People naturally like to express their happiness toward those who
show them a little courtesy or kindness. For example, he would be very
happy if a person welcomes him to his home and offers him whatever he
likes, especially if the host is a sensitive person who offers whatever
is needed before being asked to do so. Similarly, a person who is
suffering from a serious illness and who regains his health due to a
doctor’s treatment will not know how to thank him appropriately. The
same is true for a pedestrian who is rescued by a stranger from an
oncoming car, for he will do whatever he can to show his gratitude.
Someone who is sick and dependent upon others will constantly thank
his care-taker, who ensures that his needs are being met. In recognition
of this service, he will show his love and appreciation by treating him
in a very respectful manner. Every person loves those who are good to
them, and will try to treat them in the same manner.
However, some people forget that only Allah can make people happy,
treat them with respect, offer them good sustenance and blessings,
create pleasing views for them, grant them a new lease on life every
morning, protect them from all dangers, cure them when they are ill,
ease their pain and suffering through medicine, and that He owns
everything that exists. Therefore, as all of the blessings and goodness
that people experience come only from Allah, they should direct all of
their love, respect, sense of obligation, loyalty, and thanks to Him.
While thanking others for their help, we should never forget that our
Lord has inspired them to show us mercy and help us. Allah informs us
that:
To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and Earth. He
gives life and causes to die. You have no protector or helper besides
Allah. (Surat at-Tawba, 116)
The Qur’an also relates Prophet Ibrahim’s (as) supplication to Allah, which highlights His mercy upon humanity:
“He Who created me and guides me, Who gives me food and
drink. When I am ill, He heals me. He will cause my death and then give
me life.” (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’, 78-82)
ALLAH IS THE SOURCE OF EACH PERSON’S BEAUTY
Allah provided life to everybody from nothing, and created the world
in the most beautiful and beneficial form possible. For example, people
can breathe with ease, for, out of His mercy, He created the correct
proportion of atmospheric gases needed for people to breathe. We all
know that it is very hard to breathe in a closed environment, and that
as the amount of available air decreases, the resulting pain felt by a
person increases. We could have been born into a world where breathing
was difficult. However, due to Allah’s will and mercy, this was not the
case. In fact, the air on our planet relaxes and pleases us.
Allah has filled the world with unlimited varieties of vegetables,
fruits, grain cereals, and plants. If He had willed, He could have
created just one type of very unpleasant-tasting food and made it vital
to our survival, so that we would be forced to continue producing and
consuming it. However, as part of His infinite mercy and love, Allah
created a wide variety of fruits and vegetables with different flavors.
Allah has created people in such a way that they must eat in order to
survive, and, because of His mercy, has made eating an enjoyable
experience.
In addition, all animals have some hidden beauty. Such domesticated
animals as horses, camels, and dogs are able to help people, while other
house-bound animals like birds and cats have characteristics that make
them loveable. For example, He has given parrots the ability to mimic
human speech and has clothed them in aesthetically pleasing feathers of
blue, yellow, green, and other varied tones, and made them able to
respond to human affection. In other words, Allah created this little
creature as a source of love and amusement for people.
From the air we breathe to the rain that falls, from the products
that grow on top of the land and beneath it, from the animals we like to
water, the cornerstone of our survival, everything in nature reaches us
without us exerting any effort. For people to live and continue to
live, the most detailed workings take place and the most sensitive
ratios are continuously maintained throughout the universe.
He sends down water from the sky, from which We bring forth growth of
every kind, and from that We bring forth the green shoots. From them We
bring forth close-packed seeds, and from the spathes of the date palm
date clusters hanging down, and gardens of grapes and olives and
pomegranates, both similar and dissimilar. Look at their fruits as they
bear fruit and ripen. There are signs in that for people who believe.
(Surat al-An‘am, 99)
Non-human creatures are unaware of their specific characteristics. A
rabbit lives without knowing how loveable it is; a butterfly has no
awareness of its wings’ symmetry, designs, and coordination; and a
peacock, a most exquisite example of color, design, and symmetry,
remains unaware of why it has been created and cannot comprehend
beautiful things. In fact, the peacock’s designs and colors of its tail,
one of the world’s most beautiful spectacles, is enough to remind
people to thank Allah and is just one of the blessings that shows His
power and ability to create.
Allah presents all of these beautiful creatures as a
blessing to humanity. Thus people who see the aesthetics, symmetry, and
colors of these animals should acknowledge Allah’s power and thank Him,
the Creator of all of these beauties.
Allah’s creations are beyond numbering. For example, there is an
unmatched aesthetic beauty in each rose. Its petals have an absolute
symmetry and have been arranged with particular care. The top of each
petal resembles a very expensive material that is almost as soft as
velvet. Despite being planted and raised in muddy black soil, its lively
colors are never dirtied or distorted. On the other hand, people using
the most advanced technology available still cannot reproduce the
specific characteristics of its perfume. Even the most expensive perfume
becomes unbearable over time; however, each rose constantly delivers
the same magnificent fresh aroma. And yet it is totally unaware of any
of its remarkable characteristics, and no other plant or creature was
created to enjoy its pleasures. But Allah has allowed people to enjoy
each rose as a blessing.
We built seven firm layers above you. We installed a
blazing lamp. We sent down cascading water from the clouds so that by it
We might bring forth grains, plants, and luxuriant gardens. (Surat
an-Naba’, 12-16)
Every beauty is a blessing from our Lord and a reflection of His
infinite beauty. For this reason, every conscious, thinking person
should thank Allah with great gratitude and love, for He owns all of
this beauty. Allah informs us that all of His creations contain many
proofs on which people should reflect:
And also the things of varying colors He has created for
you in the earth. There is certainly a sign in that for people who pay
heed. (Surat an-Nahl, 13)
We have mentioned only a few of the blessings He has bestowed on
people. However, reflecting on just one of these examples is enough to
understand Allah’s mercy on all people. Those people who, due to Allah’s
will, have some degree of understanding and can therefore make
decisions, should use this capacity to understand and love Allah
properly. By using their conscience, people who acknowledge this
magnificent system of creation will see that the world is full of
reasons for increasing their love for Allah.
And [in it are] grains on leafy stems and fragrant herbs.
So which of your Lord’s blessings do you both then deny? (Surat
ar-Rahman, 12-13)
Many Qur’anic verses call upon people to reflect on the many
blessings bestowed upon them and remind them of some of these blessings:
He created humanity from a drop of sperm, and yet it is
an open challenger! And He created livestock. There is warmth and
various uses for you in them, and some you eat. There is beauty in them
for you in the evening when you bring them home, and in the morning when
you drive them out to graze. They carry your loads to lands you would
never reach except with great difficulty. Your Lord is All-Gentle, Most
Merciful. And horses, mules, and donkeys both to ride and for adornment.
And He creates other things you do not know. The way should lead to
Allah, but there are those who deviate from it. If He had willed, He
could have guided every one of you. He sends down water from the sky.
From it you drink, and from it come the shrubs among which you graze
your herds. And by it He makes crops grow for you, as well as olives,
dates, grapes, and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a sign in
that for people who reflect. He has made night and day subservient to
you, and the Sun and the Moon and stars, all subject to His command.
There are certainly signs in that for people who use their intellect.
And also the things of varying colors He has created for you in the
earth. There is certainly a sign in that for people who pay heed. He
made the sea subservient to you so that you can eat fresh flesh from it
and bring out from it ornaments to wear. You see the ships sailing
through it so that you can seek His bounty, and so that, hopefully, you
will show thanks. He cast firmly embedded mountains on the Earth so it
would not move under you, and rivers and pathways so that, hopefully,
you would be guided. (Surat an-Nahl, 4-15)
These blessings are only a sample of the blessings given to humanity, for in a following verse, Allah proclaims:
“If you tried to number Allah’s blessings, you could never count them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
(Surat an-Nahl, 18). Even if a person reflected on the blessings
recalled in these verses, this would be enough for him to understand
Allah’s infinite benevolence, compassion, and mercy. Allah endowed us
with life, ensured our livelihood, made us happy, and created every
creature and event that makes us happy. For this reason, we must
continually thank Him for these blessings and feel a great love for Him.
Humanity. Remember Allah’s blessing to you. Is there any creator other than Allah providing for you from heaven and earth?
(Surah Fatir, 3)
Any blessing you have is from Allah. Then when harm touches you, you cry to Him for help. (Surat an-Nahl, 53)
And also the things of varying colors He has created for you in the
earth. There is certainly a sign in that for people who pay heed. (Surat
an-Nahl, 13)
He splits the sky at dawn, and appoints the night as a
time of stillness, and the Sun and the Moon as a means of reckoning.
