Living in Accordance with the Qur'an 3/9

Overcoming Anger in the Face of Hardship

(Believers are) those who give in times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and pardon other people–God loves the good-doers…(Surah Al ‘Imran, 134)

And Dhu’n-Nun when he left in anger and thought We would not punish him. He called out in the pitch darkness: ‘There is no god but You! Glory be to You! Truly I have been one of the wrongdoers.’ (Surat al-Anbiya’, 87)

Anyone who thinks that God will not help him in this world and the hereafter should stretch a rope up to the ceiling and then cut (it) off. Let him see whether his stratagem gets rid of what enrages him! (Surat al-Hajj, 15)

Those who disbelieve filled their hearts with fanatical rage–the fanatical rage of the Time of Ignorance–and God sent down serenity to His Messenger and to the believers, and bound them to the expression of heedfulness which they had most right to and were most entitled to. God has knowledge of all things. (Surat al-Fath, 26)

Refraining From Being Aggressive And Skeptical

(The Guards of Hell will be told,) ‘Hurl into Hell every obdurate disbeliever.’ Forbidder of good, exceeder of limits, doubter. (Surat al-Qaf, 24-25)

(The man who believed said, ‘My people!) Yusuf brought you the Clear Signs before, but you never stopped doubting what he brought to you to the extent that when he died, you said, “God will never send another Messenger after him.” That is how God misguides those who are unbridled and full of doubt.’ Those who argue about the Signs of God without any authority coming to them do something hateful in the Sight of God and in the sight of the people who believe. That is how God seals up the heart of every arrogant oppressor. (Surah Ghafir, 34-35)

And the Overturned City which He turned upside down, and covered them up with whatever covered them. Which one of your Lord’s blessings do you then dispute? (Surat al-Najm, 53-55)

Always Choosing the Most Pleasant Words When Speaking

Say to My servants that they should only say the best. Satan wants to stir up trouble between them. Satan is an outright enemy to man. (Surat al-Isra’, 53)

Correct and courteous words accompanied by forgiveness are better than charity followed by insulting words. God is Rich Beyond Need, All-Forbearing. (Surat al-Baqarah, 263)

They have been guided to speak good words and guided to the praiseworthy path. (Surat al-Hajj, 24)

Remember when We made a covenant with the tribe of Israel: ‘Worship none but God and be good to your parents and to relatives and orphans and the very poor. and speak good words to people. and perform prayer and pay the welfare tax.’ But then you turned away–except a few of you–you turned aside. (Surat al-Baqarah, 83)

Do you not see how God makes a metaphor of a good word: a good tree whose roots are firm and whose branches are in heaven? It bears fruit regularly by its Lord’s permission. God makes metaphors for people so that hopefully they will pay heed. the metaphor of a corrupt word is that of a rotten tree, uprooted on the surface of the earth. It has no staying-power. (Surah Ibrahim, 24-26)

Yet if you have to avoid them, seeking some mercy which you may expect from your Lord, still speak a courteous word to them. (Surat al-Isra’, 28)

If anyone wants power, all power belongs to God. All good words rise to Him and He raises up all virtuous deeds. But people who plot evil deeds will suffer a harsh punishment. the plotting of such people is profitless. (Surah Fatir, 10)

Remember when We made a covenant with the tribe of Israel: ‘Worship none but God and be good to your parents and to relatives and orphans and the very poor. and speak good words to people. and perform prayer and give the alms.’ But then you turned away–except a few of you–you turned aside. (Surat al-Baqarah, 83)

(God said to Musa,) ‘Go to Pharaoh; he has overstepped the bounds.’ (He said to Musa,) ‘But speak to him with gentle words so that hopefully he will pay heed or show some fear.’ (Surah Ta Ha, 43-44)

Who could say anything better than someone who summons to God and acts rightly and says, ‘I am one of the Muslims’? (Surat al-Fussilat, 33)

Refrain from Speaking Ill of Others or Using Hurtful, Sharp Language, a Characteristic of Idolaters and Hypocrites

