Why do we need to know our God?

Habibah Agianda

Sep 30, 20193 min read

Updated: May 28, 2020

"I'm feeling lonely lately."

Stop right there and embrace that loneliness right now!

Why? Because it's Allah planting the feeling of isolation, so you'd come towards Him. There's this saying:

The fact that you are seeking closeness to Allah means He wants you to remember Him.

So pause for a moment and ask ourselves, have we tried getting to know our God?

Let's say that... I've listened to many lectures on Ma'rifatullah, I've memorised 99 names of Allah, I've learned the attributes of Allah.. but are these what really matters? Are these sufficient to answer the question of Malaikat Munkar and Nakir when we're buried: "Man Robbuka?" (who is your God?)

I am afraid, I've lost my sensitivity upon the word ma'rifatullah. Yesterday, when leading a discussion session for Islamic studies I nonchalantly asked the mandatory question to the group:

"Why do you think we need to know our God?"

in other words, the urgency to learn ma'rifatullah.

The participants' answers stunned me. I didn't expect everyone to answer so.. deeply.

This question, to them, is very sentimental!

I suddenly felt ashamed of myself.

Allah reminded me, through these sisters' pure reactions.

The comprehension of this matter is reflected by our actions, not merely by the exam score of islamic studies in this topic. We often study, yet never to an extent that reaches the heart.

"This is too abstract."

To visualise the love of Allah, I'd close my eyes and picture my mother. My mom, with all her superpowers and smiles, is full of compassion. I remember her willingly give me her last bite of food despite saving it for the last. I remember her driving me to school despite being pregnant with my little sister. I remember her restless nights taking care of me during sickness. I remember her forgiving smile after our fights. I remember her soft caresses and duaas, after salah prayers.

Mother's love is undefinable and uncountable, yet Allah's love is waaay beyond.

If we knew how much Allah sets our matters, our heart will melt out of love.

Ibn al Qayyim (rahimahullah)

After we come to realise the immensity of His love, our hearts would softened. We'd then question: How?

The process of getting to know our God, is a life-time process. It is a spiritual journey we all walk in. We need to keep walking, as the everlasting life to come depends on it. Allah, has gave us the ability and intellect. We are provided with signs; literal ones that are found in His book (Quran) and the ones around us.

As a medical student, I am always captivated when learning the human body system that are beyond human capability to create. Especially in learning embryology, how is it possible that the fusion of sperm and egg develops into a human being, if it were not for Allah's authority?

God, the Most Compassionate, did not leave us to go astray without any guidance. Indeed, He had also sent us prophets with scriptures to show us the right path.

Why do we need to know our God?

“Surely in the heart of every human being, there is a sense of scattering which cannot be brought back together except by turning to Allah. And in the heart of every human being there is a sense of loneliness which cannot be put out except by being close to Allah. And in the heart of every human being there is anxiety and there is a sense of fear and unease which cannot be removed except by fleeing to Allah. And in the heart of every human being there is a sense of guilt and regret which cannot be removed except by being pleased and content with Allah.”