World Blog by humble servant.Live Your Life According To Quran

Be charitable [2:195] You shall spend in the cause of GOD; do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction. You shall be charitable; GOD loves the charitable.

[2:267] O you who believe, you shall give to charity from the good things you earn, and from what we have produced for you from the earth. Do not pick out the bad therein to give away, when you yourselves do not accept it unless your eyes are closed. You should know that GOD is Rich, Praiseworthy. [2:262-3] Those who spend their money in the cause of GOD, then do not follow their charity with insult or harm, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.  Kind words and compassion are better than a charity that is followed by insult. GOD is Rich, Clement. Spend in the way of God [2:177] …. and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution,

hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous. [4:128]….. Selfishness is a human trait, and if you do good and lead a righteous life, GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.

Speak the truth [2:42] Do not confound the truth with falsehood, nor shall you conceal the truth, knowingly. [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. [16:116] You shall not utter lies with your own tongues stating: “This is lawful, and this is unlawful,” to fabricate lies and attribute them to GOD. Surely, those who fabricate lies and attribute them to GOD will never succeed.

Weigh with even scales [17:35] You shall give full measure when you trade, and weigh equitably. This is better and more righteous.

[83:1-3] Woe to the cheaters. Who demand full measure when receiving from the people. But when giving them the measures or weights, they cheat.

Be humble [17:37] You shall not walk proudly on earth―you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains. [17:24] And lower for them the wings of humility, and kindness, and say, “My Lord, have mercy on them, for they have raised me from infancy.”  [31:18-19] “You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth proudly. GOD does not like the arrogant showoffs.  “Walk humbly and lower your voice―the ugliest voice is the donkey’s voice.”

Exercise patience [16:126] And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones. [42:43] Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.

Hold to forgiveness [7:199] You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant. [42:37] They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.

Be trustworthy [23:8] When it comes to deposits entrusted to them, as well as any agreements they make, they are trustworthy. [17:34] You shall nottouch the orphans’ money except for their own good, until they reach maturity. You shall fulfill your covenants, for a covenant is a great responsibility.  [8:27] O you who believe, do not betray GOD and the messenger, and do not betray those who trust you, now that you know.

Do justice to every one without any discrimination [4:135] O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.

Treat parents with respect [17:23] Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, “Uff” (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably.

Treat Each Other Amicably [17:53] Tell My servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the devil is man’s most ardent enemy. [41:34] Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend.

Uphold the law [55:7-9] He constructed the sky and established the law. You shall not transgress the law. You shall establish justice; do not violate the law. [5:62] You see many of them readily committing evil and transgression, and eating from illicit earnings. Miserable indeed is what they do.

Guard your modesty

[24:30-31] Tell the believing men that they shall subdue their eyes

(and not stare at the women), and to maintain their chastity. This is purer for them. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything they do. And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. …

Counter evil with goodness [28:54] To these we grant twice the reward, because they steadfastly persevere. They counter evil works with good works, and from our provisions to them, they give.

Do your work through consultation [42:38] They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).

Be morally upright [24:33] Those who cannot afford to get married shall maintain morality until GOD provides for them from His grace. Those among your servants who wish to be freed in order to marry, you shall grant them their wish, once you realize that they are honest. And give them from GOD’s money that He has bestowed upon you. You shall not force your girls to commit prostitution, seeking the materials of this world, if they wish to be chaste. If anyone forces them, then GOD, seeing that they are forced, is Forgiver, Merciful.

Do not be a spendthrift [17:27] The extravagant are brethren of the devils, and the devil is unappreciative of his Lord.

Observe etiquette [24:27-28] O you who believe, do not enter homes other than yours without permission from their inhabitants, and without greeting them. This is better for you, that you may take heed. If you find no one in them, do not enter them until you obtain permission. If you are told, “Go back,” you must go back. This is purer for you. GOD is fully aware of everything you do. [4:86] When greeted with a greeting, you shall respond with a better greeting or at least an equal one. GOD reckons all things. [5:2]….You shall cooperate in matters of righteousness and piety; do not cooperate in matters that are sinful and evil.….

