human free will: implications
By: Al-Maududi.
Excerpts from the book "The Principles of Islam" published in 1977 by the Islamic Center of Granada. The entire book can be read in http://www.latinodawah.org/library/spanish/losprincipios-libro.html
[...] Islam is an Arabic word which means submission, obedience. As for religion, Islam preaches submission and total obedience to God. [...]
The cosmic order that governs the universe, from particles to galaxies, is the law of God, the Creator and Lord of the Universe. Since the whole of creation obeys God's laws, we can say that the whole Universe is literally the religion of Islam, because Islam does not mean more than submission and obedience to God, the Lord of the Universe. The Sun, Moon, Earth and all other heavenly bodies as "Muslims" [...]. Everything in the Universe is Muslim because everything obeys the laws that have been assigned by God. [...]
Man has a dual nature, his life takes place on two different levels. On the one hand, like all other creatures, is entirely dependent on natural laws and can not get rid of them. But on the other hand, the man is endowed with reason and intelligence. It has the power to think and judge, to choose or refuse to approve or disapprove. You are free to choose their religion, their way of life and lead their lives according to the ideologies of their choice. You can draw your own code of conduct or accept one formulated by others. Has been endowed with the free will and can decide their own behavior. On this background, unlike other creatures, has received the freedom of thought, opinion and action. These two aspects clearly coexist in human life.
In the first case, like all other creatures, man is born and be a Muslim and automatically follows the commands of God. In the second, have the freedom to choose, or may not be Muslim, and the manner of exercising that freedom is the line that divides humanity into two groups: Those who submit to God and those who deny or reject God. Who chooses to recognize his Creator and Sovereign accept single scrupulously submits to His commands, follow the law has revealed to man for his individual and social life, thus comes to be a perfect Muslim. Has failed to reach full Islam, voluntarily deciding to obey God in the flat where he had been given the freedom to choose. [...]
Unlike this man is the man who though by nature he is a Muslim, lives in an unconscious way all his life, does not exercise its powers of reason, intelligence and intuition to recognize their Lord and Creator, and not use their freedom of choice rather than to deny its existence. Such a man is called kafir in Islam.
"Kufar" literally means "cover," "hide." The man who denies God is called "Kafir" (Concealer) because of their unbelief, conceals what is inherent in his nature and his soul, because nature is instinctively oriented towards Islam. His whole body, every member, every fiber of his body, is subject to that instinct. Every particle of existence, animate or inanimate, fulfills its function in accordance with the law of Islam and plays the role it has been awarded. But this man's life has been obscured, their spirit was lost and is unable to see the evidence. Can not discern their nature and their actions and thoughts are in total disagreement with her. The reality is foreign and groping in the dark. Here is the nature of the kuffar.
the "kuffar" is a form of ignorance, or rather, ignorance is par excellence. Is there any bigger than ignorance to ignore God, the Creator, the Lord of the Universe? He is a man who observes the vast panorama of nature, its mechanism and immutable superb, great concept that shines in all aspects of Creation: watch this gigantic machine, but they know who has made and addressed. Examine your own body, this wonderful body that works in a stupendous manner that serves their own ends, but is unable to discern the forces that has raised, the engineer who conceived and produced this machine, the Creator has fact be unique to this: man, from inanimate materials: carbon, calcium, sodium ... Recognizes the sublime concept of the universe, but can not distinguish who has conceived. Admire the smooth operation without seeing him as the Creator. You can see in the universe that surrounds the most brilliant displays of expertise in science, philosophy, mathematics or technology, but is blind to the One who gave birth to the infinite universe and never fully explained. How does a man unable to distinguish this particular fact could reach the real potential of knowledge? How does a man who has been in the wrong way could get good destination? You can not explain never the Reality, the True Path will be closed forever, and when undertaking something in the realm of science or thought, you can not ever enjoy the lights of truth and wisdom. Continue to walk blind and babbling in the darkness of ignorance.
