Money

Money itself, is not a bad thing; money is the means for providing our every day needs.

But if in our hearts, we love money more than any thing else in our lives, then we should reconsider.

Unfortunately, money has become the base for many personal decision such as choosing spouses and carriers; relationships are breaking up because of money; in social and international levels, money has become the root-cause for many wars and conflicts ... .

It seems that money is becoming the Lord of human kind.

Ironically, in the ideal life which Allah promises human kind, money has no place in human life; considering this very important point, it seems that the smart way to live is -while using money as the means for providing needs- to base our decisions upon Divine values, upon sincerity, honesty, chastity and... .

These are the values which will last for ever; one day we may have money and the next day we may not but True values and beliefs can stay with us forever.

Whether a person is considered a winner or a loser should not be based on the amount of money that person has, rather it should be based on the amount of his faith and closeness to Allah.

The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP) has always said that the smartest human is he who never forgets the Hereafter and answering to Allah.

Imam Saadeq(PBUH) has said:

... I swear to the one who split seeds under the soil and created human soul, there will come a time when money will not have a place in people's lives; because of God's grace ... everyone shall be rich and independent.

(Behaar-Ol-Anwaar,...)

The Tragedy of Western Women

   In today's Westernized societies, where women are not protected by Islamic laws, we find that the woman suffers immense misery and untold hardship all in the name of "Freedom, Equality and Liberation".

The poor woman in the West is hoodwinked and thinks that the male-dominated syndicate has eventually relented and compromised by allowing her certain artificial freedoms of movement and speech and thereby giving her so-called "Liberation".

   The cunning male is no longer obliged to treat her kindly for she has now unwittingly chosen equal status to man. So now the male treats her as his competitor and in this scheme of things there is now no special consideration, concession or protection.

   Since the so-called emancipation of women in the West, women are actually suffering more mental and nervous breakdowns. There are more rapes, murders, illegitimacies, abortions, and divorces... than ever before.

   Now women are treated without respect or dignity and even common courtesies in buses and trains are fast disappearing.

   It is a well-known fact that women are constantly harassed at work, schools, universities and other public places. They are subtly manipulated to appear in vulgar poses to sell merchandise for the benefit of the greedy man.

   Women are also enslaved into taking part in degrading acts. Men only use them, abuse them, exchange them and eventually discard them.

   The children too are now suffering even more for them does either aborted or forced into orphanages and foster homes - never know the joys of a home or family-life.

   These are the realities of today, whether we like them or not. The only alternative for women, the only protection and safeguard, the only blessing, mercy and salvation for women lies in Islam - The way of Allah.

   Almighty Allah knew that women would suffer and be ill-treated. Therefore, there are laws in the Qur'an and Hadith protecting her rights.

The Qur'an says:

   "Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded... "(4:34)

     The rights of women are sacred. See that women are maintained in the rights attributed to them.

The woman's role in Islam is to be the mother, wife, educated and the builder of a good and righteous family in a happy and loving home.

That responsibility is alone so noble, dignified and time-consuming that it is inconceivable for a woman to keep still a steady job outside her home.

Is it any wonder than that because the majority of women in Western societies work, children and home are neglected and juvenile delinquency is on the increase and women are suffering nervous breakdowns and are relying heavily on drugs and alcohol?

   Women will have to choose: either a Westernized way of life with all the trappings, or an Islamic way of life which offers: peace, dignity, nobility, true equality and protects their economic, political, social, moral spiritual and legal rights and promises them a life of true happiness, prosperity and bliss and guarantees them liberation from slavery, degradation and injustice.

Again the Qur'an says:

  "And that this is My path, the right one, therefore follow it, follow not (other) way, for they will lead you away from His way; this He has enjoined you with that you may guard (against evil)" (6:153)

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Ya Ali Madad.

Balance Between Din and Duniya,lessons from Imam Ali as..Nahlul Balagha.

