Less Reward for the Sedentary; What about 'Bringing the Mountain to Muhammad'?
@mythociate (21432)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
December 8, 2012 8:30am CST
The Quran (4.95) basically says 'if you work (too) hard, you're better than those who work efficiently' ("Those of the believers who sit still, other than those who have a (disabling) hurt, are not on an equality with those who strive in the way of Allah ... Unto each Allah hath promised good, but He hath bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary;")
I'm kinda confused: Is this to say that Allah would rather we make people move their own mountains rather than pray to him to move them for us? I guess Christianity largely takes the philosophy that 'G*d will do ALL THE WORK if you just sit there and pray for it.'
I try to remind Christians that 'the Father didn't help the Prodigal Son until he was 80-90% of the way back to his Father's house!' but they still somehow believe that G*d is the Helpful St@lker just waiting for us to put in a work-order!
What do you think?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
8 Dec 12
Actually, christians were the first to introduce the "work ethic". The catholic church kept its followers basically enslaved as serfs...No matter how hard one worked there was no avenue open to improve ones lot. Everything a serf did was for the church and every dime was tithed. The christians that broke away from the catholics opened the door to bettering oneself through hard work...They still tithed, but they were not "owned" by the church.
The Jews have always had an impressive "work ethic". They too tithe, but they work for themselves and their community too. There is also the idea that the Creator does not micromanage and you have to do for yourself in this world...The Creator is there for the "big" things...
1 person likes this
@Naseem00 (1996)
• Pakistan
9 Dec 12
The Quran (4.95) does not say what you have mentioned. Perhaps it is an error in translation that you are using. I have quoted verses 4:95-96 below and I think they are very much self explanatory. Please let me know if you are still confused
Sahih International
95: Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward -
96: Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
http://quran.com/4
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Dec 12
hi mytho I am the firm beloiever that God help;s those who first help themselves as just sitting here with hand folded waintin does nmot do zip b ut if you plan ohn hiow to do something and start doing it somehow He will step into help us. but sitting there hands folded gets you nowhere,zip denadas,zilch.
@koolzzZ (8)
•
9 Dec 12
Hi, mytho. I'm a Muslim, I would like to share to you all about this Ayah meaning. This Ayah, An-Nisaa Ayah 95 told you about Jihad or Strive in the Allah way. The mountains is considered as your Fate. Remember fate is determined by God just for a while, human kind is required to change their own destiny to a better life. There is Another Ayah that should told you about the Fate. How, we Change that "Mountains"? Working hard, and pray! So, it more good when we can do something to change our own destiny than we just pray and hoping the better from God without doing something. That for the Life On the Earth. And If we're working hard to a better life in the way of Allah, Believe that Allah Still have A more Great Retaliation for us who Walk On Its way in the Hereafter.
