Page 63 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

And keep your soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening,
seeking His pleasure. Do not let your eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and
glitter of this Life; nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the
remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond
all bounds.
(Al-Kahf, 28)

One point is important here: in one’s approach to religion, one should ask, “What other
services can I perform to earn the pleasure of Allah?” rather than “How can I benefit from
religion?” The latter approach would indicate sheer insincerity. In the Qur’an, those assuming
such a cunning attitude are defined as hypocrites. These are the people who pretend to be
faithful and simply make use of religion to satisfy their selfish ambitions. Actually, they are the
type of people who deserve the Fire and severe punishment in the hereafter. In the Qur’an,
Allah gives an account of their case:

They declare: “We believe in Allah and in the messenger, and we obey.” But no
sooner do they utter these words than some of them turn away: they are not (really)
believers. When they are summoned to Allah and His messenger, in order that He
may judge between them, behold some of them decline (to come). Had right been on
their side, they would have come to him in all submission.
(Al-Noor, 47-49)

As is apparent from the verse, hypocrites do admit to belief if there is anything to their
interest but later retract. These people may look like devoted believers for some time, but, as
the Qur’an puts it, they are actually those who “lay their foundation on an undermined cliff
ready to crumble to pieces.”
Which then is better? - one who laid his foundation on piety to Allah and His good
pleasure? - or one who laid his foundation on an undermined sand-cliff ready to
crumble to pieces? And it did crumble to pieces with him, into the fire of Hell. And
Allah does not guide people who do wrong.
(At-Tawba, 109)

There are numerous other verses in the Qur’an which stress the significance of gaining the
pleasure of Allah:
Is the man who follows the good pleasure of Allah like the man who draws on himself
the wrath of Allah, and whose abode is in Hell?- A woeful refuge!
(Al-Imran, 162)
And they returned with grace and bounty from Allah: no harm ever touched them; for
they followed the good pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Lord of bounties
unbounded.
(Al-Imran, 174)

In most of their secret talks there is no good: But to one who exhorts others to deeds
of charity or justice or conciliation between men, secrecy is permissible. To him who
does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall soon give a reward of the
highest value.
(An-Nisa, 114)

A light has come to you from Allah and a glorious Book with which he will guide all
who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and lead them out of
darkness, by His will, to the light; He will guide them to a path that is straight.
(Al-Maeda, 16)

Allah has promised to Believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow,
in which they shall dwell forever. He has promised them beautiful mansions in