God does not like evil words being voiced out loud, except in the case of someone who has been wronged. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Surat an-Nisa’, 148)

If they come upon you, they will be your enemies and stretch out their hands and tongues against you with evil intent, and they would dearly love you to become disbelievers. (Surat al-Mumtahinah, 2)

…but when the fear is gone they smite you with sharp tongues, being niggardly of the good things. These have not believed, therefore God has made their doing naught; and this is easy to God. (Surat al-Ahzab,19)

You will be tested in your wealth and in yourselves and you will hear many abusive words from those given the Book before you and from those who are idolaters. But if you are steadfast and guard against evil, that is the most resolute course to take. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 186)

And do not chide the one who asks for help. (Surat ad-Dhuha, 10)

Your Lord has decreed that you should worship none but Him, and that you should show kindness to your parents. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say ‘Ugh!’ to them out of irritation and do not be harsh with them but speak to them with gentleness and generosity. (Surat al-Isra’, 23)

Always Maintaining a Compassionate and Lenient Demeanor

Ibrahim was forbearing, compassionate, penitent. (Surah Hud, 75)

It is a mercy from God that you were gentle with them. If you had been rough or hard of heart, they would have scattered from around you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult with them about the matter. Then when you have reached a firm decision, put your trust in God. God loves those who put their trust in Him. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 159)

Ibrahim would not have asked forgiveness for his father but for a promise he made to him, and when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of God, he renounced him. Ibrahim was tender-hearted and forbearing. (Surat at-Tawba, 114)

They said, ‘Shu‘ayb, do your prayers instruct you that we should abandon what our fathers worshipped or stop doing whatever we want to with our wealth? You are clearly the forbearing, the rightly-guided!’ (Surah Hud, 87)

Do not direct your eyes longingly to what We have given certain of them to enjoy. Do not feel sad concerning them. and take the believers under your wing. (Surat al-Hijr, 88)

Take the believers who follow you under your wing. (Surat ash-Shu`ara’, 215)

A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves. Your suffering is distressing to him; he is deeply concerned for you; he is gentle and merciful to the believers. (Surat at-Tawba, 128)

Among His Signs is that He created spouses for you of your own kind so that you might find tranquillity in them. and He has placed affection and compassion between you. There are certainly Signs in that for people who reflect. (Surat at-Rum, 21)

Muhammad is the Messenger of God, and those who are with him are fierce to the disbelievers, merciful to one another…(Surat al-Fath, 29)

(The steep ascent is) then to be one of those who believe and urge each other to steadfastness and urge each other to compassion. (Surat al-Balad, 17)

Take them (your parents) under your wing, out of mercy, with due humility and say: ‘Lord, show mercy to them as they did in looking after me when I was small. (Surat al-Isra’, 24)

Defending and Practicing Islam in the Sincerest Manner Through a Strong Personality, Even When Alone

Ibrahim was a community in himself, exemplary, obedient to God, a man of pure natural belief. He was not one of the idolaters. (Surat an-Nahl, 120)

Musa said, ‘If you were to be ungrateful, you and everyone on the earth, God is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy.’ (Surah Ibrahim, 8)

Recite to them the story of Nuh when he said to his people, ‘My people, if my standing here and reminding you of God’s Signs has become too much for you to bear, know that I have put my trust in God. So decide, you and your gods, on what you want to do and be open about it. Do with me whatever you decide and do not keep me waiting.’ (Surah Yunus, 71)

“For me, I have sought safety with my Lord and your Lord, against your injuring me. If ye believe me not, at least keep yourselves away from me.” (Surat ad-Dukhan, 20-21)

Do they have legs they can walk with? Do they have hands they can grasp with? Do they have eyes they can see with? Do they have ears they can hear with? Say: ‘Call on your partner-gods and try all your wiles against me and grant me no reprieve.’ (Surat al-A’raf, 195)

