Owner’s Manuals
I recently bought a new TV and tried to set it up following the instructions. I have put together many pieces of furniture, struggling with the directions (and usually doing one or more things wrong each time). I have consulted my car’s owner’s manual several times to help diagnose problems, usually ending up needing a mechanic in the end.
But there’s one owner’s manual that really is clear, concise and extremely helpful in my life. That is the one that God has provided for the set up and maintenance of my soul — the Quran.
Instructions for putting together furniture or setting up TVs are often confusing, frustrating, and filled with unfamiliar words. Not so the Quran. God tells us: [54:22] We made the Quran easy to learn. Does any of you wish to learn? It spells everything out very clearly — from why we are here to what happens to us after we die. And what we need to do in between to assure our salvation. Nothing is as important to us, no manual as useful.
We find out from this owner’s manual that our problem began when we failed to uphold God’s absolute authority and instead we sided with Satan that perhaps he could be a god too. (38:67–85)
[38:67–69] Say, “Here is awesome news. [38:68] “That you are totally oblivious to. [38:69] “I had no knowledge previously, about the feud in the High Society.*
footnote*38:69 The feud in the High Society was triggered by Satan’s challenge to God’s absolute authority. This is definitely the most important event in the history of the human race. We failed to make a firm stand regarding God’s absolute authority. This life represents the third and final chance to redeem ourselves.
We learn that God in His mercy allowed us a chance to return to the worship of God alone by spending a life-time on earth. The main thing we have to do here is suppress our ego, recognize God’s Omnipotence and worship only God. And He sent to us messengers and practices to help us succeed.
[7:59] We sent Noah to his people, saying, “O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day.”
[7:65] To ‘Ãd we sent their brother Hûd. He said, “O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Would you then observe righteousness?”
[20:14] “I am GOD; there is no other god beside Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) to remember Me.
[20:98] Your only god is GOD; the One beside whom there is no other god. His knowledge encompasses all things.
[28:70] He is the one GOD; there is no other god beside Him. To Him belongs all praise in this first life, and in the Hereafter. All judgment belongs with Him, and to Him you will be returned.
[64:13] GOD: there is no other god besides Him. In GOD the believers shall trust.
We learn from this manual that what we do in this life determines where we will spend eternity after exiting this world. We have two choices: we can grow our soul in the worship of God and come to God on the Day of Judgment with our whole heart devoted to Him alone; or we can ignore the advice and warnings in the manual which will not allow our soul to grow and therefore we will not be able to remain in God’s presence. The absence of God is Hell.
[7:8] The scales will be set on that day, equitably. Those whose weights are heavy will be the winners. [7:9] As for those whose weights are light, they will be the ones who lost their souls,* as a consequence of disregarding our revelations, unjustly.
footnote*7:9 Failing to heed our Creator leads to spiritual starvation and eventual “loss” of the soul.
The manual also informs us that Heaven and Hell are eternal. This is our final chance to correct our blasphemous mistake and return wholeheartedly to God.
[9:20] Those who believe, and emigrate, and strive in the cause of GOD with their money and their lives, are far greater in rank in the sight of GOD. These are the winners. [9:21] Their Lord gives them good news: mercy and approval from Him, and gardens where they rejoice in everlasting bliss. [9:22] Eternally they abide therein. GOD possesses a great recompense.
[5:36] Certainly, those who disbelieved, if they possessed everything on earth, even twice as much, and offered it as ransom to spare them the retribution on the Day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them; they have incurred a painful retribution. [5:37] They will want to exit Hell, but alas, they can never exit therefrom; their retribution is eternal.
And we understand that just having this knowledge from the book is a great gift. It allows us the opportunity to do the things we need to do to come to God.
[38:46] We bestowed upon them a great blessing: awareness of the Hereafter.
We can’t go wrong if we use the information given to us in this manual to seek God’s mercy and approval. It is our guide, a beacon, a light of hope against the darkness of this world.
[10:57] O people, enlightenment has come to you herein from your Lord, and healing for anything that troubles your hearts, and guidance, and mercy for the believers.
[45:20] This provides enlightenments for the people, and guidance, and mercy for those who are certain.
One other thing about instruction books and owner’s manuals: they are usually pretty dry and boring. Not exactly a fun read. But the Quran is beautiful in its language and its ideas. It invites you to read it again and again, each time finding a new depth of knowledge, a new layer of wisdom. This is the owner’s manual for our life, our soul, our salvation.
