04-08-2006, 10:06 AM
Quote:So, good deeds must not only benefit mankind in a great way - they must be in the name of Allah as well?
I realize this a message to muslims but...
The actions of those such as the nun Teresa have a positive and lasting impact on humanity. Her actions have made the world a better place in a small way. If the world is made better by-and-by, then in time people will have TIME and PEACE to consider things like which religion they want to follow. In the end, is not every action in the service of Allah? Is he not the only eternal part which will see those deeds come to their fruition? I hate to tell you this, but Teresa's work already bore fruit, and continues to do so today. How do you explain this? According the Christians (catholics specifically) this is so BECAUSE she devoted herself to Christ and the Christian God. Also, you do not know what her heart was, you have only words. Is it not possible that she saw Jesus as one with God, or as an Aspect of God? I know many christians who believe this, and they are usually more experienced and older, more devotional. How do you know that Teresa did not ultimately believe in only one God, and devoted herself to his service selflessly as she did?
Words are a poor reason to judge. Actions, personal achievement, the way in which one relates to and interacts with people. To judge on something as flexible and uncertain as words - this is surely a mistake. Even the verses of your qu'ran have been interpreted differently by different people - obviously words are not so reliable as to the true nature of a thing.
Judge not, lest ye be judged - is there a parallel of this saying in Islam?
I am not arguing with you, i'm only trying to offer the chance to widen your perspective a bit. Only Allah can know the true nature of a person's heart and soul. It is not for any mortal cast judgement on another - for in the end, their actions may have been the will of Allah to begin with.
Namaste
Mahasvapna
Hello Mahasvapna. May Allah guide the one who is sincerely seeking Him. Before we begin might I remind you of something you said elsewhere;
<b> <i> 'I believe that the greatest good one can do is to simply align one's own will with the will of God. '</i> </b>
So with that in mind, I attempt to answer your questions.
<b> <i>So, good deeds must not only benefit mankind in a great way - they must be in the name of Allah as well?
</i> </b>
Look closely at the sentence. First you said <i>"So, good deeds must not only benefit mankind in a great way"</i> then "<i>they must be in the name of Allah as well?"</i> This is called shirk. Polytheism. Making partners with God. Creating other gods. In this case - 'mankind'. I think you should read over again what Allah has said in the Qur'an. The answer is plain. You must be a believer first and foremost. How else can anything you do be dedicated to Him if you do not believe in accordance with what He has revealed? Throughout the Qur'an Allah (Most Gracious, Most Merciful) clearly reminds you and me;
<b>To Him you shall all return. Allah's promise is true. He is the One Who originates the process of Creation and repeats it (will bring it back to life) so that He may justly reward those who believed in Him and did righteous deeds. As for those who disbelieved, they shall have boiling fluids to drink and shall undergo a painful punishment because they rejected the truth.</b> 10.4
Belief comes first - then good deeds. Note clearly in the above verse that disbelief is not associated with good deeds. Whereas belief is.
<b> <i> The actions of those such as the nun Teresa have a positive and lasting impact on humanity. Her actions have made the world a better place in a small way.
</i> </b>
The address in post # 1 clearly reminds us that we are here for one purpose only. To worship the God of Creation. Not false gods. Be they Shiva, Jesus, money, humanity, pride etc. God comes first - then good deeds. So what she has done will become like dust on the Day of Judgement.
<b> <i> If the world is made better by-and-by, then in time people will have TIME and PEACE to consider things like which religion they want to follow.
</i> </b>
There is no time. Once your dead that's it. You are retired to the grave. And the more wealth and comfort man has the further he turns away from God. Only when we 'need Him' do we acknowledge Him;
<b>When We show mercy to mankind after some calamity had afflicted them, they begin to plot against Our revelations! Tell them: "Allah is more swift in plotting than you; indeed Our angels are recording all the plots you make." Jonah 10.21</b>
He is the One Who enables you to travel through the land and by the sea; until when you are on board a ship, as the ship sails with a favorable wind and they feel happy about it; but when there comes a stormy wind and the waves reach them from all sides and they think they are being overwhelmed: then they pray to Allah with their sincere devotion, saying, "If You deliver us from this, we shall become your true thankful devotees!" 10.22
But when the pressure is off we turn away, making up all sorts of fanciful ideas about God;
<b>Yet, when He does deliver them, behold! The same people become unjustly rebellious in the land. O mankind! Your rebellion is against your own souls - (you may enjoy) the transitory pleasure of this world - in the end you have to return to Us, then We shall inform you of what you have done. </b> 10.23
<b><i> Is he not the only eternal part which will see those deeds come to their fruition? I hate to tell you this, but Teresa's work already bore fruit, and continues to do so today. How do you explain this? According the Christians (catholics specifically) this is so BECAUSE she devoted herself to Christ and the Christian God.