In order to achieve the balance between din (spiritual) and duniya (material), let us reflect and implement the following teaching of NOOR Imam Ali (a.s.)(Source: Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Imam Ali, Sayings of Imam Ali: 89, p. 281):

"Whoever keeps his affairs in order with God (follows His orders sincerely), God will also put his affairs with men in order; whoever makes arrangements for salvation, the Lord will arrange his worldly affairs; whoever advises his own self, God will also protect him."

Bartering Good Deeds for Peace and Light.

"Our Lord! Grant us good in this world, as well as good in the world hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the (hell) fire with Thy kindness, O Benevolent of the benevolents." 

Imam Ali as said;

"Verily this world is a house of truth for those who look into it deeply and carefully, an abode of peace and rest for those who understand its ways, and moods, and it is the best working ground for those who want to procure rewards for life hereafter.

It is a place of acquiring knowledge and wisdom for those who want to acquire them, a place of worship for friends of God and for angels. It is the place where prophets receive revelations of the Lord. 

It is the place for virtuous people and saints to do good deeds and to be assigned with rewards for the same; only in this world they could trade with God's favours and blessings and only while living here they could barter their good deeds, with His blessings and rewards. Where else could all this be done?" 

(Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Imam Ali, Sayings of Imam Ali 130, p. 287)

Let us pray for the blessings of ilm-u laduni (given, divine knowledge) and acquired secular knowledge so that we may have merit in the first world (i.e., the world of our Origin and Light) and this material world. 

May Imam grant us the realization that we were first Light beings, then spiritual beings and now are human beings bridging the din and duniya.

Ameen.

The Lord Guides His Devoted Believers From Darkness into Light.

Let us read the following verse from the Holy Quran:

Imam Ali as said;

"Minds get tired like bodies. When you feel your mind is tired, then invigorate it with sober advices." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Imam Ali, Sayings of Imam Ali 193, p. 294)

"Minds have tendencies of likes and dislikes, and are liable to be energetic and lethargic, therefore make them work when they are energetic and on subjects which they like." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of imam Ali, Sayings of imam Ali 191, p. 294)

"A wiseman's mind is the safest custody of secrets; an open and pleasant countenance gets more friends; patience and forbearance (tolerance) will hide and cover many defects." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Imam Ali, Sayings of Imam Ali 5, p. 273)

Now let us recite a bouquet of salwats to strengthen our knowledge (ilm) and faith (iman).

May Imam enrich you with inspired (given) knowledge (ilm-i laduni). 

Ameen.

Jumna Mubarek

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Path of Enlightenment

I personally believe that a person who practises his/her faith with conviction, acquires knowledge though formal or continuing education, and is blessed with inspired knowledge and will achieve salvation, enlightenment and eternal existence. It is extremely important to be well grounded in knowledge because path towards enlightenment requires knowledge and practice.

"O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my sight, light in my hearing, light on my right hand, light on my left hand, light above me, light below me, light in front of me, light behind me, and enhance light for me."

The Light is only given to staunch, purified and faithful believers (mumins). The mechanism of enlightenment is through the recitation and meditation on the Supreme Names of God.

"God has sent the rope of His holy light from the higher world to the inhabitants of the lower world for the purpose that they may all together hold it fast so that they may be lifted to the higher world (Holy Qur'an 3:103). Externally the luminous rope of Allah is the holy personality of the Imam of the time and internally it is his ever-reaching light. The holy light of the Imam of the time comes to you specially through  (the supreme Name). Thus the Imam within you is the rope of Allah in the position of The Suprime Name, to which you have to hold fast in such a way that all faculties of the heart and the mind are turned towards and centered upon it."

"Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine names. He who memorizes their number (and recites them), enters paradise."

It is mentioned in the Qur'anic story of Hazrat Adam in verse (2:31): "And He (God) taught all (His great) names to Adam."Through the sacred of the Supreme Names, Hazrat Adam was shown spiritual miracles associated with each name. After he (Adam) acquired this knowledge, the angels bowed to him. Therefore, spiritual elevation  and vision of luminosity  are directly linked to the practice of the supreme names. This is a fundamental concept for the past, the present and the future.

