Redemption & salvation
THE VIRTUOUS
God described three kinds of people in Quran: believers; non-believers and hypocrites. God has condemned hypocrites in the strongest words (as they are the ones who disbelieve after believing), God put them along with the disbelievers.
Islam means peacemaker and one who submits to God alone, meaning one with their own free will ‘chooses’ to submit to God alone. Muslim is the one who submits to God alone willingly, and goes through this life consciously by observing God and understanding that nothing happens without the will and permission of God, our Creator, Lord and Master. Muslim, as a staunch believer in God, upholds God’s commands and denounces any associates or partners to God and removes all forms of idol worship.
We have tendency to make things more complicated and difficult than they are not only for ourselves but for others as well. We find hard to understand and complex concepts or explanations as superior and more valid than the simpler ones, a phenomenon known as ‘complexity bias’.
When it comes to our redemption and salvation, we are made to believe that it is a concept that is difficult to comprehend or grasp by an ordinary individual. Biased media and religious scholars spread out of context information about Islam by using fancy words and thus confound the truth. We are led to man-made contradictory resources of information with false doctrines and so we rely on someone with authority figure to clarify things for us. We are victimized by ‘authority bias’, when we ascribe authority to the media, egotistical religious scholars or mediators for misleading us in the matter of faith. In doing so, we forget about the highest authority that is over and above it all, as we do not approach and directly ask God to clarify things and provide us with the right guidance in the matters of faith.
We are given the impression that God is beyond the reach of a common being and only through the messengers, prophets, scholars or mediators one could approach God. This notion is referred to as ‘ascribing or associating partners to God’. It is through such biases, false doctrines creep in that not only muddle the pristine faith of Islam but their manifestation deters others from receiving the light, that is, the true message of Islam and getting closer to God. These biases, and false notions lead us far from the truth. Therefore, a true submitter of God (Muslim) strives to stay far from associating any partners or setting up any idols or Gods besides God. A true submitter comes to the realization and unshakeable conviction that only God possess absolute authority over all things and true guidance comes from God alone. However, the key is to sincerely reach out and ask God for guidance directly:
“Guide us in the right path; the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers” (Quran 1-6; 1-7)
God has laid out the matter of belief in simple and straight forward terms in the Quran, no ambiguity, no complications and no false doctrines:
“Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who
(1) believes in GOD, and
(2) believes in the Last Day, and
(3) leads a righteous life,
will receive their recompense from their Lord; They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve” (Quran 2:62, 5:69)
This is God’s promise that anyone who sincerely believes in God, believes in the day of judgement and leads a righteous life they will not be subjected to any fear nor grief. God re-iterated this important message several times in Quran.
“Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve” (Quran 2:112)
Therefore, belief in God, the Last Day and leading a righteous life is the true foundation of Submission (Islam). Anyone who fulfills these three conditions is a submitter (Muslim), no matter what they call themselves or whatever faith they identify themselves with. One who meets these minimum requirements; they are promised a peaceful and happy life without fear or grief.
The Straightforward System of God
Now we must decide for ourselves whether we should accept this simple explanation and reassuring promise from God or should we fall victim to the fancy words, misinformation and false doctrines, or such biased interpretations that would only lead us into doubts and idiosyncrasies?
God provided the foundation of belief in no vague terms nor incomprehensible concepts, singularity of the message directly from God Himself, which transcends time and space (in other words, applicable to people from all places and times). One God and one universal message, that leads one to appreciate their Creator and submission to Him alone. It is God, who established the universe, made it fit for our survival, provided means for our growth nourishment and development, and giving us another chance to redeem ourselves. It will be completely unjust on our behalf if we reverence anyone or anything other than God.
“O you human being, what diverted you from your Lord, Most Honorable? The One who created you, designed you, and perfected you. In whatever design He chose, He constructed it (Quran 82:6 – 8).
All chosen servants of God (from Adam through Abraham, Jesus and Muhammad) directed humanity to the same universal message of submission to God alone. No servant of God could have ever said, reverence me, take me as a partner of God or worship (serve) me instead. It is the people who invented lies and attributed them to God and his servants. They come up with false doctrines and out of their own reverence to God’s servants and religious scholars they started associating them as means to get to and thus ascribing partners to God.
“To GOD belongs everything in the Heavens and the earth, and we have enjoined on those who received the scripture before you, and enjoined on you, that you shall reverence GOD. If you disbelieve, then to GOD belongs everything in the Heavens and the earth. GOD is in no need, Praiseworthy” (Quran: 4:131)
Also, notice that places of worship belong to God alone. We should never reverence anyone other than God, call upon anyone besides God, invoke or associate anyone or anything with God.
