Why do we have to believe in God to enter paradise?
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and Philosopher, judging by your posts, you are much more "muslim" than a lot of other people here.
Never in a thousand years would I have ever expected to hear this. Thank you angel
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Peace,
My understanding of this all is that it has to do with Reality. The existence of God is a Reality, when you deny this, you cannot grasp Reality in its fullest and thus cannot develop yourself to the fullest. Jahannam is explained metaphorical and has 2 sides, an Earthly Hell and a Afterlife Hell. Jaheem is mostly translated as Fire, but it has many more sides to it. Its definition mostly refers to a point were progress is halted. It was used for restraints on camels and dogs to stop them from biting or barking , it refered to the point of retreat in battle.
Jahannam itself comes from a valley near Jerusalem that was first used as a human-sacrifice ground to idols, then as an execution-ground for criminals, people were dumped there who didn't had the right to be buried on sacred grounds. And in the times of Jesus, it was mostly a place were garbage was dumped. To keep the stench in control, fires were burned constantly. All of this gives the definition that Jahannam stands for all that society must not endure. When you went to the valley of Jahannam, you mostly did not return. It was a place were no further progress was possible.
Jannah itself means 'Garden in Foilage', again you have 2 Paradises, one we create here ourselves, and the Next we inherit because of our deeds and development in this Life.
In 2441 it stated that every object and creature knows it Salat to do its Tasbeeh. Tasbeeh means striving on a quest/mission. Every animals follows its instinct to achieve its purpose of existence. So Salat, which in its core means 'following closely', refers to the Following of the Divine Laws in Revelationa nd Nature. As we do not have a dominant instinct and to sustain Free Will, God gave us an 'outside' Instinct, Revelation. It is a Guide to learn us how to strive in the best to fullfil our Mission/purpose in Life.
Our Nafs/Self only develops through the Divine Laws. Throughout the Quran it is reffered to that the followers of Revelation will attain Jannah. When a person denies Revelation or even God, the person can only grasp certain parts of Reality, but not the full picture. The West follows the Divine Laws of Nature in a very good way, and so they have partially created an Earthly Paradise. But because their concept of God and the purpose of Life is not based on the pure Revelation, the Quran, the West lacks further progress and even is stagnating into a fall of society, where sexual moral and criminal behaviour have shifted to a dangerous form. God warns already that every other Deen, System of life, will fall into Jahannam, into a State of no progress.
Many countries in the world, especially Muslim countries and many South-American and African countries do not follow the Laws of Nature or of Revelation. Because of this, they are stuck in a state of despair. The people are in a constant struggle for existence and thus cannot develop. Again, an Earthly Jahannam. They do not die or live in this state.
But God says also that every person will be judged according to its possibilities. God has no personal merits, He has no grudge or anger towards people who do not accept Him. When people deny Him or His Revelation, they will fall into their own self-made Jahannam. And because they cannot develop themselves as they are in a state of denial, , in the Next Life, they will be again in a State of Stagnation, not living or dying, stuck in their regret because they are exposed to the Truth.
Heaven and Hell are states of existence we create by denying or accepting God's Guidance. He doesn't throw us into Hell, we do it ourselves. It is not that He is jealous or angry, He is above all that we think He is.
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peace
i've read many times in the qur'an that believers who do good will go to paradise. as it should be.
how could someone who doesn't believe in God go to paradise just because he does good works?
God gives him air and food and shelter and everything else and he doesn't even bother to thank God even think about Him, he takes it for granted.
and just because he does some good deeds he's supposed to enjoy himself after death even though he doesn't believe he will exist after death. -
Yes, I believe that it would work that way. People go to hell to be cleansed of their sins first then they get to heaven (or vice versa, according to their deeds balance). This comes from what my religious teacher taught me when I was a kid (and I always suspected that he's some kind of a Qur'an-only person), and I still believe it.
Andya Primanda, that was a famous hearsay circulated among sunni especially around South East Asia. It has no basis in the Qur'an.
228 And amongst them are Gentiles who do not know the Scripture except by hearsay, and they only conjecture.
279 So woe to those who write the Scripture with their hands then say "This is from God," so that they can seek a cheap gain! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they gained.
280 And they said "The Fire will not touch us except for a few number of days." Say "Have you taken a pledge with God? If so, then God will not break His pledge. Or do you say about God what you do not know?"
281 Indeed, whoever gains a sin, and is surrounded by his mistakes; those are the people of the Fire, in it they abide eternally.
282 And those who believe and do good work, they are the people of Paradise, in it they abide eternally.
The Mu'tazili 4th tenets Al-Manzilah bayna al-Manzilatayn - the intermediate position, is a correct understanding in this matter and supported by the Qur'an.
