Being the only unforgivable sin (4:116), idol worship is the
most disastrous path any human or jinn may take. Polytheism
is constantly introduced by Satan and his constituents
(7:200-202, 17:64, 15:39, 4: 119-120) and is augmented by
the human argumentative nature (18:54). It is a fact stated
by God Almighty that most humans are doomed to Hell because
of their idol worship. Worse yet, most of those who believe
in God are destined to Hell because of the same exact sin
(12:103-106).
Whether they are statues (6:740), material possessions
(3:14), other humans (9:31), our bloodline (7:189), our
relatives (9:24) or our egos (45:23), idols often occupy
our minds and make it impossible for us to devote our
lives to God and absolutely worship Him alone. It is
also mistakenly believed that they draw us closer to God
through the myth of intercession:
The Idols as Mediators
A Common Myth
[39:3] Absolutely, the religion
shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols
beside Him say, "We idolize them only to bring
us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!"
GOD will judge them regarding their disputes.
GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.
[46:28] Why then did the
idols they set up to bring them closer to GOD fail to
help them? Instead, they abandoned them. Such
were the false gods they idolized; such were the
innovations they fabricated.
The only reason we are here on earth is because we
idolized our ego instead of God:
Freedom of Choice
[33:72] We have offered the
responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and
the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear
it, and were afraid of it. But the human being
accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.*
God has repeatedly warned us that our ego can be an
obstacle in the way of our redemption. We must be rid of
our egos so we can submit to Him and strengthen our
souls:
Kill Your Ego*
[2:54] Recall that Moses said to
his people, "O my people, you have wronged your
souls by worshiping the calf. You must
repent to your Creator. You shall kill
your egos. This is better for you in the sight
of your Creator." He did redeem you. He is the Redeemer,
Most Merciful.
*2:54 It is the ego that led to Satan's fall. It is
the ego that caused our exile to this world, and it is
the ego that is keeping most of us from redemption to
God's Kingdom.
The Prophets of Israel
[2:87] ... Is it not a
fact that every time a messenger went to you with
anything you disliked, your ego caused you to be
arrogant? Some of them you rejected, and some
of them you killed.
The Ego as a god
[25:43] Have you seen the
one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?
Egotistic Defiance: A Human Trait
[14:9] Have you not heard about
those before you - the people of Noah, `Aad, Thamoud,
and others who came after them and known only to GOD?
Their messengers went to them with clear proofs, but
they treated them with contempt and said, "We
disbelieve in what you are sent with. We are skeptical
about your message; full of doubt."
The ego is a virus that can spawn into different
egoistic perspectives. For example, we are arrogant
because of our egos (2:87). We are argumentative because
of our egos. We fail to reevaluate our actions because
the ego leads us to believe we are always right and far
above correction (18:104, 6:43)! We are oblivious to
God's guidance because of our egos:
[45:7] Woe to every fabricator,
guilty.*
[45:8] The one who hears
GOD's revelations recited to him, then insists
arrogantly on his way, as if he never heard them.
Promise him a painful retribution.
Common Form of Idolatry: The Ego As A god
[45:23] Have you noted
the one whose god is his ego?
Consequently, GOD sends him astray, despite his
knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a
veil on his eyes. Who then can guide him, after such a
decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?
God's true and one religion is now divided into sects
because of the ego. The corruption of God's only message
to humanity that has been happening in the hands of
Christians, Jews and Muslims is triggered by the human
ego. It has led them on to jealousy, resentment and
indulgence in the idolization of human prophets, saints
and religious leaders as well as the upholding of
man-made doctrines to praise human idols:
Submission: The Only Religion
[3:19] The only religion
approved by GOD is "Submission."
Ironically, those who have received the scripture are
the ones who dispute this fact, despite the knowledge
they have received, due to jealousy. For such
rejectors of GOD's revelations, GOD is most strict in
reckoning.
Disastrous Jealousy
[2:213] The people used to be one
community when GOD sent the prophets as bearers of good
news, as well as warners. He sent down with them the
scripture, bearing the truth, to judge among the people
in their disputes. Ironically, those who
received the scripture were the ones who rejected any
new scripture, despite clear proofs given to them. This
is due to jealousy on their part. GOD guides
those who believe to the truth that is disputed by all
others, in accordance with His will. GOD guides whoever
wills in a straight path.*
[42:14] Ironically, they
broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to
them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves.
If it were not for a predetermined decision from your
Lord to respite them for a definite interim, they would
have been judged immediately. Indeed, the later
generations who inherited the scripture are full of
doubts.
Sectarianism Condemned
[30:32] (Do not fall in idol
worship,) like those who divide their religion into
sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.
Religious Sects Condemned
[6:159] Those who divide
themselves into sects do not belong with you.
Their judgment rests with GOD, then He will inform them
of everything they had done.
[6:112] We have permitted
the enemies of every prophet - human and jinn devils -
to inspire in each other fancy words, in order to
deceive. Had your Lord willed, they would not
have done it. You shall disregard them and their
fabrications.
Important Criterion
[6:113] This is to let
the minds of those who do not believe in the Hereafter
listen to such fabrications, and accept them, and thus
expose their real convictions.*
Upholding the Teachings of Religious Leaders,
Instead of God's Teachings
[9:31] They have set up
their religious leaders and scholars as lords,* instead
of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son of
Mary. They were all commanded to worship only
one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified,
high above having any partners.
Even with the advent of the Messenger of the Covenant to
consolidate God's message and purify our rituals, many
submitters are disputing this purification (i.e. praying
only three times) or claiming his materials are divine
sources. The common and ironic denominator of all idol
worshipers of all existing "sects" is that they never
perceive or admit their idol worship. This is why we are
to always look over our own shoulders and practice extra
caution to guard against all idols, devoting our lives,
death and worship to Him alone:
Idol Worshipers Deny Their Idolatry
[6:22] On the day when we
summon them all, we will ask the idol worshipers, "Where
are the idols you set up?"
[6:23] Their disastrous
response will be, "By GOD our Lord, we
never were idol worshipers."*
[6:24] Note how they lied
to themselves, and how the idols they had invented have
abandoned them.
*6:23 Now and forever, the idol worshipers
vehemently deny that they are idolaters.
"Our
Lord, grant us steadfastness, strengthen our foothold,
and support us against the disbelieving people."
[The Final Testament, 2:250]
"Our Lord, let not our hearts
waver, now that You have guided us. Shower us with Your
mercy; You are the Grantor. [Final Testament,
3:8]
"Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make
mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming
against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord,
protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us
to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord
and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving
people." [Final
Testament, 2:286]
"Our Lord, we have heard a caller calling to faith and
proclaiming: `You shall believe in your Lord,' and we
have believed. Our Lord, forgive us our transgressions,
remit our sins, and let us die as righteous believers.
[Final Testament,
3:193]
Peaceful Friday, salaam and May God bless you.
