Our life on earth is a gift from God, the Lord and Master of the Universe. It is our solemn duty to learn and recognize the Way of Life ordained by our Sustainer. For, His laws and commandments throw clear light on life’s complex crossroads so that we find right directions and always remain on the correct path, the Way of the Righteous (Muttaqin). Indeed, a Muttaqi, even when bruised by the complicated trajectories of earthly trials, in submitting to the Divine expectations and regulations, will invariably find sprouting signs of mercy, grace and infinite kindness of God around her.
Moreover, to help and guide the deeply-flawed and evil-prone humans in every day life, our Creator and True Friend has sent down the Book of revelations (Kitaab) with practical wisdom (Hikmah) through the sublime blessing of Prophecy (Nubuwwah). Likewise, Sunnat Allah has established Wilayah/ Khilafa -the Divine practice of raising holy men as an unbroken chain in every age in the Ummah to preserve, sustain and to renew the spiritual highway for all times. It is by accepting the Divine revelations and messages as well as by following in the noble footsteps of the Divinely-inspired men when they arrive that we can remain on the Way of Divine Pleasure, so as not to be lost or drowned, or be confused, in the difficult journey of earthly life. The ringing words of the Qur'an is as follows: ‘When guidance comes to you from Me, as it certainly will, there will be no fear for those who follow My guidance, nor will they grieve’----(2:39)
As the Book of God, the Qur’an is the finest example of revelatory guidance for human souls. Indeed, the Qur’anic teachings touch upon almost every facet of life in this world, as well as, perhaps even more importantly, on our fortunes in the world to come. The Holy Book, in its inimitable style, appeals to our innate wisdom- exhorting us to recognize the big picture of Life so as to profit from our choices in our brief moment in this sojourn, to lead our lives by being mindful of God’s commandments and expectations, thereby seeking to benefit our souls in this life and in the world to come.
Commandments of the Qur'an
Calling attention to the hidden realities of our existence in the Universe as well as the great destiny attached to a virtuous life in the world to come; the Qur’an urges us to be good to the Self and do good to the Other. Just as Paradise is offered as a sublime reward for the truly good, the Qur'an points to the generations that lost out in history and memory through their own deeds, vile and foul excesses, testifying to the fact that punishment will inevitably ensue wrongdoing in this world and that all control and destiny is ultimately in the Hands of God, regardless of the existence of Evil. That is why the Holy Book reminds us in the strongest terms not to pursue and chase a life in inequity or disorder, nor seek the mirages of earthly dominance or the other fleeting pleasures of life at the cost of Divine displeasure.
According to the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, there are over 700 verses of clear rulings in the Holy Qur’an that provides all encompassing guidance to the human soul, illuminating the correct and straight path to tread in the contingent circumstances of our earthly life. It is only by being aware of, and following them in full measure, that we become believers. As Hazrat Ahmad (as) notes, true believers are those who are serious and sincere about Divine commandments in everyday life, and are ever mindful of the door of Divine approval in all that they do:
‘...beware and do not take a single step contrary to the teaching of God and the guidance of the Quran. I tell you truly that anyone who disregards even a small injunction of the seven hundred commandments of the Quran, shuts upon himself the door of salvation’.(Noah’s Ark, p. 42, UK edition, 2018).
1.
‘Do not disturb the
peace of the land (Do not spread disorder in the land/ Do not cause corruption
in the land),’-----(2:12)
2. ‘O People! Worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous, who made the earth a bed, and the sky a canopy; and it is He who sends down rain from above for the growth of every kind of food for your sustenance. Do not, knowing this, set up rivals to God.’----(2:22-23)
3.
‘Beware of the Fire prepared for the
disbelievers’—(2: 25)
4.
‘Make obeisance to Adam’---(2:35).
5.
‘O Adam! Dwell you and your
wife in this garden and eat freely and plentifully from it as you will. But you
shall not go near this tree (evil) lest you should be of the unjust.’----(2:36).
6.
‘When guidance comes to
you from Me, as it certainly will, there will be no fear for those who follow My guidance, nor will they grieve’----(2:39)
7.
‘Honour the pledge you
made with Me and I will honour My pledge to you: I am the One you should fear’.---(2:
41).
8. 'And believe in the
message I have sent down which fulfils that which you already possess and do
not be foremost among those who deny its truth, neither take a paltry price for
My Messages, and Me alone you should take as a shield (for protection).' ---(2:42).
9. ''Do not confound the truth
with falsehood, nor hide the truth when you know it.’---(2:43).
10. ‘Observe prayer, give the Zakat [purifying alms] and devote
yourselves (to the service of one God) along with those who are wholly devoted (to
the service of one God)’. ---(2:44).
11. ‘Seek (God’s) help through perfect perseverance and Prayer; this is indeed an exacting discipline, except for those who are humble. Who know for certain that they will meet their Lord, and that they will return to Him.’---(2: 46-47).