Written by: Deeba Chaudhry
Source: Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner
Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner
By Deeba Chaudhry | April 5, 2012
Today a key issue of the world is peace or rather a lack of peace. The erosion of peace is on everyone’s mind . Some attribute this economic causes, others to social issues whether on an individual, national or international level, yet others point to political causes, whilst others attribute it to religious differences and as a consequence to the very concept of God. Today the entire world is restless. If the East is restless, the West is even more restless. There is turmoil in Asia and turmoil in the Middle East, Europe is also in turmoil. One can somehow understand the restlessness of the third world or the developing countries, but we fail to understand why the most affluent nations of the world, particularly in the West, are so restless?
Despite of all the comforts and amenities, we are still restless. We are all craving for peace of mind. We grope to find peace of mind maybe in having a beautiful house, or in having a good education, or having an excellent job, or having a good spouse. The trouble is that the fulfilment of one desire given birth to countless other desires. Why are we so restless? Why is there so much depression? Why are the most affluent nations relying on countless medications just to sleep at night? Why is it, that even the richest of the rich are dependent on powerful drugs for a few hours of comfort?
The root cause of this state of restlessness is man’s selfishness and neglect of the purpose of his creation. It is this selfishness and discord with the purpose of life in our bosoms that breeds restlessness in the family. And then this restlessness creeps onto our streets and towns and cities and finally extends its malignant tentacles around the entire world. Where is true peace of mind? Does Islam have an answer to this malice?
The life is transitory and sooner or later, we all have to depart. The filling graveyards bear testimony to this fact that we are ordinary human beings and we have an end awaiting us. If not today, then tomorrow, we will be claimed by the pall-bearers, or by the funeral homes. According to all religions, and in particular Islam, surely, there is a day of accountability - a Day of Judgement. Sixty years, seventy years, eighty years, or hundred years, but our departure is definitely a sure thing - “The Sure Thing In This World”. The pertinent question is: what preparations have I made, for this questioning? If for my article of just ten minutes, I made many hours of preparation, then how serious should I consider the questioning by our Lord on the Day of Judgement?
But is there any purpose of our creation? Is there life after death? Are we accountable for all the time we spent in this world? Is there a conscious being called God - call Him Lord - call Him Allah, Pramatemah - Or Jehovah? Is there an Omnipotent God? Even an ordinary human being does not labour on making a thing without purpose. Then how could God create this world, the countless stars and galaxies without any purpose? What about the countless Prophets, maybe as many as 124,000 Prophets - were they sent to all nations and all countries without any purpose? Cast a glance at the testimony of all these Prophets and Reformers. They all gave testimony in unison that there is a Creator; that there is a purpose of life; there is a way to redemption; and there is a way to an everlasting life.
Real Islam that was revealed in the book called the Holy Qur’an - the true Islam that was presented to humanity by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The perspective of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on Islam is based on the direct guidance received from God Almighty by the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyyat - the Reformer of Islam, which he conveyed to us and by means of which we have been shown the ways of establishing peace in the world. The True Islam, the Islam that Ahmadis believe in and practice, is poles apart from terrorism, or from these terrorist hijackers, or those suicide bombers who roam about torching schools, mining and butchering innocent people. It is about those so-called Muslims, who burn down Churches, Synagogues, or Mosques of their adversaries. It is about those so-called Muslims who kill worshipers as they kneel before their Creator. Such people are a blot on the fair face of Islam - on the fair face of Muhammad (sa). In fact, they are a blemish on humanity.
The true Islam offers the West not only a perfect concept of God but also teachings which are perfect and cover all aspects of life. The Qur’an is a living book and contains teachings for all aspects of life, disclosing it to those who are pure and to those who reflect. It is guidance for the righteous. Furthermore, Islam offers not only a flawless concept of God and teachings, but also a flawless role model who practiced and demonstrated the application of these teachings. Regarding peace of mind, why should we not consider the prescription as taught in the Holy Qur’an? God Says: “Aye! It is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort. (13:29) As if God is saying: “O My creations! To attain true peace of mind, you must always keep Me in Remembrance.” In another verse of the Holy Qur’an, God has given the real purpose of the creation of humanity. He says: “And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me. (51:57) God says that the prime purpose of humanity is, that they serve Me, and obey My commandments. It is important to mention what worship really means to an Ahmadi Muslim. For an Ahmadi Muslim, worship means to discharge the rights owned to the Creator, to bow down before the Lord and to discharge all the rights of His creation which include all kinds of personal, social, economic and moral rights. This is the purpose of our creation. Can a created being conjecture to appoint a purpose of its own life? No!
