Disappointment with God

[Woodrow]

Please accept my sincere apology. I did not know you were the author. I will get back to you during the lunch time.

Peace, no apology needed. I can understand you would not have recognized it as being my own life.

I wrote the first part a long time ago as my Testimony, when I was Christian. This is the first time I posted it on this forum. The second part I wrote about 10-15 years ago, up until now I had only shared it with one other person. The last part I have posted most of on this forum several times. I was looking through my notes last night and saved all 3 to a folder on my PC. Paper is hard to keep up with. It dawned on me that the 3 together, do show my personal path to Islam and decided it may be of interest on this thread.

 

[truth finder]

Peace, no apology needed. I can understand you would not have recognized it as being my own life.

I wrote the first part a long time ago as my Testimony, when I was Christian. This is the first time I posted it on this forum. The second part I wrote about 10-15 years ago, up until now I had only shared it with one other person. The last part I have posted most of on this forum several times. I was looking through my notes last night and saved all 3 to a folder on my PC. Paper is hard to keep up with. It dawned on me that the 3 together, do show my personal path to Islam and decided it may be of interest on this thread.

Hi Woodrow

Finally it is lunch time. Thank you very much for your story. I appreciate it greatly. I believe it was your genuine personal experience. I respect your decision to choose another faith. As many readers agree, belief should be a purely personal matter between God and an individual. People should not be discriminated or persecuted just because they do not believe the same God or have a different belief or even leave their belief. No religion, no religious rule or no religious tradition should be above the precious human beings. In a sense you should be thankful that you were able to change your faith without harm in USA. The other way path from Islam to Christianity would be much dangerous in many countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two model countries Muslims wish their counties to be like.

Since you were born and raised in a Catholic family, and I was born in a non-believing family of a secular country (Buddhism was the dominant religion) and chose my faith in my late twenties, I believe I was much less “brainwashed” than you were young.

I am sorry for the bad experience with the charismatic preacher in Morocco. I agree with the problem of some charismatic preachers. I also disagree with his attempt to burn Qurans. In fact personally I sent three separate emails to Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center not to burn Qurans. Fortunately he listened to the requests of his fellow Christians. I explained him that there are many other polite ways to convey his message.

As I mentioned above, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord in my late twenties, and did not go to a seminary or take any course in theology. Despite of the lack of my “religious” education, the following is a short summary of my own personal relation with Jesus. You are very welcome to share your comment with me. I sincerely wish your good health for the rest of your life.

The grace of God is a key concept of our faith. While Christianity is all about a faith based relationship with God, even some Christians take it as a religion. Unfortunately these people try to make religious duties and rituals, and try to perform them before God in order to make Him happy. Their main concern is to earn a right to heaven by doing good works in order to compensate the mistakes and sins they have committed in the past. They try hard to reach the unachievable high standard for heaven, namely, righteousness. Righteousness is a state where one can stand with God without any harm. This is the same as trying to go up to heaven by their human effort. Actually this is true for all the other religions in the world. In reality, however, God knows we are incapable of perfect and sinless. He knows we are weak so that it is an impossible task for the sinful to achieve righteousness in their own effort. Out of His compassion and love for us, He Himself decided to come down to earth from heaven in order to give us Himself as righteousness. Of course He is Jesus Christ. This is a fundamental between Christian faith and all the other religions of the world.

Some people make a comment about our faith, “What is the point for good deeds? We do not need to do good works for others!” The reality is the opposite. We have received the wonderful gift of eternal life through Jesus without paying the price. In fact the sacrificial death of Jesus for us is priceless! Because of this undeserved grace from God, we offer our heartfelt thanks to God and express our love for God through our love for other human beings such as social outcasts. Mother Teresa is one of good examples. Here is another fundamental difference between Christian faith and the other religions of the world. The believers of these religions try to do good works either as a religious requirement or to outweigh their past mistakes and sins in the balance of judgment, while we do it out of thanks and joy for the grace we have already received.

 

[IAmZamzam]

Buddhists insist Buddhism isn't a religion, Christians keep saying Christianity isn't a religion...Probably there are Muslims who do the same. Really, is there any religion on earth that actually acknowledges being a religion anymore? Has the mockery and sophistry of the irreligious permeated our consciousness so much that now we're ashamed deep down inside to be members of a religion at all??

You're part of a religion, folks. Be proud of it already. Enough with the stupid semantics.

 

[جوري]

The other way path from Islam to Christianity would be much dangerous in many countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two model countries Muslims wish their counties to be like.

