Quotes from Sûrat Ibrâhêm (14)

Throughout the Qur’ân we see these words, most frequently addressing the Children of Isrâ’êl. They suffered greatly, being killed and turned into slaves for labor and rape. Their suffering brought them to their fitrah, their innate natural instinct, to call upon Allâh and ask for deliverance. Then, Allâh made a prophet out of Mûsâ ﷺ who ultimately brought them out of their bondage and showed them a great many miracles to aid them in their exodus.

In return, the Children of Isrâ’êl were asked to believe in Allâh, not associate partners with Him in worship, obey prophet Mûsâ (Moses) ﷺ, establish regular prayer, give in charity, and keep good relationships with their relatives and neighbors.

These commandments, minuscule compared to what they truly could have owed Allâh had Allâh asked them, were not a price, but a blessing upon the blessings conferred to them. That is because this guidance is complete and perfect in its wisdom, even if much of that wisdom eludes us when we are first starting out.

And no matter the situation you find yourself in after accepting Islâm, remember that Allâh chose you specifically among all the misguided souls around you, to confer this great blessing and guidance. Be thankful to Allâh by continuing with His worship amid what happens to you in your life. Remember that knowing Islâm is the truth is a blessing, having the courage to declare it as your religion is another blessing on top of that, and everything that Islâm contains of knowledge and guidance is only to complete Allâh’s Favor upon you and add light and life to all that you do from now until death.

“We have not sent down the Qur’ân to you to cause you distress.” [20:2]

“Is he who was dead and We gave him life and set for him a light whereby he can walk amongst humanity – like him who is in the darkness from which he can never come out?” [6:122]

“O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord and a healing for that which is in your breasts–a guide and a mercy for the believers.” [10:57]

So whatever we are commanded to do as Muslims, having the chance to follow that guidance, knowing it is from the One Who Created us and will ultimately Judge and Reward us is a great blessing. Since Allâh is not a human whom we know how to thank, we instead thank Him on His terms, and those terms are worship through obedience to His Messengers.

Whenever you need the reminder, think of where you came from. Ponder the schools you attended, the clubs you participated in, and the friends that came and went. How many of them has Allâh chosen for this guidance? When I consider the school I attended, a high school in Chillicothe, IL, out of 675 students, I cannot count beyond one hand the number of Muslim students there at the time I accepted this faith as my own. I know I was no more worthy than anyone else–far from it–but I knew I was misguided and I was desiring guidance from God. Having this prayer answered, as I’m sure it has been answered for you since you are reading this, is one of the greatest blessings you’ll ever receive. Recall it often. Cherish it completely. Never let it go.