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If it were not for GOD's grace towards you, and His mercy, none of you would have been purified. But GOD purifies whomever He wills. GOD is Hearer, Knower.
But we’re also warned to be careful about who we chose as friends. Even our family could lead us to hell. Certainly anyone who promotes evil or mocks our religion is a danger: (5:51, 49:6, 9:23, 3:118, 3:149, 4:144, 64:14, 5:57, 60:1) [3:100] O you who believe, if you obey some of those who received the scripture, they will revert you, after having believed, into disbelievers.
It’s a gift from God to alert us to the potential problems, so we can strive to stay on the right path. Even if they’re not actively fighting us, they can be a distraction: [63:9] O you who believe, do not be distracted by your money and your children from remembering GOD. Those who do this are the losers. We want to be among those who succeed, not among the losers.
God also warns us not to question and harbor doubt (5:101); to avoid dangerous distractions, like alcohol and gambling, that can lead us away from God (5:90); to be careful of hoarding (9:34), not to betray those who trust us (8:27), to do as we say (61:2-3), and, importantly, not to worry about or judge others: [5:105] O you who believe, you should worry only about your own necks. If the others go astray, they cannot hurt you, as long as you are guided. To GOD is your ultimate destiny, all of you, then He will inform you of everything you had done.
“O you who believe” is addressed, God willing, to me. Therefore, I want to pay attention to the words of wisdom contained in those verses; I want to follow those words that I may succeed.
[2:208] O you who believe, you shall embrace total submission; do not follow the steps of Satan, for he is your most ardent enemy.
[4:136] O you who believe, you shall believe in GOD and His messenger, and the scripture He has revealed through His messenger, and the scripture He has revealed before that. Anyone who refuses to believe in GOD, and His angels, and His scriptures, and His messengers, and the Last Day, has indeed strayed far astray.
[8:24] O you who believe, you shall respond to GOD and to the messenger when he invites you to what gives you life. You should know that GOD is closer to you than your heart, and that before Him you will be summoned.
[3:102] O you who believe, you shall observe GOD as He should be observed, and do not die except as Submitters.
[47:7] O you who believe, if you support GOD, He will support you, and strengthen your foothold.
[5:35] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and seek the ways and means to Him, and strive in His cause, that you may succeed.
[22:77] O you who believe, you shall bow, prostrate, worship your Lord, and work righteousness, that you may succeed.
* * * * *
The role of Hadith and the Quran
in Islam; a must have book
by Dr. Rashad Khalifa, Library Ed.
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God Most Gracious made the Quran complete, perfect, and fully detailed [6:38, 114-115; 7:52; 10:37; 12:111; 19:97].
Animals and Birds: Submitting Creatures*
[6:38] All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book.** To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned.
*6:38 Animals were among the creatures who took advantage of God's offer to repent after committing the original sin (see the Introduction).
**6:38 All information relevant to our eternal life of the Hereafter is contained in the Quran. The true believers accept, without hesitation, God's assertion: "We did not leave anything out of this book." The importance of this statement, and similar statements, is reflected in the fact that each of them consists of 19 Arabic letters (Appendix 19).
[6:114] Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed?* Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt.
*6:113-115 Upholding any source beside the Quran reflects disbelief in the Quran (Appendix 18).
[7:52] We have given them a scripture that is fully detailed, with knowledge, guidance, and mercy for the people who believe.
[10:37] This Quran could not possibly be authored by other than GOD. It confirms all previous messages, and provides a fully detailed scripture. It is infallible; for it comes from the Lord of the universe.
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