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Another God Question!!
Sparrow
06/26/01 at 08:37:08
Dear everybody, I hope my questions don't drive folks BONKERS. :) I was at a fundraiser the other night, and a conversation started about God.  I didn't say much at first, and, as I listened, I became more and more fascinated that these people seemed to think that they could - and DID! - know what God wants for us.  So anyway, this one guy turns to me and says "You aren't saying much.  You don't have an opinion?" (Fool!  He knows me not at all!)  Just as a side note, this guy had been bugging me all along cause he stated his opinions like they were the Final Word, like he had a red phone to God or something. Whatever. I said that I thought the argument was moot becuase he was basing his whole opinion on the possiblky faulty assumption that what God wanted for us, ultimately, is a life of happiness.  But I believe there are greater gifts from God than happiness, like free will, and the ability to chose/create our own lives.   What does everyone think?  Is there something we can say  God wants for us (not FROM us, for us)?   Sparrow

Re: Another God Question!!
amatullah
06/27/01 at 13:22:17
Bismillah and salam, Those are some deep questions sister, perhaps someone aalim scholar can try to answer them better. But the intro of how you were fascinated that they thought they knew what god wanted for us put me off from trying to answer, but no shyness when gaining knowledge. This is my simple way of thinking about it. The only way I can know what Allah wants if from his own words in Quran and what his prophet and messenger pbuh said. The one aya that keeps coming to my mind is in Arabic: "inna Allah la yardha li 3ibadihi ilkufr" (please forgive me i am still trying to find a good site for research in English) but what it roughly mean is Verily Allah does not accept FOR his servants the kufr. He did not say from his servants but he said FOR. so to me the opposite of kufr is iman and istiqama, which is what he wants for us. Yes you are right. They are bigger gifts than happiness. There is a hadeeth that says this life is a prison to the believer. We work for a short time hard and feel deprived somtimes and all this but when feel the few moments of total peace and the grace and mercy of Allah and the beautiful serenity and longing..it is worth it until the day we are free and we will please him insha'Allah as well he will pleases us insha'Allah. Perhaps someone who is hafiz or good at research can find it and tell you what soora it is from or maybe even reword what i said if it is not clear :(

Re: Another God Question!!
Arsalan
06/27/01 at 18:29:29
[slm] [quote]The one aya that keeps coming to my mind is in Arabic: "inna Allah la yardha li 3ibadihi ilkufr" (please forgive me i am still trying to find a good site for research in English) but what it roughly mean is Verily Allah does not accept FOR his servants the kufr.[/quote]Or "verily Allah does not want for his servants kufr [disbelief; rejection of faith]." [quote]so to me the opposite of kufr is iman and istiqama, which is what he wants for us. [/quote]Kufr = disbelief or rejection of faith Imaan = Belief or Faith Istiqama = uprightness P.S. Hadith = saying of the Prophet (pbuh) Soora/Surah = Chapter of Qur'an

Re: Another God Question!!
Mona
06/27/01 at 18:54:21
Dear Sparrow, I think your questions are very valid. I encourage you to pursue an answer that would be satisfactory to your own reasoning and logic. I also strongly recommend that you read the works of Jeffrey Lang; 'Struggling to Surrender' and 'Even Angels Ask'.  I was at an event this past weekend where I along with hundrends in the audience heard from him basically his journey from athiesm to Islam, and his train of thoughts throughout the process.  It was a powerful and courageous revelation.  This Math University professor related to us how after a casual and reluctant attempt to read in the Qur'an (a gift from a friend) he was profoundly 'purturbed' after the first 30 verses of chapter 2 (Al-Baqarah). He has been searching for an answer to the eternal question "Why were we created?" Specifically, why created as human beings capable of killing and inflicting suffering on others?..why weren't we all created angels? What are we supposed to do on Earth?  While reading Qur'an didn't prompt him to convert on the spot, it seemed to have appealed to his logic, maybe even challenged it in a manner that no other book did, and thus encouraged him to find more about the religion/way of life called Islam. I hope that you do find an answer one day and then have the strength and fortitude to embrace the solution, insha'Allah [God willing]. Take care.

Re: Another God Question!!
Anonymous
06/28/01 at 01:54:59
The aayah that sister Amatullah referred to is a phrase in aayah 7 of surah Az-Zumar, which is surah 39 of the Qur'an.   The part of the aayah referred to is: (æóáÇ íóÑÖì áöÚÈÇÏå ÇáßÝÑ) The translation of the explanation of the meaning of the aayah, from the beginning: If you disbelieve-indeed, Allah is Free from need of you.  And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. The second sentence is the one Amatuallah was referring to. Sorry folks, I don't like transliteration.

Re: Another God Question!!
amatullah
06/28/01 at 00:00:51
Bismillah and salam, Jazakumu Allahu khayran. You made me remember the prophet saws tells the truth... Volume 3, Book 43, Number 626: Narrated Abu Musa: "A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other." The Prophet then clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced (while saying that).

Re: Another God Question!!
BrKhalid
06/28/01 at 06:07:21
Hi Sparrow ;-) [quote]Is there something we can say  God wants for us (not FROM us, but for us)?[/quote] Your question reminded me of this verse which always gives me comfort. [color=Blue]Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme. Surah Al Tawbah Verse 111[/color] It’s a simple contract: We, as believers, submit ourselves to our Lord and strive in His path and in return He gives us a binding promise of eternal life, joy and happiness in Paradise ;-) At first glance you may think: "But hang on Allah wants something *from us* first and only in exchange will He give us the Garden" My answer would be: "If he didn't want Paradise "for us" in the first place, why would He have made the bargain?" Anyway just a few thoughts of mine ;-) As ever Allah knows best. [quote]Just as a side note, this guy had been bugging me all along cause he stated his opinions like they were the Final Word, like he had a red phone to God or something. Whatever. I said that I thought the argument was moot becuase he was basing his whole opinion on the possiblky faulty assumption that what God wanted for us, ultimately, is a life of happiness.[/quote] Out of interest what did this guy say when you said his point might be flawed?
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