Page 41 - Quick Grasp of Faith 2

Allah, one first needs to know the real meaning of life. Allah
informs us about the real meaning of the life of this world in
the Qur'an:
He Who created death and life to test which of you
is best in action. He is the Almighty, the Ever-Forgiv-
ing. (Surat al-Mulk: 2)

As stated in this verse, everybody is tested in his deeds.
Those who do good desire to earn the pleasure of Allah and
to enter Paradise. And they know that they therefore need to
spend every moment of their lives engaged in such an effort.
Some people, however, are mistaken on this point. They
think that only observing some religious practices and
avoiding what is forbidden are for the pleasure of Allah, and
that the rest of the time is not connected to the religion. In
fact man should try to earn the good pleasure of Allah at
every single moment, in every word, in every thought and
in every deed. Someone who intends to devote every mo-
ment of his life to Allah always speaks in a manner that will
be pleasing to Him. For example, everyone in the world
works and earns money. Yet he who lives for Allah works in
order to serve His religion and, setting aside of his earnings
for himself only what he needs, spends the rest in deeds that
would please Him. This person always talks in the way that
would please Allah most. He reminds people of Allah, for-
bids them what is wrong and commands them to do what is
right. He makes friendships with those whom Allah would
be pleased with. While making this selection, he does not
take into consideration his worldly interests or the criteria of
people who do not live by Islamic morals. At every instant,
he considers how he can best earn the good pleasure of
Allah.

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HARUN YAHYA