By Raya Shokatfard
Part 2 focused on the most important essence of God’s message to humanity, which was to send prophets to warn mankind to worship Him alone, making this act the most important element of guidance sent by the Creator, to the created beings. But one may ask:
Why does God need to be worshiped? Is this not a sign of arrogance?
As stated previously, human beings have more tendencies to do evil than good; this includes setting up rivals with their own Creator. They commit crimes against humanity, including themselves and many make no distinction between lawful and unlawful acts when it comes to satisfying their own desires. So, where would they turn to for guidance, except to the one who created them and knows their vices, good and evil tendencies?
So, worshiping God is not an act that He Himself needs, but one that humans need in order to stay on the straight path. This is only if they acknowledge that there is a Creator, there are rules to follow and there are rewards and punishments in this world and the Hereafter.
Therefore, any act that is in accordance to God’s commands is an act of worship and any act to the contrary is following one’s own ideas and desires as well as being influenced by the whispers of Satan. If one does not believe in Satan, then he may fall into the category of the unsure about the existence of God. The Creator of mankind has clearly stated the position Satan takes in misguiding mankind and has clearly explained his origin in heaven, his expulsion from there and his avowing to misguide mankind. Thus the just God sent prophets throughout ages to warn against Satan and guide mankind to the straight path.
God’s asking us to worship Him is merely meaning to stay on the straight path so that we would succeed in this life and the Hereafter.
There are those who would mention that many people who followed no religion, yet they were good-doers, charitable, did much humanitarian services and gave much and toiled much for the good of mankind. Yet, they did not follow any religion or even believed in God. It would be impossible that they would go to Hell.
The answer to that is also easy. If anyone believes in God and does not associate any partners with him, then they have their reward not only in this world, but in the Hereafter as well.
{So whoever does righteous good deeds while he is a believer (in the Oneness of Allah), his efforts will not be rejected. Verily! We record it in his Book of deeds.} (Al-Anbiya’ 21: 94)
But those who do not believe in God, yet do good deeds, they are rewarded in this world, in terms of honor and respect they receive from their fellow human beings and rewarded by God, but they will have no portion of the reward in the Hereafter because they rejected or ignored the very essence of divine attribute, which is His existence and His unity.
There are also Muslims who are good doers, but have turned away from their religion.
Also, throughout ages, there have been many good doers with outstanding achievements for humanity, but their moral conduct was not according to that which was set by God. For example, a benevolent kind of person meets a person of opposite sex and engages in sexual activities with such person in the most loving manner. Yet, God ordered humanity, saying: You shall not commit adultery or fornication. This person may have offered millions for good causes, but by the virtue of doing prohibited acts, he may have cancelled any reward for his good deeds.
This person may also engage in drinking, parties, casual drug use and some perverted actions while he/she has a very good heart and good intention and maintains a charitable nature. If God does not exist in his consciousness, all he is getting for his good deeds is some recognition from people and perhaps some reward from God, but surely, he would face his sinful acts in the Day of Judgment and none of his good deeds would intercede for his doom to Hell.
God makes clear the fate of the wrong doers and their being distinct from the believers. It is crucial to realize that in order for a deed to be accepted, it has to meet the standard God has set for humanity.
God says:
{Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause the wrongdoers to stray, and Allah does as He wills.} (Ibrahim 14: 27)
Not only believing, but doing righteous deeds prescribed by God, go hand in hand and are required for full reward.
{Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while being a true believer verily, to him We will give a good life, and We shall certainly reward them in proportion to the best of what they used to do.} (An-Nahl 16: 97)
There are also Muslims who are good doers, but have turned away from their religion. God warns:
{…and whosoever of you turns back from his religion and dies as a disbeliever, then his deeds will be lost in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will be the dwellers of the Fire. They will abide therein forever.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 217)
It is interesting to note that some of these Muslims who had no foundation in the religion, simply fell into the plot of western mass media in tarnishing the image of Muslims and use propaganda to justify their own dismay with Islam.
So many are in haste to point out acts of terrorism, suicide bombings and attack on civilians as a means to show that the religion of Islam is violent and controlling. Same person when asked: “Did you ever think about how many millions of Muslims have been mercilessly slaughtered in unjust wars; villages razed to the ground killing most its inhabitants, mainly women and children, by drone attacks; people forced out of their home and lands in the most inhumane ways and at the same time, the silence of the so called democratic nations, as the world watches these acts of terror committed against these humans?”. They would have no answer. They don’t take the time to reflect that terrorism was cultivated through violent acts of war and genocides against nations. Yet they are hasty to condemn Islam and Muslim for what they see as acts of injustice.
Still more questions unanswered for the ones convinced religion is a means to control. Please watch for part 4.
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Published on Reading Islam on Wednesday, 22 December 2010
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