BECOMING BETTER

MUSLIMS

whats with the colors?

A PRESENTATION BY SALIM YUSUFALI

al-hasnain youth conference 2002

How to become a better Muslim

pray more fast more shelter an orphan be good to your parents go to mosque go for Hajj dont lie recite lots of quran did we mention stealing?
But why

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

WHY WERE YOU CREATED?

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF LIFE?

B U T

W H Y ?

3rd Annual Al-Hasanain (a) Youth Conference Salim S. Yusufali yusufali@cs.stanford.edu September, 2002

Mumin Meets Martin

Adapted from Even Angels Ask by Jeffrey Lang:

Martin:"I don't think that the two major religions in America make much sense. "I don't think that ANY religion makes much sense. For example, from your religion's viewpoint, what is the purpose of life? Why did God create us to SUFFER here on earth? Mumin: (Thinking back to Sunday School Lessons): UmmI believe He created us to test us."

Mumin is Struggling
Adapted from Even Angels Ask by Jeffrey Lang:

Martin: "So your religion rejects the omniscience (Allah has all knowledge) of God, for otherwise, what could He possibly learn from testing us that He does not already know? "No, thats not quite itYes!! We are created to worship Him!" (With a smile of victory): "Then you must believe that God has needs and weaknesses, for why else would He demand our worship? When a human demands our devotion, we label him a tyrant or a psychopath. Do you hold that God has character flaws?"

SORRY. You Lose. Try Again.

Go back to the basics and ask WHY? Ameer al-Mumineen, Imam Ali (a), says:
Allahs mercy is uponthe one knows: where he is from, where he is now, and where he is going!

WHERE ARE WE FROM?

Allah (swt) created us for a purpose:
Do you suppose that We have created you in vain? (Quran 23:115) I created jinns and humankind only so that they may worship me. (Quran 51:56) BUT WHY DOES ALLAH WANT OUR WORSHIP?

What is worship (`ibadah)? How do we worship Allah? Why should we worship Allah?

What is worship?
Worship of Allah involves: BELIEF: that we are absolutely, Belief 100% creatures that are grateful Practice and dependent upon a Creator who controls all aspects of our life, but who gave us FREEDOM in this world to fulfill a RESPONSIBILITY

WHERE ARE WE FROM?

PRACTICE: living our lives in accordance to our beliefs

How do we worship Allah?

Imam al-Husayn (a) explains the verse I created jinn and humankind only so that they worship Me (Quran 51:56) Knowledge as of Allah I created jinn and humankind only so that they know and understand Me

WHERE ARE WE FROM?

True worship of Allah (swt) = gaining knowledge of Allah (swt)

How do we worship Allah?

How to gain knowledge of Allah (swt):
- Reflect upon His most perfect Names - Following the guidance (Quran, Prophet, Ahlul Bayt) He has given us and understand where we are (more later) - Practice those acts of worship which he has prescribed that will help us to believe in Him

WHERE ARE WE FROM?

Why do we worship Allah?

Worship does not benefit Him.

WHERE ARE WE FROM?

Allah (swt) tells us in the Quran:

He who PURIFIES his soul/spirit/self is SUCCESSFUL (Surat al-Shams)

(The one who is successful) remembers the name of his Lord and says his prayers. (Surat al-A`ala)
Worshipping Allah (swt) leads us to: Self purification, Success, Fulfilling the GOAL OF LIFE (more later)

THE WHOLE works

No picking, no choosing

Belief in Allah Belief in the oneness of Allah Belief in the Quran and its rules Belief in Prophet and Imams Pray, fast, give charity etc Be a good person

WHERE ARE WE NOW? At least 10 times a day, we say to Allah:

GUIDE us to/along the straight path: AL-SIRAT ALMUSTAQEEM (Surat al-Fatiha)

QUESTIONS:
What is Al-Sirat al-Mustaqeem? What forms of guidance of Allah (swt) can we enjoy? If we are free to walk along the Path, what is our responsibility? What is the eventual destination of the Straight Path (that is, WHERE ARE WE GOING?)

What is the Straight Path?