That is what the Almighty, the All-Knowing, has ordained. (Surat
al-An‘am, 96)
He has appointed the stars for you so that you might be guided by
them in the darkness of the land and the sea. We have made the Signs
clear for people who have knowledge.
(Surat al-An‘am, 97)
ALLAH CREATED ALL PEOPLE FROM NOTHING AND GAVE THEM LIFE
People will see Allah’s grace upon them, as well as His eternal mercy
and compassion, when they reflect on how they were created, received
life, and have been carefully protected from the moment of their birth
until this very moment. Allah calls upon people to reflect on their
creation in the following verse:
Does not humanity recall that We created it when it was nothing? (Surah Maryam, 67)
Allah places the fetus in the most protective situation, thereby
preventing the resulting child from becoming disabled or experiencing
pain and suffering. Whatever a baby needs was created billions of years
ago. From the air that he breathes to his mother’s milk that contains
every nutrient he requires, everything is ready for him.
Every person’s body is protected throughout their life within the
faultless system that Allah has created. For example, each person’s
heart beats without stopping, even though a person does nothing to
ensure this. If he had to ensure that his heart beat every second of his
life, his life would become unbearable, for he would be unable to
sleep, eat, or do anything else but think about his heart beating.
However, Allah has ordered each persons’ heart to beat from the moment
of life to the moment of death. As a result, He ensures that each
person’s heart will never stop beating, even for a second.
A person has no final control over his or her body, despite asserting
the opposite. Our Most Glorious Lord is the sole controller of each
part of a person’s body. A person cannot independently control and
manage the blood traveling with great speed, how much blood the heart
pumps, how long it takes to coagulate, and all of the various systems
(e.g., respiratory, digestive, immune, nervous, and so on) existing
within his body.
A person is dependent upon Allah for everything, as Allah reveals:
O humanity. You are the poor in need of Allah, whereas Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Surah Fatir, 15)
He is Allah—the Creator, the Maker, and the Giver of Form. To Him
belong the Most Beautiful Names. Everything in the heavens and Earth
glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Surat al-Hashr, 24)
Every morning when you wake up, you see that your body works
perfectly so that you can live. You breathe with ease, and see a
colorful world without exerting the slightest effort.
You will hear noises clearly, sense all the smells with ease, and eat
whatever you desire. You do not have to focus and dwell on where the
vitamins that you consume in your food are sent, how your immune system
operates and interacts with microbes and viruses, how your brain
produces images of a piece of furniture, or any other details.
Without any exertion, you can recall what you did yesterday or many
years ago and store all of this information in your memory. Most
importantly, despite having a body that operates according to sensitive
balances, you will be in good health, for Allah is constantly
controlling all of your systems. This is why people should reflect on
the faultless systems and innumerable blessings that our Lord has
bestowed upon them. As Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:
O humanity. What has deluded you in respect of your Noble
Lord—He Who created you, formed you, proportioned you, and assembled
you in whatever way He willed? (Surat al-Infitar, 6-8)
Therefore, if a person were to look at his body, a great deal of
evidence could be found to lead him to acquire a profound and great love
of Allah. In addition, the universe contains many details, all of which
represent innumerable blessings bestowed on people. All of these
extraordinary blessings are created and protected by our one and only
friend: Allah.
Those who reflect on these details see that they are constantly
dependent upon Allah, Who has created them and enabled them to live.
Without His consent, they could not even breathe. Thus, they can
understand that Allah is their closest friend and guardian. Allah
informs us of this reality in the following verse:
[Say:] “There is no way out for you in Earth or heaven. You have no protector or helper besides Allah.” (Surat al-‘Ankabut, 22)
EVERYTHING THAT ALLAH HAS CREATED IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND BENEFICIAL
Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. (Surat al-Mujadala, 22)
Whatever our Lord, the possessor of infinite justice and mercy, has
created, as well as every judgment that He has made, is the most
beneficial and beautiful for all people. Even seemingly unimportant
incidents possess great goodness, wisdom, and beauty. Allah informs us
of this reality in the verses:
It may be that you hate something when it is good for
you, and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah
knows, and you do not know. (Surat al-Baqara, 216)
We guided him on the way, whether he is thankful or unthankful. (Surat al-Insan, 3)
Those believers who lead their lives knowing this fact will be
content with whatever confronts them and whatever they hear, and always
turn to Allah to thank him for all that He has created. Thus, they
remember Allah with love and praise.
