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listen and learn. In the second part of verse 2:231, God tells us: Do not take GOD's revelations in vain. Remember GOD's blessings upon you, and that He sent down to you the scripture and wisdom to enlighten you. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is aware of all things.
[10:101] Say, "Look at all the signs in the heavens and the earth." All the proofs and all the warnings can never help people who decided to disbelieve. If we choose not to become aware, then it doesn’t matter what proofs are shown to us. [40:56] Surely, those who argue against GOD's revelations without proof are exposing the arrogance that is hidden inside their chests, and they are not even aware of it. Therefore, seek refuge in GOD; He is the Hearer, the Seer.
Of the many things that the Quran helps us to be more aware of, I think that understanding the Day of Resurrection, truly understanding Heaven and Hell, is perhaps the greatest gift. God tells us: [38:46] We bestowed upon them a great blessing: awareness of the Hereafter.
[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.
Awareness of the Hereafter doesn’t mean giving lip service to the fact that there is a Heaven and a Hell. It’s much deeper than that. It means understanding accountability—our works in this life determine our position in the Hereafter. It means knowing that Heaven and Hell are eternal—you can’t spend a few days in Hell to pay for a few sins and then move on to Heaven. It means realizing that no one can intercede on your behalf—every soul is responsible for his own works.
It’s a great blessing to have this awareness.
Without it, we wouldn’t even try. We could blunder through this life thinking that Jesus or Muhammad will intercede to save us, so we don’t need to worry. Or only the really bad people go to Hell, and if I go, it will only be for a little while. Instead, we KNOW that we are responsible for our own works and those works will determine our position, the possibilities being:
[56:8-11] Those who deserved bliss will be in bliss. Those who deserved misery will be in misery. Then there is the elite of the elite. They are those who will be closest (to God).
Awareness is critically important for our salvation. Without it, we will simply continue to behave like the ignorant ones. Let us all open up our hearts for God’s message and follow His commandments; let us stay well informed and conscious of God’s blessings; let us strive to remain on His right path and do the things that please Him.
[28:55] When they come across vain talk, they disregard it and say, "We are responsible for our deeds, and you are responsible for your deeds. Peace be upon you. We do not wish to behave like the ignorant ones."
[6:111] Even if we sent down the angels to them; even if the dead spoke to them; even if we summoned every miracle before them; they cannot believe unless GOD wills it. Indeed, most of them are ignorant.
[7:205] You shall remember your Lord within yourself, publicly, privately, and quietly, day and night; do not be unaware.
[7:51] Those who do not take their religion seriously, and are totally preoccupied with this worldly life, we forget them on that day, because they forgot that day, and because they spurned our revelations.
[13:28-29] They are the ones whose hearts rejoice in remembering GOD. Absolutely, by remembering GOD, the hearts rejoice. Those who believe and lead a righteous life have deserved happiness and a joyous destiny.
I think knowing and awareness are two different aspects of understanding. Knowing means possessing knowledge or understanding. And awareness means to consciously emphasize the recognition of something sensed or felt. I know that I am going to die someday. But am I aware of it? I know that God is constantly watching my every action. But how much am I really aware of it? If we ask someone who is your God? He or she will reply instantly the one who created me, the ultimate One. But though they know this, yet they worship the false man-made gods leaving aside the ultimate one God. This is the result of their lack of awareness. Praise God, we not only know but are also aware about the true God Alone.
Let us see what is mentioned in Quran.
[2:29] He is the One who created for you everything on earth, then turned to the sky and perfected seven universes therein, and He is fully aware of all things.
[41:10] He placed on it stabilizers (mountains), made it productive and He calculated its provisions in four days, to satisfy the needs of all its inhabitants.
Name one thing that is not available on earth essential for living. There is nothing required left out. We don’t exactly know how long ago this earth came into existence and how many types of living creatures exist on it. Yet in “four days” God calculated the provisions required for the inhabitants of this earth and made it available. And these provisions will last till the end of this world. This proves God is never unaware of anything.
[2:85] Yet, here you are killing each other, and evicting some of you from their homes, banding against them sinfully and
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