The Comprehensive Guide to Eternal Success

From: www.wefound.org

The Qur’ân certainly serves as Allah’s guide and mercy to all humanity (27:76, 77; 31:3). It guides us to the Right Path, Islam ¾ the only perfect religion (5:3) acceptable to Allah (3:19; 3:85). It will forever remain as the pure divine guidance to all humanity. Allah has promised to guard it against all sorts of change or perversion (15:9). It serves as the authentic proof of the divine mission of Prophet Muhammad r, the unlettered Prophet (7:158). Allah I tells us that He sent down the Qur’ân to His Servant, Prophet Muhammad r (18:1) by inspiration (42:7) ¾ through the Angel Gabriel (16: 102). He revealed it in stages (17:106) and arranged it gradually to strengthen our hearts (25:32). He took charge of its collection and promulgation (75:16-17).
We should thank Allah for inspiring His Messenger r with the best conduct (i.e., Sunnah or Tradition/ Way) and wisdom (i.e., Ahâdîth or Teachings and Sayings). The Prophet’s Sunnah and Ahâdîth completely guide us how to live according to the Qur’ân. Allah’s Book guides us to believe and obey Muhammad r (3:31-32, 4:170 and 47:33). For our complete guidance, it is a must for us to follow Muhammad’s Sunnah because, he is Allah’s universal Messenger to all mankind (34:28) and the Seal of the Prophets (33:40) whom Allah, the Mighty One, taught and inspired (53: 4, 10) with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to make it prevail over all religions (61:9).

Allah’s Book with its instruction to mankind to follow the Sunnah (and Ahâdîth) of the Prophet r is the only comprehensive divine guidance to all mankind. It covers all subjects affecting mankind, be it physical, material or economic, socio-cultural, political, legal, religious and spiritual, or the like. It talks not only about us and our environment; but also the events and circumstances affecting us. Allah I says that nothing has been omitted from it (6:38). It is further explained in detail (11:1 and 6:114). Any rational man or scientist who had become atheist because of the misconception that, “the Word of God disagrees with science” will discover the Truth. He will be enlightened to know that Allah’s Book contains information about the scientific facts of life because it is the Truth of assured certainty (69:51).

For our eternal peace, happiness and prosperity, we have to read, study and above all follow the Qur’ân. It is the only true and comprehensive Divine Revelation from Allah that guides us to righteousness and eternal happiness. Our Creator I tells us:
“Verily this Qur’ân does guide to that which is most right (or stable), and gives the glad tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent reward...” (17:9-10)
Allah I will reward the righteous the Garden of Paradise as their final abode (25:15-16). They shall have joy in all that they do and shall have whatever they call for (36:55-57). The greatest bliss, however, is the Good Pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme triumph (9:72). Allah I promises them the eternal Garden where they will enjoy comfort and peace. He I says:
“But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness ¾ We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, ¾ to dwell therein forever. Allah 's promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allah's?” (4:122)
“Except those who repent and believe and work righteousness, for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least ¾ Gardens of Eternity, those which (Allah) Most Gracious has promised to His servants in the Unseen, for His promise must (necessarily) come to pass. They will not there hear any vain discourse, but only salutations of Peace. And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening. Such is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our Servants who guard against evil.” (19:60-63)
“Verily, the Companions of the Garden shall that Day have joy in all that they do; they and their associates will be in pleasant shade, reclining on raised couches; (every) fruit will be there for them. They shall have whatever they call for Peace ¾ a Word (of salutation) from the Rabb (Sustainer) Most Merciful.” (36:55-58)

Part of Allah’s guidance is His warning to the non-Muslims about the Hell-fire. He tells us about Hell as His terrible punishment that awaits those who deny His Book. Allah I warns:
Praise be to Allah, Who has sent to His Servant the Book, and has allowed therein no Crookedness: (He has made it) Straight (and Clear) in order that He may warn (the Godless) of a terrible Punishment from Him... You would only, perchance, fret yourself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this Message. (18:1-6)
Allah I warns the Unbelievers of the Hell as their final and eternal abode for denying the Truth. He says:
“Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast them into the Fire; as often as their skins are roasted through. We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the Chastisement, for Allah is Exalted in Power, All-Wise.” (4:56)
“In front of such a one is Hell, and he is given for drink, boiling fetid water. In gulps will he sip it, but never will he be near swallowing it down his throat. Death will come to him from every quarter, yet will he not die, and in front of him will be a chastisement unrelenting.” (14:16-17)
“This is the Hell of which you were promised! Embrace you the (Fire) this Day, for that you (persistently) rejected (the Truth).” (36:63-64)
“Who, then, does more wrong than one who utters a lie concerning Allah and rejects the Truth when it comes to him! Is there not in Hell an abode for the unbelievers?” (39:32)
If you are among those who deny the Book of Allah I, time has come that you must seek divine guidance. Know that true guidance comes from Allah I Alone. For your eternal salvation and success, you must firmly believe that the Almighty has sent down the Qur’ân as the Book of Guidance for us to follow (6:155; 39:18). One very important guidance that we can get by reading and following the Qur’ân is to protect ourselves from falsehood. Allah guides us to ask for proofs for those who want to lead us astray. He I says:
“And they say: ‘None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.’ Those are their (vain) desires. Say: ‘Produce your proof if you are truthful.’” (2:111)
“...Say: `Bring you the Torah and study it, if you be men of truth.’ If any, after this invent a lie and attribute it to Allah, they are indeed unjust wrong-doers.” (3:93-94)
“Or have they taken for worship (other) gods besides Him? Say, ‘Bring your convincing proof: this is the Message of those before me.’ But most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away.” (21:24)

Aside from asking for proofs, Allah guides us to understand, to ponder and to contemplate on His Divine Book. He I says:
“Do they not ponder on the Qur’ân? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.” (4: 82)
“We have revealed for you (O mankind!) a book, which will give you eminence. Will you not then understand?” (21:10)
“Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur’ân or are their hearts locked up by them?” (47:24)
“Do they not ponder over the Word come to them that did not come to their fathers of old?” (23:68)
“(Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto you full of blessings that they may contemplate on its Signs and that men of understanding may receive admonition.” (38:29)
It is obligatory that we believe and follow the whole of the Qur’ân. If we reject any part of it, we will suffer grievous punishment in the Hereafter. Allah I warns:

. . . Then is it only a part of the Book that you believe in. And do you reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous chastisement for Allah is not unmindful of what you do. These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter: their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped. (2:85-86)
Indeed, the Qur’ân is Allah’s Divine Book so full of wisdom, truth, and guidance to all humanity. Therefore, for our guidance and eternal success, we have to read, study and follow it.