By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

XIV.  Allâh Guides Us to Enter Into Islâm Wholeheartedly

You must have read books and other reading materials written to discredit the Qur’ân or Islâm as a whole. Guard yourself against such distorted readings. Do not judge the veracity of the Qur’ânic teachings according to your negative observations of some Muslims. You must have met those who are merely Muslims by name. If ever you dislike their behavior, it is because they are weak in faith and or ignorant of the Qur’ân and the Sunnah (Teachings and Traditions) of Prophet Muhammad r. By not upholding the Divine Law of Allâh, the ethical standards of many nominal Muslims have definitely become loose. They destroy their lives by indulging in such immoral practices as adultery and fornication, drinking intoxicants, gambling, usury, graft and corruption, stealing, abduction, rebellion and the like. With their un-Islâmic behavior, they create very bad image not only for the Muslims but Islâm as a whole. The enemies of Islâm capitalize on their foolishness and wickedness to destroy Islâm. The enemies of Islâm, however, will never succeed in their evil plan for Islâm as the Religion of Truth will continue to prevail over all religions (61:9). Allâh promises to protect His Book from any sort of corruption (15:9). The Unbelievers plot and plan and Allâh too plans but the best of planners is Allâh (8:30).

For your guidance read the Qur’ân and be rational to accept it as the Divine Revelation and Guidance from Allâh. You must read it, for Allâh enjoins every one of us to read it (73:20). The first Revelation (i.e., 96:1-8) that He has sent to His Messenger r for the guidance of all mankind pertains to reading.

When you read the Qur’ân with an open-mind, you gain knowledge of the Truth. You learn that it is the Truth from Allâh (32:2-3). With Allâh’s Will, you will believe in it. He will open your heart to the Truth, for He is our Guide. He says:

 “And that those on whom knowledge has been bestowed may learn that (the Qur’ân) is the Truth from your Rabb; and that they may believe therein, and their hearts may be made humbly (open) to it.  Verily Allâh is the Guide of those who believe, to the Straight Way.” (22:54)

After reading the Qur’ân, after knowing it to be the Truth from Allâh, try to be rational and follow it. Let not your emotions and or pride influence you. If you feel that you cannot afford to leave the belief of your parents or family, think of your soul. Do not be arrogant to deny the truth. Accept the Qur’ân as the Book of Allâh in Truth (17:105). Accept Islâm as your religion and a way of life, because, it is the Light from Allâh (39:22). In Islâm there is no compulsion in religion. Allâh makes this very clear when He says:

 “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error...” (2:256)

“...And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: ‘Do you (also) submit yourselves?’  If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, your duty is to convey the Message; and in Allâh’s sight are (all) His servants.”   (3:20)

"If it had been Your Rabb’s Will, they would all have believed ¾ all who are on earth!  Will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe?”  (10:99)

“Say: ‘O you that reject Faith!  I worship not that which you worship, nor will you worship that which I worship.  And I will not worship that which you are worshipping nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your religion, and to me my religion.’”  (109:1-6)

For your guidance and salvation, think of going back to your original religion, Islâm. In one of the authentic Ahâdîth compiled by Imam Bukhâri, we learn that every child is born Muslim:

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet r said, “Every child is born with a true faith (i.e. to worship none but Allâh Alone) but his parents convert him to Judaism or to Christianity or to Magianism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?” Then Abu Hurairah recited the holy verse: “The pure Allâh’s Islâmic nature (true faith i.e. to worship none but Allâh Alone), with which He has created human beings.” (30:30).   (Bukhâri, 2/440)

Even if you are a Christian or a Jew or you belong to other religion, once you sincerely embrace Islâm or return to your original religion, Allâh will certainly forgive you. Once you believe and follow Allâh’s Book, Allâh will guide you to do deeds of righteousness in this world. He will subsequently reward you with eternal happiness in the life Hereafter. Our Creator says:

