I think I experienced a punishment from God...
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Continuing from what I shared earlier about my struggles with distractions, I have realized that there are also external factors which make it harder to stay focused. While managing personal habits is important, real-world events can pull our attention in ways that are difficult to control. Lately, one major factor that had been distracting me was my growing preoccupation with news about Asia, especially what's happening in West Asia. I'll come back to this in more detail shortly.
As I understand the Qur'an, God wants the best for us, though we don't always act in our own best interest. If there were an Olympic medal for a race in self-deception and self-sabotage, I'd probably get gold. Trust me, I have practically mastered the art of getting in my own way. I'm the type of person who mindlessly and wildly throws banana peels, marbles, LEGO bricks, and maybe a dirty and stinky sock or two on every track I'm about to step on. I know this sounds ridiculous, but don’t LOL at me, it's illegal. Jokes aside, it's surprisingly easy to fool and sabotage ourselves without even realizing it. For instance, a believer might feel the urge to spend 12 hours a day gaming, 12 hours day watching Netflix or 12 hours a day listening to or creating music. But God may be guiding the believer to spend his time in a way that better aligns with his higher purpose and is firmly rooted in his faith. Spending time on a higher purpose rooted in faith might be more beneficial, not only to the believer, but to his family, his friends, and others in his community as well. Remember, the Qur'an explicitly states that humans were not created except to serve God (see verse 51:56). This doesn't mean that serving God is supposed to be done occasionally. Serving God is a daily and hourly commitment (which lasts a lifetime).
Now, back to my interest in the news. As I noted earlier, I was distracted by the news the past few weeks. Fortunately, I got back on the right track. I am not alone in this. We all face inner battles that we must fight and win. Regarding reading and watching too much news, I have shared some information about this bad habit of mine in the past on this forum. You can read a post about it in the following link.
https://archive.free-minds.org/topic/9613056
Regarding my nearly constant reading and watching of news over the past few weeks, it has mostly centered on Asia, specifically West Asia. Based on what I have read, a critical situation is expected to unfold within the next two months, one that will undoubtedly trigger a chain reaction (or ripple effect) with far-reaching consequences across the whole region. Regardless of how things unfold in West asia, the impact will be felt across the whole world. The events to come will reshape geopolitical dynamics, economic stability, and social and cultural landscapes. This moment is not just pivotal for West Asia, but for the world as a whole. The stakes couldn't be higher, and the decisions made in the coming days or weeks will echo for many years to come.
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Peace All.
"Wa Kana Al Insaanu Aajula"
The human been is very impatient . We live, most of the time,. in constant fear, most of our fears come from our past or from future scenarios in our head.
We live , the majority of the time ,in the past or the future. We can never control things that have gone or be sure of things that will come. We live all the time in the present, that is the reality.. We can only learn from the past and try our best to plan for/our future.All our actions are only done in the present. This can be affected by our past or will affect our future. Once the past is gone it cannot be undone . The future is not with us, once it arrives it will become the present, then we can live it. , sort it/worry about it and take the action appropriately.
GOD says to us He forgives our past or present , but our future , if it does not happen, is not reality.
So, easy said than done? Not really! Because GOD guides the way of the believer if they try their best to follow GOD s way and everything GOD asks of us is in the present, our daily tasks.Whatever happened/ we have done and is in the past has played its part, forgiveness from GOD needs to be followed by our own forgiveness for ourselves and letting go of the past .
Brother LTTB, if you correct whatever you think you have done wrong ,the best you can , and return to what you think you should be doing according to how you understand and want to live your life, start at the present and keep doing the right thing/actions in your daily task. Repentance is ongoing during our life., we need to seek GOD s help daily.
At death only our past and our present up to that moment are accountable for. .
GOD redeems the true and sincere believers a complete redemption if they correct the present, the past can be erased by their own corrections.
GOD bless you all.
Peace. -
Well said Good logic. I would like to also point out the following verse which seems to suggest that Allah even transform repentance.. However I leave for you and others to translate correctly as it goes beyond pardon.
“Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds — for them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good deeds. And Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(25:70)That suggests repentance is about deep moral change, not expecting mercy by default. One can act righteously without assuming forgiveness, while still holding hope without entitlement in God’s mercy.
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Peace LetTheTruthBeTold,
You shared your experience in your first post, then wrote a short follow-up, and after that you went quiet. No pressure at all, but I'm wondering how you are doing and if things have been going better for you since then. Perhaps other members are wondering the same.
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Peace LetTheTruthBeTold,
You shared your experience in your first post, then wrote a short follow-up, and after that you went quiet. No pressure at all, but I'm wondering how you are doing and if things have been going better for you since then. Perhaps other members are wondering the same.
@Ronin I am sorry for any late responses, and I appreciate everyone for their responses. My breathing has been better than before. Although I have repented and have remained holding on without wavering, praise God. I am still drenched in guilt and regret. Believe me, I have never been so connected with God than I ever have, majority of my time is keeping my remembrance of Him, but the moment I stop, I start ruminating again and it goes back to the guilt and regret. Then I get really scared if I am angering God because if I start to dwell, am I then not appreciating the present moment that God has offered to me as a way to change my ways? This is the hardest situation I have ever faced.