I can't see anyone changing path from Islam to Christianity it is ludicrous to willfully choose ignorance and darkness over the light as falsehood by its very nature is bound to perish -- nonetheless it is interesting you should point this out, given how many sisters in Egypt have been kidnapped by the church when they decided to convert to Islam. It is a shame that Muslims should protect all yet fails to protect those sisters from those beasts and of course given Egypt's secular regime and the money the ruling class gets to hush up we can expect nothing less!

for instance sister wafa constantine:

http://thefactsaboutislam.blogspot.com/2010/08/are-muslims-in-egypt-really-kidnapping.html

of course the christians never seem to quit their filthy tactics, centuries worth of filthy tactics like allying with the mongols against the muslims, now alleging that these are forced conversions..

I find you to be of that same stock by the way.. and you serve only to forge a greater gap and sever any bonds of friendship by your same disgusting tactics-- how about you take a look at what your own clan is doing before making the sweeping generalizations as you so often do?

all the best

 

[truth finder]

I have seen and heard some Christians who were genuine believers in the past and later changed their mind to become Muslims. I have equally seen and heard some Muslims who were genuine believers in the past and later changed their mind to become Christians. I believe most (if not all) of their stories are genuine. Actually some of them were former pastors in the church and former imams in the mosque. Although many of the readers have difficulty accepting it, this is the case. It is very interesting to note that at some point of their life or for their entire life they were really passionate about their belief and later changed their mind.

I do not support any forced conversion from one religion to another such as Islam to Christianity or Christianity to Islam. I am not sure how convincing your argument is in such a country where 90% of the population is Muslims, which means virtually all of them are Muslims.

 

[جوري]

I have seen and heard some Christians who were genuine believers in the past and later changed their mind to become Muslims. I have equally seen and heard some Muslims who were genuine believers in the past and later changed their mind to become Christians. I believe most (if not all) of their stories are genuine. Actually some of them were former pastors in the church and former imams in the mosque. Although many of the readers have difficulty accepting it, this is the case. It is very interesting to note that at some point of their life or for their entire life they were really passionate about their belief and later changed their mind. I do not support any forced conversion from one religion to another such as Islam to Christianity or Christianity to Islam. I am not sure how convincing your argument is in such a country where 90% of the population is Muslims, which means virtually all of them are Muslims.

as stated no Genuine Muslim would ever go back to the dark ages which is a symbol of Christianity. There is no 'argument' those are the current facts, those who convert to Islam from Christianity have roused the wrath of the 'venereal' shenuda and caused much civil unrest. Egypt runs by French constitution since its occupation and not Islamic jurisprudence. We don't expect you to understand that since basic common sense and logic eludes you, I wouldn't venture into geopolitical and socioeconomic conditions when you can't get past a dying mangod!

all the best

 

[truth finder]

You seem to be one of those people who cannot accept the reality that some of genuine Muslims have left their religion to take another path. I have no problem accepting the reality that some of genuine Christians have left their belief to take another path. Belief is a purely personal matter between God and an individual and thus people have freedom to choose one. People should not be discriminated or persecuted just because they do not believe the same God or have a different belief or even leave their belief. No religion, no religious rule or no religious tradition should be above the precious human lives.

 

[جوري]

You seem to be one of those people who cannot accept the reality that some of genuine Muslims have left their religion to take another path. I have no problem accepting the reality that some of genuine Christians have left their belief to take another path. Belief is a purely personal matter between God and an individual and thus people have freedom to choose one. People should not be discriminated or persecuted just because they do not believe the same God or have a different belief or even leave their belief. No religion, no religious rule or no religious tradition should be above the precious human lives.

Yes indeed we are called the thinking type!.. not the sort of idiots who buy into the B.S-- although I can't currently locate the thread, we have had a recent one about christians pretending to be Muslim and have apostatized after finding christianity .. I can only imagine the depth of their sickness.. perhaps the OP of that thread can post it for you so you can feast your eyes on why what you allege is so laughable!

you should consult your bible by the way on the fates of apostates:

1- In the Old and New Testaments:
In the Old Testament:
Let us look at Deuteronomy 13:6-9 "If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying: Let us go and worship other gods (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other, or gods of other religions), do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people."
Also let us look at Deuteronomy 17:3-5 "And he should go and worship other gods and bow down to them or to the sun or the moon or all the army of the heavens, .....and you must stone such one with stones and such one must die."
This verse was sent to me by Yusif 65; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him: 2 Chronicles 15:13 "All who would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman."