Being Brave and Unyielding in the Way of God

…They were young men who believed in their Lord and We increased them in guidance. We fortified their hearts when they stood up and said, ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and We will not call on any god apart from Him. We would in that case have uttered an abomination. the Companions of the Cave said, ‘These people of ours have taken gods apart from Him. Why do they not produce a clear authority concerning them? Who could do greater wrong than someone who invents a lie against God?’ (Surat al-Kahf, 13-15)

Pharaoh said, ‘Do you believe in him before I have authorised you? He is your chief, the one who taught you magic. I will cut off your hands and feet alternately and have you crucified on palm trunks. Then you will know for certain which of us has the harsher and longer lasting punishment.’ They (magicians) said (to Pharaoh), ‘We will never prefer you to the Clear Signs which have come to us nor to Him Who brought us into being. Decide on any judgment you like. Your jurisdiction only covers the life of this world.’ (Surah Ta Ha, 71-72)

When it reached Sulayman he said, ‘Would you give me wealth when what God has given me is better than what He has given you? No, rather it is you who delight in your gift. Return to them. We will come to them with troops they cannot face and we will expel them from it abased and humiliated.’ (Surat an-Naml, 36-37)

We made a contract with Adam before, but he forgot. We did not find that he had a firm resolve. (Surah Ta Ha, 115)

Say: ‘Everyone is waiting expectantly so wait expectantly. You will soon know who are the Companions of the Right Path and who is is guided.’ (Surah Ta Ha, 135)

Say: ‘What do you await for us except for one of the two best things? But what we await for you is for God to inflict a punishment on you either directly from Himself or at our hands. So wait, we are waiting with you! (Surat at-Tawba, 52)

If anyone argues with you about him after the knowledge that has come to you, say, ‘Come then! Let us summon our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us make earnest supplication and call down the curse of God upon the liars. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 61)

Say to those who do not believe: “Do what ever ye can: We shall do our part. (Surah Hud, 121)

(Shu‘ayb said,) ‘We would be inventing lies against God if we returned to yoaur religion after God has saved us from it. We could never return to it unless God our Lord so willed. Our Lord encompasses everything in His knowledge. We have put our trust in God. Our Lord, judge between us and our people with truth. You are the best of judges.’ (Surat al-A’raf, 89)

You who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you and let them find you implacable. Know that God is with those who guard against evil. (Surat at-Tawba, 123)

(Believers are) those to whom people said, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But that merely increased their faith and they said, ‘God is enough for us and the Best of Guardians.’ (Surah Al ‘Imran, 173)

You who believe! When you encounter those who disbelieve advancing in massed ranks into battle, do not turn your backs on them. (Surat al-Anfal, 15)

Those who believe in God and the Last Day do not ask you to excuse them from striving with their wealth and themselves. God knows the people who guard against evil. (Surat at-Tawba, 44)

Will you not fight a people who have broken their oaths and resolved to expel the Messenger, and who initiated hostilities against you in the first place? Is it them you fear? God has more right to your fear if you are believers. (Surat at-Tawba, 13)

When the believers saw the Confederates they said: ‘This is what God and His Messenger promised us. God and His Messenger told us the truth.’ It only increased them in faith and in submission. (Surat al-Ahzab, 22)

So be steadfast. God’s promise is true. Do not let those who have no certainty make you impatient and shake your firmness. (Surat ar-Rum, 60)

Not Giving Into Panic and Worry in the Face of Troubles

We revealed to Musa, ‘Travel with My servants by night. Strike a dry path for them through the sea. Have no fear of being overtaken and do not be afraid.’ (Surah Ta Ha, 77)

God’s promise is true. Do not let those who have no certainty make you impatient and shake your firmness. (Surat ar-Rum, 60)

(God said to Musa,) ‘Put your hand inside your shirt front. It will emerge pure white yet quite unharmed. and hug your arms to your sides to still your fear. (Surat al-Qasas, 32)

Delighting in the Happiness and Joy of Faith

Those who believe and do right actions, happiness will be theirs and a wonderful Homecoming. (Surat ar-Ra`d, 29)

You will recognise in their faces the radiance of delight. (Surat al-Mutaffifin, 24)

