In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Almighty Allah declares in Holy Qur’an Ash-Shura, 42:17-19: “It is God Who has sent down the Book in truth and the balance (by which to weigh conduct). And what will make thee realise that perhaps the Hour is close at hand? Only those who wish to hasten it who believe not in it; those who believe hold it in awe, and know that it is the truth. Behold, verily those that dispute concerning the Hour are far astray. Gracious is God to His servants: He gives sustenance to whom He pleases: And He has power and can carry out His will”.
Hence, the sacrifice of oneself for the cause of Allah, and the sacrifice of one’s wealth in the worship of Allah is a cardinal principle to the attainment of true faith. And their reward is with Almighty Allah both in this world and hereafter (Qur’an 61:10-12; 64:9). God counsels in Qur’an 61:10-13: “O ye who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous penalty? That ye believe in God and His Apostle, and that ye strive (your utmost) in the cause of God, with your property and your persons: that will be best for you, if ye but knew! He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and to beautiful mansions in gardens of eternity: that is indeed the supreme achievement. And another (favour will He bestow), which ye do love, help from God and a speedy victory. So, give the glad tidings to the believers.”
Meanwhile, the declaration of one’s faith at the approach of punishment is not acceptable to the Almighty. The use of our powers and our resources when we are sane, able, and not in problem for the service of God is most acceptable and rewardable (Q. 10:51-52, 90-92; 40:85). Holy Qur’an 10:50-52 says: “Say: ‘Do ye see, if His punishment should come to you by night or by day, what portion of it would the sinners wish to hasten? Would ye then believe in it at last, when it actually cometh to pass?’ It will then be said:) ‘Ah! Now? And ye wanted (aforetime) to hasten it on!’ At length will be said to the wrong-doers: ‘taste ye the enduring punishment! Ye get but the recompense of what ye earned!’.”
Furthermore, God Almighty relates the story of Pharaoh, who sworn to the unity and worship of God at the precinct of death in the Red Sea. But Almighty Allah perished him in the sea, and promised to retain his body for the coming generations as a sign, for disbelievers. Qur’an 10:90-92 says: “We took the children of Israel across the sea. Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in insolence and spite. At length, when overwhelmed with the flood, he said: ‘I believe that there is no god except Him Whom the children of Israel believe in. I am of those who submit (to God in Islam)’. It was said to him: ‘Ah now! But a little while before, wast thou in rebellion and thou didst mischief (and violence)! “This day shall We save thee in thy body, that thou mayest be a sign to those who come after thee. But verily, many among mankind are heedless of our signs.”
In fact, Almighty Allah stresses in finality about disbelievers attesting to faith at the eleventh hour in Qur’an, Al-Mumin, 40:82-85: “Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the end of those Before them? They were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land. Yet all that they accomplished was of no profit to them. For when their apostles came to them with clear signs, they exulted in such knowledge (and skill) as they had; but that very (wrath) at which they were wont to scoff hemmed them in. But when they saw Our punishment, they said: ‘We believe in God, the One God and we reject the partners we used to join with Him’. But their professing the faith when they (actually) saw Our punishment was not going to profit them. Such has been God’s way of dealing with His servants (from the most ancient times). And even thus did the rejecters of God perish (utterly).”
But the question may still be asked whether man still has control on his faith, when Allah is said to be universal planner of the physical and the spiritual worlds. Really, great thinkers from ancient times had been vexed by the question whether man is by nature good or bad, or whether he can determine his faith.
The mere fact that man has been created in the best mould to do good and make the world better has nullified that question (Qur’an 95:4). Qur’an 2:30-37 says: “Behold thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on earth’. They said, ‘Wilt thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?’ He said: ‘I know what ye know not’. And He taught Adam the nature of all things; then He placed them before the angels and said: ‘Tell Me the nature of these if ye are right’. They said: ‘Glory to Thee of knowledge we have none save that Thou hast taught us: in truth it is Thou who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom’. He said: ‘O Adam! Tell them their natures’. When he had told them, God said: ‘Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal?’ And behold| We said to the angels: ‘Bow down to Adam’; and they bowed down not so Iblis he refused and was haughty he was of those who reject faith. We said: ‘O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the garden and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will but approach not this tree or ye run into harm and transgression’. Then did Satan make them slip from the (garden) and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. We said: ‘Get ye down all (ye people) with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time’. Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration and his Lord turned toward him for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful”.
Upon all he has been granted the desire to do good in this world and hereafter (Qur’an 2:201; 42:20). Man is indeed born with good and for good, but has to preserve and to develop his goodness to his full capacity in the struggle of life. He has but one seed, which is good if it grows and bears fruit. It is called goodness; if it be crushed or nipped in the bud it is called evil. Evil therefore has no separate entity in him, it is simply a negative, which will lose his soul and reduce him to the lower of depths. Qur’an 2:201-202 says: “And there are men who say: ‘Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and defend us from the torment on the fire!’ To these will be allotted what they have earned and God is quick in account.”
The various answers offered by thinkers on the faith and unfaith of man can be summarised into three distinct theories: one, evil is innate, education simply muzzles the brute in man. Two, civilisation is mere veneering process. This cynical view of human nature is the religion of despair. Good or bad actions leave their impression. Thorns and roses are alike. And three, good and evil are mixed up in man. He has an angelic as well as satanic nature. The development of this double nature depends on the force of external circumstances and surrounding influences. Good and evil are like two seeds. Whichever is sown and taken care of will grow into a tree. Qur’an 40:20-21 says: “To any that desires the tilth of the Hereafter, We give increase in his tilth; and to any that desires the tilth Of this world, We grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter. What! Have they partners (in godhead), who have established for them some religion without the permission of God? Had it not been for the Decree of Judgment, the matter would have been decided between them (at once). But verily the wrong-doers will have a grievous penalty.”
It is important to note that faith leads to righteousness. True faith leads to good deeds. True faith leads man to command good and forbid evil. True faith leads man to use his knowledge well. True faith leads man to use his power of wisdom for the good of all. True faith leads man to use his political power for the good of all. True faith leads man to use his power of strength, wealth, and energy for the good of all. Seek to have good faith and use your powers properly.
We pray that Almighty Allah brighten our breast with His light (nur) to have true faith so that our powers may be used to the service and worship of only one God. Amen.
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