References for Ahsantum
Al-Isra (The Journey by Night) 17:7
"If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to yourselves." Then when the final promise came, [We sent your enemies] to sadden your faces and to enter the temple in Jerusalem, as they entered it the first time, and to destroy what they had taken over with [total] destruction.
Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:264
O you who believe, do not nullify your acts of charity by boasting about (doing people a) favour and by causing (them) hurt, like the one who spends his wealth to show off before people and does not believe in Allah and in the Last Day. So, his example is like a rock on which there is dust, then a heavy rain came over it and left it barren. They have no ability to gain anything out of what they have done, and Allah does not give guidance to the people who disbelieve.
Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:92
You shall never attain piety unless you spend from what you love. Whatsoever you spend, Allah is fully aware of it.
Al-Kauthar (A River in Paradise) 108:1-3
We have given you abundance.
So, pray you to your Lord and sacrifice.
Surely it is your enemy whose traces are cut off.
Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread) 5:32
Because of this did We ordain unto the children of Israel that if anyone slays a human being-unless it be [in punishment] for murder or for spreading corruption on earth-it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind. And, indeed, there came unto them Our apostles with all evidence of the truth: yet, behold, notwithstanding all this, many of them go on committing all manner of excesses on earth.
Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:186
When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way.
Qaf 50:16
And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.
58:7
Do you not see that Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth? If three converse privately, He is their fourth. If five, He is their sixth. Whether fewer or more, He is with them1 wherever they may be. Then, on the Day of Judgment, He will inform them of what they have done. Surely Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.
Traditions:
It has been written in a Qudsi Tradition: The creatures are my spouse. The dearest one to me is the one who is kindest to my creatures, and one who exerts the most effort to satisfy their needs. [Usul al-Kafi, v.2, p.199]
Allah (swt) says: "Take one step towards me, I will take ten steps towards you. Walk towards me, I will run towards you." Hadith Qudsi
In Hadith Qudsi, Allah (SWT) states that He is the one who becomes the ears, eyes, hands, and feet of His servant.
Thank you, wise friend. These are such beautiful excerpts. Many of these themes are carried throughout the Old Testament and other ancient teachings on piety in various forms. From this, we can understand how we are meant to present as humans at our full capacity and potential. With Love, Grace, Peace, Understanding, and Patience. To ourselves, others, and Creator. We should not be discouraged by our shortcomings, but should acknowledge them and endeavor to grow with compassion and perseverance. We are, after all, only human. Being in humility of ourselves as humans allows us to accept others in kindness, without judgment and vengeance.
ReplyDelete