(‘Isa said,) “I am a servant of God,” he answered. “He has given me a Book and made me a prophet, ‘He has made me blessed wherever I am and directed me to perform prayer and give the alms as long as I live.’ ‘And (He directed me) to show devotion to my mother. He has not made me insolent or arrogant.’ (Surath Maryam, 30-32)

And (Zakariyya) said, ‘My Lord, my bones have lost their strength and my head is crowned with white, but in calling on You, My Lord, I have never been disappointed.’ (Surah Maryam, 4)

He said, ‘Go down from it, all of you, as enemies to one another! But when guidance comes to you from Me, all those who follow My guidance will not go astray and will not be miserable.’ (Surah Ta Ha, 123)

(Ibrahim said,) ‘I will separate myself from you and all you call upon besides God and I will call upon my Lord. It may well be that, in calling on my Lord, I will not be disappointed.’ (Surah Maryam, 48)

As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, where they will sigh and gasp. (Surah Hud, 106)

They will say, ‘Our Lord, our miserable destiny overpowered us. We were misguided people.’ (Surat al-Mu’minun, 106)

He who has fear will be reminded; but the most miserable will shun it. (Surat al-A’la, 10-11)

God will say, ‘This is the Day when the sincerity of the sincere will benefit them. They will have Gardens with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever and ever. God is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. That is the Great Victory.’ (Surat al-Ma’idah, 119)

Those who believe and migrate and strive in the Way of God with their wealth and themselves have a higher rank with God. They are the ones who are victorious. (Surat at-Tawba, 20)

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

The forerunners–the first of the Migrants (Muhajirun) and the Supporters (Ansar)–and those who have followed them in doing good: God is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. He has prepared Gardens for them with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever and ever. That is the great victory. (Surat at-Tawba, 100)

God has bought from the believers their selves and their wealth in return for the Garden. They fight in the Way of God and they kill and are killed. It is a promise binding on Him in the Torah, the Gospel and the Qur’an and who is truer to his contract than God? Rejoice then in the bargain you have made. That is the great victory. (Surat at-Tawba, 111)

As for those who are glad, they will be in the Garden, remaining in it timelessly, for ever, as long as the heavens and earth endure, except as your Lord wills: an uninterrupted gift. (Surah Hud, 108)

All who obey God and His Messenger and have awe of God and fear of Him, they are the ones who are victorious. (Surat an-Nur, 52)

Knowing That God Definitely Helps Those Who Help His Religion

... if God had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, where God’s name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed. God will certainly help those who help Him–God is All-Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-Hajj, 40)

You who believe! If you help God, He will help you and make your feet firm. (Surah Muhammad, 7)

“... it is Our duty to help the believers..” (Surat ar-Rum, 47)

We will certainly help Our Messengers and those who believe both in the life of this world and on the Day the witnesses appear. (Surah Ghafir, 51)

Delegating Duties

And those that distribute and apportion by Command. (Surat adh-Dhariyat, 4)

It is not necessary for the believers to go out all together. If a party from each group of them were to go out so they could increase their knowledge of the religion they would be able to notify their people when they returned to them so that hopefully they would take warning. (Surat at-Tawba, 122)

Acting Conscientiously in Every Situation

And (I swear by) the self and what proportioned it and inspired it with depravity or sense of duty, he who purifies it has succeeded, he who covers it up has failed. (Surat ash-Shams, 7-10)

And they repudiated them wrongly and haughtily, in spite of their own certainty about them. See the final fate of the corrupters. (Surat an-Naml, 14)

Seeking the Advice of Others in All Affairs

… So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult with them about the matter. Then when you have reached a firm decision, put your trust in God. God loves those who put their trust in Him. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 159)

(What is with God is better for) those who respond to their Lord and perform prayer, and manage their affairs by mutual consultation and give of what We have provided for them. (Surat ash-Shura, 38)

… If the couple both wish weaning to take place after mutual agreement and consultation, there is nothing wrong in their doing that. (Surat al-Baqarah, 233)

… Over everyone with knowledge is a Knower. (Surah Yusuf, 76)

