What does the Quran say about PROPHET MUHAMMAD?

The Quran provide many clear verses about Prophet Muhammad. Here I would like to share some selected verses showing the kind of man he was. To me, he is the best role model I can ever have (Quran 33:21) and the standard for moral excellence.

The Quran say he was sent as a mercy to all at 21:107 and was sent to all of mankind at 34:28. He truly cared for all of us at 9:128. He is a witness to God’s goodness as he strives and became very successful. He came to provide us hope and he is the lamp that gives a bright light at 33:45-47.

He was a man just like other prophets before him and his death is natural. We must continue his work as God lives at 3:144. As he is human, he makes mistakes but he reflected, learn and change (80:1-10).

He is good nature, kind and compassionate at 3:159 and he does not force anyone to follow him at 2:256. His KPI is to deliver the message of the Quran that he did par excellence at 75:16-19. After all that he has done for us, yet, he does not ask or expect any reward from us (Quran 25:55-58, 38:86-88).

To be successful, we are to follow Allah and The Prophet (Quran 3:32, 4:69, 8:20, 4:80) and the way to follow The Prophet in order to get the right guidance is to follow The Quran at 7:158.

Here are the selected verses from the above.  

All emphasis are mine to help readers focus on a particular message.

1.    VERILY, in the Apostle of God you have a good example for everyone who looks forward [with hope and awe] to God and the Last Day, and remembers God unceasingly. Quran 33:21

2.    And [thus, O Prophet,] We have sent thee as [an evidence of Our] grace towards all the worlds. Quran 21:107

3.    NOW [as for thee, O Muhammad,] We have not sent thee otherwise than to mankind at large, to be a herald of glad tidings and a warner; but most people do not understand [this], Quran 34:28

4.    And as for thee,] O Prophet - behold, We have sent thee as a witness [to the truth], and as a herald of glad tidings and a warner, and as one who summons [all men] to God by His leave,  and as a light-giving beacon. And [so,] convey to the believers the glad tiding that a great bounty from God awaits them; Quran 34:45-47

5.    AND MUHAMMAD is only an apostle; all the [other] apostles have passed away before him: if, then, he dies or is slain, will you turn about on your heels?  But he that turns about on his heels can in no wise harm God - whereas God will requite all who are grateful [to Him].- Quran 3:144

6.    HE FROWNED and turned away, because the blind man approached him! Yet for all thou didst know, [O Muhammad,] he might perhaps have grown in purity, or have been reminded [of the truth], and helped by this reminder. Now as for him who believes himself to be self-sufficient to him didst thou give thy whole attention, although thou art not accountable for his failure to attain to purity; but as for him who came unto thee full of eagerness and in awe [of God] him didst thou disregard! Quran 80:1-10

7.    And it was by God's grace that thou [O Prophet] didst deal gently with thy followers: for if thou hadst been harsh and hard of heart, they would indeed have broken away from thee. Pardon them, then, and pray that they be forgiven. And take counsel with them in all matters of public concern; then, when thou hast decided upon a course of action, place thy trust in God: for, verily, God loves those who place their trust in Him. Quran 3:159

8.    MOVE NOT thy tongue in haste, [repeating the words of the revelation:] for, behold, it is for Us to gather it [in thy heart,] and to cause it to be read [as it ought to be read]. Thus, when We recite it, follow thou its wording [with all thy mind]: and then, behold, it will be for Us to make its meaning clear. Quran 75:16-19

9.    And yet, some people worship, instead of God, things that can neither benefit them nor harm them: thus, he who denies the truth does indeed turn his back on his Sustainer! Yet [withal, O Prophet,] We have sent thee only as a herald of glad tidings and a warner. Say: “For this, no reward do I ask of you [- no reward] other than that he who so wills may unto his Sustainer find a way!” Hence, place thy trust in the Living One who dies not, and extol His limitless glory and praise: for none is as aware as His creatures’ sins as He – Quran 25:55-58

