Allah Explains Everything In The Qur'an

We have sent down the Book to you making all things clear, and as guidance and mercy and good news for the Muslims. (Surat an-Nahl: 89) 

To bring all people out of the darkness and into the light, Allah sent us the Qur'an to explain every issue and provide every solution. As we read:

We have sent down the Book to you making all things clear, and as guidance and mercy and good news for the Muslims. (Surat an-Nahl: 89) 

On the other hand, Allah states: "We have not neglected anything in the Book - then they will be gathered to their Lord" (Surat al-An'am: 38). In the Qur'an, Allah explains everything in the most perfect, wise, and concise manner. This is a manifestation of Allah's Mercy to His servants. In the Qur'an, He informs us of the basic tenets of true faith, many issues related to life in this world and the next, the ideal morality for people of faith, and many other issues that guide humanity. Allah introduces Himself to us through the Qur'an, explains that He created everything from nothing, that He is exalted above anything, that He sees and hears secrets and what is even more concealed, and that He knows everything.

The Qur'an gives a detailed account of why and how man was created, the type of life that earns Allah's good pleasure, the forms of worship, a description of moral excellence, ways to remain mentally and physically healthy, and how to deal with problems, emergencies, and various people in society. It also contains signs of scientific facts, knowledge related to daily life, social problems, the Day of Judgment, Paradise and Hell, and many other issues. In other words, the Qur'an provides all of the basic knowledge that people may need at any time. As we read:

And thus We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an and have diversified thererin the warnings that perhaps they will avoid (sin) or it would cause them remembrance. (Surah Ta Ha: 113) 

We have displayed throughout this Qur'an all kinds of examples for people, but most people spurn anything but disbelief. (Surat al-Isra': 89)

We have displayed throughout this Qur'an all kinds of examples for people. (Surat al-Kahf: 54)

In the Qur'an, Allah informs all people that they must comply unconditionally with His judgments, take Him as their sole friend and guardian, and make earning His good pleasure and Paradise their only goal in life. For those who live in compliance with the Qur'an, the Qur'an is the sole criterion and our Prophet's (saas) path is the only path worth following. The Qur'an informs us that true Muslims of all eras have abandoned their society's fallacious religion and turned to Allah and His commands. For instance, the Qur'an relates how the Companions of the Cave, a group of young believers, were condemned and threatened with death because they rejected their forefathers' religion and sought refuge in a cave (Surat al-Kahf: 13-16). Prophet Yusuf's (as) turning to Allah is an example of this:

For I have left the religion of a people who clearly have no faith in Allah and are unbelievers in the Hereafter. I hold fast to the creed of my forebears Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Ya'qub. We do not associate anything with Allah. (Surah Yusuf: 37-38)

In the spiritual sense, abandoning society's fallacious religion means to separate oneself entirely from that religion's adherents. In other words, it means that a person has been entirely purified of his or her former form of worship, belief, value judgments, manner of reasoning, moral codes, customs and traditions, modes of behavior and lifestyle that conflict with the Qur'an, although their society still adheres to such things, and has embraced Allah's revelation as the basic point of reference.

Allah is pleased with Islam as a religion for His servants. For that reason, He sent down the Qur'an as a guide to them and set the life of our Prophet (saas) as an example. The only right and just path is Allah's path, as described in the Qur'an. All other paths are unjust and wrong, and are based upon bigotry, heresy, and conjecture. Therefore, people may hope to be treated well in Allah's sight, provided that they comply meticulously with His commands, perform good deeds to earn His good pleasure, and follow in our Prophet's (saas) footsteps.

As Allah informs us in the Qur'an, the Words of our Lord are "perfect in truthfulness and justice," and only those who adhere to the Qur'an and the Sunna of our Prophet (saas) can attain to the truest and most accurate knowledge. There is no "judge" other than Allah, as stated in the following verse:

(Say), "Am I to desire someone other than Allah as a judge when it is He Who has sent down the Book to you clarifying everything?" Those We have given the Book know that it has been sent down from your Lord with truth, so on no account be among the doubters. The Words of your Lord are perfect in truthfulness and justice. No one can change His Words. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Surat al-An'am: 114-115) 

Also, our Prophet (saas) said that it is the unique source to which all people should refer. We find some of his admonitions in the following prophetic traditions:

The Qur'an is a strong rope of Allah, meaning that it is a reliable means of linking with Allah and a firm charter of guidance. It is the straight path. The Qur'an is the clear truth that keeps thoughts from straying. (Tirmidhi)

The Messenger of Allah said: "These hearts become rusty, just as iron becomes rusty when water gets into it." Someone asked: "O Messenger of Allah, how can these be cleared?" He said: "A great deal of remembrance of death and recitation of the Qur'an." (Bayhaqi; Manzoor No'mani, Ma'ariful Hadith [Pakistan], 85.)

