Page 78 - Satan's Sly Game: The False Religion of People-Worship

SATAN'S SLY GAME:
THE FALSE RELIGION OF PEOPLE-WORSHIP

creation. And their lives will be consumed by pangs of con-
science and anxiety. In the Qur'an, Allah tells us about the state
of those who make bad friends:
Instead of Allah, he calls on something which cannot
harm him or help him. That is extreme misguidance.
He calls on what is far more likely to harm than help.
What an evil protector! What an evil associate! (Surat
al-Hajj, 12-13)
So far we have considered a few basic examples of the "let
them say" principle of people-worship. But this false religion is
not limited to these non-believers. Nearly every step taken by
people who practice this superstitious "religion" is to get others
to think well of them and win their approval. Their thoughts are
obsessed with this goal, and they spend every moment in this
pursuit.
But even though they live in the same community, individu-
als with sincere faith are different from those in the society of ig-
norance. They may appear to do the same things, yet their
intention is not directed towards other people, but towards
Allah. They realize that no human being has any power, and that
all power belongs to Him. They may do things to please others
also, but their purpose is to win Allah's favor. As Allah has com-
manded, they act with moral propriety towards others—and by
so doing, they win Allah's approval and also make others happy.

THE "DON'T LET THEM SAY" PRINCIPLE

Those with this mentality fail to consider the reason why
they are in the world and make it their aim to please people in-
stead of the Creator.

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