10. For, all who pay heed unto God and the Apostle shall be among those upon whom God has bestowed His blessings: the prophets, and those who never deviated from the truth, and those who [with their lives] bore witness to the truth, and the righteous ones: and how goodly a company are these! Quran 4:69

11. Say [O Muhammad]: "O mankind! Verily, I am an apostle of God to all of you, [sent by Him] unto whom the dominion over the heavens and the earth belongs! There is no deity save Him; He [alone] grants life and deals death!" Believe, then, in God and His Apostle-the unlettered Prophet who believes in God and His words-and follow him, so that you might find guidance! Quran 7:158

Peace, anas

What does the Quran say about LOSERS?

Yesterday we chatted about those who are successful where I shared 24 entries from the Quran that deal with AFLAHA - to prosper, to be successful gain the upper hand and be happy. To attain a happy state as the purpose of life.

The Quran uses the same root word and shared about those who will not attain to a happy state.

Here are 9 entries on the subject.

All emphasis are mine to help readers focus on a particular message.

1.    And who could be more wicked than he who attributes his own lying inventions to God or gives the lie to His messages? Verily, such evildoers will never attain to a happy state: Quran 6:21

2.    Say: "O my [unbelieving] people! Do yet all that may be within your power, [while] I, behold, shall labour [in God's way]; and in time you will come to know to whom the future belongs. Verily, never will evildoers attain to a happy state!" Quran 6:135

3.    And who could be more wicked than they who attribute their own lying inventions to God or give the lie to His messages? Verily, those who are lost in sin will never attain to a happy state Quran 10:17

4.    Say: "Verily, they who attribute their own lying inventions to God will never attain to a happy state!" Quran 10:69

5.    Said Moses: "Do you speak thus of the truth after it has been brought to you? Can this be sorcery? But sorcerers can never come to a happy end!" Quran 10:77

6.    Hence, do not utter falsehoods by letting your tongues determine [at your own discretion], "This is lawful and that is forbidden", thus attributing your own lying inventions to God: for, behold, they who attribute their own lying inventions to God will never attain to a happy state! Quran 16:116

7.    Hence, he who invokes, side by side with God, any other deity [- a deity] for whose existence he has no evidence - shall but find his reckoning with his Sustainer: [and,] verily, such deniers of the truth will never attain to a happy state! Quran 23:117

8.    And Moses replied: “My Sustainer knows best as to who comes with guidance from Him, and to whom the future belongs! Verily, never will evil­doers attain to a happy state!” Quran 28:37

9.    And on the morrow, those who but yesterday had longed to be in his place exclaimed: “Alas [for our not having been aware] that it is indeed God [alone] who grants abundant sustenance, or gives it in scant measure, unto whichever He wills of His creatures! Had not God been gracious to us, He might have caused [the earth] to swallow us, too! Alas [for our having forgotten] that those who deny the truth can never attain to a happy state!” Quran 28:82

Peace, anas

What does the Quran say about THE PURPOSE OF LIFE?

To be SUCCESSFUL!

In yesterday’s posting we chatted about wealth and money. Today, let’s get even deeper. What is the purpose of life? What do we want to achieve in life? What is the end game? Why do we do what we do? Why should we follow the right way? Even if you are an atheist?

I find it interesting that the Quran in many places will provide a reason to do what we do which is – to prosper, to be successful, to gain the upper hand or be happy. The root word is AFLAHA.

While many translators translate AFLAHA and its derivatives as successful or prosper, I like Assad’s translation best. He uses ‘a happy state” instead. Why? Coz I am a happy guy and the Quran did say at 20:2 “We did not bestow the Qur'an on thee from on high to make thee unhappy”.  😊

And for the fun of it, let me post two dozen entries on this subject.

All emphasis are mine to help readers focus on a particular message.

