Is it not time to rid ourselves of all forms of idols and worship God alone?
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A basic definition of idol worship is to believe that anyone or anything besides God can benefit us. In other words, no one has power independent of God. God is the exclusive provider.
This concept may justifiably raise many questions for people and necessitates further study to learn what is really going on in this life, why we are here, where we are going and so on. All of these questions are addressed in God’s Final Testament to us humans.
God tells us who and what can become our idols / gods. These include our property (money, assets, etc.), our children, religious leaders and / or scholars, dead saints, messengers, prophets, and of course our own egos.
Believing in God must include appreciating all of His qualities and working to follow all of His commands. Saying with our mouths that we believe in God without these is insufficient. Satan believes in God too, but he is a rebel and ultimately a loser just like any human who thinks and behaves arrogantly. Believing in God must mean total, unconditional, and sincere submission to Him and His will.
Believers are absolutely convinced that the guidance of God is the best path and it will lead to an everlasting blissful life starting here on this earth followed by the same in the Hereafter.
Only One God Worthy of Worship: The almighty Initiator, Creator and Sustainer of Earth, everything on it, as well as all seven universes.
We hope you will spend the time to do your own research and may God bless you with His guidance.
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SELECT VERSES FROM THE QURAN:
God ALONE Worthy of Worship
[27:60] Who is the One who created the heavens and the earth? Who is the One who sends down to you from the sky water, whereby we produce gardens full of beauty―you could not possibly manufacture its trees? Is it another god with GOD? Indeed, they are people who have deviated.
Jesus, Mary, Muhammad, the Saints, etc. Never Participated
[27:61] Who is the One who made the earth habitable, caused rivers to run through it, placed on it mountains, and created a barrier between the two waters? Is it another god with GOD? Indeed, most of them do not know.[27:62] Who is the One who rescues those who become desperate and call upon Him, relieves adversity, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is it another god with GOD? Rarely do you take heed.[27:63] Who is the One who guides you in the darkness of land and sea? Who is the One who sends the winds with good news, signaling His mercy? Is it another god with GOD? Most exalted is GOD, above having any partner.[27:64] Who is the One who initiates the creation, then repeats it? Who is the One who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? Is it another god with GOD? Say, “Show me your proof, if you are truthful.”[27:65] Say, “No one in the heavens and the earth knows the future except GOD. They do not even perceive how or when they will be resurrected.”[5:76] Say, “Would you worship beside GOD powerless idols who can neither harm you, nor benefit you? GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.”
Fair Weather Friends
[22:11] Among the people there is the one who worships GOD conditionally. If things go his way, he is content. But if some adversity befalls him, he makes an about-face. Thus, he loses both this life and the Hereafter. Such is the real loss.
[22:12] He idolizes beside GOD what possesses no power to harm him or benefit him; such is the real straying.
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.
Property as an Idol*
[18:32] Cite for them the example of two men: we gave one of them two gardens of grapes, surrounded by date palms, and placed other crops between them.
*18:32-42 The Quran cites many examples of the different gods that people worship beside God; they include children (7:190), religious leaders and scholars (9:31), property (18:42), dead saints and prophets (16:20-21, 35:14, & 46:5-6), and the ego (25:43, 45:23).
The Ego as a god
[25:43] Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?
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?
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.
* Quranic verses quoted are from Quran the Final Testament, by Rashad Khalifa, Ph.D.
VERSES FROM THE BIBLE:
[Deuteronomy 6:4] “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!”
[2 Samuel 7:22] And so — “Great are you, Lord God! There is none like you, and there is no God but you, just as we have heard it told.”
[1 Kings 8:60-61] that all the peoples of the earth may know the Lord is God and there is no other. You must be wholly devoted to the Lord, our God, observing his statutes and keeping his commandments, as on this day.”
[1 Chronicles 17:20] “O Lord, there is no one like you and there is no God but you, just as we have always understood.”