Page 89 - Some Secrets of the Qur'an

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OBEDIENCE TO THE MESSENGER IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD

They may be so unwise to oppose what the prophet says and
to raise their voices above his. God informs that deeds of
these people will be rendered void. God has informed that all
efforts of such a person, even if he works day and night in
order to spread the values of religion, will come to nothing
on account of his disobedience.

This is a very important secret revealed in many verses in
the Qur'an. God has commanded people to perform good
deeds, to serve eagerly and firmly for the benefit of Islam, to
act in compliance with the good morals described in the
Qur'an, to be generous, steadfast, tolerant, truthful and
faithful. No doubt, all these are important forms of worship
that will be of help to him in the hereafter. However, as seen
in Surat al-Hujurat, a single act of disrespectful behaviour
towards God's messenger may render all that person's deeds
in vain. This, undoubtedly, reminds us once again how
important it is to obey and respect God's messengers.

God takes the strength of those who do not
obey the messenger

The incident of Saul (Talut) and his army related in the
Qur'an is another reminder, which lays heavy stress on the
importance of obedience to God's messenger. As related in
the Qur'an, when Saul, God's messenger, set out with his
forces towards the enemy, he warned his men against
drinking from the river they would come across. The relevant
verse is as follows:
When Saul marched out with the army, he said, 'God
will test you with a river. Anyone who drinks from
it is not with me. But anyone who does not taste it is