Living in Accordance with the Qur'an: Knowing that It is God Who Provides for Us
Contents
- Introduction
- Starting the Day Knowing that Every Moment is Predestined to Happen
- Being Aware Throughout the Day that We are Going Through a Trial
- Glorifying and Exalting God with the Deepest Respect
- Seeking Only God’s Approval and Contentment in Every Respect Throughout the Day Without Expecting Anything in Return
- Bearing in Mind that God Protects and Helps Believers
- Bearing in Mind that God Knows What Goes Through Our Minds and Our Hearts
- Devoting Our Undivided Attention to God, Turning to God in Every Thought and Action Throughout the Day
- Remembering and Mentioning God Very Often
- Remembering God Repeatedly When Meeting a Troop
- Knowing that Our Hearts Find Peace Only in the Remembrance of God
- Striving Towards Having a Good Grasp of Faith
- Keeping in Mind that Life is Short
- Keeping in Mind that God is the One Who Delivers Us from Every Hardship and Relieves Us of Every Trouble
- Acting with the Knowledge that God Will Greatly Reward Every Good Deed
- Keeping It in Mind that It is God Who Grants Beauty, Wealth, Science, Knowledge and All Other Qualities
- Giving Believers the Good News of God’s Approval and Lifting Their Spirits
- Knowing that God Loves Believers’ Deeds and Rewards Them Greatly for Their Benevolence
- Doing Good Deeds Only for the Sake of God
- Helping Each Other on Good Deeds and Piety
- Being Qualified for the Responsibilities Taken to Earn the Approval of God
- Fully Understanding that Love is the Reason Behind God’s Creation of the Whole Universe and the Trial on Earth, Deeply Loving God and His Manifestations
- Always Aspiring for Peace
- Not Sinking into Sorrow and Dismay in the Face of Troubles
- One Must Refrain from Behaving Ungratefully No Matter the Circumstances
- Overcoming Anger in the Face of Hardship
- Refraining from Being Aggressive and Skeptical
- Always Choosing the Most Pleasant Words When Speaking
- Refrain from Speaking Ill of Others or Using Hurtful, Sharp Language, a Characteristic of Idolaters and Hypocrites
- Always Maintaining a Compassionate and Lenient Demeanor
- Defending and Practicing Islam in the Sincerest Manner Through a Strong Personality, Even When Alone
- Being Brave and Unyielding in the Way of God
- Not Giving into Panic and Worry in the Face of Troubles
- Delighting in the Happiness and Joy of Faith
- Knowing that God Definitely Helps Those Who Help His Religion
- Delegating Duties
- Seeking the Advice of Others in All Affairs
- Remembering that Every Blessing We Enjoy is a Means of Trial
- Refraining from Breaching the Trust of Others; Keeping Any Given Promises
- Being Just in All Situations and Being Honest When Testifying
- Being Meticulous in Trade, Refraining from Making Ill-gotten Profits
- For Giving a Debt If the Debt or is in Dire Straits
- Holding Fast to the Causes Without Forgetting that God is the Creator of Everything
- Never Being Satisfied with Oneself
- It is God Who Teaches Knowledge. Refrain from Giving into Impertinence by Giving Credit to One’s Self for Being Knowledgeable
- Keeping in Mind that God Despises Those Who are Haughty and Refraining from Haughtiness No Matter the Circumstances
- Exhibiting a Sound Muslim Personality in Every Place and Circumstance
- Avoiding Hastiness
- Not Shying Away from Telling the Truth
- Being Resolute and Resilient
- Being Sincere in Serving Islam and Devoting One’s Life to God; Refraining from Making Excuses for Falling Behind
- Reconciling and Reuniting Believers
- Knowing that God Hears All Our Conversations; Refraining from Secret Talks
- Refraining from Talking About a Subject We Do Not Know About; Avoiding Gossip, Slander and Ill Thoughts
- Refraining from Being Quarrelsome and Engaging in Disputes with Believers
- Avoid Wasting Time in Pointless Activities and Idle Chatter
- Refraining from Giving Promises that Cannot be Kept
- Refraining from Insincere Behavior Such as “Bragging About Things One Did Not Accomplish”
- Standing United, Avoiding Separation and Dissent
- Not Following the Majority
- Refraining from Supporting Disbelievers, Traitors and Hypocrites
