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When reminded of their Lord's revelations, they never react to them as if they were deaf and blind. And they say, “Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous.” These are the ones who attain Paradise in return for their steadfastness; they are received therein with joyous greetings and peace. Eternally they abide therein; what a beautiful destiny; what a beautiful abode. Say, “You attain value at my Lord only through your worship. But if you disbelieve, you incur the inevitable consequences.”
Believers are encouraged to volunteer more righteous works because the rewards are reaped here and in the Hereafter. 1) These gifts are a means for growing our souls and attaining certainty; 2) perfect happiness now and forever; 3) we only taste the first death; 4) not only do we gain credit, God willing, but also our sins are turned into credits! 5) many many more! If you only knew [2:184]!
[2:158] The knolls of Safa and Marwah are among the rites decreed by GOD. Anyone who observes Hajj or 'Umrah commits no error by traversing the distance between them. If one volunteers more righteous works, then GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.
[2:184] Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.
[15:99] And worship your Lord, in order to attain certainty. Footnote: 15:99 The practices of worship are our means of attaining certainty (Appendix 15).
[27:89-90] Those who bring good works (in their records) will receive far better rewards, and they will be perfectly secure from the horrors of that day. As for those who bring evil works, they will be forced into Hell.
Do you not get requited for what you did?
[16:30] As for the righteous, when they are asked, "What do you think of these revelations from your Lord," they say, “Good.” For those who lead a righteous life, happiness, and the abode of the Hereafter is even better. What a blissful abode for the righteous.
[11:114] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) at both ends of the day, and during the night. The righteous works wipe out the evil works. This is a reminder for those who would take heed.
[25:70] Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Every person’s interim in this world is unknown, and what a blessing this is! Remember back to taking university courses, or rushing a deadline at work. Most of the major work gets done around the deadline itself!
Is this the case when meeting God? Thankfully, no! God, out of His infinite Mercy and Wisdom, takes the pressure off of us. We do not have a deadline; we do not know when we’re going to die. Imagine all the procrastination, postponing, neglect, panic, and mediocrity that we’re avoiding by NOT knowing a deadline! Such is God’s mercy upon us.
This lack of knowledge forces us to work righteousness now, and not procrastinate. For example, Salat is time-sensitive. It means our work is constant. It also means our only time for completing our Salat is now; we don’t know what will happen next. With GOD is the knowledge of all things, He is Hearer, Omniscient.
[29:5] Anyone hoping to meet GOD, (should know that) such a meeting with GOD will most assuredly come to pass. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
May God keep us working in His Kingdom to, God willing, make it back to Him. Praise GOD!
[90:4] We created the human being to work hard (to redeem himself).
I was sitting here thinking about the young adults of the mosque who were babies, but now are in their twenties and thirties. Here every Friday for Jumah, Quranic studies. I drop my eye glasses on the floor and they run to come pick them up. Or I left my Quran at home, they run to the shelf where the mosque keeps the Qurans and bring one to me. Yes, we’ve gotten older and they have too. But I just say “WOW! How good of a job the mothers and fathers have done with their Submitter babies.” They grew up and became submitter men and women, praying, bowing, submitting to God alone. To those mothers and fathers who had to teach them without compulsion to the religion, I take my hat off to you. Most teenagers and kids rebel against their parents. Not these children. [40:8-9] "Our Lord, and admit them into the gardens of Eden that You promised for them and for the righteous among their parents, spouses, and children. You are the Almighty, Most Wise. And protect them from falling in sin. Whomever You protect from falling in sin, on that day, has attained mercy from You. This is the greatest triumph."
Their parents taught them a lot about God and teaching from the Quran that meant the most for their lives, like 57:20, 22:4. So to the parents of mothers, here is some wisdom from the Bible as well, since some were Christians before becoming submitters.
Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her. [Proverbs 31:28]
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come, but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. [John 16:2]
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