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Ramadan
Ramadan Explorer
1. Close Relationship with the Creator
At the core of Islam is the focus of an individual's personal relationship
with God, their Creator. It encourages a believer to have sustained awareness
of God which is a key to lasting happiness.
Islam teaches that God is the source of peace. By focusing on this important
relationship and following God's guidance, believers will be able to acquire
inner peace and tranquillity. Seeking lasting happiness through other means,
such as following one's desires or the accumulation of material possessions,
will never fill the void we have. This need can only be filled with the
awareness of God.
True contentment is found in acknowledging and obeying the Creator:
{الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ أَلاَ بِذِكْرِ
اللّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ}
Translation ''Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.'' [ Ar-Ra'd (The
Thunder) 13:28]
The primary reason for this close relationship is that Muslims have a direct
connection with their Creator. There is no intermediary, such as praying to,
or through, others, in worshipping God.
2. Positive Outlook on Life
Islam gives a person a clear perspective on the events that happen in their
life, both good and bad, as they are, in fact, tests from God. It encourages a
person to understand events in the context of the overall purpose of life,
which is to acknowledge God and obey Him. He created humans with intellect and
free will to test them as to who will wilfully choose to follow His guidance.
This life is an ultimate testing ground and although we cannot control
everything that happens to us, we can control how we react. Islam encourages a
person to focus on what is in their control, to be grateful to God for
blessings, and to be patient during hardships. Patience or gratitude – this is
the formula for a happy life.
Islam encourages the believer to remain free from the extremes of worldly
happiness that may cause one to forget God, and the extremes of sadness that
may cause one to lose hope and blame God. By not being overly attached to the
material world, a Muslim is empowered not only to better handle any
calamities, but to be beneficial and generous to society. This leads to a more
balanced and optimistic outlook on life.
3. Pure and Clear Concept of God
Unlike other religions, Islam is not named after its founder or the community
of its birth. Islam is an attributive title that signifies obedience to God,
the Creator of the Universe. One of its main beauties is that it acknowledges
the complete perfection, greatness and uniqueness of God with absolutely no
compromises. This is reflected in Islam's pure teachings of the attributes of
God.
God is One and Unique:
God has no partners, no equals and no rivals.
God has no father, mother, sons, daughters or wives.
God alone is worthy of all worship.
God is the All-Powerful:
God has full authority and power over all things.
Obedience to God does not increase His Power, nor does disobedience decrease
His power.
God is the Most High:
There is nothing above or comparable to God.
The attributes of God do not resemble that of His creation.
No part of God is present in anyone or anything.
God is Perfect:
God does not have any human limitations, such as resting on the seventh day
after He created the universe.
God always maintains
attributes of perfection and does not do anything to compromise this
perfection such as ''becoming a man'' as claimed by other religions. God does
not do ungodly acts, so if God became man and took on human attributes, he
would, necessarily, no longer be God.
4. Emphasises
Both Evidence and Faith
Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. It encourages
people to use their God given intelligence to think and ponder over their life
and the universe. Although this life is a test, God has provided sufficient
signs and guidance to people who are open-minded and sincere to be able to
acknowledge the truth.
{لَّقَدْ أَنزَلْنَا آيَاتٍ مُّبَيِّنَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ
صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ}
Translation : ''We (God) have certainly sent down Signs that make things
clear: and God guides whom He wills to the straight path.'' [Quran 24:46]
Unlike other religions, there are many clear proofs, signs and miracles that
the book of Islam, The Quran, is from God.
The Quran:
Is free from any errors or contradictions, despite it being revealed over a
period of 23 years.
Is preserved, word-for-word, since
it was revealed in its original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which
have been distorted, changed or lost.
Contains a
simple, pure and universal message that has a profound effect on all those who
are sincerely searching for the truth.
Contains a
unique and inimitable style of language that is universally known as the
pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and linguistic beauty – yet the Quran was
revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known to be
illiterate.