In the New Testament by Jesus and Paul:
Jesus:
Note: Please pay close attention to my red emphasis below.
Let us look at what Jesus said in the New Testament in context:
Matthew 15:1-9
1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
3 Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
4 For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'
5 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,'
6 he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8 " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"
There are few points to notice here:
1- Notice in verse 3, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for breaking the Commands of GOD Almighty.
2- In verse 4, he used the cursing of parents' punishment as an example. The context, however, is not limited to just this example!
3- In verses 7,8 and 9, he used a quote from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, to further prove that they are not following the Commands of GOD Almighty.
4- Jesus clearly had a problem with them not following the punishment of death for cursing the parents or any punishment of death that is commanded in the OT for this matter! In fact, Jesus himself said:
"Do not think that I [Jesus] have come to abolish the Law (the Old Testament) or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke or a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law (the Old Testament) until everything is accomplished. (Matthew 5:17-18)"
"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.' (Matthew 23:1-3)"



maybe you should brush up on your bible.. christians can't help but be such hypocrites, unfortunately never able to reconcile what their books says with what they actually preach!

all the best

 

[tango92]

You seem to be one of those people who cannot accept the reality that some of genuine Muslims have left their religion to take another path. I have no problem accepting the reality that some of genuine Christians have left their belief to take another path. Belief is a purely personal matter between God and an individual and thus people have freedom to choose one. People should not be discriminated or persecuted just because they do not believe the same God or have a different belief or even leave their belief. No religion, no religious rule or no religious tradition should be above the precious human lives.

i fail to understand. does that mean humans are above the laws of God because our lives are somehow more meaningful? or does it means Gods laws are only for those who believe in him? but i dont think you have true belief.

 

[truth finder]

i fail to understand. does that mean humans are above the laws of God because our lives are somehow more meaningful? or does it means Gods laws are only for those who believe in him? but i dont think you have true belief.

Many people are confused about religion and God. They could be two different things. Before Adam and Eve were forced to leave the Eden of garden due to their sins, there was only a loving relationship with God and human beings. There was only a perfect union between God and human beings as the Creator and his creatures. That was all there was. There was no religion or religious formality. Just read the most authentic account of Adam and Even in the Genesis of Torah. Only after they had to leave the presence of God because of their sins, religious formalities started to be introduced as means to approach God in a new reality of their separation from God. Over the years these religious rules and rituals became a formal system, which is called a religion. A religion or a collection of religious formalities were designed to serve as an arrow to the way to God, namely, the restoration of the original relationship between God and human beings, but not as a goal in itself. But unfortunately many people have been bogged down with it, struggling and burdened with it. Unfortunately many Christians belonged to this group of people in the past. It is like my young children who are preoccupied with my index finger, examining it hard this way and that way, instead of looking to what it points to. Once the broken relation is restored, religion as a collection of religious rules and rituals starts to lose its importance and can often be hurdles to the intimate loving relationship with God as the Friend and Lover.

This is what I say not only to believers in other religions, but also to fellow Christians.

 

[tango92]

Many people are confused about religion and God. They could be two different things. Before Adam and Eve were forced to leave the Eden of garden due to their sins, there was only a loving relationship with God and human beings. There was only a perfect union between God and human beings as the Creator and his creatures. That was all there was. There was no religion or religious formality. Just read the most authentic account of Adam and Even in the Genesis of Torah. Only after they had to leave the presence of God because of their sins, religious formalities started to be introduced as means to approach God in a new reality of their separation from God. Over the years these religious rules and rituals became a formal system, which is called a religion. A religion or a collection of religious formalities were designed to serve as an arrow to the way to God, namely, the restoration of the original relationship between God and human beings, but not as a goal in itself. But unfortunately many people have been bogged down with it, struggling and burdened with it. Unfortunately many Christians belonged to this group of people in the past. It is like my young children who are preoccupied with my index finger, examining it hard this way and that way, instead of looking to what it points to. Once the broken relation is restored, religion as a collection of religious rules and rituals starts to lose its importance and can often be hurdles to the intimate loving relationship with God as the Friend and Lover.

This is what I say not only to believers in other religions, but also to fellow Christians.

so basically you admit to being a man of no true faith. indeed if adam and eve were the first two humans created then where do you get your loving relationship with all humans before them from?

in other words what you are saying is let man make the rules and be his own lord. he can follow his hearts desires with the intent of coming closer to god.

so you dont believe in the laws of the bible. which is only possible if you dont believe the bible to be the word of god. in which case y r u quoting the biblical story?

