The
proper attitude toward God:
A key to success
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Column
The
word "attitude" generally means: "a mental position
with regard to a fact or state; a feeling or emotion toward a fact or
state; state of mind."
There are words similar to or synonymous with
"attitude" such as: "mood, idea about, viewpoint, point
of view, standpoint, outlook, perspective, demeanor, condition of
mind, habitual mode of regarding something, disposition of mind, state
of feeling, mindset, manner of thinking, way of looking at things,
proclivity, bent, inclination, propensity, temper, temperament,
sensibility, disposition, mental state, view, approach, stance, stand,
frame of mind."
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has made it
clear, time and again, that our attitude�in all circumstances�is a
major factor in energizing us to do what we must do to properly relate
to self, kind and others, in order to realize our potential.
Moreover, Minister Farrakhan has set an inspiring
example of the principles involved in self-development and proper
attitude. The lessons he has taught on this subject will prove more
valuable than ever in the upcoming weeks and months.
Even when we do not see all that Allah has done,
and is presently doing for us, the proper attitude towards Him is an
absolute requirement for us to be benefited by His blessings; chief of
which is divine guidance to become ourselves, by becoming like Him.
Obviously, we must first be convinced that Allah exists. If we doubt
this most fundamental of all facts or truths, we will doubt that He
hears our prayers.
Again, do we know enough about Allah�s nature,
character and power to be convinced that He is always true to His own
nature? Do we have confidence in the integrity of God? Our attitude
towards Allah, profoundly influences not only our attitude towards
everyone but also our power to act on His word, especially when we are
not in trouble, which is seldom, in this evil world.
Hebrews 11:6 reads, "But without faith it is
impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God must believe that
He is. And that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
Him."
If we don�t have confidence in His integrity, we
cannot achieve oneness with Him. We won�t be able "to please
Him," nor will we "diligently seek Him." Then we�ll
become remote from Him. Remoteness from God is the nature of hell.
Our view of the reality of the nature, the
character, aims and purposes of the true God, determines how clear we
see that which comes from Him. That which comes from Him includes His
instructions and all those means He has granted us, to improve us,
which often includes persons who taught and teach aspects of His will
to us.
Minister Farrakhan is from the Supreme Ruler of the
universe and from the Christ of the scriptures.
Now, even when certain knowledge and events that
come from God are not immediately understandable to us, the question
still is: Do we trust Him?
One thing is clear, we will quickly become like a
wishbone in a turkey if we continue straddling the fence, pretending
to serve both God and His enemies. This cannot be done without
suffering that which wishbones in turkeys must suffer, sooner or
later.
Certainly, justice is the basis of the coming of
God. We are fortunate to be living now when this world is going out
and the one God promised is being grown right here in the United
States of America.
Many of us are under the misconception that even
after learning God�s truths, we should not experience injustices.
That�s being immature. It is unnatural to think justice was to be
set up instantly. In fact, God factored injustices into His plans to
grow us.
Now when we are deprived of justice (in whole or in
part, by one or ones, who are evil, or both good and evil, or
seemingly all good), and regardless of the quality of the
understanding and the intentions of the one or ones who treated us
unjustly, and regardless to our own faults in the matter, and
even in those few instances in which we are totally without fault, the
most vital factor is this: Allah�s hands are always over the
entire matter.
Muslims are always convinced that Allah�s
hands are always over all hands. Muslims are always
convinced that Allah is always working out things in a way that
is best. Nothing escapes His attention. He is perfectly just and true.
Furthermore, He has the power to bring about the best for us.
So, Allah�s involvement in withholding what is
really our due is always for reasons that are best for us. Too often
we narrow our focus on the one or ones we see as responsible for our
pain. Too often we stop there. However, if we remain too long in the
"stop" mode, rather than in the "pause" mode, we
stunt our growth.
We should interact, with him, her or those who we
feel have hurt us�which may only be true in part. The very fact
that, for whatever combinations of reasons�good, bad or both�we
did not obtain justice, we are being told right then that we
must look beyond them to what Allah is doing for us, to have
our souls ultimately satisfied.
In that critical moment, Allah is signaling, or
revealing to us, that He has already determined that He has work for
us to do on a higher level, beyond the difficulty of the circumstances
in which we find ourselves. So as it is on Him to grant us that which
we will need to fulfill whatever is next, it is also on us to
cooperate with God. That involves the exercise of our spiritual
muscles�all of them.
Does this mean that if we had obtained justice,
when we thought it was due to us, that God had nothing more or higher
for us to do? Yes and no.
As I stated two articles ago, this is not a
complete statement of this wonderful subject. First, I don�t know it
all. Second, in either case the situation we�ve discussed tells us
we must further purify ourselves to qualify for the next stage of
Allah�s blessing on us. Meanwhile, one thing is sure, Allah does not
love the qualities of jealousy and envy.
Now, we cannot get to the next stage of our growth
if we treat those who have mistreated us in an unjust fashion. When we
do not improve our attitude, we set ourselves back. When we become
unjust while experiencing injustice we are showing ourselves to be
unworthy of what Allah would grant to us. However, to be shown this in
time is God�s blessing too.
If we look deeper, we may see that in this
difficult situation is also a God-given opportunity to render a divine
service to the other, who did us an injustice! Both can grow. Both can
please Allah with their unity after disunity. In addition, we may also
help others not involved in our pain.
The Holy Qur�an teaches us to: "Let not
hatred of a people incite us to act inequitably." Muslims do not
hate Muslims. Even in extreme cases where hatred may seem to be
justified, we are not yet justified to act by others outside the bonds
of equity.
Look at Joseph, in the scriptures. Look at Minister
Farrakhan. Look at the wise and loving way each dealt with their
brothers who mistreated them.
Look again, at the wisdom of God�s ways through
Minister Farrakhan, who, in a most intelligent manner, teaches and
warns America, especially against her wrong way of dealing with her
most critical and explosive problem. That problem, at its core,
involves the state of condition of her ex-slaves and God�s own plans
with them, which He will not relinquish.
The United States of America has committed the
worst crime ever committed by any people or nation against others. She
has not yet even taken the first right step to repair the damage she
has done to her ex-slaves.
Thomas Jefferson once stated, "I tremble for
my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot
sleep forever� ."
What Mr. Jefferson expected would one day occur is
now taking place.
In the light of Mr. Jefferson�s words, what are
the deepest sentiments�on this most explosive issue America faces�of
those who wish for the vote of the ex-slave this coming November? What
do they think is real justice for the ex-slaves of this country; for
the Brown people; for the Red people; for the Yellow people, for
others, including the White people, who, in effect, have been
disenfranchised in America?
How do these questions relate to President Clinton�s
inquiry, through a trusted aide at the United States Department of
Justice, back in 1991, into the reality of UFO�s?
it is not always easy to document, or provide the
full context of each statement, or to adequately footnote every
assertion I�ve made respecting the mission, message and work of
Minister Farrakhan, within the limits of a short article.
So beginning with this article I�m referring the
interested reader look to www.noi.org/study/traveler
for such details. In this instance you can learn of the source for and
context of President Clinton�s requests in 1991 about the truth of
the UFOs.
More next issue, Allah willing. |