Contains many amazing scientific facts which have only been discovered
recently, despite being revealed over 1400 years ago.
The most rational explanation for the many unique and miraculous aspects of
the Quran is that it cannot be from other than God.
5. Forgiveness of Sins
Islam encourages a balance between hope in God's mercy and fear of His
punishment – both of which are required to lead a positive and humble life.
We are born sinless but have the free will to commit sins. God created us and
knows we are imperfect and commit sins, but the key is how we react to
committing those mistakes.
{قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن
رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ
الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ}
Translation : ''Do not despair of God's mercy; He will forgive you of all your
sins.'' [az-Zumar 39:53]
Islam teaches that God is the Most Merciful and will forgive and pardon those
who sincerely want to repent. The beautiful steps for repentance include being
sincere, remorseful, refraining from committing the sin as well as having the
intention not to repeat it. Islam encourages a continuous process of
self-development and self-purification. This process happens directly between
the individual and God – there is no need for sins to be shared or
''confessed'' to a righteous person/priest. Furthermore, God does not need to
sacrifice himself to forgive sins, nor is anyone ''born into sin''.
6. Accountability and Ultimate Justice
Islam teaches that God is the Most Just and that each person will be held
responsible for their own actions on the Day of Judgement. Each person is
accountable, as they have freedom of choice and intelligence to discern
between right and wrong.
It is an absolute demand of justice that there be a Day of Judgement where
every person is rewarded or punished, otherwise life would be unjust as not
everyone receives true justice in this world.
Islam teaches that ultimately we will be judged for how well we fulfilled our
responsibilities and exercised our free will. We will be judged by God, the
All Knowing and All Wise, who knows and sees everything we do. This encourages
a more harmonious society and gives people contentment knowing that justice
will ultimately prevail.
7. Practical and Balanced Way of Life
Islam provides the right balance between faith and action, as both are
required for a stable life. It provides guidance for all situations and
circumstances. It is a practical religion with practical acts of worship that
are designed to fulfil the spiritual, physical, psychological and social needs
of people.
Examples of practical acts of worship that have numerous benefits include:
The five daily prayers – Enriches the soul by satisfying the spiritual need of
being in regular contact with God (especially in today's busy lifestyle);
makes one humble by bowing and prostrating to God; removes any
barriers/pride/racism between believers praying in congregation; helps one
refrain from committing sins given the person stands regularly before God.
The obligatory charity – Purifies a person from selfishness; encourages
empathy to the poor; reminds one of the blessings of God; helps reduce
poverty; bridges the gap between rich and poor.
The
fasting in Ramadan – Promotes spiritual self-purification, self-restraint and
growth; scientifically proven health benefits; empathy and awareness of those
less fortunate; trains people to acquire the habit of obeying God.
The pilgrimage – Unites people of every colour, race, status
and nationality, as pilgrims wear simple and similar clothing, while
performing a range of good deeds in congregation.
Given that Islam is from God, every command found in the religion is
ultimately good and beneficial to the individual and society when practised
correctly. Quranic examples include being honest, forgiving, truthful, kind to
one's wife, patient, fair, moderate, modest, sincere, and respecting parents,
family and the elderly. There are also many principles in the teachings of
Islam that prevent or reduce many of the individual and social ills facing the
world today.
8. Universal and Timeless Message
Islam has a message that applies to all people at all times, from the creation
of Adam up until the Day of Judgement. It is applicable today as it always has
been.
God is accessible to everyone. People may distinguish themselves and earn
God's favour through belief and righteous actions only – not through race,
wealth, gender, nationality or social class.
Conclusion
Islam's timeless and beautiful message is the same message of all Prophets,
including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
They all called their people to ''Submit to the One True God'' which, in
Arabic, means to become a ''Muslim''. This submission to God enables one to
fulfil the purpose of life by acknowledging the greatness of God and sincerely
worshipping him alone. In doing so, one will acquire the countless benefits of
Islam mentioned above.
Source: islamicpamphlet
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