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Old 01-14-2018, 12:55 PM
 
Location: Birmingham
3,640 posts, read 19,295 times
Reputation: 469

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According to the Qur'aan, humans were created and placed on earth for a purpose.

Muslims talk about Tawheed (Monotheism), Praying (Salat), Fasting (Sawm), giving in charity (Zakat) and Hajj as the 5 pillars of Islam. These are assumed, by men, as the 5 pillars of Islam. How do they know that there are only 5 pillars of Islam? Why not 6 pillars of Islam as there is no mention of these pillars of Islam being only 5? If we adhere to these 5 or 6 pillars of Islam, Would we serve the purpose of our creation and being placed on earth?

These are very important questions in understanding Islam and living our life on earth and seving the purpose for which we were created. All is revealed in the Qur'aan if we study it properly and in depth.

If we study the Qur'aan in depth, we will find in it not only the purpose we humans are here on earth but also the most important pillar of Islam too. This is the pillar on which rests our salvation (success) on the Day of Judgment in the Hereafter.

Tawheed (Believing in One God/Allah), Praying at appointed times, Fasting, giving to poor/needy people and Hajj journey once in our lifetime, if possible, are all training grounds towards the main pillar on which rests our salvation and help us indirectly in serving the purpose of our creation.

Before I carry on with further posts, does any brother or sister (who has studied the Qur'aan) guess what I am talking about above as ((1) purpose of our creation and (2) the most important pillar on which rests our salvation)?

Salaam
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Old 01-17-2018, 01:13 AM
 
Location: Birmingham
3,640 posts, read 19,295 times
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In my last post, I mentioned:

(1) Purpose for which humans were created

(2) The most important pillar of Islam on which rests our salvation

Let's begin with (1) the purpose mankind was created for. To understand that, we must keep in mind first that angels and jinn were already created before Adam was created.

[7.11] And certainly We created you, then We fashioned you, then We said to the angels: Make obeisance to Adam. So they did obeisance except Iblis; he was not of those who did obeisance.
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُنْ مِنَ السَّاجِدِينَ


[18.50] And when We said to the angels: Make obeisance to Adam; they made obeisance but Iblis (did it not). He was of the jinn, so he transgressed the commandment of his Lord...
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِ


[15.27] And the jinn We created before, of intensely hot fire.
وَالْجَانَّ خَلَقْنَاهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ مِنْ نَارِ السَّمُومِ


We should also keep in mind that everything else on earth was created by God before mankind.

[2.29] He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth, and He directed Himself to the heaven, so He made them complete seven heavens, and He knows all things.
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ ۚ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ


From the above verses of the Qur'aan, we can gather that God had already created angels and jinn before mankind and also all that is on the earth (plants, animals, birds, fish etc). Angels, therefore, were aware of what the earthly beings before mankind were doing on earth. They must have seen wild animals making mischief, killing each others and shedding blood. Then God tells them about creating vicegerent/leader on earth.

[2.30] And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif (vicegerent/leader), they said: What! Wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness? He said: Surely I know what you do not know.
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَنْ يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

If we ask any scholar or cleric about the purpose of creation of mankind, they will say, "for worshiping God" or "for serving God". And they will cite the following verse:

[51.56] And I have not created the jinn and the people except that they should serve Me.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ


God did not say to the angels that He is going to place on earth someone for worshiping Him or for serving Him (even though the angels thought so) as the angels were already worshiping and serving God.

Therefore, the verse 51:56 is not revealing the purpose mankind was created for but the purpose mankind was not created for (worshiping other gods such as idols). The context of the verse from the verse 51:51 reveals that the mankind and jinn were not created for setting up other gods than Allah/God.

[51.51] And do not set up with Allah another god: surely I am a plain warner to you from Him.
وَلَا تَجْعَلُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ ۖ إِنِّي لَكُمْ مِنْهُ نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ


The purpose mankind was created is revealed in the verse 2:30 quoted above; to be khalif (caliph, vicegerent) on earth. There isn't even one verse in the Qur'an that says that mankind was created for only worshiping God or for only serving God. Only the angels were created only to serve God (just one purpose).

