Seeking forgiveness from God is presented as essential for salvation, with Quranic verses on repentance, reform, the ego, and how even idol worship is forgiven when one stops and repents. The Submitter youth of Orange County address peer pressure, drawing on Noah and Joseph and giving practical ways to resist. A note announces plans for the 20th annual United Submitters conference.
God tells us in Quran that He has chosen Mercy
as His attribute (6:12), though we know that all the best names and attributes
belong to Him (17:110). This Most Merciful quality of His is what has
allowed us to be here in the first place with a final chance to redeem
ourselves (2:30, 16:61, 67:2). His being Merciful means that He always
wants to forgive us if we respond appropriately (4:147), because unless
God forgives us for our original sin and the things we do wrong here,
we cannot be redeemed (14:10, 20:82).
Closely linked to the main theme of the Quran, which is to worship God
alone, God continuously emphasizes
the idea of forgiveness (39:9, 47:19). Not
only must we implore Him to forgive our original sin (43:5), we must also
ask forgiveness for our mistakes on Earth and rectify (reform) all actions
in our lives to do things that please Him (2:160, 46:15). If we do not
do this, God will not convert our sins into credits and we will be losers
in the Hereafter.
Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous
life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Those who repent and lead a righteous life, GOD redeems them; a complete
redemption (25:70-71)
Being human, with fully loaded egos and a
misleading Jinn sitting on our backs (7:17, 45:23), we are always prone
to doing things wrong that earn us sins. This can range from poor individual
submission to actions that adversely affect other people’s interests
too. Often we may not even realize our mistakes, and our opinion of what
we think is best may not necessarily be the best thing for the society
or us (5:44, 6:114-115). Fortunately, as always, God has given us a readymade
solution for everything, including how we can achieve that essential forgiveness
from Him (6:155, 10:57).
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Peer Pressure
and the Submitter Youth
Peer pressure isn’t a recent phenomenon that belongs only
to our generation. Peer pressure is as old as the creation of human
beings. Just the term “peer pressure” has been publicized
lately.
As young Submitters (Muslims, in Arabic), we experience peer pressure
when our moral values clash with the actions, practices or behavior
of other youth who live around us, whether we’re at school
or in a neighborhood. Therefore, peer pressure usually comes from
non-Submitters (non-Muslims), or from youth who call themselves
Muslims but don’t practice any moral values encouraged by
the Quran.
To understand why there’s a clash between our values as young
Submitters and others’ values, we have to realize that our
values come from God in His book, the Quran, which represents the
highest moral values of our life. The others’ moral values
are derived from other people who have indulged in immoral lifestyles
derived from a desire to achieve quick pleasure or impress people.
This fame and popularity doesn’t last. These people have usually
lost their faith or the trust or understanding of their faith, and
they desire temporary world pleasure that has been proven dangerous,
sick and demoralizing.
While peer pressure, even in a small circle of friends, happens
because the majority agrees on doing something that contradicts
the moral value of the minority, it is exactly what the Quran describes.
God reminds us that the majority of
the people in this life will not be believers and accordingly would
not and cannot follow the great moral values presented in the scripture.
12:103 Most people, no matter what you do, will
not believe.
The Quran even tells us about peer pressure and gives detailed
stories of some of the prophets and early believers who suffered
from such pressure. But they persevered and held tight to their
belief and they ended up being the winners. That peer pressure included
ridicule and making fun of the believers for their righteous behavior
and choices.
83:29 The wicked used to laugh at those who believed.
When they passed by them, they used to poke fun. When they got together
with their people, they used to joke.
83:34-35 Today, those who believed are laughing
at the disbelievers. On luxurious furnishings they watch.
The Quran even explains the reason why some people fall for peer
pressure and desert their righteous behavior:
29:25 He said, “You worship beside GOD powerless
idols due to peer pressure, just to preserve some friendship among
you in this worldly life. But then, on the Day of Resurrection,
you will disown one another, and curse one another. Your destiny
is Hell, wherein you cannot help one another.”
Of the many prophets mentioned in the Quran, the story of Noah
is a clear example of peer pressure. The people of Noah refused
to believe in God, made fun of Noah and ridiculed him and the few
believers who believed with him. Their ridicule got even worse when
Noah started building the ark in the middle
of nowhere as God ordered him to get
ready for the great flood.
11:38 While he was building the ark, whenever some
of his people passed by him they laughed at him. He said, “You
may be laughing at us, but we are laughing at you, just as you are
laughing.
God, however, assures us again and again that the believers will
be the last ones to laugh.
2:212 This worldly life is adorned in the eyes
of the disbelievers, and they ridicule those who believe. However,
the righteous will be far above them on the Day of Resurrection.
GOD blesses whomever He wills, without limits.
More than once, the pressure to do drugs, smoke, or drink befalls
the average teenager, especially Submitters (Muslims). The pressure
to fit in and be “cool” always competes with our desire
to be righteous. If we are strong, and persevere in the cause of
God, we will pull through with the right decision, God willing.
Even though you might lose a friend, you will feel the reward once
you just say “no.”
Some of the things we encounter everyday and are pressured about
are:
Smoking
Drugs
Sex
Drinking
Making fun of others
Fitting in
Having intense relationships
Shoplifting
Swearing
Disobeying the dress code to look like everyone else
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Peer Pressure
Ditching school
Not being “smart”
Lying
To be someone else
Being “popular” at the expense of losing righteousness
Cheating
Being rude/disobedient to parents
Peer pressuring others
2:219 They ask you about intoxicants and gambling:
say, “In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for
the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit.”