Do not be opinionated [38:26] O David, we have made you a ruler on earth. Therefore, you shall judge among the people equitably,

and do not follow your personal opinion, lest it diverts you from the way of GOD. Surely, those who stray off the way of GOD incur severe retribution for forgetting the Day of Reckoning.

Do not participate in usury [3:130] O you who believe, you shall not take usury, compounded over and over. Observe GOD, that you may succeed.

Do not indulge in intoxicants and gambling [5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.

Do not covet what God gave to others [4:32] You shall not covet the qualities bestowed upon each other by GOD; the men enjoy certain qualities, and the women enjoy certain qualities. You may implore GOD to shower you with His grace. GOD is fully aware of all things.

Do as you say [61:2-3] O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do? Most abominable in the sight of GOD is that you say what you do not do.

Avoid adultery [17:32] You shall not commit adultery; it is a gross sin, and an evil behavior.

Do not slander [24:23] Surely, those who falsely accuse married women who are pious believers have incurred condemnation in this life and in the Hereafter; they have incurred a horrendous retribution. [104:1] Woe to every backbiter, slanderer.

Do Not Prohibit Lawful Things [5:87] O you who believe, do not prohibit good things that are made lawful by GOD, and do not aggress; GOD dislikes the aggressors. [2:168] O people, eat from the earth’s products all that is lawful and good, and do not follow the steps of Satan; he is your most ardent enemy.

Do not oppress nor aggress [2:191] ….Oppression is worse than murder.  [2:190] You may fight in thecause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors. [2:193] You may also fight them to eliminate oppression, and to worship GOD freely. If they refrain, you shall not aggress; aggression is permitted only against the aggressors. [42:42] The wrong ones are those who treat the people unjustly, and resort to aggression without provocation. These have incurred a painful retribution.

Control anger [3:134] who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. GOD loves the charitable.

Avoid evil plotting [35:43] They resorted to arrogance on earth, and evil scheming, and the evil schemes only backfire on those who scheme them. Should they then expect anything but the fate of those who did the same things in the past? You will find that GOD’s system is never changeable; you will find that GOD’s system is immutable.

Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain [2:224] Do not subject GOD’s name to your casual swearing, that you may appear righteous, pious, or to attain credibility among the people. GOD is Hearer, Knower.

Do not divide [6:159] Those who divide themselves into sects do not belong with you. Their judgment rests with GOD, then He will inform them of everything they had done.

Live in a righteous manner that you may die in a righteous manner [3:102] O you who believe, you shall observe GOD as He should be observed, and do not die except as Submitters.  [3:193] “Our Lord, we have heard a caller calling to faith and proclaiming: ‘You shall believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us our transgressions, remit our sins, and let us die as righteous believers.

God ALONE

[39:11] Say, "I have been commanded to worship GOD, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone.

Abraham’s Prayers

[60:4] A good example has been set for you by Abraham….

We know that Abraham was a very righteous man, who, even in his youth, stood up strongly and fearlessly for God. We are told he never was an idol worshiper (2:135, 3:67, 3:95, 6:161, 16:123) and God called him a beloved friend (4:125). All of the practices of Submission came to us from God through Abraham (16:123, 21:73, 22:78). And Abraham himself prayed that he might serve as a good example for those who came after him. [26:84] “Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.”

[16:120-2] Abraham was indeed an exemplary vanguard in his submission to GOD, a monotheist who never worshiped idols. Because he was appreciative of His Lord’s blessings, He chose him and guided him in a straight path. We granted him happiness in this life, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous.

Since God says that Abraham was “an exemplary vanguard,”  it seems fitting to look at some of Abraham’s prayers that have come to us in the Quran. They are good words to remember, good things for each of us to pray for today.

In Sura 26 we find one of the times Abraham debates with his people. These are lovely verses for us to remember:

[26:77] “… I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe.

[26:78] “The One who created me, and guided me.

[26:79] “The One who feeds me and waters me.

[26:80] “And when I get sick, He heals me.

[26:81] “The One who puts me to death, then brings me back to life.

[26:82] “The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.

[26:83] “My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous.

[26:84] “Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.

[26:85] “Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise.