- Not Being Afraid of People
- Trusting Not in One’s Power and Means but God
- Holding No Fear of Being Condemned
- Spending One’s Wealth and Possessions in the Way of God Instead of Hoarding It
- Purifying the Self in Accordance with the Qur’an Instead of Defend and Justify It
- Being Helpful and Cooperative
- Refrain from Lying
- Using Reason Through Life
- Approaching Any Situation Rationally Rather Than Sentimentally
- Not Seeking Refuge in Disbelievers
- Not Submitting to Disbelievers
- Always Asking God for Help in Every Situation
- Not Giving into Despair in the Face of Any Hardship and Remaining Hopeful Under All Circumstances
- Keeping in Mind that God Helps His Sincere Subjects
- Keeping in Mind that God Stands by and Loves Those Who are Patient
- Exercising Great Patience in the Face of Troubles, Hardships, Illnesses and All Other Circumstances
- Not Showing a Tendency to Disbelief
- Painstakingly Preserving God’s Restrictions and Not Adhering to Unlawful Deeds
- Looking for Opportunities Throughout the Day that Will Help One Become Closer to God
- Having Due Fear and Awe of God
- Knowing that All Blessings Come Directly from God Without Attributing Any Power to the Causes
- Having a Profound Respect for God
- Meticulously Preserving Prayer and Performing Them Correctly in Reverence
- Reading the Qur’an
- Immediately Stop Talking and Listen to the Qur’an When It is Being Read
- Pondering the Verses of the Qur’an and Drawing Lessons from It
- Equating Nothing with God
- Being Forgiving
- Taking Only God and Believers as Confidant, Friend and Protector
- Not Aspiring After the Lives of Deniers and Refraining from Giving into the Illusions of the Worldly Life
- Being Constantly Aware of the Fact that Believers Always Prevail
- Commanding Good and Refraining from Evil
- Not Forgetting About One’s Self While Commanding Others to Do Good
- Restoring Prayer Sites and Mosques
- Keeping Homes, Mosques and Clothes Clean
- Dressing Elegantly When Visiting Mosques
- Eating of that on Which God’s Name is Mentioned
- Knowing that It is God Who Provides for Us
- Keeping in Mind that Believers are Responsible for Protecting All Believers
- Not Feeling Sorry for the Things We Have Lost or Becoming Spoiled by the Blessings Bestowed Upon Us
- Not Rubbing a Past Favor in a Person’s Face
- Making Room for Others in Mosques and Meetings
- Being Conscientious About Sleep; Not Sleeping More Than Needed
- Refraining from Any Turbulent Tone or Behavior and Corruption
- Not Sending a Believer Away
- Being Loyal to God, the Qur’an and Muslims
- Being Consistent in Good Moral Behavior and Benevolent Services
- Casting Evil Away in the Best Way
- Aiming for the Highest of Morals in One’s Attitude and Behaviors
- Refraining from Using Unpleasant Nicknames
- Leaving Any Place Where There are Those Who Expressively Reject the Verses of God and Make Light of Religion
- Treating Parents Well and Taking Great Care of Them in Their Elderly Years
- Treating Orphans Well and Being Meticulous About Their Rights
- Encouraging People to Feed the Poor
- Not Rebuking Those Who Beg of Their Own Accord
- Giving Away One’s Possessions Day and Night, Overtly or Covertly, in Prosperity or in Need
- Giving Away the Nice and Good Things One Likes; Refraining from Trying to Give Away the Things One Does Not Want or Like to Others
- Keeping in Mind that God Greatly Awards Those Who Give Their Possessions Away and Bestows a Great Blessing Upon Them
- Mentioning the Names of God While Praying
- Keeping in Mind that It is God Who Grants Wisdom and Praying to God to be Bestowed with Wisdom
- Inviting People to Belief in God and Islam by Preaching Religion
- Giving Advice and Preaching If It Will Prove Beneficial
- Not Requesting Any Payment for Preaching Religion
- Refraining from Coercion and Compulsion Where Religion is Concerned
- Saluting the Household When Entering a House
- Returning as a Lut at I on in the Same or a More Pleasant Manner
- Being Hospitable, Serving Pleasant Foods and Drinks Without Delay and Asking the Guests
- Refraining from Haughtiness; Always Adopting a Modest, Humble Attitude in the Way One Walks, Acts and Talks