1.    It is they who follow the guidance [which comes from their Sustainer; and it is they, they who' shall attain to a happy state! Quran 2:5

2.    THEY WILL ASK thee about the new moons. Say: "They indicate the periods for [various doings of] mankind, including the pilgrimage." However, piety does not consist in your entering houses from the rear, [as it were,] but truly pious is he who is conscious of God. Hence, enter houses through their doors, and remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state. Quran 2:189

3.    And that there might grow out of you a community [of people] who invite unto all that is good and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong: and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state! Quran 3:104

4.    O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not gorge yourselves on usury, doubling and re-doubling it - but remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state; Quran 3:130

5.    O you who have attained to faith! Be patient in adversity, and vie in patience with one another, and be ever ready [to do what is right], and remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state! Quran 3:200

6.    O YOU who have attained to faith! Remain conscious of God, and seek to come closer unto Him, and strive hard in His cause, so that you might attain to a happy state. Quran 5:35

7.    O YOU who have attained to faith! Intoxicants, and games of chance, and idolatrous practices, and the divining of the future are but a loathsome evil of Satan's doing:' shun it, then, so that you might attain to a happy state! Quran 5:90

8.    Say: "There is no comparison between the bad things and the good things, even though very many of the bad things may please thee greatly. Be, then, conscious of God, O you who are endowed with insight, so that you might attain to a happy state!" Quran 5:100

9.    And true will be the weighing on that Day; and those whose weight [of good deeds] is heavy in the balance -it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state; Quran 7:8

10. TRULY, to a happy state shall attain the believers: Quran 23:1

11. Why, do you deem it strange that a tiding from your Sustainer should have come unto you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you? Do but remember how He made you heirs to Noah's people, and endowed you abundantly with power: remember, then, God's blessings, so that you might attain to a happy state!" Quran 7:69

12. Those who shall follow the [last] Apostle, the unlettered Prophet whom they shall find described in the Torah that is with them, and [later on] in the Gospel: [the Prophet] who will enjoin upon them the doing of what is right and forbid them the doing of what is wrong, and make lawful to them the good things of life and forbid them the bad things, and lift from them their burdens and the shackles that were upon them [aforetime]. Those, therefore, who shall believe in him, and honour him, and succour him, and follow the light that has been bestowed from on high through him-it is they that shall attain to a happy state." Quran 7:157

13. [Hence,] O you who have attained to faith, when you meet a host in battle, be firm, and remember God often; so that you might attain to a happy state! Quran 8:45

14. The Apostle, however, and all who share his faith strive hard [in God's cause] with, their possessions and their lives: and it is they whom the most excellent things await [in the life to come], and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state! Quran 9:88

15. And they whose weight [of righteousness] is heavy in the balance - it is they, they who will have attained to a happy state; Quran 23:102

16. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ Sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or those whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, or children that are as yet unaware of women’s nakedness; and let them not swing their legs [in walking] so as to draw attention to their hidden charms And [always], O you believers - all of you - turn unto God in repentance, so that you might attain to a happy state! Quran 24:31

17. The only response of believers, whenever they are summoned unto God and His Apostle in order that [the divine writ] might judge between them, can be no other than, “We have heard, and we pay heed!”- and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state: Quran 24:51

18. But as against this - anyone who repents and attains to faith and does righteous deeds may well [hope to] find himself among those who achieve a happy state [in the life to come]. Quran 28:67

19. Hence, give his due to the near of kin, as well as to the needy and the wayfarer; this is best for all who seek God’s countenance: for it is they, they that shall attain to a happy state! Quran 30:38

20. It is they who follow the guidance [that comes to them] from their Sustainer; and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state! Quran 31:5

21. Thou canst not find people who [truly] believe in God and the Last Day and [at the same time] love anyone who contends against God and His Apostle - even though they be their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or [others of] their kindred. [As for the true believers,] it is they in whose hearts He has inscribed faith, and whom He has strength­ened with inspiration from Himself, and whom [in time] He will admit into gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide. Well-pleased is God with them, and well-pleased are they with Him. They are God’s partisans: oh, verily, it is they, the partisans of God, who shall attain to a happy state! Quran 58:22

