Trying to Love God

Hasan,

The message I am getting from your post is that there is no distress in the world that could ever make you waiver in your love for God because you cannot "afford" to.

I think that is a dangerous statement to make and it lacks modesty and humility. Clearly you seem to think that, come what may, your brain is always going to be sane enough to have the luxury of choosing to love the "Creator".

Furthermore, it is rather presumptuous of you to decide upon the history of my relationship with God. It is untrue.

Clearly you have not been trialed or tested and you are unaware of the fragile consciousness that is "man". However, I will not make the same mistake as you and presume things on your part - maybe your faith is stronger or maybe your "distresses" were not very big trials and tests.

I do not wish upon you any form of distress that makes you question the very core of your belief. That is a torment unequaled.

But I would request you to not jump to conclusions as it reflects great ignorance.

Hi Castor...

Sometimes fate throws so many trials our way that our Imaan (Faith) starts to waiver. Imaan does go up and down during our lifetime - it never stays constant... thats what the struggle in life is all about, maintaining our imaan.

Some people grow nearer to God in times of distress - others get angry & disappointed, and blame Him. However the fact remains that whatever your attitude - its not going to change reality, we are stuck with it. So we might as well be positive about. What we can change is our reactions, our attitude and outlook.

If I indulge in self-pity, listen to sad/angry songs, and surround myself with negative people who only reaffirm my own self-pity - I will never get out of the vicious cycle. On the other hand, I could pick myself up, be positive and productive, be around people who motivate you and encourage you. Sometimes our 'friends' can suck the life out of us with thier negative energy, others can help you look at the sunny side of life, or pull you through. Focus on all the things that didn't go wrong. Our blessings in life. There is a saying of Prophet Muhammad, never look at those above you (better off than you), but always look at those below you (those that are not as blessed you).

Maybe all this sounds so very cliched to you . . . but it actually does work!

Also, we should look at positive role models around us who went through trials and came out smiling. Even the Prophetic history gives examples of Prophets and Messengers who went through downright awful times - but did not damage their relationship with Allah. Prophet Ayub (r.a) suffered a disease that caused sores all over his body, Prophet Muhammad lost his wife, daughters, sons, uncle, grandfather during his lifetime, Noah not only had to suffer ridicule, his own son was his worst enemy. Moses suffered exile, Jesus was persecuted by his own people, Yusuf (Joseph) was backstabbed by his own brothers and then spent years in jail for a crime he didn't even commit!

Trials and afflictions are something that the best of the best people have gone through, they are a part of life. But we should not let that damage our relationship with God... nor blame him.

Nevermind. Thank You for listening.

i suppose its a request for help in the form of a statement. but apart from answers as to how i may be able to love God again, i would also appreciate any feedback on whether others out there may also feel they are in an estranged/ loveless relationship with God.