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  1. Home
  2. Critical Examination of Islam
  3. What is the nature of God?
  4. Really?

Really?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved What is the nature of God?
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  • M Offline
    M Offline
    M_Mehdi
    wrote on last edited by
    #43

    Salam,

    Why is that system dangerous? Because we might become too arrogant?

    Not become too arrogant, it is too arrogant.

    Wholehearted belief is attained through refinement/attunement (aka salat).

    Not always Tay. There are folks who wholeheartedly believe in things even though do not perform any form of salat. It doesn't make them necessarily attuned to the Divine. But in the context of what was said before, what you said now makes much more sense.

    When you believe wholeheartedly, and you are sure that what you're doing is the right thing, then you have tapped into the divine resource - and nothing seems impossible.

    Many people are "sure" what they are doing is right, but it doesn't necessarily mean they, to use your words, "tapped into the divine resource".

    peace

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    • T Offline
      T Offline
      Tay
      wrote on last edited by
      #44

      Peace M,

      Not always Tay. There are folks who wholeheartedly believe in things even though do not perform any form of salat. It doesn't make them necessarily attuned to the Divine. But in the context of what was said before, what you said now makes much more sense.

      I agree with the first part, and I'm glad I was able to get my point across.

      Many people are "sure" what they are doing is right, but it doesn't necessarily mean they, to use your words, "tapped into the divine resource".

      I agree. That's why salat is key. It is a fundamental check-point, I believe. The divine resource confirms itself through salat.

      Peace,
      Tay

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      • R Offline
        R Offline
        Raj-ah
        wrote on last edited by
        #45

        Oooppps!

        Sorry; an intellectual debate is goin on. & &

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        • L Offline
          L Offline
          Leoxyz
          wrote on last edited by
          #46

          Oooppps!

          Sorry; an intellectual debate is goin on. & &

          Dear
          Intellecutal debate ?? where ? Are you dreaming?

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          • P Offline
            P Offline
            phoenix1
            wrote on last edited by
            #47

            I don't understand what you mean by "Well....to me it doesn't make sense if whether you go to hell and heaven is decided by one point" or your 5149 reference.

            peace OM,
            I wasn't referring to 5149, I was referring to the democratic way of deciding things. If out of 100 deeds, 51 are bad, you go to hell? Or if 51 are good, you go to heaven? That's a very mechanical way of deciding and the way us humans are (complicated), it wouldn't work.

            I really don't know what life is all about....I can't wait to die so I can find out.

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            • P Offline
              P Offline
              phoenix1
              wrote on last edited by
              #48

              Dear
              Intellecutal debate ?? where ? Are you dreaming?

              Don't be too hard on Raj-ah, I'm sure he was being sarcastic.

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              • N Offline
                N Offline
                Navid
                wrote on last edited by
                #49

                peace OM,
                ) I wasn't referring to 5149, I was referring to the democratic way of deciding things. If out of 100 deeds, 51 are bad, you go to hell? Or if 51 are good, you go to heaven? That's a very mechanical way of deciding and the way us humans are (complicated), it wouldn't work.

                I really don't know what life is all about....I can't wait to die so I can find out.

                Peace Lobster

                I don't think you understand what I'm saying. In my opinion, I don't think there are two distinct places like heaven and hell. There are infinite "levels" of heaven/hell is what I'm trying to get across (in my understanding of the quran). The quran implies this many times as well. If it were just two separate places, I'd agree with you.

                I'm not saying that if people are +1 or +10,000, they go to the same place, that doesn't seem just. I'm saying for people who are +1, they get +1 "heaven." For people who are +10,000, they get +10,000 "heaven," because they did more good deeds (+10,000), so they became more purified, they became closer to God and that +10,000 closer to God-ness is their heaven. But for the +1 person, he/she still gets "heaven," only +1 of it.

                Sorry to ramble, I hope I'm making sense.