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Someone who fears being rejected by God has not rejected God [You my friend].
The Quran says Allah does not hold a person accountable for thoughtless or fear-driven oaths, but only for what the heart deliberately commits (2:225). Fear after hardship, regret, and striving to correct oneself are not signs of rejection.
You are on the right path. May Allah comfort your heart and steady you.
Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord, do not place upon us a burden like that which was placed upon those before us. Our Lord, do not burden us with what we cannot bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us.@Fusion @good-logic thank you all for your feedback, I am trying to remain positive.
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Peace LetTheTruthBeTold,
That's really good to hear. I'm really glad you are feeling better, both physically, morally, and spiritually. I wish you continued strength and progress, and I hope you rise above all your challenges.
Just a gentle reminder, like I mentioned earlier on this thread, opening up a little more can really make a difference. When you are more open, it helps others better understand what you are going through, and makes it easier for them to offer you meaningful advice and support. You don't need to share details you are not comfortable with, but providing some general information about the nature of your challenge, whether it's related to bad habits, addictive behaviors like gambling, excessive gaming, binge-watching TV shows, struggles with physical desires, or even other personal, spiritual, and moral issues, can make a big difference.
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Peace All.
I find Qoran chooses words that reach the core/centre of the conscious.
Repentance rescues the soul from remorse and regrets.
Also our test becomes harder or easier according to our choices and decisions.
By nature we have contradictory traits like patience and impatience, certainty and doubts...etc This leads to different characters playing roles that are either honest or devious.
We can call ourselves believers or disbelievers, but the reality is with the true convictions of either. We can fool ourselves or others ,but we can never fool GOD.
Here are verses that will hit hard both sets :The day will come when you see the believing men and women with their lights radiating ahead of them and to their right. Good news is yours that, on that day, you will have gardens with flowing streams. You will abide therein forever. This is the great triumph.
يَومَ تَرَى المُؤمِنينَ وَالمُؤمِنٰتِ يَسعىٰ نورُهُم بَينَ أَيديهِم وَبِأَيمٰنِهِم بُشرىٰكُمُ اليَومَ جَنّٰتٌ تَجرى مِن تَحتِهَا الأَنهٰرُ خٰلِدينَ فيها ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الفَوزُ العَظيمُ
On that day, the hypocrite men and women will say to those who believed, "Please allow us to absorb some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you, and seek light." A barrier will be set up between them, whose gate separates mercy on the inner side, from retribution on the outer side.
يَومَ يَقولُ المُنٰفِقونَ وَالمُنٰفِقٰتُ لِلَّذينَ ءامَنُوا انظُرونا نَقتَبِس مِن نورِكُم قيلَ ارجِعوا وَراءَكُم فَالتَمِسوا نورًا فَضُرِبَ بَينَهُم بِسورٍ لَهُ بابٌ باطِنُهُ فيهِ الرَّحمَةُ وَظٰهِرُهُ مِن قِبَلِهِ العَذابُ
They will call upon them, "Were we not with you?" They will answer, "Yes, but you cheated your souls, hesitated, doubted, and became misled by wishful thinking, until God's judgment came. You were diverted from God by illusions.
يُنادونَهُم أَلَم نَكُن مَعَكُم قالوا بَلىٰ وَلٰكِنَّكُم فَتَنتُم أَنفُسَكُم وَتَرَبَّصتُم وَارتَبتُم وَغَرَّتكُمُ الأَمانِىُّ حَتّىٰ جاءَ أَمرُ اللَّهِ وَغَرَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الغَرورُ
"Therefore, today no ransom can be taken from you, nor from those who disbelieved. Your abode is the fire; it is your lord, and miserable abode."
فَاليَومَ لا يُؤخَذُ مِنكُم فِديَةٌ وَلا مِنَ الَّذينَ كَفَروا مَأوىٰكُمُ النّارُ هِىَ مَولىٰكُم وَبِئسَ المَصيرُ
Is it not time for those who believed to open up their hearts for God's message, and the truth that is revealed herein? They should not be like the followers of previous scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and, consequently, many of them turned wicked.
أَلَم يَأنِ لِلَّذينَ ءامَنوا أَن تَخشَعَ قُلوبُهُم لِذِكرِ اللَّهِ وَما نَزَلَ مِنَ الحَقِّ وَلا يَكونوا كَالَّذينَ أوتُوا الكِتٰبَ مِن قَبلُ فَطالَ عَلَيهِمُ الأَمَدُ فَقَسَت قُلوبُهُم وَكَثيرٌ مِنهُم فٰسِقونَ
Know that God revives the land after it had died. We thus explain the revelations for you, that you may understand.
اعلَموا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُحىِ الأَرضَ بَعدَ مَوتِها قَد بَيَّنّا لَكُمُ الـٔايٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمHope we keep on the right path with honesty and perseverance .
May the Lord helps us to stay on His right path.
GOD bless you all.
Peace. -
Peace All.
I find Qoran chooses words that reach the core/centre of the conscious.
