Notis: Det följande är en reproduktion av artiklen "Enjoying God’s Protection" i Februari-upplagan 1999 av Submitters Perspective, den månatliga bulletinen av United Submitters International.

God’s glorious Quran tells us about His advice and assurances to the first human being: Then Adam received from His Lord words, whereby He redeemed him. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful. We said, “Go down therefrom, all of you. When guidance comes to you from Me, those who follow My guidance will have no fear, nor will they grieve. (2:37-38)

In all scriptures God has continued this assurance for the people. However, God has also told us that these assurances are conditional. In the simplest description the conditions are:

Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who 1) believes in God, and 2) believes in the Last Day, and 3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. (2:62)

God is Most Merciful and Kind. In spite of our frequent failing to meet His conditions—of righteousness really—He continues to protect us and provides for all our big and small needs. Perhaps we don’t even care to realize it, but it is happening all the time, throughout the day. God tells us in 13:11 that shifts (of angels) take turns, staying with each one of you—they are in front of you and behind you. They stay with you, and guard you in accordance with God’s commands….

…He has been fully aware of you since He initiated you from the earth, and while you were embryos in your mother’s bellies. Therefore, do not exalt yourselves; He is fully aware of the righteous. (53:32)

Nothing happens to you except in accordance with God’s will. Anyone who believes in God, He will guide his heart. God is fully aware of all things. (64:11)

God loves us. He is protecting us, guiding us and providing for us. He knows we can choose to have nothing to fear as long as we earn His Grace and protection. So when God is looking after us, shouldn’t we in turn do all we can to follow His path, and show Him how thankful and appreciative we are of His mercies?

Sometimes I find things upset me and put me into an uncomfortable situation, a situation where I feel unprotected. I am a human being and weak and must understand that I have no real power (No one possesses power except God—18:39). I must remind myself that it is my fault regardless. So I must call upon God to pull me out of this situation, and protect me, which I know if not done fast, will surely make things worse.

Then, as always, God does help me, though it may take a bit of time. I take comfort from the words… He will also remove the rage from the believers hearts. God redeems whomever He wills. God is Omniscient, Most Wise.

Throughout the day we must seek God’s Blessings. We must find ways to please Him, whether it is through our Contact Prayers, studying and reciting the Quran, volunteering righteous works and so on. In return, God responds to us manifold. I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female—you are equal to one another. (3:195)

We must keep calling on Him and seeking His blessings and help. There are so many prayers God has worded in the Quran that we can use. The Key (Fatehah) is such a beautiful, all encompassing prayer recited alone or together with other believers.

As we believers know, it is Satan who wants to weaken the protection we receive from God. Therefore he will plague our minds with evil thoughts or desires. There is a saying, “an empty mind is the devil’s workshop.” God knows this, and has mercifully planned how we can counter it. He has put in the Quran, verses like 23:97-98 and 16:98. Say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils. And I seek refuge in You, My Lord, lest they come near me.”

When you read the Quran, you shall seek refuge in God, from Satan the rejected. There are also Suras 113 & 114:

Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evils among His creations, from the evils of the darkness as it falls, from the evils of the trouble makers, from the evils of the envious when they envy.”

Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of the people, the King of the people, the God of the people, from the evils of sneaky whisperers, who whisper into the chest of people, be they of the jinns or the people.”

God gives us sufficient signs and warnings whilst protecting us daily. He loves us, showers His blessings on us, answers our prayers, sees to our needs and difficulties throughout the day. This is His assurance. So in return, why should we not take more care to earn His grace and protection?

When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me in order to be guided. (2:186)

Hena Rahimtulla, Mumbai, India.