- Refraining from Speaking Loudly
- Exalting God by Saying “Insha’allah” for Every Future Plan and Keeping in Mind that Every Plan is Materialized If God Wills
- Taking an Interest in the Subjects God Points Us Towards and Wants Us to Explore and Contemplate
- Devoting Considerable Effort to Serving Islam and the Qur’an Without Harboring Any Doubt
- Making Preparations for Struggling in the Way for God
- Duly Waging a Struggle in the Way of God with the Help of the Qur’an
- Never Adopting a Reluctant, Half-hearted Effort in the Struggle in the Way of God
- Continuing the Struggle Until All Mischief is Wiped Off the Face of the Earth and Islam Becomes the Predominant Religion
- Immigrating for the Sake of God in Case of Need, Providing Shelter to the Immigrants
- Painstakingly Refraining from Committing a Sin
- Refraining from Squandering Money or Wealth
- Never Giving into Satan’s Whisperings; Seeking Refuge in God from Satan’s Whisperings
- Not Allowing Satan to Influence One’s Behavior and Thoughts
- Knowing that Satan’s Deceit is Ineffectual and Does Not Have Any Influence on Those Who are Sincere in Their Belief
- Constantly Remembering and Reminding God’s Blessings and Expressing Gratitude for Them
- Asking God for Forgiveness and Mercy and Repenting Sincerely
- Asking for Forgiveness at Dawn
- Praying to God in a Hopeful and Fearful Manner
- Traveling in the Way of God
- Never Hanging Back and Slacking in Living in Accordance with Islamic Moral Values
- Worshiping Only God
The Keys of the heavens and earth belong to Him. He expands the provision of anyone He wills or restricts it. He has knowledge of all things.
(Ibrahim said to his people,)
‘Instead of God you worship only idols. You are inventing a lie. Those you worship besides God have no power to provide for you. So seek your provision from God and worship Him and give thanks to Him. It is to Him you will be returned.’
Those who had longed to take his place the day before woke up saying,
‘God expands the provision of any of His servants He wills or restricts it. If God had not shown great kindness to us, we would have been swallowed up as well. Ah! Truly the disbelievers are not successful.’
(Say, ‘O God!) You merge the night into the day. You merge the day into the night. You bring out the living from the dead. You bring out the dead from the living. You provide for whoever You will without any reckoning.’
Her Lord accepted her with approval and made her grow in health and beauty. And Zakariyya became her guardian. Every time Zakariyya visited her in the Upper Room, he found food with her. He said,
‘Maryam, how did you come by this?’ She said, ‘It is from God. God provides for whoever He wills without any reckoning.’ ‘Isa son of Maryam said, ‘God, our Lord, send down a table to us out of heaven to be a feast for us, for the first and last of us, and as a Sign from You. Provide for us! You are the Best of Providers!’
Say: ‘Who provides for you out of heaven and earth? Who controls hearing and sight? Who brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living? Who directs the whole affair?’ They will say, ‘God.’ Say, ‘So will you not guard against evil?’
There is no creature on the earth which is not dependent upon God for its provision. He knows where it lives and where it dies. They are all in a Clear Book.
God expands provision to anyone He wills and restricts it. They rejoice in the life of this world. Yet the life of this world, compared to the hereafter, is only fleeting enjoyment.
God has favoured some of you over others in provision, but those who have been favoured do not give their provision to their slaves so they become the same in respect of it. So why do they renounce the blessings of God?
God has given you wives from among yourselves, and given you children and grandchildren from your wives, and provided good things for you. So why do they believe in falsehood and reject the blessings of God?
So why do they believe in falsehood and reject the blessings of God, and worship, instead of God, things that have no control over their provision from the heavens or earth in any way, and are themselves completely impotent?