It is mentioned in the Qur'anic story of Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) in verse (2:124)⁶: "And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands (Wa-ithi ibtala ibraheema rabbuhu bikalimatin), which he fulfilled: He (God) said: "I will make thee an Imam to the Nations." He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!" He (God) answered: "But My Promise is not within the reach of evil-doers."

Besides the practice of the sacred  of the Supreme Names, Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) was asked to recite the Perfect Words . After he fulfilled this, he was elevated from a Prophet to an Imam. His offspring, through his son Hazrat Ismail (a.s.), leads us to NOOR of  Imam.

Spiritual elevation and vision of luminosity  are directly linked to the practice of  (Supreme Name) as well as (Perfect Words). The Prophets were graced with this opportunity.

For example, in Ayatul Kursi (The Verse of the Throne, 2:225)⁷, the first sentence reads: 'God! There is no god save Him, the Alive, the Eternal'. The great names, in the form of words, are 'al-hayyu'l-qayyum'.

These attributes also apply to a person. The person is the True guide, i.e., the Holy Prophet in the period of Prophethood and the Imam in the time of Imamat.
It is important to understand that the Holy Imam is the bearer of ligth.

Therefore, the Imam is living and his Light (NOOR) is eternal.

Excerpt from speech of Imam of Time.

"As the demands on his time increase, every Muslim will find it more difficult to seek for himself the answer to the fundamental question of how he should live his life for it to be truly Muslim. It is men such as you who will have to be practical and realistic in the world of today and tomorrow. Rather than let force of circumstance impose upon us through our default in not having suitably prepared ourselves for the future, ways of life which are not, or should not be ours, we must ourselves design the path we should tread."

Each one of us has to set priorities.
By increasing our knowlegde, true quran.

By recitating and by reading.

"And those who believe in Allah and His messengers, they are the loyal, and the (spiritual) martyrs are with their Lord; they have their reward and their light; while as for those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, they are owners of hell-fire." (Holy Quran 57:19;)

May you be inspired to practice regularly.
Ameen.



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Life and My Beliefs
 
     

There are many aspects that differentiate humans from one another.  Beauty, outward appearance, wealth, health, nationality, race, native language, and knowledge are all examples of characteristics that differentiate us from one another. 

These differences may even allow us to lose or excessively develop our self-esteem, even though our characteristics may be out of our control. Despite these differences, what we have in common is that we are all humans who seek one purpose: to find success in our lives. To reach success and happiness in life is the common goal of all of us.

We each strive hard to become satisfied with our lives. Reaching perfection and completion is the unquestionable desire of mankind.1 However; this leads us to the question: What can be defined as success and how can one be considered successful? Certainly we each may have a different translation for the word success.

 But why should there be so many different translations for success?  The concept of success can be defined through our personal view towards life. It is this view that can show us our path to success.

We are probably tired of constantly hearing the phrases: “the view towards life”, “belief”, and “the telescope in which we can see the world”. 

From the first days of our lives, in those days that we were merely a child our mother, father, and those around us would define our beliefs. We would have the same belief as our families and friends.

It was this environment that would determine our Christian view, Muslim view, materialistic view, or other views. For some, even when years pass and the person begins to know him/herself better, they would still follow their previous beliefs without any research.

Others feel no necessity for having faith in any belief, and therefore leave all beliefs. They spend their valuable time, which is in fact very important to them, on works that can earn them a comfortable and luxurious life. 

A third group however cannot feel indifferent about belief and would therefore spend part of their time and life on researching about faith and belief so they can choose the faith best for them. In fact this is where the real question lies:

When a person can spend his life investigating and discovering new secrets of technology to improve his and other peoples’ comfort and satisfaction in life, why then should he spend time on researching about faith and belief?  What benefit does our belief hold for us? 

