FAITH AND DISBELIEF

If somebody were to ask what things are most distant from each other, you would probably say faith and disbelief, and in terms of the result this is correct. However, when we consider this in terms of the things we experience in our daily lives— our emotions, desires, conscience, awareness and the spiritual faculty— faith and disbelief are, in fact, the two things closest to each other, as though separated by a loosely woven curtain. Therefore, rather than gossiping about those who stumble to the other side of that curtain, wondering how they could deviate from the path of truth, we should turn to God and supplicate, O Lord! Protect us against stumbling onto the path of disbelief. We should constantly say, O Lord! After granting us faith, never allow our hearts to deviate from the truth. Furthermore, we should make the same supplication for all our believing brothers and sisters, because we can lose those around us to the path of disbelief without warning. Indeed, even men from among those who wrote the revelations lost their way on the path of truth. This could be due to the fact that these individuals were more inclined to destruction—evil appearing more attractive or enticing—or even not being vigilant against evil at all times. Whatever the reason, any one of us may stray from the true path at a time when we least expect to. Therefore, nobody should ever have the confidence or belief that they would never stray, but should rather embrace God and strive to remain on His path, looking down upon themselves. Even if they pray constantly throughout the entire night, no one should believe that they have totally fulfilled their duty to God when they raise their heads from prostration. If a servant who spends every day of the year in worship assumes even for a moment he will be granted a certain reward for worshipping God so much, or considers himself worthy of a certain position or status, then the moments he spends in such contemplation will undoubtedly be the gloomiest of his life.

Whereas the mindful servant should consider success and position as a potential trial and shield himself from the demand of all pleasures except the pleasure of God. A believer should bear the understanding I am a servant, and servants possess no wealth or fortunes. The gain of whatever I earn belongs to my Master alone. The believer must never expect a reward in return for worship and fulfilling his duty. Moreover, as defined in the Twenty-Fourth Word of The Words, “Worship is not the introduction to additional rewards, but the result of previous bounties. Yes, we have received our wage, and are accordingly charged with the duties of service and worship.” Therefore, the issue here is not attaining status or being renowned for position; but, rather, the issue is one of deserving a position and displaying gratitude to God for the blessings and favors He bestows.

Questions

1) Who was the famous astronomer who said, “What we know is little, and what we are ignorant of is immense”?

A) Pierre Simon Laplace C) Henry Ford

B) Samuel Johnson

D) Hammad ar-Rawiyah

2) What did the noble Prophet emphasize with these words: “The greatest charity for a Muslim is______”?

A) Learning something and then teaching it to one’s Muslims brothers

B) Giving charity to the poor and needy

C) Giving a book as a gift to one’s Muslim brother

D) Spending of wealth for the sake of religion

3) Which of these is not a cause of Alzheimer’s disease?

A) Old Age

B) The loss of brain function

C) Reading books

D) The damage of brain cells

4) Which of these views is not manifested in a disbeliever?

A) Everything transpires by itself.

B) The entire existence occurred by coincidence.

C) I do not believe in what I cannot see.

D) Everything is created with utmost precision.

5) Which of the options below are not the words of a believing person?

A) I attained position by virtue of the worship I have performed.

B) My duty is servitude and service to others.

C) May God protect us from deviation.

D) I must show gratitude for the blessings and favors granted by God.