Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Believers

An Ustaz (teacher) once asked me, if I were to ask you if you are a Muslim (one who surrenders to God), what would your answer be?

I said, yes.

Then he asked me, if I were to ask you if you are a Mukmin (a Believer), what would your answer be?

In my mind I thought of, of course yes, but I did not answer him, I looked at him expecting the proper answer.

He said, when asked if you are a Mukmin, say, yes insyaaAllah (yes God willing).

And so who are the Believers.  I found an answer in Surah Al-Mukminun (The Believers), verses 23:1-11.

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The Believers must eventually win through
Those who humble themselves in their prayer
Who avoid vain talk
Who are active in deeds of charity
Who abstain from sex
Except from their wives or those their right hands posses, for indeed, they will not be blamed
But whoever seeks beyond that, they are transgressors
Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants
And who strictly guard their Prayers
These will be the heirs
Who will inherit Paradise, they will dwell there in.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Nations And Tribes

This verse was on my mind this week.

Al-Hujurat (The Private Apartments), 49:13.

O men!  Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another.  Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God, is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him.  Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware.