Jesus Loves His Enemies…and Then Kills Them All

[Ali_008]

How does a sinner turn regretful without the help of God, if God helps him, how so since God hates sinners according to you?

I know Allah is the controller of the worlds but there is also this free-will which has been allotted to every human which makes man different from all the other creatures. All our actions are partially controlled by us which is why man will be rewarded/chastised for his behavior. If every action of man was 100% as per Allah's pleasure then there would be no point in having a judgment day because everyone would be sinless like angels.

وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَلَتُسْأَلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ​

93. And had Allah willed, He would have made you (all) one nation, but He allows whom He wills to stray and He guides whom He wills. But you shall certainly be called to account for what you used to do.

Surah # (16) An-Nahl​

 

[Amigo]

Not clear what you are exactly saying.

 

[Abz2000]

this should help:

84. Say: "Everyone acts according to his own disposition: But your Lord knows best who it is that is best guided on the Way."
85. They ask thee concerning the Spirit. Say: "The Spirit is at the command of my Lord: of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (O men!)"
86. If it were Our Will, We could take away that which We have sent thee by inspiration:then wouldst thou find none to plead thy affair in that matter as against Us,-
87. Except for Mercy from thy Lord: for his bounty is to thee (indeed) great.
Quran 17:84-87

it's telling us that:
1: Everyone acts according to his own disposition.
2. Destiny exists along with freewill.
3. We'll never fully understand the spirit (disposition/inspiration/command/destiny/freewill etc).
4. People are saved by God's grace.
5. We will never fully understand destiny, the future is somehow known - ours is but to try our best to do right. (AMAZING).


Volume 8, Book 76, Number 470:

Narrated Abu Huraira:


God's Messenger said, "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the (Hell) Fire)."
They said, "Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Messenger of God?"
He said, "No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until God bestows His Mercy on me.
Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night,
and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise)."
​

 

[Amigo]

If you acknowlegde that God give free will to every human, by what authority then do you say that God does not love every man? Abviously God gives gift to those he loves.

Also, if you acknowledge that God's grace saves. Who is it that His grace save if not the sinner? How does God saves the sinner if He hates him as you keep claiming?

Again, you claim to believe that God is all mercifull, to whom is he merciful to if not sinners? Again how can He be merciful to someone unless He loves them?

Last, for those of you who are not sinless, where is your hope since God hates you (according to your belief that God hates sinners)?
You have some ways of changing his 'heart' all by yourself (since God can't help you because He hates you) and making Him love you?

You speak of regret of past sins, can you have regret without God's help? and can you have God's help without Him loving you before you start regretting (that is while you are still sinful)?

 

[Abz2000]

our understanding of God's mercy seems to be a odds,
the christians have always referred to God as Ar-Rahman - The Merciful / the Most Gracious in Arabic.
but have often left out the other side (the side you see a lot of in the old testament).
here is our main prayer - we repeat it at least 17 times a day:
it is the first chapter of the Quran:

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1. Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
2. Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
3. Master of the Day of Judgment.
4. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
5. Show us the straight way,
6. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace,
7 those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.
Quran Chapter 1

we are to leave between fear and hope, one extreme of any can send us astray, (become too hopeful of mercy - or give in to despair).
and the human is advised to find a balance.

yes - we commit mistakes - but we must regret them and learn from these and see them as evil and strive even more for good - or we are no better than the disbelievers who are like cattle.
we should not revel in sin - but it should humble us and make us acknowledge our imperfection and weakness - and recognize Almighty God's perfection and strength.
repentance is a great form of glorification - as the repenter is lowly and sees the one he asks as the Most High.


How much Allah is willing to forgive us can be seen in the following hadith related in Sahīh al-Bukhārī and Sahīh Muslim:

Someone committed a sin and then said: “O Allah! Forgive me my sin.”
Allah said: “My servant committed a sin, but knew that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes sins.”
Then he committed the sin again and said: “My Lord! Forgive me my sin.”
Allah said: “My servant committed a sin, but knew that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes sins.”
Then he committed the sin again and said: “My Lord! Forgive me my sin.”
Allah said: “My servant committed a sin, but knew that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes sins. Do as you will, for I have forgiven you.”
[Sahīh al-Bukhārī (7507) and Sahīh Muslim (2758)]

​

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “I swear by Him in whose hand is my soul, if you were a people who did not commit sin,
Allah would take you away and replace you with a people who would sin and then seek Allah’s forgiveness so He could forgive them.”
[Sahīh Muslim (2687)]

and i didn't say that God's grace doesn't save sinners - the Quran says that He does:

O ye who believe! follow not Satan's footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong:
and were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah on you, not one of you would ever have been pure: but Allah doth purify whom He pleases:
and Allah is One Who hears and knows (all things).
Quran 24:21

but it is those who revel in sin, see virtue in it, and fight what is good and hate God that are in question here.

