Thursday

Who Quran Addresses

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BELIEVERS AND SEEKERS OF GOD


“O YOU WHO BELIEVE”

God in His Book, the Holy Koran,
often uses the phrase, "O you who believe".

This phrase does not always refer to the true believers.

For example, the phrase here refers to those who may yet need to believe properly.

O ye who believe! Believe in Allah…" [4:136]

Therefore, the phrase does sometimes refers to true believers. But often it also refers to people who can lack complete faith. The phrase is often used against the people it addresses. It also refers to people who do immoral things which the true believers always refrain from. The term is used to condemn certain people. Therefore, the phrase can refer to people who do not yet really believe in God.

God tells us in Quran that true believers act rightly. They already love Him. They are firm on their unshakeable belief. Therefore, true Believers do not need to be told to believe in God and obey the Prophet.

The phrase “O you who believe” sometimes addresses another group of people who may still have doubts, individuals who are not committed to the Path of the Prophet. These group of people can be very shaky in faith. God reveals that they keep changing their minds.

Those who believe, then disbelieve and then believe, then disbelieve, and then increase in disbelief, Allah will never pardon them, nor will He guide them unto a way.” [4:137]

This group of people waver to and fro. They don’t take God seriously. They regularly jump on and off. That is why God tells them to believe in God, and to take Him seriously.

Therefore, when God uses the phrase "O you who believe", then He may be addressing the weak Muslims. He could also be talking to the new converts to Islam. He may even be refering to seekers who may be lost but who are searching to find God and want to be close to Him.

People who love God and obey His Prophet are the real believers whom God loves and grants eternal life.

God defines "real believers" in the Holy Koran:

They only are the Believers whose hearts feel fear when God is mentioned, and when His verses are recited unto them they increase their faith, and who trust in their Lord; Who establish worship and spend of that We have bestowed on them. Those are they who are Real Believers. For them are grades (of honour) with their Lord, and Pardon, and a Bountiful Provision.” [8:2-4]

Those who believed and left their homes and strove for the cause of God, and those who took them in and helped them - these are the Real Believers. For them is Pardon, and Bountiful Provision. And those who afterwards believed and left their homes and strove along with you, they are of you; and those who are akin are nearer one to another in the ordinance of God. Lo! God is Knower of all things.” [8:74-75]

Successful indeed are the Believers; Who are humble in their prayers, And who shun vain conversation, And who are payers of the poor-due; And who guard their modesty; Except from their wives or what their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy, But whoso craves beyond that, such are transgressors; And who are shepherds of their pledge and their covenant, And who pay heed to their prayers. These are the heirs; Who will inherit Paradise. There they will abide.” [23:1-11]


[S. Saklayn, July 2012.]
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