10-25-2004, 05:10 PM
ALLAH'S GUIDANCE TO MANKIND
From the beginning of time, when Adam (Peace be upon him) was created , Allah has guided mankind. The very nature of mankind is inclined towards weakness and desires - a combination of the body, mind and spirit that are constantly in conflict. If left to himself, man will certainly destroy all that lies around him. Being prone to greed, pride, aggression and all that is base, if left unguided, the human being descends to the state of being less than an animal. Indeed, animals, like everything else in nature, willingly submit to the laws of nature as provided by Allah. On the other hand, often if left unhindered by environmental or educational influences, the human being, will naturally seek Allah; truth and peace. Indeed the human being is a complex being!
Allah says in the Qur'an,
"Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould),
Then reduced him to the lowest of the low,
Save those who believe and do righteous deeds, then they shall have a reward without end (Paradise)."
(Sura At Tin 95:4-6)
After being tempted by the devil, Adam and Eve (Hawwa in Arabic) were sent to live on the earth. They repented to Allah for their mistake and were forgiven as Allah is the most Merciful and the most Forgiving. He promised them guidance and that if they remained steadfast on the straight path, they would be given help and protection from the devil and his helpers from among jinn (the spirit world) and evil men. And so began the history of mankind. A constant struggle between good and evil. At times good raises high and becomes powerful and the world if full of justice, goodness and stability and then at other times evil overtakes the foolish desires of man and the world is filled with troubles, violence, injustice and instability. The ebb and flow of goodness in the world, is something like the waves of the sea. Harmony and peace are found when mankind achieves obedience to Allah and submits to His Way, (which means Islam) and therefore is provided with strength, faith and wisdom.
Allah says in the Qur'an,
"We said: "Get down all of you from this place (Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve." (Sura Al Baqara 2:38)
All the prophets that followed Adam (Peace be upon them all) came with the same message; calling the people to turn from the worship of false dieties, to the worship of Allah, and establishing piety on the earth. Prophet Abraham, Noah, Moses, Elias, Jonah, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Jesus and finally Muhammad (Peace be upon them all), (and many other prophets), called people to the worship of Allah, the Al Mighty and to disdain the worship of idols and all graven images and false gods - thereby lifting humanity into a renewed, peaceful, harmonious existence with all that exists. They called mankind to establish goodness, justice and piety on earth. Man's never ending search for knowledge and wisdom has been enhanced by the periodic coming of prophets throughout time, offering mankind Divine sources of knowledge and wisdom - after all even knowledge and wisdom belong to Him and He gives it to whom He chooses.
Allah says in the Qur'an,
"And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record."
(Sura Al An'am 6:59)
The Muslim loves, reveres and respects all the prophets of Islam and makes no distinction between them.
The word Islam, does not denote a religion as such, but the way of life prescribed by Allah, the Creator, from the beginning of time. It denotes a state of obedience and submission to Him - something which has occurred on various levels from the time of Adam (peace be upon him), until now.
Allah says in the Qur'an,
"And I (Allah) created not jinns and men except they should worship Me (Alone)."
(Sura Az Zariyat 51:56)