                Peace

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                • U Offline
                  U Offline
                  unknownuser
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #50

                  Peace Lobster

                  I don't think you understand what I'm saying. In my opinion, I don't think there are two distinct places like heaven and hell. There are infinite "levels" of heaven/hell is what I'm trying to get across (in my understanding of the quran). The quran implies this many times as well. If it were just two separate places, I'd agree with you.

                  I'm not saying that if people are +1 or +10,000, they go to the same place, that doesn't seem just. I'm saying for people who are +1, they get +1 "heaven." For people who are +10,000, they get +10,000 "heaven," because they did more good deeds (+10,000), so they became more purified, they became closer to God and that +10,000 closer to God-ness is their heaven. But for the +1 person, he/she still gets "heaven," only +1 of it.

                  Sorry to ramble, I hope I'm making sense.

                  Peace

                  This thought is also in the Sunni system, just for reference. A brief study of ahadeeth pertaining to the afterlife show varying degrees of good deeds, numerically.

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                  • N Offline
                    N Offline
                    Navid
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #51

                    This thought is also in the Sunni system, just for reference. A brief study of ahadeeth pertaining to the afterlife show varying degrees of good deeds, numerically.

                    I wasn't aware. I derived this understanding from verses of the quran and common sense. I phrase it numerically because it's the most convenient way. Essentially, I am saying everyone will get the exact amount of hell/heaven they deserve, as the quran says.

                    Thank you for the knowledge regarding ahadith, I wasn't aware. Also, great posts in the other threads!

                    Peace

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                    • U Offline
                      U Offline
                      unknownuser
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #52

                      Numerically as in good deeds = 7 or 70 ir 700 or 70,000 or 7x10^x times, bad deeds = -.

                      I believe the Quran also has something to say on this matter.

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                      • P Offline
                        P Offline
                        phoenix1
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #53

                        peace Navid,
                        So basically the more good we do in this life, the purer our soul is, the better off we'll be after death.

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                        • N Offline
                          N Offline
                          Navid
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #54

                          peace Navid,
                          So basically the more good we do in this life, the purer our soul is, the better off we'll be after death.

                          Peace lobster

                          Exactly, that's how I view it at least.

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                          • U Offline
                            U Offline
                            unknownuser
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #55

                            I think that is a tautology.

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                            • N Offline
                              N Offline
                              Navid
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #56

                              Numerically as in good deeds = 7 or 70 ir 700 or 70,000 or 7x10^x times, bad deeds = -.

                              I believe the Quran also has something to say on this matter.

                              Could you elaborate? I'm not sure I understand.

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                              • N Offline
                                N Offline
                                Navid
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #57

                                I think that is a tautology.

                                How so?

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                                • U Offline
                                  U Offline
                                  unknownuser
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #58

                                  I will see, this is stuff I read into years ago.

                                  But here is a gem of a hadeeth

                                  Mujahid (Radi ALLAH Taala Unho) narrates from Ali (Radi ALLAH Taala Unho) that Nabi (Salallaho Alaihi Wasallam) said ?O Ali, he who prays 100 rakaat nawafil on the night of the 15th of Shabhan and in each rakaat reads Surat-Al-Fatiha once and reads the Surat ?Qul howallhu Ahad? (Surat-Al-Ikhlas) 11 times, Nabi (Salallaho Alaihi Wasallam) said O Ali whoever prays in this way on this night Allah (Azza Wa Jul) will fulfil all of his duas or needs whosoever desires it. And Allah (Azza Wa Jul) sends 70,000 angels that write good deeds and erase bad deeds for him and raises his status until the end of the year. And Allah (Azza Wa Jul) sends 70,000 angels to Jannat-e-Aden and 700,000 cities will be made there for him. Within those cities there will be such gardens and palaces that nobody has ever seen, or heard of, nor anyone of Allah?s (Azza Wa Jul) creation (makhlooq) has ever imagined. And if he dies prior to the end of the year he will die a shaheed and Allah (Azza Wa Jul) will (through His happiness) give 70 maidens of heaven for each of the reading of one letter of Surah Ikhlas.
                                  (Ref Tafsir Roohul Bi?an, Volume 8. Alama Ismail Haqi Hanafi )

                                  Hear that Muslim women? You are going to get a few trillion maidens of heaven to satisfy your homosexual desire providing you pray 5 times a day with Surah Ikhlas. rotfl

                                  Ah, the hadeeth, like Paris Hilton, bring joy and excitement into my otherwise mundane life.

