By: Bayynat editor
One might find himself lost in the labyrinth of his mind. Question regarding the existence of the Creator has plagued each of us during a certain period of our lives. Several questions regarding certain spiritual issues have been sent to our website and answered by His Eminence, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra). Here are some of the questions:
Q: I always suffer from thinking of bad things about Allah, the Most Exalted. I know that Allah is not characterized with any of His creature's characteristic and that He is far above any defects, while man's characteristics are all deficient which mean that they are limited, but Allah's characteristics are perfect and unique. However,when I think of bad things about Him, I feel that I am wronging Allah by attributing to Him the bad characteristics of His creatures that wrong Allah, the Most Exalted. I am very afraid and I do not know what to do. I feel that Allah is angry with me… Is there any solution for my problem? Will Allah forgive me?
A: Such ideas are not considered sins as soon as they remain to be exceptional ones. And if they come to your mind, ignore them and try not to think about them. Besides, such ideas cross your mind when you are mentally and spiritually tired due to the pressures of life, family or school. When man mentally relaxes, such ideas do not come to his mind. It is good for you to reduce such pressures, do not stay awake for a long time, improve your nutrition, practice sports, go on a picnic and try to make your life a little bit more joyful.
Q: I feel tired and I cannot do anything to improve my situation. When I pray and supplicate to Allah, I feel that He, (The Most Exalted), will answer my call and change my situation to the better, but then, I find that the reality has not changed. That makes me unable to refer to Allah with a pure intention? Am I supplicating in a wrong manner? Or is there a certain book that I ought to use for supplicating? What shall I do in order not to feel that I am far from Allah?
A: “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!” (13:28). You should mention Allah in order to feel yourself in Allah's hands in your prayer and supplication. You should also strengthen your will and persist in reading the Holy Quran and reciting supplication. In addition, be sincere to Allah in obeying him and abstaining from committing sins, since that is the basis of piety and the beginning of every good.
Q: What is your point of view in details regarding the theoretical Urfan?
A: In our point of view, Urfan is the knowledge of the Quran and the Sunna (authentic sayings of the Prophet (p.) and his household (a.s.). It comprises the righteous and sublime concepts that lead to Allah in the different general acts of worship and epistemic fields. On the other hand, many of the urfan theories and means may contradict the proper ways of understanding the Holy Quran and Sunna or may be unrealistic.
Q: Sometimes, I feel that someone inside me is calling me to commit evil things, be far from religion and become a polytheist… Does this inner voice make me really a polytheist, although I do not believe it? Is this voice me, or is it Satan?
A: These are obsessions of no importance and they are due to psychological exhaustion. You have to face them by improving your nutrition, not staying up late, practicing sport, walking and trying to solve your problems and above all, it is preferable to read Surats Al-Maozatain / (Annas and Alfallaq) from time to time, especially, before sleeping.
Q:Sayyed Asshaheed(martyr) Muhammad Baqer Assader states in his book “A Study about Al-Mahdi” that it is not necessary to search for “metaphysical” causes. What is your opinion towards this issue?
A: He does not mean to absolutely revoke the “metaphysical” causes (those related to the unseen). He may be trying to deny them in this case only i.e. regarding the long age of the Imam during his occultation (Ghaiba). This may be justified in two ways: the first way has to do with God’s power, and the second could be attributed to the rules that God established in the universe. Consequently, it does not have to be purely metaphysical. Allah knows best.
Q: Is “Urfan” considered as a religious duty?
A: The Mukallaf (one who comes of age) must abide by all the obligations, which Allah imposed on him. He should also forbid wrong, be obedient to Allah, perform all acts of worshipping, leave Makrouhat (abominable acts), and try to think more deeply in Allah in the way He talked about Himself in the Holy Quran. However, Urfan is not considered a religious duty.
Q: Like many other people, I lived a very difficult childhood and I am eager to satisfy others. When I want to do anything, I always think about the other's reactions, although I know that I have to concentrate on myself, my objectives, my family, the things that I am concerned with, and above all I have to concentrate on satisfying Allah. I know that man always holds himself accountable, but unfortunately, I do not feel that I am making any progress… I always feel that I am concerned with others' feelings. I want to be me, but I do not know who I am? I am very serious and sensitive and I do not like joking. What is your advice to me?
A: It is good to do something in order to satisfy those around you, but the most important thing is that your worshiping should be for the sake of satisfying Allah and not in order to make others say that you are pious. Try to be normal in your acts and feelings, then, day by day your situation will be changed. And stop worrying.