ALLAH WILLS EASE FOR PEOPLE
Our Lord, the possessor of infinite mercy and compassion, has called
people to the easiest and most beautiful path through His books and
messengers. The religious morals to which He summons us are the easiest
to follow, and the prescribed prayers are within reach of every person’s
ability. Those who cannot fulfill their religious obligations have been
informed of the many easy ways that they can use to change this
situation and earn our Lord’s good pleasure. As we read in the following
verses:
We will ease you to the easy way. (Surat al-A‘la, 8)
He has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the
religion—the religion of your forefather Ibrahim. (Surat al-Hajj, 78)
We did not send down the Qur’an to you to make you miserable, but
only as a reminder for those who have fear [and respect for Allah].
(Surah Ta Ha, 2-3)
In another verse, Allah says that He will not burden people beyond what they can bear:
Allah does not impose on any self any more than it can
bear. For it is what it has earned; against it is what it has brought
upon itself. “Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a
mistake. Our Lord, do not place on us a load like the one You placed on
those before us. Our Lord, do not place on us a load we have not the
strength to bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are
our Master, so help us against the unbelievers.” (Surat al-Baqara, 286)
This ease is a manifestation of His mercy, forgiveness, and
compassion. Allah has established an easy religion for His servants,
and, at the end of this temporal test, He offers the glad tidings of
unprecedented beauty and unimaginable perfection full of blessings in
the eternal life of Paradise:
Their Lord gives them the good news of His mercy and good
pleasure, and of Gardens in which they will enjoy everlasting delight,
remaining in them timelessly, forever and ever. Truly, there is an
immense reward with Allah. (Surat at-Tawba, 21-22)
Allah needs nothing and is free of all deficiencies. On the other
hand, people need to worship, pray, and display good morals. Even the
world’s most brutal, violent, and faithless person cannot harm Allah in
any way, for He is the sole owner and sovereign of all that exists.
Still, Allah says that He will reward those who display moral
excellence. This is one of many signs of Almighty Allah’s forgiveness
and mercy.
In this way We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an, and We have made various threats in it so that, hopefully,
they will guard against evil or it will spur them into remembrance.
(Surah Ta Ha, 113)
The revelations contained within Allah’s true books brought people
into the light from their darkness, and His sending prophets and
messengers to guide everyone to the true path is yet another
manifestation of our Lord’s mercy.
Allah has made the Qur’an a source of light that informs people of
the right and wrong paths and reveals all things. Our Lord has told us
about all forms of worship, belief, and behaviors for which we will be
held accountable in the Hereafter.
We have brought them a Book elucidating everything with
knowledge, as guidance and a mercy for people who believe. (Surat
al-A‘raf, 52)
Allah states in the Qur’an that none of its letters will ever be corrupted:
We have sent down the Reminder and will preserve it. (Surat al-Hijr, 9)
Falsehood cannot reach it [the Qur’an] from before it or behind it—it
is a revelation from One Who is All-Wise, Praiseworthy. (Surah
Fussilat, 42)
The Qur’an will be protected and remain valid until the Day of
Judgment. In its faultless and complete manner, it is a great blessing
and ease for all humanity. Allah informs the believers of these facts,
as follows:
We have sent down the Book to you making all things
clear, and as guidance, mercy, and good news for the Muslims. (Surat
an-Nahl, 89)
Furthermore, Allah has sent His messengers and prophets throughout
history to all people. These blessed people, whom Allah has selected,
are very dependable, pious, just, and possessed of good morals. They
sought only Allah’s good pleasure, even at the risk of death, and spent
their lives calling people to the true path. In addition, they were very
compassionate, for they constantly thought of the believers, protected
them, and were sensitive and self-sacrificing toward them. For Allah to
select all of these special people with such excellent characteristics,
and then send them to humanity, is yet another example of His kindness
to believers.
A further manifestation of His mercy and protection is that He has
informed all things to people, and has sent true books, as well as
reliable messengers and prophets, to invite people to an easy path.
Allah has ensured ease for all people throughout history, provided for
them in the best possible form, and vowed to guard and protect those who
adhere to His call. And, above all, He has promised Paradise with all
of its beauty to the believers. Allah, the Most Merciful, is the
protector and provider of all people in both this world and the
Hereafter, and possessor of infinite compassion.
