Hypocrisy and Divine Religion

Translation of Chapter Two by Sadeq Khademi

Section 1: Functions of Religion and Faith

Religion is the formal means of assured connection.
It links humans to God.
It provides divine rulings.
It offers a life program.
This program is divinely attributed.
It embodies a divine lifestyle.
Religion fosters intimacy with God.
God is the sole eternal companion.
It enables concrete connection.
Finding God is the primary function.
Sustaining God’s presence is key.
It empowers receiving divine rulings.
It reveals the unseen and mysteries.
It fulfills each individual’s needs.
This pertains to their divine relationship.
It is the ultimate goal of religion.

Section 2: Individual Connection to God

Each person’s connection to God is unique.
Well-being lies in this exclusive bond.
Salvation comes from finding God inwardly.
It requires submission to His rulings.
Human freedom finds meaning in this bond.
It is structured within this framework.
Each person’s ruling is this connection.
It guides their lifestyle choices.

Section 3: Inner Nature of Religion

Religion is an inner, private matter.
It concerns the connection to God.
Imposition distorts its inner essence.
Domineering instruction corrupts it.
Uniform indoctrination falsifies it.
These taint the pure inner sense.
They render it impure and blind.
They make it false.
This deprives individuals of religion’s benefits.
It blocks its innate purpose.

Section 4: God’s Self-Revelation

God reveals Himself to each servant.
This revelation suits their capacity.
One may spontaneously believe.
They become God’s companion.
This strengthens their divine bond.
It leads to God’s spirit and dominion.
Alternatively, one may rebel.
They defy inner insights.
They reject their heart’s findings.
They turn to falsehood.
They may linger in indifference.
They wander in aimless existence.
They become like the heedless masses.

Section 5: Core Aim of Religion

Religion’s primary focus is God.
Its ultimate goal is finding Him.
This is the purpose of religiosity.
It is the motivation for faith.
It is the outcome of religious practice.
This outcome defines religion’s function.
It involves assuredly finding God inwardly.
It requires conscientious affirmation.
It demands sincere faith in Him.
It entails submission to Him.
All religions center on God’s oneness.
All religious principles refer to monotheism.
Religiosity is inner divine connection.
Reason and human knowledge prepare for this.
They are not sufficient.
Divine guidance is reached through the heart.
It comes via inner insight and feeling.

Section 6: Focus of Religious Inquiry

Religious inquiry should avoid distractions.
It must eschew misleading debates.
It should bypass empty theological puzzles.
It must address vital issues.
The most vital aspect is God Himself.
This focus gives life and meaning.
It shapes a divine lifestyle.
The best explanation is Abrahamic monotheism.
It highlights God’s oneness.

Section 7: Abrahamic Monotheism

Abrahamic monotheism is rational and comprehensive.
It is shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Islam’s concept of God is deeper.
It is more complex than earlier traditions.
Abraham’s God is indescribable in essence.
Yet, He has manifest attributes.
He reveals clear manifestations.
Abraham was a gentle, merciful prophet.
He embodied perfect monotheism.
His love fostered unity.
He held no malice toward adversaries.
Even those who sought to burn him.
His faith turned fire into safety.
Religions can extinguish conflict.
They promote peace through tolerance.

Section 8: Theology and Divine Connection

Theology depends on knowing God.
It requires inner divine connection.
It demands heartfelt divine presence.
Belief in “Allah” unites Christians and Muslims.
Faith in God is the highest common ground.
It unifies religions.
Human perfections are transient.
Beauty, intelligence, and wealth fade.
Without divine attribution, they perish.
Only divine grace ensures eternity.
Sanctity transcends empirical knowledge.
It breaks sensory and conceptual barriers.
It reaches profound meaning.
This meaning transfers truth.
It aligns with integrity and infallibility.
It gives order to all phenomena.
It follows a meaningful pattern.
It protects against distorted meanings.
It shields from meaningless harm.
It safeguards human knowledge and reason.
Knowledge submits to religion.
Reason yields to faith.
This protects their integrity.
Religion’s authority reveals the unseen.

Section 9: Distinction Between Religion and Religiosity

Religion’s truth is its divine attribution.
It involves revelatory knowledge.
It includes divine practice.
Religiosity is human engagement with this truth.
The benefits of religion differ from its purpose.
They must not be conflated.

Section 10: Identity Formation Through Religion

Religion fosters assured affirmation.
It involves resolute conviction.
It engenders faith in divine revelation.
This makes life meaningful.
It shapes human identity.
It provides security.
Identity is a person’s essence.
It distinguishes them from others.
It is rooted in human nature.
It manifests in conscious choices.
It appears in voluntary actions.
It grants multiple, cohesive personas.
In religious identity, it aligns with God.
It is divinely attributed and stable.
It defines human value.
It reveals creation’s purpose.
It clarifies one’s existential role.
It reveals strengths and limitations.
It answers: “Who am I?”
It grants awareness suited to divine life.
It fosters purity and divine light.
It enables divine roles.
It frees one from self-referentiality.
It makes life a divine blessing.
It ensures tranquility.
It eliminates anxiety.
Faith in God brings peace.