 

[جوري]

so basically you admit to being a man of no true faith.

Should be obvious the way he doesn't even wish to acknowledge the biblical stand on apostasy.. if they don't see it, you can't see it too!

 

[Ramadhan]

Mother Teresa is one of good examples. Here is another fundamental difference between Christian faith and the other religions of the world. The believers of these religions try to do good works either as a religious requirement or to outweigh their past mistakes and sins in the balance of judgment, while we do it out of thanks and joy for the grace we have already received

I have addressed your mother teresa in http://www.islamicboard.com/comparative-religion/134301447-role-model-your-community-4.html

Now, let's take a look at your statement above:

You claim all christians do good deeds out of joy for the grace of god, while others do good deeds solely as religious requirement.
This means you KNOW whats in the heart of every human being on earth, and you KNOW each and every intentions of every human beings.

This means you are either God or you are a liar.

Since we know you are not god, that leaves us with the other option.
Is that what they teach in church to recruit people to worship mangod?
It actually reminds me of how christian missionaries work in Indonesia.

 

[truth finder]

so basically you admit to being a man of no true faith. indeed if adam and eve were the first two humans created then where do you get your loving relationship with all humans before them from?

in other words what you are saying is let man make the rules and be his own lord. he can follow his hearts desires with the intent of coming closer to god.

so you dont believe in the laws of the bible. which is only possible if you dont believe the bible to be the word of god. in which case y r u quoting the biblical story?

You seem to misunderstand my point completely. I have faith in God, his love and his salvation from our sin through the atonement of Jesus. The loving relationship means a loving relationship between God, and Adam and Eve as the creator and his creatures, not between Adam and Eve, and other people.

No, men should not make the rules by themselves to follow. The rules were given to people from God in Torah in a new reality that there is a barrier between God and human beings because sin entered into them.

Yes, I do believe the Bible as much as you do. The laws were given to us for the purpose of pointing to the way to the Father, not the goal in itself. If human beings had not invited sin into their lives, there would not have been given the rules.

 

[جوري]

No, men should not make the rules by themselves to follow. The rules were given to people from God in Torah in a new reality that there is a barrier between God and human beings because sin entered into them.

Is the god of the ot not the same god of this nt? or does this god change his mind? There are no barriers between man and God.. only christians are under that inane notion-- and to counter that inane notion they don't seem to do much, but go on sinning and coveting, for this new improved god of the NT ate their sins so long as they can buy into it!

 

[tango92]

You seem to misunderstand my point completely. I have faith in God, his love and his salvation from our sin through the atonement of Jesus. The loving relationship means a loving relationship between God, and Adam and Eve as the creator and his creatures, not between Adam and Eve, and other people.

No, men should not make the rules by themselves to follow. The rules were given to people from God in Torah in a new reality that there is a barrier between God and human beings because sin entered into them.

Yes, I do believe the Bible as much as you do. The laws were given to us for the purpose of pointing to the way to the Father, not the goal in itself. If human beings had not invited sin into their lives, there would not have been given the rules.

I believe there are very few people who have come truly close to God on this planet. tell me, how does a christian know when he has come close to God or that God loves him?

 

[GuestFellow]

as stated no Genuine Muslim would ever go back to the dark ages which is a symbol of Christianity. There is no 'argument' those are the current facts, those who convert to Islam from Christianity have roused the wrath of the 'venereal' shenuda and caused much civil unrest. Egypt runs by French constitution since its occupation and not Islamic jurisprudence. We don't expect you to understand that since basic common sense and logic eludes you, I wouldn't venture into geopolitical and socioeconomic conditions when you can't get past a dying mangod!

all the best

I too find it surprising when a Muslim converts to Christianity. I highly doubt they have studied Islam and Christianity thoroughly. Studying Islam takes a lot of effort and learning Arabic is also difficult if you are learning it by yourself.

You seem to be one of those people who cannot accept the reality that some of genuine Muslims have left their religion to take another path. I have no problem accepting the reality that some of genuine Christians have left their belief to take another path.

There are some ex-Muslims who publicly announced that they have converted to Christianity, such as Nonie Darwish. However, I feel people like Nonie Darwish converted based on political and monetary gain, due to inconsistencies in their stories.