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu%27taziliThat is, Muslims who commit grave sins and die without repentance are not considered as mu'mins (believers), nor are they considered kafirs (non-believers), but in an intermediate position between the two. The reason behind this is that a mu'min is, by definition, a person who has faith and conviction in and about God, and who has his/her faith reflected in his/her deeds and moral choices. Any shortcoming on any of these two fronts makes one, by definition, not a mu'min. On the other hand, one does not become a non-believer, for this entails, inter alia, denying the Creator ? something not necessarily done by a committer of a grave sin. The fate of those who commit grave sins and die without repentance is Hell. Hell is not considered a monolithic state of affairs but as encompassing many degrees to accommodate the wide spectrum of human works and choices. Consequently, those in the intermediate position, though in Hell, would have a lesser punishment because of their belief and other good deeds.
744 And the dwellers of Paradise called the dwellers of the Fire "We have found what our Lord promised us to be true; did you find what your Lord promised to be true?" They said "Indeed!" Then a caller announced between them "God's curse is on the wicked."
745 "The ones who hinder from the path of God, and sought to make it crooked; and with regard to the Hereafter they were rejecters."
746 And between them is a barrier, and on the elevated platform are men who recognized others by their features. And they called out to the dwellers of Paradise "Peace be upon you!" They have not yet entered it, but they are hoping.
747 And when their eyes are turned towards the dwellers of the Fire, they say "Our Lord, do not make us with the wicked people!"
748 And the people standing on the elevated platform called on men they recognized by their features, they said "What good did your large number do for you, or what you were arrogant for?"
749 Weren't these the ones whom you swore God would not grant them of His mercy? "Enter Paradise, there is no fear for you nor will you grieve."
750 And the dwellers of the Fire called on the dwellers of Paradise "Give us some water, or what God has provided for you?" They said "God has forbidden it for the rejecters."
751 The ones who took their religion as amusement and games, and were preoccupied with this worldly life. Today We forget them as they forgot their meeting on this Day, and they did not heed Our revelations.
Look, previous Mu'tazili scholar has solved all this problem about the oneness of God, existence of evil and justice, predestination and freewill, promise and threat, heaven, hell and intermediate a long time ago. It was during this time that Muslim experience the Golden Age, God help them because they follow the Qur'an and use their reason. But somehow, the mu'taziliti is then considered heretic when a new school of thought that favor hadith and tradition arise and spread.
I consider myself a neo-mu'tazili. Anyone here interested to join me? D
Thanks.
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In a way, I don't believe you have to believe in anything to get into heaven. The only requirement for heaven is to be good and do good things. So belief doesn't really matter, its just a guide line to be good. The basic reason for all religion is to guide people to act better towards others. So, your right.
Salam.
So, only do good things and be good and if you "accidentaly" steal a little cuz you're unemployed or something like that, is that okay? I mean, should i steal, if i don't have a job and will that still get me into Heaven cuz i'm a believer?
Define what you said here, Lost Philosopher.
Peace.
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Lets say that someone from ancient china, believed in all the ancient chinese gods and was an almost sinless person, never hurt anyone, gave money to the poor often, and was respectful to everyone he met. He accidentally falls of a cliff and dies. Does he go to hell, just because he didn't believe in the one true god?
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Lets say that someone from ancient china, believed in all the ancient chinese gods and was an almost sinless person, never hurt anyone, gave money to the poor often, and was respectful to everyone he met. He accidentally falls of a cliff and dies. Does he go to hell, just because he didn't believe in the one true god?
Salam.
This person, from whom or what did he or she get the orders to do good? I mean, who or what told her or him to be good, not hurt anyone, give charity and so on? GOD or gods?
Whatever the answer, someone will ask him for a proof atheist will ask for the proof of The GOD, just like i will ask him for the proof of the gods.
Peace.
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- The example of those who reject their Lord is that their works are like ashes, on which the wind blows strongly on a stormy day, they cannot get anything of what they earned. Such is the farthest misguidance.
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=11395.msg75932#msg75932
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As Salaamu Alaikum,
Lets say that someone from ancient china, believed in all the ancient chinese gods and was an almost sinless person, never hurt anyone, gave money to the poor often, and was respectful to everyone he met. He accidentally falls of a cliff and dies. Does he go to hell, just because he didn't believe in the one true god?
