Let us consider, a thief who disregards the “right to ownership” of the owner of a house and enters it, without his permission; obviously, the thief will not be respected and he shall even be punished for transgressing the limits. Now, let us consider a well-mannered person who is invited to a house and he enters the house politely at the specified time and even dressed suitably for the occasion; surely, he shall be kindly greeted, respected and honored.

Both persons in our example, did the same thing; they both entered a house. In another words, the result of two actions, was the same; the result was entering a house. But one person respected the rights and feelings of the owner and therefore, he was respected and accepted; while the other person, totally disregarded the rights and feelings of the owner and therefore, he was not only not accepted but also punished.

Our beloved first Imam, the Amir-Ol-Mo’menin (PBUH), in an everlasting celestial supplication in the Masjid of Kufah -where he, the light of Allah, was later martyred by that blind hearted Shaqi (vicious,…)- addressed Allah in this manner:

… O’ my Mawla, my Lord! You are the Lord and Owner, and I am the owned (by You); who bestows Mercy upon he who is owned, but the Owner and Lord?... .

(Mafaatih-Ol-Jenaan,…)

While we feel that we and our lives belong to us, but we should never forget that firstly, we belong to God, our Creator; Allah has bestowed the gift of life upon us and He can take it away, if and when He wishes. Allah is the most Compassionate and the most Merciful; He has given us life and many more blessings, so that we -using Allah’s gifts- may grow, approach our perfection and achieve everlasting bliss and Salvation. The freedom of choice which has been granted to us, is not so that we may do anything we wish, rather it is so that -through Divine tests- the obedient ones and the disobedient may be separated from one another. Yes, we are free to choose and as a mature person, we are able to do anything we decide; but we have to remember that the consequences of our choices will also be ours.

When two adults are attracted to each other and decide to have an intimate relationship, they can either have a relationship without marriage or with marriage. In both cases, the result is the same; in another words, the result is, having an intimate relationship. But the difference is, respecting or not respecting the Rights of our Lord. By reciting the special commanded sentences, we actually enter a beautiful and joyful relationship with God’s permission and blessing. Just like the two people in our first example, we may either transgress the limits and therefore, be disrespected and punished by Allah, or we may observe the limits and therefore, be respected and blessed by God. God is the most loving and forgiving; why should we not respect His wishes and limits which are actually for our own benefits?!

The attraction between men and women is quite normal, and a blessed relationship, very peaceful. As Qur’an in Surah Roome, verse 21, indicates, God has bestowed mercy and love between men and women. The choice is ours; to obey God and His chosen-ones or not to obey!

In another example, we can pray any time we want and in any manner we wish; in fact, Allah knows our wishes even before our wishes are entered into our hearts. But when we –in addition to our regular talks with Allah- freely choose to stand before Allah at the times and with the conditions He has specified through His chosen-ones, for our daily obligatory prayers, we are actually responding to His special invitation and we are establishing a true relationship with Him. When we perform our obligatory prayers (Salaat) on time, the doors of heavens are opened and blessings are poured all over the guests of God; prayers go up and Angels come down. If we freely say yes to our Lord’s invitations, then we shall be respected, honored, accepted and blessed. The key for all celestial blessings is Obedience. Remember, Qur’an only commands us to perform the Salaat, it is Mohammad and his progeny (PBUT) who have taught us the details of different Salaats. Qur’an with Mohammad and his progeny, at its side, is the heavenly instruction for everlasting Salvation.

The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP) specified the Halaall (the lawful) and the Haraam (the unlawful) of God during the 23 years of his Prophethood and in his last public Sermon -The Sermon of Ghadir- he firmly confirmed the inseparability of Qur’an and the Ahl-Ol-Bait,as the holders of the Knowledge, asked humankind to pledge their loyalty and allegiance and also reminded human that the Halaal and Haraam, would be Halaal and Haraam until Qiamat (the Judgement Day).

O’ Mahdi! You are the living manifestation of Qur’an today; unfortunately for human, humankind has not yet realized how precious you are; Only if humankind honestly, observes all the confusions and hardships caused from human’s separation from Allah, then humankind will sincerely and humbly, beg and implore God to hasten your Appearance… .

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