 

[truth finder]

I believe there are very few people who have come truly close to God on this planet. tell me, how does a christian know when he has come close to God or that God loves him?

Could you tell me who are those few people that enjoy intimate friendship with God? People who spend lots of time for prayer? People who spend lots of time for fast? People who donate large money to the poor? Although these things can be good, they do not make people come truly close to God. The only way people can come close to God is to become a child of God again. Although we were created a child of God, we became the enemy of God with our rebellions and sins. Unless the problem of sin is dealt with completely, we could never go before God, thus eternally separated from God. It does not matter how many good deeds you perform to compensate your past mistakes and sins in the balance of judgement. Complete forgiveness requires not only sincere repentance, but also paying the appropriate consequence for the sin. A large chuck of Torah was given to us by God to show the way to God’s forgiveness. when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. (Exodus 12:13) By the way, have you ever read Torah and understood the spiritual implication? Or still struggling to find the spiritual meaning of all kinds of animal sacrifices?

 

[جوري]

Could you tell me who are those few people that enjoy intimate friendship with God?

All devout Muslims do!

People who spend lots of time for prayer?

Indeed, what better way to communicate directly with God?

People who spend lots of time for fast?

Indeed what better way to give up all worldly pleasure to become closer to God?

People who donate large money to the poor?

Indeed, what better way to establish kinship and brotherhood with the creation of God?

Although these things can be good, they do not make people come truly close to God.

Really based on what? what
I am as My servant thinks I am (1). I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assemble better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.
(1) Another possible rendering of the Arabic is: "I am as My servant expects Me to be". The meaning is that forgiveness and acceptance of repentance by the Almighty is subject to His servant truly believing that He is forgiving and merciful. However, not to accompany such belief with right action would be to mock the Almighty.
It was related by al-Buhkari (also by Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Majah).

The only way people can come close to God is to become a child of God again.

God isn't human and he has no children, a God that begets and is begotten is no god at all!

Although we were created a child of God, we became the enemy of God with our rebellions and sins.

We weren't created children of God, and certainly a devout faithful isn't rebellious!

O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you, O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and will not attain benefitting Me so as to benefit Me. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more that a needle decreases the sea if put into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him finds good praise Allah and let him who finds other that blame no one but himself.
It was related by Muslim (also by at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).

Unless the problem of sin is dealt with completely, we could never go before God, thus eternally separated from God.

That is a christian myth, and sadly that fear of sin hasn't stopped any christian from committing sins, they fornicate, they bribe, they use usury, they have children out of wedlock, they don't keep God's commandments, they covet, they are gluttonous, they don't feed the poor, they don't establish prayer or fast or charity, and love to be exalted for their deeds, paltry as they are, as if committing any sort of decency is something to be praised for as opposed to mere common sense and human nature!

It does not matter how many good deeds you perform to compensate your past mistakes and sins in the balance of judgement. Complete forgiveness requires not only sincere repentance, but also paying the appropriate consequence for the sin.

Indeed, payment for sins lies with God, however:

1
“Allâh will change their sins into good deeds”
Some explanations to Surah al Furqân: 68-71
Abu Umayza ibn Abd Al-Râhman
All praise is due to Allâh. We praise Him and seek His aid and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allâh from the evil of our own selves and from the evil of our actions. Whomsoever Allâh guides, none can send astray and whoever Allâh sends astray, none can guide.
I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allâh alone, who has no partner. And I bear
witness that Muhammad ( is His slave and His Messenger. May Allâh send peace and blessings
upon him, his family and his Companions until the Last Day.
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? (Ar Rahmân)
It is indeed a favour upon favour and a blessing upon blessing that Allâh
has created infinite means to His Mercy and ways to be granted His Forgiveness. Every aspect of Islâm contains within it, ways to achieve this.
Allâh’sو Mercy is indeed more endearing than His Anger as the Messenger of Allâh (ِ

و) said: “When Allâh decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down
with Him: ‘My mercy prevails over my wrath.’” [Hadeeth Qudsi; related by Muslim, al-Bukhâri, Nasâ'i and Ibn
Mâjah]
The Lord of the Worlds provides opportunities for the Muslim to earn His Forgiveness and continuously work
goodness. As humans we always look for a good deal in life; something that is profitable. Allâh
) is giving us something far more and greater than a mere worldly reward; rather He is offering something beyond anything that man can offer.
From the moment we awake to the moment we sleep, every moment has the potential to become a means of forgiveness for us. From the innumerate adhkar and du’a (supplication and invocation) we make at various juncture of our daily lives to the salah (obligated prayers); even to the way we conduct our personal and professional duties towards our families and work can become a means of ‘ibâdah (comprehensive worship).
Further to our daily junctures, we have weekly junctures that provide more opportunities to reap rewards and
forgiveness, for example on Jumu’ah (Friday); or the encouragement to fast on Mondays and Thursdays etc.