Remembering That Every Blessing We Enjoy Is a Means of Trial

Know that your wealth and children are a trial and that there is an immense reward with God. (Surat al-Anfal, 28)

Do not let their wealth and their children impress you. God merely wants to punish them by them in this world, and for them to expire while they are disbelievers. (Surat at-Tawba, 85)

Wealth and sons are the embellishment of the life of this world. But, in your Lord’s Sight, right actions which are lasting bring a better reward and are a better basis for hope. (Surat al-Kahf, 46)

Know that the life of this world is merely a game and a diversion and ostentation and a cause of boasting among yourselves and trying to outdo one another in wealth and children: like the plant-growth after rain which delights the cultivators, but then it withers and you see it turning yellow, and then it becomes broken stubble. in the hereafter there is terrible punishment but also forgiveness from God and His good pleasure. the life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion. (Surat al-Hadid, 20)

To mankind the love of worldly appetites is painted in glowing colours: women and children, and heaped-up mounds of gold and silver, and horses with fine markings, and livestock and fertile farmland. All that is merely the enjoyment of the life of this world. the best homecoming is in the Presence of God. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 14)

We made everything on the earth adornment for it so that We could test them to see whose actions are the best. (Surat al-Kahf, 7)

You will be tested in your wealth and in yourselves and you will hear many abusive words from those given the Book before you and from those who are idolaters. But if you are steadfast and guard against evil, that is the most resolute course to take. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 186)

Refraining from Breaching the Trust of Others; Keeping Any Given Promises

You who believe! Do not betray God and His Messenger, and do not knowingly betray your trusts. (Surat al-Anfal, 27)

Those who pledge you their allegiance pledge allegiance to God. God’s hand is over their hands. He who breaks his pledge only breaks it against himself. But as for him who fulfils the contract he has made with God, We will pay him an immense reward. (Surat al-Fath, 10)

(Believers are) those who honour their trusts and their contracts. (Surat al-Mu’minun, 8)

God commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. How excellent is what God exhorts you to do! God is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Surat an-Nisa’, 58)

It is not devoutness to turn your faces to the East or to the West. Rather, those with true devoutness are those who believe in God and the Last Day, the Angels, the Book and the Prophets, and who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travellers and beggars and to set slaves free, and who perform prayer and give the alms; those who honour their contracts when they make them, and are steadfast in poverty and illness and in battle. Those are the people who are true. They are the people who guard against evil. (Surat al-Baqarah, 177)

No, the truth is, if people honour their contracts and have fear of Him, God loves those who guard against evil. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 76)

Be true to God’s contract when you have agreed to it, and do not break your oaths once they are confirmed and you have made God your guarantee. God knows what you do. (Surat an-Nahl, 91)

Do not go near the property of orphans before they reach maturity, except in a good way. Fulfil your contracts. Contracts will be asked about. (Surat al-Isra’, 34)

(People of intelligence are) those who fulfil God’s contract and do not break their agreement. (Surat ar-Ra`d, 20)

(Believers are) those who honour their trusts and contracts. (Surat al-Ma`arij, 32)

Among the People of the Book there are some who, if you entrust them with a pile of gold, will return it to you. But there are others among them who, if you entrust them with just a single dinar, will not return it to you, unless you stay standing over them. That is because they say, ‘We are under no obligation where the gentiles are concerned.’ They tell a lie against God and they know it. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 75)

Being Just in All Situations and Being Honest When Testifying

Say: ‘My Lord has commanded justice. (Surat al-A’raf, 29)

God commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. How excellent is what God exhorts you to do! God is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Surat an-Nisa’, 58)

Among those We have created there is a community who guide by the Truth and act justly according to it. (Surat al-A’raf, 181)

You who believe! Be upholders of justice, bearing witness for God alone, even against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Whether they are rich or poor, God is well able to look after them. Do not follow your own desires and deviate from the truth. If you twist or turn away, God is aware of what you do. (Surat an-Nisa’, 135)

God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just. (Surat al-Mumtahinah, 8)