Other than dry debates on theories and certain limitations in life, does it have any other reality?

Truly out of the thousands of problems I face daily, which problem can my belief solve? 

What will I lose if I do not research about my belief and faith? ....

These are the questions we freely and logically seek to discuss on.

1-   My True Identity

Let us begin with this question: In the days, weeks, months, and years that pass how frequently have we thought about ourselves in relation the path that we are striving for.

In other words, during the years we have passed in life, how many times have we thought about our true identity? 

At times when man thinks about himself on the works he has done throughout his life, or on an accomplishment he has just reached after working very hard to reach it, he may find himself running in a circle, constantly repeating only one cycle. 

We too may be following his example and may have fell within the trap of a spinner, “we work, we eat, and we play so we can live; so the purpose of our daily lives is to work, eat, and enjoy.

 Sometimes when we review and see the scenery of our lives, it is like the same movie being played over and over for every single day of our lives.

Sometimes we even get tired and constantly ask ourselves, does life have any other result other than exhaustion and repeat?

Why do we constantly circulate one path?

Why do our days and nights look old? 

Really, who am I?  What do I do?  Where am I headed to?

1-1- Unique existence

If we pay close attention to the different species around us, we will realize that their life has a predefined pattern.

They live based on their instinct. When a flower is planted, it will continue its own natural growth process until it blooms and shows its beauty to the world around it.

A wolf is a predator from birth, regardless of any possible training from the outside world. We, as humans, have a number of needs which are based on our instincts.

A baby is acquainted to the mother’s breast instinctively and feels the need for food when hungry.

The desire of coupling with opposite gender is another example of instinct. Such needs are not optional to have; we have them no matter what. Our instincts drive us toward these needs.

However, the question that lies here is ‘does living merely to satisfy our instinct desires suffice our entire needs?’

Are those who live a luxurious life necessarily happy?

Do they not think of anything else in life?

If we sit down with such people, we can realize that they feel something is missing in their lives. 

Could we too find ourselves in the same situation in that we do not recognize our true needs, and have unknown needs just like these people? 

Perhaps recognition of our true needs can solve and fill in the empty gaps in our lives.     

1-2- A Free Knowledge and Unlimited Desire

Perhaps the desire to seek knowledge and truth is one of our obvious characteristics. This need is not limited to any time or place.

When we think about our past, we ask ourselves: Where have I come from? Why am I here?  Where am I going? Mankind is anxious to receive an answer to these questions.

Moreover, in addition to the natural needs of species we have additional needs that cannot be easily satisfied.

Our natural desires are not the only factors that determine who we are and how we should live, because our needs may vary depending on our position in life. 

For example, there are times when the doctor prescribes a daily diet for us in which we are required to limit certain foods we once were able to eat. 

Another example can be a reduction in our sexual desires over time; this and many other similar deficiencies can occur within us as we age. 

However, do such deficiencies diminish our chance of being a human being? No, for certainly behind the curtains of life, there are stable desires of life we long for.

One unending desire for man is to live forever, and therefore death for us is very unpleasant, though unavoidable.

We do not only care for ourselves and families, but also the situation of other people around the world matter to us.

Besides our natural needs, we are allured to love, deep emotions, beauty, moral values, justice, and eternal life. Therefore, our desires are not limited to our living environment.

1-3- Knowledge and Faith, a Major Difference

Therefore, there are two major needs within us that we cannot ignore. The first is the need for seeking knowledge, which has no end; as a proof technology is improving and progressing daily.

The second characteristic is the need for perfection.

Some professionals define this need as faith

2. These two are the needs that differentiate us from animals. If we were to live in great comfort and leisure, but lack factors like beauty, love, and justice, this would not be a satisfactory life for us. 

Similarly, if our life was going to end forever after death then all the enjoyment of this life would be worthless.  It would be impossible to satisfy all our needs because of its short-term existence.