</i></b>
What is the fruitition? To believe that God ate and went to the toilet? This is what she is calling to. Surely even you have passed this falacy? Her works are a means to an end. And that is to call people to believe that Jesus is God or part thereof. And this is calling people to the fire. She has done them no favor.
<b><i>Also, you do not know what her heart was, you have only words
.</i></b>
She has said by her words "Jesus is My GOD". And she has trod this path all her life. Her deeds as we all know were to call people away from the one true God. And what can be worse than this? To call people to the hellfire. We can only judge by what we see and by the revalations we are given.
<b> Certainly they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Maryam (Mary)." While Christ himself said: "O children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Rabb and your Rabb." Whoever commits shirk (joins partners with Allah), Allah will deny him the paradise, and the hellfire will be his home. There will be no helper for the wrongdoers. </b> 5.72
<b> <i>Is it not possible that she saw Jesus as one with God, or as an Aspect of God?
</i></b>
This is still called shirk. Polytheism. Making partners with God. Creating other Gods.
<b>As a result most of them who believe in Allah also commit shirk.</b> 12.106
<b> <i>I know many christians who believe this, and they are usually more experienced and older, more devotional. How do you know that Teresa did not ultimately believe in only one God, and devoted herself to his service selflessly as she did?
</i> </b>
And again,
<b>As a result most of them who believe in Allah also commit shirk.</b> 12.106
Surely I would be numbered among the losers if I were to deny what my Lord has revealed. But if these people are sincere surely they will act upon the reminder;
<b>Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.</b> Matt 7:7-8
So what are they seeking? What are they asking for?
<b>If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (Submission to the Creator) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).</b> 3.86
Are they sincerely asking for forgiveness of their sins from the One True God?
<b>...Allah chooses for His service whom He wills, and guides to His Way only those who turn to Him in repentance.</b> 42.13
And so then the guidance is thus;
<b>Whomever Allah wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam...</b>
But for those who are revolted at acknowledging a greater power than themselves exists, that there truly is a God and one must surrender to Him and that He is closer to you than your jugular vein;
<b>...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, whereas in fact this way (Al-Islam) is the Right Way of your Rabb and We have spelled out Our revelations very clearly for the people who use their common sense.</b> 6.125-6
<b>O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak). Be not as those who say, We hear, and they hear not. Lo! the worst of beasts in Allah's sight are the deaf, the dumb, who have no sense. Had Allah Known of any good in them He would have made them hear, but had He made them hear they would have turned away, averse.</b> 8.20-3
<b> <i>Words are a poor reason to judge. Actions, personal achievement, the way in which one relates to and interacts with people. To judge on something as flexible and uncertain as words - this is surely a mistake.
</i> </b>
I assume you mean her words. We must judge by what God has revealed. Man's whims are no sound foundation to judge by. Only God has the right to judge and we must act in accordance with His instructions. We are given tongues to express our feelings. Are you saying she lied? Her actions bore out what she felt. And dedicating one's life to 'another god' is the one unforgivable sin.
<b>Surely Allah does not forgive shirk (associating any partner with Him); and may forgive sins other than that if He so pleases. This is because one who commits shirk with Allah, does indeed invent a great sinful lie.</b> 4.48
<b> <i>Judge not, lest ye be judged - is there a parallel of this saying in Islam? I am not arguing with you, i'm only trying to offer the chance to widen your perspective a bit. Only Allah can know the true nature of a person's heart and soul. It is not for any mortal cast judgement on another
</i> </b>
<b>Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Say: Obey Allah and the messenger. But if they turn away, Lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers.</b> 3.31-2
<b> <i> - for in the end, their actions may have been the will of Allah to begin with.
</i> </b>
<b>Then We caused Our messengers to follow in their footsteps; and We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow, and gave him the Gospel, and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. But monasticism they invented. We ordained it not for them. Only seeking Allah's pleasure, and they observed it not with right observance. So We give those of them who believe their reward, but many of them are evil-livers.</b> 57.27
And if you say, look! She is a believer. Then my reply is 'Nay! She loved Jesus only.
Jesus is my God,
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All;
Jesus is my Everything."
- Mother Teresa
<b>Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Say: Obey Allah and the messenger. But if they turn away, Lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers.</b> 3.31-2