ALLAH ACCEPTS REPENTANCE AND FORGIVES THOSE WHO FEEL REMORSE
Allah, Who possesses infinite forgiveness, reveals that:
If Allah were to punish people for their wrong actions,
not a single creature would be left on Earth. However, He defers them
until a predetermined time. When their specified time arrives, they
cannot delay it for a single hour, nor can they bring it forward. (Surat
an-Nahl, 61)
Even while you are reading this book, Allah has allotted a specific
period of time for you and all other people. This is a most beneficial
period for the believers. Every person who fears, respects, and obeys
Allah and then turns to Him in repentance for every sin that he or she
has committed will receive forgiveness, as long as they are sincere.
Allah’s infinite compassion is revealed in the following verse:
Were it not for Allah’s favor to you and His mercy… and that Allah is Ever-Returning, All-Wise. (Surat an-Nur, 10)
Since Allah is the possessor of infinite mercy, there is always the
hope of forgiveness. Our Lord gives the opportunity of salvation to each
person as long as he or she is alive, and has made everyone aware of
this fact. Despite all of Allah’s blessings and mercy, those who forget
Him or lead a life without thinking about their reliance upon Allah are,
in reality, in a state of absolute heedlessness. Unable to
appropriately acknowledge Allah’s mercy, love, and blessings in this
life, they will be punished in the Hereafter.
Allah reinforces with His help whoever He wills. There is instruction in that for people of insight.
(Surah Al ‘Imran, 13)
ALLAH PROTECTS AND HELPS THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIS PATH
Those who sincerely turn to Allah and follow His path will sense His
protection and presence. Allah will clear the path for those who
sincerely believe in Him, avoid the unlawful and engage in the lawful,
by providing ease for them in all that they do. Allah informs us in many
verses that He will help, protect, and raise them to high levels, for:
… it is Our duty to help the believers. (Surat ar-Rum, 47)
One of the best examples of Allah’s help and support can be seen in
the life of Prophet Musa (as), who fled from his city, turned to Allah,
and made the following supplication: “My Lord, I am truly in need of any
good You have in store for me” (Surat al-Qasas, 24). Allah accepted his
supplication, enabling Prophet Musa (as) to find a community of people
with whom he could stay and on whom he could depend.
Following the revelation of Prophet Musa’s (as) prophethood, Allah
appointed his brother, Prophet Harun (as), to support and help him in
his mission to Pharaoh. Allah assisted both of them when Pharaoh and his
armies set upon them. He split open the sea, thereby enabling Prophet
Musa (as) and the Children of Israel to escape to freedom while Pharaoh
and his army drowned. Allah relates the following information about this
event:
We showed great kindness to Musa and Harun. We rescued
them and their people from their terrible plight. We supported them, and
so they were the victors. (Surat as-Saffat, 114-6)
Allah assisted Prophet Nuh (as), by inspiring him to build an ark to
protect him and his followers from the impending flood; rescued Prophet
‘Isa (as) from certain death by raising him to His presence; and
protected Prophet Yusuf (as) by freeing him from the Egyptian vizier’s
dungeon and then raising him to high rank and power. Our Lord constantly
assisted our Prophet (saas) by lightening his burden. Allah informs us
that He was our Prophet’s (saas)guardian, protector, and source of help,
which enabled the believers’ hearts to be in a state of total peace and
trust:
Ask: “Who is going to shield you from Allah if He desires
evil for you or desires mercy for you?” They will find no one to
protect or help them besides Allah. (Surat al-Ahzab, 17)
Our word was given before to Our servants, the Messengers, that they
would certainly be helped. Our army will be victorious. (Surat
as-Saffat, 171-173)
O you who believe. If you help Allah, He will help you and make your feet firm. (Surah Muhammad, 7)
We will certainly help Our messengers and those who
believe both in the life of this world and on the Day the witnesses
appear. (Surah Ghafir, 51)
People rely on Allah every moment, for there is no
other helper but Him. Whenever you are faced with any form of distress,
Allah is the only One Who can offer any help. As a mercy, Allah created
many blessings for people to use when they are confronted with hardship.
While people benefit from these blessings, it would be a grave mistake
to assume that these blessings are a source of independent strength.