22. And [it shall be offered, too, unto the poor from among] those who, before them, had their abode in this realm and in faith - [those] who love all that come to them in search of refuge, and who harbour in their hearts no grudge for whatever the others may have been given, but rather give them preference over themselves, even though poverty be their own lot: for, such as from their own covetousness are saved - it is they, they that shall attain to a happy state! Quran 59:9

23. And when the prayer is ended, disperse freely on earth [11] and seek to obtain [something] of God's bounty; but remember God often, so that you might attain to a happy state! Quran 62:10

24. Remain, then, conscious of God as best you can, and listen [to Him], and pay heed. And spend in charity for the good of your own selves: for, such as from their own covetousness are saved – it is they, they that shall attain to a happy state! Quran 64:16

Tomorrow, we aill chat about those who will not prosper or shall we say the LOSERS.

Peace, anas

What does the Quran say about WEALTH AND MONEY?

From my reading and understanding, the Quran is positive about wealth but with some major caveats e.g. Quran 9:28, 2:268, 63:9, 28:78, 3:14, 25:67. Basically, you cannot leave behind anything to your heir if you do have something in the first place (Quran 4:33). So, making money and having wealth is not the issue.

But the Quran cautions us.

Wealth is a trial and temptation at Quran 64:15, cannot be kept only among the rich few at Quran 59:7 and the poor and the needy (animals, included) have their due share of community’s wealth at Quran 51:19, etc.

When we have money, the first thing we should do is to spend it on our family and next of kin, orphans, the needy, wayfarer, beggars and freeing of those in ‘bondage’ – like slaves, those trapped in the cycle of poverty, etc at Quran 2:177. That is part of Taqwa.

As a businessman I find the Quran as a sure moral source of doing things right. To not make money and wealth my God (Quran 34:37). To not cheat and to honor contracts (Quran 83:1-6, 2:188, 4:29).

As a businessman, I must remember that even though I am my own boss, ultimately, I report to God! (Quran 3:14).

As many of us are in a quest to ‘make more money’ for our family and livelihood, this topic is of real concern. Please to research further. I hope my sharing will help as a helpful trigger.

Here are a dozen entries on WEALTH AND MONEY.

All emphasis are mine to help readers focus on a particular message.

1.    Satan threatens you with the prospect of poverty and bids you to be niggardly, whereas God promises you His forgiveness and bounty; and God is infinite, all-knowing, Quran 2:268

2.    O YOU who have attained to faith! Those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God are nothing but impure: and so they shall not approach the Inviolable House of Worship from this year onwards And should you fear poverty, then [know that] in time God will enrich you out of His bounty, if He so wills: for, verily, God is all-knowing, wise! Quran 9:28

3.    True piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west - but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day; and the angels, and revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance - however much he himself may cherish - it - upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer,  and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God. Quran 2:177

4.    Whatever [spoils taken] from the people of those villages God has turned over to His Apostle - [all of it] belongs to God and the Apostle, and the near of kin [of deceased believers], and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, so that it may not be [a benefit] going round and round among such of you as may [already] be rich. Hence, accept [willing­ly] whatever the Apostle* gives you [thereof], and refrain from [demanding] anything that he withholds from you; and remain conscious of God: for, verily, God is severe in retribution. Quran 59:7

5.    For, it is neither your riches nor your children that can bring you nearer to Us: only he who attains to faith and does what is right and just [comes near unto Us]; and it is [such as] these whom multiple recompense awaits for all that they have done; and it is they who shall dwell secure in the mansions [of paradise] –Quran 34:37