 “Those who believe (in the Qur’ân), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians (i.e., those who embraced Islâm), any who believe in Allâh and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Rabb. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2:62)

“And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book (i.e., who embraced Islâm), those who believe in Allâh, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to Allâh. They will not sell the Signs of Allâh for a miserable gain. For them is a reward with their Rabb, and Allâh is swift in account.” (3:199)

“Is one whose heart Allâh has opened into Islâm, so that he has received Light from Allâh, (no better than one hard-hearted)? Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allâh. They are manifestly wandering (in error).” (39:22)

The best way to remember Allâh is to follow the Qur’ân. It teaches us to worship none but Allâh (11:1-2), to believe and work deeds of righteousness (47:2). It guides us toward eternal success in the Hereafter. It reminds us that on the Day of Judgment every one will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done (3:30). Only the Believers will go to Paradise and the Unbelievers (who rejected the Qur’ân) will surely go to Hell. Allâh tells us in His Book:

 “Verily, this Qur’ân does guide to that which is most right.  And it gives the glad tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent reward.  And to those who believe not in the Hereafter, (it announces) that We have prepared for them a Chastisement grievous (indeed).” (17:9-10).

 “But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.” (20:124)

Time has come for you to be rational and decide objectively. For your own complete success and eternal happiness, open your mind and heart to Islâm. Remember that Allâh makes it very clear that the only religion acceptable to Him is Islâm. He says:

 “The Religion before Allâh is Islâm (submission to His Will). Nor did the People of the Book dissent there from except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allâh, Allâh is swift in calling to account.” (3:19)

 “If anyone desires a religion other than Islâm (submission to Allâh), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).” (3:85)

 “Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allâh …?” (4:125)

Be sincere in seeking the Truth. Turn to Allâh. Pray to Him to guide you to His Religion (i.e., Islâm) that leads to the Right Way (6:126). Only Allâh can guide you to Islâm. Allâh says:

 “Those to whom Allâh wills to guide, ¾ He opens their breast to Islâm. Those whom He wills to leave straying, ¾ He makes their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies; thus does Allâh lay abomination on those who refuse to believe.” (6:125)

Once you embrace Islâm, it is necessary that you believe the whole of the Qur’ân. You are not a true believer if you doubt some parts of the Revelation. If you reject any part of it, you will suffer grievous punishment in the Hereafter. Allâh warns:

 “…Then is it only a part of the Book that you believe in. And do you reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous chastisement for Allâh is not unmindful of what you do. These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter. Their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.” (2:85-86)

Aside from believing and following the Qur’ân, you must also believe and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad r. Allâh Himself says that Muhammad r is not only the Seal of the Prophets (33:40) but also the universal Messenger of Allâh to all mankind (34:28). The Messenger r possesses sublime morals (68:4) and an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allâh and the Final Day, and who remembers Allâh much (33:21). Allâh endowed him with exalted standard of character (64:4) for us to follow. For our guidance, it is a must for us to believe and obey Allâh’s Messenger r. Allâh commands:

 “Say: ‘If you do love Allâh, follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins: for Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ Say: ‘Obey Allâh and His Messenger.’ But if they turn back, Allâh loves not those who reject Faith.” (3:31-32)

 “O mankind! The Messenger has come to you in truth from Allâh, so believe in him. It is best for you. But if you reject Faith, to Allâh belong all things in the heavens and on earth, and Allâh is All Knowing, All Wise. (4:170)

 “O you who believe! Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger, and make not vain your deeds!” (47:33)

Allâh tells us that he who obeys His Messenger obeys Him (4:80). He sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to make it prevail over all religions (61:9).

No one can deny that Islâm stands as the fastest growing religion in the world. Many non-Muslims throughout the world have embraced Islâm and many others continue to do so. They realize that the Qur’ân is the true Divine Message for all; and that Muhammad r is Allâh’s Messenger to all mankind.

