May 2015: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

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"Exams" for the soul

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the Quran. All the answers are in the book (6:19, 6:38, 6:114-5, 7:52, 50:45, 10:57). We can refer to it anytime during our test. God also gives us the exercises that help us stay ready for tests (2:153-5, 31:17, 27:40, etc.)

Quran: Fully Detailed
[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.

[7:52] We have given them a scripture that is fully detailed, with knowledge, guidance, and mercy for the people who believe.

We can ask God’s help during the tests.  At school exams, we can’t ask the professor to help us solve problems. God encourages us to pray to and implore Him any time, particularly during tests (8:45, 21:90, 23:76, 2:186, 40:60, etc.). If God helps you, what more can you ask for?

[8:45] O you who believe, when you encounter an army, you shall hold fast and commemorate GOD frequently, that you may succeed.

Sufficient Time. Students sometimes feel they could do better if they had more time to study or take the test. God gives everyone a life-long attempt with many chances (35:37, 39:53-59, 46:15). Anyone whose “test-booklet is collected” before 40 years are up, makes it to lower Heaven at least (46:15).

[35:37] ... Did we not give you a life-long chance, with continuous reminders for those who would take heed? ...

Forgiveness and repentance. If you do badly on an exam, it’s on your record permanently. In God’s system, you can seek forgiveness and repent for poor performance on a previous test (40:3,

66:8). Repentance cleans the slate (9:11), and you may qualify for transforming your negative points into credits (25:70).

[25:70] Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

The Grader is infallible. Standardized tests may not accurately measure your knowledge or a teacher may miss the extent of your abilities. God is Omniscient and fully aware of all things (2:29, 2:32, 2:255, 4:33, 6:80). He takes everything we do into account (4:86, 21:47, 31:16). He is the ultimate judge and the most accurate Reckoner (6:62).

The tests are custom-designed for you! In college, some students do better on oral exams, while others prefer written tests. Some do well with applied or hands-on work, while others excel at abstract thinking. But, tests cannot be custom-designed for each student, it would take too much time and too many resources. God’s tests are perfect, and custom-designed for each individual (17:54, 3:154, 28:68).

[28:68] Your Lord is the One who creates whatever He wills, and chooses; no one else does any choosing. Glory be to GOD, the Most Exalted. He is far above needing partners.

Success at school exams is important to get a good grade or a good job. However, success and failure in our “soul exams” is the difference between life and death (2:28, 8:24, 44:56, 45:21) and the outcome lasts for eternity (10:26-27, 18:46, 101:6-11, 14:16-17). We have time now in this world, and it is up to us to make the best of the chances (39:59, 46:15-20), with God’s help, before our time is up.

[42:47] You shall respond to your Lord before a day comes which is decreed inevitable by GOD. There will be no refuge for you on that day, nor an advocate.

Faiz

Your Hearing, Eyesight and Brains

[23:78] He is the One who granted you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains. Rarely are you appreciative.

BRAIN: What makes you move, enables you to think, makes you feel alive? The answer is the amazing brain God gave you. More complex than any computer, your brain is constantly receiving and processing information. Then it takes action through your body’s control networks—the nervous and endocrine (hormone) systems. Your brain looks like a lump of gray putty, folded into grooves and ridges. The main part of your brain is the cerebrum. The thin outer layer of the cerebrum forms the cerebral cortex. This receives and interprets information and controls movement.

Different areas of the brain have specific functions, such as reasoning, speech, coordinating movements, controlling muscles,  interpreting language, receiving input from the eyes and ears, and receiving and interpreting input from the skin. If you touch something hot or cold, sensors in your skin detect feeling and send signals racing through the spinal cord to the brain in half a second. Then your brain instantly interprets the sensation and you react, i.e., pull your hand away from a hot candle.

[16:78] GOD brought you out of your mothers’ bellies knowing nothing, and He gave you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains, that you may be appreciative.

[32:9] He shaped him and blew into him from His spirit. And He gave you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains; rarely are you thankful.

[67:23] Say, “He is the One who initiated

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