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The contents of this world were created for the service of humankind.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

"It is Allah Who hath created the heavens and the earth and sendeth down rain from the skies and with it bringeth out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who hath made the ships subject to you that they may sail through the sea by His command; and the rivers (also) hath He made subject to you.And He hath made subject to you the sun and the moon, both diligently pursuing their courses: and the Night and the Day hath He (also) made subject to you." (14:32,33)

"He it is that cleaveth the daybreak (from the dark): He makes the night for rest and tranquillity, and the sun and moon for the reckoning (of time): such is the judgment and ordering of (Him), the Exalted in Power, the Omniscient. It is He Who maketh the stars (as beacons) for you, that ye may guide yourselves, with their help, through the dark spaces of land and sea: We detail Our Signs for people who know." (6:96,97)

However such gifts are not without responsibility. Humans are required to recognize Allah’s bounties and mercies and give thanks to Him and glorify Him.

For E.g. Allah taught us to pray the following whenever we ride an animal or a vehicle:

"Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts)." (42:13)

Human beings are also required to govern the creation according to the laws of Allah.

Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “The world is beautiful and green, and Allah-be He exalted- has made you governors over it to see how you will act.”

ANIMALS

Caring for animals is enshrined in the divine law.

Killing animals for sports or fun is forbidden.

Taking a life of any living animal is prohibited unless it is for food, for protection of human life or for clothing.

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "A lady was punished because of a cat which she had imprisoned till it died. She entered the (Hell) Fire because of it, for she neither gave it food nor water as she had imprisoned it, nor set it free to eat from the vermin of the earth." (Sahih Al Bukhari)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that." (Sahih Al Bukhari)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, "This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate." (Sahih Al Bukhari)

VEGETATION

The vegetable kingdom is also highly regarded in Islam.

Planting of trees is considered an act of charity.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." (Sahih al Bukhari)

In another narration Anas (RA) related to the prophet (Saw) said, “If the signs of the beginning of the day of resurrection appear and one of you has a seedling in his hand, he should plant it if he is able to do so, before the resurrection begins.”

CONCLUSION

Without knowledge of the purpose of creation, human beings wander aimlessly through life, like ships at sea without rudders. Their goals are either wrong due to incorrect religious teachings, or materialistic and thus confined to this world. It is, therefore, essential for their own well-being that they know why Allah created them.

Fundamentally, Allah created in order to manifest His attributes. Consequently,

Creation is the consequence of His being the Creator Paradise manifests His mercy and grace Hell, His justice. Because people themselves choose the wrong path and knowingly put themselves to Hell. So Allah is just. Living and non-living beings, His Generosity. Allah has bestowed upon us all the basic necessities of life; this is due to his generosity.

The significance of knowing the creation is a means by which Allah manifests His attributes and human beings can then correctly recognize Allah and accept his decree and their destiny.

However, it is of greater importance that human beings know the purpose for which they were created.

The significance of this knowledge is that human beings understand that worship is as much a necessity as eating and breathing and that it s not a favor they are doing for Allah. It is also essential that human beings grasp the importance of this world’s bounties and trials.

The tests of good and evil are designed in order to bring out the higher spiritual qualities, which enable us to attain the state, which makes us suitable and eligible to return to paradise. We transform into the best of creation once we understand our purpose of creation.

Allah says in the Quran:

"You are the best community raised for humanity. You enjoin that which is recognized (as good) and forbid that which is not recognized (as good) and you believe in Allah; and had the owners of the book (too) believed, it would have been better for them, among them there are believers, but most of them are transgressors." (3:110)

The paradise from which we were created, we should return back to paradise. Through our choices we have left, in this life, a felid of testing, where we can grow to a state where we deserve paradise.

The purpose of this life is the worship of Allah, this life is a test. A test for us, will we worship Allah, or will we forget Him?? This is where our focus has to begin.

May Allah make us amongst those whose ultimate abode is Jannah.

May Allah bestow his abundant Mercy on us and forgive all of us the sins we have done and will commit in our future.

