Examples are effective educational tools used in order to
introduce a pattern or a model for others. It serves as a
way of illustrating or demonstrating our ideas in a clear
representation which allows a correct understanding and easy
absorption of these ideas.
God utilizes this educational mechanism in His final
testament. The Quran is full of examples set by the Most
Merciful so that His message and commands will come
across as easy and clear as can be. Numerous examples
vary from simple allegories and parables to illustrating
short stories so we reflect and understand God's
infinite wisdom. God also uses the narration of true
history of the previous generations as teaching
lessons.
Quran: No Ambiguity
[39:27] We have cited for the
people every kind of example in this
Quran, that they may take heed.
[39:28] An Arabic Quran, without
any ambiguity, that they may be righteous.
[29:43] We cite these
examples for the people, and none
appreciate them except the knowledgeable.*
[24:34] We have revealed to you
clarifying revelations, and
examples from the past generations, and
an enlightenment for the righteous.
By God's will, if we are among the righteous who reflect
and take heed, our application of these values and
leading a lifestyle based on them becomes much less
challenging and gets accomplished appropriately because
of the clarity of the presented teachings through this
technique of setting examples. Such is God's mercy and
superior teaching skills.
If we follow this superior educational mechanism and use
it in our daily life for the purpose of illustrating for
others the fully detailed message of the Quran, God
willing, we will score very high in spreading God's
truth.
Everyday that passes by, we get in touch with our kids,
our spouses, our relatives, co-workers, clients,
friends, or even random people who God puts in our
way in accordance to a divine plan. We talk, interact
and deal with situations involving them. Our words, our
behavior, our decisions, and actions demonstrate to our
small world who we really are.. And who are we? We are
submitters to God alone and strict followers of the
fully detailed Quran. This means that the essence behind
our words, behavior, decisions and actions will
automatically spell out who a submitter is, set the
example and, indirectly, will speak for the message of
Submission. In other wards, the message of Submission
will be illustrated, clearly, and strongly to
others when we strive and stick with applying the
highest standards of morality set for us in our flawless
scripture. This is as if we have a constant narrator in
the back-ground who keeps announcing in a firm voice
whenever we interact with others: this is the example of
a submitter and an advocate of God's truth. It is
also as if we (exclusively the community of
submitters) are involved in a play, and we are the vital
actors and actresses on the stage of this earthly life.
God is the author of the play but He brings up
the events of the play as a surprise for us. We don't
have a clue about the end of this play but the
director chosen by the author for the whole act is the
Quran. It dictates for us how we are handling our roles
in that play.
Just like any play, the audience (those who are involved
with us in our lives) are absolutely entitled to their
own judgment of the play. They might like or dislike our
acting based on two main things:
1- Our sincerity and precession in following the
director's instructions (Quran)
2- Whether the director's instructions are appealing to
them and coinciding with their personal agenda and
standards. The Author (God) only cares to have His
thoughts clearly and honestly conveyed through us,
following the strict instructions of the director he
chose.
Our success as actors and actresses is only going to be
validated if we stick to our director's tips of acting
and sincerely do our best in that. It is a fact that not
all of us will do the same, some will advance, get
promoted and be among the "elite" of this profession,
others will do good and some will "barely" stay in
that profession. Some will fail and quit. I guess our
talent as submitter actors and actresses will leave a
crucial, lasting impact on the audience in this
whole allegorical story I'm setting.
The point made here, is that if we truly uphold and
apply the Quran to our lives, we will act out the story
of Submission given to us in it. We will be following
God's pattern of teaching His message to us, to teach it
to others through our adherence to His commands, and to
the moral values of His Statute Book. We will set the
examples, and impress our audience if we make sure that
we are acting it right. We will illustrate the message
the same way God has illustrated it for us, by
having His commands as the only foundation that supports
our conduct with others, irrespective
of their relationship to us, and if they are submitters
or not.
The outcome of our accurate demonstration on the
submitters stage is not just to score high in spreading
and inviting for the truth, but will have, of course, an
impact on the growth of our souls:
Our example when we illustrate/act out God's commands
appropriately, and on a daily basis, is like the
example of those who support and proclaim God's truth. A
command that is crystal clear in the Quran.
Our example when we fail to demonstrate some divine
principles of morality, is like the example of those
who conceal the truth, knowingly. A prohibition that is
clearly stated in the Quran.
Our example when acting out the commands of this book is
inconsistent, selectively illustrating some but ignoring
others, is like the example of those who confound the
truth with falsehood, and partially applying our
religious teachings. Both are offenses that are
condemned by God:
[3:187] GOD took a
covenant from those who received the scripture:
"You shall proclaim it to the people,
and never conceal it." But they
disregarded it behind their backs, and traded it away
for a cheap price. What a miserable trade.
[2:42] Do not
confound the truth with falsehood,
nor shall you conceal the truth,
knowingly.
Gross Offense
[2:159] Those who conceal
our revelations and guidance, after proclaiming
them for the people in the scripture, are
condemned by GOD; they are condemned by all the
condemners.
[2:85] ...Do you believe
in part of the scripture and disbelieve in part? What
should be the retribution for those among you who do
this, except humiliation in this life, and a far worse
retribution on the Day of Resurrection? GOD is
never unaware of anything you do.
[15:90] We will deal with
the dividers.
[15:91] They accept the
Quran only partially.
[15:92] By your Lord, we
will question them all,
[15:93] about everything
they have done.
Here are the three verses that motivated me to dwell
into this thought of demonstrating God's scripture and
its vital significance to spreading the truth and
growing our souls:
Violating Your Oath: A Serious Offense
- [16:94]
Do not abuse the oaths among you, lest you slide back
after having a strong foothold, then you incur misery.
Such is the consequence of repelling from the
path of GOD (by setting a bad example); you incur a
terrible retribution.
When we abuse our oaths, we slide back, but in the same
time, we repel others from the path of God because we
set a bad example, and poorly demonstrate God's command.
So what would be the consequence when we set the good
example? We will be inviting to the path of God. We will
be proclaiming and spreading His truth
- [16:60]
Those who do not believe in the
Hereafter set the worst examples, while
to GOD belongs the most sublime examples. He is
the Almighty, the Most Wise.
Disbeliever set the worst examples ! They are heedless,
with no divine structure to abide by. They follow their
own opinions and standards. Then, who is going to care
to stick to the most sublime examples of God, except us,
believers in Him and in His scriptures? Indeed, God has
detailed for us in this Quran a clear road map of moral
principles, the highest for man kind, and it is only us
who can impress others with it. We don't intend to
impress anyone, but it is a fact that God's values are
truly impressive. They create curiosity and a special
field of magic and energy , others sense and
admire right away once we exhibit them..
- And the last verse is about prophet Abraham.
Abraham is described by God as an exemplary vanguard in
his submission, clement, extremely kind and
obedient. He is labeled by God as Khalilu Allah (God's
beloved friend). God says that He blessed him with
certainty. Abraham implored God to let the example he
sets for the future generations be a good one. He cared
about that. And we all know that he left for us some
extraordinary examples of total submission and some
smart, logical debates with the idol worshipers. God
narrates the history and the examples of His
prophets for us to take heed. Their history is not for
the purpose of entertainment.
Here is his prayer, one we should all share:
[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.
We do have an obligation. let's set the
stage.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and May God bless you.
