The Holy Quran is the word of God revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It contains great evidence of the greatness, power, mercy, and wisdom of the Creator. It is the primary source of Islamic legislation and the well from which we draw knowledge of God Almighty. It is not merely a book to be recited, but a light that guides to the truth and a straight path that brings us closer to understanding the essence of God and His names and attributes, deepening our faith in Him. How does the Quran bring us closer to knowing God?
Knowing God is the foundation of religion and the path to happiness in this world and the Hereafter. When we know God, we love Him and revere Him, obey Him, and fear Him, striving for His pleasure. When we know God, we rely on Him in all our affairs and ask Him for help and success. When we know God, we are content with His decree and destiny, and we submit to His command. When we know God, we live in peace and tranquility, finding happiness in our hearts. The Holy Quran brings us closer to God Almighty in a miraculous way that convinces anyone who contemplates it; no one can come up with something like it.
The definition of God and His names and attributes:
The Holy Quran provides an accurate and comprehensive description of the essence of God Almighty, through His beautiful names and supreme attributes. In many verses, the Quran mentions the names of God such as the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, the All-Knowing, the Omnipotent, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, and others. These names are not just words; they are keys to understanding the nature, power, mercy, and wisdom of God. He says: "And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them" (Al-A'raf: 180). By contemplating these names, we reflect on God's absolute perfection and realize that He alone is worthy of worship and obedience. The believer approaches the knowledge of God more deeply.
Showing the Signs of God in the Universe:
The Holy Quran invites us to reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, and within ourselves, to recognize God's greatness and power. He says: "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for those of understanding" (Aal Imran: 190). Every creature in this universe is a proof of God's existence and oneness. Through these cosmic signs, the Quran guides us to understand that everything in this universe is evidence of God's existence and oneness, which strengthens our faith and brings us closer to Him.
Stories of the Prophets and Messengers:
The Quran contains the stories of the prophets and messengers who were the closest people to God and how they dealt with challenges and trials with deep faith, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon them all, all of whom called for the worship of God alone. God says: "And We have certainly sent to every nation a messenger, saying, 'Worship Allah and avoid Taghut'" (An-Nahl: 36). These stories teach us great lessons about God's power, justice, and mercy towards His servants. These stories are not for entertainment but serve as a lesson and reminder for us. Through them, we learn how to be sincere to God and how to rely on Him in all our affairs. He says: "Indeed, in their stories, there is a lesson for those of understanding" (Yusuf: 111).
Reminding of God's Blessings:
The Quran reminds us of God's countless blessings, such as health, sustenance, security, and others. Allah says: "And if you count the blessings of Allah, you will not be able to number them" (Ibrahim: 34). When we reflect on these blessings, we feel God's closeness to us, and we become certain that He is the Generous Provider who does not neglect His servants. Those who remember God's blessings upon them are led to follow the path to God and feel ashamed of committing sins.
Parables in the Holy Quran:
The Holy Quran uses parables to clarify meanings to people's minds, such as the parable that Allah gave about worldly life, about those who spend their money in the way of Allah, and about those who deny Allah's signs. When we contemplate these parables, we understand much about God, His wisdom, and how to deal with worldly life so that we do not become preoccupied with it at the expense of what is more important, which is the path to God. We also recognize the importance of spending in the way of Allah and the danger of denying His signs.
Guidance to Worship and Obedience:
The Quran guides us on how to worship Allah, through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage, and other acts of worship. These acts are not merely rituals; they are a means to strengthen our connection with Allah. He says: "And establish prayer for My remembrance" (Ta-Ha: 14). Through worship, a believer feels close to Allah and their faith increases. It is a sincere expression of compliance with His commands and avoidance of His prohibitions, and it is the best way to draw closer to Allah and gain His pleasure. Worship in Islam has a comprehensive concept that includes everything a Muslim does in their daily life. It is the direct connection between the servant and their Lord, a continuous renewal of faith and strengthening of the spirit. Worship purifies the heart from impurities, elevates the soul, enhances morals, and removes the estrangement between the servant and their Lord. Worship brings happiness and tranquility to the heart, alleviates worries and sorrows, and grants a person contentment and satisfaction. Worship is the path to paradise and salvation from the fire, and it is the true success that is unmatched. Therefore, Allah guides His servants through the Quran to worship Him, as it is the path that brings them closer to Him and leads to His pleasure.
Definition of the Purpose of Creation:
The Quran clarifies that the purpose of our creation is to worship Allah alone, and that this worldly life is merely a temporary phase in which we prepare for the Hereafter. He says: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (Adh-Dhariyat: 56). This guidance helps us understand our lives more deeply and brings us closer to Allah by realizing the purpose of our existence. When a person understands the reason for their existence, their certainty in Allah increases, and they strive to draw closer to Him through worship and obedience.
Encouragement and Warning:
The Quran combines encouragement in God's mercy and paradise, and warning against His punishment and anger. This approach balances the believer's soul, instilling fear of God while hoping for His mercy. Allah says: "Inform My servants that I am the Forgiving, the Merciful * And that My punishment is the painful punishment" (Al-Hijr: 49-50). Through this balance, the believer approaches God with desire and fear.
The noble Quran also shows that God is merciful to His servants, accepting their repentance no matter how great their sins, as He says: "Indeed, Allah forgives all sins; indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful" (Az-Zumar: 53). This makes a person more attached to their Lord; if they sin, they can erase their sin, return to the straight path, and mend their relationship with their Creator.
Encouragement to Reflect and Contemplate:
The Quran encourages us to reflect on its verses and the creation of God, for contemplation is the path to knowledge. Allah says: "A Book We have sent down to you, blessed, that they may reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded" (Sad: 29). Through contemplation, we discover new meanings that bring us closer to God.
Reflection and contemplation are the essence of worship and the pillar of religion, and they are the believer's way to know their Lord and strengthen their faith. Reflection is the application of the mind to the meanings of things, while contemplation is the deep understanding of them and extracting lessons and morals from them. Indeed, reflection and contemplation lead to knowing Allah through His beautiful names and exalted attributes, and to recognizing His greatness, majesty, and beauty. They also increase the servant's faith, strengthen their certainty, and make their heart more fearful and humble before Allah.
Reflection and contemplation help purify the soul from impurities and lead to self-accountability for shortcomings in the rights of Allah. They are a cause for the servant's guidance and success in this world and the Hereafter, and a light that illuminates the path to the truth.
Contemplating the creation of the universe, its vastness, and the precision of its system indicates the greatness, power, and wisdom of the Creator. Reflecting on the verses of the Holy Quran, their meanings, and rulings leads to understanding the words of Allah Almighty and realizing His greatness and majesty. Reflecting on the blessings of Allah upon the servant and their abundance indicates the generosity, grace, and kindness of Allah Almighty. Contemplating the creation of man, his composition, and abilities indicates the greatness and wisdom of the Creator. Reflection and contemplation are a great act of worship and the key to true knowledge of Allah Almighty. Let us strive to reflect and contemplate the signs of Allah in the universe and in the Holy Quran, so that we may increase our knowledge of our Lord, strengthen our faith, and be among the guided.
The Holy Quran is the bridge through which the believer crosses to know Allah, the Exalted. Through its verses, we learn about the names and attributes of Allah, see His signs in the universe, draw lessons from the stories of the prophets, thank Allah for His blessings, and worship Him as He deserves. All of this brings us closer to Allah, increases our faith, and allows us to live in tranquility with His proximity and mercy. Thus, contemplation of the Quran is the believer's path to knowing his Lord and attaining the truth of faith.
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