Rejoice, for verily this Qur'an - one part of it is in the hands of Allah and the other part is in your hands. Therefore, hold on to it, for you will never be destroyed nor go astray after it! (Musnad Ahmad).
 

Living By The Qur'an's Values Is Easy

We have made the Qur'an easy to remember. But is there any rememberer there? (Surat al-Qamar: 17)

Allah sent down the Qur'an as a guide to humanity and conveyed the simplest and the best way to lead one's life. The verses give us the good news that Islam is easy to practice: "Allah desires ease for you; He does not desire difficulty for you" (Surat al-Baqara: 185). 

The Qur'an is a clear admonition to people of all ages and cultures. However, some people refer to unreliable sources, rather than the Qur'an, that cause them to believe mistakenly that Islam is difficult. The basic reason behind this attitude is their incomplete knowledge of Islam.

In our own day, many people remain utterly unaware of the facts conveyed by the Qur'an, such as the existence of the Hereafter, eternal life in Hell, Paradise's matchless blessings, and our Lord's admonitions and warnings to humanity. However, the Qur'an was sent down so that people could read it and take admonition. The Qur'an reveals that Allah told the Prophet (saas) to say: "(I have been ordered) to recite the Qur'an" (Surat an-Naml: 92).


To read and comply with the Qur'an is one of a Muslim's most important responsibilities. Allah causes people to grasp the Qur'an, and only those who are guided by Him can understand the full meaning of its verses. He also promises guidance to the sincere servants who turn to Him.

Those who assert that the Qur'an is hard to understand seek to prevent people from reading it, turning to Allah, and living by its values. However, Allah states in many parts of the Qur'an that it is easy to understand:

We have sent down Clear Signs to you, and no one rejects them except the deviators. (Surat al-Baqara: 99)

O humanity, a clear proof has come to you from your Lord. We have sent down a Clear Light to you. (Surat an-Nisa': 174) 

Apart from the Qur'an, its judgments and practices are also very easy. The following verse is self-explanatory:

We did not send down the Qur'an to you to make you miserable, but only as a reminder for those who have fear. (Surah Ta Ha: 2-3) 

The Qur'an's morality is the only way of life that befits human nature. Allah, the Creator of man from nothing, is the One Who best knows people's needs, the forms of worship they can perform, and the ways that lead to a tranquil and peaceful life. For this reason, Allah informs us that He does not impose upon people more than they can bear:

Allah does not impose on any self any more than it can stand. For it is what it has earned; against it, what it has merited. Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake! Our Lord, do not place upon us a load like the one You placed upon those before us! Our Lord, do not place upon us a load that we have not the strength to bear! And pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy upon us. You are our Master, so help us against the disbelieving people. (Surat al-Baqara: 286) 

Out of His infinite Mercy and Compassion for His servants, Allah gives a detailed account of what type of life will give happiness, peace, and tranquility to people. For instance, people are innately fond of love, respect, mercy, and compassion, and expect such treatment from others. They avoid cruelty, evilness, and immorality, and innately fear to be exposed to them. Such feelings and expectations are the inspiration of Allah to a person's soul.

As this is how Allah created human nature, the type of life that complies with Islam's morality is the life that offers the utmost pleasure to humanity. Allah states this fact in Surat ar-Rum, as follows:

So set your face firmly toward the Religion, as a pure natural believer, Allah's natural pattern on which He made humanity. There is no changing Allah's creation. That is the true Religion - but most people do not know it. (Surat ar-Rum: 30) 

The Qur'an states in several places that the religion described in the Qur'an is the easiest one in many respects, as follows:

Allah desires ease for you; He does not desire difficulty for you. (Surat al-Baqara: 185)

But as for him who has faith and acts rightly, he will receive the best of rewards, and We will issue a command, making things easy for him. (Surat al-Kahf: 88)

We have made the Qur'an easy to remember. (Surat al-Qamar: 17)

He has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the religion - the religion of your forefather Ibrahim. (Surat al-Hajj: 78) 

The Sunna of our Prophet (saas) is also easy to practice. Our Prophet (saas), who adopted the Qur'an as his guide, said: "Facilitate (religious matters to people) and do not make (things) difficult. Obey each other and do not differ (among yourselves)." (Bukhari and Muslim). 

