Desiring God blog
The Sole Creator, Fashioner, Sustainer & Nourisher of His beloved creation. God reveals to mortals Who He is.
The World Right NowGod hath commanded humankind to reflect
Man took knowledge as a means to neglect Soaring higher and higher by the will of God Indifference and defiance he found not odd Glorious strides in technology and economy Erased his Creator from ingrate man’s memory Milestones that were meant to humble the soul Broke a part in man which had once been whole One by one all religious tenets to be shunned Upon the stroke of calamity, he was left stunned Overnight his world ordered to turn upside down A Divine decree refusing the sparing of any town An unseen foe had arrived to show man his place In mortal fear of touching his own handsome face He was compelled to do all that he had once mocked A path of servitude to God that he had brutally blocked Fear of death that had now driven him to veil and cover A hope that he learns to honor the choices of God’s lover A life of luxury now transformed into a battle for survival A barren heart & dead conscience on the verge of revival
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The Purpose of LifeBeautiful Islam is the timely realization that most conscientious people arrive at in middle or old age. Anyone who looks back at their reckless and unruly life will see, that the outcome of partying, womanizing, drinking and drugging, is naught but destruction and despair. Every next-generation keeps challenging values, morality, and virtue even more ferociously than the past one. We demand abnormal rights that go against our God-given nature and instincts. Hankering after excessive freedom in every aspect of our lives causes our moral compass to malfunction. Alas...
Irrespective of how much fame, wealth, material possession, freedom, liberties, entertainment, upliftment, progress - you name it one acquires. None of it, indeed not even all of it, can buy the much sought after 'inner peace'. This is also the reason why so many celebrities turn to drugs, and some inevitably commit suicide. Reality being, that as we sow in this fleeting worldly life, so shall we reap in the eternal Afterlife. What a pity then, that we fail to take heed of the Omniscient and Omnipotent God's enlightened guidance. A Divine Gift that could easily save us from squandering away over half of our lives aimlessly and unfruitfully. If the true measure of a worthy and meaningful life is to secure happiness, the dark and ugly truth of our wasteful existence begins to dawn upon us as we age. Whether we live for 30, 40, 70, or even 100 odd years, death is inevitable. And one can either meet it prepared or unprepared. What a Compassionate God then, Who despite all our flaws and repeated sins continues to nourish and sustain us. Even outright deniers are never denied! From Adam to Muhammed (peace be upon all Prophets of God) reminders were sent unto mankind. Bearing an invitation to believe in what common sense dictates - that creation must have a Creator - that we should worship the Creator alone and not His creation. And that He did not create man without a purpose. God mind you, was not obliged to send these timely reminders but did so out of love and concern for our well-being. For He alone is the epitome of mercy, justice, and wisdom. Neither was one feigning authority, found compelling the Almighty to send a final reminder and manual for human existence. Heaven and the earth are from amongst God's insurmountable treasures and are under His command. The Supreme commander, the Self-Sufficient and the Final Authority, whom none dare advise, or influence. The final reminder in question was none other than the Timelessly Miraculous Quran. The uncreated word (speech) of God. A comprehensive manual covering all aspects and challenges of human affairs. From the direst to the most mundane. And one meant to endure the test of time. Disadvantage, incompetency, or unpreparedness could not touch the Creator and Owner of time, for nothing escapes His flawless knowledge of the past, present or future. A divine guarantee for the preservation of the final message up to the Last Day, was thus given for all to witness and marvel at. Previous revelations were not offered this eternal protection. Logic would then dictate, that it is next to impossible to alter a book that is memorized from cover to cover by millions of believers across the globe. That is precisely what it's guardians and adherents have done, ever since the revolutionary first-word 'Iqra' (Read) was revealed in confines of the Hira Cave. The wonder of all wonders is that the Magnificent Quran addresses all mankind, and not Muslims alone. For the one and only true God is not a partisan God. This equity is also evidenced in how all believers and disbelievers alike, are clothed, fed, sustained, and protected, simply by virtue of being from among the creation of God. Divine Justice assures a level playing field for one and all. These eternal truths are often brushed aside by the average human. Does he not see that although life is unpredictable, death, on the other hand, is guaranteed? Should a man not be questioning the final outcome of his own existence? Had he been created for this world, surely death would not have touched him. Which cherished worldly possessions have his deceased loved ones carried to their grave? Was he then, created without purpose or in jest? Is he more qualified than One Who created him, to determine life’s true purpose, given his limited knowledge and impaired foresight? Should men who bow down to human authority continue to disregard the Divine Authority that is far superior? What good is our God-gifted free-will and intellect, if we abuse it to embrace disbelief and disobedience, instead of earning God’s pleasure? Nay, the time for soul-searching has indeed arrived. Lord of the mighty heavens and the earth informs His beloved creation: "My Mercy overpowers My Wrath", lest we lose all hope and become ingrates. Every single mortal is awarded countless opportunities to repent to the Oft-Returning Lord. To believe in Him alone as Creator, Nourisher, Sustainer, and Provider. And to work good deeds based upon His flawless guidance. It is only when one experiences the final pangs of death, that this opportunity is revoked. As we go into the realm of the Unseen World, the glaring truth becomes abundantly clear. Beautiful Islam is the last and final message of guidance unto mankind from their Adoring Lord. And one that recognizes, honors and respects all revelations and Prophets of God that preceded it. May God guide mankind to all that is most pleasing to Him. Aameen. [And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks? Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued. A myriad of divine blessings evidenced in a single verse!
