Article appeared Friday, March 16th, 2012 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (220)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Does belief come from the heart? Or can belief simply be a manifestation of physical exercise? Where can we find answers to this question? Turning to the Bible we find Jesus rebuking some people regarding the over-indulgence of physical actions as quoted in the New Testament, He (Jesus) replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me [Mark 7:6, NIV] {1} Given the attitude of those whom Jesus was talking to, he confirmed the words of Prophet Isaiah recorded in Isaiah 29:13 {2} of the Old Testament. Belief is not achieved simply by saying, I believe, with our lips or just by carrying out a physical exercise like a ceremonial prayer the heart must stand in awe of the Creator during the physical activity. The heart therefore plays a central role in our approach to the Creator, as explained by Jesus, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. [Matthew 5:8, NIV] {3} What is a pure heart a heart that is in two minds about the blessings and existence of the Creator? Or is it a heart that does not doubt the blessings or despair at the tests given by the Creator? In the most recent Revelation, the Quran, we find a similar rebuke for the desert Arabs. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was being instructed to say, The desert Arabs say, "We believe." Say (to them), "You have no faith; but you (only) say (with your lips), `We have submitted our wills to Allah.' For not yet has faith entered your hearts [49.14] But only he that brings to Allah a sound heart (will achieve success); [26.89] Who, then, are believers? Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Apostle and have never since doubted but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the cause of Allah: such are the sincere ones. [49.15] Men who celebrate the praises of Allah standing, sitting and lying down on their sides and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth (with the thought): "Our Lord! Not for nothing have You created (all) this! Glory to You! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire. [3.191] What can the cause of Allah be? And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotees. [2.207] A believer therefore looks for ways to please the Creator and at the same time does not wish to do things that would displease Him. A believer looks forward to meeting the Creator the Creator who has created the soul as well as arranged for the enjoyment of its existence. For those whose hopes are in meeting Allah (in the Hereafter, let them strive); for the Day (and term appointed) by Allah is surely to come: and He hears and knows (all things). And if they strive (with their best efforts) they do so for their own souls: for Allah is free of all needs from all creation. [29.5 29.6] Becoming a believer is not a favor to the Creator; it is for the salvation of our own individual souls.

They impress on you as favor that they have embraced Islam. Say, "Count not your Islam as a favor upon me: no, it is Allah that has conferred a favor upon you that He has guided you to the Faith if you be true and sincere." [49.17] O you who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the Evil One; for he is to you an avowed enemy. [2.208] Therefore, the longing in the heart of a believer is, Only our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults that we may become foremost among the Believers! [26.51] Given mans attachment to worldly things, one has to strive hard to become a believer. For those who believe, our Creator has also given a formal method of approach to Him. To stand before Him with a fresh body and sincere frame of mind, He recommends,

5.6 O you who believe! When you prepare for prayer wash your faces and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity bathe your whole body. But if you are ill or on a journey or come from the offices of nature or you have been in contact with women and you find no water then take for yourselves clean sand or earth and rub with it your faces and hands. Allah does not wish to place you in difficulty but to make you clean and to complete His favor to you that you may be grateful.
O you who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged until you can understand all that you say... for Allah does blot out sins and forgives again and again. [4.43] It is important to understand what we say, as we need to honor and obey the words pronounced in prayer if we are sincere. Given our free-will, when we enter faith, this is the agreement or covenant we enter to honor our Creator, honor His Words and to do what He has asked us to do.

5.7 And call in remembrance the favor of Allah to you and His Covenant which He ratified with you when you said: "We hear and we obey": and fear Allah for Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts. 5.8 O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealing and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah for Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.
Did you think that you would enter heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (in His cause) and remained steadfast? [3.142]

5.9 To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward. 5.10 Those who reject faith and deny our signs will be companions of hell-fire.
-----{Notes}: {1} http://bible.cc/mark/7-6.htm {2} http://bible.cc/isaiah/29-13.htm {3} http://bible.cc/matthew/5-8.htm