To Be Among The Honored Servants!

“O Humankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, for the ˹violent˺ quaking at the Hour is surely a dreadful thing. The Day you see it, every nursing mother will abandon what she is nursing, and every pregnant woman will deliver her burden ˹prematurely.˺ And you will see people ˹as if they were˺ drunk, though they will not be drunk; but the torment of Allah is ˹terribly˺ severe” (22:1-2).

On this day, nothing can bring reassurance to the hearts of the believers, except the call of the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate: "O My servants, no fear will there be concerning you this Day, nor will you grieve” (43:68).

There is not a single soul who wouldn’t long to be among those called upon on that momentous day. Yet, one cannot be counted among those noble servants unless one strives and makes sincere effort to embody their qualities. And what are those qualities? They are clearly described in the following verse: "Those who believed in Our verses and submitted themselves fully ˹to Us˺" (43:69).

What are these verses that have shaped and defined the attributes of these servants, making them worthy of such immense honor? They have transformed them into obedient, humble, devoted, perseverant, steadfast, and striving individuals.

These verses could not be the obligatory legal rulings. Rather, legal rulings signify adherence to the commands of the Most Merciful, the Most Generous. They serve to fortify faith in the heart, anchoring it firmly on the path of purification and refinement. They open the door for the servant to attain divine success, leading to ultimate triumph, and assist in cultivating the ideal state of the heart and soul. This state empowers the individual to confront life’s challenges and endure the winds of trials with steadfastness and unwavering resolve, ultimately guiding him/her safely to the shores of salvation, believing, secure, confident, and at peace.

The verses that inspire the servant to strive diligently, with determination and sincerity, to fulfill Allah's commands in the best possible manner possess a unique quality. They instill a driving force within the servant, motivating him/her to hasten toward good deeds, earnestly remembering Allah (swt) in every state. These verses profoundly influence the mind, emotions, and actions, shaping both foundational beliefs and tangible accomplishments.

These verses center on the core of the belief in Allah's true promise: the certainty that Allah (swt) is the ultimate truth, His promise is undeniable, the meeting with Him is inevitable, Paradise is real, Hellfire is real, the prophets are truthful, Allah is the Most Forgiving and Most Merciful, and His punishment is the most severe – “Inform My servants ˹O Prophet˺ that I am truly the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful, and that My torment is indeed the most painful” (15:49-50). They remind that this worldly life is but a fleeting distraction, while the Hereafter is the ultimate, everlasting reality. “This worldly life is no more than play and amusement. But, the Hereafter is, indeed, the real life, if only they knew” (29:64).

When the soul is deeply imbued with this divine view — fully embracing and internalizing it — it reshapes the servant’s heart and mindset. He/she becomes drawn to worship with devotion, repelled by falsehood and its paths, and passionately committed to the truth and the ways that lead to it. The sole concern becomes aligning his/her actions and state with the truth revealed by Allah (swt). This is the essence of cultivating piety in the heart. When the actions and inner state are aligned with the truth as revealed by Allah (swt) in His Book, one would experience Allah’s promises, bear witness to them, and ultimately attain the promised reward.

The first sign of true sincerity on this path is the fear of Allah: “And those who, out of fear of their Lord, are apprehensive” (23:57). This fear does not stem from despair, but from a deep awareness and concern that Allah’s displeasure might fall upon them due to negligence or turning away from His commands. It is a fear that energizes the heart, awakening it with purpose and determination — driving the servant to hasten in righteous deeds that serve as a shield from Allah’s anger. Allah describes such people: “Surely those who tremble in awe of their Lord, and who believe in the revelations of their Lord, and who do not associate anything with their Lord, and who do whatever [good] they do with hearts fearful, [knowing] that they will return to their Lord — it is they who race to do good deeds, always taking the lead” (23:57–61).

They perform their deeds with hearts trembling in awe, ever-mindful of the Day when all secrets are revealed, fearing that they may face from their Lord a reality they had not expected.

It is through reaching such a state of humility and sincerity that one may hope to be among those honored by hearing their Lord proclaim: “O My servants, no fear will there be concerning you this Day, nor will you grieve” (43:68).