God doesn't have an Agent
A little sunshine this morning, in the way of a quote from the Quran: "I am indeed near (to them by My knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor)" (Al-Baqarah 2:186).
Most important about this quote are two things: (1) In Islam, there is no intermediary between you and Allah (e.g. no priest, no church, no confession booth); and, (2) Forgiveness belongs to only one: God*.
One of Allah's many names is 'As-Sitteer'. This means the One Who covers / conceals (the faults of humankind). Interesting because the name itself is a nod to human nature on two levels: (1) That humankind will fault (don't ever take that for granted); and, (2) Society's incapacity to forgive, preferring instead to wallow in a lascivious need for the pain and faults of others (think: Let him without sin cast the first stone & reality television**).
It doesn't matter if the church won't forgive you, it doesn't even matter if society won't forgive you. It matters that you have acknowledged your action and then sought forgiveness. Allah will forgive.
*Recall: This does not pertain to planning and executing actions meant to harm others. Allah relinquishes His ability to forgive you if you wrong another; instead, the act of forgiveness is granted the person who suffered the wrong. e.g. A woman is raped by a man. The man repents and seeks forgiveness. If the woman does not forgive the man, then Allah will not override this and grant forgiveness. There's always elements of justice in these issues...
**Reality television -- & all who partake -- give me hives.
Most important about this quote are two things: (1) In Islam, there is no intermediary between you and Allah (e.g. no priest, no church, no confession booth); and, (2) Forgiveness belongs to only one: God*.
One of Allah's many names is 'As-Sitteer'. This means the One Who covers / conceals (the faults of humankind). Interesting because the name itself is a nod to human nature on two levels: (1) That humankind will fault (don't ever take that for granted); and, (2) Society's incapacity to forgive, preferring instead to wallow in a lascivious need for the pain and faults of others (think: Let him without sin cast the first stone & reality television**).
It doesn't matter if the church won't forgive you, it doesn't even matter if society won't forgive you. It matters that you have acknowledged your action and then sought forgiveness. Allah will forgive.
*Recall: This does not pertain to planning and executing actions meant to harm others. Allah relinquishes His ability to forgive you if you wrong another; instead, the act of forgiveness is granted the person who suffered the wrong. e.g. A woman is raped by a man. The man repents and seeks forgiveness. If the woman does not forgive the man, then Allah will not override this and grant forgiveness. There's always elements of justice in these issues...
**Reality television -- & all who partake -- give me hives.
Labels: Faith
posted by just a girl at 6:54 AM
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