idolized lies

Are we idolizing the things we value most in life? For instance, are we idolizing excessive ambition for wealth, our reluctance to help those in need, or our fear of making ends meet, thus diverting us from remembering the Almighty Creator? Do we elevate ourselves, or perhaps overly prioritize a significant other, a beloved song of a favorite artist, or our unwavering attachment to a politician, a football team, or a leader we deem beneficial for society, or even our own race?

Let's take it a step further; could it be that we are idolizing our beloved children, those whom we cherish dearly? We could provide countless examples. Let's examine what we excessively prioritize... Our doubts, our fears...

There is a saying by Hz. Ali: 'Love the one you love moderately, for one day they may become the one you hate. Conversely, detest the one you hate moderately, for one day they may become the one you love.' It's all about balance...

Have we failed to find our balance? Or have we truly lost it? Was this our purpose of creation?

Before we were born, we were alone; after birth, we encountered people in this world, our character formed, our tastes, our personalities, our loves, our dislikes emerged, and ultimately, we'll be alone again. So, which of our idols will accompany us? If our idols won't accompany us, why do we prioritize them so passionately and seek happiness in them?

Are we, through the trickery of Satan, directing our innate need for worship towards worthless things?

Of course, if we can't find the truth, we become prisoners of doubts and falsehoods. Falsehoods lead us astray from our goals and take us to the wrong places.

Let's look at life with impartiality. If you're rich and lose your wealth, you'll see how your so-called friends disappear from your surroundings. If you grow old and haven't instilled in your children the Islamic duty of respecting parents, you'll witness how those children leave you alone. If you're known for your beauty and suddenly lose it, you'll observe how those who you thought valued you distance themselves. If you're sick or in a bad condition, you'll understand how people look at you with pity or sometimes disgust. Don't we see these things in society?

Why don't we think about our tomorrow a little bit? We humans, as mentioned in the Quran, 'never reflect.' Being intelligent is one thing, but reflecting is something different.

Despite our disobedience, our wrongdoing, and our failure to fulfill what is commanded, our Lord still grants us the opportunity to live, protects us, and provides for us. Why then do we hold onto our idols so fiercely instead of relinquishing them and believing solely in our Lord?

Here's a bouquet of assurances for you: If you treat your parents as commanded in the Quran, your children will treat you well. If you spend your youth obeying Allah's commands, your children will take care of you in your old age, just as the Almighty Allah will. Many more examples could be given. And the hereafter... the recompense of good is surely nothing but good.

'Is the reward for good [anything] but good?' (Ar-Rahman, 55-60)

The fundamental principle of Islam is based on 'La ilaha illallah.' Here, 'La' means 'there is no,' 'ilaha' means 'god,' referring to other objects of worship, and 'illaAllah' means 'except Allah.' It signifies that there is no deity but Allah. Another important implication is that none of the objects we idolize exists; we reject them and believe only in Allah.

Let's conclude our discussion with a verse:

'Indeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians and the Magians and those who associated with Allah - Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed Allah is, over all things, Witness. (22) Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allah humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allah does what He wills. (23)' (Al-Hajj, 22-23)