In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Quality vs Quantity

[5:100] Proclaim: "The bad and the good are not the same, even if the abundance of the bad may impress you. You shall reverence GOD, (even if you are in the minority) O you who possess intelligence, that you may succeed."

The above verse implies the abundance of the bad may confuse the facts for us or impress us in a misleading fashion. The word abundance in the Arabic text of the verse is "Kathrat", and it means excessive and inflating numbers or amounts. The expression "abundance of the bad" in the above warning (even if the abundance of the bad may impress you) conforms with many statistical facts in Quran . It is enlightening as well as alarming to study these facts ; abundance compared with rarity and values that consistently belong to the majority vs the ones which the minority usually sticks to. The lessons are repeated in many verses for us to reflect on.

- Only few people unconditionally submit to the will of God and His testing without questioning:

God's Tests Are Never Unreasonable [4:66] Had we decreed for them: "You must offer your lives," or "Give up your homes," they would not have done it, except for a few of them. (Even if such a command was issued,) had they done what they were commanded to do, it would have been better for them, and would prove the strength of their faith.

Saul [2:246] Have you noted the leaders of Israel after Moses? They said to their prophet, "If you appoint a king to lead us, we will fight in the cause of GOD." He said, "Is it your intention that, if fighting is decreed for you, you will not fight?" They said, "Why should we not fight in the cause of GOD, when we have been deprived of our homes, and our children?" Yet, when fighting was decreed for them, they turned away, except a few. GOD is aware of the transgressors.

David and Goliath [2:249] When Saul took command of the troops, he said, "GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me - only those who do not taste it belong with me - unless it is just a single sip." They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, "Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops." Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, "Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD's leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere."

Despite All the Miracles They Saw [5:24] They said, "O Moses, we will never enter it, so long as they are in it. Therefore, go - you and your Lord - and fight. We are sitting right here."
[5:25] He said, "My Lord, I can only control myself and my brother. So, allow us to part company with the wicked people."
[5:26] He said, "Henceforth, it is forbidden them for forty years, during which they will roam the earth aimlessly. Do not grieve over such wicked people."

- Those who believe in God's revelations and work righteousness are few:

[11:40] When our judgment came, and the atmosphere boiled over, we said, "Carry on it a pair of each kind, together with your family, except those who are condemned. Carry with you those who have believed," and only a few have believed with him.

Tragic Statement: "My mind is made up!" [2:88] Some would say, "Our minds are made up!" Instead, it is a curse from GOD, as a consequence of their disbelief, that keeps them from believing, except for a few of them.

David's Exemplary Piety [38:24] He said, "He is being unfair to you by asking to combine your sheep with his. Most people who combine their properties treat each other unfairly, except those who believe and work righteousness, and these are so few." Afterwards, David wondered if he made the right judgment. He thought that we were testing him. He then implored his Lord for forgiveness, bowed down, and repented.*

- Taking heed or learning a lesson is rarely practiced. Only few of us possess such wisdom:

[7:3] You shall all follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; do not follow any idols besides Him. Rarely do you take heed.

[27:62] Who is the One who rescues those who become desperate and call upon Him, relieves adversity, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is it another god with GOD? Rarely do you take heed.

[69:42] Nor the utterance of a soothsayer; rarely do you take heed.

- Those who appreciate God's blessings are few:

[7:10] We have established you on earth, and we have provided for you the means of support therein. Rarely are you appreciative.

[23:78] He is the One who granted you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains. Rarely are you appreciative.

[34:13] They made for him anything he wanted - niches, statues, deep pools, and heavy cooking pots. O family of David, work (righteousness) to show your appreciation. Only a few of My servants are appreciative.

- God's support and love belongs to few people, the believers. God blesses and puts a lot of goodness in the few things His sincere servants have. The lesson of the two men with their two gardens is a powerful reminder ( 18:32-44).

David and Goliath [2:249] ....."Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD's leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere."

Important Commandment [18:39] "When you entered your garden, you should have said, `This is what GOD has given me (Maa Shaa Allah). No one possesses power except GOD (La Quwwata Ellaa Bell aah).' You may see that I possess less money and less children than you.
[18:40] "My Lord may grant me better than your garden. He may send a violent storm from the sky that wipes out your garden, leaving it completely barren.
[18:44] That is because the only true Lord and master is GOD; He provides the best recompense, and with Him is the best destiny.

