The right mental model is the first part of the right way of life because whatever flows from our minds becomes our actions.
Belief moves mountains. No one has done anything extraordinary without the absolute belief he can achieve it.
God teaches that the right way to live is mainly based in the belief in God. What does that mean?
1. Belief in the existence of God and the afterlife
Everything sprouts and emanates from God, God is truly the essence of life, the meaning of life, the reason for everything.
Without the belief in God, everything is meaningless. If the universe existed by itself (a deductive logical impossibility), everything is simply a clash of atoms and there’s no meaning in life.
The belief in God alone makes life meaningful – and worth living.
2. Faith in God
Belief in the existence of God is different from having faith in God. Faith is more than just mere belief.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ٦٢
Indeed, the believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabians —whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good will have their reward with their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.
Quran, Al -Baqarah, 2: 62
The arabic word Imaan comes from the root word aamana which means calmness. From the same root also comes the word amanah which means trust.
Ultimately al-imaanu biLlah (belief in God) means not only belief in the existence in God, but more importantly, to trust God, have faith in Him, that He will protect and nourish you as would a master for his servant and a parent for his children.
3. Chasing the Face of God – The Ultimate Beauty of Life
Think about this: God is the Most Majestic in His Beauty. Think of anything grandiose: a luxury car, a mansion, a king vested in golden clothes. God is something infinitely more grandiose than what you imagined. God is the ultimate power, beauty and greatness.
In fact, it is truly only God is the true power. He gives power and He takes power. He is the one to be worshipped, loved and respected.
This makes one in love with God and desire to seek the face of God – which essentially means tasting the beauty of love, strength, power, wisdom, truth.
Now think of what must be done to get the approval of this Most High Being? It is only by appreciating the names of God, and desire to emulate those names to the best of human capability.
And doing so means to face our fears and be the best version of ourselves.
4. Facing Our Fears, Doing The Impossible And Staying True To Our Principles
Let me tell you something: most people never felt the beauty of life and truth.
I remember a time when I had low self confidence in my abilities (we all had). Fear is something that is most of the time a dark force, a force of anti-God. It is used by satan (evil people) to control the masses and keep them away from God.
It is through the fear of death that Adam and Eve ate the fruit in paradise. We also see it today – it is through fear where governments convinced the people that they are powerless and they have to blindly follow authority.
Fear is a completely human emotion. However, it should make us seek the protection and help of God more, not give up on God. For example, I remember reading a comment where someone allowed herself to be injected by the covid vaccine although she didn’t want to, but due to fears of losing her job, she surrendered herself to the government instead of trusting God that God provides rizq (wealth).
When I overcame my low self confidence, I felt a feeling that is never felt before. A life based on truth, divine principles, power and love. It was the opposite of fear and powerelessness. I believe that it was at this moment where I felt the divine self. We all have it.
فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ
Quran, Al-Hijr, 15:29
So when I have fashioned him and blew into him My Spirit, fall down in prostration to him.”
God blew his Spirit into us – our divine selves. We all have this sort of divine potential within us that if developed makes us the best of God’s creation.
The key here is that to act in accordance that is truthful to your values, principles, beliefs, and ultimately being true to GOD, despite in the heat of extreme fear, and not to succumb to it as how satan wants it. There is no such thing as tawakkal when you surrender to iblis.
5. Desire to ascend above worldly comforts and desire to be the best one can be
Related to seeking the face of God, where one sees the meaning and beauty of Reality (God), he would desire to be the best he can be. This translates into superior ethics and etiquettes, and competing (not just doing) towards goodness.
Belief in God and the hereafter does not only mean belief in its existence but also trust and faith in God- that the names of God (attributes of God) are the best ideal we should all chase after like The Loving, The Knowing, The Mighty.
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