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obeying His laws and commandments (4:13, 33:70-71, 57:27). God’s commandments have an inherent wisdom and we benefit as individuals and as a society when we follow them (6:151-153, 8:73).
[24:52-53] Those who obey GOD and His messenger, and reverence GOD and observe Him, these are the triumphant ones. They swear by GOD, solemnly, that if you commanded them to mobilize, they would mobilize. Say, “Do not swear. Obedience is an obligation. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.”
When there is a human messenger among us we want to obey and follow him (4:59, 20:90, 26:106-108, 43:63, 64:12, 72:19-23, 2:143). After a messenger’s death we follow the message delivered by the messenger, which includes observing the practices and rites they taught us (2:135, 31:15). The Quran is a messenger of God (11:1-3, 65:10-11).
Besides religious obligations, we also have personal obligations in our daily lives and affairs (3:76). Examples of fulfilling personal obligations given in the Quran include repaying loans (3:75-3:76), Moses fulfilling his work agreement (28:27-29) and the witnesses of a loan testifying when they are asked to testify (2:282). The Quran also discusses obligations in marriage and divorce (4:24, 4:34, 2:226-233, 2:240-241).
One of the ways we can remind ourselves about our obligations to God is to think about obligations in terms of covenants.
Covenant is defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as “a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement.” An article that discusses the meaning of covenant in the Old Testament states that a covenant is elected and relational as two parties enter it by choice. Furthermore, it is “a relationship of obligation, because it always binds one or both of the parties to certain specified duties.”
Therefore, a covenant is in fact an obligation we have taken upon ourselves to fulfill. We all made a covenant with God to worship Him alone (36:60-61). Making a covenant comes with responsibility (17:34). It is important for us to act responsibly and fulfill our covenants with God and others (5:1, 5:7, 6:152).
[17:34] You shall not touch the orphans' money except for their own good, until they reach maturity. You shall fulfill your covenants, for a covenant is a great responsibility.
This article is first a reminder for me. In this life we have religious and personal obligations to fulfill and when we fulfill them, we reap the rewards here and in the Hereafter.
References:
Quran: The Final Testament (Authorized English Version) translated by Rashad Khalifa, Ph.D.
http://lionelwindsor.net/2010/01/26/whats-the-precise-meaning-of-the-word-covenant-in-the-old-testament/
God has blessed us with the opportunity to send weekly reminders to submitters on our list. The email is not long. It usually consists of a topic and the corresponding Quranic verses and links to get more information. The reminder is sent every Thursday/Friday, God willing.
[51:55] And remind, for the reminder benefits the believers.
We would like every submitter, whether receiving our newsletters or not, to be included in the list. God willing you can join the list by sending an email to info@masjidtucson.org and saying that you want to be in the weekly reminder list. If you want to make it a really short email, write “weekly reminder” in the subject line and send it. Or join via: http://masjidtucson.org/current/weekly.html
If you also include in the email your city and state, God willing we can compile this information and use it for the submitters who are asking to communicate with other submitters in their area.
Why does God mention “remind” so often in the Quran? Because He knows that we need constant reminders. And why does He tell us frequently to remind others? Because He knows that by reminding someone else, we are also reminding ourselves.
[51:55] And remind, for the reminder benefits the believers.
When you remind your child to do his homework, it’s to his benefit to follow this advice. But if he does or doesn’t do his homework, it doesn’t affect you directly. If you remind your small child not to touch the hot stove, you will not be harmed if he doesn’t listen.
But when you remind someone to worship God alone, this not only provides a benefit for the person being reminded, but it also, by God’s immense mercy and grace, benefits the reminder. God gives you credit for remembering Him and exhorting others, in a nice manner, to do the same. Whether or not the person pays any attention to your reminder, you still receive the credit. And only God knows what’s in the heart of this person; perhaps years later, he or she will remember the reminder and finally take heed.
[6:69] The righteous are not responsible for the utterances of those people, but it may help to remind them; perhaps they may be saved.
We know that the majority of people on earth will not worship God and even those that do will pollute their worship with idols (12:103 & 106).
[37:13] When reminded, they take no heed.
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