whose sustenance you are not responsible. And there is nothing of which there are not with Us the treasures, and We send it down in a known measure. And We send the fertilising winds, then We send down water from the heaven, and We give it to you to drink …
(al-Ḥijr 15:19-22)
Allah has sent down water from the heavens, then He revives the earth by it after its death. In this is a sign for those who listen. There is a lesson for you in cattle. From what is within their bodies, between excretion and blood, We produce for you a drink, milk, pure and pleasant to those who drink. And also there is a lesson for you in the fruits of date palms and grapes of which you take a wholesome drink and food. In that is a sign for a people who understand. And your Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in men’s habitations. Then you eat all manner of fruits and find with skill the spacious paths of the Lord. There springs forth from their bellies a drink, of varying colours, in it is a healing for mankind. In this is a sign for those who give thought.
(al-Naḥl 16:65-69)
On realising Allah’s creative power, of which eloquent descriptions are scattered all around us, it is obligatory on man to affirm and celebrate His greatness and glory. As compared to Him, no one can lay any claim to majesty. For all living beings are mortal, subject to fall and decay. Even the unbelievers, who refuse to believe in Him, demonstrate their servitude to Him. For it is Allah Who causes their life and death and decides their fate. They are utterly helpless to resist His all-pervading authority. All objects of nature, bound to laws of nature, display their surrender to Him. For it is Allah Who makes them act in the way as it pleases Him.
Apart from being the sole Creator, Allah is man’s guide and patron as well. He has blessed man with a body and physical faculties and invested him also with mental abilities, conscience and spirituality which help him in following the Straight Way. On the one hand, He has granted man free-will to choose the way he likes and on the other, He has made elaborate arrangements for man’s guidance. He sent down a large number of messengers to every major community and geographical area for conveying the divine message to man. Furthermore, He revealed the Scriptures, embodying His extensive guidance for subsequent generations. The Qur’ān stands out as the latest and final divine guidance for all time and place. In this He spelled out clearly what pleases Him and what provokes His anger. Likewise, it also clarified, in many ways, what actions on man’s part facilitate his admission to Paradise and what misdeeds land him in Hellfire. The way of life as approved by Him is demonstrated best by the Prophet Muḥammad’s exemplary life. While acting on the message of the Qur’ān and following in the Prophet Muḥammad’s footsteps one can win His pleasure and secure a place in Paradise in order to enjoy eternal bliss.
His mercy embraces all that exists. For without it, no one can survive. Were He to punish the guilty instantly, it would have brought an end to mankind a long time ago. Since He is Most Forbearing and Most Merciful, He overlooks man’s sins and keeps on granting him extended respite so that he may mend his ways. His mercy alone accounts for all joy and happiness in this world. An amazing spectacle of His mercy will be witnessed by everyone on the Day of Judgement. Out of His kindness He will pardon many culprits and bless the pious ones, condoning their occasional lapses, with the interminable joys of Paradise. Only a very small part of His mercy is at work in the bond of love and affection between parents and children, spouses and family members and friends. Man should therefore, turn all the more to Allah, thanking Him for all His favours.
The Qur’ān states in several places that Allah accepts man’s repentance, provided one turns to Him sincerely, invoking His mercy for pardon. He may even forgive man’s worst sins, if he confesses his guilt, resolves never to repeat the same and lead a pious life onwards thereafter. More remarkably, it paves the way for one entering Paradise and enjoying bliss eternally. Many Qur’ānic passages point to His generosity in forgiving:
Do they not know that Allah accepts the repentance of His servants and takes their alms? Allah is undoubtedly the Oft-Returning, the Merciful.
(al-Tawbah 9:104)
One of the outstanding manifestations of His mercy and justice is that He rewards the pious. Obviously He does not stand in need of man’s worship or obedience. However, so as to encourage good conduct, and ensure a happy, peaceful social life as also for man’s spiritual development He has devised the principle of rewarding the pious and punishing the guilty. On the Day of Judgement He will recompense everyone in a manner characterised by perfect justice, fairness and generosity. His dispensation of justice is not flawed in any degree in view of His complete knowledge and His equal treatment of everyone. Piety alone weighs heavily in the scale of His dispensation. One’s ethnic, family or linguistic affiliation does not concern Him in the least:
O mankind! We have created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you know one another (not that you may despise). Certainly the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you.
(al-Ḥujurāt 49:13)
As for the relationship between man and Allah, the following features should characterise the same:
One should have overflowing love and respect for Him in view of His numerous favours and His magnificence: “Those who believe are the strongest in love for Allah”, (al-Baqarah 2:165). Likewise, man should be thankful to Him for His countless bounties, for providing him with His guidance: “O Believers! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah”, (al-Baqarah 2:172). Constant thought of Allah should be present in man’s mind, as part of his servitude to Him. Furthermore, it is the most effective means for keeping away from sin. It orients one’s life to the goal of earning His pleasure which, in turn, guarantees success in the Hereafter. Allah’s instructions on this count are clear:
Verily I am Allah! There is no god but I. So serve Me alone and establish regular Prayers to remember Me.
(Ṭā Hā 20:14)
Obedience to Allah should be the cornerstone of one’s way of life. All that one thinks and does should be in line with His commands. This will render one as Allah’s obedient, pious servant and ensure one’s success in both worlds.
O men! Follow the revelation sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow as friends or protectors any other than Him.
(al-A‘rāf 7:3)
Since He alone is the only true Lord, without a partner or associate, help should be sought from Him alone. Allah has taught this to man in the opening sūrah of the Qur’ān, al-Fātiḥah: “We serve only You and we seek help from You alone”, (al-Fātiḥah 1:5).
To sum up, one should devote oneself fully to Allah, in serving and worshipping Him, in abiding by His commands, and in leading one’s life in accordance with the way prescribed by Him.
Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He does not have a partner. This I am commanded. And I am the first of Muslims.
(al-An‘ām 6:162-163)
Related Qur’ānic passages for self-study