It would be just like a person who is thirsty but not hungry and has no water to drink, but instead is provided with variety of foods!  Water is what he wants, not food, so it does not suffice.

Nevertheless, do we really go after all of our needs? Let’s analyze our daily deeds and see if we can find any answer to the questions mentioned. Our daily actions are categorized into two groups based upon our needs:

1-4- Seeking enjoyment, an important issue

Enjoyment is indeed a part of our lives; eating a favorite food, wearing nice and proper clothing, sleeping well, having sexual activity, and etc are all in this category. To seek enjoyment is a natural instinct in our lives. Its purpose is to serve the primary needs, like hunger, and continuation of life.

Performing such enjoyments is inevitable in our lives. But, are we so limited that if we perform these simple and natural needs we would free of any further desire?

Sometimes we can see that some people care for nothing but their own enjoyment and entertainment. They are willing to sacrifice anything or anyone to reach their fun.

You may sometimes think that if such people keep living in their own style, they become internally a monster, who cares for no one but himself. Such people may easily put all of their focus in life to get to their entertainment, hoping to enjoy it forever.

But we do know that, by experience, pleasure is reduced over time after a number of repetitions.

Could we be in the same boat? If we sometimes feel unsatisfied of ourselves; or if we fail to please ourselves from our lives no matter what we do, perhaps we are unfamiliar with the purpose of our existence and our actual needs.

Isn’t there any other type of pleasure?

Are all pleasures so short lasting with the arrival of death?    


1-5- Objective, a critical matter

There is another type of activity, which we practice in our daily lives and that is known as “planned tasks”

3. Such activities mainly serve our long-term objectives. In other words, someone would recognize an objective in future in the first place; then he vows to reach that goal and begins his mission toward it. 

The motivation to move forward is the bound between the person and the goal despite all the difficulties of achieving the objective.

He might not experience any pleasure at the beginning; however, when he fully succeeds through it, the pleasure he receives is inexpressible. 

We “plan” for our goal because we are humans. In fact, it is the role of planned tasks, which give meaning to our lives.

It is our “plans” that help us to get closer to perfection. Furthermore, other creatures are limited to follow their natural instinct and choose short-term objectives.

They cannot choose what they are. This way of living is the reality of their existence and that is the way their lives go on. But our life is truly different than theirs.

If we want to reach our real identity, there would be no way except “to choose a goal and a destination to follow”. It is we that determine who we are and what are we created for?

The more we dig into this issue, the more we are going to find out about our real identity. Our instinct and natural needs are definitely not all we need, but in the meantime we need to have them in order to continue with our lives.

If we do not choose a real objective in life and merely seek short pleasures instead, then have we sustained our soul, which is looking for eternal existence?

1-6- Towards which target?

Each person in this world has a goal and strives hard to reach that goal.  How would I therefore, find out the best and most suitable goal through these various goals in order to find my reality?

What criteria do others have in selecting a goal? 

Why do people choose different paths in the life?

Looking precisely, we realize that the reason people have different motives and tendencies, is due to the different criteria they each hold. 

In fact one’s personal view towards him/herself, towards the world he/she is living in, and towards his/her faith are decisive factors that shape that person’s criteria and values.

 In other words, his goal in life is determined through the scope he is seeing the world.

In order to follow the path we have set our goals on, it is necessary to first recognize our capabilities and different aspects in our lives.

This recognition will require us to research about existence and creation, so we can gain a better sense in our origin and destination.

We should understand our position in the world. Is existence only that which we are able to see and feel, or is it broader than these senses?

Could a reality exist that we are unaware of?

These are the fundamental questions that each school of thought has a different answer for. Most of the theories and answers in the different schools of thoughts given to these fundamental questions have some sort of contradictions within themselves.

 Nevertheless, in order to strive to reach that level of human perfection and completion, we must search about our goal. 

Obviously it is out of our ability to experience all these different paths to select the best one.

