The Reminder

The Reminder My dear family, relatives, colleagues and friends, I pray that your hearts are open to what I have to say. I write this not as a Muslim but as a fellow human being. I'm putting away my Muslim 'mask' to convey to you what I have experienced after reading and understanding a very tremendous Book. I am very grateful to have been given the chance and ability to read this Book two months back. Praises be to God. In all the 24 years of my life, I have not understood this Book from cover to cover – until the morning of 1 October 2008. After finishing the last chapter, I closed the Book, kissed it and tapped it on my head, fully knowing, fully appreciating the Great Message in the Book. I felt fear. I felt awe. I felt a terrible need to share what I've understood from the Book. It makes me weep to think of what this Book is about. When I finally closed the Book, I could no longer doubt, this is a Book from none other than the Creator Himself. The Holy Quran is not a Book from God because the Muslims say it is. The Holy Quran is a Book from God because I know it is. It is not something that I'm proud of at all. It is definitely something that I'm absolutely grateful for. Therefore, if you will allow me, I will share with you a few chilling messages from the Book of God.

“(This is) the Relevation of the Book in which there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds” Chapter 32, verse 2

The Reminder

Have we ever been at the bedside of a dying loved one? Whether friend or family, we merely look on powerless to do anything to help save that life. Doctors can only do so much. Even they cannot stop death. So why are we so arrogant?

“Then why do ye not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat, and ye the while (sit) looking on. But We are nearer to him than ye, and yet see not” Chapter 56, verses 83 - 85

This is God's first challenge, to those around the dying one: if you, O Man, think that you are so strong and so powerful, go ahead, stop your loved one from dying.

“Then why do ye not, if you are exempt from (future) account, call back the soul if ye are true (in claim of independence)?” Chapter 56, verses 86 - 87

This is God's second challenge, to the dying man: if you, O Man, think that you will not be called to account for all the things that you did, go ahead, call back your soul, bring yourself back to life. My fellow human beings, does that not strike fear in us ... ? *weeps*

“Say: It is God Who gives you life, then gives you death: then He will gather you together for the Day of Judgement about which there is no doubt. But most men do not understand” Chapter 45, verse 26

The Reminder

Has it ever occurred to us how fragile life is? One moment someone is alive, kicking and fooling around. The next, he falls down dead - gone forever. We then become witnesses to a life being taken away ...

“Say: the Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall ye be brought back to your Lord” Chapter 32, verse 11

Most of us are ever in denial of this - the meeting with God. They deny Him and ridicule the thought of returning back to God. You can challenge God all you want, deny Him all your life, in the end, when you are on your deathbed, struggling with the agonies of death, be forewarned of His angels who will come to strip away your soul.

“If thou couldst see, when the angels take the souls of the Unbelievers (at death), (How) they smite their faces and backs, (saying): Taste the penalty of the Blazing Fire!” Chapter 8, verse 50

Because at death, we will finally be able to see. We will finally come to know!

“But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality). Again, ye soon shall know!” Chapter 102, verses 3 - 4

My fellow human beings, I do not say that I am 'saved'. For I too do not know what will be my end... *weeps*

The Reminder

I've discovered that in the Quran, God relates all the arguements anyone might have concerning Him. Whether you're a Jew or Christian (God has plenty to say about you guys in the Quran) or a Hindu or Buddhist or an agnostic or atheist. Whatever arguement you have, it has been argued about by thousands of generations before you. And where are they now ... ?

“But how many (countless) generations before them have We destroyed? Canst thou find a single one of them (now) or hear (so much as) a whisper of them?” Chapter 19, verse 98

“Is it not a warning to such men (to call to mind) how many generations before them We destroyed, in whose haunts they (now) move? Verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding” Chapter 20, verse 128

God is describing the people who used to deny His Existence - in the end, they still returned to Him at death. They come face to face with the very thing they used to deny! *weeps* Footnote for my Christian friends: chapter 19 of the Quran is titled 'Maryam'. Yes, a whole chapter named after Mary the mother of Jesus.

“And behold! God will say: 'O Jesus, the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men - worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden” Chapter 5, verse 116

The Reminder

I would like to share more regarding the Message of the Mighty Book but I fear I am taking too much of your time. I hope what I have shared has at least brought out some form of reflection and thinking - even if a little. My dear readers, surely this is nothing to laugh or joke about. We have a choice between the Fire and the Garden.

“(He hath made it) Straight (and Clear) in order that He may warn (the godless) of a terrible Punishment from Him and that He may give Glad Tidings to the believers who work righteous deeds, that they shall have a goodly Reward” Chapter 18, verse 2

Our lives here will determine that. Please do not take this lightly. I fear for you. I fear for myself. We will be taken to account for every single thing we have done. The good will be rewarded, the evil punished.

“Say: I would, if I disobeyed my Lord, indeed have fear of the penalty of a Mighty Day” Chapter 6, verse 15

There is no justice in this life. Robbers still get away, murderers still get away, rapists still get away. The evildoers do not get punished. They can bribe the police, they can bribe the judge. God is Ever-Watching. They will be judged in His Court and punished accordingly. On the Day of Judgement, there is no getting away ...

“And fear the Day when ye shall be brought back to God. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly” Chapter 2, verse 281

Again, please ... do not take this lightly ...

The Reminder

What do you have to lose if you believe in God ... ... when you will lose eveything if you don't believe in Him ... ?

“As to those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds pleasing in their eyes, and so they wander about in distraction. Such are they for whom a grievous Penalty is (waiting)and in the Hereafter theirs will be the greatest loss” Chapter 27, verses 4 - 5

And such is my experience in reading the Book of God ... I wept more than I smiled. I feared more than I hoped. To my Muslim brethren, do you feel proud to be Muslim? Shun that pride! For we do not know what will be our end! Be grateful instead. Do you feel secure that God will not take away the blessing of Islam from us because of our ingratitude? O God! O Lord of the Worlds! I do not deserve Your Garden... Nor am I able to take the heat of the Blazing Fire... Therefore forgive me and accept my repentance... For You are truly the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful... O Lord, who else is there that I can turn to but You... If You do not forgive me, I shall certainly be among the losers... Grant me the best of death and take my soul as a Muslim... *weeps*

“Here is a message for mankind: Let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He is One God. Let men of understanding take heed” Chapter 14, verse 52

“Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him” Chapter 2, verse 46

The Reminder

Before I end, let me just state that this Mighty Book is not just meant to be read. It is more appropriate to recite it. In fact, the word 'Quran' literally means: “the recitation”. God Himself knows that sounds have a tremendous effect on the heart, therefore He chose His Book to be recited. Here is a video I pieced together (putting in the translation), of the recitation of the first chapter of the Quran, aptly named “The Opening”. May God open our hearts. It lasts less than a minute. So please, do listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr3-9_yke_o You can find the video attached to the email too. Last but not least, please spread this Message. It is truly a Message for all mankind. With that, I thank you for reading.

I too am waiting,

Faruq Bin Muhammad Akbar Monday, 10 November 2008 1710hrs

“Say: Each one (of us) is waiting: wait ye, therefore, and soon shall ye know who it is that is on the straight and even way and who it is that has received Guidance” Chapter 20, verse 135