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Here also we have a reason and a chance to thank God. And we have an opportunity to acknowledge the greatness of God.
[40:13] He is the One who continuously shows you His proofs, and sends down to you from the sky provisions. Only those who totally submit will be able to take heed.
[6:4] No matter what kind of proof comes to them from their Lord, they turn away from it, in aversion.
Only God knows who needs and deserves to be guided. It doesn’t matter if you are super wealthy, super powerful or highly educated and highly successful in this material world. God has not only guided us in His path but has also warned us not to be like those who are heedless to His signs.
[41:53] We will show them our proofs in the horizons, and within themselves, until they realize that this is the truth. Is your Lord not sufficient, as a witness of all things?
I remind myself to never stop singing the praises of God, never stop remembering God. This is the only true way to come ever closer to God. Everything in this universe is glorifying God; are we not going to become a part of it!
[17:44] Glorifying Him are the seven universes, the earth, and everyone in them. There is nothing that does not glorify Him, but you do not understand their glorification. He is Clement, Forgiver.
I eagerly proclaim God is Great!
Allahu Akbar!
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[2:54] Recall that Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have wronged your souls by worshiping the calf. You must repent to your Creator. You shall kill your egos. This is better for you in the sight of your Creator.” He did redeem you. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
We know we have to kill our egos. To do that we may have to eat our words and swallow our pride. There’s a saying that: EGO = Ease God Out. Our ego gets in the way of getting close to God. We want to grow our soul and shrink our ego, not the other way around.
[25:43] Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?
Do we want to go through life in ignorance or with intelligence? We don’t want to be like Cain. [5:30] His ego provoked him into killing his brother. He killed him, and ended up with the losers.
Or the disbelievers who were arrogant: [48:26] While those who disbelieved were enraged, and their hearts were filled with the pride of the days of ignorance, GOD blessed His messenger and the believers with peaceful contentment, and directed them to uphold the word of righteousness. This is what they well deserved. GOD is fully aware of all things.
Yet, in that same verse, we see the reward for those who display intelligence and turn to God.
“Never forget that intelligence rules the world and ignorance carries the burden. Therefore, remove yourself as far as possible from ignorance and seek as far as possible to be intelligent.” M. Garvey
Unfortunately, most people are lost in ignorance.
[16:56] They designate for the idols they set up out of ignorance, a share of the provisions we bestow upon them. By GOD, you will be held accountable for your innovations.
[49:6] O you who believe, if a wicked person brings any news to you, you shall first investigate, lest you commit injustice towards some people, out of ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done.
[16:25] They will be held responsible for their sins on the Day of Resurrection, all of them, in addition to sins of all those whom they misled by their ignorance. What a miserable load!
God grants wisdom to those who deserve it. This is what we’re striving for.
Wisdom: A Great Treasure
[2:269] He bestows wisdom upon whomever He chooses, and whoever attains wisdom, has attained a great bounty. Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
Those Who Possess Intelligence
[3:190] In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those who possess intelligence. [2:48] Beware of the day when no soul can avail another soul, no intercession will be accepted, no ransom can be paid, nor can anyone be helped.
We choose the path to follow.
[10:44] GOD never wrongs the people; it is the people who wrong their own souls.
[11:18] Who are more evil than those who fabricate lies about GOD? They will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, “These are the ones who lied about their Lord. GOD’s condemnation has befallen the transgressors.” [11:19] They repel from the way of GOD and seek to make it crooked, and they are disbelievers in the Hereafter. [11:20] These will never escape, nor will they find any lords or masters to help them against GOD. Retribution will be doubled for them. They have failed to hear, and they have failed to see. [11:21] These are the ones who lose their souls, and the idols they had fabricated will disown them. [11:22] There is no doubt that, in the Hereafter, they will be the worst losers.
How do we want angels to welcome us?
[79:1] The (angels who) snatch (the souls of the disbelievers) forcibly.
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