6.    WOE UNTO THOSE who give short measure: those who, when they are to receive their due from [other] people, demand that it be given in full – but when they have to measure or weigh whatever they owe to others, give less than what is due! Do they not know that they are bound to be raised from the dead [and called to account] on an awesome Day – the Day when all men shall stand before the Sustainer of all the worlds? Quran 83:1-6

7.    AND DEVOUR NOT one another's possessions wrongfully, and neither employ legal artifices with a view to devouring sinfully, and knowingly, anything that by right belongs to others. Quran 2:188

8.    O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not devour one another's possessions wrongfully - not even by way of trade based on mutual agreement - and do not destroy one another: for, behold, God is indeed a dispenser of grace unto you! Quran 4:29

9.    ALLURING unto man is the enjoyment of worldly desires through women, and children, and heaped-up treasures of gold and silver, and horses of high mark, and cattle, and lands. All this may be enjoyed in the life of this world - but the most beauteous of all goals is with God. Quran 3:14

10. And unto everyone have We appointed heirs to what he may leave behind: parents, and near kinsfolk, and those to whom you have pledged your troth give them, therefore, their share. Behold, God is indeed a witness unto everything. – Quran 4:33

11. And know that your worldly goods and your children are but a trial and a temptation, and that with God there is a tremendous reward. Quran 8:28

12. Wealth and children are an adornment of this, world's life: but good deeds, the fruit whereof endures forever, are of far greater merit in thy Sustainer's sight, and a far better source of hope.  Quran 18:46

Be rich if you want to, but do not forget God.

Peace, anas

What does the Quran say about GOD’S SIGN/WONDER? (DOES GOD EXIST?)

Does God exist? Each time someone ask this question the Quran points to God’s AYAH (no, not father as per the Malay language) – translated to Signs or Wonders or Evidences or Miracles.

At 30:25 the Quran declared, “And among His wonders is this: the skies and the earth stand firm at His behest” and at 30:27 declared “ And He it is who creates [all life] in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew: and most easy is this for Him, since His is the essence of all that is most sublime in the heavens and on earth, and He alone is almighty, truly wise.” And at 21:30 the Quran explained, “ARE, THEN, they who are bent on denying the truth not aware that the heavens and the earth were [once] one single entity, which We then parted asunder? – and [that] We made out of water every living thing? Will they not, then, [begin to] believe? “

Please watch this video before proceeding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVe50IQWpc4

As such, for life to exist and even more so the fact that the system, process and cycles of life is thriving is THE miracle and proof of God’s existence. Life itself is a miracle. I truly love it that the Quran use science to show towards His Signs.

Here are 10 entries on GOD’S SIGNS or WONDERS.

All emphasis are mine to help readers focus on a particular message.

1.    And [thus] He displays His WONDERs before you: which, then, of God’s WONDERs can you still deny? Quran 40:81

2.    And among His SIGNS is the [very] creation of the heavens and the earth, and of all the living creatures which He has caused to multiply throughout them:  and [since He has created them,] He has [also] the power to gather them [unto Him­self] whenever He wills. Quran 42:29

3.    And among His wonders is this: He creates you out of dust –  and then, lo! you become human beings ranging far and wide! And among His wonders is this: He creates for you mates out of your own kind. so that you might incline towards them, and He engenders love and tenderness between you: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think! And among His wonders is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colours: for in this, behold, there are messages indeed for all who are possessed of [innate] knowledge! And among His wonders is your sleep, at night or in daytime, as well as your [ability to go about in] quest of some of His bounties: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who [are willing to] listen! And among His wonders is this: He displays before you the lightning, giving rise to [both] fear and hope, and sends down water from the skies, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who use their reason! And among His wonders is this: the skies and the earth stand firm at His behest. [Remember all this: for] in the end, when He will call you forth from the earth with a single call - lo! you will [all] emerge [for judgment]. For, unto Him belongs every being that is in the heavens and on earth; all things devoutly obey His will. And He it is who creates [all life] in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew: and most easy is this for Him, since His is the essence of all that is most sublime in the heavens and on earth, and He alone is almighty, truly wise. Quran 30:20-27

