Rearranging Our Priorities
[6:32] The life of this world is no more than illusion and vanity, while the abode of the Hereafter is far better for the righteous. Do you not understand?!
[6:33] We know that you may be saddened by what they say. You should know that it is not you that they reject; it is GOD’s revelations that the wicked disregard.
[6:34] Messengers before you have been rejected, and they steadfastly persevered in the face of rejection. They were persecuted until our victory came to them. Such is GOD’s system that will never change. The history of My messengers thus sets the precedents for you.
[6:35] If their rejection gets to be too much for you, you should know that even if you dug a tunnel through the earth, or climbed a ladder into the sky, and produced a miracle for them (they still would not believe). Had GOD willed, He could have guided them, unanimously. Therefore, do not behave like the ignorant ones.
[6:36] The only ones to respond are those who listen. GOD resurrects the dead; they ultimately return to Him.
[6:37] They said, “If only a certain sign could come down to him from his Lord!” Say, “GOD is able to send down a sign, but most of them do not know.”
Re-arrange Your Priorities
[29:64] This worldly life is no more than vanity and play, while the abode of the Hereafter is the real life, if they only knew.
Preoccupation With the Wrong Life
[30:6] Such is GOD’s promise – and GOD never breaks His promise – but most people do not know.
[30:7] They care only about things of this world that are visible to them, while being totally oblivious to the Hereafter.
What is vanity?
Vanity is anything we do in this world for this world. Luxuries and wealth are not a bad thing if it allows us to get closer to God by increasing our appreciation, remembrance of God, and doing of righteous work.
[26:128] “You build on every hill a mansion for vanity’s sake.
[28:60] Everything that is given to you is only the material of this life, and its vanity. What is with GOD is far better, and everlasting. Do you not understand?
[29:64] This worldly life is no more than vanity and play, while the abode of the Hereafter is the real life, if they only knew.
[47:36] This worldly life is no more than play and vanity. But if you believe and lead a righteous life, He will reward you, without asking you for any money.
Simulation Theory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpwcQi7r8qE
From verse 35 it shows that we should expect to be rejected. This shows that guidance only comes from God.
[57:16] 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.
[2:272] You are not responsible for guiding anyone. GOD is the only one who guides whoever chooses (to be guided). Any charity you give is for your own good. Any charity you give shall be for the sake of GOD. Any charity you give will be repaid to you, without the least injustice.
[28:56] You cannot guide the ones you love. GOD is the only One who guides in accordance with His will, and in accordance with His knowledge of those who deserve the guidance.
Importance of Listening in 6:36
God is speaking with us in our lives it is our duty to be receptive. We need to listen with our hearts and also with our ears. To actively listen we need to not anticipate how we are going to respond, but actually take in what is being said.
[9:61] Some of them hurt the prophet by saying, “He is all ears!” Say, “It is better for you that he listens to you. He believes in GOD, and trusts the believers. He is a mercy for those among you who believe.” Those who hurt GOD’s messenger have incurred a painful retribution.
[47:16] Some of them listen to you, then as soon as they leave they ask those who were enlightened, “What did he just say?” GOD thus seals their hearts and, consequently, they follow only their opinions.
Listening to Life’s Whispers | Oprah’s Lifeclass | Oprah Winfrey Network
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki6X6iPeGig
What is our response to God’s message?
Our Response to the Messengers
[28:65] On that day, He will ask everyone, “How did you respond to the messengers?”
[28:66] They will be so stunned by the facts on that day, they will be speechless.
[28:67] As for those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life, they will end up with the winners.
The Disbelievers Blocked Out
[8:21] Do not be like those who say, “We hear,” when they do not hear.
[8:22] The worst creatures in the sight of GOD are the deaf and dumb, who do not understand.
[8:23] Had GOD known of any good in them, He would have made them hearers. Even if He made them hearers, they still would turn away in aversion.
Actions speak louder than words…
Signs are all around us yet we fail to see:
Example of God’s sign in 6:37:
Is There Evidence of Something Beyond Nature? John Lennox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6rd4HEdffw
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