All Muslims are responsible for presenting the easiness of Islam (which is its very essence), reconciling people's hearts to the Qur'an and Islam, instructing people in the Qur'an and the Sunna of our Prophet (saas), and making them the sole guide of one's life.

Complying With The Qur'an Removes Man's Burden

Allah desires to make things lighter for you. Man was created weak. (Surat an-Nisa': 28)

Each person comes into existence and grows into an adult by Allah's Will, and needs His protection in every phase of life. The sole protector, guide, and supporter of all people is Allah, the Living, Who is the Creator of everything. The following verse states this fact:

O mankind, you are the poor in need of Allah, whereas Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Surah Fatir: 15) 

Allah, the Creator of the universe and all beings, whether living or non-living, sent down the Qur'an as a mercy to humanity. However, some people make up various excuses not to live by its values. One of these is the mistaken idea that Islam's morality somehow limits their chosen lifestyle. Yet this is a great delusion, for people who live in societies that do not follow the Qur'an's morality encounter great distress, difficulties, and limitations, whereas the Qur'an's morality presents a blissful, peaceful, and secure life. The Qur'an is a mercy that relieves the pressure that people inflict upon each other, removes strict rules and all unnecessary and restricting principles, relieves people's trouble, and ensures a peaceful life.

Indeed, Allah states that by communicating His message, the Messenger relieves people of their heavy loads and the chains around them. In addition, those who answer the Messenger's call and then support, help, and protect him and follow Allah's true path will attain salvation: peace, happiness, and blessings. As we read:

Those who follow the Messenger, the Ummi, whom they find written down with them in the Torah and the Gospel, commanding them to do right and forbidding them to do wrong, making good things lawful for them and bad things unlawful for them, relieving them of their heavy loads and the chains that were around them. Those who believe in him and honor him and help him, and follow the Light that has been sent down with him, they are the ones who are successful. (Surat al-A'raf: 157) 

In societies where people do not abide by the Qur'an's principles, some needlessly strict rules make people's lives hard and cause many problems to remain unsolved. The principles and outlook harbored by people impose new rules and prohibitions and, through these limitations, subject people to needless pressure. Some lawful food, for instance, may be prohibited. Or, the people's behavior may be restricted because certain acts are declared unlawful. Every society has some rules and practices stemming from its own culture and interests. Although they are not expressed verbally, they are practiced and implemented, in general, by all members of the society.

After all, people try to prove themselves to others and present themselves as having superior qualities. Consequently, under society's repressive rules and limitations, people cannot speak, laugh, or live as they desire, for they live under the constant social threat of humiliation, condemnation, or gossip.

People who do not know Allah, place their trust in and submit to Him, and live by the Qur'an's principles harbor countless fears: fear for the future, of being left alone, growing old, having an accident, dying, seeing their children's health threatened, losing possessions, failing in business or marriage, being deprived of a good education, and so on.

All of these are a source of sheer unmitigated anxiety. No doubt, the Qur'an's morality enables people to avoid such fears, for people who are far from Islam's values are unaware that everything occurs by Allah's Will and that everything is predestined. They fail to think that the good and the bad events in life are tests, and that Allah provides and owns all blessings and beauties. For this reason, societies made up of such individuals are characterized by tension, chaos, unrest, distress, and insecurity.

A society composed of people who adhere to the Qur'an's morality is immune to such negativity, as can be seen by its members' moral excellence. Such people place their trust in Allah and persevere, and also show mercy, compassion, and love. Inherently humble and contented, they feel the peace and comfort of living according to the religion described by Allah. As the Qur'an commands, they fear no one but Him and pursue His good pleasure over and above everything else. They know that every blessing they enjoy is from Allah and that the loss of any thing or value is a test from Allah, and so retain their composure when they achieve success or face an unexpected event. Also, they do not react thoughtlessly when confronted with hardship or trouble.

