of flawless order in the universe is an undeniable fact. The world on which we live was created to be habitable. The ratio of the gravitational force, the distance between the earth and the sun, the proportion of oxygen in the atmosphere, and hundreds of other delicate equilibrium, have not occurred spontaneously or by chance. They are, without a doubt, the creation of Allah, Who holds control over everything, from the miniscule microorganisms, to the immense planets of the solar system. It is Allah Who created the universe with infinite wisdom and might, and specifically designed the world as an inhabitable place for us:

He makes night merge into day and day merge into night, and He has made the sun and moon subservient, each one running until a specified time. That is Allah, your Lord. The Kingdom is His. Those you call on besides Him have no power over even the smallest speck. (Surah Fatir: 13)

That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything. Eyesight cannot perceive Him but He perceives eyesight. He is the All-Penetrating, the All-Aware. (Qur'an, 6:102-103)

Turning our attention now from outer space, let's consider our body. The human body is a structure abounding with amazing wonders. The perfect functioning of the human brain is beyond comparison to the computer, the most advanced product of modern technology. Furthermore, each organ fulfils its specific task perfectly, and works in complete harmony with other organs. For example, in order to take a single breath, one's mouth, nose, trachea, lungs, heart and all blood vessels, must function simultaneously. None of these ceases for a single instant or becomes exhausted. They are all obedient and submissive to their Creator, and dutifully comply with what is ordained for them. Air, purified and warmed as it passes through the nose, is then carried to the lungs through the trachea. This oxygen will be used by our hearts and blood vessels, by every single cell in our bodies. The organs involved in this process skilfully carry out many processes without confusion, error or delay in any way. Should there be any flaw in this harmony, there would be neither respiration, nor life.

The same also holds true for the process of sight. The eye is one of the clearest signs of creation. Both human and animal eyes are remarkable examples of perfect design. This awesome organ provides quality vision, still unmatched by twenty-first century technology. But, never forget that an eye only functions with all its components intact. For instance, if all components of the eye, such as the cornea, conjunctiva, iris, pupil, lens, retina, choroids, muscles and the lachrymal glands were intact, but missing only a single eyelid, the eye would become damaged and unable to see. By the same token, merely the failure of tear production would cause the drying of the eye, and, ultimately, blindness. This fact raises a vital question: Who created the eye and its ability to perceive from nothing?

He is Allah. There is no god but Him. Praise be to Him in this world and the hereafter. Judgement belongs to Him. You will be returned to Him. (Qur'an, 28:70)

Certainly, it is not the possessor of the eye himself who decides to create his own eye. Because, it is indeed illogical to assume that a being, unaware of even the concept of "sight," could decide upon its necessity and for the creation of an eye in its own body. This being the case, the reality is that there is a Being with superior wisdom, Who created living beings with the faculties of sight, hearing and so on. Some people who cannot measure Allah with His true measure claim that unconscious cells acquired sight and hearing, faculties that demand consciousness, by their own will and skill. However, it is clearly evident that it cannot possibly be so. Allah reveals in the Qur'an by whom sight is given as follows:

Say: "It is He Who brought you into being and gave you hearing, sight and hearts. What little thanks you show!" (Surat al-Mulk: 23)

As is seen in the verse above, it is Allah Who creates all of these systems that function in perfect harmony with one another. Countless details within our bodies and in other organisms show forth the might and grandeur of Allah, and reveal to us the truth that He encompasses everything with His knowledge. Nevertheless, rather than reflecting upon it some people find it easier to turn their back to this reality. However, Allah encourages man to look around and reflect on His greatness: It is Allah Who created the seven heavens and of the earth the same number, the Command descending down through all of them, so that you might know that Allah has power over all things and that Allah encompasses all things in His knowledge. (Surat at-Talaq: 12)

You cannot be other than a servant to Allah; because Allah created man to worship Him:

I only created jinn and man to worship Me. (Surat adh-Dhariyat: 56)

Being submissive to our Lord, Who gives us everything we have, Who created us and granted us a life span, to which He will put an end whenever He wills, is like taking hold of the firmest grip, one can never come loose:

Those who submit themselves completely to Allah and do good have grasped the Firmest Handhold. The end result of all affairs is with Allah. (Surah Luqman: 22)