Abraham’s various prayers at the Kaaba are important for us. They contain good words we can use in our lives. We very much want to live in a peaceful land, and only God is the Protector; we want good provisions, and only God is the Provider; we want God to accept our prayers and righteous actions, and only God is the Hearer; we want to be forgiven for our sins, and only God is the Forgiver.

[2:126] Abraham prayed: “My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and provide its people with fruits. Provide for those who believe in GOD and the Last Day.” (God) said, “I will also provide for those who disbelieve. I will let them enjoy, temporarily, then commit them to the retribution of Hell, and a miserable destiny.”

[2:127] As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): “Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient.

[14:35] Recall that Abraham said, “My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols. [14:36] “My Lord, they have misled so many people. As for those who follow me, they belong with me. As for those who disobey me, You are Forgiver, Most Merciful. [14:37] “Our Lord, I have settled part of my family in this plantless valley, at Your Sacred House. Our Lord, they are to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), so let throngs of people converge upon them, and provide for them all kinds of fruits, that they may be appreciative. [14:38] “Our Lord, You know whatever we conceal and whatever we declare― nothing is hidden from GOD on earth, nor in the heavens. [14:39] “Praise be to GOD for granting me, despite my old age, Ismail and Isaac. My Lord answers the prayers. [14:40] “My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers.

[14:41] “My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and the believers, on the day when the reckoning takes place.”

Even Abraham’s asking for reassurance is an example for us. We may feel doubt, but all we have to do is ask God for assurance and He will show us His proofs.

[2:260] Abraham said, “My Lord, show me how You revive the dead.” He said, “Do you not believe?” He said, “Yes, but I wish to reassure my heart.” He said, “Take four birds, study their marks, place a piece of each bird on top of a hill, then call them to you. They will come to you in a hurry. You should know that GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.”

Abraham’s strength as he debated with his people is inspiring. 6:74-81 show him demonstrating that there is no other god besides God. He ends this section with: [6:79] “I have devoted myself absolutely to the One who initiated the heavens and the earth; I will never be an idol worshiper.” [6:80] His people argued with him. He said, “Do you argue with me about GOD, after He has guided me? I have no fear of the idols you set up. Nothing can happen to me, unless my Lord wills it. My Lord’s knowledge encompasses all things. Would you not take heed? [6:81] “Why should I fear your idols? It is you who should be afraid, since you worship instead of GOD

idols that are utterly powerless to help you. Which side is more deserving of security, if you know?”

As he argued with his father, he said: [19:48] “I will abandon you and the gods you worship besides GOD. I will worship only my Lord. By imploring my Lord alone, I cannot go wrong.” Beautiful words to remember—we cannot go wrong when we implore God.

And another time: [43:26-8] Abraham said to his father and his people, “I disown what you worship. Only the One who initiated me can guide me.” This example (of Abraham) was rendered an everlasting lesson for subsequent generations; perhaps they redeem their souls.

Abraham is a strong and positive example for all times and all places. As you read the Quran, note the various prayers attributed to him and the number of times God uses him as a lesson.

[3:68] The people most worthy of Abraham are those who followed him, and this prophet, and those who believe. GOD is the Lord and Master of the believers.

Abraham: Delivered All  Religious Duties of Islam

[21:73] We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers.New Year’s High

On New Year’s Eve, lots of people ended the year high and many also started high. And some of those who started high are right now feeling low. You may or may not have made any resolutions, or gone out for any celebration, but however you woke up on New Year’s Day, remember that you ended the old year on a High Note and started the new year on a High Note. The last night prayer of 2023, and the first dawn of 2024. You woke up and prayed. And when you did your dawn Contact Prayer, you said Subhaana Rabbiyal A’ala, which is ‘Glory be to my Lord, Most High.’ And when you praise the Most High, He raises your soul high in preparation for the eternal high heaven (God willing). And you go through this blessing day after day. This is a provision very few people have, and no one can take it away from you. So however good or bad your day appears, remember that you always started on a High Note. While others may have needed spirits to get high, God blesses you, His servant, with a continuous spiritual high. Glory be to God.

Happy New Year