The Qur'an clearly explains what is lawful and unlawful, and gives a detailed account of the morality that pleases Allah. For this reason, the only rules that govern the believers' life are those mentioned in the Qur'an, for it introduces judgments that befit human nature by ensuring an ease of conscience and bringing peace and security. Allah states that He intends to relieve people of their heavy burdens, as follows:

Allah desires to make things clear to you, guide you to the correct practices of those before you, and turn toward you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. Allah desires to turn toward you, but those who pursue their lower appetites desire to make you deviate completely. Allah desires to make things lighter for you. Man was created weak. (Surat an-Nisa': 26-28) 

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi explains the spiritual paradise that will be enjoyed by those people, in this very life, who abide by the Qur'an and its commandments:

The moment I saw this world in the midst of the darkness, my heart, spirit, and mind, and all my human faculties, indeed, all the particles of my being, were ready to weep and cry out in pain. But suddenly, Almighty Allah's Name of All-Just rose in the sign of All-Wise, and the Name of Most Merciful in the sign of Munificent, the Name of All-Compassionate in the sign of (that is, in the meaning of) All-Forgiving, the Name of Resurrector in the sign of Inheritor, the Name of Giver of Life in the sign of Bountiful, and the Name of Sustainer rose in the sign of Owner. They gilded and filled with light many worlds within the world of humanity. Opening up windows onto the luminous world of the hereafter, they scattered lights over the dark human world. (Nursi, "The Letters: The 29th Letter")
Allah endowed humanity with a nature that never finds peace and tranquility in a non-Islamic system. Underlying the difference between believers and unbelievers, this quality of the believers becomes more apparent in the Hereafter. People who do not comply with the Qur'an are depressed, while people of faith experience great joy:

When that Day (of Judgment) comes, no self will speak except by His permission. Some of them will be wretched and others glad. (Surah Hud: 105)

Allah Warns Humanity With The Qur'an

He (Allah) has made it (the Qur'an) straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward. (Surat al-Kahf: 2) 

The verses that warn humanity about Hell's torment are one of the Qur'an's most important attributes. Those who are warned fully understand how to discriminate between right and wrong, good and evil. This attribute is related as follows:

He (Allah) has made it (the Qur'an) straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward. (Surat al-Kahf: 2) 

We have made it (the Qur'an) easy on your tongue so that you can give good news to those who have fear, and warn stubbornly hostile people by it. (Surah Maryam: 97)

As the verse suggests in: "This Qur'an has been revealed to me so that I may warn you by it, and anyone else it reaches" (Surat al-An'am: 19), our Prophet (saas) assumed the responsibility of warning everyone he could reach. In another verse, Allah states that He revealed the Qur'an to our Prophet (saas) so that he could warn people:

Accordingly We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur'an so that you may warn the Mother of Cities and those around it, and give warning of the Day of Gathering, about which there is no doubt: one group in the Garden, the other in the Blazing Fire. (Surat ash-Shura: 7) 

As the verses maintain, in the Qur'an Allah describes the moment of death, how angels will remove the deceased person's soul, how humanity will be gathered together, how the reckoning will take place, events related to the Day of Judgment, how people will be driven to Hell in companies after the reckoning, what each soul will experience on that day, eternal torment in Hell, the spiritual and material torment and pain that its inhabitants will suffer there as well as the unprecedented beauty of the blessings in Paradise, and warns people about the Day of Judgment.

Indeed, many verses describe how the people in Hell talk to each other, their social life, and how they will continue to argue despite all of their suffering. Some verses even mention their arguments, as follows:

Warn mankind of the Day when the punishment will reach them. Those who did wrong will say: "Our Lord, reprieve us for a short time. We will respond to Your call and follow the Messengers." (It will be said to them) "But did you not swear to Me before that you would never meet your downfall?" (Surah Ibrahim: 44)

He (Allah) will say: "Do not argue in My Presence. Indeed, I gave you advance warning of the Threat. My Word, once given, is not subject to change, and I do not wrong My servants." On the Day He says to Hell: "Are you full?" It will ask: "Are there no more to come?" (Surah Qaf: 28-30)

Those who disbelieve say: "We will never believe in this Qur'an, nor in what came before it." If only you could see when the wrongdoers, standing in the presence of their Lord, cast accusations back and forth at one another! Those deemed weak will say to those deemed great, "Were it not for you, we would have been believers!" (Surah Saba: 31) 

