04-20-2006, 08:50 PM
Bismillah
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
Salam Mahasvapna
I m not sure after your last post if this was an inclination to an end of discussion or u still ready to hear my response here.
Well, although I was really moved the minute i read this post with this particular part I quoted, yet it took me sometime to be able to reply.
Matter of fact, and I m not sure if brother Faris will agree on this, but the way u expressed your position from God (to u) in this first part is exaclty what fear of Allah is. In the second part where I bolded humility, this is a status we are supposed to develop towards Allah, Glory be to Allah, that u feel it by instinct.
Mahasvapna, I have nothing to say except make dua that Allah Opens your heart more and illuminates your insight.
It is just that u r affected with other concepts and dont want to use the word fear for what it bears of other meanings. But the way u expressed it, is how we fear Allah.
One more point, dont depend much on your dreams as a source of enlightment. As I explained to you satan can really play much with the human being.
U explained satan the way u see him, however, satan has more that u dont know about.
satan's first and only and sole mission is to turn children of Adam astray. It is u can say a revenge coupled with a vow he made before Allah to turn children of Adam astray except those who are sincere devotee of Allah.
Iblees (Satan)] said: "By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all,* Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism)." (Quran 38:82-83)
Human beings are torn between two forces of evil, satan and the ego (oneself) that may inspire deviated desires to the human being. It is up to us to supress the evil and allow good to foster and grow. How we do that? through struggling, remembrance of Allah, seeking Allah's protection as I told u before. Dreams may be really misleading, of course there are those dreams from Allah, but when one is sure and certain that he/she is seeking Allah's Advice thru legitimate means, using no spells, amigous words that may involve seeking deamons assistance or intervention.
Therefore, Mahavspna, the road is still there open before u, Allah Allowed u a chance to know the truth, now it is your choice to sieze this chance that might not come up again.