4.    For among His SIGNS is this: thou seest the earth lying desolate - and lo! when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells [with life]! Verily, He who brings it to life can surely give life to the dead [of heart as well]: for, behold, He has the power to will anything. Quran 41:39

5.    And among His WONDERs is this: the skies and the earth stand firm at His behest.  [Remember all this: for] in the end, when He will call you forth from the earth with a single call - lo! you will [all] emerge [for judgment]. Quran 30:25

6.    ARE, THEN, they who are bent on denying the truth not aware that the heavens and the earth were [once] one single entity, which We then parted asunder? –  and [that] We made out of water every living thing? Will they not, then, [begin to] believe? And [are they not aware that] We have set up firm mountains on earth, lest it sway with them, and [that] We have appointed thereon broad paths, so that they might find their way, and [that] We have set up the sky as a canopy well-secured?  And yet, they stubbornly turn away from [all] the signs of this [creation], and [fail to see that] it is He who has created the night and the day and the sun and the moon - all of them floating through space! Quran 21:30-33

7.    For among His WONDERS is this: He sends forth [His messages as He sends forth] the winds that bear glad tidings,  so that He might give you a taste of His grace [through life-giving rains], and that ships might sail at His behest, and that you might go about in quest of some of His bounties, and that you might have cause to be grateful. – Quran 30:46

8.    Behold, then, [O man,] these SIGNS of God’s grace - how He gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless! Verily, this Selfsame [God] is indeed the One that can bring the dead back to life: for He has the power to will anything! Quran 30:50

9.    Now among His SIGNS are the night and the day, as well as the sun and the moon: [hence,] adore not the sun or the moon, but prostrate yourselves in adoration before God, who has created them - if it is Him whom you [really] worship. Quran 41:37

10. AND ON EARTH there are SIGNS [of God’s exis­tence, visible] to all who are endowed with inner certainty, just as [there are SIGNS thereof] within your own selves: can you not, then, see? Quran 51:20-21

Can you see and read the Signs?

Peace, anas

What does the Quran say about BEING GRATEFUL?

Two days ago, my entry is on HOPE. Yesterday, we chatted about COMMITMENT of which I suggested that key to staying committed is having a good dose of SABR. I also mentioned that Muslim scholars deemed SABR as half of faith (iman) while the other half being SHUKR – BEING GRATEFUL or THANKFULLNESS. In Malay it is syukur. As like SABR, I also feel that the word syukur, that in Malay the strength, width and depth of the word have been diluted to almost the point of inaction.

I see the idea of being grateful and thankful in the Quran as empowering even to the weakest of the weakest to move forward and achieve in life. SHUKR to me is knowing that “WHAT WE HAVE IS ENOUGH TO MOVE FORWARD”. It is a belief system which asserts that you and I have ample opportunities to move forward using what we already have at hand even if it seems insignificant. This position is rooted from the uncompromising conviction that a Merciful God cannot but create a scheme that ensures everyone regardless of position, time or location, blind or with sight, tall or short, rich or poor are given access to His Mercy anytime, every day. The concept of SHUKR!

Why we must believe that “What We Have Is Enough”? Unless we believe that what we have is enough, we cannot take action now! We play the waiting game. We procrastinate. We complain. We blame others. We blame the situation. We become paralyzed. We are not thankful. We are not grateful. Those who believe can act now even with the little at their disposal. Slowly but surely, they achieve success. A trishaw puller’s child can be a surgeon. Someone who started with nothing can build a business empire. Powerless oppressed people can be rulers. You can start from wherever you are, as long as you are grateful (Quran 14:7)

In other words, the moment we start being grateful we experience a mental shift – the one change needed that can radiate success to other parts of our being and remake our lives within a relatively short period of time. We get leaner and fitter - work out anytime, anywhere because we have the best gym set in the world - our own body weight and limbs. We climb up the corporate ladder as we maximize what we can achieve within our influence. We create schools out of shacks. Our houses become homes.  We start to make things happen and make a difference.