So what is meant by the purpose of mankind creation as khalif/khalifah (vicegerent/leader) on earth? And are we humans serving that purpose for which we were created? This is for another post.

Any comments/discussion on this post regarding the purpose of creation of mankind would be appreciated.
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Old 01-19-2018, 03:34 AM
 
Location: Birmingham
3,640 posts, read 19,295 times
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The purpose mankind was created for is not only for worship/serving God but to be khalif/khalifah on earth.

[2.30] And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif (vicegerent/leader), they said: What! Wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness? He said: Surely I know what you do not know.
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَنْ يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

God knew that human role on earth would be more than just worshiping/serving God as the angels were already doing. Human role would be to rule/govern on earth as a vicegerent/viceroy does with freewill but also subject to the instructions/messages from the higher power (such as a King). Man's role on earth is the same, to rule/govern the earth with freewill but also by taking the guidance from God that are sent through various messengers.

This purpose of human creation and human role on earth is also described in Genesis 1; to rule on earth and be in the image of God.

As God is not known by form but by His attributes (kind, loving, merciful etc), human can be in the image of God by having similar attributes when ruling the earth. This is description of human being khalifah on earth.

Therefore, the role of human as khalifah on earth requires him/her to have attributes similar to God and be leader when ruling and governing the earth by believing the Higher Authority, taking guidance from the Higher Authority and do good to all living earthly creatures as well as the earthly environment so that humanity carries on earth in peace. Any act of man that is against the purpose of human creation is not a good act and we should refrain from doing it. We have the freewill and potential to refrain from it.

We will succeed (will have salvation) if we serve the purpose we were created for.

[98.7] (As for) those who believe and do good, surely they are the best created beings.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ


[45.30] Then as to those who believed and did good, their Lord will make them enter into His mercy; that is the manifest achievement.
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُدْخِلُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْمُبِينُ
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Old 01-27-2018, 03:43 PM
 
Location: Birmingham
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Now the most important pillar on which rests our salvation:

I will carry on where I left the last post; the two verses of the Qur’an. The best created beings on earth are those who believe and do good (deeds).

Quote:
We will succeed (will have salvation) if we serve the purpose we were created for.

[98.7] (As for) those who believe and do good, surely they are the best created beings.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ


[45.30] Then as to those who believed and did good, their Lord will make them enter into His mercy; that is the manifest achievement.
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُدْخِلُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْمُبِينُ
Doing good deeds is the most important pillar on which rests our salvation.

Please keep in mind that I am not talking about the 5 pillars of Islam (Submission) but the pillar on which rests our salvation as described in the rest of my post below.

Let’s see how we would achieve salvation (success) in the Hereafter:

[23.101] So when the trumpet is blown, there shall be no ties of relationship between them on that day, nor shall they ask of each other.
فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَلَا أَنْسَابَ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَلَا يَتَسَاءَلُونَ

When we are raised to life on the resurrection day, we would be thinking of our salvation more than our ties of relationship in the life on then the old earth.

[23.102] Then as for him whose good deeds are preponderant, these are the successful.
فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ


Every good or bad deeds carries a weight. It will be the total weight of good or bad deeds that would count on the Day of Judgment. Weight of deeds and number of deeds are not the same thing.

[7.8] And the weighing on that day will be just; then as for him whose scale (of good deeds) is heavy, those are they who shall be the successful.
وَالْوَزْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ ۚ فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ


The word "successful" is translated from the Arabic word "muflihoon"; those who shall achieve salvation (falah).

[3.114] They believe in Allah and the last day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and they strive with one another in hastening to good deeds, and those are among the good.
يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَأُولَٰئِكَ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ



[5.9] Allah has promised to those who believe and do good deeds (that) they shall have forgiveness and a mighty reward.
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ ۙ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ


There is no better reward than being forgiven and achieving salvation on the Day of Judgment as a result of good deeds in this life by serving the purpose human is placed on this earth.

