Allah SWT asks His servants three questions on gratitude, mindfulness, and remembrance in the Quran. It’s an understatement to say how they help to cleanse our perspectives.
The Question of Gratitude
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
The Quran; 55:13
Allah SWT asks us thirty-one times in Surah Ar-Rahman about how many favors, blessings, and abilities from both worlds we would deny, reject, or forget.
It’s humbling to see that everything we have, whether its the sky shading us or our hands and feet helping us, are all blessings. However, we often measure how “much” we have by worldly gains. Although it’s commendable that someone gets a job right after university or gets married by the socially acceptable age, these things don’t define the worth of our lives. Becoming engrossed in worldly rat races deflects our focus from the important things. Hence, we forget the favors of Allah SWT and fall into a dark pit.
Recall this question of gratitude in verse 55:13 in moments of despair. Call upon Allah SWT to help you rise and make the most of what you have.
Remember that verse 55:13 is a reminder of positivity and resilience. We have many, many things to be happy about. Let’s count our blessings till we reach what we were searching for. If we can’t find it, then no worries; let’s ask Allah SWT- that’s another favor upon us!
The Question of Understanding
…But the ˹eternal˺ Home of the Hereafter is far better for those mindful ˹of Allah˺. Will you not then understand?
The Quran; 7:169
Allah SWT questions us whether we will understand the facts of life after a multitude of reminders and warnings. The signs of the truth (the wisdom learned from observing Allah SWTs’s creations) are embedded with reminders for all of us. We must be clear on worshipping none other than Allah SWT and practicing taqwa daily. Then we truly show with our deeds that we do understand.
Moreover if life starts to overwhelm us, then the best thing to do is to ask Allah SWT to keep us patient; that will help you hold onto your faith. Also, talking to someone close to us can help us find support in being steadfast through the challenges of life. Good things always come to those who wait, in this life and in the next. That is Allah SWT’s promise!
Remembrance of the Quran
And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?
The Quran; 54:17
Allah SWT questions our will to remember the messages of the Quran in verse 54:17. Do we remember when it has been made so easy for us?
Reading and remembering the messages of the Quran is among the easiest things to do. Allah SWT’s selection of words, story-telling, and blessing upon this book is unparalled. It’s remarkable, to say the least, how Allah SWT’s has repeated the core messages of faith, love, respect, and peace as well as the truth of earthly and eternal life in a way that isn’t the same throughout the book. Yet it’s so simple to understand.
Moreover, once we begin to ponder over the lessons in the Quran, such as those in the Messengers’ stories, it’s like we’ve gone into a mine of gold; there’s so much more that we keep finding and all of it is so precious to life itself. That’s what makes it so easy to recall.
Allah SWT’s support for us is the greatest privilege. A manifestation of His Mercy is the Quran. His questions about gratitude, taqwa, and remembrance in it are for our own good. Thus, let’s pay attention, reflect upon our deeds and act righteously. This really is what would like to see on a day when our earthly lives will return to us in a book containing everything we did.
