Quran Garden

Session 517

Chapter 3

Verse 186

a continuation

You are sure to be tested through your wealth and persons; you are sure to hear much that is hurtful from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with God.  If you are steadfast and mindful of God, that is the most resolute course to take.  (Chapter 3: Verse 186)

The promise, “You are sure to be tested through your wealth and persons,” is made by Allah, meaning it is an absolute certainty.  We ask: Our Lord, what tools did you give us to face the inevitable difficulties?  Listen to the remedy: "If you are steadfast and mindful of God, that is the most resolute course to take." Be patient when you face hardships in your wealth, be patient when you face trial in your health or family, and be patient when facing the harsh abuse of the disbelievers and the People of the Book.  Patience is the cure and key to victory, but it is not easy. 

The phrase “that is the most resolute course” means that you need to be strong-willed and unyielding in your faith.  The plan is to be steadfast over life’s events, but such a plan needs determination and grit.  To be “resolute,” you need to pool all your strength and resources together while facing these challenges. 

To summarize:  the problem is “You are sure to be tested through your wealth and persons; you are sure to hear much that is hurtful from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with God.”  And the solution is to be, “steadfast and mindful of God.”  There are two types of steadfastness: to be steadfast in something, and steadfast against something.  For example, when it comes to daily prayers, fasting, and acts of worship, you are required to be steadfast in performing such acts on time and with mindful presence.  On the other hand, you have to be steadfast against life’s temptations, the lure of sin and greed.  The believer is patient over the hardships of obedience, and patient against the temptations of disobedience.

The phrase "You are sure to be tested through your wealth and persons" implies that there is no clear enemy or perpetrator to go after.  Loss and sickness can happen for no apparent reason.  But when it comes to, “you are sure to hear much that is hurtful from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with God,” there is a clear antagonist.  This brings out a whole set of different emotions such as anger, hate, and the desire for revenge.  Be careful!  Never allow your enemies to dictate your actions and reactions.  Your faith should decide when anger is appropriate and when revenge is called for.  Stay calm, and refrain from zealotry.  Only act when you are certain of victory.  God says, “If you are steadfast and mindful of God, that is the most resolute course to take.”

Being “mindful of God” is translated from the Arabic origin 'tataqoo.'  This word is very rich in meaning, and the translation “been mindful” does not quite do it justice.  In fact, If you were to look up this Arabic word in a dictionary, you would find it encompassing all the following meanings: to be mindful of, to shield yourself from, to guard yourself, to be vigilant, and to fear.  Some people have questioned the Quranic verses that ask us to ‘fear and be mindful of God’ and the verses that ask us to ‘fear and be mindful of hellfire.’ How can this be?  How can the same word apply to both God and Hellfire?  We answer that in order to shield yourself from hellfire, you would avoid that which angers God.  Mindfulness and good deeds are the best tools to build this shield between you and the fire.