God, the Creator of the entire universe, has sent a large number of prophets and messengers to various nations and communities so that the disarrayed people could be shown the Divine path and guided to it so that they could be blessed. Many had heeded to the Divine guidance since the life on earth began - but at the same time many confronted the prophets and rejected the Divine guidance shown to them. And it is the latter who are given ample time to steer their course of life and life a live as ordained to them Divinely. And when they still persist in their egoistic outlook, God abandons them for good.
This question of Divine abandonment has been discussed by theologians and believers for centuries. In the Qur'an, God is often described as being near to people, guiding them, and responding to those who call upon Him. At the same time, there are verses that speak about God "leaving" people in error or withdrawing guidance from those who persistently reject it.
Let us reflect over this question and try to find out why the mere chastisement of Hell fire is not the only punishment men who deny One Ture God will get. In fact after their denial of Him, this world is made a place unlivable. Here is how it happens:
God, through his prophets establishes a pattern for guidance of men to His path:
- The God deniers are shown signs, guidance, or opportunities. They are told the stories of the previous nations who confronted and resisted the prophets.
- God allowed them to continue on the path they have chosen.
- And their resistance becomes entrenched by repeatedly rejecting, ignoring, and turning away from prophets of God, they were subjected to horrible wrath which left only the ruins of their buildings as a lesson for the following people to take heed from and return to Him.
- In this view, divine "abandonment" is not usually portrayed as arbitrary. Rather, it is often described as a consequence of a person's persistent choices.
However, many people ask a different question: Why does it feel like God leaves someone alone even when they are trying, suffering, or seeking Him? Different religious traditions offer different answers. Within Islam, common themes include:
- A period of testing or spiritual growth.
- A call to patience and perseverance.
- The fact that God's wisdom may not be immediately apparent.
- The distinction between feeling abandoned and actually being abandoned.
The Quran contains expressions of deep distress from prophets and righteous people who experienced loneliness, fear, or apparent silence. Yet those experiences are not presented as evidence that God had truly forsaken them.
From a philosophical perspective, some thinkers argue that if humans are to have genuine freedom, there must be times when God does not overwhelm them with unmistakable signs or constant intervention. Otherwise, choice and moral responsibility would be diminished.
But those who persistently deny God's guidance, a time comes when they are abandoned altogether. This abonnement is far severe than any other test in this world. they are robbed of the peace of mind - although they are seen happy outwardly enjoying the luxuries of life, but deep inside their hearts there is a hollowness, a feeling of left out, finding no light at the end of the tunnel. This happens after persistent denial of God's existence and His blessings that are bestowed upon man. The more one is blessed, more egoistic, proud and criminal minded one becomes. From this stage on, one is something far different from one's actual self - a stage when the prick of the conscious becomes so light that one doesn't even feel it the warning bell that is continuously been sounded but now the volume start to dim and then finally fade.
Does it mean the man has been abandoned forever
When the prick of conscious and the ringing danger bells become ineffective to stir the conscious, does it mean the abandonment is total and complete and a point of no return has reached?
Well, the answer is a BIG NO. Allah has promised at many a places in Al Qur'an that His servants should never lose hope of being forgiven, provided they repent and seek Divine forgiveness. The idea that Allah accepts repentance up until a person reaches the point of death is expressed in the Qur'an, especially in:
“But repentance is not accepted of those who continue to do evil deeds until, when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘Indeed, I have now repented,’ nor of those who die while they are disbelievers...” — Qur'an
Another often-cited verse is: “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” — Qur'an
Many scholars explain these verses together: Allah's forgiveness is available for any sin as long as a person sincerely repents before reaching the point of death.
This verses indicate that repentance remains open until death actually arrives; once a person reaches the moment of death and sees it approaching, repentance is no longer accepted. As can be seen in the above quoted verse, there is a catch: The catch is before one hears the angel of death knocking at the door. IF one repents before that and seek to be forgives, it is Divine promise that he will be forgiven, for God doesn't leave His servants helpless and unforgiven till the very last moment.
So do no despair if you think your association with Allah has net been good or you think after so many denials now you will not be heard and Divinely forgiven. Repent as often as you can and continuously seek Divine forgiveness before you are caught unguard by the angel of the death - a time when you will depart this world ready to face the Divine wrath on the Day of Judgement.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
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