Much worse: the "kuffar" is a tyrant, and even worse there. What is a tyranny, but a cruel and unjust use of force or power? If something or someone by force is contrary to justice or his own nature and his will, this is called tyranny
just saw that the whole universe is subject to God the Creator. What is natural, is to obey, to live according to His will and His law (more accurately, being a Muslim). God has given man power over all creation whose very nature demands that it be used for the sole performance of His will and only for this. Anyone who disobeys God, who is "Kafir," he is guilty of more serious injustice, using all the powers of his body and his spirit against the trends of nature, and thus becomes the unwitting instrument the drama of disobedience. Forces his head (whose natural instinct is to bow only before God the One, the One) to bow to other gods are not the true God, fed to your heart (the natural instinct is to love God) of love, respect and fear of another authority other than the Supreme Authority, the One This is in total contradiction with the natural instincts of these organs. Use the power he has (and has been given only by God himself) against the explicit will of God, making reign of tyranny. Can there be more cruel tyranny and injustice that this man who exploits the Creation and shamelessly forced to follow a path contrary to nature and justice?
the "kuffar" is not simply tyranny is worse, pure rebellion, ingratitude, infidelity. After all, what is man really? What power and what authority do you have? Who created your brain, your heart, your soul, your own body? Did he himself or God, may He be exalted? Was he or was God who created the universe? Who has put all the forces of nature to serve man, he or God? If all things were created by God and only Him alone, who thus belong to? Who is the sovereign right? God and God alone. If God is the Creator, the Lord, the Sovereign, is there anyone more rebellious than the man who uses God's creation against His decrees, that makes your mind and heart against God, and uses all his powers against the will of the Lord? The server who betrays his master, the officer who turns against his country, who deceives his benefactor, are all traitors. But what about the treachery and ingratitude and unbelief of "Kafir"? After all, what is the true source of all authority? Who has raised man to a higher position? All that man has and all that serves or benefits from others, has been given by God. With respect to their parents, the man has the largest land obligations, but who has been at the heart of parents that love their children, and who inspires you to do everything in their power for their welfare? Where does the innate desire and the possibility that the mother has to feed their children? It is clear that God is the greatest benefactor of man. It is your Creator, who feeds him and makes him live as well as their Lord and Master. Such is the position of God towards man, and no bigger betrayal and ingratitude than the "kuffar," which leads a man to reject her true Lord.
would be ridiculous to think that by adopting the attitude of "kuffar" man hurts God Almighty. Of any mode. What harm could the man who is an insignificant speck of dust on the surface of a tiny planet spinning in this infinite universe, the Ruler of the Universe, whose kingdom is so vast that with the help of more powerful telescopes allows us to guess its limits, which directs the path to heaven on Earth, Moon, Sun and the myriads of stars? Which provides all needs, but has no need for anyone to provide theirs. Man's rebellion against God can not do Him any harm, on the contrary, this disobedience merely precipitate the man on the road to ruin and disgrace.
The inevitable consequence of this rebellion and this denial is the latest setback in the ideals of life. A rebel will never find the path to true knowledge. Because knowing that it was unable to discover to his own Creator, you can not find any truth. The spirit and the reason for such a man is always astray. What reason can not recognize its Creator could elucidate the mysteries of life? This man did not suffer more than failures in all domains. Its moral, civic, social, family, their struggle to secure their livelihood, everything will be affected. Do not spread more than confusion and disorder in the land. Remorselessly, shed blood, violate the rights of their fellow men, be cruel to them, raise up the mess and destruction in the world. His thoughts and perverted ambitions, absence of insight, his distorted sense of values, their nefarious activities will be disastrous both for them and their relatives. Such a man can ruin the peace and balance of life on earth. In later life will be held guilty of the crimes committed against himself. His whole body, your brain, eyes, nose, hands, your feet will lament the misuse of them have done. Every cell in your body will rebuke before God, who is the true source of justice, and will apply the sentence he deserves. Such is the shameful result of "kuffar." It's going to total failure, both in this life and in later life. [...]
God has given man the possibility of education, think and meditate, and the knowledge of good and evil. But he has given, on the other hand, a relative freedom of will and action. It is in the exercise of this freedom as man is tested. [...] God has given freedom of will and action, so you can freely choose the way of life that is deemed good: Islam or "kuffar."
It is, therefore, on the one hand the man not to understand either its nature or the universe. Know who is the true sovereign and what are His attributes, and misused their freedom by taking the path of disobedience and rebellion. Such a man has failed in the examination of his knowledge, his intelligence and his sense of duty, and does not deserve a better fate than the one discussed above.
