How to recognize God - (Random Thoughts in 7 parts)

     -DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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How to recognize God? (1)

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Islam, God’s final religion meant for entire humanity believes and wants people to believe in oneness of god, in the unity of God and does not believe in plurality of gods or additional gods. 

Prophet of Islam Muhammad, the zeal of all prophets, introduced the corner stone of Islamic faith as: “There is no God other than Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Islam”. 

Holy Quran begins with the statement of faith as: “There is no God other than Allah”. But the Prophet (SAS) added the second part of the faith “Muhammad is the Prophet of Islam” with the obvious reason of keeping His followers in true faith and not deviating from the central line of Allah’s importance.

The Prophet of Islam took special care to see that Muslims do not worship Him. He wanted people to worship only God and not any human being or prophets.  

The Prophet of Islam knew that the Muslims, like the Christian brothers do, would begin worshiping Him instead of God Himself for which he was sent down. 

Hence the addition of the second part only to remind the believers that He is only the prophet and not God. 

If Muslims regard the Prophet of Islam more than the God, that might make only humans happy- but the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAS) would not like that precisely because that goes against all his teachings.

Today, the followers of Prophet Isa (Jesus) do not worship God but only Jesus as god. They worship the statues of Jesus that are made by people, thereby worshiping the men who made them. 

Jesus (Isa) had asked his followers to worship God, appreciate oneness of God but his followers have been misguided to worship Jesus Himself as God. 

All praises are meant only for the God, Almighty Allah.

Prophets as God’s worthy Messengers only brought humanity closer to God. 

But Prophets are not Gods.

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How to recognize God? (2)

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As we all know, God is formless and omnipotent.

Those who do not believe in God truly do not worry about God at all.  For them, wealth and rich people are gods.

Only humans try to see God in some human form, not knowing that they do not see God at all and the figure they see visualize as God is the form of the man.  When humans work ship statues, photos, pictures of gods, they in fact worship the men who created those objects like statues, sculptures and painting, photos etc.

When people worship man as God that is the worst way they recognize the God.  It is not their fault but they refuse to change their worship mode and recognize the true God which has no form and assistants. God has only sent down His prophets to convey His message.

India tops the nations that worship men and women as gods. The regime, intelligence, among others, promotes human worship pasterns with necessary facilities.

Like politics, even worship is now fictitious and profit oriented.

Who is God, then?

God is the one that created the universe and the perfect system of balance.

God does not need water to drink or food to consume; God does not do what humans and other living being do.

God is above all. 

In order to recognize God and His powers, first stop visualizing God in the form of humans or animals.

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How to recognize God? -3

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The assumption that God only benefits from our prayers is absolutely wrong.

Such feelings come to human minds because they visualize God in the form of man or stone structure or political leader, who thrives at others' cost, by extended support they receive from their followers.

We pray and worship God for our own well being.

We indeed express our gratitude to god for creating as humans and not as animals or other beings.

Before the arrival of humans and other living beings, God had already created the necessary things for the survival of living beings, their foods, including grass and  paddy, plants and trees, fruit and vegetables,  were created, also water and sun and moon.

In fact, humans came into being only as the final form of living beings and that happened only

After all other living beings were created.

But whether one believes in God or not they get money, food and means for survival and prosperity.

Those who do not believe in God and also those who hate God also get all these essentials thanks to the permanent arrangements made by God for humans and other living beings

In fact, humans came into being only as the final form of living beings and after all other living beings were created.

Before their arrival, their foods were created as helpers or even as food (as helpers or even as food), as also water and sun and moon.

Where is this God who has created all these for the living beings, especially for human beings?

Don’t search for God anywhere because God can see all of us but we can’t see out creator in this life.

Importantly, there is no short cut to God.

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How to recognize God-4

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Allah is the Arab word for God, the Creator as well as Sustainer of the universe with the most perfect balancing system to sustain all His creations.    

When we enter the mosque for prayers we are supposed to leave outside the Mosque our personal or business thoughts and go into the prayer hall fully committed to Allah-God.

Any prayer without sincerity and commitment to Allah is not worship at all. 

Any prayer offered in the mosque only for return favors from God is not prayer at all, either.

We all pray to get His blessings and protection from evil forces and devilish sources. When we help others without expecting return favors from them, Allah could be pleased that his Prophets have done a good job on this earth by molding human behavior nicely.

The Holy Qur'an says:"Allah has promised to those of you who believe, and do good deeds, that He will surely grant them in the land inheritance of power as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion which He has chosen for them. And that He will change their state after fear to one of security and peace. They will worship Me alone and not associate aught with Me." (24:55) and also: "Say to those who deny faith, soon you will be vanquished." (3:12) and "When comes the help of Allah and Victory and you see the people enter Allah's religion in multitudes . . ." (110:1-2)

We know that nothing in the world is equal to God, not even His Holy Prophets- including our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS). And we don’t pray to our Prophets at all, though we all adore and keep Him in highest esteem for making us believers with content.

We also know we are not supposed to share God’s place with others, including our Holy prophets.