Islam teaches us to believe in a loving God; in a compassionate God; in a forgiving God. He is not a vindictive God at all. On the contrary, he is such a compassionate God that He seeks excuses for forgive our trespasses. The Holy Prophet (sa) once said that if you take just one step towards Him - He reciprocates by taking two steps towards you. If you walk towards Him, He runs towards you. This is the Benevolent God of Islam to which we humbly invite everybody. Islam teaches that once should be tolerant towards other religions. Islam emphasizes interfaith dialogue and cooperation. It is God who will decide on the Day of Judgement who is right and who is wrong. Islam teaches that one should be kind to the creatures of God and be kind to animals. The Holy Prophet (sa) once said that a sinner (prostitute) quenched the thirst of a dog, and she was forgiven by Allah for this kindness.
Islam and the Holy Prophet (sa) taught that love of your country is part of your faith. On July 1st, 2011 a crowed of 10,000 was celebrating Canada Day in front of Baitun Nur Mosque arranged by the volunteers of Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. This is only one way of showing Ahmadis love of their homeland. We pray that Allah may grant peace and prosperity to our beloved country - Canada. This is the Islam that Ahmadis believe in and this is the Islam that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community invites everyone to consider. In this Islam, lies the salvation for the mankind. Ahmadi Muslim can say: “To a godless society, Islam proves the existence of God. To a society void of good manners, Islam provides guidance. To an unruly society, Islam provides teaching to become law-abiding citizens. To a restless society, Islam provides means for obtaining peace of mind.” May Allah grant everybody abundance of good, may Allah solve all everyone’s problems, and grant healthy and long life so that at the time of departure to the heavenly abode, everybody may be pleased with God, and most import of all, Allah be pleased with everybody.
Read original post here: Islam (Means “Peace”): What Can Islam Offer To The West
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times.
Source/Credit: Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner
By Deeba Chaudhry | April 5, 2012
Today a key issue of the world is peace or rather a lack of peace. The erosion of peace is on everyone’s mind . Some attribute this economic causes, others to social issues whether on an individual, national or international level, yet others point to political causes, whilst others attribute it to religious differences and as a consequence to the very concept of God. Today the entire world is restless. If the East is restless, the West is even more restless. There is turmoil in Asia and turmoil in the Middle East, Europe is also in turmoil. One can somehow understand the restlessness of the third world or the developing countries, but we fail to understand why the most affluent nations of the world, particularly in the West, are so restless?
Despite of all the comforts and amenities, we are still restless. We are all craving for peace of mind. We grope to find peace of mind maybe in having a beautiful house, or in having a good education, or having an excellent job, or having a good spouse. The trouble is that the fulfilment of one desire given birth to countless other desires. Why are we so restless? Why is there so much depression? Why are the most affluent nations relying on countless medications just to sleep at night? Why is it, that even the richest of the rich are dependent on powerful drugs for a few hours of comfort?
The root cause of this state of restlessness is man’s selfishness and neglect of the purpose of his creation. It is this selfishness and discord with the purpose of life in our bosoms that breeds restlessness in the family. And then this restlessness creeps onto our streets and towns and cities and finally extends its malignant tentacles around the entire world. Where is true peace of mind? Does Islam have an answer to this malice?
The life is transitory and sooner or later, we all have to depart. The filling graveyards bear testimony to this fact that we are ordinary human beings and we have an end awaiting us. If not today, then tomorrow, we will be claimed by the pall-bearers, or by the funeral homes. According to all religions, and in particular Islam, surely, there is a day of accountability - a Day of Judgement. Sixty years, seventy years, eighty years, or hundred years, but our departure is definitely a sure thing - “The Sure Thing In This World”. The pertinent question is: what preparations have I made, for this questioning? If for my article of just ten minutes, I made many hours of preparation, then how serious should I consider the questioning by our Lord on the Day of Judgement?
