Tools in Our Toolbox

[Ed. note: This is a reprint of an article from March 2015. Since we have seen all the tools of the devil, it seemed appropriate to look again at the tools God gives us in our toolbox to help fight Satan’s influence .]

A good carpenter or mechanic will have a box full of good tools perfect for any job he might need to perform. A good submitter needs a toolbox as well, and God has provided us with the tools we need to keep in there. Our number one priority here is to remember God. A priority can be defined as something that is regarded as more important than any other. If we were to make a submission priority list, the only thing that needs to be on it is: GOD ALONE. Everything else will fall in place. Everything is about God; everything belongs to God; is controlled by God. Only God guides, provides, protects and heals. God is Omnipotent.

Whatever occupies your mind most of the time is your god (33:41, 7:205). So God has given us tools to keep our mind on God most of the time. You can reach into your toolbox whenever you need a little help remembering God.

Wake up in the morning and thank God for the day, start with “in the name of God Most Gracious, Most Merciful,” / “There is no other god beside God” (in Arabic or in any language).  When you eat or drink anything, remember His name and thank God for the provision. Be kind and humble with the people you meet, greeting them with “peace.” Especially honor your parents. When you start your car, remember to acknowledge that only God subdued it for your use. As you listen to the radio, insert “praise God” into the lyrics and it makes the song much sweeter. If you see a leaf fall, think of the verse 6:59: Not a leaf falls without His knowledge, or a bird fly overhead, think of 16:79: None holds them up in the air except GOD. Even a humble fly reminds us that we can’t create even such a small thing (22:73). Be appreciative of all the beauty around you by thanking the One who created it all. When you walk along, you can use the rhythm of your footsteps to meditate on God—left foot “thank You,” right foot, “God.”

Everything we see, hear, smell, taste and feel should instantly remind us of God, our Creator.

God has given us specific tools that we can reach for—Salat prayer pulls us away from this world and brings our focus back on God; Zakat charity reminds us that what we have is a gift from God and is meant to be shared; Fasting makes us appreciative of His blessings of food and water and inspires us to remember God frequently.

 

In addition, God tells us to seek forgiveness. [3:133-36] You should eagerly race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth; it awaits the righteous, who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. GOD loves the charitable. If they fall in sin or wrong their souls, they remember GOD and ask forgiveness for their sins―and who forgives the sins except GOD―and they do not persist in sins, knowingly. Their recompense is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. What a blessed reward for the workers!
He tells us to be appreciative: [14:7] Your Lord has decreed: “The more you thank Me, the more I give you.” But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.

 

[31:12]…. “You shall be appreciative of GOD.” Whoever is appreciative is appreciative for his own good. As for those who turn unappreciative, GOD is in no need, Praiseworthy.

This life is an individual journey back to God. Each person must find the tools that work best for him or herself. What works for me might not work for you. So we can “borrow” tools from all kinds of places, finding the right tool for each one of us. I have found many of the principles and practices of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to be personally very helpful and they fit perfectly with the Quran.

For instance, remembering the Serenity Prayer:   “GOD, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” [26:83] “My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous.

AA also encourages you to call your sponsor if you’re feeling weak, as God encourages us to consult with one another (42:38); to attend meetings, as we are encouraged to come together for Jumu’ah or Quran studies (62:9, 18:28); to help newcomers, as we are told to treat everyone in the best possible manner (17:53); to do service work, as God tells us to do righteous works (23:57-61); to be charitable, expecting nothing in return (76:7-9). They urge you to put your shoes under your bed at night, so first thing in the morning you have to get down on your knees to retrieve them, as God urges us to willingly bow and prostrate before Him (13:15, 22:77).

So, the tools in your toolbox can come from many places, whatever you find that works for your soul. We need to depend totally on God (22:15), remembering that this life is an illusion (57:20) and that we will be tested (2:214, 3:186), but that God never burdens any soul beyond what it can handle (2:286).

We want to run to the front of the line on Judgment Day and eagerly say, “Come read my record.” We especially want to avoid the “fire sandwich” which awaits the disbelievers.

[39:15-6] “Therefore, worship whatever you wish besides Him.” Say, “The real losers are those who lose their souls, and their families, on the Day of Resurrection.” Most certainly, this is the real loss. They will have masses of fire on top of them, and under them. A most miserable “fire sandwich”!

With the subtitle: Conditions for Staying Within God's Protection, 5:12 makes it clear what we need to do to earn God’s

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