Therefore, now that our possibilities for experiencing the different paths are limited, we should do a thorough research in discovering the true path, and set our goal in accordance to that path.

Our thought and belief determines our goal and the path in life. Therefore firstly we need to select the best belief and thought.

But how can we detect the best thought? Can anyone force me to think like him/her? Does belief restrict me to follow a narrow and inflexible structure?

1-7- Belief: a Combination of Love and Wisdom

Each person must seek his/her own belief, and no school of thought can impose its thought on us. Submitting to a belief and school of thought is from the inner heart, not through force or compulsion.

The belief one submits to, must have two important characteristics: First it should satisfy one’s wisdom and heart by having a reasonable, logical, and firm and persistent view towards the universe and existence. 

Next, that view should attract us and give us the motivation for reaching our goals. This creates a wisdom-love relationship that we can program our lives upon.  Having done this, we will begin to feel the pleasure and satisfaction of strong faith and belief.

Therefore, what differentiate people from each other is their beliefs.  It is my thought that creates my identity.  Am I truly human or am I just an alien with human face?

This leads us to the next question. If I neglect all the benefits of freely choosing a belief, does that only prevent me from having a better life; or has it deprived me of my own authority on choosing my belief, so others would decide for me?

 Are we like a person who is advised to learn swimming, and though he knows the advantages of swimming, he makes sure he avoids any contact with the sea; or are we like the person who is in the middle of a deep ocean, who must swim otherwise, he will be drowned or thrown around by the huge waves?

Which situation do we find ourselves in the life?

2- Belief and Act

Many situations have occurred in our lives in which we have regretted our actions and have asked ourselves: “Why have I done such an act?” Sometimes, we are able to find the answer, but many times the question remains unanswered and we cannot be certain.

 Considering the fact that none of our acts are done aimlessly, then why can we not mention a motive? 

How can we not know the purpose of our acts?

2-1- Different acts, the same target

Each act we perform consists of a set of movements done one after another.

For example, consider a simple act like eating. Such an act that seems so simple is actually a complex set of movements and interactions of our members.

Namely hands, mouth, digestive system, and etc… all begin working in a specific order.

Looking more precisely, we see that although these movements are in relation with each other, they are independent.

For instance, the movement of hand and mouth are separate.

 So, what connected these independent movements into one unit?

Certainly, their goal, to satisfy hunger, has connected these movements into a complex system.

In fact, all of our movements in performing an act are similar to that of an architect, a painter, an engineer and an electrician who work independently, but need to unite when a structure is to be built. 

Because they have the same goal, they need to work in a specific order to achieve their goal. It is obvious that without a common goal, they would never be able to organize their work.

It is based on this understanding that all the acts we perform in our lives have specific target and goal, otherwise without a specific order, it would never be accomplished.

Therefore, first a goal and target is set. Then we determine the proper movements and acts.  Finally, we perform them in the suitable order and accomplish it through our will .

2-2- Who decides for me?

The important question is, ‘am I the one deciding what to do and what not to do in reaching this goal?’

Perhaps the reason we cannot recognize our aim and purpose when we do something is that we have not decided our goal, rather someone else has exerted an aim and goal for us.

That outside force has attracted us towards the act, either consciously or unconsciously.  However, the critical point is that all these small acts and aims are what specify the whole path and destiny of our lives.

Now after 10 years, 20 years, and 50 years where are we really standing? What have we gained during this period?

Are we satisfied with our lives or will we feel decremented and regretful?

The answers depend on the purpose of all these small activities we do.

But what are the criteria? What should we do to rule our own lives and destiny?

On what basis may we discover the best and most favorable path towards our goal through the thousands of available paths?

2-3- How am I?

There are times that when a person looks toward his/her surroundings, he/she will come across the different lifestyles and may encounter with people who seem completely bewildered. 

It is as if those bewildered persons have lost their path and as a result do not follow any specific destination or purpose. 

