In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Among the Many Sacred Promises

[5:35] O you who believe, you shall reverence God and seek the ways and means to Him, and strive in His cause, that you may succeed.

In both Arabic & English languages, the word "reverent" carries a heavy weight of deep emotional respect, love, awe, admiration, devout along with the inspiration of fear or taking guard whether to not disappoint or not adequately please the entity we reverence. So, the fear is out of extreme respect, love and care for a specific entity. In Quran's context, that entity worthy of our reverence is God Almighty, our Creator. The root in Arabic is WaQaYa, and it means simply to beware, stay guarded or be protected. But again, in Quran's context about the Almighty, His path and His scripture, fear carries the above deep emotions and meanings only to become reverence rather than plain fear.

Feeling reverent of God readily implies we believe in His existence, we are certain about returning to Him, we strive to please Him, we obey His commands, live by His teachings, we adore what He loves and we abhor and avoid all that He prohibits or condemns, we seek His pleasure and approval because we love Him the most ; reverencing His commands and ethics becomes the symphony for our entire journey on earth. Salvation belongs to the reverent (Paradise will be offered to the reverent, readily- 50:31, 26:90) and reverencing God is the only differentiating criterion among all humans (The best among you in the sight of God is the most reverent- 49:13).

Now, let the reverent rejoices in just a few of God's sacred promises in this life and in the Hereafter:

[24:52] Those who obey God and His messenger, and reverence God and observe Him, these are the triumphant ones.

[39:73] Those who reverenced their Lord will be led to Paradise in throngs. When they get to it, and its gates are opened, its guards will say, "Peace be upon you; you have won. Therefore, you abide herein forever."

[39:20] As for those who reverence their Lord, they will have mansions upon mansions constructed for them, with flowing streams. This is God's promise, and God never breaks His promise.

[57:28] O you who believe, you shall reverence God and believe in His messenger. He will then grant you double the reward from His mercy, endow you with light to guide you, and forgive you. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[8:29] O you who believe, if you reverence God, He will enlighten you, remit your sins, and forgive you. God possesses infinite grace.

[65:2] ... Anyone who reverences God, He will create an exit for him.
[65:3] And will provide for him whence he never expected. Anyone who trusts in God, He suffices him. God's commands are done. God has decreed for everything its fate.
[65:4] ....Anyone who reverences God, He makes everything easy for him.
[65:5] This is God's command that He sends down to you. Anyone who reverences God, He remits his sins, and rewards him generously.

Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.