Once they are engulfed by torment, there will be no salvation for those who turned their faces from the Qur'an's admonitions. They will repent when they see the Angels of Death coming for them. However, such a great regret will not benefit them, for these people chose the path of disbelief when the Messengers communicated Allah's message. One verse reads:

They will shout out in it: "Our Lord! Take us out! We will act rightly, differently from the way we used to act!" Did We not let you live long enough for anyone who was going to pay heed to pay heed? And did not the Warner come to you? Taste it then! There is no helper for the wrongdoers. (Surah Fatir: 37) 

Believers who spend every moment of their lives to earn Allah's good pleasure and mercy, and who lead a life in compliance with their conscience, are rewarded with Paradise in the Hereafter. The Qur'an relates that the Angels of Death will take the souls of such virtuous people to Paradise in groups in the following manner:

Gardens of Eden that they enter, with rivers flowing under them, where they have whatever they desire. That is how Allah repays those who guard against evil, those whom the angels take in a virtuous state. They (the angels) say: "Peace be upon you! Enter the Garden for what you did." (Surat an-Nahl: 31-32) 

The Qur'an also conveys the speech of believers, who are granted a honorable and superior rank in Paradise. They always exalt Allah in their conversations, which are always based upon themes of beauty, love, peace, and goodness:

They will say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has removed all sadness from us. Truly our Lord is Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Thankful. He Who has lodged us, out of His Favor, in the Abode of Permanence, where no weariness or fatigue affect us." (Surah Fatir: 34-35) 

They will say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us the inheritors of this land, letting us settle in the Garden wherever we want. How excellent is the wage of those who work!" (Surat az-Zumar: 74) 

They will say: "Beforehand we used to live in fear among our families. But Allah was gracious to us and safeguarded us from the punishment of the searing wind. Beforehand we certainly used to call upon Him, because He is the All-Good, the Most Merciful." (Surah Tur: 26-28) 

As these verses make clear, believers are aware that they can attain this happy end only by Allah's Will and Mercy. Given their understanding that only Allah's Mercy and protection can guide them to the true path, believers always thank Allah in Paradise, just as they do in this life.

Muslims Fully Live By The Qur'an's Values

This (the Qur'an) is a clear explanation for all humanity, and a guidance and an admonition for those who have fear. (Surah Al 'Imran: 138)

The only criterion upon which the Muslims' lives rest is the Qur'an and the Sunna of our Prophet (saas). Until they die, they meticulously comply with Allah's commands, fear only Allah, ask help only from Him, and never feel fear, panic, or despair. They do not fear the blame of any person. When faced with unexpected events, they always conduct themselves in compliance with the Qur'an and the Sunna of our Prophet (saas). They display the same moral excellence in times of hardship and trouble, just as they do when granted blessings and abundance, for they are aware that only Allah grants more blessings or restricts them for a divine purpose, and that Allah sends difficulties to make people more mature.

However, people who neglect the Qur'an and fail to embrace Islam base their entire lives upon earning people's consent. Their philosophy of life, principles, and viewpoints contradict the Qur'an. Failing to adhere to the Qur'an and the Sunna of our Prophet (saas) as a guide, they formulate rituals, customs, and forms of worship that do not agree with Islamic morality.

As Prophet Shu'ayb (as) told his people, rather than observing Allah's commands, such people adhere to all forms of unjust beliefs and rules as if they were divine judgments: "You have made Him (Allah) into something to cast disdainfully behind your backs!" (Surah Hud: 92). Even if they see the truth in the Qur'an, they cannot abandon their unjust beliefs. Their understanding of what is lawful and unlawful varies according to their distorted rationale and thoughts, their society's value judgments, and what they inherit from their predecessors. They respect people's opinions rather than the Qur'an's judgments.

The worldview of such people is stated in the Qur'an as follows: "We found our fathers following a religion, and we are simply following in their footsteps" (Surat az-Zukhruf: 23). 

The Qur'an, the immutable Word of Allah, conveys the only way to salvation both in this world and the next. Meanwhile, the moral excellence displayed by our Prophet (saas) sets an example for believers.