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The answer to this can be found in the Holy Quran

"Who created death and life to test you (as to) which of you is best in deeds, and He is the Mighty, the Protectively Forgiving." (67:2)

"That which is on earth We have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them, as to which of them are best in conduct." (18:7)

So, the purpose for the creation of human beings on this earth is to test their conduct. This world of life and death, wealth and poverty, sickness and health, was created to sift out the righteous souls from the evil souls. The test for the conduct serves two basic purposes as follows:

I- Human Spiritual Growth
II- Punishment or reward.

I- SPIRITUAL GROWTH: The tests of this world are primarily for the spiritual growth of human beings. Test purifies the moral character of the believer. Although not every test is passed, even in failure the believer grows by learning spiritual lessons to help him or her in future tests. Always find an opportunity in every difficult situation. Even failure is a blessing so that we can prepare well for the next test. The Lessons are as follows:

A. Generosity and Contentment
B. Greed
C. Charity
D. Envy
E. Calamities
F. Patience
G. Despair
H. Hope

A. GENEROSITY AND CONTENTMENT: In all human societies the qualities of generosity and contentment are considered among the noblest characteristics. Generosity is the noblest of the character because:

    a. We fight with our inner self to give money
    b. We are not greedy and we spend on others. By being generous, the society gains.
    c. It’s a fight with our inner desire to hoard more money.

However none of these traits can develop if everyone has the same amount of wealth. Generosity can only be acquired when the human soul struggles against its desire to hoard its possessions. Contentment is produced when the soul defeats the evils of envy and greed.

Allah says:

"Allah has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others; those more favoured are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favours of Allah?" (16:71)

B. GREED: Greed and stinginess are corrupt forms of natural human desires to posses. Possessions exist in this world before humans are born and they remain there after they die. If wealth is used according to the divine instructions, it benefits those who have it, in both the worlds. But, if it is selfishly used, it becomes a curse in this life and a cause of punishment in the next. Wealth is not happiness if spent in wrong ways. Wealth is a bounty from Allah, but it depends on how we acquire it and spend it. Allah says in the Quran:

"O ye who believe! let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own." (63:9)

Allah has created man with immense desire for wealth. So we should be very careful that the desire for wealth should not make us forget the remembrance of Allah, else we become losers. Even children shouldn’t be an excuse for not remembering Allah. Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said, "If adam's son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust. And Allah forgives him who repents to Him." (Bukhari)

C. CHARITY: Allah says in the Quran:

"Of their wealth take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them; and pray on their behalf. Verily thy prayers are a source of security for them: and Allah is One Who heareth and knoweth."(9:103)

This ayat says that, we should give away from our wealth, so that Allah cleans it and purifies it for us.

"And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of the (needy), him who asked and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking)." (51:19)

However charity should be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allah and not for show. When we do something not for the sake of Allah, it will have no weight on the day of resurrection.

Allah says in the Quran:

"O ye who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury― like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. They are in Parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil; on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guideth not those who reject faith." (2:264)

D. ENVY: Craving for wealth is further enhanced by envy. Allah has instructed us not to desire what He has given others.

Allah says in the Quran:

"And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: but ask Allah of His bounty: for Allah hath full knowledge of all things." (4:32)

The Prophet (SAW) has said: “ Look to those less fortunate than you, and do not look to those above you; it is better for you, in order that you do not deny what Allah has blessed you with.” No matter how difficult circumstances may be, there are always others in more difficult situation. It is in this struggle of avoiding envy that the higher quality of contentment develops. Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Riches does not mean, having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment." (Bukhari)

E. CALAMITIES: Tests of this life also come in the form of misfortune and calamities. They in turn contribute to the spiritual growth of the true believer and purify him of sins.

F. PATIENCE: Calamities are the foundation on which the higher spiritual quality of patience is developed. Sa’ad reported that he asked the Prophet (SAW) who among mankind had the most trials, and He (SAW) replied, “ The prophets, then the most like them and then those most like them. Man is tested according to the level of his faith. If his faith is firm, his trials increase in severity, and if he has weakness in his faith, he will be tried accordingly.” (Ibn Majah)

True patience is the product of complete trust in Allah at the time of calamity.

Allah quotes Yaqub (AS) in the Quran:

he said; "O my sons! Enter not all by one gate: enter ye by different gates. Not that I can profit you aught against Allah (with my advice): none can command except Allah: on Him do I put my trust and let all that trust put their trust on Him." (12:67)

Allah further assures humankind that if they put their trust in Him, He will be sufficient for them in their most trying times and He will provide him from a place unthought-of.