You receive Allâh’s mercy when you follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. You become a Muslim or one who bows to the Will of Allâh (2:128). You belong to the Muslims who are “the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allâh” (3:110). Your religion then is Islâm ¾ the complete and peaceful submission to the Will of Allâh and obedience to His Law. Once you embrace Islâm you make the best decision in your life. Islâm is the perfect religion and the best way of life that guides us to the Right Path. The last Qur’ânic Ayâh that Allâh had revealed to Prophet Muhammad r pertains to His perfection of Islâm. Allâh says:

 “…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.” (5:3)

When you become a Muslim, you must always take guidance from Allâh as He is the One Who guides us on the right Way of Religion. Never allow the Unbelievers, even how materially “powerful” they are, to mislead you. Allâh tells us that the Unbelievers spend their wealth to hinder (individuals) from the path of Allâh. They will continue to spend; but in the end they will have only regrets and sighs.  They will be gathered to Hell (8:36). Allâh warns us to beware of the hypocrites (2:8-18) and the Unbelievers for they hate the Truth (43:78). They are protectors of each other (8:56). We should never take them as friends because they only want us to reject the Truth (60:1-2). For those who do not fight us for our Faith, Allâh commands us to deal kindly and justly with them (60:8). However, we should never turn to them for help because they do not know the Truth. We, the Muslims, should only turn to Allâh as He is our Protector. Allâh the Most Gracious says:

 “Then, We put you on the (right) Way of Religion, so follow you that (Way), and follow not the desires of those who know not. They will be of no use to you in the sight of Allâh. It is only wrong doers (that stand as) protectors, one to another. But Allâh is the Protector of the Righteous. These are clear evidences to men, and a Guidance and Mercy to those of assured Faith.” (45:18-20)

Since Allâh is our Protector and He is the best of helpers (3:150). We should always turn to Him for help.  We must not turn our back from His Path. As Believers we should live and die not except in a state of Islâm.  Allâh the Most Merciful guides us:

“O you who believe! Fear Allâh as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islâm....that you may be guided.” (3:102-103)

Allâh warns us that if we turn back from His Faith, He will soon produce a people better than us. He says:

“O you who believe! If any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allâh produce a people whom He will love as they love him, lowly with the Believers, mighty against the Rejecters, fighting in the way of Allâh and never afraid of the (Unbelievers’) reproaches of such as find fault. That is the Grace of Allâh, which He will bestow on whom He pleases. And Allâh encompasses all and He knows all things. Your (real) friends are no less than Allâh, His Messenger, and the Believers, those who establish regular prayers and pay Zakât and they bow down humbly (in worship).”  (5:54-55).

For your guidance, you must sincerely accept Islâm and live according to its teachings.  The whole mankind must live in complete submission to Allâh. Let Islâmic Shar‘iah (Allâh’s Law) govern our lives. Peoples from all over the world should take the best lesson from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom and its people, including the Muslim expatriates, prosper and enjoy peace and real happiness because of Islâm. All sorts of man-made laws that prevail in other countries prove nothing but temporary joys in this worldly life without sense of security and inner peace among its people. Let us all adhere to Islâm as it is the only Way or Religion acceptable to Allâh. Other ways outside Islâm are from Satan.  Let us not follow Satan as he is an avowed enemy to us.  We have to remember that Allâh commands us to follow His Way and to enter into Islâm wholeheartedly. Our Only Creator tells us:

 “Verily this is My Way leading straight: follow it, follow not (other) paths.  They will scatter you about from His (great) path.  Thus does He command you so that you may be righteous.”  (6:153)

 “O you who believe! Enter into Islâm wholeheartedly; and follow not the footsteps of Satan, for he is to you an avowed enemy.” (2:208)

For your ultimate success, think of the divine invitation to enter into Islâm wholeheartedly.  Make the best decision in your life by embracing Islâm.  Believe in Allâh as the Only true God of all mankind.  Do not allow Satan to hinder you from making the most rational decision to the Way of our Creator.  Believe and follow the Qur’ân as the Divine Message to all mankind.

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