[19.96] Surely (as for) those who believe and do good deeds for them will Allah bring about love.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّا


[18.110] Say: I am only a mortal like you; it is revealed to me that your god is one God, therefore whoever hopes to meet his Lord, he should do good deeds, and not join anyone in the service of his Lord.
قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ فَمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا


Doing good deeds serves the purpose we were created for. We are in service of God on earth as vicegerents.

Praying, fasting and hajj journey are all training grounds for us to keep away from doing evil deeds (be righteous people) and be conscious of Allah (have Taqwa) so that we do only good deeds for our salvation. It is the good deeds that matter the most and, therefore, the pillar on which rests our salvation ("falah").

The five pillars of Islam lead eventually towards doing good deeds and good deeds lead to salvation.

And this the straight path for us in this life as shown to us through the Qur'an by Allah (SWT).
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Old 01-28-2018, 01:27 AM
 
Location: Birmingham
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[29.2] Do humans think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and not be tried?
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ


Just saying that we believe is not enough for our salvation. We must do good deeds to prove that we are believers and serving the purpose we were created for and placed on this earth.

[29.3] And certainly We tried those before them, so Allah will certainly know those who are true and He will certainly know the liars.
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ


People before us were tried. Abraham was tried and companions with prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were tried. As even the prophets were tried, we are not going to have a free pass in this life. Our works will show whether we are true believers or not. Salvation depends on our works and deeds in this life. Our aim must be to do good deeds that include helping other human beings, other living beings and the earthly environment that is to sustain life on earth in peace. This is true humanity.
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Old 01-28-2018, 02:11 AM
 
Location: Birmingham
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[6.165] And He it is Who has made you successors in the land and raised some of you above others by (various) grades, that He might try you by what He has given you; surely your Lord is quick to requite, and He is most surely the Forgiving, the Merciful.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ الْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيم


[21.35] Every soul must taste of death and We try you by hardship/affliction and good by way of probation; and to Us you shall be brought back.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُمْ بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ


[67:2] Who created death and life that He may try you-- which of you is best in deeds; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving,
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

Life is a trial. Most people take it for granted as if they have a free pass to live on earth.

[23.115] What! Did you then think that We had created you in vain and that you shall not be returned to Us?
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ


[3.191] Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire.
الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Life is a trial/test and only those will succeed who are saved from the punishment of fire. Only those will be successful who pass the test/trial by doing good deeds.
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Old 03-15-2018, 12:25 PM
 
Location: Birmingham
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[98.7] (As for) those who believe and do good, surely they are the best of created beings.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ


Human beings who live a life of faith and doing good deed justify the purpose of their creation. And they attain the fulfilment of their highest hopes.
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Old 03-23-2018, 02:47 PM
 
Location: Birmingham
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In the last several posts, I have tried to explain how we are to achieve salvation (in the Hereafter) by doing good deeds in this life and by having faith. This is described in the Qur'an as:

[45.30] Then as to those who believed and did good deeds, their Lord will make them enter into His mercy; that is the manifest achievement.
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُدْخِلُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْمُبِينُ

This is open to not only Muslims but to all human beings.

[2.62] Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good deeds, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَادُوا وَالنَّصَارَىٰ وَالصَّابِئِينَ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

Jews, Christians or Muslims, whoever believes and does good deeds need not fear. Salvation is open to all. All they have to do is believe and do good deeds. Salvation does not depend on what we call ourselves but on what we do; good deeds (عَمِلَ صَالِحًا).

[85.11] Surely those who believe and do good deeds, they shall have gardens beneath which rivers flow, that is the great achievement.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْكَبِيرُ


[30.38] Then give to the near of kin his due, and to the needy and the wayfarer; this is best for those who desire Allah's pleasure, and these it is who are successful (have salvation).
فَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لِلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ


Therefore, today's Muslims shouldn't be thinking that just by believing (and calling themselves "Muslims") they are assured of salvation. It is vital that they do good deeds too to achieve salvation.
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Old 03-25-2018, 04:45 AM
 
Location: Birmingham
3,640 posts, read 19,295 times
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[17.9] Surely this Qur'an guides to that which is most upright and gives good news to the believers who do good that they shall have a great reward.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا

[38.28] Shall We treat those who believe and do good deeds like the mischief-makers in the earth? Or shall We make those who are conscious of God like the wicked ones?
أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ كَالْفُجَّارِ

Doing good deeds is opposite of doing evil deeds and mischief-making on earth. And being wicked is opposite of being pious and conscious of God. When one is conscious of God (has taqwa), s/he is not going to act wickedly. This is why having taqwa (being conscious of God when doing any act) is emphasized in at least 56 verses of the Qur'an (for example 2:189, 2:194, 2:196, 2:203, 2:223 etc etc.)