So here are 12 entries on SHUKR.

All emphasis are mine to help readers focus on a particular message.

1.    And [remember the time] when your Sustainer made [this promise] known: 'If you are grateful [to Me], I shall most certainly give you more and more;  but if you are ungrateful, verily, My chastisement will be severe indeed!" Quran 14:7

2.    And, indeed, we granted this wisdom unto Luq­man: “Be GRATEFUL unto God - for he who is GRATEFUL [unto Him] is but GRATEFUL for the good of his own self; whereas he who chooses to be unGRATEFUL [ought to know that], verily, God is self-sufficient, ever to be praised!” Quran 13:12

3.    NOW [among the best of the deeds which] We have enjoined upon man is goodness towards his parents. In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth; and her bearing him and his utter dependence on her took thirty months. [and so, when he attains to full maturity and reaches forty years, he [that is righteous] prays: “O my Sustainer! Inspire me so that I may forever be GRATEFUL for those blessings of Thine with which Thou hast graced me and my parents, and that I may do what is right [in a manner] that will meet with Thy goodly acceptance; and grant me righteousness in my offspring [as well]. Verily, unto Thee have I turned in repentance:  for, verily, I am of those who have surrendered themselves unto Thee!” Quran 46:15

4.    Verily, We have shown him the way: [and it rests with him to prove himself] either GRATEFUL or unGRATEFUL. Quran 100:6

5.    And then He forms him in accordance with what he is meant to be, and breathes into him of His spirit: and [thus, O men,] He endows you with hearing, and sight, and feelings as well as minds:  [yet] how seldom are you GRATEFUL! Quran 32:9

6.    They made for him whatever he wished of sanctuaries, and statues, and basins as [large as] great watering - troughs, and cauldrons firmly anchored. [And We said:] “Labour, O David’s people, in gratitude [towards Me] and [remember that] few are the truly GRATEFUL [even] among My servants!” Quran 34:13

7.    SAY: "[God is] He who has brought you [all] into being, and has endowed you with hearing, and sight, and hearts: [yet] how seldom are you GRATEFUL!" – Quran 67:23

8.    [Easy is it for Him to create likeness and variety:] thus, the two great bodies of water [on earth] are not alike the one sweet, thirst-allaying, pleasant to drink, and the other salty and bitter: and yet, from either of them do you eat fresh meat, and [from either] you take gems which you may wear; and on either thou canst see ships ploughing through the waves, so that you might [be able to] go forth in quest of some of His bounty, and thus have cause to be GRATEFUL. Quran 35:12

9.    AND MUHAMMAD is only an apostle; all the [other] apostles have passed away before him: if, then, he dies or is slain, will you turn about on your heels? But he that turns about on his heels can in no wise harm God - whereas God will requite all who are GRATEFUL [to Him]. And no human being can die save by God's leave, at a term pre-ordained. And if one desires the rewards of this world, We shall grant him thereof; and if one desires the rewards of the life to come, We shall grant him thereof; and We shall requite those who are GRATEFUL [to Us]. Quran 3:144-145

10. Why would God cause you to suffer [for your past sins] if you are GRATEFUL and attain to belief - seeing that God is always responsive to gratitude, all-knowing? Quran 4:147

11. For it is in this way that We try men through one another - to the end that they might ask, "Has God, then, bestowed His favour upon those others in preference to us?" Does not God know best as to who is GRATEFUL [to Him]? Quran 6:53

12. So remember Me, and I shall remember you; and be GRATEFUL unto Me, and deny Me not. Quran 2:152

Again, allow me to quote my favorite quote that gives me hope, stay committed and always grateful.

“So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith.” Quran 3:139

Peace, anas