Many sincere people today say they believe in God but refuse to follow any organized religion. While the desire for authenticity is admirable, Islam teaches that believing in God without following His prescribed guidance is like having a test but refusing to study the textbook the teacher provided. God, in His infinite wisdom, sent prophets and messengers specifically to teach us the difference between right and wrong.
Why We Need Divine Guidance
Without revelation from the Creator, right and wrong become matters of personal opinion. Some might justify harmful behaviors simply because they are not as bad as what others do. But Allah, who created us and knows what is best for us, sent down a complete way of life through His final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and preserved it in the Quran. Just as a student must study the assigned material to pass an exam, we must follow the guidance Allah has given us to succeed in the ultimate test of this life.
“If you are looking for good, the owner of all good is Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. If you are looking for respect, the owner of all respect is Allah. We have to return to Allah to get some type of happiness and to get our life in order.” — Napoleon (former rapper turned Muslim)
Take the First Step Toward the Truth
- Get an English translation of the Quran and read it with an open heart
- Visit a local mosque or Islamic center and learn about the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
- Ask the Creator of the heavens and the earth sincerely to guide you to the straight path
- Use the common sense God gave you — just as you could distinguish a Shakespeare essay from an amateur imitation, you can find the truth if you put in the effort
“It is like your boss telling you: do A, B, and C, and you will get paid. Do not do your job, and you are fired. But when the Creator says ‘fired,’ He means the Fire. May Allah protect us from that.”
We are not here to judge anyone — we are here to help people find the truth before the Day of Judgment arrives. Every soul will be held accountable, and the clock is ticking. Be sincere with yourself, do a little of the legwork, and you will find that Islam is the natural way of life prescribed by your Creator for your success in this world and the next.
