The invisible soul is the best example and an undeniable solid proof of the reality that there is one Supreme Authority---GOD. Yes, like soul God exists. Both are a reality and unseen. The word “Living” in being is the soul. Without “Living” or life the being or body becomes a corpse---for a short term with breath or forever sans breath.
On the other hand, The Supreme Authority is unseen but in, around and above everything. He is the Creator, knower and controller of all: Verses 1-4 of Surah # 1 Al-Fatiha: “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (1) All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord [] of the 'Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). (2) The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (3) The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) (4).
Whether the original Bible, Quran, Torah and scrolls, all belong to Him---The Author---and contain His divine messages. The confusion and differences are deliberately created and caused by some evil living beings, the enemies of mankind, through distortions and venomous negative propagandas.
Islam teaches that the soul is immortal and eternal and that what a person does is recorded and will be judged at the final court of God. Common sense says that The Supreme Authority cannot cause confusion about Himself and the divine messages in His holy books. His commands and divine messages are crystal clear and enough to remove all confusions, end all differences and disputes and expose all distortions and culprits. It is only a matter of understanding the truth and accepting it.
See what the Qur'an mentions about the soul:
In Ayat # 85 of Surah # 17 Al-Isra: “And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the soul (Rûh). Say, "The soul (Rûh) is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little."---English translation by Dr Mohsin.
In Ayats # 42-44 of Surah # 39 Az-Zumar, the Quran says: “It is Allâh Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply. (42) Have they taken (others) as intercessors besides Allâh? Say: "Even if they have power over nothing whatever and have no intelligence?" (43) Say: "To Allâh belongs all intercession. His is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, Then to Him you shall be brought back." English translation by Dr Mohsin.
In Verse # 57 of Surah # 29 Al-Ankaboot: “Every soul shall have a taste of death: in the end to Us shall ye be brought back.”---English translation by Yusuf Ali.
ATHEIST FRIEND: In the apartment building where I live there used to live a white senior person, over 90 years old. He was very grumpy and a foul-mouth atheist.
Most of the people of all ages, particularly Muslims, did not like him because he used to yell at people and provoke them by uttering Blah, Blah, Blah and the dirtiest words about GOD.
He was such type of an atheist, a big nuisance and a real pain. Even the building superintendent warned the residents to keep away from him.
One day I was in the elevator with my friends and mentioned about God during the discussion. He was also present there and gave us a very bad look. Suddenly he started yelling at us and saying blah, blah, blah about God. Although the faces of my friends became red with anger still we avoided creating a scene by remaining quiet.
While he was madly yelling and abusing, I looked at him and kept smiling. This acted like a fuel on fire. Some days later, I was sitting in the building lobby when he came to me and asked seriously as to why I was laughing at him.
I invited him to sit beside me first and then listen carefully to my reasoning. Then I said: “My friend tell me what you will do if you see a mentally disturbed person shouting, crying, laughing and trying to create a scene? Will you fight with him or ignore him or help him?”
He looked at me and said: “So you people think I am a mad and crazy person. Okay tell me honestly whether your people like me or not and what they say about me?”
I told him: “They don’t like you. They are sure you are crazy and that’s why they avoid and ignore you.” He kept asking me several times and I kept giving the same reply.
On hearing this, his face turned red and he yelled in anger: “How dare you say this to me even if they don’t like me. This is rudeness. You have insulted me”
I told him: “Well, I cannot lie. This is a fact and the truth. Now just analyze your behaviour and then tell me honestly what you think about yourself. I won’t say anything.”
He kept quiet for few minutes. The anger was gone and his face turned pale. He raised his lowered head and said: “I never realized that I was acting like a fool, an insane and a rude person. I am not insane, crazy, mentally disturbed or a rude person. I don’t want people to have such bad impression about me.” He then went away quietly.
Then onwards, he became very friendly and we used to sit and discuss everything including God, good and bad. People were surprised on seeing the dramatic changes in him but knowing his temperament were expecting a fight any moment. They kept warning me of the consequences of remaining close to him but I was confident that he would not become violent.
One day he said: “Javed, I want to thank you for helping me understand Islam and Muslims properly and removing the confusion. Before meeting you, I thought that all Muslims were bad people, trouble-makers, crooks, criminals and terrorists. This was the result of venomous propaganda. This is how minds of most of our people are poisoned. I used to think that all Muslim women with Hijab and Muslim men having beards particularly were extremists and terrorists. Sorry, I was very wrong. I have found you people loving, caring, responsible and very good.”
He then started wishing everyone by saying hi and hello to all, particularly Muslims going to the mosque or living in the building. The same people who used to dislike him became his friends. They started respecting each other.
One day he came with a book in his hand and said: “Look I have bought this English version of the Quran and reading it. I do not agree on many points, have reservations and consider the God cruel. I have also read almost all other holy books including Bible and their different versions.”
I just remarked: “Good to hear that you have stopped saying blah, blah, blah and started reading God’s book. If God wills then you will soon get the guidance and understanding as well. Man, you are lucky that God is helping you. In fact you are a much better person than me and most Muslims. You are getting closer to God and we are not taking Him or His book seriously. The book is kept safely somewhere in the house. Most of us only read it but fail to understand it as it is in Arabic language and we don’t understand Arabic. We are acting like parrots.”
Hearing this, he started laughing but assured me: “I will read the book. I am fond of reading books and keep myself updated with latest news and happenings.”
He invited me to his apartment where I saw the living room full of books of recognised and reputed writers. He was a highly literate person and very knowledgeable.
Once he was sitting in Tim Hortons with his cousin. She was a religious person. He invited me to sit with them. The cousin started telling me about God and religion. He looked at her and said: “I am an atheist but I believe him and his God and found both of them good. So don’t disturb or bug him.” The cousin left the place in anger.
When I was leaving the place he stopped me and said: “I apologize to you and hope you will forgive me because I have been very rude to you and your people. That all happened due to misunderstanding and confusion. Despite my attitude problem and rude behaviour, you always tolerated and respected me and now your friends too tolerate and respect me.”
I told him: “I am inspired by the divine message of Quran. I like to have sensible discussion but avoid foolish arguments with those who deliberately provoke and insult others. We are asked to politely avoid all such people. Read Verses 1-6 of Surah # 109 Al-Kafiroon: Say: O disbelievers! (1) I worship not that which ye worship (2) Nor worship ye that which I worship. (3) And I shall not worship that which ye worship. (4) Nor will ye worship that which I worship. (5) Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion. (6)---English translation by Pickthal.”
One day we were sitting in the building lobby when a group of Muslim preachers entered the building and on seeing us came and started preaching. The atheist looked at me but remained quiet and listened to them. The building superintendent saw this and stopped them in order to avoid any scene being created. I too was feeling very uncomfortable and tried to stop them by changing the topic. They responded: “It is our duty and responsibility to preach.”
When they left the place, the atheist said: “Look I did not say anything. I listened to them quietly. Although it was becoming intolerable but I tolerated them. This is all because of you. You have helped change me and taught me tolerance. I thank you again for helping me.”
I said: “Don’t give me credit for what you are doing and the change. Thank God for helping you. You are getting His help and guidance. I am simply performing my duties and responsibilities as a responsible and respectable member of the community and society. I am neither a preacher nor a good Muslim. I try to be a good person and human being and that’s all.”
One day he came to me in a very bad mood and I asked him: “What happened.”
He said: “I was sitting in the Tim Hortons when one of the preachers came to my table and started his lecture. I politely told him to leave the table. He did not listen and kept preaching. This made me angry and I started yelling at him. Honestly I felt very bad and did not want to react in such a manner but he left me no choice. In order to avoid them and not to create any further scene, I left the place. I know that their stupidity and foolishness has nothing to do with Islam and teachings of good Muslim and God. They were just posing as good Muslims but were doing contrary to the teachings.”
This made me angry too. I am fed up with such illiterate people and so-called Mullahs and try to expose and stop them. They are playing with helpless and innocent people,d harming them and badly tarnishing the image of God, Islam and Muslims. This is why I am committed to struggle against them and keep writing and saying: “Follow Allah---The Creator and Protector. Shun Fake Mullahs---The Enemies and Destroyers of Muslims and Humanity.”
Christians, Muslims, Jews, saner elements of all religions and communities and all good human beings must unite on a common platform to face all such challenges. Together we can help bring positive changes and make the world a better place to live in for all.
We must stop encouraging, supporting and promoting all cunning and corrupt parties, leaders and people. This is how we can fail and defeat them. We have been committing grave mistakes of voting them into power or making them very powerful by blindly following them. We are neither their slaves nor worshippers. We must understand the value of our rights and freedom, fight for them and protect them accordingly. No one should be allowed to play with our fate and future. Enough of lollypops and false promises. It is time to sharpen the nail of our middle finger for all those who want to keep playing with us and make us their slaves.
BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER
http://www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.ca
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