Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever (TMQ,: 23: 10-
11). Congratulations – you have won a divine prize, in addition to a divine declaration
that enables you to inherit the earth in this life, and enjoy Heaven in the Hereafter.
History of believers – fate of disbelievers
The Ayahs shift to the history of the believers on earth, mentioning the stories of the
Prophets, and focusing on the fact that every generation of Prophets inherits the trait
of believing in Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Then,
after them, We created another generation” (TMQ,: 23: 31), “Then, after them,
We created other generations” (TMQ,: 23: 42).
The fate of disbelievers is referred to between these two Ayahs, as if the two Ayahs
tell the believers who have done the test before, “Stick to the road of faith; never
abandon prayers, so that you would not face the same destiny of disbelievers”. Allah
(SWT) says what can be translated as, “So As-Saihah (torment - awful cry)
overtook them in truth (with justice), and We made them as rubbish of dead
plants. So away with the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers,
disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, disobedient to His Messengers)” (TMQ, 23:
41). “Then We sent Our Messengers in succession. Every time there came to a
nation their Messenger, they denied him; so We made them follow one another
(to destruction), and We made them as Ahadith (the true stories for mankind to
learn a lesson from them). So away with a people who believe not!” (TMQ, 23:
44).
Do you see how can the deviation from the road of faith lead to damnation
Better and nobler traits
The Ayahs mention afterwards some other traits of the believers, which are
considered as being higher in level than the previous ones. Let’s read together ayahs
56 and 57.
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Verily those who live in awe for fear
of their Lord” (TMQ, 23: 57). At the beginning of the Surah, submissiveness was
required while praying. In this situation, however, there is a higher level of
worshipping: to be filled with fear of Allah (SWT) in every moment of your life, and
while doing any thing.
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And those who believe in the Ayat
(proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord; And those
who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord” (TMQ, 23: 58-59).
They do not seek the satisfaction of anyone but Allah (SWT) in their worship, whether
by ‘greater’ polytheism (believing in a god other than Allah (SWT), or ‘smaller’
polytheism (hypocrisy in worship). You should seek nothing but only the reward and
recompense from Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And those who give that (their
charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of
fear (whether their alms and charities have been accepted or not), because they