God hated Pharaoh - and took him as an ENEMY - if he had love for him - he would have ultimately guided him,
even the worst torturer of Muslims 'Umar ibn al Khattab was later made our beloved Caliph,
maybe it was due to his sincerity that he first saw them as heretics and tortured them, or some charity he gave or good deed he did, or guidance he sought,
or maybe it was due to his sincerity that God guided him.
but here's what the Quran says about Pharaoh:

38. "Behold! We sent to thy mother, by inspiration, the message:
39. "'Throw (the child) into the chest, and throw (the chest) into the river: the river will cast him up on the bank,
and he will be taken up by one who is an
enemy to Me and an enemy to him':
But I cast (the garment of) love over thee from Me: and (this) in order that thou mayest be reared under Mine eye.
Quran Chapter 20

Moses prayed: "Our Lord! Thou hast indeed bestowed on Pharaoh and his chiefs splendour and wealth in the life of the present,
and so, Our Lord, they mislead (men) from Thy Path.
Deface, our Lord, the features of their wealth, and send hardness to their hearts,
so they will not believe until they see the grievous penalty."
od said: "Accepted is your prayer (O Moses and Aaron)! So stand ye straight, and follow not the path of those who know not."
Quran 10:88-89

(we are told that God judges and improves the condition of believers after He separates the good from the evil through signs and trials - there seems to have still been a blurry line until the time of Moses' (pbuh) prayer)

even the bible says it:
And the LORD said unto Moses, When you go to return into Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh, whom I have put in your hand:
but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.
Exodus 4:21

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will get glory over Pharaoh, and over all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.
Exodus 14:4

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
Exodus 9:12

GOD DID NOT LOVE PHARAOH.......................

 

[Ali_008]

If you acknowlegde that God give free will to every human, by what authority then do you say that God does not love every man? Abviously God gives gift to those he loves.

On what authority can you claim that providing freewill is a sign of affection. Freewill also gives you the freedom to sin. To go against Allah and towards your own doom. Considering that part of the bargain, freewill can't really be called a gift or a mercy.

Also, if you acknowledge that God's grace saves. Who is it that His grace save if not the sinner? How does God saves the sinner if He hates him as you keep claiming?

Again, you claim to believe that God is all mercifull, to whom is he merciful to if not sinners? Again how can He be merciful to someone unless He loves them?

Allah's grace saves his faithful believers as no man's deeds can be enough to attain paradise. Brother abz2000 quoted a Hadith above which proves it saying:


Narrated Abu Huraira:
God's Messenger said, "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the (Hell) Fire)."
They said, "Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Messenger of God?"
He said, "No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until God bestows His Mercy on me.
Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night,
and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise)."
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 470:

And also see this post: http://www.islamicboard.com/worship-islam/134298270-man-who-worshipped-500-years.html#post1341766

Again, Allah's mercy is exclusive for believers. No human is perfect or sinless. The biggest worshipers also fall in the traps of satan one time or another and they need Allah's grace and mercy for forgiveness of their shortcomings. The grace and mercy are two of the many attributes of Allah and they will be for those who at least have remorse for their sin, who at least believe in Allah.

At the same time, there are also hearts that are as hard as a rock. The possessors of those hearts don't deserve forgiveness. Such people live a disbelieving life, committing all kinds of sins and even taking pride and pleasure in others' pains. Allah hates this class of remorseless people who enjoyed breaking Allah's commands. These people will be far far far away from the mercy and grace.

Last, for those of you who are not sinless, where is your hope since God hates you (according to your belief that God hates sinners)?
You have some ways of changing his 'heart' all by yourself (since God can't help you because He hates you) and making Him love you?