Our Prophet's (SAAS) Sole Guide Was The Qur'an

Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord - there is no god but Him - and turn away from the idolaters. (Surat al-An'am: 106) 

Allah chose our Prophet (saas) and revealed to him the Qur'an, which will apply until the Day of Judgment. The Qur'an also informs us that Prophet Muhammad (saas) is the last Prophet. Our Prophet (saas) adhered to the Qur'an and advised people to read it and respect only its judgments. The related verses are as follows:

Say: "I do not say to you that I possess the treasuries of Allah, nor do I know the Unseen, nor do I say to you that I am an angel. I only follow what has been revealed to me." Say: "Are the blind the same as those who can see? So will you not reflect?" (Surat al-An'am: 50) 

Follow what has been revealed to you and be steadfast until Allah's judgement comes. He is the Best of Judges. (Surah Yunus: 109)

Our Prophet (saas) also recommended to his companions that they read the Qur'an and observe its commands:

Why do some people impose conditions that are not present in Allah's Book (Laws)? Whoever imposes a condition that is not in Allah's Laws, then that condition is invalid even if he imposes one hundred conditions, for Allah's conditions are more binding and reliable. (Bukhari)
Allah's Book is Allah's rope; he who follows it has guidance, and he who abandons it is in error. (Muslim)
He who spoke according to the Qur'an spoke the truth, and he who acts in accordance with its directions entitles himself to reward. Again, he who judges according to the Qur'an is just and fair. Then, as for him who invites people to the Qur'an is indeed guided on the Right Path. (Tirmidhi)

While enjoining good or forbidding evil, our Prophet (saas) adhered only to the Qur'an as a guide. All of his words stemmed from it: "I follow only what has been revealed to me from my Lord. This is clear insight from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy, for people who believe" (Surat al-A'raf: 203). For instance, his people asked him for a fatwa (legal opinion concerning Islamic law) about women. Allah told His Messenger (saas) to say: "Allah gives you a fatwa about them" (Surat an-Nisa': 127). Similarly, when people asked for a fatwa about inheritance, Allah ordered him to say: "Allah gives you a fatwa about people who die without direct heirs" and "Allah makes things clear to you so you will not go astray. Allah has knowledge of all things." (Surat an-Nisa': 176) 

In another verse, Allah reveals our Prophet (saas) to reply as follows to those who say: "Bring a Qur'an other than this or change it."

Say: "It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I follow nothing except what is revealed to me. I fear, were I to disobey my Lord, the punishment of a Dreadful Day." (Surah Yunus: 15) 

Consequently, the Sunna of our Prophet (saas) is to apply the Qur'an to daily life. For this reason, Allah informs us that obeying him is a basic tenet of faith. In one verse, Allah states that such obedience is actually obedience to Him (Surat an-Nisa': 80). Anyone who complies with his words and follows his Sunna also observes the Qur'anic judgments, for every attitude, decision, and word of our Prophet (saas) stems from the Qur'an. In the following prophetic tradition, our Prophet (saas) said:

He who obeys me has obeyed Allah, and he who disobeys me has disobeyed Allah; he who obeys the Amir (the Ruler I appoint) has obeyed me, and he who disobeys the Amir has disobeyed me. (Bukhari)
As the Qur'an states, our Prophet (saas) was a person of moral excellence who was distressed by the believers' suffering. He was deeply concerned about the believers, and was gentle and merciful toward them (Surat at-Tawba: 128); a noble person who enjoined good and forbade wrong, and relieved the believers of their heavy loads and the chains that were around them (Surat al-A'raf: 157); and was a blessing to people, purified them, and taught them the Book and Wisdom (Surah Al 'Imran: 164). 

To be a true Muslim with whom Allah is pleased, a person must obey the Qur'an's commands, embrace the Sunna of our Prophet (saas), and meticulously practice whatever they tell us to do. Since the Qur'an gives a detailed account of our Prophet's life, Muslims are obliged to examine his life, follow in his footsteps, and seek to display his moral excellence. In the Qur'an, Allah explains that the Prophet (saas) sets the best example for believers:

You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah, for all who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much. (Surat al-Ahzab: 21)

Raising A Model Of Generation That Adheres To The Qur'an

Let there be a community (of people) among you who calls to good, enjoins right, and forbids wrong. They are the ones who meet with success. (Surah Al 'Imran: 104)

Many people take other people as examples and strive to be like them. From their culture to the way they talk or dress, they imitate those people and yearn for their lifestyle. Yet, almost all of these role models have their failings and possess a morality or understanding that lead people to evil. For humanity, the best role model to follow is that of our Prophet (saas), for the origin of his morality and moral excellence is the Qur'an. Our Prophet (saas) and his companions were conscientious, God-fearing people who embodied the Qur'an's morality and had a profound love for Allah.