(Believers are) those who do not bear false witness and who, when they pass by worthless talk, pass by with dignity. (Surat al-Furqan, 72)

And those who stand firm in their testimonies. (Surat al-Ma`arij, 33)

You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of God, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not being just. Be just. That is closer to heedfulness. Have fear of God. God is aware of what you do. (Surat al-Ma’idah, 8)

…But if you do judge, judge between them justly. God loves the just. (Surat al-Ma’idah, 42)

And that you do not go near the property of orphans before they reach maturity–except in a good way; that you give full measure and full weight with justice–We impose on no self any more than it can bear; that you are equitable when you speak–even if a near relative is concerned; and that you fulfil God’s contract. That is what He instructs you to do, so that hopefully you will pay heed. (Surat al-An’am, 152)

There are only grounds against those who wrong people and act as tyrants in the earth without any right to do so. Such people will have a painful punishment. (Surat ash-Shura, 42)

So call and go straight as you have been ordered to. Do not follow their whims and desires but say, ‘I believe in a Book sent down by God and I am ordered to be just between you. God is our Lord and your Lord. We have our actions and you have your actions. There is no debate between us and you. God will gather us all together. He is our final destination. (Surat ash-Shura, 15)

If two parties of the believers fight, make peace between them. But if one of them attacks the other unjustly, fight the attackers until they revert to God’s command. If they revert, make peace between them with justice, and be even-handed. God loves those who are even-handed. (Surat al-Hujurat, 9)

Being Meticulous in Trade, Refraining

From Making Ill-Gotten Profits

(Shu‘ayb said,) ‘My people! Give full measure and full weight with justice; do not diminish people’s goods; and do not go about the earth, corrupting it.’ (Surah Hud, 85)

Give full measure when you measure and weigh with a level balance. That is better and gives the best result. (Surat al-Isra’, 35)

So that you would not transgress the balance. (Surat ar-Rahman, 8)

Woe to the stinters! Those who, when they take a measure from people, exact full measure, but when they give them a measure or weight, hand over less than is due. (Surat al-Mutaffifin, 1-3)

Give full measure. Do not skimp. Weigh with a level balance. Do not diminish people’s goods and do not go about the earth, corrupting it. (Surat ash-Shu`ara’, 181-183)

And to Madyan We sent their brother Shu‘ayb who said, ‘My people, worship God! You have no other god than Him. a Clear Sign has come to you from your Lord. Give full measure and full weight. Do not diminish people’s goods. Do not cause corruption in the land after it has been put right. That is better for you if you are believers.’ (Surat al-A’raf, 85)

And (litigants) came in on Dawud who was alarmed by them. They said, ‘Do not be afraid. We are two litigants, one of whom has acted unjustly towards the other, so judge between us with truth and do not be unjust and guide us to the Right Path.’ (One of the two litigants said to Dawud,) ‘This brother of mine has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one. He said, “Let me have charge of it,” and got the better of me with his words.’ He said, ‘He has wronged you by asking for your ewe to add to his ewes. Truly many partners are unjust to one another–except those who believe and do right actions, and how few they are!’ Dawud realised that We had put him to the test. He begged forgiveness from his Lord and fell down prone, prostrating, and repented. (Surah Sad, 22-24)

Give just weight–do not skimp in the balance. (Surat ar-Rahman, 9)

Give orphans their property, and do not substitute bad things for good. Do not assimilate their property into your own. Doing that is a serious crime. (Surat an-Nisa’, 2)

Do not devour one another’s property by false means nor offer it to the judges as a bribe, trying through crime to knowingly usurp a portion of other people’s property. (Surat al-Baqarah, 188)

We sent Our Messengers with the Clear Signs and sent down the Book and the Balance with them so that mankind might establish justice. (Surat al-Hadid, 25)

Forgiving a Debt If the Debtor Is in Dire Straits

If someone is in difficult circumstances, there should be a deferral until things are easier. But making a free gift of it would be better for you if you only knew. (Surat al-Baqarah, 280)

