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This is the idea—that in our minds there is a garden of thoughts that needs care and tending, just like a physical garden of flowers or vegetables.
There is physical labor involved in tending a garden in our yard; well, there is mental labor in keeping our garden of thoughts well maintained. Just as we pull up weeds to help our plants stay healthy and strong, so we need to weed our thoughts. Bad thoughts will creep in and if left unattended may choke off the good thoughts. This takes constant care and vigilance, for Satan is very adept at planting impure thoughts. But by seeking refuge in God, we can pluck out the ugly weeds and give our care and attention to the good thoughts.
[41:36] When the devil whispers an idea to you, you shall seek refuge in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[23:97-8] Say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils. And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me.”
To maintain and protect our garden, we need to weed out the wrong information from the wrong people. Just like too many weeds, too much bad information can ruin our garden.
[3:28] The believers never ally themselves with the disbelievers, instead of the believers. Whoever does this is exiled from GOD. Exempted are those who are forced to do this to avoid persecution. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. To GOD is the ultimate destiny.
[3:30] The day will come when each soul will find all the good works it had done brought forth. As for the evil works, it will wish that they were far, far removed. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. GOD is Compassionate towards the people.
These garden pests can come from many directions, seeking to invade our garden. They may even look and sound harmless. Again, we must seek refuge in God to protect our fragile thoughts from such invaders.
[3:118-20] O you who believe, do not befriend outsiders who never cease to wish you harm; they even wish to see you suffer. Hatred flows out of their mouths and what they hide in their chests is far worse. We thus clarify the revelations for you, if you understand. Here you are loving them, while they do not love you, and you believe in all the scripture. When they meet you they say, “We believe,” but as soon as they leave they bite their fingers out of rage towards you. Say, “Die in your rage.” GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts. When anything good comes your way they hurt, and when something bad happens to you they rejoice. If you steadfastly persevere, and maintain righteousness, their schemes will never hurt you. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
[17:36] You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.
Just as sunlight is vital for an abundant and healthy garden, so we need to keep light on our thoughts to help the right ones grow and blossom.
[24:35] GOD is the light of the heavens and the earth…. Light upon light. GOD guides to His light whomever He wills. GOD thus cites the parables for the people. GOD is fully aware of all things.
[2:257] GOD is Lord of those who believe; He leads them out of darkness into the light.
No matter how Satan and his followers try to blot out the sunlight, God will always preserve it and will shine it on us when we turn to Him.
[9:32] They want to put out GOD’s light with their mouths, but GOD insists upon perfecting His light, in spite of the disbelievers.
Our virtual garden can produce good things by God’s will. If we keep God foremost in our thoughts and follow His commandments, He will reward us with a lush garden in fertile soil.
[7:55-8] You shall worship your Lord publicly and privately; He does not love the transgressors.
Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight, and worship Him out of reverence, and out of hope. Surely, GOD’s mercy is attainable by the righteous.
He is the One who sends the wind with good omen, as a mercy from His hands. Once they gather heavy clouds, we drive them to dead lands, and send down water therefrom, to produce with it all kinds of fruits. We thus resurrect the dead, that you may take heed.
The good land readily produces its plants by the leave of its Lord, while the bad land barely produces anything useful. We thus explain the revelations for people who are appreciative.
We need to remember that our virtual garden is only temporary. Our ultimate goal is to attain Paradise. Just as a garden can produce food to feed a family through the winter, so our garden of thoughts can reap huge benefits for us in the Hereafter, if we maintain it in the proper manner.
[57:20-1] Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the Hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from GOD and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion. Therefore, you shall race towards forgiveness from your Lord, and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heaven and the earth. It awaits those who believed in GOD and
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