On the other hand, the negative or evil on this earth committed by humans is always abundant. Let us study the following facts:

- Many humans are wicked, evil-doers, and transgressors!

They Must Believe in This Quran [5:66] If only they would uphold the Torah and the Gospel, and what is sent down to them herein from their Lord, they would be showered with blessings from above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them are righteous, but many of them are evildoers.

Deterioration of Religion [57:16] Is it not time for those who believed to open up their hearts for GOD's message, and the truth that is revealed herein? They should not be like the followers of previous scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and, consequently, many of them turned wicked.

[5:62] You see many of them readily committing evil and transgression, and eating from illicit earnings. Miserable indeed is what they do.

[26:223] They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars.

[5:49] You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD's revelations to you. Do not follow their wishes, and beware lest they divert you from some of GOD's revelations to you. If they turn away, then know that GOD wills to punish them for some of their sins. Indeed, many people are wicked.

Chance to Remember God:
Mention God's Name Before You Eat
[6:119] Why should you not eat from that upon which GOD's name has been mentioned? He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are forced. Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of the transgressors.

Beware of Professional Religionists [9:34] O you who believe, many religious leaders and preachers take the people's money illicitly, and repel from the path of GOD. Those who hoard the gold and silver, and do not spend them in the cause of GOD, promise them a painful retribution.

- A lot of people and jinns will be the ultimate losers:

Satan Hypnotizes His Constituents [7:179] We have committed to Hell multitudes of jinns and humans. They have minds with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like animals; no, they are far worse - they are totally unaware.

Pharaoh's Body Preserved [10:92] "Today, we will preserve your body, to set you up as a lesson for future generations." Unfortunately, many people are totally oblivious to our signs.

- The majority of people are.....disbelievers and idol worshipers!

[30:8] Why do they not reflect on themselves? GOD did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them, except for a specific purpose, and for a specific life span. However, most people, with regard to meeting their Lord, are disbelievers.

Victory for the Messengers Guaranteed [37:71] Most of the previous generations have strayed in the same manner.

The Majority of People Do Not Believe [12:103] Most people, no matter what you do, will not believe.

[17:89] We have cited for the people in this Quran all kinds of examples, but most people insist upon disbelieving.

The Majority of Believers Destined for Hell [12:106] The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.

Learning From History [30:42] Say, "Roam the earth and note the consequences for those before you." Most of them were idol worshipers.

- The majority of people are.... unappreciative!

[40:61] GOD is the One who designed the night so you can rest in it, and the day lighted. GOD bestows many blessings upon the people, but most people are not thankful.

[27:73] Your Lord is full of grace towards the people, but most of them are unappreciative.

[40:61] GOD is the One who designed the night so you can rest in it, and the day lighted. GOD bestows many blessings upon the people, but most people are not thankful.

[10:60] ... Certainly, GOD showers the people with His grace, but most of them are unappreciative.

- The majority diverts from the straight path and follows conjecture!

[6:116] If you obey the majority of people on earth, they will divert you from the path of GOD. They follow only conjecture; they only guess.

[10:36] Most of them follow nothing but conjecture, and conjecture is no substitute for the truth. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.

- The majority of people are.... ignorant, they don't understand!

[44:39] We created them for a specific purpose, but most of them do not know.

A Consequence of Their Own Decision [6:111] Even if we sent down the angels to them; even if the dead spoke to them; even if we summoned every miracle before them; they cannot believe unless GOD wills it. Indeed, most of them are ignorant.

Deep In Their Minds [16:38] They swore solemnly by GOD: "GOD will not resurrect the dead." Absolutely, such is His inviolable promise, but most people do not know.

[34:36] Say, "My Lord is the One who controls all provisions; He grants the provisions to whomever He wills, or reduces them, but most people do not know."

[29:63] If you ask them, "Who sends down from the sky water, to revive dead land," they will say, "GOD." Say, "Praise GOD." Most of them do not understand.

- The truth is never appealing to most of us!

[23:70] Have they decided that he is crazy? Indeed, he has brought the truth to them, but most of them hate the truth.

We learn from the above selected verses and examples from Quran that God's true blessings belong to very few people, while the majority is always rehearsing Satan's lines and sinking into his illusion. We also learn that Evil is abundant while goodness is minute. Only few humans and jinns are able to race forward on the straight path without the distraction or intimidation of the majority. These are the few ultimate winners. Quality does matter and high quality souls are limited to a very select numbers of humans.

Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.