Belief in God

Why is there an emphasis on belief in God? ( when to many it should be a given)
This emphasis is there because in order to receive guidance you must be in a state of Purity. This belief (that is Belief in God) is a precondition of this purity.

If you do not think that you are in need of guidance then you have resisted asking the fundamental question, why am I here? It is possible to say I am here because I am here and go with the flow. It is possible to say that I am here to survive as best as possible and pursue a life of survival and self interest. It is possible to define self interest broadly and include in it living in an organized society. It is possible to define self interest as being a good citizen of your nation, tribe, race, religion and pursue a more collaborative life. These are all variations of getting on with life and not asking the most important question you will ever ask yourself. The asking of this question gives meaning to your life.

Living life to its fullest is part of the quest for giving meaning to life but there has to be a conscious effort to find the answer. The answer will not come if you do not seek it. We cannot be satisfied by living a meaningless life. The comforts of this world, wealth, possessions, fame , amusements are all very enjoyable but is that all that life is about ?

Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet:
Women and sons: Heaped –up hoards of gold and silver;
Horses branded (for blood and excellence);
And (wealth of cattle) and well tilted land.
Such are the possessions of this world’s life;
But in nearness to Allah is the best of goals (to return to).

Quran 3.14 surah Ale Imran.

Most of us have an intellectual and rational belief in God. To begin to comprehend God however you must feel Him also. There is an emotional connection which escapes us if we are too caught up in other relations. To experience God is to be in a state of “shock and awe”.

For, Believers are those
Who, when Allah is mentioned,
Feel a tremor in their hearts,

Quran 8.2 Surah Anfal

This is the state of purity that I was talking about. This is a state of Humility. This is the state in which learning will take place and in which you are free to understand guidance. Very few people are born humble for most it is a question of practicing humility. To understand the answer to the question why am I here, you must first create a communion with your creator.

Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth,
And the alternation of night and day
There are indeed signs
For men of understanding—
Men who celebrate the praises of Allah
Standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides.
And contemplate the (wonders of) creation
In the heavens and the earth, (with the thought)
“Our Lord! Not for naught hast thou created (all) this!

Quran 3.190 & 3.191 Surah Ale Imran

I am not addressing this to the non believer, I am addressing the believers. I am addressing the Jews, the Christians, The Muslims, The Buddhists, The Hindus, The Humanists, The Secularists even the Atheists. I am not saying, “if God was not there, we would need to create him”. I am saying God is there. He is our creator. We must repeatedly ask the question, “what do You want from me?”