Given that Allah has created all of these blessings, they should be seen
as manifestations of His favor and mercy upon humanity. For example, if
someone visits a doctor, only Allah can cure him. And, the doctor can
only cure a person with His consent. By the same token, if a person
hires a solicitor as his guardian to protect what is rightfully his, his
true guardian is Allah. A solicitor can only protect a person’s rights
or ensure legal representation by Allah’s will. In reality, Allah brings
all issues to an end and provides for a person’s blessings in the best
possible way.
For people who seek Allah’s help and who view our Lord as their true
guardian, only true friend, and helper, Allah guarantees that His help
will reach them from many different paths. Those who are conscious of
these facts will never seek such guarantees from other people or
sources, for they know that all help is from Allah and so seek
everything from Him. When people attain success, are victorious, or
benefit from an unexpected source, they immediately turn to Allah and
thank Him. As a result of this divine help, they regard our Lord with
deep love and overflowing respect. Allah reminds us that He is each
person’s true guardian and source of help in the following verse:
Whenever We abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten,
We bring one better than it or equal to it. Don’t you know that Allah
has power over all things? Don’t you know that Allah is He to Whom the
kingdom of the heavens and Earth belongs and that, besides Allah, you
have no protector and no helper? (Surat al-Baqara, 106-7)
Help comes from no one but Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 126)
Allah was their Protector. Let the believers put their trust in Allah. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 122)
ALLAH ACCEPTS SUPPLICATIONS
None of us has any independent strength. At every point of our life,
we depend upon Allah to offer us His mercy, bestow some of His kindness
and blessings, and protect and ensure our safety. Our Lord, the
possessor of infinite mercy, informs people that He will respond to
their supplications and prayers.
If My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the
call of the caller when he calls on Me. They should, therefore, respond
to Me and believe in Me so that, hopefully, they will be rightly guided.
(Surat al-Baqara, 186)
Your Lord says: “Call on Me, and I will answer you. Those who are too
proud to worship Me will enter Hell abject.” (Surah Ghafir, 60)
The fact that Allah, the sole sovereign and owner of everything that
exists, whether spiritual or temporal, Who hears every prayer, knows
everything that goes through a person’s mind, and responds to each
prayer is a great blessing and mercy.
We will certainly help Our messengers and those who
believe both in the life of this world and on the Day the witnesses
appear. (Surah Ghafir, 51)
While making a supplication, we can ask for anything that we want,
provided that we adhere to Allah’s will and observe the limits that He
has set for humanity. The Qur’an contains many of the prophets’
supplications and reveals how He responded to them:
And Ayyub, when he called out to his Lord: “Great harm
has afflicted me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful,” We
responded to him, removed the harm that was afflicting him, and restored
his family to him, and the same again with them, as a mercy direct from
Us and a Reminder to all worshippers. (Surat al-Anbiya’, 83-84)
And Zakariyya, when he called out to his Lord: “My Lord, do not leave
me on my own, though You are the Best of Inheritors.” We responded to
him and gave him Yahya, restoring for him his wife’s fertility. They
outdid one another in good actions, calling out to Us in yearning and in
awe, and humbling themselves to Us. (Surat al-Anbiya’, 89-90)
Nuh called out to Us, and what an excellent Responder We are. We
rescued him and his family from the terrible plight, and made his
descendants the survivors (Surat as-Saffat, 75-77)
Call on your Lord humbly and secretly. He does not love those who
overstep the limits [that He has set for humanity]. Do not corrupt the
Earth after it has been put right. Call on Him fearfully and eagerly.
Allah’s mercy is close to the good-doers. (Surat al-A‘raf, 55-56)
Moreover, He accepts the supplications of everyone in distress and the needy:
He Who responds to the oppressed when they call on Him
and removes their distress, and has appointed you as inheritors of the
land. Is there another deity besides Allah? How little you pay heed!
(Surat an-Naml, 62)
A person who sees his or her supplications answered experiences great
joy. To know that Allah is always with you, constantly seeing, hearing,
and knowing everything connected with you causes you to hope that Allah
will help you in every task that you undertake and accept every request
that you make as long as you are sincere. This increases a believer’s
love, submission, and closeness to Allah.
ALLAH POSSESSES INFINITE JUSTICE
Throughout our lives, each of us has perhaps experienced and
witnessed many people acting unjustly. Such behavior is routinely
witnessed at work, while testifying, or making a decision. They
constantly protect their own interests, or, at least, do not consider
being just. Justice is one indication that the person possesses moral
excellence, as well as honesty and sincerity. Such people who practice
justice even at their own personal loss will earn their community’s love
and respect and, despite having different opinions on various matters,
will be respected and even declared to be heroes.