Noting Down a Debt Along with Its Due Time

You who believe! When you take on a debt for a specified period, write it down. a writer should write it down between you justly. No writer should refuse to write; as God has taught him, so he should write. the one incurring the debt should dictate and should have fear of God his Lord and not reduce it in any way. If the person incurring the debt is incompetent or weak or unable to dictate, then his guardian should dictate for him justly. Two men among you should act as witnesses. But if there are not two men, then a man and two women with whom you are satisfied as witnesses; then if one of them forgets, the other can remind her. Witnesses should not refuse when they are called upon. Do not think it too trivial to write down, whether small or large, with the date that it falls due. Doing that is more just in God’s Sight and more helpful when bearing witness and more likely to eliminate any doubt–unless it is an immediate transaction hand to hand, taken and given without delay. There is nothing wrong in your not writing that down. Call witnesses when you trade. Neither writer nor witness should be put under pressure. If you do that, it is deviancy on your part. Have fear of God and God will give you knowledge. God has knowledge of all things. (Surat al-Baqarah, 282)

Holding Fast to the Causes Without Forgetting That God Is the Creator of Everything

He (Yusuf) said to the one of them he knew was saved, ‘Please mention me when you are with your lord,’ but Satan made him forget to remind his lord, and so he stayed in prison for several years. (Surah Yusuf, 42)

He (Ya‘qub) said, ‘My sons! You must not enter through a single gate. Go in through different gates. But I cannot save you from God at all, for judgement comes from no one but God. in Him I put my trust, and let all those who put their trust, put it in Him alone.’ (Surah Yusuf, 67)

Never Being Satisfied with Oneself

But as for him who is stingy and self-satisfied, and denies the Good, We will pave his way to Difficulty. (Surat al-Layl, 8-10)

No indeed! Truly man is unbridled, seeing himself as self-sufficient. (Surat al-Alaq, 6-7)

They allot to God what they themselves dislike and their tongues frame the lie that they will receive the Best. There is no doubt at all that they will receive the Fire and that they are people who go to excess. (Surat an-Nahl, 62)

(Yusuf said,) ‘I do not say my self was free from blame. the self indeed commands to evil acts–except for those my Lord has mercy on. My Lord, He is Forgiving, Merciful.’ (Surah Yusuf, 53)

‘My Lord, I am truly in need of any good You have in store for me.’ (Surat al-Qasas, 24)

It Is God Who Teaches Knowledge. Refrain from Giving Into Impertinence by Giving Credit to One’s Self for Being Knowledgeable

High exalted be God, the King, the Real! Do not rush ahead with the Qur’an before its revelation to you is complete, and say: ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’ (Surah Ta Ha, 114)

He (Qarun) said, ‘I have only been given it because of knowledge I have.’ Did he not know that before him God had destroyed generations with far greater strength than his and far more possessions? the evildoers will not be questioned about their sins. (Surat al-Qasas, 78)

They said, ‘Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’ (Surat al-Baqarah, 32)

They found a servant of Ours whom We had granted mercy from Us and whom We had also given knowledge direct from Us. (Surat al-Kahf, 65)

We gave knowledge to Dawud and Sulayman who said, ‘Praise be to God Who has favoured us over many of His servants who are believers.’ (Surat an-Naml, 15)

Then when she (Queen of Sheba) came, she was asked, ‘Is your throne like this?’ She said, ‘It is exactly like it.’ ‘We were given knowledge before her and were already Muslims.’ (Surat an-Naml, 42)

He (Hud) said, ‘All knowledge is with God. I only transmit to you what I have been sent with. But I see that you are a people who are ignorant.’ (Surat al-Ahqaf, 23)

Say: ‘Believe in it or do not believe in it.’ Certainly, when it is recited to them, those who were given knowledge before it fall on their faces in prostration,’ (Surat al-Isra’, 107)

We gave right judgement and knowledge to Lut and rescued him from the city which committed disgusting acts. They were evil people who were deviators. (Surat al-Anbiya’, 74)

