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duties entrusted to them by God.
[3:173] When the people say to them, “People have mobilized against you; you should fear them,” this only strengthens their faith and they say, “GOD suffices us; He is the best Protector.”
Once while studying Quran when I came across this verse, I wept. Because I felt God has not put me to such an extreme level of test. Just imagine the level of faith and reverence required of the companions of the Prophet, who stood by his side during all the battles against the pagan Arabs. It requires enormous amount of belief and reverence for God to sustain such an extreme level of testing. I feel that my tests (in comparison) are not at all a big deal.
[3:191] They remember GOD while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.
If I really call myself a believer, then God must always dominate my mind. His creations should not distract me, but rather always compel me to praise Him and glorify Him.
[8:74] Those who believed and emigrated, and strove in the cause of GOD, as well as those who hosted them and gave them refuge, and supported them, these are the true believers. They have deserved forgiveness and a generous recompense.
God commanded Prophet Mohammed and his companions to migrate from Mecca to Medina, and all of them left Mecca. Today if someone tells me to emigrate on short notice, it will be a challenge. I need sufficient time to manage my affairs and some assurance of settlement at the new venue. But imagine how they must have immigrated to a new unknown place in the cause of God. The only strength they had was belief in God. Thus, God calls them the true believers.
[25:64] In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.
When I meditate at night, it is really a very pleasant experience.
It’s quiet and the world around us is calm. Commemorating God in such conditions takes you to a different world. I badly need to make this a regular practice in my life. May God help me to attain that level of reverence.
[25:70] Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Here God reveals His love for all of us beyond any limit. He knows that we will fall prey to satan’s trap. Hence He is shielding us by the gift of repentance. And He will not only forgive us but will also transform our sins into credits. Truly God’s mercy has no limit.
[33:35] The submitting men, the submitting women, the believing men, the believing women, the obedient men, the obedient women, the truthful men, the truthful women, the steadfast men, the steadfast women, the reverent men, the reverent women, the charitable men, the charitable women, the fasting men, the fasting women, the chaste men, the chaste women, and the men who commemorate GOD frequently, and the commemorating women; GOD has prepared for them forgiveness and a great recompense.
God is assuring us the great recompense for observing the traits of the believers without distinguishing us on the basis of our gender.
[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.
[39:9] Is it not better to be one of those who meditate in the night, prostrating and staying up, being aware of the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of their Lord? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
[39:22] If GOD renders one's heart content with Submission, he will be following a light from his Lord. Therefore, woe to those whose hearts are hardened against GOD's message; they have gone far astray.
Let’s pray to God to protect us from straying from His path and lend us the patience and strength to be steadfast on the right path.
Abdul Ghani
The DEVIL (SATAN, SHAYTAN, IBLIS) is man's greatest enemy on earth. The Quran mentions this 11 times (2:168, 208; 6:142; 7:22; 12:5; 17:53; 20:117; 28:15; 35:6; 36:60; 43:62). Humans must do all that is possible to avoid the devil and his companions (evil Jinns—creations made from fire). The devil uses many tools to track and divert humans from the true worship of one God. Belief in one God alone is not enough because the devil believes in God also (8:48), and the devil also fears God (59:16). The devil uses tools to try and win supporters on his side. All of the devil’s supporters will end up in hell along with the devil and his companions. Below is a list of some of the tools that the devil uses to encourage humans to stray from God's path.
Idol worship (2:14; 4:60,116-17; 5:60; 6:71, 137; 9:107; 10:105; 12:106; 22:30; 28:87; 39:65 and many more)
Witchcraft (2:102)
Usury (2:275)
Fear of anything or anyone except God (3:175)
Giving to charity to show off (4:38)
Rumors / lies (4:83)
To forbid things that are not forbidden in the Quran (4:119)
Intoxicants (5:90-91)
Gambling / games of chance (5:90-91)
Mocking God’s Quran (6:68)
Following religious laws other than those in the Quran (6:112)
Eating food upon which God's name has not been mentioned (6:121)
Plotting / scheming / conspiring (12:52, 58:10)
Seeking other than God’s help (form of idol worship) (12:42)
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