They also ask you what to give to charity: say, “The excess.”
GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you that you may reflect.
As righteous, young Submitters, God expects us to follow the highest
moral values given throughout the Quran and feel proud of our values,
our faith and our strength in the face of any peer pressure or any
blame.
5:54 O you who believe, if you revert from your
religion, then GOD will substitute in your place people whom He
loves and who love Him. They will be kind with the believers, stern
with the disbelievers, and will strive in the cause of GOD without
fear of any blame. Such is GOD’s blessing; He bestows it upon
whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous, Omniscient.
Most of those who fall for peer pressure are insecure youth who
lack self confidence, who are ignorant about their religion, and
have such a weak faith that the great
values given in the scripture are never
on their minds.
On the contrary, a true young Submitter is armed with knowledge
and understanding of his/her religion, is self confident, and stands
tall and proud of being on God’s side. A good self-confident
Submitter will be the strength and focus of their circle of friends.
These friends will admire and try to move up to the Submitter’s
level of moral excellency.
The Submitter will not try to lower him or herself down to match
the moral values of the circle of friends. That is what we can call
an admirable reverse of peer pressure.
Managing peer pressure
(1) Move away from certain circles of friends. Befriending the
right people is an essential means for staying on the straight path
and avoiding unnecessary peer pressure. In choosing our friends
we should be looking for friends who believe in God and His scriptures.
Living in a society where Submitters are a minority is a challenge
by itself that is fully rewarded by God. In such a society, finding
a righteous friend may not be easy at the beginning but insisting
on them and looking for them is a sign to God that you are sincere
in your search and He will direct you in the right path.
(2) Don’t ever feel that you are missing out or living a
boring life just because you don’t give in to peer pressure.
Accepting the bad behavior prohibited in the Quran will end in more
misery than the temporary pleasure that it starts with in the beginning.
(3) Study the Quran. Learn what behavior is pleasing to God, and
what kind of lifestyle is discouraged in Submission.
(4) Whenever peer pressure befalls us,
remembering God is the best thing we can do. When God is with us,
we can resist anything, as Joseph did when the lady of the house
seduced him.
12:23 The lady of the house where he lived tried
to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, “I am all yours.”
He said, “May GOD protect me. He is my Lord, who gave me a
good home. The transgressors never succeed.”
(5) You should be armed with knowledge about your religion, Submission
(Islam in Arabic). Have knowledge about the risk of unrighteous
behavior that is encouraged by people around you. Such knowledge
will help you to resist the temptation of peer pressure and know
how to stand for the righteous behavior.
As a young person holding to your faith and all the beautiful moral
values you should be assured that God will be your supporter and
help you as He did for Joseph.
3:150 GOD alone is your Lord and Master, and He
is the best supporter.
As a Submitter youth, you are so lucky, because not only do you
have parents who care, but God our Lord and Master is your supporter
and helper to get over these difficulties. You are lucky because
you have the Quran, a book that gives you the right answer and draws
for you the righteous map to avoid all the misachievements caused
by peer pressure during the difficult times. You should be happy
and rejoice in having God, the Quran, your parents and your good
friends, all on your side.
The Submitter youth of Orange County, California
Page 4
Seeking Forgiveness
His great Quran points out several areas where we do wrong and how we
can make up (pay) for it equitably, repent, reform, and most of all, be
forgiven. Believers are encouraged to study the vast situations God has
addressed in this regard. [See also Appendix 37 of Dr. Rashad Khalifa’s
Authorized English Version.]
When you examine His system for achieving forgiveness, you cannot help
but appreciate how oft forgiving and merciful God is towards the people
(3:135, 42:30, 42:34, 53:32). For example, if we do things wrong out of
ignorance then repent immediately thereafter and reform, that is the end
of the matter (4:17). In situations where God wants a defaulter to undergo
a corrective measure, the ‘make good’ fine or punishment is
equitable to all, and at times even provides options (such as fasting
if someone cannot afford to feed) to help the person fulfill the requirement
(5:89, 5:95). As for idol worship, the worst of all sins—far worse
than murder, intoxicants, homosexuality etc.—a
person needs to pay nothing to be forgiven. All he or she has to do is
stop doing it, repent and lead a righteous life (reform). In our present
social system, imagine being let go so easily for even a minor offence;
leave alone a horrendous one like idol worship!
As for those who repent, reform, and proclaim, I redeem them. I am the
Redeemer, Most Merciful (2:160). Anyone who commits evil, or wrongs his
soul, then implores GOD for forgiveness, will find GOD Forgiving, Most
Merciful (4:110).
In effect, the provision to make up for wrong actions, seek forgiveness,
repent and reform is an awesome blessing from God that we must take advantage
of at every opportunity.
The thing to watch out for is the ego. It is the ego that got us here
and it is the ego that prevents people from acknowledging their wrong
and imploring God for forgiveness (2:54, 45:23). In addition to seeking
forgiveness from God often (2:286, 51:81, 9:112), we must also learn to
be more tolerant and forgiving towards one another (7:199, 16:126, 24:22,
42:43) and never take God’s grace, blessings