I have always believed that the way to salvation is through believing, being conscious of God and doing good deeds.

Fasting is a training ground for us to learn God consciousness (have taqwa) and through this God-consciousness do only good deeds so that we eventually achieve salvation.

[2.183] O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become God-conscious (have taqwa).
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

The same goes for regular prayers as a training ground:

[29.45] Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book and keep up prayer; surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil, and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest, and Allah knows what you do.
اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ ۖ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

[20.132] And enjoin prayer on your followers, and steadily adhere to it; We do not ask you for subsistence; We do give you subsistence, and the God-consciousness (having taqwa) leads to good end.
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ


Praying leads to God-consciousness. It is a training ground for rememvering God. God does not need our prayers. God is self-sufficient. But we need to pray regularly so that we do not forget God and begin to do evil deeds by being unaware of Him that He is watching what we do at any time.

The same goes for the Friday prayer:

[62.9] O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trading; that is better for you, if you know.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

God doesn't need our Friday prayer. It is us that need to pray so that we remember God and be conscious of Him. So the prayer helps to remember God. Prayer time is one time when we actually remember God. This also leads us to having taqwa (being conscious of God) and keeping us away from doing evil deeds.

Just having a label that I am so and so is not enough for one's salvation. What leades one to salvation is having taqwa (God-consciousness) which leads one to do good deeds and refraining from doing evil deeds in this life on earth. Both fasting and regular praying lead us to such end (salvation).

[62.10] But when the prayer is ended, then disperse abroad in the land and seek of Allah's grace, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful (have salvation).
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

Therefore, prayers and fasting, as training grounds, lead us to God-consciousness which leads us to do good deeds and help us to prevent ourselves from doing evil deeds, leading eventually to our salvation.
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Old 03-26-2018, 01:50 PM
 
Location: Birmingham
3,640 posts, read 19,295 times
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[31.2] These are verses of the Book of Wisdom
تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْحَكِيمِ


The Qur'an is the Book of Wisdom (10:1, 31:2, 36:2) as well as the Book of Guidance (2:2, 5:16, 31:3) for those who are conscious of God. Those who are not conscious of God, they are not going to believe the Book is from God and, therefore, will not benefit from its guidance after rejecting it.

[31.3] A guidance and a mercy for the doers of goodness,
هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِلْمُحْسِنِينَ


[31.4] Those who establish regular prayer and pay the zakat and they have firm belief in the hereafter.
الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ


[31.5] These are on a guidance from their Lord, and these are they who are successful ones (those who will have salvation).
أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

[64.16] Therefore be conscious of God as much as you can, and hear and obey and spend (benevolently), it is better for your souls; and whoever is saved from the greediness of his soul, these it is that are the successful.
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنْفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

So far, in the last several posts, I have tried to explain how we can achieve salvation by being conscious of God and by following the guidance from God revealed to us through His messengers. This is what was said to the first humans (Adam and Eve) when they were expelled from the garden after disregarding the guidance about not going near a certain tree.

[2.38] We said: Go forth from this (state) together; so surely there will come to you a guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

The guidance has been coming from God to humans for their salvation ever since the beginning of the mankind.

In the verse 64:16 (above), there is mention of what is better for our souls and about being saved from the greediness of our souls.

I intend to now move on to the theme of "soul" (nafs) and how we can save ourselves by its greediness and eventually achieve salvation. Saving our soul from its greediness is intrinsically linked to being conscious of God, taking guidance from God and doing good deeds.
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