Because, Allah is one and inseparable or divisible!

Even our highly esteemed Prophets are not Gods simply because they were all born in the universe that was already created by God-Allah. They all lived human life. Allah created the Prophets with His word and Books.  

Prophets are humans but of highest level frame of mind with full guidance from and protection of God. They are true messengers of God chosen very selectively and led throughout their lives to convey what they were told by the Lord. Nothing more, nothing less!

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How to recognize God-5

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Islam believes in oneness and unity of God and Muslims worship directly to Allah whether in mosques or elsewhere. 

The important point, however,  to note is  that Muslims as believers are today around the world worshiping Allah thanks only to Holy Prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAS), the  final messenger of Allah. 

The Prophet of Islam sent   His ardent followers to different part of world to propagate the Word of Allah, asking the people to worship Allah only.  These infallible followers of the Holy Prophet went to countries as per the command of the Holy Prophet, worked for Allah and passed away with Allah's blessings.

The places where these disciples of Holy Prophet Rest in peace are also considered to be holy sites where Muslims come to honor them with prayers offered to Allah. 

Thus, Prophet Muhammad (SAS) is the Holy foundation of Islam and spiritual guide of Muslims here and hereafter. 

Islam is most suited way of life for human societies. Clear cut foundations of Islam was laid during the era of the most pious companions of the Holy Prophet, Caliphs Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman and 'Ali, who led Islamic rule considered as being established by Allah in the land, defeating the Persian and Roman empires. And Islamic faith was established from Spain to parts of China in a mere twenty years. This, in part, fulfills another prophecy of the Holy Qur'an: "It is He who has sent the Messenger with guidance, and the religion of truth, to make it triumphant over all religions." (9:32)

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How to recognize God-6

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Muslims are gratefully devoted to the Holy Prophet of Islam for making us faithful, keeping us totally committed to Allah. 

Our Prophet spent most of this time in worshiping Allah and He did not talk much except when preaching or wasted time for fun. While more time he devoted to Allah, less time in telling His disciples and other people about Allah, about how to live and how to keep Allah the top of our daily life. 

Our Holy Prophet not just only spoke about Allah and best ways to reach Him and leading meaningful life in this world so that life hereafter would be brighter. But the Holy leader and last messenger of Allah also became an example for Muslims and others to live worthy life. He did that by living as h He teaches and preaches. 

Holy Quran and the life of Prophet of Islam are inseparably intertwined just as Allah and His Prophets were. 

Our Holy Prophet was, therefore, not an ordinary class teacher, or an Imam of our Mosques. He is much more that: Prophet of Islam was a life pattern for entire humanity to follow. 

After all, Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAS) was sent down along with the mandate to deliver the Holy Book of Message for whole world- not just for the then most backward Arabs. 

Since the truth was the content of his message, our Holy Prophet never told a lie in His life, not even before He assumed Prophet-hood. He said and did exactly what was Allah's wish!  All miracles He performed were attributed to Allah and His ability. Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAS) was the trusted messenger of Allah and final Prophet of the universe. . 

Bluff and falsehood, however, remains the hallmark of many other religious texts, so are  most people  even in Islam.

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How to recognize God- 7

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Islam demands of believers to be fully committed to Allah; fully trust in Holy Prophet and Holy Quran as being Allah’s arrangement for His message for humanity.

Even the rare fun sayings of the Prophet had a strong message for the believers.

Holy prophet engaged in conversations with Allah in his prayers.

In fact, Muslims when pray in mosque or at home or elsewhere,  they try only to converse with the Almighty Allah,  but unlike our Holy Prophet, we are unable to connect to Allah and conversations remain  one-sided,  unattended and unanswered by our Lord unless we are pure at heart and sincere in prayers.

Allah speaks only to his Messengers who are dutifully obeying His commandments.

Not just that. Allah even fulfills the Prophet’s prayers with quick help needed to uphold the true faith of the real Muslims.

On the eve of the Badr war  waged by the enemies of Islam against Islam and Prophet,  our Holy Prophet raised his hands and prayed  to Allah  for help the remaining Muslims so that  they continue to worship Him. 

Our Prophet did not ask Allah to save them and their families to do business, making huge profits and families thrive in huge wealth, but for the sake of Islam. Muhammad (SAS) sought Allah’s help so that Muslims survive in order to worship Allah.

His prayer was heard and quickly answered by the Almighty Allah and enemies were destroyed beyond recognition. “Oh Allah, if we are killed, none will remain on earth to worship You”.

And, Allah came to the rescue of His Messenger and His faithful followers who had sacrificed everything for the sake of Allah. Holy Prophet and his followers won the war. 

Since Islam is the religion of Allah, the Holy Prophet and his followers were protected from the powerful enemies so as to sustain Islamic faith on earth.

That is the real power of true selfless prayer!

Victory of Islam in Badr war changed the perception of people about the prowess of Allah and trust in the Holy Prophet.

Islam shall win all terror wars being perpetrated by the enemies of Islam.

( to be revised later)