“The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else besides GOD”
(Quran: 72:18)
“You shall worship GOD alone—do not associate anything with Him. You shall regard the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, the related neighbor, the unrelated neighbor, the close associate, the traveling alien, and your servants. GOD does not like the arrogant show-offs” (Quran: 4:36)
“I was commanded: Keep yourself devoted to the system of monotheism; and never be of those who associate others with GOD and do not invoke beside GOD what possesses no power to benefit you or harm you. If you do, you will be a transgressor” (Quran: 10:105, 106)
… and do not associate anyone in the worship of God (Quran: 18:110)
…and do not associate anything with God (Quran: 24:55)
Therefore, we must not repeat the same mistake that resulted in our exile from the Paradise and made us having to go through the trials of this life! We need to resist our polytheistic tendencies. To emphasize this again, we should never call upon, invoke, supplicate, beseech other than God, nor associate anyone or anything with God. If we do this, we would be losers in the hereafter, as this is the only unforgivable offense.
“GOD does not forgive setting up associates (idolatry) with Him but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who associates others with GOD, has forged a horrendous offense” (Quran: 4:48)
“GOD does not forgive setting up associates with him (idol worship) and He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who associates others with GOD has strayed far astray” (Quran: 4:116)
Anyone who idolizes beside GOD any other God, and without any kind of proof, his reckoning rests with his Lord. The disbelievers never succeed. (Quran 23:!17)
Quran contains all the guidance we need about leading a righteous life and that would lead us to a happy, content and fulfilled life and redemption and salvation in the hereafter. Quran affirms previous scriptures and it is God’s final message to the humanity. Quran is complete, and fully detailed as God proclaims in the Quran:
“Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt. The word of your Lord is complete in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient” (Quran: 6:114; 6:115)
Yet again, God re-iterated the same promise (happiness in this life and in the hereafter) at several occasions about the believers & the righteous:
Those who believe and lead a righteous life, and establish Salat, and bring forth Zakat, they receive their recompense from their Lord; they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve (Quran: 2:277)
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, He will fully recompense them. GOD does not love the unjust (Quran: 3:57)
They believe in GOD and the Last Day, they advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and they hasten to do righteous works. These are the righteous (Quran: 3:114)
As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, we will admit them into gardens with flowing streams, wherein they live forever. Such is the truthful promise of GOD. Whose utterances are more truthful than GOD's? (Quran: 4:122)
As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female, while believing, they enter Paradise; without the slightest injustice (Quran: 4:124)
GOD promises those who believe and lead a righteous life forgiveness and a great recompense (Quran: 5:9)
They are the repenters, the worshipers, the praisers, the meditators, the bowing and prostrating, the advocators of righteousness and forbidders of evil, and the keepers of GOD's laws. Give good news to such believers (Quran: 9:112)
Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense (on the Day of Judgment) for their righteous works (Quran: 16:97)
a messenger* who recites to you GOD's revelations, clearly, to lead those who believe and work righteousness out of the darkness into the light. Anyone who believes in GOD and leads a righteous life, He will admit him into gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. GOD will generously reward him (Quran: 65:11)
GOD promises those among you who believe and lead a righteous life, that He will make them sovereigns on earth, as He did for those before them, and will establish for them the system He has chosen for them, and will substitute peace and security for them in place of fear. All this because they worship Me alone; they never set up any idols beside Me. Those who disbelieve after this are the truly wicked. (Quran 24:55)
Answers to most important questions
Quran provides answers to questions like who are we, why are we here and where do we go once our life on the planet earth is terminated. Quran provides understanding and wisdom to someone who is sincerely looking for the guidance (key here is sincere quest). No additional outside contradictory sources needed nor required, no scholars, and mediators needed as submission to God alone (meaning Islam) liberates us from such bondages.
We are intelligent beings; we observe signs of God which are not only present in ourselves but all around us. We come to the understanding and realization that creation of universe and our existence in this world didn’t come into being without anyone causing it ‘to be’. There is a designer and initiator who put everything in this creation for the service of humanity (for example, earth, sun, moon, and animals are all serving this purpose). God encourages us to ask such exploratory questions, so we can recognize the Creator:
Say, "To whom belongs the earth and everyone on it, if you know?" They will say, "To GOD." Say, "Why then do you not take heed?" Say, "Who is the Lord of the seven universes; the Lord of the great dominion?" They will say, "GOD." Say, "Why then do you not turn righteous?" Say, "In whose hand is all sovereignty over all things, and He is the only one who can provide help, but needs no help, if you know?" They will say, "GOD." Say, "Where did you go wrong?" (Quran 23:84 through 23:89)
We pledged to God which caused our souls to be put in the ‘trust’ in return for us having a free will in this worldly life. We are here in this world to nourish and develop our souls by doing acts of righteousness with our own free will to be able to redeem our souls. Our reward and rank in the hereafter would depend upon the degree of growth and nourishment of our souls in this world. The more perseverant and consistent we are in the righteous works in this life, the higher the degree of growth and the rank and reward in the hereafter. The higher degree of soul growth will not only help us reap higher rewards in the hereafter but God promised perfect happiness in this life as well. The whole purpose of our existence on this earth is to distinguish ourselves in to believing men and believing women so we can redeem ourselves:
We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.
For GOD will inevitably punish the hypocrite men and the hypocrite women, and the idol worshiping men and the idol worshiping women. GOD redeems the believing men and the believing women. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. (Quran 33:72 and 33:73)
If we add the above two numbers for these verses 33:72 and 33:73: 3372+3373 = 6745. Interestingly, this number 6745 is a multiple of 19 (19x 355), thus emphasizing divine validation of the fact that we have been given the freedom of choice in this world and only believing men and believing women will be the ones who will be redeemed. Hypocrites, and idol worshippers would be the real losers in the hereafter.
God gave us grace period of up to 40 years to reach the age of maturity at which point, we should recognize who is our Lord and Master, repent, reform, show our appreciation and wholeheartedly submit to God alone.
“…When one reaches the age of forty, one should say, ‘My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings you have bestowed upon me and my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. I have repented to You; I am a submitter” (Quran 46:15)
Note a believer who wholeheartedly submits to God alone (without associating anyone with God or setting up any idols besides God) is a ‘Muslim’. A believing submitter (Muslim) only asks God for guidance as only God possesses the right and power to guide. This is our final chance to redeem our souls, let’s not waste it. Let’s come back to God, our Creator, Lord and Master and sincerely ask Him for guidance. Out of His mercy, God even provided the simple prayer for guidance:
“In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe. Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help. Guide us in the right path; the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers”
This simple prayer is the opening chapter of Quran, named ‘the Key’ (“Al-Fateha” in Arabic) to unlock the message contained in the Quran and to initiate direct contact with the Creator. Notice the simple pledge you are making: “You alone we worship (serve); You alone we ask for help”, is likely the same pledge we made before coming to this earth. How simple this could get? None other than God, pure belief and contact with Him! After this sincere pledge, is there any room left for any associates, partners, intercessors or otherwise idols?
Development and Nourishment of Soul
You will be amazed by the simplicity of God’s final message to humanity in the Quran. A Muslim after instituting firm belief in God alone (declaring his faith in absolute authority of God), establishes Salat and bring forth Zakat following commands of God in the Quran. This is to nourish and grow one’s soul to prepare for the redemption and achieve higher ranks in the hereafter. Anything we do must be dedicated absolutely to God alone, as they are necessary to get us closer to God, grow our souls and achieve salvation in the hereafter.
“Say, "My Salat, my system of following God's commands, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe” (Quran 6:162)
Also note that Quran always mentions to establish Salat and bring forth Zakah together (وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ):
You shall establish Salat and bring forth Zakat and humble yourself with those who humble themselves. (Quran 2:43)
Now if we add gematrical values of Salat and Zakat, 126 +64 = 190, which is multiple of 19 (19 x 10), confirming there is Divine sign in this guidance of establishing Salat and bringing forth Zakat as continuous means of developing our souls.
Now if you meet someone claiming to be a Muslim while they are not leading a happy life as promised by God one would wonder what could be the reason? They may be undergoing entrance test, they may have not yet reached the conviction in their minds, they may not be sticking to the true core or foundation of Islam or they may not be doing the righteousness works that are acceptable to God. They likely have not reached the degree of nourishment and growth of their souls. There could be shortcomings in the individual’s belief or faith and their submission to God alone but it’s no fault of the foundation of Islam itself.
Muslims if they are suffering for any reason would need to re-consider their own faith, do they trust that only God alone possess all authority, do they believe that only God controls everything including any rights to intercession, are they dedicated to God alone or have they have added God’s servants (Muhammad, Abraham, Ali, Imams, Saints or anyone else) next to God. Do they have in their hearts, practice and express the pristine purity of faith in God alone, as mentioned in the paragraphs above? Do they uphold God’s laws, follow His commands, seek salvation from the only source, which is Quran? Or are they confounding the truth by upholding secondary sources, religious innovations, cultural and parental traditions, and manmade laws? Therefore, please do not get discouraged nor disappointed by this when you see someone claiming to be a Muslim but they have fear, worries or grief.
Idolatry condemned
Idolatry has been totally misconstrued by people including Muslims. They are made to believe that worshipping (serving) handmade statues is the only form of idol worship. Worshipping (serving) means to reverence or to pay deep respect to something or someone to a level that rivals one’s reverence to God. This means priority #1 in life must be God and everything else should be peripheral to that and not the other way around. According to Dr. Rashad Khalifa (discoverer of Quran’s mathematical miracle) anyone who occupies our minds and time most of the day is our God. We should make sure it is God alone and nothing else. Note that Dr. Rashad Khalifa was the person, who discovered Quran’s mathematical miracle based on number 19 in 1974 by the leave of God. Number 19 has been mentioned in chapter 74 of the Quran, see the correlation (number 19 in Chapter 74 or 1974)!
Absurdity of association ships, partnerships with God and the Idol Worship will become apparent, if we ponder upon the following verses from Quran:
He cites for you herein an example from among yourselves: Do you ever elevate your servants or subordinates to the level where they rival you, and to the point that you pay them as much allegiance as is being paid to you? We thus explain the revelations for people who understand. (Quran 30:28)
He created you from one person (Adam). Subsequently, He gives every man a mate to find tranquility with her. She then carries a light load that she can hardly notice. As the load gets heavier, they implore GOD their Lord: "If You give us a good baby, we will be appreciative." But when He gives them a good baby, they turn His gift into an idol that rivals Him. GOD be exalted, far above any partnership.
Is it not a fact that they are idolizing idols who create nothing, and are themselves created? Idols that can neither help them, nor even help themselves?
When you invite them to the guidance, they do not follow you. Thus, it is the same for them whether you invite them, or remain silent.
The idols you invoke besides GOD are creatures like you. Go ahead and call upon them; let them respond to you, if you are right.
Do they have legs on which they walk? Do they have hands with which they defend themselves? Do they have eyes with which they see? Do they have ears with which they hear? Say, "Call upon your idols, and ask them to smite me without delay.
"GOD is my only Lord and Master; the One who revealed this scripture. He protects the righteous. "As for the idols you set up beside Him, they cannot help you, nor can they help themselves."
When you invite them to the guidance, they do not hear. And you see them looking at you, but they do not see. You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant. (Quran 7:189 through 7:199)
You shall remember your Lord within yourself, publicly, privately, and quietly, day and night; do not be unaware. (Quran 7:205)
The idol worshipers vehemently deny that they were idolators. Here is testimony from God about response from these idolators on the Day of Judgement:
On the day when we summon them all, we will ask the idol worshipers, "Where are the idols you set up?" Their disastrous response will be, "By GOD our Lord, we never were idol worshipers." Note how they lied to themselves, and how the idols they had invented have abandoned them. (Quran 6:22-24)
The Criterion
We have to judge ourselves clearly against this classification first and then come down to various grades of believing! God has laid out three distinct categories of people (Believers, Disbelievers and Hypocrites) in Chapters 2, 23 and 63 of Quran, one must examine and judge which category do they belong to. Refer to table below:
This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous; who believe in the unseen, establish Salat, and from our provisions to them, they give to charity. And they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain. These are guided by their Lord; these are the winners. (Quran 2:2 – 2:5)
As for those who disbelieve, it is the same for them; whether you warn them, or not warn them, they cannot believe. GOD seals their minds and their hearing, and their eyes are veiled. They have incurred severe retribution. (Quran 2:6 – 2:7)
Then there are those who say, "We believe in GOD and the Last Day," while they are not believers. In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving. In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD augments their disease. They have incurred a painful retribution for their lying. (Quran 2:8 – 2:10)
Glorifying GOD is everything in the Heavens and everything on earth. To Him belongs all kingship, and to Him belongs all praise, and He is Omnipotent. He is the One who created you, then among you there is the disbeliever, and the believer. GOD is fully Seer of everything you do. (Quran 64:1-2)
