Why do people opt for disbelief after all, when it neither gives any peace in this life nor is there any hope of eternal reward?

 

Decisions Taken in Haste

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This is due to the impulsive human nature. It is often observed in the worldly life that decisions are taken in haste. A person sometimes prays hurriedly which leads to his own destruction in this world. Just like Nadhr bin Harith had prayed in K'abah in sheer opposition of Islam, as revealed in the Quran: "O' Allaah^-SWT ! If Islam is true, then pelt stones on us from the sky, or send some other tormenting doom". Allaah^-SWT be praised! Soon after they were crushed at Badr, humiliated at Uhad and had to return from the Battle of Trench after aborting their mission. And finally Makkah was taken, and they were wiped out as a community.

 

The Cycle of Days and Nights are Sufficient Evidence

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If a person does not hasten and puts his Divine gifted intelligence to use, can he not see the days and the nights as witness to Allah^-SWT's Magnanimity? They certainly are. The darkness of the night covers so many ugly aspects of human character, and provides every living being moments of sleep and rest. Moreover, the energy lost by the physical body during the day at work is replenished at night.

 

The day dispenses light, and the struggle for survival commences once again. Right from an ant and a fly to humans, all are seen busy in acquiring provisions of life for survival. Man struggles for the attainment of the blessings created by his Provider. And these days and nights also serve to keep a count of days, months and years.

 

Solar Calendar is also Permitted

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If there remained only days, or only nights, the calculation of time would have been impossible. Thus solar calculation of dates is also permissible, though worships like Hajj or Fasting can only be determined through lunar calendar. So this immense system which is regulating the transition of days into nights and vice verse with such precision and punctuality ever since the beginning of time, is by itself a witness, no less significant, on the Magnificence, Wisdom and Omnipotence of its Creator. He^-SWT has explained everything meticulously for the guidance of human intellect and perception. Now it is upto them how they think. But let it be known that Allaah^-SWT has garlanded every person's neck with his conduct and he carries the effects of his evil deeds with him wherever he goes. This can be seen in worldly affairs at individual as well as collective level. While in the Akhirah an open Record of Deeds will be handed over to everyone. Each person will be Commanded to read it, and be the best judge for himself by checking out each deed registered therein. He must see on how many occasions he had decided to act in Allah^-SWT's obedience or defiance when he had the privilege to do so. For then, it will be his own decisions that would be requited, either as rewards or punishments.

 

If someone opts for the right path, decides to obey Allaah^-SWT and exerts for it, he is not doing a favour to anyone else but only to himself, as it is he who will receive the reward. And the one who opts for defiance, he too will have to endure the punishment, as no human being will be burdened by the actions of the other.

 

The Minor Children of non Believers

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The author of Tafsir-e-Mazhari and other Commentators assert on this basis that the minor children of the non believers will not be condemned to Hell due to their parents disbelief. Besides, Allaah^-SWT does not punish anyone without providing the means of guidance. Here: "We^-SWT have sent a Messenger^-AS " has been interpreted by the Commentators as 'means of guidance'. In their opinion, it is upto Allaah^-SWT . He^-SWT sends a Prophet^-AS, or gives plain intellect to evaluate the symbols of His^-SWT Omnipotence. To arrive at the conclusion or to confess that He^-SWT is the One and the Only Supreme Being^-SWT is imperative. Wherever the teachings of a Prophet^-AS may not reach, a confession of Allah^-SWT's Unity through such evaluation will suffice for salvation.

 

Immoral and Evil Rulers lead to Destruction

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When a nation's defiance reaches the limit whereby its destruction is decided, it swells in terms of wealth and the wealthy take to disobeying Allah^-SWT's Commands. They have the evidence of Allah^-SWT's Greatness before them, conveyed through a Prophet^-AS or merely conceived by understanding. Yet the affluent indulge in pleasure seeking, and lead the public on the same path. It is human nature that people tend to follow the elite and ultimately all of them are destroyed. Even after Prophet Nuh^-AS, people reflourished and prospered. Many a nation were destroyed, leaving behind lessons for mankind. Allaah^-SWT is well Aware of the human conduct and is sufficient to oversee the defiance of people. So one reaps whatever one sows.

 

Intentions and Designs

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If a person strives purely with the intention of acquiring temporal gains, having no trust in the Akhirah, the outcome can never be according to his desires, no matter how good his intentions apparently are. He will get only what Allaah^-SWT apportions for him. However, the outcome of his intention will be humiliation and deprivation. He gets nothing in Akhirah save Hell. On the other hand if someone intends to acquire Akhirah, works hard in the right direction, that is, acts according to Sunnah and also holds the correct precepts, he will be rewarded with eternal bliss.

 

Basic Requisites for Success in Akhirah

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There are four basic requirements for eternal bliss:

(1)        Intentions and Motives. Whereby a person after having witnessed or studied the logical evidence or having been invited to Allah^-SWT, aims to succeed in Akhirah.

 

(2)        Actions. He begins to act according to his intention rather than sitting idle.

 

(3)        Conformance to Sunnah. His actions are in conformity with the Sunnah, and not dictated by his own choice. The rituals and innovations, no matter how attractive, are of no value when compared to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet^-SW.

 

(4)        Correct Belief. Finally, he must have the right beliefs, otherwise all actions will stand nullified.

 

Those who fulfill these conditions are the lucky ones whose efforts will be appreciated, and indeed the real success is theirs.

 

Mundane Affluence is not a Criterion of Allah^-SWT ’s Approval

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His^-SWT Providence is common to all. The righteous or the wicked, the believer or the non believer, all enjoy the blessings of health, wealth and children alike. Though people differ from one another, yet this difference does not hinder His^-SWT Providence. He^-SWT provides everyone without exception and has out of His^-SWT Wisdom graded people into rich and poor, rulers and subordinates. But this is only a temporary phase. The real blessings are of Akhirah, which have been reserved for the obedient. The non believers have no share in it. And that indeed is a very great blessing, superior and exalted. So O' Reader! Never ascribe partners to Allaah^-SWT in worship in any form. Keep your faith in His^-SWT Unity pure lest you should lose everything, your good deeds as well as your efforts.