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Cont'd from page 2
We need to quiet all the negative thoughts and feelings that block out God and encourage Satan. We need to be silent even in our mind.
When we have conversations among ourselves, it’s easy to listen to the first part of what the other person says and then start formulating our response. If we’re busy coming up with things to say, then we’re not really listening. We should try to hear the whole message from the other person and then think of the best possible response, listening to what God inspires us to say. Our ego keeps getting in the way, telling us what to say and think and do, instead of waiting patiently to hear out the other person.
It’s even more important when listening to the Quran. We need to silence our thoughts and really hear the words coming from God. These are words directed to each of us individually. I won’t hear each verse exactly the same way you do, but I won’t hear it at all if I’m not silent and listening.
God gives us clear examples of those who listen or pretend to listen but cannot hear. We certainly don’t want to be among these people.
[6:25] Some of them listen to you, but we place veils on their hearts to prevent them from understanding, and deafness in their ears. Thus, no matter what kind of proof they see, they cannot believe. Thus, when they come to argue with you, the disbelievers say, “These are tales from the past.”
[26:223] They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars.
[47:16] Some of them listen to you, then as soon as they leave they ask those who were enlightened, “What did he just say?”
GOD thus seals their hearts and, consequently, they follow only their opinions.
There’s also the danger of getting swept up in rhetoric, following someone charismatic simply because they talk well and strongly. We need to truly listen to the words coming from them, so we can judge their appropriateness. Just because someone is forceful and eloquent doesn’t make them righteous. But if we truly listen, God will make it clear for us.
[63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.
Even the jinns know the value of listening. [46:29] Recall that we directed a number of jinns to you, in order to let them hear the Quran. When they got there, they said, “Listen.” As soon as it was over, they rushed to their people, warning. [46:30] They said, “O our people, we have heard a book that was revealed after Moses, and confirms the previous scriptures. It guides to the truth; to the right path. [46:31] “O our people, respond to the call of GOD, and believe in Him. He will then forgive your sins, and spare you a painful retribution.”
If they hadn’t been willing to listen, they wouldn’t have been able to go back to their people and pass on the message. [72:1] Say, “I was inspired that a group of jinns listened, then said, ‘We have heard a wonderful Quran. [72:2] “’It guides to righteousness, and we have believed in it; we will never set up any idols besides our Lord.’” By listening, even jinns who used to be the worst enemies of God can hear and understand.
God is always there for us. He never abandons us; He never forgets us; He is always near. Again, this verse was God speaking to Moses, but it applies to us all: [20:46] He said, “Do not be afraid, for I will be with you, listening and watching.
We can count on God to be listening to us.
It’s critical that we find the best ways to listen to Him. His words are all we need in this world in order to worship Him alone and achieve salvation. Listen to them by practicing the art of silence. It will open up our hearts to receive His message and thus find the true path to God alone.
[39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for GOD’s message. Such is GOD’s guidance; He bestows it upon whomever He wills. As for those sent astray by GOD, nothing can guide them.
[57:16] Is it not time for those who believed to open up their hearts for GOD’s message, and the truth that is revealed herein? They should not be like the followers of previous scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and, consequently, many of them turned wicked.
Follow the Word of God
[39:18] They are the ones who examine all words, then follow the best. These are the ones whom GOD has guided; these are the ones who possess intelligence.
[5:7] Remember GOD’s blessing upon you, and His covenant that He covenanted with you: you said, “We hear and we obey.” You shall observe GOD; GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
[8:21] Do not be like those who say, “We hear,” when they do not hear.
[24:51] The only utterance of the believers, whenever invited to GOD and His messenger to judge in their affairs, is to say, “We hear and we obey.” These are the winners.
[50:37] This should be a lesson for everyone who possesses a mind, or is able to hear and witness.