Allah, the source of infinite justice, makes all of His judgments
with precise justice. All people have received their portion of justice,
and will continue to do so in the future. Every person will fully
receive the reward of their deeds with Allah. The Qur’an tells us how
His justice will be implemented perfectly in the Hereafter:
On the Day We summon every people with their records,
those who are given their book in their right hand will read their book
and will not be wronged by even the smallest speck. (Surat al-Isra’, 71)
Say: “Our Lord will bring us all together and then will judge between
us with the truth. He is the Just Decider, the All-Knowing.’” (Surah
Saba’, 26)
Being sure of receiving Allah’s justice, a person submits to Allah
with boundless love and absolute trust. Subsequently, in all situations
he knows that Allah’s justice is manifest in that incident and thus
welcomes with absolute love and happiness any incident that our Lord
creates.
Our Lord! You know what we keep hidden and what we
divulge. Nothing is hidden from Allah, either on Earth or in heaven.
(Surah Ibrahim, 38)
Some people assume that love of Allah is enough for those who seek to
live according to religious morals and earn Allah’s good pleasure.
However, Allah informs us that His servants who possess superior morals
and love Him also have a genuine fear and respect for Him. Every person
who acknowledges Allah with all of His attributes and appreciates His
greatness, as well as those who have intelligence and a conscience, will
fear and respect Allah to the utmost degree. Allah enables such
servants, who also abide by His will, to distinguish good from evil and
to observe the limits that He has set for humanity. Allah informs us of
the blessings He gives the believers in the following verse:
For example, such people do not lie. Even if their self-interests
suffer a loss, they will worry about not earning Allah’s good pleasure
and thereby earning His retribution. Therefore, they will act in an
honest manner. If they indulge in even a moment’s heedlessness and say
something that is not right, they will immediately repent and undertake
never to repeat that action in the future. Similarly, despite being in
great need, they will not try to earn a living through unlawful means
because they fear (and respect) Allah.
Every person who does not appropriately fear and respect Allah has
his own private boundaries. Even if he is true and honest up to that
boundary, he will act according to his own interests beyond it. Those
who fear and respect Allah, on the other hand, will never stray from the
straight path, regardless of how difficult their situation is. When
confronted with any hardship, they immediately turn to Him in complete
trust and ask Him to show them a way out.
Allah loves His servants, wills the good for them, is oft-forgiving
and merciful, helps them in every instance, and bestows kindness upon
His servants without seeking recompense. The idolaters and unbelievers
are far away from Allah’s mercy. Our Lord, the possessor of infinite
justice, provides for His pious servants who possess a genuine heart and
true belief in Allah, and will reward them in this world and the
Hereafter. Those who insist on unbelief will suffer the pains of Hell.
Those who comprehend our Lord’s infinite strength and ability to
punish in the Hereafter hold Allah in complete awe and respect. As a
result, they are careful not to adopt an attitude that does not earn our
Lord’s good pleasure. However, on the other hand, as a result of their
genuine and faithful love of Allah, hoping Allah will forgive their sins
and accept their repentance, they do their best to earn His good
pleasure and be rewarded with Paradise for their striving in His path.
The Qur’an mentions the believers’ morals, as follows:
Every believer who genuinely loves Allah will feel a great awe for
Allah’s punishment and, by trying not to lose His love and consent, will
strive to earn His good pleasure. Allah says of those believers, who
have these morals:
A
person’s real life, the eternal life of the Hereafter, only begins
after death, for this world is no more than a temporary residence in
which all people are tried. The believers, who are conscious of this
reality, demonstrate their love for one another by preparing for the
Hereafter. As much they would like to attain Allah’s good pleasure,
mercy, and Paradise, they would like their loved ones to share the same
blessings and beauties as themselves. Knowing that one could face
eternity in Hell, they behave in a manner designed to lead others toward
the true path. Whenever they see a mistake in each other’s behavior,
they immediately will do their best to help their beloveds alter their
behavior and morals so that they will gain Allah’s good pleasure. They
invite one another to what is good and beautiful, and withdraw from what
He has proclaimed to be unlawful. Their eagerness and sincere love for
one another is one of their best characteristics. Allah informs us of
the believers’ understanding of the strengthened love: