Choices

Every Friday, those who have gathered for the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu‘ah) could very well have chosen to do something else. But, thank God, all of us do our best to obey God’s command in Sura 62 and drop our businesses and gather together to commemorate God. God is certainly going to reward the Submitters for observing His commands and remembering Him frequently (62:10).

It is GOD’s law that He never fails to reward.

[9:120] Neither the dwellers of the city, nor the Arabs around them, shall seek to stay behind the messenger of GOD (when he mobilizes for war). Nor shall they give priority to their own affairs over supporting him. This is because they do not suffer any thirst, or any effort, or hunger in the cause of GOD, or make a single step that enrages the disbelievers, or inflict any hardship upon the enemy, without having it written down for them as a credit. GOD never fails to recompense those who work righteousness.

[11:115] You shall steadfastly persevere, for GOD never fails to recompense the righteous

Whatever we choose or decide, we are responsible for such decisions. We wanted, and God has given us, the freedom of choice.

[33:72] We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.

Another important thing that I feel we should always remember, is that any commandment in the Quran leaves us with no option for disobedience. Meaning, we must do it. The following verse clearly explains how serious it is to disregard any commandment.

[33:36] No believing man or believing woman, if GOD and His messenger issue any command, has any choice regarding that command. Anyone who disobeys GOD and His messenger has gone far astray.

It is very important that we understand the seriousness of all our actions and evaluate the results that may follow thereafter. Hence, it is extremely important that we continuously keep doing the right things, making the right choices or decisions.

I feel the results of making wrong choices or decisions can be compared to that of lying.

When we lie we understand that we will have to lie again to cover up the first lie and again and again; it’s a vicious circle. It keeps worsening the situation. To make good, one eventually needs to stop lying, admit the mistake and speak the truth. Similarly, when we make a wrong choice, the repercussions thereof keep growing, unless and until we repent and reform and rectify the situation.

Most People Make the Wrong Choice
[7:96] Had the people of those communities believed and turned righteous, we would have showered them with blessings from the heaven and the earth. Since they decided to disbelieve, we punished them for what they earned.

GOD has blessed us with Quran and the greatest of all miracles to assure us, and further blessed us with guidance to read the Quran daily. If we compare ourselves with most people we know—our relatives, friends, colleagues, etc.—we will immediately realize that this factor is the most important and distinguishing factor between

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