An illuminative invitation for man to repeatedly acknowledge and appreciate the flawlessness of the heavens above is coupled with the incentive to recognize another verifiable truth. This is to bear in mind, that whilst creation was designed to serve man's every need, the sole purpose of man's own existence, is to worship God alone. It is also a subtle call to admit that this drill requires the God-gifted blessing of sight, which is only one component of the five senses that help us lead our lives in the most meaningful of ways. The sight alone nonetheless, would not bring about the desired effect, for even animals can see. Thus should, the unparalleled endowment of intellect bestowed upon each individual that expedites the unraveling of mystifying realities, also shine through. Is God like His Creation?To put it quite bluntly, no! How deeply flawed would our estimation of God be, should we dare liken Him to His creation? A glimpse into the endless expanse of space and billions of mammoth galaxies, each of which is a potpourri of billions of stars, refutes any possibilty of His likeness to anyone or anything.
The bright and splendid sun, the subtler moon, towering mountains, swelling oceans, flowing rivers, and palatial plains, all befittingly demonstrate the futility of such an abominable assersion. What is even more overwhelming, is knowing that all creation glorifies and worships its Adoring Lord. God revealed: "Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people?" (The Glorious Quran ~ 22:18). Solemn reflection upon human physiology further illustrates how the All-Wise God, singles out that one particular cell from amongst 5 to 6 million sperm cells, to fertilize the egg and thereby evolve into a thinking and feeling human. "Did We not create you from a liquid disdained?"(The Glorious Quran ~ 77:20). Born CuriousOne of man's most exceptional qualities is his inquisitive nature. During infancy, it is a childish curiosity that takes us from strength to strength. A purposeful will to investigate facts contributes to the building blocks of our knowledge base. The requirement of compulsory education for one and all is also derived from an obligation to learn and grow. Has the hustle and bustle of life ever prevented man from learning about even the most mundane things? Nay and It would not be an exaggeration to allege that man learns from his cradle to the grave. This indispensable trait likewise, often becomes the driving force behind man's hankering for more information about God.
How Can Man Know God?To know God is a fundamental human right and need. God Who created all that ever existed in the past, all that exists in the present, and all that will ever exist in the future, up to the end of this fleeting worldly existence. We thus remain in perpetual awe of He Who is the Sole Creator, Fashioner, Sustainer, Nourisher, Cherisher, and Provider of creation.
Witnessing yet another day without knowing God irks us. We haven't a clue whether or not, the rest of mankind yearns to know about Him as ardently as we do. Yet, what we can safely presume, is that at least some would be savoring a curiosity. How then, is it humanly possible for a man to know his Adoring Lord? Has anyone in human history been granted access to knowledge of His Essence or Attributes ever? Common sense dictates that we can only come to know about God from either God Himself, or through someone whom He has authorized to convey these finer points. A judicious review of God's last and final revelation, the Glorious and Miraculous Quran nonetheless, brings to light an abiding confirmation on God having chosen Prophets in every day and age, as vehicles for conveying information about Him to their respective nations. Lest ingrate man uses his ignorance of God (Unseen) to serve as a justification for disbelief and disobedience. |
Mellow greetings of peace from Ayesha!
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