I mentioned freewill in the first place to demonstrate that regret starts from within a person. Finally the time when freewill is put to proper use is when man starts believing in Allah and repenting for his sins. And us sinners (who are regretful) have hope in Allah because He states in the Qur'an:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.

Surah # 2 - Al Baqara - Verse 222​

Only those people need to purify themselves who soil their souls with sins. Hence this verse tells you that a sinner can attain Allah's mercy by giving up sin and starting repentance.

You speak of regret of past sins, can you have regret without God's help? and can you have God's help without Him loving you before you start regretting (that is while you are still sinful)?

Again, you're eliminating the freewill factor here completely. God helps those who help themselves. God is independent of us but we need Him which is why we need to turn to him first to seek his grace.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِ

Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.
Surah # 13 - Ar-R'ad - Verse 11​

You need to make proper use of your freewill. Commit your body in actions that will earn you blessings. Then, Allah's fury over you for your sins turns into grace for your righteousness.

 

[Abz2000]

Nicely explained brother,
I'll just add that repentance is a powerful tool for gaining God's pleasure,
It puts you in your place as weak and humble servant,
And exalts Almighty God as the Master and All powerful whose pleasure and grace is to be sought,
It is also a jab for Satan - who is gleeful at your temporary mistake, yet is humbled to the depths and burns in agony at the blessings you gain from repentance - as sincere repentance can wipe away not only that mistake - bit all past mistakes - as can be seen from one who accepts Islam after a life of error.
Sadly for Satan and his allies, those who make mistakes, repent and come back to the path often come back stronger and can become a good example.

Love this one:

But repentance is necessary before death, and none of us knows when he'll die
Pharaoh tried just before he died - when the waters overwhelmed him
Unfortunately, death is a barrier, and God did NOT love him.

And this one's downright scary:

 

[Amigo]

On what authority can you claim that providing freewill is a sign of affection. Freewill also gives you the freedom to sin. To go against Allah and towards your own doom. Considering that part of the bargain, freewill can't really be called a gift or a mercy.

Without freewill sin is not possible.
Without freewill love is also not possible.
It is through freewill that men are made capable of both Heaven and Hell.

I have choosen to believe that freewill is a gift of God to every man so that every man is given a chance to love and attain heaven.

Again, you're eliminating the freewill factor here completely. God helps those who help themselves. God is independent of us but we need Him which is why we need to turn to him first to seek his grace.

No, I am acknowledging freewill as a gift of God.

Let me ask you, is there any good thing in a person that they did not receive from God?
If turning back to God is a good thing, where did the sinner get this good thing from if they did not receive it from God in the first place?

Again, Allah's mercy is exclusive for believers. No human is perfect or sinless. The biggest worshipers also fall in the traps of satan one time or another and they need Allah's grace and mercy for forgiveness of their shortcomings. The grace and mercy are two of the many attributes of Allah and they will be for those who at least have remorse for their sin, who at least believe in Allah.

At the same time, there are also hearts that are as hard as a rock. The possessors of those hearts don't deserve forgiveness. Such people live a disbelieving life, committing all kinds of sins and even taking pride and pleasure in others' pains. Allah hates this class of remorseless people who enjoyed breaking Allah's commands. These people will be far far far away from the mercy and grace.

Again are you saying that God is incapable of saving any of these unbelievers, rock hardned hearts, remorseless people, etc...?
Or are you saying that these unbelievers are capable all by themselves to pull themselves from this rock hardness and ask God's mercy and grace, and only then God will move in with his mercy and grace?

If they are capable to change to turn around all by themselves, where did they get this capacity for good?

 

[Abz2000]

how did they get it?
They sincerely desired the truth,
Or they took one step in the right direction- so God took ten.

God says
“Take one step towards me, I will take ten steps towards you. Walk towards me, I will run towards you.”
-Hadith Qudsi

Brother in humanity Amigo, brother Ali has agreed with you that repentance is a grace from God. But the question here is not automatically pulling ones self out and gaining it, it's wanting it in the first place.

 

[Amigo]

how did they get it?
They sincerely desired the truth,
Or they took one step in the right direction- so God took ten.

Where do they get that sincerity and that strength to that that one step? From their wicked hearts?
Is there any good thing in man which is not put there or mentained there by God?

 

['Abd-al Latif]

God is love and God is truth...
In one: God is true love.