On the other hand, you can find who emerges victorious from this testing. Properly using their knowledge and spirit recognizes its Creator, have faith in Him, and without being in any way forced, choose to obey. He knows right from wrong, and even entirely free from If not, choose the good. Understands its nature, comply with its laws and its realities, yet having complete freedom of ways to follow, no matter what, it takes one of obedience and loyalty to his God, his Creator. [...]
Choose the truth, the reality is, is submitted with all gratitude to his Lord and Master. It is an intelligent, honest, who has a sense of duty, which has opted for the light before the darkness, and after distinguished reality, has responded enthusiastically to his call. [...]
At each stage of his quest, his consciousness of God will prevent you from evil and destructive use of science and scientific methods.
never will dream not to boast of being the master of these forces, the conqueror of nature, and attributed divine prerogatives, nor shall the human race [...] establishing his supremacy over all, without going back to the vilest means. Such an attitude of rebellion and defiance can not be a Muslim. Only a scholar "kafir" could be prey to such illusions and succumb exposing all mankind to the dangers of total destruction and annihilation. A Muslim scholar, by contrast, would behave differently. The more clearly see in the field of science, the more it reinforced his faith in God. Bow his head at him with gratitude, as he has blessed his sovereign power and giving it a very large science must reach for its own sake and for humanity. Instead of being proud, be humble, rather to exalt his own power, do great things for the common good. Not be given to unbridled freedom. Will be guided by the principles of morality and Divine revelation. In this way, science in his hands, instead of being an instrument of destruction, will become a means of human welfare and moral regeneration. It is in this way expressed his gratitude to his Sovereign for the gifts and blessings he has bestowed upon man. [...]
Regarding the right, the Muslim will try to make him the real instrument of justice, to protect the rights of everyone, particularly the weak. Shall ensure that each party receives and deserves any injustice or oppression is inflicted on anyone. Respect the law, will respect and will ensure that justice is unevenly distributed.
moral life of a Muslim is always full of piety, devotion and righteousness. Live in the world with the conviction that God is our only Sovereign, that everything that he and others may have been given by God, the powers at its disposal are nothing more than a deposit of God, that freedom that has been conferred must be used with discernment, and it is for your own benefit to use it as God's will. Will always keep in the spirit that must one day return to their Lord and give account of his life. The feeling of responsibility will always remain firmly entrenched in their spirit and never will behave irresponsibly or indifferent.
Consider the moral excellence of a man who lives with such provisions will be a [...] blessing for humanity, his spirit will not be disturbed by evil thoughts and perverted ambitions. Refrain from view, to understand and do evil. Master their language and do not ever utter lie. Keep your life in a fair and honest, and will prefer hunger to food gained by exploitation or injustice. Will never be complicit in the oppression or violation of human life and honor, whatever the form. Never give in to evil, whatever the price he has to pay for it. It will be the same goodness and nobility and will defend the right and truth, even at the cost of his own life. Hate all forms of injustice, be erected defender of truth that could not shoot down adversity. [...]
be the most honest and respected, and nobody can be overcome in this field. How could I reach the humiliation of a man to ask a favor does not extend the hand or bow to anyone but Almighty God, Sovereign of the Universe? [...]
Nobody in the world would be richer and more independent than he, because he will live a life of austerity and contemplation. Do not be sexy, neither weak nor greedy. Be content with what we earn honestly, and even if lots of wealth ill-gotten put before him, will reject with contempt. You will have peace and contentment of heart. Is there wealth greater than this? [...]
If they understood the true nature of a Muslim, will be convinced that he can not live in humiliation, slavery or submission. [...] Because Islam instills the qualities that are not overshadowed by any charm or no illusion.
Having lived a respectable and honorable life on earth, will return to its Creator, who pour out His blessings on him, because it has fulfilled its duty honorably, and has fulfilled its mission with victory in the testing. Has gotten out of life on earth and known in the subsequent peace, joy and eternal happiness.
This is Islam, the natural religion of man. [...] From all time, all who acknowledge God and love the truth, have believed in this religion and were satisfied with it. Even if they called this way of life Islam or otherwise. Whatever its name, meant Islam, total submission to the law and the will of the Creator.
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