                                  Anyway, it is quite hard to get individual references, but hadeeth books are filled to the brim with things such as these

                                  Volume 1, Book 11, Number 621

                                  Narrated Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman

                                  Abu Huraira said, "I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'The reward of a prayer in congregation is twenty five times greater than that of a prayer offered by a person alone. The angels of the night and the angels of the day gather at the time of Fajr prayer.' " Abu Huraira then added, "Recite the Holy Book if you wish, for "Indeed, the recitation of the Qur'an in the early dawn (Fajr prayer) is ever witnessed." (17.1.

                                  Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar The reward of the congregational prayer is twenty seven times greater (than that of the prayer offered by a person alone).

                                  Volume 3, Book 34, Number 330

                                  Narrated Abu Huraira

                                  Allah's Apostle said, "The congregational prayer of anyone amongst you is more than twenty (five or twenty seven) times in reward than his prayer in the market or in his house, for if he performs ablution completely and then goes to the mosque with the sole intention of performing the prayer, and nothing urges him to proceed to the mosque except the prayer, then, on every step which he takes towards the mosque, he will be raised one degree or one of his sins will be forgiven. The angels will keep on asking Allah's forgiveness and blessings for everyone of you so long as he keeps sitting at his praying place. The angels will say, 'O Allah, bless him! O Allah, be merciful to him!' as long as he does not do Hadath or a thing which gives trouble to the other." The Prophet further said, "One is regarded in prayer so long as one is waiting for the prayer."

                                  Please remember that your justification for that belief should never be based on hearsay or baseless ahadeeth or conjecture or otherwise.

                                  002.245
                                  YUSUFALI Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan, which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply many times? It is Allah that giveth (you) Want or plenty, and to Him shall be your return.
                                  PICKTHAL Who is it that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, so that He may give it increase manifold? Allah straiteneth and enlargeth. Unto Him ye will return.
                                  SHAKIR Who is it that will offer of Allah a goodly gift, so He will multiply it to him manifold, and Allah straitens and amplifies, and you shall be returned to Him.

                                  057.010
                                  YUSUFALI And what cause have ye why ye should not spend in the cause of Allah?- For to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. Not equal among you are those who spent (freely) and fought, before the Victory, (with those who did so later). Those are higher in rank than those who spent (freely) and fought afterwards. But to all has Allah promised a goodly (reward). And Allah is well acquainted with all that ye do.
                                  PICKTHAL And what aileth you that ye spend not in the way of Allah when unto Allah belongeth the inheritance of the heavens and the earth? Those who spent and fought before the victory are not upon a level (with the rest of you). Such are greater in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. Unto each hath Allah promised good. And Allah is Informed of what ye do.
                                  SHAKIR And what reason have you that you should not spend in Allah's way? And Allah's is the inheritance of the heavens and the earth, not alike among you are those who spent before the victory and fought (and those who did not) they are more exalted in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards; and Allah has promised good to all; and Allah is Aware of what you do.

                                  057.011
                                  YUSUFALI Who is he that will Loan to Allah a beautiful loan? for (Allah) will increase it manifold to his credit, and he will have (besides) a liberal Reward.
                                  PICKTHAL Who is he that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, that He may double it for him and his may be a rich reward?
                                  SHAKIR Who is there that will offer to Allah a good gift so He will double it for him, and he shall have an excellent reward.

                                  057.012
                                  YUSUFALI One Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women- how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands (their greeting will be) "Good News for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! to dwell therein for aye! This is indeed the highest Achievement!"
                                  PICKTHAL On the day when thou (Muhammad) wilt see the believers, men and women, their light shining forth before them and on their right hands, (and wilt hear it said unto them) Glad news for you this day Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein ye are immortal. That is the supreme triumph.
                                  SHAKIR On that day you will see the faithful men and the faithful women-- their light running before them and on their right hand-- good news for you today gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein, that is the grand achievement.

