It's a well known misconception about Submission that we're not to
set high goals, aim for the best or strive to achieve certain gains
in this life. This misconception is due to lake of knowledge and
selective application of certain verses in the Quran and ignoring
others. God created us and He knows that it's our nature to strive,
compete and achieve.
[90:4] We
created the human being to work hard (to redeem himself).
As long as we maintain righteousness, the concept of striving to
reach our goals and dreams in this life is not much different
from the striving to attain God's mercy in the Hereafter. We can
always utilize the human's dynamics, ambitions and energy to reach
for the top in this life and in the Hereafter. There are no
limitations. The race is on. Competition is lawful. However, only
the righteous are the real winners.
[39:10] Say, "O My servants who believed, you
shall reverence your Lord." For those who worked righteousness
in this world, a good
reward. GOD's earth is spacious,
and those who steadfastly persevere will receive their recompense
generously, without limits.
[4:134] Anyone who seeks the materials of
this world should know that GOD
possesses both the materials of this world and the
Hereafter. GOD is Hearer, Seer.
The Winners
[9:71] The believing men and women are
allies of one another. They advocate righteousness and forbid
evil, they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the
obligatory charity (Zakat), and they obey GOD and His messenger.
These will be showered by GOD's
mercy. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
Quran consistently teaches believers to recognize the fine line
between leading a successful life within the confines of
righteousness and getting too occupied and obsessed with our goals
and dreams to the point of idolizing them. It's always
holding, strongly, to the rope of God and His teachings, that would
define such a line. Unfortunately, it's so easy for us to drift away
and pollute our faith with idol worship.
The Unforgivable Sin
[4:48] GOD does not forgive
idolatry*, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills.
Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous
offense.
*4:48 Idol worship is not forgivable, if maintained until death. One
can always repent from any offense, including idolatry, before death
comes (see 4:18 & 40:66).
Perfect Security for Believers
[6:82] Those who believe, and do not pollute
their belief with idol worship, have deserved the
perfect security, and they
are truly guided.
If we manage to always remember God with every thought, utterance,
action and decision we make, while pursuing our goals and
dreams, we get stronger and more immune to idol worship. If we
implore Him, trust in Him, truly reflect on and appreciate all
of His blessings surrounding us, we are less likely to get duped by
Satan and idolize those dreams.
[3:191] They
remember GOD* while standing, sitting, and on their sides,
and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens
and the earth: "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be
You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.
*3:191 Your god is whoever or whatever occupies your mind most of
the time. The true believers are those who remember God most of the
time. See 23:84-89 and Appendix 27.
Our striving in following His teachings will only make us go
after the righteous gains and will direct our footsteps towards
the straight path. When our priority in this life, is to live up
to the standards of the Quran, He'll perfect our light(66:8), fix
our works and decisions(33:71) and shower us with more blessings
in this life besides the promised eternal rewards of the Hereafter
:
Innovated Prohibitions Condemned
[7:32] Say, "Who prohibited the nice things
GOD has created for His creatures, and the good provisions?"
Say, "Such provisions are to be
enjoyed in this life by those who believe.
Moreover, the good provisions
will be exclusively theirs on the Day of Resurrection."
We thus explain the revelations
for people who know.
Another example of how God perfects His blessings in this world
for the righteous, is Abraham:
[29:27]
We granted him Isaac and Jacob, we assigned to his descendants
prophethood and the scriptures, we endowed him with his due
recompense in this life, and in the Hereafter he will surely be
with the righteous.
The Quran cites for us the example of Qaaroon's people who were
much wiser and more guided than him. They teach us how we can
always take advantage of God's blessings, by enjoying them in this
life, as well as using them to achieve the eternal bliss of the
Hereafter.
Qaaroon
[28:76] Qaaroon (the slave driver) was one
of Moses' people who betrayed them and oppressed them.
We gave him so many treasures
that the keys thereof were almost too heavy for the strongest band.
His people said to him,
"Do not be so arrogant; GOD does not love those who are arrogant.
[28:77] "Use
the provisions bestowed upon you by GOD
to seek the abode of the
Hereafter, without neglecting your share in this world.
Be charitable,
as GOD has been charitable
towards you. Do not keep
on corrupting the earth. GOD does not love the
corruptors."
Another example is how God teaches us the difference between the
rich believer and the poor one.
The Rich Believer is Better than the Poor Believer
[16:75] GOD cites the example of a slave
who is owned, and is totally powerless,
compared to one whom we blessed
with good provisions, from which he gives to charity secretly
and publicly. Are they equal? Praise be to GOD, most of
them do not know.
Righteousness, as defined in the Quran, sets the limits of our
goals and dreams. We should never accept any limits that are set
by other than God. Solomon was one of God's obedient servants.
His story in the following verses, sets a great example and a
profound reminder for us on how leading a righteous life can go
hand in hand with all the vast material wealth of this world,
and with the strongest kingship ever :
Solomon's Exemplary Devotion
[38:30] To David we granted Solomon;
a good and obedient servant.
[38:31] One day he became preoccupied
with beautiful horses, until the night fell.
[38:32] He then said, "I enjoyed the
material things more than I enjoyed worshiping my Lord, until
the sun was gone.
[38:33] "Bring them back." (To bid
farewell,) he rubbed their legs and necks.
[38:34]
We thus put Solomon to the test; we blessed him with vast
material wealth, but
he steadfastly submitted.
[38:35] He said, "My
Lord, forgive me, and
grant me a kingship never attained by anyone else. You
are the Grantor."
[38:36] We (answered his prayer and)
committed the wind at his disposal, pouring rain wherever he wanted.
[38:37] And the devils, building and diving.
[38:38] Others were placed at his disposal.
[38:39]
"This is our provision to you; you may give generously, or withhold,
without limits."
[38:40] He
has deserved an honorable position with us,
and a wonderful abode.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless you
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