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Hi Mahasvapna


I'd like to propose something to you. Below is a link to a sura from the Quran. It's spoken in plain english with no arabic. And includes a word_doc. as well. It's my opinion that if you <b>listen</b> to this reading at least <b>three times</b>, and I say three times because one tends to miss much on the first pass. Then you should be able to do your own litmus test;


<b>Whomever Allah wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam and whomever He intends to confound, He makes his chest narrow and squeezes so tight that, at the very idea of Islam, he feel as if his soul is going to climb up towards the sky. That is how Allah places a blight on those who do not believe</b> 6:125


I would guess that when you have listened to the recording a few times you should know if Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful is the God that you know...in sha allah (if Allah so wills). To dispute about Hell is pointless. You possess the faculties of reason. Listen and judge for yourself using 6:125 as the gauge.


Before we part, I'd like to share with you what is generally considered as "The First Advice" of The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).


On the authority of Omar bin Al-Khattab, who said : I heard the messenger of Allah salla Allah u alihi wa sallam say :


<b>"Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended..."</b>


Related by Bukhari and Muslim


When you sit to approach the Words of God beware of your intentions for doing so and whether you have pre-conceived in your mind an answer before pressing "PLAY".


Peace.


Download ENGLISH QURAN

Quote:Well, that particular link I couldn't figure out, but i did find a few recordings of the qu'ran in english.


... I tried to have no preconceived feelings in any direction, only tried to listen openly. It may be that I have really never had that much faith in words from a book.


Namaste


Mahasvapna

Quote:Well, of course I fear the consequences of my actions and words which I might do without thinking... but this is part of the act of Mindfulness - to pay attention to what one says, thinks, or does.


I think the only difference here is a misalignment of words. I think I understand what you mean - correct me if I have not interpreted properly - that one must know in one's heart that God will Judge one's actions, and should act correctly out of fear of this Judgement; you should not do what does not please God, because you must then fear the loss of his protection.


As I said, I believe the difference is simply a misalignment of words. To me, philosophical 'Fear' - vs. emotional fear - is more like Aversion. Avert oneself from those things which do not please God, from the actions and words and intentions. In the face of these things, though, either in ourselves or the world, the reaction that I feel one should have is not fear, but courage, conviction, and purity of intention.


in the face of God, I feel humility - that is, a deep understanding (even in the emotional sense here) that God is vast, and that I can no more oppose his will than I could oppose my own. It is expressed necessarily through every thought or action. And so I feel <b>humility</b> (as opposed to my own definition of fear), under that which is the highest Authority, coupled with Faith that this Authority does not abuse me, but rather guides and enlightens me.


if this business of the Fear of God is not aligned yet, then we must perhaps begin talking of it without using the word 'Fear' - I have found that by altering the way we express an idea, it's label or word, we can ellicit the true nature of the concept itself, free of labels and their restrictive boundaries.


namaste


Mahasvapna