Repentance rescues the soul from remorse and regrets.
Also our test becomes harder or easier according to our choices and decisions.
By nature we have contradictory traits like patience and impatience, certainty and doubts...etc This leads to different characters playing roles that are either honest or devious.
We can call ourselves believers or disbelievers, but the reality is with the true convictions of either. We can fool ourselves or others ,but we can never fool GOD.
Here are verses that will hit hard both sets :The day will come when you see the believing men and women with their lights radiating ahead of them and to their right. Good news is yours that, on that day, you will have gardens with flowing streams. You will abide therein forever. This is the great triumph.
يَومَ تَرَى المُؤمِنينَ وَالمُؤمِنٰتِ يَسعىٰ نورُهُم بَينَ أَيديهِم وَبِأَيمٰنِهِم بُشرىٰكُمُ اليَومَ جَنّٰتٌ تَجرى مِن تَحتِهَا الأَنهٰرُ خٰلِدينَ فيها ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الفَوزُ العَظيمُ
On that day, the hypocrite men and women will say to those who believed, "Please allow us to absorb some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you, and seek light." A barrier will be set up between them, whose gate separates mercy on the inner side, from retribution on the outer side.
يَومَ يَقولُ المُنٰفِقونَ وَالمُنٰفِقٰتُ لِلَّذينَ ءامَنُوا انظُرونا نَقتَبِس مِن نورِكُم قيلَ ارجِعوا وَراءَكُم فَالتَمِسوا نورًا فَضُرِبَ بَينَهُم بِسورٍ لَهُ بابٌ باطِنُهُ فيهِ الرَّحمَةُ وَظٰهِرُهُ مِن قِبَلِهِ العَذابُ
They will call upon them, "Were we not with you?" They will answer, "Yes, but you cheated your souls, hesitated, doubted, and became misled by wishful thinking, until God's judgment came. You were diverted from God by illusions.
يُنادونَهُم أَلَم نَكُن مَعَكُم قالوا بَلىٰ وَلٰكِنَّكُم فَتَنتُم أَنفُسَكُم وَتَرَبَّصتُم وَارتَبتُم وَغَرَّتكُمُ الأَمانِىُّ حَتّىٰ جاءَ أَمرُ اللَّهِ وَغَرَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الغَرورُ
"Therefore, today no ransom can be taken from you, nor from those who disbelieved. Your abode is the fire; it is your lord, and miserable abode."
فَاليَومَ لا يُؤخَذُ مِنكُم فِديَةٌ وَلا مِنَ الَّذينَ كَفَروا مَأوىٰكُمُ النّارُ هِىَ مَولىٰكُم وَبِئسَ المَصيرُ
Is it not time for those who believed to open up their hearts for God's message, and the truth that is revealed herein? They should not be like the followers of previous scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and, consequently, many of them turned wicked.
أَلَم يَأنِ لِلَّذينَ ءامَنوا أَن تَخشَعَ قُلوبُهُم لِذِكرِ اللَّهِ وَما نَزَلَ مِنَ الحَقِّ وَلا يَكونوا كَالَّذينَ أوتُوا الكِتٰبَ مِن قَبلُ فَطالَ عَلَيهِمُ الأَمَدُ فَقَسَت قُلوبُهُم وَكَثيرٌ مِنهُم فٰسِقونَ
Know that God revives the land after it had died. We thus explain the revelations for you, that you may understand.
اعلَموا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُحىِ الأَرضَ بَعدَ مَوتِها قَد بَيَّنّا لَكُمُ الـٔايٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمHope we keep on the right path with honesty and perseverance .
May the Lord helps us to stay on His right path.
GOD bless you all.
Peace.@good-logic :Repentance rescues the soul from remorse and regrets." So if my regrets are still there,does that mean my repentence is lacking?
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Human hearts do not reset instantly. Memory conscience and fear take time to settle because reflection naturally brings pain which explains your regrets.
What would indicate a problem brother is persistence in wrongdoing and despair of God’s mercy or abandoning the path altogether. But you are doing the opposite: you returned and corrected and now remained consistent by the will of God (As I believe our free-will also operates under the will of God and God rewards those who are Muhsineen 29:69) and are deeply conscious of God. The Quran describes your state as taqwa not rejection.
My sincere advise for you is to be careful not to turn repentance into a new form of self-punishment. Brother God warns against despair just as strongly as it warns against sin Therefore walk forward, do not look back even if your heart is still healing.
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Peace LTTBT.
Regrets will be there at first, but consistency with the correction will make them fade.
Of course day to day living can bring new regrets and more remorse . Life is ongoing with ups and down. Following GOD s message consistently will help remove the issues .
Eventually , your way of life and relationship with your Creator will balance your life towards having very few issues and gives you solutions towards dealing with your feelings and status.We have to accept that good and bad will happen in our life. Only repeated bad/sins will increase the regrets. Keeping our word and avoiding committing the same errors over and over again helps the healing.
GOD teaches us that if we try our best ,be honest and trust Him ,we eventually succeed.
Human by definition, makes mistakes and forgets . Everyday we try our best to do better.
GOD bless you.
Peace
