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At times, we may have wondered why the Quran repeats Divine commands, cautions, information, warnings of punishments, and promises of rewards over and over again. Most of us think that we know it all.
Yet, we must study the reason. At times, even an ignorant person may find a single reading and study of the Quran to be enough to learn what he did not know. Another might see a rainbow and realise there is Supreme Intelligence behind this. But for those who claim to know and yet disregard, a recap is necessary as a reminder. It is also useful because most of us are guilty of lethargy rather than complete rejection. Reminders could assure and encourage us as a refresher to shed our apathy or lack of enthusiasm, and we would then hurry to seek the blessings and approval of God. [26:89] Only those who come to GOD with their whole heart (will be saved).
During our Salat and Quran study, we do get distracted with unnecessary thoughts and we do persist in sinning. But the answer is not to give up but to seek refuge in God from Satan the rejected, and we must continue to strive in His cause. If we give up, it would be accepting defeat and yielding to Satan. First of all, Salat is unconditional. It is the Decree of our Lord and Master and therefore it should be obeyed without doubt or protest. It also represents our recognition of His countless bounties received every moment of our life. Every breath we take, every move we make, we owe to our Creator.
God wants us to live and propagate His Message. We can remind one another of the chastisements and danger if we go astray as well as the benefits and protection that the right path offers us. [32:17] You have no idea how much joy and happiness are waiting for you as a reward for your (righteous) works.
Submission teaches us a blend of thought and action.
Repeatedly, the Quran reminds us to think, ponder and reflect on the varied features of natural phenomena. We believe that God possesses unlimited control. We are guided to introspect on the process of our creation and also the purpose behind it. And what is this purpose?
[51:56] I did not create the jinns and the humans except to worship Me alone. “Ya’ budoon” also means to serve. And how do we serve God? We serve Him by unquestioningly obeying His Commands.
Interestingly, the Old and New Testaments (as we have them) do not touch on the issue of our creation. Hinduism does, but Hindus understand that they were created out of the whim and fancy (leela) of Ishwar. The Quran says: [21:16-17] We did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them just for amusement. If we needed amusement, we could have initiated it without any of this, if that is what we wanted to do. For us, this is a very crucial matter and so the Quran shakes us out of our stupor. [23:115] “Did you think that we created you in vain; that you were not to be returned to us?” [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 we have a situation where we cannot differentiate between the Truth and Falsehood, we should turn to the Quran. One of the main reasons of the revelation of the Quran is to provide us the Criterion. God has provided us with a flawless touchstone to enable us to know this difference, and it is valid for all time to come. [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.
Islam is a principled religion. Apart from humbleness and surrender to
the Majesty of God, all its laws and rulings are based on the most moral and firm foundations. It places before us a perfect ideal that is appealing and stresses from its adherents a behaviour which not only graces individual life but contributes to the united progress of society. A society where rights and obligations are the foundation of justice and equality; where no one has a greater or lesser share. In the eyes of the law, all should have complete equality. [61:4] GOD loves those who fight in His cause united in one column, like the bricks in one wall.
God does not need our worship. [35:15] O people, you are the ones who need GOD, while GOD is in no need for anyone, the Most Praiseworthy. He is independent of all necessities. Instead of randomly imposing duties, He allows us the “freedom of choice.” We have to choose between His kingdom and Satan’s kingdom. There are many practices of our worship like Salat, Zakat, Fasting, Hajj, Zikr, striving in the cause of God, etc. that are the basic recognized demonstrations of our submission and gratitude. [6:162] Say, "My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe.”
The honesty and impartiality to which the Quran invites us is not limited to a certain group of people or for that matter even to the Muslim community as a whole. It is intended for all human beings irrespective of their belief. And reminders in the Quran reassure and encourage us.
[7:2] This scripture has been revealed to you―you shall not harbor doubt about it in your heart―that you may warn with it, and to provide a reminder for the believers.
[50:45] We are fully aware of everything they utter, while you have no power over them. Therefore, remind with this Quran, those who reverence My warnings.
[87:9] Therefore, you shall remind; perhaps the reminder will benefit.