"And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. " (65:3)

When Allah befalls a calamity on us, we should believe that Allah knows what’s good for us in that calamity. By putting trust in Allah we become light hearted. Trust in Allah is embodied in the firm belief that Allah alone knows what is best for humankind.

Allah says in the Quran:

"... But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not." (2:216)

Allah creates trial for each person according to their abilities in order to bring out the best in them. Surely Allah s truly just.

Allah says in the Quran:

"On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray): "Our Lord! condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; help us against those who stand against faith." (2:286)

It’s the trial which befalls on us that our trust in Allah increases. We feel that if one trial He made easy for us, then any other trial He can make easy for us. So in this way, our trust in Allah increases. Furthermore, the Almighty promises that the difficult situations which humans face in life will be followed by the periods of relief.

Allah says in the Quran:

"So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief: Verily with every difficulty there is relief." (94:5,6)

G. Despair: Due to the rejection of faith, people fall into utter despair. As they say “Life is so unfair that it is pointless to go on living.”

Allah says in the Qur’an:

"…and never give up hope of Allah's Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah's Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith." (12:87)

That is why suicide is strictly prohibited in Islam.

 Allah says in the Qur’an

"O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: but let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful. " (4:29)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "He who commits suicide by throttling shall keep on throttling himself in the Hell Fire (forever) and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself shall keep on stabbing himself in the Hell-Fire." (Bukhari)

H. HOPE: Hope in the mercy of Allah is an essential part of faith. Those who believe in Allah and patiently strive to do what is right have the right to hope for Allah’s Mercy.

For Allah promises in the Qur’an:

"O ye who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere." (2:153)

Allah is telling us directly that he is with us. So if we face any calamity, be patient and pray to Allah because Allah is with those who are patient.

Allah says in the Quran:

"Those who believed and those who suffered exile and fought (and strove and struggled) in the path of Allah,―they have the hope of the Mercy of Allah; and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (2:218)

Of course, Paradise is the reward for patience based on the sincere belief in Allah.

Allah says in the Quran

"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who say: when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return." (2:155,156)

Patience is also based on the belief that whatever befalls mankind is fundamentally a consequence of their own evil deeds. Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because of the things your hands have wrought, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness." (42:30)

The fact is, Allah has excused humans for much of their evil.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

"If Allah were to punish men according to what they deserve, He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in his sight all His servants. " (35:45)

Consequently, both the trials of good and evil benefit the believer. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.” (Muslim)

If the believer experiences a life devoid of any problems, it should be taken as a sign, for success and happiness often bind people to the trials of life. This is not to say that the believers should yearn for problems. Instead they should thank Allah for whatever trials He has spared them.

HYPOCRISY: Trials and tests expose those who falsely claim faith.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

"Do men think that they will be left alone on saying "We believe" and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false." (29:2,3)

REMINDER: Tests sometimes serves as a punishing reminder to those who have gone astray and encourage them to return to the correct path.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

"And indeed We will make them taste of the Penalty of this (life) prior to the supreme Penalty in order that they may (repent and) return." (32:21)

II- PUNISHMENT: Those who transgress the limits set by Allah expose themselves to punishment in this life and the next.

Allah gives a warning in the Qur’an:

"…let those beware who withstand the Messenger's order, lest some trial befall them, or a grievous Penalty be inflicted on them." (24:63)

The punishment may come in a variety of different ways. And when the punishment comes it is not limited to the evil, but affects the society as whole.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

"And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial) which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people), and know that Allâh is Severe in punishment." (8:25)

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We have to answer the most fundamental questions:

“Why was I created?

Why am I here?

What am I doing in this world?

Why did Allah create me?”

Allah says in the Quran:

And when your Fosterer took out their descendants from the backs of the children of Adam and made them bear witness against themselves (saying), "Am I not your Fosterer?" They said, "Why not, we bear witness." (We took this testimony from you) lest you should say on the day of resurrection, "We were unaware of this." Or you should say, "Our forefathers associated partners (with Allah) before (us) and we were only their descendants (following their traditions) after them, will You destroy us for what the followers of falsehood did?" (7:172,173)

The Prophet(SAW) explained hat when Allah created Adam, He took from him a covenant at a place called Na’maan on the 9^th day of the 12^th month. He then extracted from Adam all of his descendants who would be born until the end of the world, generation after generation, and spread them out before Him to take a covenant from them also. He spoke to them, face to face, making them bear witness that He was their Lord.

It is based on this inborn belief that Allah defined the purpose of humankind’s creation:

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind but (with the sole purpose) that they should serve Me." (51:56)

THE MEANING OF WORSHIP

The English term worship means honor.

It is defined as “the performance of devotional acts in honor of the deity, to show gratitude to Allah by glorifying him”

In glorifying Allah, man chooses to be in harmony with the rest of the creation as Allah says in the Quran

"The seven skies and the earth and whoever is in them, (all) declare His glory, and there is nothing which does not glorify Him by praising Him but you do not understand their glorification. He is certainly Clement, Protectively Forgiving." (17:44)

Consequently it means “obedient submission to the will of Allah.”

THE NEED FOR WORSHIP

Why do human beings need to worship Allah by obeying the divinely revealed laws?

1. Obedience to the divine law is the key success in this life and the next.

2. To enter paradise. We all have come from jannah, so if we worship, we will be successful and go back to our home.

3. To fulfill our responsibility. The promise we made to Allah, we testified that HE is our Lord.

Divine law represents guidance for humankind in all walks of life.

REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH

All the various acts of worship contained in the divine laws are designed to help all humans remember Allah.

Humans often become so engrossed in fulfilling their material needs that they totally forget their spiritual needs.

Regular prayer is ordained to organize the day of the true believer around the remembrance of Allah.

Allah states:

"I am Allah, there is no god except Me, so serve Me and establish worship (salat) for My remembrance." (20:14)

Regarding fasting, Allah states:

"O you who believe ! fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may guard (against evil)." (2:183)

The believers are encouraged to remember Allah as much as possible. Allah states:

"O you who believe! remember Allah, remembering Him much and glorify Him morning and evening." (22:41,42)

Remembrance of Allah is stressed because sin is generally committed when Allah is forgotten.

Our soul needs to be nourished. It can be done by worshipping Allah sincerely and continuously.

Once Allah is forgotten satanic forces seek to occupy people’s mind with irrelevant thoughts and desires.

Allah states:

"The devil has cast his influence over them so he has made them to forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are (the members of) the team of the devil. Beware! the (members of) the team of the devil, they are certainly the losers." (58:19)

Allah has prohibited intoxicants and gambling because they cause human beings to forget Allah as stated:

"The only intention of the devil is to cause enmity and hatred to befall among you through intoxicants and games of chance, and to turn you away from Allah's remembrance and worship (salat). Will you then desist?" (5:91)

All humans have times of weakness in which they commit sins.

If they have no means of remembering Allah, they sink deeper and deeper into the corruption with every sin.

However, those who follow the divine law will be constantly reminded of Allah, which will give them chance to repent and correct themselves.

Allah states:

"And those who, when they commit an indecency or do injustice to themselves, remember Allah and seek (His) protective forgiveness for their sins. And who protectively forgives the sins except Allah? And knowingly they do not persist in (doing) that which they did (sin)." (3:135)

No sinner will be happy in his life. He would definitely find for a place which will get him peace.

THE RELIGION OF ISLAM

Islam means “submission to the will of Allah.”

Since there is only One Allah, and humankind are one species, the religion which Allah has ordained for human beings is one.

Human spiritual and social needs are uniform, and human nature has not changed since the first man and women were created.

Consequently no other religion is acceptable to Allah besides Islam, as He clearly states in:

"The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His will): nor did the people of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account." (3:19)

"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, then it will not be accepted from him and in the hereafter he will be among those who are the losers." (3:85)

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In the Islamic system, each and every human act can be transformed into an act of worship. However, for that to be acceptable to Allah, each act must fulfill two basic conditions:

First, the act must be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allah and not for the recognition and praise of human beings. The believer also has to be conscious of Allah while doing the deed to ensure that it is not something forbidden by Allah or the last Messenger (SAW).

In order to facilitate this transformation of mundane (ordinary) deeds into worship, Allah instructed the last Prophet (SAW) to prescribe short prayers to be said even before the simplest acts. The shortest prayer which may be used for any circumstance is: Bismillah (in the name of Allah).

Second, the act must be done in accordance with the Prophetic way, because Prophets were guided by Allah. What they taught were divinely revealed truths, and only those who followed their way and accepted the truths would inherit eternal life in paradise.

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood related that one day Prophet Muhammad (SAW) drew a line in the dust for them and said, “ this is Allah’s path.” He then drew several lines (branching off) to the right and to the left and said, “these are the paths of misguidance on each of which is a devil inviting people to follow it.”  (Ahmed)

He (SAW) then recited the verse:

"And that, this is My path, straight, so follow it and do not follow other ways which will part you from His way. That He directs you with, that you may guard (against evil)." (6:153)

INNOVATION

The only acceptable way to worship Allah is according to the way of the Prophets. That being the case, innovation in religious affairs is the worst of all evils.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was reported to have said, “The worst of all affairs is innovation in religion, for every religious innovation is a cursed, misleading innovation leading to the hell fire.”  (An-Nasai)

The Prophet (SAW) was also reported by is wife, As’ishah, to have said, “He who innovates something in this matter of ours, that is not of it, will have it rejected.” (Bukhari)

The general rule to follow in order to avoid innovation in religion, follow any worship that is

a.    Proven by the Qur’an
b.    Supported by an authentic hadith.

We do certain deeds thinking it is good because our parents or grandparents, etc did it. But ultimately such deeds which are innovated are simply rejected by Allah.

Abdullah reported that he asked Allah’s Messenger(SAW) which sin is the gravest in Allah’s sight and He replied, “to give Allah a partner, even though he created you.”  (Bukhari)

Worshipping others besides Allah, is the only unforgivable sin Allah stated:

"Allah certainly does not forgive associating of partners with Him (polytheism), and He protectively forgives (any sin) other than that, to whom He wills; and one who associates partners with Allah (a polytheist), he indeed fabricates a great sin." (4:48)

The greatest example of associating partners with Allah is going to the Dargah’s. Those people who go to the Dargah’s are not following the creator, but they are following the creator’s (Allah) creation.

They start loving, trusting them more than Allah.

LOVE OF ALLAH

Shirk also occurs when human beings love, trust or fear the creation more than Allah and the last revelation, Allah said:

"And among human beings are those who take (objects) besides Allah, (as His) equals, they love them as they should have loved Allah, but those who believe are strongest in love for Allah. Oh! Those who are unjust will realize when they see the punishment, that power is wholly Allah's and that Allah is severe in punishment." (2:165)

However, only Allah deserves a complete human emotional commitment, for it is He alone who should be loved and feared over all creation.

Anas ibn Maalik narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever possesses the following three characteristics has tasted the sweetness of faith: he who loves Allah and His Messenger above all else; he who loves another human being for Allah’s sake alone; and he who hates to return to disbelief after Allah has rescued him as he hates to be thrown into fire.” (Muslim)

All the reasons for which humans love other humans or love other created beings are reasons to love Allah more than his creation. Humans love life and success dislike death and failure. Since Allah is the ultimate source of life and success, HE deserves the full love and devotion of mankind. Humans also love those who benefit them and help them when they are in need. Since all benefit and help come from Allah, He should be loved above all else.

Allah states:

"And He gives you everything which you ask from Him and if you count Allah’s favours you will not be able to compute them. Man is certainly unjust, ungrateful." (14:34)

Say, "If you love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and protectively forgive you your sins and Allah is Protectively Forgiving, Merciful." (3:31)

The love of Allah should also be expressed in the love of those whom Allah loves.

Allah says :

“Surely Allah will bestow love (in the hearts of the believers for) those who believe and do righteous deeds.” (19:96)

Aboo Hurairah also related that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said the following in this regard, “if Allah loves a servant He informs angel Gabriel that He loves so- and –so and tells him to love him, so Gabriel loves him. Then Gabriel calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens: “Allah loves so-and-so, therefore love him.” So the inhabitants of heaven love him. Then he is granted the love of the people of earth.” (Sahih al Bukhari)

Our parents, siblings, children, life partner, friends, etc whom we love more are all provided by Allah. We love them more because we can see them and cannot see Allah. But we can see Allah by

a.    His blessings
b.    His bounties
c.    His mercy

So we should love Allah more than anyone else.