Although each of their tasks may have its own aim, their lives as a whole however, do not have a definite aim or result.  To be more precise, the aims of such a person are constantly changing and many times turn out opposite of one another. 

Their aims change daily because they quickly become tired of one aim and decide to select another one.  Life for them does not offer anything but exhaustion and distress. 

What is more terrifying is that these people will begin to feel a sense of futility towards life, and would therefore view their own life and existence meaningless.

A second group of people we may encounter with will have a different view towards life. 

They are people who live life to the fullest and view life as a ladder to their success.  By selecting a clear path in life, they set goals and strive hard to reach them. 

As a result they perform their daily tasks based on the goals they have set; they leave those tasks that do not have anything to do with their ultimate goal.  Their tasks follow a definite routine and do not include acts without specific considerations.

Though the goal different people choose differ from one another, all of them usually have two common goals: One is to satisfy their needs in the life, where as the other  to reach prosperity. Such people set their activities and behavior under certain regulations and structures to attain the two main goals.

Certainly, the basis of all these regulations is our belief and ideology.

The decision to do an act or to leave it derives from our view toward the outside world, our understanding of truth, and our understanding of prosperity.

Each person who does not live aimlessly tries to reach certain goals, however each may choose a goal differently.

Some may choose their goal themselves because they know what they are following in their lives. They fulfill their destiny willingly through their own decisions.

Others however have allowed a certain group other than themselves to choose their belief and way of thinking. They allow that group to impose their way of thinking on them. 

These people are blindly following the belief of the group who had freely chosen its belief.  They act like automobiles just waiting for the driver to come and drive it to any destination he wishes.

Truly, if a person understands that his/her freedom is in the hands of another person, he would be disgusted to even think of such a situation. 

The case would be similar to that of a servant in the service of other’s desires.

Now honestly which of these two groups do we belong to?

Who specifies our goal and way of living?

Is it us who decide our goal or have we surrendered to the publicities and inspirations of others?

Are we following others blindly?

Who really defines our criteria and belief?

Each action has a purpose behind it, and the set of actions put together to form our way of life. To be more precise, in each moment of our life we need to define our destination.

Therefore, choosing our belief consciously is an inevitable must and should be the basis of our decisions and acts. Even if we do not intend for it, our actions are attributed to a specific belief set by the thinkers and scholars. 

We are similar to the person who is in the unending ocean of life, and it is his beliefs that teach him how to swim and choose the way to the land.

If he does not select his beliefs freely, the waves of other beliefs would take him in any direction they want; or may cause him to wander around in the stormy ocean of the life so that he finally drowns.

So let us find ourselves, and select the best belief and way in our life willingly.

Our Belief, Community and Social life

In fact this need (the need for belief in life) has always been a need in human life from the beginning of creation, and does not only belong to the present society of humans.

However, there has been a change during the past centuries, which is the increasing tendency of humans to accept a belief based on love and satisfaction. In the present day, we can feel such need more than any other time.

The primary humans united much easier due to their strong reliance and bonds to their tribes, communities, or races. But what about the humans of today?

By the formation of the cities and the complication of the human societies, man needs legal references to specify his rights, positions, relations, and responsibilities in the social life: a reference to state the responsibility of people towards each other, and to tell them how to live to continue their social life.

Today we need a cause to connect us to other human beings and unite all as a single body. Of course satisfying this need is not simple at all. Man himself has different unknown and unclear aspects, which cause the human society to be more complicated and unknown.

 On the other hand, the different scientific progresses have made the bonds between humanity weak, and as a result have strengthened individuality.

Thus if our life is our social existence and we have to live together, definitely we need a cause to unite us, connect us together, and most importantly specify our way of social life.

One of the best causes which might help us in this respect is a belief which is based on deep logic and understanding. Unlike the various differences among different people, such a belief may define a common and single goal for all because it is based on the human principles.

