|
Cont'd from page 1
But when adversity strikes him, he turns despondent.
[7:51] Those who do not take their religion seriously, and are totally preoccupied with this worldly life, we forget them on that day, because they forgot that day, and because they spurned our revelations.
Even Solomon, such a devout submitter, was fallible.
[38:30-34] To David we granted Solomon; a good and obedient servant. One day he became preoccupied with beautiful horses, until the night fell. He then said, “I enjoyed the material things more than I enjoyed worshiping my Lord, until the sun was gone.” Bring them back.” (To bid farewell,) he rubbed their legs and necks. We thus put Solomon to the test; we blessed him with vast material wealth, but he steadfastly submitted.
So God gives us plenty of examples of how easy it is to become distracted and preoccupied. It takes a conscious and concerted effort to choose God. What does choosing God mean for us? What does it look like? Attending the Friday prayer is a choice.
[62:9] O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu’ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. This is better for you, if you only knew.
[62:10] Once the prayer is completed, you may spread through the land to seek GOD’s bounties, and continue to remember GOD frequently, that you may succeed.
[62:11] When some of them come across a business deal, or some entertainment, they rush to it and leave you standing! Say, “What God possesses is far better than the entertainment or the business. God is the best Provider.”
Attending Quran study is a choice. [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.
God gives us many opportunities to remember Him.
[18:23-24] You shall not say that you will do anything in the future, without saying, “GOD willing.”
If you forget to do this, you must immediately remember your Lord and say, “May my Lord guide me to do better next time.”
[6:118-119] You shall eat from that upon which GOD’s name has been pronounced, if you truly believe in His revelations. Why should you not eat from that upon which GOD’s name has been mentioned?
And if we make the wrong choices, God gives us plenty of verses telling us the consequences of those choices.
[17:18] Anyone who chooses this fleeting life as his priority, we will rush to him what we decide to give him, then we commit him to Gehenna, where he suffers forever, despised and defeated
[19:75] Say, “Those who choose to go astray, the Most Gracious will lead them on, until they see what is promised for them―either the retribution or the Hour. That is when they find out who really is worse off, and weaker in power.”
[35:39] He is the One who made you inheritors of the earth. Subsequently, whoever chooses to disbelieve does so to his own detriment. The disbelief of the disbelievers only augments their Lord’s abhorrence towards them. The disbelief of the disbelievers plunges them deeper into loss.
Making the right choice:
[2:272] You are not responsible for guiding anyone. GOD is the only one who guides whoever chooses (to be guided). Any charity you give is for your own good.
Any charity you give shall be for the sake of GOD. Any charity you give will be repaid to you, without the least injustice.
[17:19] As for those who choose the Hereafter as their priority, and work righteousness, while believing, their efforts will be appreciated.
[19:76] GOD augments the guidance of those who choose to be guided. For the good deeds are eternally rewarded by your Lord, and bring far better returns.
[73:17-19] If you disbelieve, how can you evade a day so terrible that it makes the infants gray-haired? The heaven will shatter therefrom. His promise is true. This is a reminder; whoever wills, let him choose the path to his Lord.
[73:9] Lord of the east and the west; there is no other god besides Him. You should choose Him as your advocate.
Here are some verses from the bible regarding choosing God.
Joshua 24:15: If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Deuteronomy 30:19: I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
Psalm 119:30: I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me.
Psalm 119:173: Let Your hand be ready to help me, For I have chosen Your precepts.
Job 34:4: Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good.
Cont'd on page 3