What you are describing is a not true love. True love is not blind. It is attentive to everything and nothing escape it.
What's blind is lust.

No Muslim denies that God is the truth, nor do we deny that God possesses the attribute of love. One of His name mentioned in Qur'an is Al Wadood which means 'The Loving'.

However, we deny that He is all love; if this was the case then we would worship Him upon abstract emotions and feelings, not firm conviction and certainty.

 

[Abz2000]

Where do they get that sincerity and that strength to that that one step? From their wicked hearts?
Is there any good thing in man which is not put there or mentained there by God?

it is true that all good is from God, but how much of it God put's in is and how much we must try is not something we'll understand,
if it is all forced from Almighty God with no input on our part, then what is ithis advice for?

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:7

why seek when God provides, guides, misguides, why use the brakes on your car or swerve when someone falls in front of your car?
we know destiny and guidance exists, but we'll never understand it fully and it is not part of our duty.
our job is to do our best.

i'm sure you've seen before where someone did something bad, and it was forbidden - yet ultimately you found that it was part of God's plan?
read ther story of Joseph (chapter 12)
or Moses in the basket.

we do our bit and leave our trust in God, or we throw no seeds out - and hope the corn will grow and say it's destiny after all.
well...... it would already be known and written down that one would be so dumb.
destiny is not our part of the work.

 

[Ali_008]

^^^^^^^^^^^^ Very well put Brother abz2000

Like abz2000 said, all good is definitely from Allah but we have to put in at least a tiny bit from our own selves which is why it is YOU who gets rewarded when you do something right. YOU are provided with provisions for charity by Allah when He finds that YOU intend to be of his righteous slaves and give in charity. If Allah was behind every action in every way then even the most heinous things should be credited to Him as well. If the idea of turning towards Allah is a mercy from Allah then even the thought that made Adolf Hitler genocide the Jews also came from Allah. NAUZBILLAH.

Men can be both good and evil, God can only be good and so do we worship Him. We are not puppets in Allah's hands yet we are neither totally off His surveillance.

Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him)
Surah # 42 - Ash-Shuraa - Verse 13

I'd also like to add that abz2000 made a very significant point about Qadr (destiny) and I'd like to thank him immensely for reminding me about it. Qadr is a very very delicate topic and Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahuAlayhiWaSallam) himself said that the earlier generations were doomed because they fell in disputes concerning it.

About the wicked hear part, man is born sinless according to Islam in opposition to the Bible which states:

Because in evil I was formed in the womb and in sin my mother conceived me.
Psalms 51:5

After he's born and reaches a level where he can differentiate between right and wrong, his accountability starts. Based on his actions, he either receives Allah's love or wrath.

Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahuAlayhiWaSallam) described sin as black spots covering the heart. He said, “Indeed if a believer sins, a black spot covers his heart. If he repents, stops the sin, and seeks forgiveness for it, his heart becomes clean again. If he persists (instead of repenting), it increases until it covers his heart…”
Ibn Majah

Hence when a man sins, his heart starts slowly turning black. As long as there is some part left which isn't black then that fragment is still capable of inciting good in the man. But once when the entire heart turns completely black then there's no chance for such a person. His persistence in sin pushes him to a level where he becomes totally blind and deaf to the call of righteousness. Absence of evil is good as well and can lead to higher goodness eventually.

 

[Amigo]

However, we deny that He is all love; if this was the case then we would worship Him upon abstract emotions and feelings, not firm conviction and certainty.

You mean love does not have anything to do with firmness in conviction and certainty?
Abstract emotions and feelings? Could you clarify what you mean here?

 

[Amigo]

it is true that all good is from God, but how much of it God put's in is and how much we must try is not something we'll understand,
if it is all forced from Almighty God with no input on our part, then what is ithis advice for?

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:7

There is nothing forced from God. That's why there is free wills. Love works with free wills.

i'm sure you've seen before where someone did something bad, and it was forbidden - yet ultimately you found that it was part of God's plan?
read ther story of Joseph (chapter 12)
or Moses in the basket.

Yes, I know about the stories of Joseph and Moses. What I learn from them is that no evil can overcome God's love. In fact, evil has no effect on God's love, because what God means to do He does it always, whether or not evil shows up.
Only when evil shows up, it is destroyed by itself. Evil contain within itself its own seed of destruction. It self-destruct always. This is rather a matter of judgement rather than planing. Evil was not part of the plan so that God's purpose may be accomplished. God did it without evil, evil was only spoken of so that we see how God judges it. When evil showed up, God used it against itself while his purpose was being accomplished.

 

[Eric H]

Greetings and peace be with you Ali_008;

Walekum as Salaam

Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahuAlayhiWaSallam) once went to Taif to preach the message of Islam and was treated with rejection. Not just rejection, the chiefs of the city asked the kids and vagabonds to ridicule him out of the city. Those people made fun of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahuAlayhiWaSallam) all throughout the way and even started pelting stones at him. When finally he was out of their sight and land, he was bleeding so profusely that even his shoes were drenched in blood. Then, on Allah's orders, Gabriel (AlayhiSalaam) came to him with an angel of mountains and asked Muhammad (SallAllahuAlayhiWaSallam) if he's want to punish the residents of Taif. Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahuAlayhiWaSallam) clearly refused. Rather he prayed to God that the city is blessed with guidance and may the most knowledgeable scholars of Islam come from it. He said they don't believe me now but may their children be blessed with guidance and serve Islam.

And this prayer was answered. Taif has produced great scholars of Islam, indeed.

This seems to be love and mercy comming before justice, very much the same as our Christian message.

Blessings

Eric

 

[Amigo]

Like abz2000 said, all good is definitely from Allah but we have to put in at least a tiny bit from our own selves which is why it is YOU who gets rewarded when you do something right. YOU are provided with provisions for charity by Allah when He finds that YOU intend to be of his righteous slaves and give in charity. If Allah was behind every action in every way then even the most heinous things should be credited to Him as well. If the idea of turning towards Allah is a mercy from Allah then even the thought that made Adolf Hitler genocide the Jews also came from Allah. NAUZBILLAH.

Men can be both good and evil, God can only be good and so do we worship Him. We are not puppets in Allah's hands yet we are neither totally off His surveillance.

God is not behind every action, only behind every good action, for all good comes from Him.
Evil is precisely (and by definition) that which God is not behind.

If rewards are our highest goal, then we are worshipping rewards not God.

God has been good to us before we were even capable of doing anything. All we have to do is to use what we have received in Thanksgiving. Sins are all about misuse of God's gifts, not about failure to perform enough to earn them. Sins are about failure to perform right to keep the gifts God has given us. Righteousness is about being right, being in accord with God's will. Remaining in his love. You said we are all born good, I believe that we are all created good. Perhaps that's what you meant and I would agree with you there. And it is all the more reason to realize that God loved us first and God is always first, not us.
So through thanksgiving, we grow in the knowledge and love of God...

Hence when a man sins, his heart starts slowly turning black. As long as there is some part left which isn't black then that fragment is still capable of inciting good in the man. But once when the entire heart turns completely black then there's no chance for such a person. His persistence in sin pushes him to a level where he becomes totally blind and deaf to the call of righteousness. Absence of evil is good as well and can lead to higher goodness eventually.

God's voice, God's call reaches the infinite depths. Men can be deaf to other men but not to God. There is no man who can be deaf to God's voice. Men can only ignore those calls. Perhaps that's what you meant for the case of hardned sinners

 

[Ali_008]

If rewards are our highest goal, then we are worshipping rewards not God.

Believing and seeking rewards is an article, a part of faith in Allah. It is secondary to believing in Allah. You can only believe in His rewards when you believe in Him. If you seek reward then it is after having submitted your will to Him. So don't disregard rewards or try to twist the way people look at it. And scholars have earlier defined 3 basic levels of faith

(iii) Doing good for fear of being thrown into Hell - (Belief in Allah's punishment) - Low Level
(ii) Doing good for attaining Paradise - (Belief in Allah's rewards) - Moderate Level
(i) Doing good solely for Allah's pleasure - (Pure Gratefulness and Total Belief in Allah and His Justice) - Highest Level

God has been good to us before we were even capable of doing anything. All we have to do is to use what we have received in Thanksgiving. Sins are all about misuse of God's gifts, not about failure to perform enough to earn them. Sins are about failure to perform right to keep the gifts God has given us. Righteousness is about being right, being in accord with God's will. Remaining in his love. You said we are all born good, I believe that we are all created good. Perhaps that's what you meant and I would agree with you there. And it is all the more reason to realize that God loved us first and God is always first, not us.
So through thanksgiving, we grow in the knowledge and love of God...