PRAYERS: Prayers should only be directed to Allah alone, for only He can answer prayers. He is accessible as long as He is called upon sincerely.

Allah says:

"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way." (2:186)

The Prophet (SAW) emphasized this point, saying, “If you ask in prayer, ask only Allah, and if you seek help, seek it only from Allah.”  (Tirmidhi)

Thus, prayer to human beings or through human beings, dead or living, is a form of shirk.

Allah says:

"Those whom you pray to, besides Allah, are certainly servants like you, so pray to them then let them respond to you if you are truthful." (7:194)

Likewise, any Muslim who prays to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) commits shirk. Consequently, Allah commanded the Prophet (SAW) to inform his followers as follows, as stated in the Quran:

Say, "I have no power to benefit or harm myself, (I have nothing) except that which Allah wills; and had I known the un seen I would have had abundance of good and evil would not have (even) touched me. I am but a warner and a conveyer of good news to people who believe." (7:188)

Aboo Hurairah reported that when the verse “And warn your family (consisting) of close relatives” (26:214), was revealed to the Prophet (SAW), he said the following to his relatives: "O people of Quraysh, secure deliverance from Allah (by doing good deeds), for I cannot avail you at all against Allah." (Bukhari)

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1. THE MERCIFUL, THE FORGIVING: Human beings were created good and pure with a natural awareness of good and evil. The Almighty also created in, human desires, and gave them an ability to control those desires according to divine law or to turn them loose and follow them blindly. Allah created mankind knowing that they would disobey Him. Consequently, He taught human beings, beginning with Adam, how to repent and thereby purify themselves of their sins. Prophet Mohammad (saw) informed his followers of this reality, sayin, “ If you do not commit sins and turn to Allah, seeking his forgiveness, He would have replaced you with another people who would sin, ask Allah’s forgiveness and He would forgive them.” (Muslim)
   
   No matter how great the sins of human beings may be, Allah can forgive them if man turns back to Him in sincere repentance. The Messenger (saw) was quoted as saying, “ When Allah created the universe, He made an obligation on Himself (recorded) in a document kept by Him: My mercy supersedes my wrath.” (Muslim)
   
   He was also reported to have said, “Allah [created] mercy with one hundred parts, one of which was sent down upon the jinn, human beings and other living beings. It is out of this one part that they love each other, show kindness to each other and even the animals treat their offspring with affection. Allah has reserved the remaining ninety-nine parts of His true worshippers on the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim)
   
   
2. SUPREME JUSTICE: In the judgment of mankind at the end of this world, Allah’s attributes of supreme justice and fairness also became manifest. Based on His infinite knowledge, Allah could have created all members of the human race who were to live on earth and immediately placed some of them in paradise and the remainder in hell. Before creating man, Allah already knew what choices they would make in this life, what provision and opportunities He would give them, and in what state of belief or disbelief they would die. Therefore, in one sense it could be said that some people were created for paradise and others for hell. Aysha(RA), wife of the Prophet Mohammad(SAW), quoted him saying, “Don’t you know Allah created paradise and hell, and He created inhabitants for each?”
   
   If Allah had immediately placed those headed for paradise in paradise, they would not question Allah’s decision. However, those immediately placed in hell would ask why. Consequently, Allah allows human beings to live out their lives on earth and make all the choices they would have made, so that everyone who enters Hell will know that they chose hell by themselves. And they will accept his judgment as being just and beyond reproach. However they will still beg for another chance to do good in this world, as Allah says in the Quran:
   
   "If only you could see (the time) when the sinners will bow their heads before their Lord,[saying],Our Lord! We have now seen and heard, so send us back and we will do righteous deeds. Verily, we now believe with certainty." (32:12)
   
   However, if Allah were to send them back to this world having forgotten what they had seen of hell, they would again choose evil and end up in the hell as before.
   
