01-06-2007, 12:46 PM
Bismillah
Although your first point is not quite clear to me, however, I will try and address it. And certainly I dont mind u asking. :)
Muslims are commanded to worship only Allah, to maintain a sincere faith and devotion to only Allah. This devotion should not be casted or stained with the occupance of heart with wealth, position, power, spouse, children, house or any other material gains.
While doing so, they must also maintain full belief that devotion should be only to Allah without any intermediaries, incarnates, sons, delegates in any form or shape. This is the main and major pillar of monotheism in Islam.
However, because we are human beings, we constantly need to remind ourselves with this fact. It takes much work to develop this sense actually. In few words, submit yourself to only Allah.
Here is a verse from Quran that sums up all what a human being may be seeking or busy with in life:
"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight, are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are rebellious." (Quran 9:24).
If other religions share the same notion, well, because as we repeatedly said, simply because the only religion that was commanded to mankind by Allah is Islam. Nonetheless, mankind did distroty it all long the human history by innovating a need to insert this symbole or that god. Hope I was clear. To make it further clear, a Muslim should maintain a pure intention in all what he/she does to Allah. As per the following verse:
"Say (O Muhammad): "Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds." (Quran 6:162)
To bring it closer to your understanding, suppose someone went out for jihad with a group of people, fought bravely, and killed. But his intention when he was going out was to create an image of bravery for himself, to be called a hero, to establish a reputation. In such case, Allah Shall not accept this deed. It all depends on the intention. and devotion to Allah only and only.
Second, Muslims dont pray to the sun at all. Matter of fact, there are certain hours during day time that we are striclty prohibited to pray on. Because those were the hourse when sun worshipers used to pray. Those times are after Fajr prayer (early morning before dawn) and after Asr (which is the time before sunset). We are commanded not to pray during those times at all. For example, when we enter into a masjed, usually according to the Messenger prayer and peace be upon him, traditions, we are encouraged to pray two units in greeting to the masjed. But we should not do so during those times I mentioned.