Page 56 - Answers from the Qur'an

ANSWERS FROM THE QUR'AN
"We found our fathers following a religion, and we are
simply following in their footsteps." Say: "What if I have
come with better guidance than what you found your fa-
thers following?" They say" "We reject what you have
been sent with." (Surat az-Zuhkruf, 21-24)
Consequently, intelligent people do not place their trust in
ideologues, or in their ancestors, or in the majority of people. The
sole guide in whom they place their trust is the All-Mighty
Allah, Who possesses infinite wisdom and all the knowledge in
the universe. Indeed, the Qur'an frequently refers to Allah as Al-
Rabb, an attribute of His which means the One and only Lord for
all the universe, its Creator, Owner, Organizer, Provider,
Master, Planner, Sustainer, Cherisher, and Giver of Security.
Taking beings or things other than Allah as guides means
taking them as lords or making them into idols. This attitude,
which is defined as ascribing partners to Allah, is extremely dan-
gerous, for the Qur'an reveals that such people will find them-
selves in the following situation:
O humanity, an example has been given, so listen to it
carefully. Those whom you call upon besides Allah are
not able to create even a single fly, even if they were to
join together to do it. And if a fly steals something from
them, they cannot get it back. How feeble are both the
seeker and the sought! (Surat al-Hajj, 73)
As the verse maintains, both the person or thing from whom
help is sought and the person who adheres to such false deities
as sources of guidance are all weak and helpless. Another verse
relates this fact, as follows:
They have taken deities besides Allah so that perhaps
they may be helped. They cannot help them, even though
they are an army mobilized in their support. (Surah Ya
Sin, 74-75)
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