Friday Nasiha

Al-Tawbah \r\n (Repentance)
\r\n Chapter 9: Verse 115

Choosing \r\n Ways
\r\n It is not Allah's way to cause people to \r\n stray in error after He has guided them and until He has made clear to \r\n them what they should guard against. Surely Allah knows everything.

In dealing with men, God first explains to them the doctrines \r\n and practices which they should shun. However, if they persist in their \r\n wrong ways, God withholds Himself from guiding them and lets them follow \r\n the wrong ways they choose to follow.

This verse embodies a basic principle which can help one \r\n understand all those Quranic verses in which both guiding people to the \r\n right way and causing people to go astray are mentioned as God's own acts. \r\n To provide guidance on God's part consists of enunciating \r\n the Right Way through His Prophets and Scriptures, and \r\n then enabling those who are willing to follow \r\n that way to do so. Likewise, God's act of causing people \r\n to go astray means that God does not compel \r\n those who insist on not following the Right Way after \r\n it has been made plain to them, and enables them to proceed in the direction \r\n they have decided to proceed in.

Source:
\r\n “Towards \r\n Understanding the Quran - Vol 3” – Syed Abul Ala Maududi, \r\n pp. 263-264

Destruction \r\n And Salvation

On the Authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, \r\n who said that Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him, said:

\r\n

"There are three things which cause destruction \r\n and three things which lead to salvation.

\r\n

The three things which cause destruction are:
\r\n 1. \r\n miserliness which is obeyed,
\r\n 2. passion which is followed, and \r\n
\r\n 3. self-conceit.

\r\n

The three things which lead to salvation are:
\r\n 1. fear of Allah in secret and in the \r\n open,
\r\n 2. moderation when rich or when poor, \r\n and
\r\n 3. justice when \r\n angry or pleased."

\r\n

[Related in Al Bazaar and Al Bayhaqi \r\n - Authentic, Hasan]

\r\n

Destruction and salvation are not really based on material \r\n success or political favour. Establishing \r\n balance in all circumstances and being aware of the power of emotions \r\n and desires can give a person clear vision and a powerful insight into \r\n the trials of this life. Putting Almighty Allah in front \r\n of all decisions and actions, whether in secret or in the open develops \r\n a new approach to life.

The resulting consciousness can lead to the pleasure of \r\n Allah, Most High. This is the supreme achievement and the essence of success \r\n in this world and the hereafter.

Source:
\r\n "The Forty Ahaadeeth on Islamic Revival" - Abdullah Hakim Quick, \r\n pp. 15-16