But is there any purpose of our creation? Is there life after death? Are we accountable for all the time we spent in this world? Is there a conscious being called God - call Him Lord - call Him Allah, Pramatemah - Or Jehovah? Is there an Omnipotent God? Even an ordinary human being does not labour on making a thing without purpose. Then how could God create this world, the countless stars and galaxies without any purpose? What about the countless Prophets, maybe as many as 124,000 Prophets - were they sent to all nations and all countries without any purpose? Cast a glance at the testimony of all these Prophets and Reformers. They all gave testimony in unison that there is a Creator; that there is a purpose of life; there is a way to redemption; and there is a way to an everlasting life.
Real Islam that was revealed in the book called the Holy Qur’an - the true Islam that was presented to humanity by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The perspective of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on Islam is based on the direct guidance received from God Almighty by the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyyat - the Reformer of Islam, which he conveyed to us and by means of which we have been shown the ways of establishing peace in the world. The True Islam, the Islam that Ahmadis believe in and practice, is poles apart from terrorism, or from these terrorist hijackers, or those suicide bombers who roam about torching schools, mining and butchering innocent people. It is about those so-called Muslims, who burn down Churches, Synagogues, or Mosques of their adversaries. It is about those so-called Muslims who kill worshipers as they kneel before their Creator. Such people are a blot on the fair face of Islam - on the fair face of Muhammad (sa). In fact, they are a blemish on humanity.
The true Islam offers the West not only a perfect concept of God but also teachings which are perfect and cover all aspects of life. The Qur’an is a living book and contains teachings for all aspects of life, disclosing it to those who are pure and to those who reflect. It is guidance for the righteous. Furthermore, Islam offers not only a flawless concept of God and teachings, but also a flawless role model who practiced and demonstrated the application of these teachings. Regarding peace of mind, why should we not consider the prescription as taught in the Holy Qur’an? God Says: “Aye! It is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort. (13:29) As if God is saying: “O My creations! To attain true peace of mind, you must always keep Me in Remembrance.” In another verse of the Holy Qur’an, God has given the real purpose of the creation of humanity. He says: “And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me. (51:57) God says that the prime purpose of humanity is, that they serve Me, and obey My commandments. It is important to mention what worship really means to an Ahmadi Muslim. For an Ahmadi Muslim, worship means to discharge the rights owned to the Creator, to bow down before the Lord and to discharge all the rights of His creation which include all kinds of personal, social, economic and moral rights. This is the purpose of our creation. Can a created being conjecture to appoint a purpose of its own life? No!
Islam teaches us to believe in a loving God; in a compassionate God; in a forgiving God. He is not a vindictive God at all. On the contrary, he is such a compassionate God that He seeks excuses for forgive our trespasses. The Holy Prophet (sa) once said that if you take just one step towards Him - He reciprocates by taking two steps towards you. If you walk towards Him, He runs towards you. This is the Benevolent God of Islam to which we humbly invite everybody. Islam teaches that once should be tolerant towards other religions. Islam emphasizes interfaith dialogue and cooperation. It is God who will decide on the Day of Judgement who is right and who is wrong. Islam teaches that one should be kind to the creatures of God and be kind to animals. The Holy Prophet (sa) once said that a sinner (prostitute) quenched the thirst of a dog, and she was forgiven by Allah for this kindness.
Islam and the Holy Prophet (sa) taught that love of your country is part of your faith. On July 1st, 2011 a crowed of 10,000 was celebrating Canada Day in front of Baitun Nur Mosque arranged by the volunteers of Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. This is only one way of showing Ahmadis love of their homeland. We pray that Allah may grant peace and prosperity to our beloved country - Canada. This is the Islam that Ahmadis believe in and this is the Islam that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community invites everyone to consider. In this Islam, lies the salvation for the mankind. Ahmadi Muslim can say: “To a godless society, Islam proves the existence of God. To a society void of good manners, Islam provides guidance. To an unruly society, Islam provides teaching to become law-abiding citizens. To a restless society, Islam provides means for obtaining peace of mind.” May Allah grant everybody abundance of good, may Allah solve all everyone’s problems, and grant healthy and long life so that at the time of departure to the heavenly abode, everybody may be pleased with God, and most import of all, Allah be pleased with everybody.
Read original post here: Islam (Means “Peace”): What Can Islam Offer To The West
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times.
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