Discover the Keys to Success and Paradise through Faith and Righteous Deeds
BENEFICIAL POINTS FROM SŪRAH AL-A’ARĀF, VERSE 40-42
Disbelief and Arrogance Lead to Punishment.
Two things make the servant liable for punishment: disbelief, which causes the servant to deny the Lordship of the Creator or reject the Messenger, and arrogance, which prevents the servant from adhering to HIS rulings and carrying out HIS commandments despite affirming HIS Lordship and truthfulness of the Messenger.
The Metaphor of the Camel and the Needle.
It is impossible for a camel, one of the largest animals, to pass through the eye of a needle, one of the narrowest spaces. Similarly, disbelief and arrogance burden the servant and narrow the path to ultimate success.
Keys to Heaven are Engraved in Belief and Righteous Deeds.
“The gates of Heaven will not be opened” means that the good deeds of disbelievers during their lives do not reach ALLĀH because they are unacceptable to HIM. At their time of death, the gates of Heaven do not open for their souls, as mentioned in the hadith.
Belief and Righteous Deeds Are Your Keys to Success.
The only path to success is through belief in ALLĀH and HIS Messenger, which opposes disbelief, and through doing righteous deeds as commanded by ALLĀH through HIS Messenger, which opposes arrogance.
Fear ALLĀH to the Best of Your Ability.
From the mercy of ALLĀH upon HIS slaves is that HE does not require from them more than they can bear. Obligations are sometimes waived due to incapacity, and prohibitions are lifted due to necessity, but the servant is required to fear ALLĀH to the best of their ability.
Strive for the Everlasting Reward.
The righteous will reside in Paradise forever, enjoying all kinds of delights and pleasures. It is from signs of wisdom that one strives for what is everlasting rather than what is transient.