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. (Your math teacher & Common Sense)
- Al-Sirat al-Mustaqeem is that particular way of life that makes the most sense and that takes us most directly from where we came and where we are going - As we walk upon it, our belief and practice get stronger and stronger UNTIL - Took a wrong turn? Al-Tawbah is the solution.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

What is Guidance?
Allah (swt) has answered and will answer our Reasoning prayer from within and without: Inner guidance: aql (intellect): ability to think and come to conclusions Outer guidance: Guides and examples in the form of prophets and Imams (a) Imam Ali (a) says: I am al-Sirat al-Mustaqeem.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

What are our responsibilities?

Allah (swt) says:
Surely we have guided human being to the path. It is up to him whether he will be grateful or disbelieving (Quran 76:3).

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

With freedom comes responsibilities: Fulfilling the purpose of our existence Fulfilling the trust put on us Establishing justice Working towards the perfection of this society To be human Be grateful to God and serve Him

WHERE ARE WE GOING? The average life span in the United States in 1990 was about 75 years (National Institute on Aging). Everyone shall have a taste of death. (Quran 3:185) The hereafter (al-aakhirah) is a REALITY that has already been created. Allah (swt) has described two extremes: JAHANNAM (Hell) AL-JANNAT (Garden of Heaven) What is the goal of life?

Jahannam (Hell)

WHERE ARE WE GOING? (Allah forbid!)

As for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them; boiling fluid will be poured down on their heads. With it shall be melted what is in their bellies as well as their skin. And for them are whips of iron. Every time they wish to run away in anguish, they will be forced back in, being told, "Taste the doom of burning!" (Quran 22:20-22)

Eventual destination of one who steps off of al-Sirat alMustaqeem in this life. Al-Rahman gives what is requested Inspires fear and a longing to escape from such a punishment enough fear to prevent one from doing certain things in life, even if one would otherwise want those things Is the purpose of life to ESCAPE from Jahannam?

Al-Jannat (Garden of Heaven)

(inshaAllah!)

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Allah will admit those who believe and do good deeds to Gardens beneath which rivers flow. There, they shall be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments there will be of silk.

(Quran 22:23) Eventual destination of one who walks along al-Sirat alMustaqeem in this life. The reward given by Al-Raheem. Inspires desire to gain such pleasures the more worship we do, the better the rewards Enough to prevent one from doing certain things in life, even if one would otherwise want those things Is the purpose of life to gain ENTRANCE into Al-Jannat?

The Purpose of Life

Worship of the elite is done not solely out of fear of hell or desire for heaven Allah is worshipped because He deserves to be worshipped whatever is with Allah is BETTER than what we can get anywhere else Imam Ali (a) said: I have not seen anything except that I saw Allah with it, before it, and in it.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

The Purpose of Life

Peace of paradise not restricted from those who live in this world Allah (swt) says:
The one who is among those who are near to Allah (almuqarrabeen) is happiness, bounty, and a garden of delight (Quran 56:88) Indeed in the remembrance of Allah lies the tranquility of the heart (Quran 13:28)

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Imam Ali (a) says of the Ahl al-Bayt (a):

Our bodies are in this world, but our hearts are in the gardens.

Story of Prophet (s) and companions who feared being hypocrites

The Purpose of Life

What does the Quran say?
Surely we belong to Allah, and to Him is our return.(Quran 2:156) And to Allah is your eventual destination (Quran 35:18) O human being, it is to your Lord that all your efforts are directed, and you will meet Him (Quran 84:6). The goal of life is ALLAH (swt).

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

The Purpose of Life

What does human nature (Fitrah) tell us?
Human being always craves MORE. More beauty More power More knowledge What is the extent of this search and desire? PERFECTION. Where can the Ultimate Perfection be found?
The goal of life is ALLAH (swt).

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

The Purpose of Life

Since Allah is the goal of life:
Increasing Belief/Faith + Practice is what we do along the way Gain a perfect understanding of Tawheed and put that understanding into practice We work towards human perfection by yearning towards the Most Perfect, and attaining all that the soul can aspire to Perfect balance of powers and instincts individual justice When we ask, Allah will help us attain this goal

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Whats next?

OKAYSO,

Remember Allah during salat Read and reflect on the Quran Fast, and be a guest of Allah Give charity and be purified Establish a just society Become better Muslims!