As I studied the Quran and tried to picture God’s overall plan dealing with humanity, an idea came to me of a very bright jewel falling to earth. The glow of this gem captivates everyone who is able to see it?for a period of time. Their neglect allows it to be gradually covered with the dust of this world until the original jewel is eventually understood to be nothing more than a foundation for this dust. And the longer a particular gem remains on earth, the more dust it is likely to collect.
In my mind this is what happens to the true WORD of GOD when placed in the hands of humanity. I look first to Hinduism as an example which some authorities claim to be the oldest surviving religious system in the world. Here we find numerous idols layered like sediment over the original message of ONE GOD.
We did not send any messenger before you except with the inspiration: “There is no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone.”
Your god is one god; there is no god but He, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful. [2:163]
Perhaps it is the sheer brightness of the original message that clearly exposes our many weaknesses and inspires us to seek a “dimmer” of some sort so that we may indulge the less than noble side of our characters.
They want to put out God’s light with their mouths, but God insists upon perfecting His light, in spite of the disbelievers. [9:32]
Once the enemies of TRUTH have become well established over many periods of time, those who were sent by God to either uncover the original message or deliver a new one are naturally perceived as evil. This, I believe, is because such actions simply expose the true evil that exists in society at that time and in those who control that society. Suppression, persecution, and murder are the predictable consequences of any attempt to uncover or renew the truth.
He is the One who sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, and will make it dominate all religions, in spite of the idol
worshipers. [9:33]
Some have become quite comfortable with the dimness and have passed it on as a righteous heritage for many generations. Many years of sincere but misguided emotion have been invested in idols of dust. And, as a consequence, many families have been torn apart when a child or a spouse becomes devoted to the ONE TRUTH which is the foundation of it all.
I write this in an attempt to encourage others like myself who live in less than ideal circumstances to hold on to the Quran no matter the cost in this world. Do not allow the love and concern you may have for the idol worshipers you may live with make you compromise your ever growing knowledge of the truth now that God has blessed you.
Proclaim: “O people, the truth has come to you herein from your Lord. Whoever is guided is guided for his own good. And whoever goes astray, goes astray to his own detriment. I am not a guardian over you.” [10:108]
[3:103] |
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To paraphrase the message of the Civil Defense people: “This is a test. For the rest of your earthly life God is testing you in preparation for the Hereafter. This is only a test. In case of emotional and physical attack from the idol worshipers around you, resort immediately to prayer, patience, and self-defense if physically attacked. This has been a message from one of your brothers.”
We will certainly put you to the test, in order to distinguish those among you who strive, and steadfastly persevere. We must expose your true qualities. [47:31]
Did you think that you will be left alone without God distinguishing those among you who strive, and never ally themselves with God’s enemies, or the enemies of His messenger, or the enemies of the believers? God is fully Cognizant of everything you do. [9:16]
May God continue to bless us all.
William Albert Lewis
Source: http://masjidtucson.org/publications/books/SP/1996/may/page1.html