Choices

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us and them. We are (God willing) believers, we believe in God alone, and are satisfied with Quran alone. We realize that these things certainly give us a clear advantage over others. We (God willing) have a far better likelihood of making it to the High Heaven as compared to others, as we are aware of these facts. For most people, despite reading the Quran, these facts are still hidden from them. We have such valuable information that, if applied as prescribed, it can earn us billions and trillions in our post retirement account.

Let’s say if God informed us that the shares of XYZ stock would become 10 times the current price by next week, what would we all do? I would invest whatever I have in that stock without a second thought. That’s the best choice; it’s information from God. I would only be applying my mind on where I could get loans so that I can invest further.

So, I was trying to figure out that when GOD gives a clear commandment in the Quran and for following the commandment He is going to reward us infinitely, why do I still apply my mind and choose not to follow it? Why do I make or find excuses?

This reflects my weak Submission and lack of respect and reverence for God and His commands. Also, it shows the importance of why God asks us to seek refuge in God from Satan the rejected. The moment you make the wrong choice, it means Satan has won over your mind, and he has successfully gotten you to disobey God and His command.

For example, there was a time when I was regular at Quran studies; I used to attend almost all of them regularly. Then I started to skip them by giving priority to other things or making the wrong choices. Then I started to find reasons to skip again and again and assure myself in justifying them. It reached a point where I didn’t even think about Quran studies any more. I guess, the thought was I can do it at home.

However, God tells us:

Quranic Study Groups
[18:28] You shall force yourself to be with those who worship their Lord day and night, seeking Him alone. Do not turn your eyes away from them, seeking the vanities of this world. Nor shall you obey one whose heart we rendered oblivious to our message; one who pursues his own desires, and whose priorities are confused.

When I look back at the sequence of events and assess what had happened, I feel that my wrong choice of not attending the Quran studies has led to many losses. I was setting a bad example for my family and others. It deprived me of so many possible benefits that I could have availed by attending the studies, the loss of which is not possible to assess. Imagine the loss in the post-retirement account. I was duped by Satan and he was successful in putting me out of the race of righteousness and rendered me incompetent due to my own choice.

[90:4] We created the human being to work hard (to redeem himself). ... [90:10] Did we not show him the two paths? [90:11] He should choose the difficult path.

[9:24] Proclaim: “If your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouses, your family, the money you have earned, a business you worry about, and the homes you cherish are more beloved to you than GOD and His messenger, and the striving in His cause, then just wait until GOD brings His judgment.” GOD does not guide the wicked people.

So, the message to myself is: It may seem difficult at times to move out of the wrong choice, but making the right choice is most important. This is what the test is all about. We already made a wrong choice before and now we are aware of it, so why is there a need to think?

We humans think that we are very smart and we are doing everything correctly, but we are too scared to do a reality check and we want to live in that world of lies. We keep convincing and lying to ourselves everyday about things we do.

We all have our weaknesses and Satan attacks us right there.

[6:44] When they thus disregard the message given to them, we open for them the gates of everything. Then, just as they rejoice in what was given to them, we punish them suddenly; they become utterly stunned.

But we know how to be protected from Satan.  [23:97] Say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils. [23:98] “And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me.”

And then we need to repent and reform. [3:147] Their only utterance was, “Our Lord, forgive us our sins, and our transgressions, strengthen our foothold, and grant us victory over the disbelievers.”

We are all answerable to God alone and will certainly return to Him and He will judge among us equitably, without the slightest injustice. All the choices that we made are going to make a difference. Remember that if we are one of those who will barely miss hell, it could be a matter of one better choice.

A Great Triumph
[3:185] Every person tastes death, then you receive your recompense on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever misses Hell, barely, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than an illusion.

[3:160] If GOD supports you, none can defeat you. And if He abandons you, who else can support you? In GOD the believers shall trust.

Ubaid

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