{172}
Transliteration Wa-ith akhatha rabbuka min banee adama min thuhoorihim thurriyyatahum waashhadahum AAala anfusihim alastu birabbikum qaloo bala shahidna an taqooloo yawma alqiyamati inna kunna AAan hatha ghafileena
Literal And when/if your Lord took/received from Adam's sons and daughters from their backs their descendants, and He made them witness/testify on themselves. "Am I not your Lord (E)?" They said "Yes/certainly, We witnessed/testified." That You say (on) the Resurrection Day "That We were about this ignoring/disregarding ."
Free-Minds And your Lord took for the children of Adam from their backs, their progeny; and He made them witness over themselves "Am I not your Lord?" They said "Yes, we bear witness." Thus you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection that you were unaware of this.{173}
Transliteration Aw taqooloo innama ashraka abaona min qablu wakunna thurriyyatan min baAAdihim afatuhlikuna bima faAAala almubtiloona
Literal Or you say "But our fathers shared/made partners (with God) from before, and we were descendants from after them, do you perish us/destroy us because (of) what the wasters/cancellors made/did ?"
Free-Minds Nor can you Say "It was our fathers who set up partners before and we were simply a progeny who came after them. Would You destroy us for what the innovators did?"{174}
Transliteration Wakathalika nufassilu al-ayati walaAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Literal And as/like that We detail/explain the evidences/verses , and maybe/perhaps they return.
Free-Minds It is such that We explain the revelations, perhaps they will revert.Hope this helps in answering the question, insha Allah.
As Salaamu Alaikum peace
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Salam.
This person, from whom or what did he or she get the orders to do good? I mean, who or what told her or him to be good, not hurt anyone, give charity and so on? GOD or gods?
Whatever the answer, someone will ask him for a proof atheist will ask for the proof of The GOD, just like i will ask him for the proof of the gods.
Peace.
I didn't know you had to get an order to be a good person. What if he did it by his own free will? Just because someone is a pagan doesn't mean they're evil. How many people really think the only people in haven are Muslims/monotheists? I wouldn't be able to understand how someone can think God is forgiving and yet only allow monotheists in.
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Maybe that ancient chinese fall in the category of Sabian.
2;62 Surely those who believe; and those who are Jewish, and the Christian, and the Sabians, whomever of them believes in God and the Last Day and does good work; they will have their reward with their Lord, with no fear over them, nor will they grieve.
Scholars differed on who is Sabian, some say they are agnostic or gnostic or monotheist or believe in astrology and magic.
Chinese traditional belief is not polytheism, they are agnostic with mix of folk religion, Taoism, Confucian and Buddhism.
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_folk_religionGod is Just.
God is the Best Judge.2217 Surely those who believe; and those who are Jewish, and the Sabians, and the Christian, and the Magian; and the polytheist; God will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. For God is witness over all things.
Thanks.
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Peace nusii,
In the verse you quoted, it starts with - Surely those who BELIEVE... So it doesn't matter what background you have, or what your nationality is, the main criteria is that you believe in the God almighty. Which then nullifies the question of this thread - "Why do we have to believe in God to enter paradise?"
peace
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Peace
very good discussion but just to add my two cents, In the Quran, the story of Abraham provides us with some insight. The Guy was looking for the truth and at one time he was praying to the SUN. Now let us speculate that just after he did that, he died.
Do you think he would have been destined for hell as an idol worshipper? I very much doubt that since what is important is striving for the truth.
Regards
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Peace
very good discussion but just to add my two cents, In the Quran, the story of Abraham provides us with some insight. The Guy was looking for the truth and at one time he was praying to the SUN. Now let us speculate that just after he did that, he died.
Do you think he would have been destined for hell as an idol worshipper? I very much doubt that since what is important is striving for the truth.
Regards
Of course not. God is only angry at kafirs, rejecters. So since the guy was never exposed to the 'truth' then he was not a rejecter. The same thing goes to all pagan worshippers all over the world. So long as they never heard of the call to serve the Only One God then their belief in their pagan gods is should not be a problem.
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peace
did abraham pray to the sun before he found out that there is only one God?
and in his story i think is a lesson for all of us, he wasn't killed right away, he lived long enough and researched until he was convinced that there is only one God and that he should pray only to Him.
and i think we all get enough time to research and to think about it. we all get a chance. actually a lot of chances. -
Of course God doesn't kill you, the nations mentioned in the Quran were destroyed because they violated human rights, but this destruction came through the Forces of the Universe were turned against them because of their behaviour.
For example, the 'raining of stones', sjilleen
And We utterly confounded them, and We rained upon them stones of heated clay/minsijjeelin.
Which pelted them with stones of baked clay/minsijjeelin.
Sjileelin comes from Sajala, and refers to deciding a justice punishment, it also means 'return of their deeds'. This term is directly connected with YauwmeDeen, yauwme=Time/Era/period Deen=Justice/Cause and Effect/Result/Outcome/Laws, and thus refer to the constant Law of Requital. The people who violated human rights got their deeds returned to them, Sijjil.
