Choosing Sides
"Simply because we are told to choose between A or B, we cannot allow ourselves to be fooled. The Truth may ultimately not lie in A or B but in Z!" writes American convert to Islam, Abdul-Lateef Abdullah.

Glossary for non-Muslim readers
Alhamdulillah - thanks be to God
deen - religion (of Islam)
da'wa - invitation to Islam
shaytan - lit. "Satan", the devil; fig. evil, that which displeases God.

Surfing the Internet and reading up on all the events occurring in the world today can be dizzying. Sometimes we have to step back and reflect on what all the craziness is really about and try to see the forest from the trees. When I listen to wise men in Islam discuss world events, I am often surprised, yet relieved, at how easily they can make sense of even the most complex situations. Alhamdulillah that God has allowed men of such wisdom and insight to still exist in our time, albeit their numbers are dwindling and they are often difficult to come by. Nevertheless, such people continue to help thousands of everyday Muslims make sense out of God's plan for creation, even when it appears that things are completely topsy-turvy.

As I, on the other hand, am not a man of great knowledge or wisdom, I must often rely on that which I learn from such teachers. According to the Qur'an, everything we do in life is ultimately for one of two causes, that which pleases God or that which displeases God. We can't serve both. Despite what some may say, there are no half-Truths in reality. We must choose a side, which is essentially what this life is all about.

For example, in our current age, which many scholars believe to be the beginning of the end of time, public opinion on a popular world event might lead us to conclude that we must choose between A and B. The believer, however, should look a little more closely at the choices and keep in mind that most of the world - Muslim or not - does not follow the Divine Law, and thus is not choosing sides based on the correct criteria. Even for many Muslims, other "stuff" gets in the way and motives for decision-making become clouded by personal desires, politics, greed, hatred, fear, etc. Simply because we are told to choose between A or B, we cannot allow ourselves to be fooled. This is an age where everything is upside down. The Truth may ultimately not lie in A or B but in Z! That is why we must always go back to the sources of true knowledge and more importantly, wisdom, to ensure that we keep life as simple as it can be.

If we take this question of whose side are we on and apply it to our lives everyday, we can begin to see who it is we really work for and with what kind of deeds we are filling up our personal accounts. Let's give it a try…

When we wake up in the morning and our first thought of the day is to be thankful for being brought back to life…that pleases God. When we wake up in the morning and our first thought of the day is about how much money we're going to make that day…that displeases God.

When we drive to work to earn our livelihood from a halal source…that pleases God. When we set out to exploit others and acquire wealth from haram sources….that displeases God.

When we stand up to pray with the sole intention of pleasing our Lord…that pleases God. When we pray so that others can see us and comment on how pious we are…that displeases God.

When we pass a fellow Muslim and offer a smile and words of peace…that pleases God. When we talk badly about a fellow Muslim, tell lies about him and ignore him when in his company…that displeases God.

When we restrain ourselves and keep silent when provoked into an argument or shouting match…that pleases God. When we engage in useless arguments simply to release our anger, be right, or make someone else look bad…that displeases God.

When we tactfully attempt to correct the errors of our brothers' and sisters' ways…that pleases God. When we ignore the sins of our fellow brothers and sisters and do not, at the very least, feel remorse for them…that displeases God.

When we think about how close death is to us and that it can come at any time…that pleases God. When we forget about death and live and plan our lives as if we are immortal…that displeases God.

When we sit down to a meal and partake of halal food…that pleases God. When we indulge ourselves with food that is haram…that displeases God.

When we offer benedictions and blessings on God's Messenger (SAW)…that pleases God. When we do not display our love, respect and reverence for prophet Mohammed (pbuh)…that displeases God.

When we act with compassion and respect toward people with a sincere desire to bring them closer to God…that pleases God. When we act callously out of hatred for and ignorance about people…that displeases God.

When we act out of a genuine desire and concern for justice…that pleases God. When we act out of concern for our own status and wealth…that displeases God.

When we hate evil for God's sake…that pleases God. When we hate because we hate…that displeases God.