Section 11: Identity as Divine Proximity

Religious identity reveals human essence.
It manifests the true self.
It shapes authentic personality.
It pursues divine proximity.
It is unique and unrepeatable.
It reflects creation’s purpose.
Innate religion is God’s will.
It separates humans from ignorance.
It fosters knowledge of God.
It reveals His rulings.
It unveils hidden realms.
It discloses human destiny.
It prevents practical oppression.
It enables direct connection to God.
God is the source of truth.
He is the origin of all knowledge.
This occurs through divine revelation.
Knowledge leading to faith is meaningful.
It shapes identity.

Section 12: Truth and Fulfillment of Religion

Religion is God’s existential program.
It ensures natural, balanced living.
It aligns with religiosity’s level.
This occurs at human capacity.
It may reach higher states.
Divinely chosen religion descends inwardly.
It conveys God’s ultimate will.
It forms the most religious individual.
They live the highest divine program.
Religion with a divine intermediary thrives.
This intermediary embodies religion’s spirit.
It describes ultimate truth.
It conveys maximal knowledge.
It has the highest attraction.
It fosters intimacy and coexistence.
It offers resilience.
It leads to inner fulfillment.
This applies to all individuals.
They may accept religion faithfully.
They may deny it as disbelievers.
They may oppose it as adversaries.
True religion is experiential.
It is conscientious and fulfilling.
It realizes God’s complete purpose.
It centers on God endlessly.
It embodies truth and salvation.
Like God, it is sweet and gentle.
It is easy and meaningful.
It inspires hope and joy.
It is fulfilling and pleasant.
It unites people in love.
It promotes peaceful coexistence.
It aligns with innate nature.
It reflects divine attributes.
It leads to light or fire.
Its outcome is truth-acceptance.
This brings fulfillment and salvation.
Alternatively, it is truth-rejection.
This leads to deprivation and misery.

Section 13: Tranquility Through Religion

Religion achieves ultimate perfection.
It provides assurance and tranquility.
The devout hope in divine mercy.
They rely on it assuredly.
They are free from anxiety.
They avoid doubt and distress.
Inner connection to God is key.
It is the devout’s greatest hope.
Divine attribution removes anxiety.
It grants assurance and peace.
Tranquility is essential for divine connection.
It is the essence of religion.
God never abandons His servant.
He grants strength and resilience.
He prevents weakness and isolation.
He shields from doubt and instability.
Religious knowledge assures the soul.
It alleviates anxiety and identity crises.
It fosters ethical love.
It promotes responsibility.
It cultivates altruism and security.
This occurs through divine proximity.
It is structured by universal guardianship.
Guardianship surpasses moral justice.
It exceeds social justice.

Section 14: Assurance and Doubt Removal

Faith makes religion identity-shaping.
Assurance removes doubt.
The devout foresee their future.
They trust their judgment.
Without assurance, the future is unclear.
One succumbs to blind doubts.
They face destructive darkness.
They experience negative emotions.
These include discontent and aversion.
They become aimless and confused.
They are indecisive and nihilistic.
They resemble the heedless masses.
They may become domineering.
Religiosity protects the devout.
It shields them from negative outcomes.
It preserves divine attribution’s purity.

Section 15: Ultimate Goals of Religion

Religion and faith aim for human perfection.
They seek God’s satisfaction.
They pursue divine proximity.
They promote pure worship.
They avoid polytheism.
They foster loving adoration of God.
They ensure eternal salvation.
This occurs through knowledge-based truth.
It follows a divine path.
It relies on legitimate authority.
It ensures guardianship-based security.
Such religion brings tranquility.
It fosters purity and simplicity.
It ensures ease of living.
It promotes self-acceptance.
It encourages goodwill toward others.
It instills divine dignity.
It upholds human honor.
It expands divine presence.
Religiosity leads to satisfaction.
It achieves individual and collective contentment.
It curbs dissatisfaction.
Dissatisfaction fuels conflict and violence.
Proper, informed religiosity controls it.

Section 16: Consequences of Rejecting Religion

Deprivation from innate religiosity is harmful.
Rejecting acquired faith is detrimental.
Logical acceptance of religion is vital.
It requires fairness and truth-recognition.
Arrogance opposes divine truth.
It inflates the self disproportionately.
It erases diversity.
It causes profound regret.
It afflicts the self-centered.

Section 17: Innate Need for Religion

Religion’s attributes are undeniable.
Its functions are compelling.
One with true knowledge accepts it.
A sound mind embraces it.
Fair judgment demands it.
Rejecting pure religion is impossible.
One inevitably seeks it.
The need for religion is innate.
It seeks connection to the Absolute.
God is infinite and singular.
He is unique and unparalleled.
He allows no rival existence.
His eternal presence is constant.
He embodies love and self-sufficiency.
This need is intrinsic to creation.
It drives communal coexistence.
It fosters diverse relationships.
It seeks emulation of God.
It pursues divine manifestation.
No substitute exists for this bond.