What is the role of believing in the presence of Allah in our practical lives?
The answer is that every practical plan in life ought to be founded on ideological roots. These roots explain the reality of the universe and life. Without them, a plan turns into mere practical steps. It would search for the beginning and the end of the road blindly. It would be destined to failure and perdition. Therefore, we must ask ourselves an everlasting question to find out how to start. Is there a supreme power outside our limited materialistic existence? Has this power created the universe, watches over it, organizes it, and leads it to perfection? Or is the universe the result of a vacuous, blind coincidence? Did it create a system that will not come to a rational end, as it did not emanate from a rational basis?
This is the difference between two thoughts. One believes the universe is on its course towards achieving a certain goal. The other considers that the universe is wandering aimlessly. It will eventually be shipwrecked in vacuum as it originally set out from a mad coincidence.
Belief in the presence of Allah subjects man to an internal and intellectual feeling of responsibility. He feels responsible before Allah and towards his deeds and his entire life. This is because he feels he is part of this big, organized universe. He should act accordingly. Armed with this spirit, he feels he has to set a practical plan through the message of Allah. He must pursue the sublime goals Allah wanted for man in life. He must pursue these goals in his relations with himself and others. He must set his affairs based on the idea that this world is merely a phase. Life extends until after death.
Thus, he ought to take into account life after death when he is living this life. In this respect, man feels that human relations acquire a new sense. They get attached to Allah on one hand. They get attached to his practical responsibilities on the other hand. They would no longer be mere relations based on materialistic calculations. They would acquire new values. These values include altruism, sacrifice, and love just for the sake of love. This is away from any materialistic returns. He seeks spiritual compensation from Allah. He aims to be worthy of His satisfaction, love, and reward. This elevates man’s status.
Man would have an innermost feeling of tranquility and spiritual peace. He would have a big hope throughout his life. He would be attached to Allah Who is in charge of all life’s problems and repercussions. Allah is in charge of its pains and joys. Besides, man would feel that Allah is continuously looking after him. His mercy is watching over him. Thus, he would not feel lost, collapsed, or desperate. He would not feel that he derailed from his set goals. He would not feel that he lost the meaning of his presence. This is a feeling atheists experience in their lives. It makes them feel a great vacuum that would eventually destroy their lives.
Belief in Allah instills in man’s conscience a feeling of strong, continuous Divine supervision. This prevents him from offending others in his thought, sayings, or actions. Even in the moments he feels the most secure, this feeling holds him responsible. This security comes from losing the sense of the presence of others.
Belief in Allah dominates man’s innermost. He feels Allah is watching over him on the inside just as He watches over him on the outside. There is nothing hidden or covered before Him. Nothing is out of the reach of His Dominion. No power is stronger than His.
The more infiltrated belief becomes inside man, the more capable he is of protecting himself and others. However, the weaker belief gets, the closer man becomes to committing a crime. This is determined by how far he is from the surrounding external deterrence elements.
This sums up how belief in Allah gives our lives a new meaning. It enriches, nurtures, and cultivates life. It links life to broader meanings and the ultimate aspired goal. On the other hand, atheism empties life of all its spiritual connotations and sublime goals. Thus, man would be born, live, and die meaninglessly, aimlessly, and vainly.
Extracted from the book “General Islamic Concepts”
What is the role of believing in the presence of Allah in our practical lives?
The answer is that every practical plan in life ought to be founded on ideological roots. These roots explain the reality of the universe and life. Without them, a plan turns into mere practical steps. It would search for the beginning and the end of the road blindly. It would be destined to failure and perdition. Therefore, we must ask ourselves an everlasting question to find out how to start. Is there a supreme power outside our limited materialistic existence? Has this power created the universe, watches over it, organizes it, and leads it to perfection? Or is the universe the result of a vacuous, blind coincidence? Did it create a system that will not come to a rational end, as it did not emanate from a rational basis?
This is the difference between two thoughts. One believes the universe is on its course towards achieving a certain goal. The other considers that the universe is wandering aimlessly. It will eventually be shipwrecked in vacuum as it originally set out from a mad coincidence.
Belief in the presence of Allah subjects man to an internal and intellectual feeling of responsibility. He feels responsible before Allah and towards his deeds and his entire life. This is because he feels he is part of this big, organized universe. He should act accordingly. Armed with this spirit, he feels he has to set a practical plan through the message of Allah. He must pursue the sublime goals Allah wanted for man in life. He must pursue these goals in his relations with himself and others. He must set his affairs based on the idea that this world is merely a phase. Life extends until after death.
Thus, he ought to take into account life after death when he is living this life. In this respect, man feels that human relations acquire a new sense. They get attached to Allah on one hand. They get attached to his practical responsibilities on the other hand. They would no longer be mere relations based on materialistic calculations. They would acquire new values. These values include altruism, sacrifice, and love just for the sake of love. This is away from any materialistic returns. He seeks spiritual compensation from Allah. He aims to be worthy of His satisfaction, love, and reward. This elevates man’s status.
Man would have an innermost feeling of tranquility and spiritual peace. He would have a big hope throughout his life. He would be attached to Allah Who is in charge of all life’s problems and repercussions. Allah is in charge of its pains and joys. Besides, man would feel that Allah is continuously looking after him. His mercy is watching over him. Thus, he would not feel lost, collapsed, or desperate. He would not feel that he derailed from his set goals. He would not feel that he lost the meaning of his presence. This is a feeling atheists experience in their lives. It makes them feel a great vacuum that would eventually destroy their lives.
Belief in Allah instills in man’s conscience a feeling of strong, continuous Divine supervision. This prevents him from offending others in his thought, sayings, or actions. Even in the moments he feels the most secure, this feeling holds him responsible. This security comes from losing the sense of the presence of others.
Belief in Allah dominates man’s innermost. He feels Allah is watching over him on the inside just as He watches over him on the outside. There is nothing hidden or covered before Him. Nothing is out of the reach of His Dominion. No power is stronger than His.
The more infiltrated belief becomes inside man, the more capable he is of protecting himself and others. However, the weaker belief gets, the closer man becomes to committing a crime. This is determined by how far he is from the surrounding external deterrence elements.
This sums up how belief in Allah gives our lives a new meaning. It enriches, nurtures, and cultivates life. It links life to broader meanings and the ultimate aspired goal. On the other hand, atheism empties life of all its spiritual connotations and sublime goals. Thus, man would be born, live, and die meaninglessly, aimlessly, and vainly.
Extracted from the book “General Islamic Concepts”