Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

The Great Disaster
[Quran 47:34] Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, then die as disbelievers, GOD will never forgive them.

The subtitle is the great disaster. There’s none greater. We think of disasters as fires, floods, earthquakes, wars, but this is the true disaster—failing to make it to Paradise, to not be forgiven by God in the end. Most of the times disaster is used in the Quran it relates to an earthly disaster—the destruction of Ad and Thamud, Noah’s flood, or a disaster from the sky. But in 54:3-8, God is talking about this final disaster: They disbelieved, followed their opinions, and adhered to their old traditions. Sufficient warnings have been delivered to alert them. Great wisdom; but all the warnings have been in vain. Ignore them; the day will come when the caller will announce a terrible disaster. With their eyes humiliated, they come out of the graves like scattered locusts.  As they respond to the caller, the disbelievers will say, "This is a difficult day."

 

Compare this to the times God talks of the greatest triumph: [5:119] GOD will proclaim, "This is a day when the truthful will be saved by their truthfulness." They have deserved gardens with flowing streams. They abide therein forever. GOD is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. This is the greatest triumph.

[Quran 9:72] GOD promises the believing men and the believing women gardens with flowing streams, wherein they abide forever, and magnificent mansions in the gardens of Eden. And GOD's blessings and approval are even greater. This is the greatest triumph.

[Quran 10:64] For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD's unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph.

We know which we prefer. To achieve the greatest triumph instead of the greatest disaster, we have to be strong, steadfast, not wavering. We must kill our ego, worship God alone, and follow His commandments. Then God will grant us victory. He will protect us from the great disaster.

 

References:

Forest Fire, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2014/jun/page2.html#forestFire

Warning, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2013/nov/page1.html

The Greatest Triumph, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2014/jun/page4.html

 

Peace.