Allah honored people of faith with the attribute of "overlords (khulafa') on Earth" (Surat al-An'am: 165), and granted them honor both in this world and the next. History witnessed the most perfect forms of peace, happiness, security, justice, love, friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood, compassion, and sacrifice in the lands ruled by our Prophet (saas). Indeed, this period was named the "Era of Bliss." Allah gave the good news of this recompense, which sincere believers will receive while still living in this world:

Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and will recompense them according to the best of what they did. (Surat an-Nahl: 97) 

For this reason, it is of great importance for this present generation to raise a new generation made up of people who think, rule, speak, and decide in compliance with the Qur'an and Sunna of our Prophet (saas). The Qur'an gives a detailed account of the attributes of such a Muslim society, one in which genuine believers follow in the Messenger's footsteps and seek only Allah's good pleasure. Some of their attributes are as follows:

- They worship Allah alone. (Surat al-Fatiha: 3)

- They have submitted themselves to Allah. (Surat at-Tawba: 51)

- They are aware that they are weak before Allah's Presence. (Surat al-Jinn: 22)

- They fear Allah, and strenuously avoid any form of morality that is displeasing to Him. (Surat ar-Ra'd: 21)

- They feel grateful to Allah under all circumstances and conditions. (Surat al-Baqara: 172)

- They are forgiving and tolerant. (Surat al-Hijr: 85)

- They are modest. (Surat al-Furqan: 63)

- They are compassionate and merciful. (Surat at-Tawba: 128)

- They enjoin the good and forbid evil. (Surah Al 'Imran: 104)

- They are in a mood of unity and solidarity. (Surah as-Saff: 4)

- They always advocate righteousness and justice, and never support the wrongdoers. (Surat an-Nisa': 58, 105)

- They keep their promises. (Surat al-Baqara: 177)

- They turn away from profane talk. (Surat al-Furqan: 72)

- They are patient; hardships never deter them. (Surah Al 'Imran: 146; Surah Hud: 55)

- They are reliable and courageous. (Surah Yunus: 71)

- They abide by the principles of Islam. (Surat al-A'raf: 89)

- They do not force people to accept their ideas; they only explain them. (Surat an-Nahl: 125)

- They do not seek to gain any interests in return for their efforts. (Surat ash-Shura: 23)

- They do not avoid telling the truth. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 54)

- They take pleasure from arts and aesthetics.
- They are against bigotry and intolerance. 

When these qualities become dominant, the moral degeneration, wars, cruelty, poverty, fraud, social disasters, troubles, and hardships that currently prevail throughout the world will be replaced by peace, security, justice, tolerance, friendship, and charity, for the Qur'an's morality brings spiritual and material wealth and beauty to humanity. In general, living by the Qur'an will create everlasting solutions to all problems.

With the verse: "O You who believe, enter Islam totally. Do not follow in the footsteps of Devil. He is an outright enemy to you" (Surat al-Baqara: 208), Allah summons people to live by the Qur'an's values.

Those who reject their society's unjust customs and traditions and adhere to the Qur'an are, in the Qur'an's terminology, those who "enter Islam." Otherwise, bigoted, insincere, fearful, timid, narrow-minded, ignorant, unwise, and imprudent societies that harbor countless unjust beliefs come into existence. Their members live only to satisfy their whims and desires, pursue mundane goals, see no limits in immorality, and feel overwhelmed by the pressure of the rules and principles that stem from ignorant systems. Surely one would not expect to lead a tolerant, civilized, peaceful, and secure life in such a society.

For this reason, every person of faith must feel grateful to Allah, for He granted sincere faith to all believers, guided them to the truth, and honored them with getting to know our Prophet (saas). The way to show this gratefulness is to display fully the Qur'an's morality and to follow the Sunna of our Prophet (saas). Refusing to do so is ungratefulness toward Allah, an attitude that will be punished severely in the Hereafter.