We also have opportunities to gain maximum rewards and times of forgiveness during the month of Ramadan.
These are but some of the opportunities which our Lord
(
) provides His creation with in order to forgive them. It takes a very little part on our behalf to gain something so precious and rewarding that it has been described as the true success for us: And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to
Paradise, he indeed is successful. (Aal Imrân: 185)
As Muslims, we understand the critical and negative consequences sin has on our salvation. Allâh is promising to turn our sins into good deeds! Can there be a better deal than this? Which human is there who is happy to take on your debt and in return give you equal amount of credit for free?
Allâh
(
) says in His Noble Book:
And those who invoke not any other illah (god) along with Allâh, nor kill such life as Allâh has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islâmic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allâh will
change their sins into good deeds, and Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds, then verily, he repents towards Allâh with true
repentance. [Al Furqân: 68-71]
Indeed these four ayat should be received with the elation and happiness and hope. Allâh
(
) is promising to turn our sins into good deeds; what other result would we achieve if not success? Commenting on ayah 70, Ibn Katheer writes in his acclaimed tafseer: “Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Dharr said, "The Messenger of Allâh (
said: I know the last person who will be brought forth from
Hell, and the last person who will enter Paradise. A man will be brought and it will be said, "Take away his major sins and ask him about his minor sins.'' So it will be said to him: "On such and such a day, you did such and such, and on such and such a day, you did such and such.'' He will say, "Yes, and he will not be able to deny anything.'' Then it will be said to him: "For every evil deed you now have one good merit.'' He will say: "O Lord, I did things that I do not see here.'') He (Abu Dharr) said: "And the Messenger of Allâh (
smiled so broadly that his molars could be seen.'' Muslim recorded it. Ibn Abi Hâtim recorded that Abu Jabir heard Makhul say, "A very old man with sunken eyes came and said, `O Messenger of Allâh, a man betrayed others and did immoral deeds, and there was no evil deed which he did not do. If (his sins) were to be distributed among the whole of mankind, they would all be doomed. Is there any repentance for him'' The Messenger of Allâh said: (Have you become Muslim) He said, "As for me, I bear witness that there is no God but Allâh Alone, with no partner or associate, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.'' The Prophet said: (Allâh will forgive you for whatever you have done like that, and will replace your evil deeds with good merits.) The man said: "O Messenger of Allâh, even my betrayals and immoral actions'' The Prophet said: (Even your betrayals and immoral actions.) The man went away saying `Lâ illâha illallâh' and `Allâhu Akbar.' Allâh tells us how His mercy extends to all His creatures, and that whoever among them repents to Him, He will accept his repentance for any sin, great or small.


Allâh
(
) says: And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then indeed he has repented to Allâh Mataba - meaning, Allâh will accept his repentance. This is like the Ayat: And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allâh's Forgiveness, he will find Allâh Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (An Nisa’: 110)
Know they not that Allâh accepts repentance from His slaves and takes theSadaqât (alms, charities) and that
Allah Alone is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful? (At Tawbah: 104)

A large chuck of Torah was given to us by God to show the way to God’s forgiveness. when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. (Exodus 12:13) By the way, have you ever read Torah and understood the spiritual implication? Or still struggling to find the spiritual meaning of all kinds of animal sacrifices?

animal sacrifices and all other such nonsense seems to plague the christian and the Jew (although I doubt Jews are plagued by it)-- if God cared for sacrifices he wouldn't have spared Ishmeal life and granted life and celebration!

all the best

 

[GuestFellow]

The only way people can come close to God is to become a child of God again.

How exactly?

Although we were created a child of God, we became the enemy of God with our rebellions and sins.

At what point did a child became the enemy of God? What did that child do? :skeleton:

Unless the problem of sin is dealt with completely, we could never go before God, thus eternally separated from God.

It would be helpful to explain what sins your referring to.

It does not matter how many good deeds you perform to compensate your past mistakes and sins in the balance of judgement. Complete forgiveness requires not only sincere repentance, but also paying the appropriate consequence for the sin.

Paying what?

Sorry, I don't understand your post...