                                  057.018
                                  YUSUFALI For those who give in Charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward.

                                  064.017
                                  YUSUFALI If ye loan to Allah, a beautiful loan, He will double it to your (credit), and He will grant you Forgiveness for Allah is most Ready to appreciate (service), Most Forbearing,-
                                  PICKTHAL If ye lend unto Allah a goodly loan, He will double it for you and will forgive you, for Allah is Responsive, Clement,
                                  SHAKIR If you set apart for Allah a goodly portion, He will double it for you and forgive you; and Allah is the Multiplier (of rewards), Forbearing,

                                  064.018
                                  YUSUFALI Knower of what is open, Exalted in Might, Full of Wisdom.
                                  PICKTHAL Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, the Mighty, the Wise.
                                  SHAKIR The Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Mighty, the Wise.

                                  073.020
                                  YUSUFALI Thy Lord doth know that thou standest forth (to prayer) nigh two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so doth a party of those with thee. But Allah doth appoint night and day in due measure He knoweth that ye are unable to keep count thereof. So He hath turned to you (in mercy) read ye, therefore, of the Qur'an as much as may be easy for you. He knoweth that there may be (some) among you in ill-health; others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah's bounty; yet others fighting in Allah's Cause, read ye, therefore, as much of the Qur'an as may be easy (for you); and establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan. And whatever good ye send forth for your souls ye shall find it in Allah's Presence,- yea, better and greater, in Reward and seek ye the Grace of Allah for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
                                  PICKTHAL Lo! thy Lord knoweth how thou keepest vigil sometimes nearly two-thirds of the night, or (sometimes) half or a third thereof, as do a party of those with thee. Allah measureth the night and the day. He knoweth that ye count it not, and turneth unto you in mercy. Recite, then, of the Qur'an that which is easy for you. He knoweth that there are sick folk among you, while others travel in the land in search of Allah's bounty, and others (still) are fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite of it that which is easy (for you), and establish worship and pay the poor-due, and (so) lend unto Allah a goodly loan. Whatsoever good ye send before you for your souls, ye will find it with Allah, better and greater in the recompense. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
                                  SHAKIR Surely your Lord knows that you pass in prayer nearly two-thirds of the night, and (sometimes) half of it, and (sometimes) a third of it, and (also) a party of those with you; and Allah measures the night and the day. He knows that you are not able to do it, so He has turned to you (mercifully), therefore read what is easy of the Quran. He knows that there must be among you sick, and others who travel in the land seeking of the bounty of Allah, and others who fight in Allah's way, therefore read as much of it as is easy (to you), and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and offer to Allah a goodly gift, and whatever of good you send on beforehand for yourselves, you will find it with Allah; that is best and greatest in reward; and ask forgiveness of Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

                                  In the Quran, I believe it is more of a "loan" than anything else. I need to refresh my understanding.

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                                  • N Offline
                                    N Offline
                                    Navid
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #59

                                    I will see, this is stuff I read into years ago.

                                    Yes, very funny ahadith. I was not aware of these. I do not follow ahadith. I was using numbers for convenience. I am saying what the quran implies, not nonsense about how many maidens one will receive as derived from ahadith. I believe "heaven" is closeness/oneness with God, and there are levels of how close/one with God you can be. Same idea with "hell," it is absence/lacking of God, and there are levels of this as well. This is all I am saying. I hope this makes sense.

                                    Peace

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                                    • Y Offline
                                      Y Offline
                                      Yosemite
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #60

                                      From what my brain could analyze from reading, well, God is juste. If you do wrong stuff you will be punished if you do good stuff you will be rewarded. If one do not believe but do good deeds, i dunno what will happen to them.

                                      I think that as they reject God during their whole life and test,

                                      then it's blank, i dunno what else.

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