The bold part in your own post itself indicates that we have to be willing to take action. Why would God help you for doing good if you don't want to be good? And God doesn't force us to do anything as he says it in the Qur'an:

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ

Let there be no compulsion in religion
Surah # 2 - Al Baqarah - Verse 256​

God's voice, God's call reaches the infinite depths. Men can be deaf to other men but not to God. There is no man who can be deaf to God's voice. Men can only ignore those calls. Perhaps that's what you meant for the case of hardned sinners

Of course. God is All-Powerful and can definitely make believers from all of us in an instant but He doesn't do so because He has given us freedom to choose or not. As mentioned in the Qur'an:

وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً

And had Allah willed, He would have made you (all) one nation
Surah # 16 - An Nahl - Verse 93​

 

[Abz2000]

God is not behind every action, only behind every good action, for all good comes from Him.
Evil is precisely (and by definition) that which God is not behind.

And he (Yusuf) raised his parents high on the throne (of dignity), and they fell down in prostration, (all) before him.
He said: "O my father! this is the fulfilment of my vision of old! Allah hath made it come true!
He was indeed good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you (all here) out of the desert, (even) after Satan had sown enmity between me and my brothers.
Verily my Lord understandeth best the mysteries of all that He planneth to do, for verily He is full of knowledge and wisdom.

fact is - we don't know what God is behind and what He allows - but we do know that He KNOWS the unseen from start to finish.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 corinthians:12

Remember ye were on the hither side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on lower ground than ye. Even if ye had made a mutual appointment to meet, ye would certainly have failed in the appointment: But (thus ye met), that Allah might accomplish a matter already enacted; that those who died might die after a clear Sign (had been given), and those who lived might live after a Clear Sign (had been given). And verily Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things).
Quran 8:42

Behold! ye were climbing up the high ground, without even casting a side glance at any one, and the Messenger in your rear was calling you back. There did Allah give you one distress after another by way of requital, to teach you not to grieve for (the booty) that had escaped you and for (the ill) that had befallen you. For Allah is well aware of all that ye do.
After (the excitement) of the distress, He sent down calm on a band of you overcome with slumber,
while another band was stirred to anxiety by their own feelings,
Moved by wrong suspicions of Allah. Suspicions due to ignorance.
They said: "What affair is this of ours?" Say thou: "Indeed, this affair is wholly Allah's."
They hide in their minds what they dare not reveal to thee.
They say (to themselves): "If we had had anything to do with this affair, We should not have been in the slaughter here."
Say: "Even if you had remained in your homes, those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone forth to the place of their death";
but (all this was) that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purge what is in your hearts.
For Allah knoweth well the secrets of your hearts.
Those of you who turned back on the day the two hosts Met,-it was Satan who caused them to fail, because of some (evil) they had done. But Allah Has blotted out (their fault):
For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

i'm sure you'd agree that the enemy are not justified in killing the believers and that there is a mystery there which we don't fully understand.

Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it.
But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you,
and that ye love a thing which is bad for you.
But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.
Quran 2:216

 

[Amigo]

So don't disregard rewards or try to twist the way people look at it. And scholars have earlier defined 3 basic levels of faith

(iii) Doing good for fear of being thrown into Hell - (Belief in Allah's punishment) - Low Level
(ii) Doing good for attaining Paradise - (Belief in Allah's rewards) - Moderate Level
(i) Doing good solely for Allah's pleasure - (Pure Gratefulness and Total Belief in Allah and His Justice) - Highest Level

I only made a precise observation that if 'rewards are our highest goal then they are our god(s)'. There is no twisting there, just precision.

I know about those three aspects. Again a Christian precision: the first two are known as 'imperfect' while the third is acknowledged as the 'perfect' one. Just to make clear that they are not just 3 levels...

The bold part in your own post itself indicates that we have to be willing to take action. Why would God help you for doing good if you don't want to be good? And God doesn't force us to do anything ...

Well, I didn't write the bold part by themselves. Read the whole message.
Again how can you want to be good without God's grace in the first place?

God's grace is not a forcing...that's why it comes with free will.