Page 221 - Names of Allah

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The Opener
Is he whose breast is opened to Islam, and who is therefore
illuminated by his Lord…? Woe to those whose hearts are
hardened against the remembrance of Allah! Such people are
clearly misguided. (Surat az-Zumar, 39:22)

The existence of Allah and the Hereafter is obvious. Despite
this, however, the majority of people have no faith. A person attains
true faith only when Allah “opens one’s breast to Islam.” This acqui-
sition of faith is the greatest blessing from Allah, for if Allah had no
mercy and favor upon His sincere servants, none of them would at-
tain salvation. While creating humanity, Allah gave every soul a
lower self that would tempt each man and woman toward evil.
However, He also ensured that His sincere servants could attain the
straight path by both overcoming and avoiding such temptations.
This right path, which is attained by following one’s con-
science, is a blessing granted to sincere believers. As Allah informs
us:
... However, Allah has given you love of faith and made it
pleasing to your hearts, and has made disbelief, deviance,
and disobedience hateful to you. People such as these are
rightly guided. It is a great favor from Allah and a blessing.
(Surat al-Hujurat, 49:7-8)
Those who forget how they were created and insist on unbelief,
despite all of the signs surrounding them, who follow the dictates of
their lower selves and do not exercise their conscience, will experi-
ence the following:

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