Q. Christians say that we are children of God but Muslims keep saying we are servants of God. I think that being called servants sounds demeaning.
The Bible quotes Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) as saying, “I can do nothing on my own” (John 5:30). If you read the Quran with reflection upon its meanings you will reach the conclusion that these scriptures refer to servitude to God. Without God we are
absolutely nothing and with God we can do almost anything.
He created us and destined us to be part of a system that we cannot depart from whether we like it or not. We are human beings; we live on His earth and under His skies; we eat the food He bestows upon us and we drink from His water.
We are, therefore, inside that system
We become unwell without our will; and he cures us without our will. Nobody chooses his parents or his color or his race.
We are servants whether we like it or not.
We are weak; see what happens when you have a simple bout of diarrhea; you look really absurd. You keep going back and forth to the toilet and if the toilet is busy you have to knock on the door frantically. You are so weak and pitiful; you cannot even control your own bowels.
You may try to sleep but can’t because insomnia is stronger than you. You may try to wake up early but can’t because sleep overpowers you.
So whether we believe in God or not; whether we accept it or not we are servants to God.
The only distinction between one person and another is that one of God’s servants may be an obedient servant whereas another of his servants may be disobedient. Among God’s creation those most beloved to Him are those who show the most servitude to Him.
Prophets Are the Best Servants
Those most beloved by God are His Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) because they were the ones who always maintained the most servitude towards Him.
God Almighty says in the Quran: {Remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah ].} (Saad 38:17) So here He described him as His servant in order to honor him.
He also says {And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah ].} (Saad 38:30)
In another verse He says,
{Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.} (Al-Israa’ 17:1)
Again God is honoring Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) by describing him as a servant. He also says in another verse about the Prophet Muhammad, {yet when God’s Servant stood up to pray to Him, they pressed in on him.} (Al-Jinn 72:19)
God also says: {Remember Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all men of strength and vision.} (Saad 38:45).
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