God does make a metaphor:
an owned slave possessing no power over anything, and someone We have given plentiful provision who gives out from it secretly and openly. Are they the same? Praise be to God! They are not! But most people do not know it.
Your Lord expands the provision of anyone He wills and restricts it. He is aware of and sees His servants.
Do not kill your children out of fear of being poor. We will provide for them and you. Killing them is a terrible mistake.
Do not direct your eyes longingly to what We have given certain of them to enjoy, the flower of the life of this world, so that We can test them by it. Your Lord’s provision is better and longer lasting.
Instruct your family to perform prayer, and be constant in it. We do not ask you for provision. We provide for you. And the outcome rests on doing your duty.
As for those who believe and do right actions, they will have forgiveness and generous provision.
Those who migrate in the Way of God and then are killed or die, God will provide for them handsomely. Truly God is the best Provider.
Are you asking them for payment? Your Lord’s payment is better. He is the Best of Providers.
Corrupt women are for corrupt men and corrupt men are for corrupt women, Good women are for good men and good men are for good women. The latter are innocent of what they say. They will have forgiveness and generous provision.
(It is) so that God can reward them for the best of what they did and give them more from His unbounded favour. God provides for anyone He wills without reckoning.
He Who originates creation and then regenerates it and provides for you from out of heaven and earth. Is there another god besides God? Say:
‘Bring your proof if you are being truthful.’
How many creatures do not carry their provision with them! God provides for them and He will for you. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
God expands the provision of any of His servants He wills and restricts it. God has knowledge of all things.
Do they not see that God expands provision for whoever He wills and also restricts it? There are certainly Signs in that for people who believe.
God is He Who created you, then provides for you, then will cause you to die and then bring you back to life. Can any of your partnergods do any of that? Glory be to Him and may He be exalted above anything they associate with Him!
But those of you who are obedient to God and His Messenger and act rightly will be given their reward twice over; and We have prepared generous provision for them.
Say: ‘Who provides for you from the heavens and earth?’ Say: ‘God. It is certain that one or the other of us, either we or you, is following guidance or else clearly astray.’
Say: ‘My Lord expands the provision of anyone He wills or restricts it. But the majority of mankind do not know it.’
Say: ‘My Lord expands the provision of any of His servants He wills or restricts it. But anything you expend will be replaced by Him. He is the Best of Providers.’
Mankind! Remember God’s blessing to you. Is there any creator other than God providing for you from heaven and earth? There is no god but Him. So how have you been perverted?
This is Our provision which will never run out.
It is He Who shows you His Signs and sends down provision to you out of heaven. But none pay heed save those who repent.
It is God Who made the earth a stable home for you and the sky a dome, and formed you, giving you the best of forms, and provided you with good and wholesome things. That is God, your Lord. Blessed be God, the Lord of all the worlds.
He placed firmly embedded mountains on it, towering over it, and blessed it and measured out its nourishment in it, laid out for those who seek it–all in four days.
The Keys of the heavens and earth belong to Him. He expands the provision of anyone He wills or restricts it. He has knowledge of all things.
God is very gentle with His servants. He provides for anyone He wills. He is the Most Strong, the Almighty.
Were God to expand the provision of His servants, they would act as tyrants on the earth. But He sends down whatever He wills in a measured way. He is aware of and He sees His servants.
Truly God, He is the Provider, the Possessor of Strength, the Sure.
But when they see a chance of trade or entertainment they scatter off to it and leave you standing there. Say:
‘What is with God is better than trade or entertainment. God is the Best of Providers.’
And (He will) provide for him from where he does not expect. Whoever puts his trust in God–He will be enough for him. God always achieves His aim. God has appointed a measure for all things.
(God has sent down) a Messenger reciting God’s Clear Signs to you to bring those who believe and do right actions out of the darkness into the Light. Whoever believes in God and acts rightly, We will admit him into Gardens with rivers flowing under them remaining in them timelessly, for ever and ever. God has provided for him excellently!
Who is there who could provide for you if He withholds His provision? Yet still they obstinately persist in insolence and evasion.
If only they were to go straight on the Path, We would give them abundant water to drink.
But then when He tests him by restricting his provision, he says,
‘My Lord has humiliated me!’