Factors like people’s personalities of wanting to be like someone else (certain successful individuals that they are attracted to, feelings of fear of being marginalized, various psychological paranoias that they may have, feelings of financial insecurities and being left out of the societal equation, may all influence what thoughts or groups they lean towards and how group solace gives some people artificial levels of psychological comfort.
And with more souls entering into the earth’s environs (meaning more people being born and at the designated place, times and conditions that they are born under) will act as the ‘chain that binds’ leading the soul or person to acts and satisfactions that may be a cause for their eventual entry into the Hell-Fire or the paradise of Earth and Paradise in the Heavens.
That means there is no escape for any individual except through the approved channels set forth by the CREATOR LORD. It is HIS UNIVERSE so one must be careful to remember that as we are just ‘partakers’ in this role called life.
That is absolutely correct! HE is the ONE IN CONTROL for HE is AL-JABBAR and HE requested those that would believe to turn to HIM and WORSHIP (with approved acts) none but HIM. A simple Islamic formula but one that is overlooked by those whose heads are in the proverbial clouds with their thinking functions highly impaired.
So, we can find in Scripture many a saying that equates to ‘Taste ye the penalty that you were want to refuse (to believe in)’ such that a partial payment of billowing darkness lays upon the soul. And if man really desires in his heart to change his tune, then he can be helped ONLY by the ONE WHO is MOST MERCIFUL.
Otherwise it (the soul) reaches a partitioned part of no return and is aided in further sliding down the ‘rabbit hole’ for eventual destruction. Like Pharaoh in the time of Moses (pbh), who had opportunities to change his tune but his ‘nefs’ got in the way and his ego (his own personal god) could not let go and face reality. So, he is now awaiting his time when he will lead his people (the weak ones who followed his lead) into the terrible Fires of Hell.
Fortunately for mankind, we don’t know the particulars of who is doomed or who is going to be saved in the end and of that knowledge it would be in the Unseen written in a RECORD well-guarded (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfouz). This then would necessitate a wise decision (for those interested) in looking for the proper and acceptable way home (to the Garden) Paradise.
Islam is the proper WAY but it must also be acceptable for both parties involved: the CREATOR LORD and the human soul and no good movement occurs without HIS PERMISSION! So one reads in the Quran about the ‘enjoyment of life’ but to take heed that there is more to ‘life’ in reality than just living for the pleasure of one’s senses.
To any that desires the tilth {what you cultivate for or strive for} of the Hereafter, WE give increase in his tilth, and to any that desires the tilth {what you cultivate or strive for} of this world, WE grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter. Quran (42:20)
Permanency is what the wise value above hot satisfaction for the moment. Do they not see that as time rolls on that they grow older and then enter their graves? The graves are not the time to start thinking of how to improve upon one’s soul-record!
In fact, the grave is a dimensional place of rest or torture which no soul can avoid. That discussion is for religious scholars to express as it relates to Islamic processes and is well beyond the scope of this paper except to say that there is no escape from ALLAH!
Narrated `Aisha that the Prophet (pbh) was asked, “What deeds are loved most by ALLAH?” He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” He added, ‘Don’t take upon yourselves {strenuously overexert yourself above your realistic capacity}, (but do) the deeds which are within your ability.” (Bukhari)
Abu Huraira narrated that ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh) said, “The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the Hell-Fire).” They said, “Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh)?” He said, “No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until ALLAH bestows HIS Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship ALLAH in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise). (Bukhari)
That discussion, in truth, is for religious scholars to express as it relates to Islamic processes and is well beyond the scope of this paper.
One should, however, show some exertion upon one’s being in trying to develop a form of struggle to learn about one’s capacity involving growing in truth without breaking the ‘spirit’ so as to conform to one’s potential or adding on falsehoods like the more you know the better you are.
Anas bin Malik narrated that A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (pbh) asking how the Prophet (pbh) worshipped ALLAH and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, “Where are we from the Prophet (pbh) as his past and future sins have been forgiven.” Then one of them said, “I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever.” The other said, “I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast.” The third said, “I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever.” ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh) came to them and said, “Are you the same people who said so-and-so? By ALLAH, I am more submissive to ALLAH and more afraid of HIM than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers). (Bukhari)
When it comes to critical thinking, fairness must be in play! Because one may have a favorite ‘philosophy’ does not mean one is allowed to cheat! With that in mind, let us take a very brief look at one aspect of scriptural integrity.
It is easy to declare supremacy of one Testament over the other just as easy as it is to declare that the Moon is made of green cheese. However, for rational people to operate in an honest environment comparing oranges to oranges is a lot more practical than comparing oranges to grapes!
With that in mind one can take a look at the advanced European culture and the dedication of any in that culture to preserve and protect sanctified records of heavenly import. Certainly such a society would be thought of as being much better equipped to preserve exalted records of DIVINE ORIGIN than a group of formerly squabbling illiterates from a desert background!
One would think so given the circumstances involved. So, when it comes time to argue about the worth of any Holy Book and what was taken out, changed or copied faithfully in a comparison flavor of ‘friendly inquisitiveness’, then go and compare and ask those vital questions!
If the New Testament and the Quran are put side by side in a historical comparison and both of them are looked at with reverence, then one must bring a set of ‘originals’ as close to the date of the last appearance of its founder.
It would be nice for judgment sake to see a precious copy of the New Testament within 75 or 100 years of its founder’s removal from daily earthly life – considered by some to be around the year 30 to 33 CE. Especially since the greatness and exalted position of that record would be beyond value and extremely priceless!
To be fair, one doesn’t need a whole Testament to judge but at least half of one will do – especially in knowing how valued it must have been being the voice of the Messiah and all. Yet where is this ‘original’?
Now the Quran was not developed over 23 years in front of ‘learned scholars’ who were the ‘refined’ from the general rabble of society but it came to the desert Arabs viz the transmission of Archangel Gabriel to Muhammad (pbh). Otherwise, saving an intact script from some desert, poet, wanderer in a society that produced only a handful of literates seems just a tad too much when compared to the so-called educated scholars of early Rome.
So, from this example one can ask about showing the earliest manuscript form of at least half the book one is joyfully parading around as GOD’s Holy Word! To make it easy on the ‘combatants’, we don’t need a complete Testament. Half of one will do but this, the Christian side cannot produce until several centuries after Jesus (pbh) rose up to the heavens.
Islamically, things are quite different and that is very amazing considering the ‘type of society’ from Arabia and surrounding areas that one is dealing with.
Granted that European society had advantages but the premise about the combatants (various schools of thought from the early part of the second century onwards) gives credence to some altercations in the manuscripts to ‘fit the agreed upon policy of the day’!!!
This is why an ‘honest individual’ can find certain problems with the New Testament Script that shows certain peculiar oddities. That does not, however, destroy the value of these documents when read and interpreted correctly. In retrospect, it is far more productive for a Believer to go to approved Islamic materials and get the real ‘goods’ as it is a more protected and honorable source!
O you who believe, fear ALLAH and let every single soul look to what (provision) he has sent forth for the morrow. Yes, fear ALLAH for ALLAH is well-acquainted with (all) that you do.
And don’t be like those who forgot ALLAH; and HE {then} made them forget themselves! Such are the rebellious transgressors. Quran (59:18-19)
And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of ALLAH: and remember ALLAH much so that you will be successful. Quran (62:10)
And so it goes!