It has nothing to do with God being angry at them for not believing in Him.
148 Moses said; If you deny the Truth, you and all those who live in the earth, know that Allah is indeed Self-sufficient, Owner of Praise.
397 .... One who denies verily, Allah, the Rich is Self-Sufficient, want-free of any peoples.
To believe Allah is One is part of accepting Reality, it has NOTHING to do with Allah Himself. Allah is worthy of Praise, but does NOT demand it.
As in the words of Solomo
2740 ....He said, "This success is a blessing from my Lord, that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful. Whoever is grateful is grateful for his own good, and whoever is ungrateful, should know that my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Supremely Honorable.
The need to believe in God has to do with creating the correct view on Reality and purpose of existence so we develop our Selfs in the best way, so we can attain Paradise in this Life and the Next. When you deny God, you are denying a large part of Reality, and thus cannot develop your Self in the correct manner. Doesn't matter how good you behave, if you deny the One Creator, then you also deny your goal of existence. It is like a dog not knowing it is a dog, and thus cannot make full use of its potentials. But God also clearly says that the Universal Law of Judgement, YauwmeDeen, rules according to one's possibilities in Life. It has nothing to do with God being jaelous or envious, only with how much you accepted and made use of Reality to fulfill your purpose of existence.
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To believe Allah is One is part of accepting Reality, it has NOTHING to do with Allah Himself. Allah is worthy of Praise, but does NOT demand it.
55............Anyone who rejects belief, all his work will go vain and
he will be among the losers in the Hereafter.peace
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yes and? Is this supposed to refute my comment because it doesn't.
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peace all,
In my understanding the story looks something like this
First is NOT the faith of GOD, that comes as a later step!
The step one is the step of NEGATION! LA ELLAHA
Then comes the step of affirmation! EL ALLAH
The first step is realization of two vanities
1- The vanity of this world!
2- The vanity of your false state / ego / lower self.
the vanity of this world! If you fall in love with it! You are bound to loose it, because everything dies. Nothing is permanent! So when you loose it, the suffering comes. Even before that , when the fear of loosing comes in your heart then comes the suffering of HELL! Hell starts right in this world! Those suffering IS MEANT TO burn the EGO to free THE SELF from this delusion! To wake you up.The garden of peace ( HEAVEN) also starts in this world. That is when the one awakens to the realization that she is not separate and in reality is a eternal and vital part of a BIGGER WHOLE! So neither I am mortal and neither the world is soulless. That brings security! That brings peace! And the realization and witnessing of the deep compassion of this ENDLESS WHOLE is the ENCHANTED WINE that is served in heaven of heart which also be served in the hereafter during the rest of the journey!
You come to realize who you really are! Where your desires comes from. Where do you put your heart! Then you come to realize what this whole creation mean!
And third you make a clear picture of your relationship with it!
So if you think that you are separate from the rest and others , you are caught in your opinion. Caught within your ego. The ego creates insecurity and emotions. To cover that up , you start to comfort yourself with belongings of the world and that is doomed to be exposed.If you do not realize that this magnificent creation which has been running and evolving for millions of years before your coming, is connected to your HEART and provides for you and wants to prosper you, you are bound to get caught between fear and hoop! The duality of hell.
Lost in a large fragmented world which is soulless and you as a mere unimportant accident which carries the disease of death with it!
Or finding yourself within an organized, magnificent symphony where you are being Cared for, nourished, trained and loved!
So again this has nothing to do with believing. Believing is an activity of mind.
That relation that you have with the whole existence in the center of your being is what counts.
An atheist which gives his food to a poor is standing in another relationship to GOD. He sees differently with his tongue and does differently with his heart. This guy has come half the way! He thinks La Ellaha! He gives away the world and he is careless of himself! This guy will be granted to find out the second part in the rest of his journey.
Compared with
That believer which rubs the poor from his food to make his miserable existence more secure!
He is also different in tongue and heart! He is in love with world. Thinks only of himself. He has another ELAH already! so his mind believing in ALLAH is irrelevant! He is going to face the content of his heart in a very vivid state of consciousness. During the great periode when the next great jump of evolution manifests! we all do!HOW DOES YOUR HEART WITNESS THE CREATION? WHAT IS YOUR PART IN THIS? HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR MISSION IN LIFE? DO YOU SEE THE NEED? ARE YOU THANKFUL OF LIFE? DO YOU APPRECIATE THE VAST SPECTRUM OF QUALITIES? ALL BELONG TO HIM
Peace