Grenville, what you are proposing is a dangerous path.
If one just takes the path of "friendship" with God without taking into account any laws or rituals, then people will start making up their own "paths". Is this not how religions such as modern day Christianity and Hinduism etc started? They have "love" but do not have any knowledge. In Islam we have love of Allah, but we also have knowledge of Allah. You need a balance of the two.
If you actually read the Qur'an it continually talks about praying, fasting, following the example of Muhammad, etc. Are you blind to all this?
Dear Rpwelton:
You seem to have misunderstood. I agree that a combination of love and knowledge is important. Of course, the knowledge must investigated.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Perhaps an analogy can help to explain what I mean.
When I was younger, I obeyed my father out of a fear of the consequences of disobedience. However, as I grew older, the fear and respect that I had for my father developed into a combination of love and respect. My interaction with him is not now motivated by any fear, but by love and friendship and respect.
A distant observer may see me serving my father, and may think that I am motivated by fear. However, if the observer will come near, he would realize that I honor my father, not because I have to, but because I want to, and my motive is love.
Similarly, as a youth, I obeyed God out of fear. When I was reconciled to Him through the work of the Messiah, then that relationship changed. I still obey, but out of love. The differing types of relationship appear to be:
- the obedience as of a slave to the predictable words of a messenger of God; and
- the obedience as of a son to the voice of God.
I choose the path of an obedient son, who keeps His commandments, but is also directed by God.
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)
Regards,
Grenville