When we uphold the Truth without compromise no matter where it comes from…that pleases God. When we uphold bloodlines, political affiliations, nationalities or ethnic group affiliations in spite of the truth…that displeases God.

When we confront evil with our lives and property in full obedience to Him and for His sake…that pleases God. When we attack others to acquire land or power in blind disregard for the Divine Law…that displeases God.

When we study, learn, and acquire knowledge to improve our conduct, help others do the same, and improve the world…that pleases God. When we study and learn to make a lot of money, gain prestige and see our names in print…that displeases God.

When we dress modestly in line with the Divine Law and with the intention of obeying and pleasing God…that pleases God. When we dress "like a Muslim" to be seen as pious….that displeases God.

When we give to help those in need and purify our incomes…that pleases God. When we give to be known as generous among our peers …that displeases God.

When we accept whatever comes to us knowing that it is from Him, and work toward improving our lot with patience, effort, steadfastness and prayer…that pleases God. When all we do is complain about what happens to us…that displeases God.

When we turn to God to help us when we are in need…. that pleases God. When we seek aid from everybody but God, thinking that others are in control of life events…that displeases God.

When we go out of our way to greet and speak with non-Muslims for the purpose of building bridges, giving da'wa [invitation to Islam] and modeling Islam…that pleases God. When we assume all non-Muslims are kafir and ignore them…that displeases God.

When we spend time nurturing our children to develop their Islamic personality…that pleases God. When we ignore the education and character development of our children…that displeases God.

When we love our children by disciplining and correcting them when they are wrong…that pleases God. When we let our kids do whatever they want…that displeases God.

When we get involved in the affairs and well being of our communities…that pleases God. When we ignore the needs of our neighbors…that displeases God.

When we acknowledge and act on our responsibilities to God, ourselves, our families and our communities…that pleases God. When all we think about is what is due to us and ignore our responsibilities…that displeases God.

When we are disciplined and obedient in our worship and actions…that pleases God. When we do things when and how we want without any respect for Divine Law…that displeases God.

When we are humble in our learning and respectful to our teachers…that pleases God. When we think we know it all and question everything from everyone…that displeases God.

When we apply the knowledge we have…that pleases God. When we hoard what we have learned and watch our younger generations fall farther and farther into error…that displeases God.

Finally, when we act on all matters within the bounds of the Divine Law, regardless of the humility and costs required…that pleases God. When we use Islam to justify actions that are outside of the Divine Law…that displeases God.

As we can see, the world is not as complex as Shaytan [the devil] wants us to believe it is. Our accounts, which will all be settled on the Day of Judgment, are filling up all the time. The question is what are we filling them with? Many scholars are saying that the current period we are living in is making all the shaytans very fat. They are having a field day with all the evil going on in the world, back and forth. They are laughing and getting fatter and fatter. The only thing that can slim them back down is Islam and the application of Truth. Thus, as Muslims we have to think about our account that will be reckoned on the Last Day, and whom we are ultimately working for.

Islam, by the grace of God, is quite straightforward and simple. The place where many of us stumble in our practice of the deen [the religion of Islam] is in accepting and applying it as a whole. To use a popular western term, Islam is "holistic." In fact, it is the most holistic, perfect system of life ever known to man. But it only works when it is applied as a whole - thus the term "whole-istic." The western mode of compartmentalizing everything in life, turning life into a buffet of choices and options has got to be rejected. We must accept Islam in totality and work our hardest at correcting those areas that we have difficulty in bringing in line with God's will. We all have them. Some have difficulty in praying five times a day. Some have trouble controlling their anger. Some have difficulty in family relations and solving problems within the home. Every one of us and each community have at least one area of the deen that is a trouble spot. But there is no reason to worry. Islam contains all the answers. We just have to strive to find them, and then work our hardest to apply the appropriate remedy and pull ourselves in line with God's will. Then, everything we do will be for God and Shaytan will have to search high and low for Muslims to feed on.

Read other articles by Abdul-Lateef Abdullah here.

Email: abd_lateef@hotmail.com