Podcast
In the last episode, the audience asked, other religions are like Islam, leading people to goodness, why need to choose Allah and not other gods? And in the last episode, according to the Qur’an Surah 112, it has focused on who Allah is, and listed the attributes of the true creator, such as being oneness; except Allah, everything are created and maintained; He is not created or produced, nothing looks like him, so we cannot imagine his shape or form; He is eternal and never dies, because He is the one who truly masters time and death, so He is not limited by death and time, which He has created, etc. and thus distinguishes other so-called gods or lords, as long as there is death and creation by others, they are all false and man-made.
And this episode continues to discuss Allah, because only knowing who Allah is, one can understand why one should follow Allah, not other people, things or deity.
In Islamic belief, to acknowledge and believe Allah is the only God, is the most basic and important foundation of belief. Those who believe in Allah do not worship anyone or anything, do not worship idols created by humans, do not worship ancestors, and do not believe in spells, Jewelry or decoration can bring any power or influence, do not believe that anyone has the ability to see the unseen or future, will not elevate the status of others, and believe that prayers to these people will be heard or answered by Allah. When all things are created by Allah and all things are completely controlled by Allah, Allah does not need family, wives and children like human beings.
Allah created angels to do things for him, to control life and death, sun, moon, wind, cloud, rain, snow and whole nature. Whatever happen, they were recorded in the heavenly scriptures when the time Allah created the universe. Everything happen must have Allah ‘s permission.
Even if it is an inconspicuous piece of leaf, from germination and growth to discoloration and becoming falling leaves, to decaying and decomposing, the entire process has been recorded when Allah created the universe.
Chinese customs believe that there are gods and deities all over the heaven, and each deity is responsible for different jobs and positions. In Islam, Allah has clearly pointed out that those responsible for different jobs and positions are actually angels. These angels directly obey the orders of Allah. They cannot and will not make their own decisions. Unlike many dramas or Chinese folktales, there is always fights between gods. These are just folk legends and myths of the ancients.
The Chinese also believe in ghosts, and Allah has clearly told about the Jinns and demons He created, and taught humans how to seek protection away from them, and no need to have unnecessary fears. Fear is often caused by uncertainty and ignorance. So only relying on Allah who is the Creator and Master of these Jinns and demons, will be truly get protection.
Since the creation of human beings, Allah has continuously sent different prophets in different times and different nations to convey the unique mission of believing in the oneness of Lord. Only a few prophets’ names and deeds are mentioned in the Qur’an, and the last prophet and messenger sent by Allah was Muhammad (pbuh). Whoever claims to be prophet during Prophet Muhammad alive and after he passed away, are all liars and deceivers. Whoever claimed to be holy enough to get Allah’s blessings are also lying.
Even if all Muslims follow the words, deeds and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh), when praying and worshipping, we can only pray directly to Allah, and no one, even as noble as the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh), can be regarded as an Intermediaries, to convey messages to Allah for others, because Allah is omnipotent and all powerful, and people can directly pray to Allah without any intermediaries.
Allah will not ignore or leave anyone’s prayer, because even if it is a fallen leaf, as mentioned before, He will know exactly when it is dropped, where it is dropped, how it is dropped, etc. if Allah knows every single leaf whereabouts, then let alone everyone’s affairs and prayers?
Everyone has to taste death. In this life, everyone is busy living, studying, working, experiencing joys and sorrows, different kind of separation, including life and death. What is the life purpose?
People live and work hard all their lives, lose their time and health in return to gain material things, but they can’t take anything with them when they die. All the efforts in life are like in vain, what is the meaning of life?
To spend all the energy to support the family, to raise children, and when they grow up, they only care about themselves, leave the parents and let them be alone, to cry secretly, is this the life that people are pursuing?
(51:56-58) And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me. Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength.
From this verse, it is clear that Allah created jinn and human beings to worship Allah, and this worship is to live according to Allah’s teachings, how to deal with people, learning how to follow Quran to seek goodness and avoid evil, understand the true meaning of life. After death, one can live happily, carefree, reunited with loved ones and family members who have never met such as ancestors or later generation, etc. in eternal paradise.
One does not need to give money, food or possessions to Allah, because Allah is indeed the Lord of all things, He does not need any material from us, and one only needs to give time to know Allah’s Quran and put into practice what He teaches the way of life, the way of doing things and the attitude of dealing with others, people can obtain the blessings of this world and the hereafter.
Death – is not an end, rather it’s another new beginning. The good deeds, good words, good actions earned during life, family and friends cherished in life will not disappear due to death, Instead, it is to prepare for a reunion in the hereafter, an eternal happy and carefree life. The main premise is that these family members and friends are people who believe in Allah.
To truly live a meaningful life will not make this life futile. Believing in Allah and following the guidance of the Quran is the only choice.
Most people will do good deeds, say good words, and do good actions. The difference is that those who do not believe in Allah and the Hereafter will receive the rewards they deserve in this life and they will never be mistreated. But when they died, all these good deeds are blown away like dust since they never believe the existence of hereafter, thus no one or anything can intercede for them, there will be no blessing in the hereafter. Instead they can only look at others’ happy paradise, lament their eternal misfortune, hate and resent the old friends and family that they meet in hell.
On the contrary, those who believe in Allah and the Hereafter will not only receive the rewards they deserve in this world, but will also have endless blessings in the Hereafter.
Therefore, regardless of other religions, they also lead people to be good. The difference is that people only want to be rewarded in this life? Or rewarded both in this life and in the hereafter? Everyone has their own choice, because the Qur’an (2:256) “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut (worship of anything other than Allah) and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.”
May Allah grant us the knowledge and wisdom of the Quran to guide us in making the right choices. Ameen