What Else Equals God

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ وَٱلنُّورَ ۖ ثُمَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ ١

“All praise is for Allah Who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light. Yet the disbelievers set up equals to their Lord ˹in worship˺.” — Qur’an 6:1

People often create “equals” with God. Nowadays these aren’t often statues that people pray to or other deities, but equals that people find in their lives.

Muslims might not knowingly do this or admit, but people’s actions show where their heart lies.

If someone says they believe in God but then take no action on that — do they really believe?

If someone knew a hurricane was coming, or that food was going out of stock or that petrol was going to sell out — would they take action to prepare?

Someone may acknowledge the truth in Islam but may delay in making it a priority in their life, instead focusing on gaining money, or enjoying themselves before worshipping God.

قَدْ خَسِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِلِقَآءِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةًۭ قَالُوا۟ يَـٰحَسْرَتَنَا عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِيهَا وَهُمْ يَحْمِلُونَ أَوْزَارَهُمْ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِمْ ۚ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ ٣١

“Losers indeed are those who deny the meeting with Allah until the Hour takes them by surprise, then they will cry, “Woe to us for having ignored this!” They will bear ˹the burden of˺ their sins on their backs. Evil indeed is their burden!” — Qur’an 6:31

وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَعِبٌۭ وَلَهْوٌۭ ۖ وَلَلدَّارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ ٣٢

“This worldly life is no more than play and amusement, but far better is the ˹eternal˺ Home of the Hereafter for those mindful ˹of Allah˺. Will you not then understand?” — Qur’an 6:32

How can we make sure that throughout our regular life, in our work, our family, our friendly interactions and even our fun we are turning towards God and making right intention?

How can we make sure that we’re not just doing things — but that we’re finding meaning and worshipping God in everything we do.