We gave Sulayman understanding of it. We gave each of them judgement and knowledge. We subjected the mountains to Dawud, glorifying, and the birds as well. This is something We are well able to do. (Surat al-Anbiya’, 79)

When their Messengers brought them the Clear Signs, they exulted in the knowledge they had and then were engulfed by the very things they mocked. (Surah Ghafir, 83)

You who believe! When you are told: ‘Make room in the gathering,’ then make room and God will make room for you! and when it is said, ‘Get up’, get up. God will raise in rank those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge. God is aware of what you do. (Surat al-Mujadilah, 11)

(Shu‘ayb said,) ‘We would be inventing lies against God if we returned to your religion after God has saved us from it. We could never return to it unless God our Lord so willed. Our Lord encompasses everything in His knowledge. We have put our trust in God. Our Lord, judge between us and our people with truth. You are the best of judges.’ (Surat al-A’raf, 89)

And when he (Musa) reached his full strength and maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge. That is how We recompense good-doers. (Surat al-Qasas, 14)

They will ask you about the Spirit. Say: ‘The Spirit is my Lord’s concern. You have only been given a little knowledge.’ (Surat al-Isra’, 85)

Keeping in Mind That God Despises Those Who Are Haughty and Refraining from Haughtiness No Matter the Circumstances

He said, ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you to?’ He replied, ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire and You created him from clay. He said, ‘Descend from Heaven. It is not for you to be arrogant in it. So get out! You are one of the abased.’ (Surat al-A’raf, 12-13)

Do not avert your face from people out of haughtiness and do not strut about arrogantly on the earth. God does not love anyone who is vain or boastful. (Surah Luqman, 18)

Do not strut arrogantly about the earth. You will certainly never split the earth apart nor will you ever rival the mountains in height. (Surat al-Isra’, 37)

The people who truly do believe in Our Signs are those who fall to the ground prostrating when they are reminded of them, and glorify their Lord with praise, and are not arrogant. (Surat as-Sajdah, 15)

When Our Signs are recited to such a person, he turns away arrogantly as if he had not heard, as if there was a great weight in his ears. So give him news of a painful punishment. (Surah Luqman, 7)

But if We let him taste blessings after hardship has afflicted him, he says, ‘My troubles have gone away,’ and he is overjoyed, boastful. (Surah Hud, 10)

Your God is One God. As for those who do not believe in the hereafter, their hearts are in denial and they are puffed up with pride. (Surat an-Nahl, 22)

Certainly those who argue about the Signs of God without any authority having come to them have nothing in their breasts except for pride which they will never be able to vindicate. Therefore seek refuge with God. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. (Surah Ghafir, 56)

And they repudiated them wrongly and haughtily, in spite of their own certainty about them. See the final fate of the corrupters. (Surat an-Naml, 14)

When he is told to have fear of God, he is seized by pride which drives him to wrongdoing. Hell will be enough for him! What an evil resting-place! (Surat al-Baqarah, 206)

He hears the Signs of God rehearsed to him, yet is obstinate and lofty, as if he had not heard them: then announce to him a Penalty Grievous! (Surat al-Jathiyah, 8)

The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant to God nor would the angels near to Him. If any do disdain to worship Him, and grow arrogant, He will in any case gather them all to Him. (Surat an-Nisa’, 172)

Who could do greater wrong than someone who invents lies against God or denies His Signs, or who says, ‘It has been revealed to me,’ when nothing has been revealed to him, or someone who says, ‘I will send down the same as God has sent down’? If you could only see the wrongdoers in the throes of death when the angels are stretching out their hands, saying, ‘Disgorge your own selves! Today you will be repaid with the punishment of humiliation for saying something other than the truth about God, and being arrogant about His Signs.’ (Surat al-An’am, 93)

But as for those who reject Our Signs and are arrogant regarding them, they are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. (Surat al-A’raf, 36)

Worship God and do not associate anything with Him. Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to neighbours who are related to you and neighbours who are not related to you, and to companions and travellers and your slaves. God does not love anyone vain or boastful. (Surat an-Nisa’, 36)