14. Belief

God says

This divine writ – let there be no doubt about it – is [meant to be] a guidance for all the God-conscious, who believe in [the existence of] that which is beyond the reach of human perception, and are constant in prayer, and spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance, and who believe in that which has been bestowed on high upon thee, (O Prophet), as well as in that which was bestowed before thy time : for it is they who in their innermost are certain of the life to come! It is they who follow the guidance [which comes] from their Sustainer; and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state! Q2: 2-5
(The conventional translation of muttaqi as “God-fearing” does not adequately render the positive content of this expression – namely, the awareness of His all-presence and the desire to mould one’s existence in the light of this awareness; while the interpretation adopted by some translators, “one who guards himself against evil” or “one who is careful of his duty”, does not give more than one particular aspect of the concept of God-consciousness.)

In the very first chapter of the Qur’an, Fatiha, God is requested to provide guidance. Immediately comes the answer in second chapter, after alphabets Alif. Lam. Mim,. that the God-conscious can surely receive it from the Qur’an. Hence, for God’s representatives this is the key to success. It will be very helpful if you remember the verses 2-5 above because reference to the key factor, Belief, as well as to God-consciousness is made in the Qur’an again and again.

Verily, the Last Hour is sure to come: of this there is no doubt; yet most people will not believe it. Q.40: 59
(Due to their “overweening conceit” which makes many agnostic think that man is “self-sufficient” and that, therefore, there are no limits to what he may yet achieve, and no need to assume that he is responsible to a higher Power. Whereas belief in God and accountability to Him form vital part of faith, and lack of it leads one astray).



Prophet said

1. “None of you (truly) believes until his inclination is in accordance to what I have brought” – H: Kitab al-Hujja. N: Muhammad Abdullah.

2. “Nobody (truly) believes till he wishes for his brother (Muslim) what he wishes for himself’ – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Anas.

3. “He has tasted the sweetness of faith, he who is pleased with God as Sustainer (Rabb), with Islam as religion and Muhammad as the Apostle” --H: Muslim. N: Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib.

4. “God said: ‘Man slanders Me by cursing al Dahr (Time). For I am Time. I make night succeed the day and day succeed the night’ “ – H. Qudsi in the Sahih, narrated by Abu Hurairah.