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then it seems we must start with this deep respect or reverence for God. And that will help us obey Him, glorify Him, and submit to God knowing who He is, how great He is.
The command to reverence God has been around since the beginning, i.e., well before the Quran. We see an example with Adam’s son who refuses to harm his brother and instead practices being reverent of God (5:28). We see that the commandment to reverence God was sent to previous prophets. [4:131] To GOD belongs everything in the heavens and the earth, and we have enjoined on those who received the scripture before you, and enjoined on you, that you shall reverence GOD. If you disbelieve, then to GOD belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. GOD is in no need, Praiseworthy.
[16:2] He sends down the angels with the revelations, carrying His commands, to whomever He chooses from among His servants: “You shall preach that there is no other god beside Me; You shall reverence Me.”
In Sura 26, all of the messengers remind their people to reverence God. This says, to me, that it’s a universal command. And one reason could be that if we are reverent, our hearts can open to listen to God. So, if the community of Noah or Shuaib or Moses (or of any messenger) had reverence in their hearts for God, they would listen to the message. They would benefit from what the messenger was telling them—which is information from God. It’s not for any personal gain of the messenger, but rather for the soul of the listener.
For example, in 8:29 we see that if we reverence God, God will enlighten us, remit our sins and forgive us. The Quran is for the reverent.
[20:2] We did not reveal the Quran to you, to cause you any hardship.
[20:3] Only to remind the reverent. [20:4] A revelation from the Creator of the earth and the high heavens.
[6:51] And preach with this (Quran) to those who reverence the summoning before their Lord―they have none beside Him as a Lord and Master, nor an intercessor―that they may attain salvation.
[39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for GOD’s message. Such is GOD’s guidance; He bestows it upon whomever He wills. As for those sent astray by GOD, nothing can guide them.
[87:9] Therefore, you shall remind; perhaps the reminder will benefit. [87:10] The reverent will take heed.
If we are reverent, we will take heed. And it seems it goes back to what’s in our hearts. Perhaps that emphasizes true reverence—it comes from the heart, from within each individual. [21:49] The ones who reverence their Lord, even when alone in their privacy, and they worry about the Hour.
[36:11] You will be heeded only by those who uphold this message, and reverence the Most Gracious―even when alone in their privacy. Give them good news of forgiveness and a generous recompense.
Another aspect of reverence seems to go with “hope” when it comes to worship. It may help us understand the purpose of our life and the reason we worship God alone.
[7:56] 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.
[32:16] Their sides readily forsake their beds, in order to worship their Lord,
out of reverence and hope, and from our provisions to them, they give.
So perhaps with reverence, God gives us hope. And reverence gives us strength. Remember Adam’s son? In 5:28 we see Adam’s son was able to be patient and observe God because he reverenced God: [5:28] “If you extend your hand to kill me, I am not extending my hand to kill you. For I reverence GOD, Lord of the universe.
It takes great strength of character and mental discipline not to be provoked when your brother is threatening to kill you. And other verses tell us something similar, that if we reverence God, we can hold fast to Him even in what appear to be difficult times. When God told the Children of Israel to enter the holy land they were afraid. Without the reverence, people get caught up in worldly fears. Reverence prepares our hearts to trust God and to submit.
[5:21] “O my people, enter the holy land that GOD has decreed for you, and do not rebel, lest you become losers.”
[5:22] They said, “O Moses, there are powerful people in it, and we will not enter it, unless they get out of it. If they get out, we are entering.”
[5:23] Two men who were reverent and blessed by GOD said, “Just enter the gate. If you just enter it, you will surely prevail. You must trust in GOD, if you are believers.”
It takes work to reverence God. There are distractions and my mind is often pulled away. This may be why God tells us to work at it. [71:13] Why should you not strive to reverence GOD?
We know that to make God our God, we must remember Him most of our day. This is a selfish but fundamentally important type of striving—a striving to reverence God. To observe His commands. [5:35] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and seek the ways and means to Him,
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