Religion: True Worship

"Man claims to worship God, but worship does not consist of a lot of prostrations and bowing and standing, or rotating the beads of a rosary countless times. Worship means to be so drawn to God, out of love for Him, that one’s ego should disappear altogether. First, there should be firm faith in the existence of God and a full appreciation of His Beauty and Beneficence. Then there should be such love of God that the heart should ever feel its flame and this condition should be manifest all the time from one’s countenance. God’s greatness should so inspire the heart that the whole world should appear dead in comparison. His being should be the source of all fear. Pain endured for Him should be all joy, His company should be a source of delight, and the heart should find no comfort with anyone other than Him. To reach such a condition is termed ‘worship’..."

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, The Promised Messiah, Essence of Islam Vol: 4 pg.175

“The movement which is the existence of the universe is the movement of love.”

Ibn 'Arabi, Fusûs al-Hikam
[One of Islam's greatest Saints]

 

 “Love for all, hatred for none”

  

Mirza Nasir Ahmad, 3rd Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Religion: What is Heaven and Hell?

"The similitude of the Heaven promised to the God-fearing is, that through it flow streams: its fruit is everlasting, and so is its shade. That is the reward of those who are righteous; and the reward of the disbelievers is Fire." [Holy Qur'an 13:36]

From this verse it is clear that the Qur'anic view of Heaven and Hell is presented in similitudes and metaphors. The following verse again reminds us that such descriptions are to be understood metaphorically:

"And no soul knows what joy of the eyes is kept hidden for them, as a reward for their good works."

[Holy Qur'an 32:18]

The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) has explained the true nature of Heaven and Hell. He writes:

"What is the object of religion? It is that having the certainty of faith in the existence and perfect attributes of God Almighty, man should attain release from the passions of self and should develop personal love for God. That is the Paradise which will be manifested in diverse ways in the hereafter. To remain unaware of the True God and to keep away from Him and not to have true love for Him is the Hell which will be manifested in diverse ways in the hereafter." [Essence of Islam Vol II by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, p. 427]

In the book he further explains that Heaven and Hell is not a physical but an internal phenomenon occurring within the mind or soul, but it will be sensed by the mind as if physical. This kind of perception is common in dreams.

As I explained in the previous post, love of God in inherent within the mind. Therefore not having love for God is in direct conflict with the mind. Lack of love and not being loved creates Hell within the mind. However, following one's nature and expressing personal love towards our Creator is what creates the Heaven within ourselves. 

Spirituality: Golden Ticket to Heaven

What a great and revolutionary message is given by the Promised Messiah (peace be on him). It is refreshingly so different from the dry, literalists who in their ignorance dare to comment on the sublimest of human thought , that is, spirituality. He writes:

“The whole basis of salvation is the personal love of God Almighty, which is the name of the love generated by God Almighty in the very nature of the human soul.” 
[Extract from Essence of Islam Vol. II by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, p. 389]

He says that God has a ‘maternal bond’ with  His creation, the human consciousness and each person has a built-in love and urge towards its Creator and Lord. By understanding this it becomes easy to visualise how the disciples of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and the earlier Prophets (peace be on them all) were so ardent in their sacrifices in the cause of God. The Prophets brought people in touch with this natural love in a person for his or her Lord. Islam and any other Divine religion was not presented to the disciples just as a set of laws to follow as the basis for getting to Heaven.