This belief can be the criteria for good and bad, lawful and unlawful. Beside this we can get close to the facts beyond our personal benefits by paying attention to the issue of beliefs.

Based on the points mentioned about the important role of belief in our lives, which is an irreplaceable fact in our lives, I have selected the subject of belief to accompany you.

With this topic, I hope that we may together select the best way in life and choose the most beautiful goal together.

With such an idea in mind we turned to the belief-based structure of Islam. We decided to investigate it and if we found it a belief that encompasses all aspects, to accept and select it.

Aminah
 

Prisoner of Golden Chains

One day, I heard that somewhere, far away from here, people were imprisoned, then raped, tortured and dragged around on leashes like animals without any justification.

The pictures I saw showed me an evil I had never imagined before. I felt pain and anger, but I knew I could change nothing, so I told the pain to go away, and told the anger to shut up.

I told the sense of injustice I felt to be quiet, because that was somewhere else, far away from here- it was what we leave behind before coming here.

The next day, I heard that a group of kids, somewhere far away from here, were stopped at a checkpoint on their way to school.

Well-trained soldiers could only communicate with these kids by pointing guns at them, so the kids had to sit on the sidewalk and have their class right there. It made me want to cry, but I told the tears to go back.

On another day, I saw photos of a family who lived far away from here.

They were sitting n a beach, enjoying an outing, when suddenly they were attacked, their bodies were torn to pieces, their heads were cut from their bodies…all except one little girl, who cried endlessly, because she was holding in her arms her baby twin brothers, whose lives had been stolen even before they had properly begun. I jumped up, I turned away from the screen, I closed my eyes, I shook my head, I wanted some way out…but I sat down again, because there was nothing I could do.

On yet another day, I saw that somewhere, far away, little children had no food to eat and no clean water to drink.

They were sick- dying- their bellies inflated as if to point out some sick irony in their plight.

They came from a place whose earth was rich, but even their piece of earth had been raped, and only they had been left on it to rot.

But this time, there were no tears, no anger and no pain. I didn’t want to drown in my own helplessness.

I didn’t want to choke on my own weakness, this time, I didn’t want to leave any room in my heart for the suffering someone else was going through.

This time, I changed the channel before the pictures had their effect on me, this time, I ignore that newspaper article, this time, I switched on my Playstation, this time I turned up my music, this time, I give in to the pleasurable distractions designed to make me forget, so that those dying kids would rot even out of my memory.

This time I followed the mirage that pulled me from reality and took me to a hollow daydream.

This time, I closed my eyes to the world around me, unaware that soon cruelty would knock on my door and take me from the daydream and into my worst nightmare.

This time, I killed my conscience, and became a zombie- walking and talking, but rotting with the stench of death…………
Then the world shook again.

I was shocked back into life.

Why did I not care that my equal in humanity was being slaughtered, simply because it was out of my sight?

Why did I care more for how many dollars I saved that week than for how many children died in some corner of the Earth?

How could I see people consumed and pillaged by fire, but myself take a tentative step back, afraid that even a small spark of that fire may land at my feet?

Why did I so much love to be deceived, why did I love so much to stay in my cocoon and fear whatever came from outside of it?

Why could I not sift through the lies to see the truth?

Why was I so weak, why was I a prisoner of golden chains?

If I stand alone I will change nothing.
If we all stand together, we can change anything.
Yet, everyone cannot stand together, unless I myself stand up- the frustrating paradox did have a solution.

My tears can change the world, my pain can move the blind hearts that strangle this planet, my love and compassion can overcome the greed and hatred that divide the world into oppressor and oppressed.

My freedom must come from within, but soar to the world without, and carry with it those around me and those who will come after me.

My voice must be heard and my burning desire for justice must not be put out.

The volume of tragedy must not bury me in a heap of despair, the blatancy of the oppression must not make me doubt the truth, the off-hand reporting of death counts must not dull my sensitivity. My conscience must not die, for then…

The world will die.

Wise Sayings