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_001.jpg) Many people throughout the world today are searching for the truth;
they search for meaning in their lives, and wonder what life is all about. Men and women ask the question, why am I here? In the midst of
suffering and pain, humankind calls out silently or loudly asking for relief,
or understanding. In the midst of pleasure often, a person seeks to understand
the source of such elation. Sometimes people contemplate accepting Islam as
their true religion but find some obstacles.
In life’s most joyous moments or darkest hours,
a person’s most instinctive reaction is to reach out for a connection to some
sort of Supreme Being, to God. Even those who would consider themselves atheists
or non-believers have at some stage in their lives experienced that innate
sense of being part of a grand plan.
The religion of Islam is based on one core
belief, that there is One God. He alone is the Sustainer and Creator of the
Universe. He is without partners, children, or associates. He is the Most
Merciful, the Most Wise, and the Most Just. He is the all Hearer, all Seer,
and the All Knowing. He is the First, He is the Last.
It is comforting to think that our trials,
tribulations, and triumphs in this life are not random acts of a cruel
unorganised universe. Belief in God, belief in One God, the Creator, and
Sustainer of all that exists is a fundamental right. Knowing with certainty
that our existence is part of a well-ordered world and that life is unfolding
as it should is a concept that brings serenity and peace.
Islam is a religion that looks at life and
says this world is but a transient place and our reason for being is to worship
God. Sounds simple doesn’t it? God is One, acknowledge
this and worship Him and peace and serenity are obtainable. This is within the
grasp of any human being and can be had simply by believing sincerely that there
is no god but God.
Sadly in this brave new century, we
continue to push the boundaries and rediscover the world in all its glory but
have forgotten the Creator, and forgotten that life really was meant to be easy.
Finding our connection to God and establishing a relationship with Him is
paramount if we are to live peacefully and throw off the shackles binding us to
pain, psychological turmoil and sadness.
Islam was revealed for all people, in all
places and at all times. It was not revealed for men or for a particular race
or ethnicity. It is a complete way of life based on the teachings found in the
Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Once again, sounds
simple doesn’t it? Guidance revealed by the Creator to His
creation. It is a foolproof plan to achieve everlasting happiness in both this
life and the next.
The Quran and the authentic traditions
explain the concept of God and give details of what is permissible and what is
forbidden. They explain the basics of good manners and morals, and give
rulings about worship. They tell stories about the Prophets and our righteous
predecessors, and describe Paradise and Hell. This guidance was revealed for
all of humankind, and God Himself says that He does not want to place humankind
in difficulty.
“God does not want to place you in difficulty,
but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour to you that you may be
thankful.” (Quran 5:6)
When we reach out to God, He listens and
responds and the truth that is Islam, pure monotheism, is revealed. This all
sounds simple, and should be uncomplicated, but sadly, we, humankind, have a
way of making things difficult. We are stubborn yet God continuously leaves the path clear for us.
Accepting Islam as the one true religion
should be simple. There is no god but God. What could be
clearer than that statement? Nothing is less complicated, but sometimes
considering the prospect of redefining out belief system can be scary and
fraught with obstacles. When a person is considering Islam as their religion
of choice they are often overcome by reasons for not accepting what their
hearts are telling them is the truth.
Currently, the truth of Islam has become
blurred by what appears to be a set of rules and regulations that seem almost
impossible to fulfil. Muslims do not drink alcohol, Muslims do not eat pork,
Muslim women must wear scarves, Muslims must pray five times every day. Men
and women find themselves saying things like, “I could not possibly stop
drinking”, or “I would find it too difficult to pray every single day let alone
five times”.
The reality however is that once a person
has accepted that there is no god but God and developed a relationship with Him
the rules and regulations drift into insignificance. It is a slow process of
wanting to please God. For some accepting the guidelines for a happy life is a
matter of days, even hours, for others it can be weeks,
months, or even years. Every person’s journey into Islam is different. Every
person is unique and every person’s connection to God comes about via a unique
set of circumstances. One journey is not more correct than another.
Many people believe that their sins are
too big and too frequent for God to ever forgive them. They hesitate to accept
what they know is the truth because they fear they will not be able to control
themselves and give up committing sins or crimes. Islam however is the
religion of forgiveness and God loves to forgive. Although the sins of
humankind may reach the clouds in the sky, God will forgive and go on forgiving
until the Final Hour is almost upon
us.
If a person truly believes that there is
no god but God, he or she should accept Islam without delay. Even if they
believe they will continue to sin, or if there are some aspects of Islam they
do not fully understand. Belief in one God is the most fundamental belief in Islam
and once a person establishes a connection with God changes will occur in their
lives; changes they would not have believed possible.
In the following article we will learn
that there is only one unforgiveable sin and that God is the Most Merciful, oft
Forgiving.
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