   Allah spoke about this in the Quran:
   
   "But if they were returned [to this world], they would certainly go back to what was forbidden to them. Indeed they are liars." (6:28)
    
3. DIVINE LOVE: Allah’s love is manifest in beings brought into existence, whether believer or disbeliever, to enjoy life, if only for a brief moment. It is also realized in the creation of paradise for those who chose righteousness over evil. Allah states in the final revelation that He loves those who do good (5:13), those who are just (5:42), those who are pious (9:4), those who are patient(3:146), those who put their trust in Him (3:159), those who frequently turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves (2:222). Consequently, those who follow the Prophets are most beloved to Allah.
   
   In the Quran, Allah instructed Prophet Mohammad(Saw) to say the following to the believers:
   
   "If you really love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you and forgive your sins." (3:31)
   
   No matter how great human sins may become, the door for sincere repentance remains open until the last day of this world. Anas quoted Allah’s Messenger (SAW) as saying, Allah, the Almighty said: “O son of Adam, as long as you call on Me and ask of Me, I will forgive what you have done, and I do not mind. O son of Adam, even if your sins reached the clouds and you asked My forgiveness, I will forgive you. O son of Adam, if you came to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and you met Me without giving Me partners, I will give you a similar amount of forgiveness.” (Tirmidhi)
   
   
4.  DIVINE GRACE: As for those in paradise, they will not enter it solely based on their good deeds. It is the grace of Allah which will ultimately carry them there. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) said in this regard: Try your best to do right, and be happy. For none will enter paradise only because of his deeds. His companions said, “O Messenger of Allah! Not even you?” He replied “not even I, unless Allah envelopes me in his mercy and grace. And bear in mind that the deed most loved by Allah is one done constantly, even though it is small.” (Muslim)
   
   In the Quran, Allah says:
   
   "Whoever brings a good deed, will have[the value of] ten like it, and whoever brings an evil deed will only be punished with one like it, and they will not be wronged." (6:160)
   
   Allah has manifested His grace by multiplying the value of good deeds, while keeping evil deeds at their face value. It is by the grace of Allah that the believers enter paradise. This does not mean that deeds have no role. Deeds have a major role, but they are not the deciding factor. Allah’s grace outweighs them. If He has told the humankind why He decided to do something, it is not for them to question why He decided to decide. It is they who will be questioned on the Day of Judgment about their actions and intentions and not He.
   
   In the Quran Allah addresses this point:
   
   "He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned."(21:23)
   
   Prophet Mohammad(SAW) said, “Reflect on the creation of Allah but do not reflect on Allah.” Prophet Mohammad(SAW) warned that the satanic forces would seek to introduce doubts in the hearts of the believers by raising unanswerable questions about Allah.
   
   Abu Hurairah related that Allah’s Messenger(SAW) said, “Satan will come to everyone of you and ask: Who created this and that? –until he questions: who created your Lord? When he comes to that, one should seek refuge in Allah[say:I affirm my faith in Allah and His prophets] and avoid [such thoughts]." (Sahih Muslim)

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Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“Indeed the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of mankind do not realize it” (40:57)

THE CREATOR:

Allah is free from all needs. It is the creation which needs Him. Only Allah alone creates everything from nothing.

In the Quran, Allah states:

“There is nothing like Him and He is hearer and seer of all” (42:11)

“Allah created all things and He is the agent on which all things depend” (39:62)

“And Allah created you and all whatever you do” (37:96)

Man needs to realize that nothing takes place in this universe without the permission of Allah. To seek protection from evil or to seek to acquire good from any source other than Allah is a major mistake.

In the Quran Allah informs human beings to seek refuge in Allah from evil:

“Say: I seek refuge in the lord of the dawn, from the evil of what he has created.” (113:1-2)

Allah is not evil; He is good. He created a world in which evil or good can be done by beings on whom he gave his ability. However, no evil or good can take place in this world without the permission of Allah. This is why it is futile to turn to others besides Allah for help and protection.

"No calamity strikes expect by Allah's permission." (64:11)

Prophet Mohammad (saw) said: "Be aware that if the whole of mankind gathered together to do something to help you, they would only be able to so something for you which Allah had already written for you. Likewise, if the whole mankind gathered together to harm you, they would only be able to do something to harm you which Allah has already written to happen to you" (Tirmidhi)

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