Divine Unity Divided By Deceit

The Qur'an isn't just a book of stories or rules—it’s a trust. Allah is entrusting us to learn the criterion He gave us with integrity of the soul and truth of what we see. Allah (SWT) makes it clear throughout the Qur'an that He delivers signs in many ways and ways that can be in plain sight or in metaphor. He states this repeatedly in different verses. So, there is always a paradox at play when it comes to our belief and how we lead it and seek it. 

As long as we’re reading the Qur’an, we’re still learning. We shouldn’t take His verses as personal attacks or be offended. Instead, we should process any fear that arises from them as an invitation to deeper understanding. Allah didn’t just entrust us with His Books in this life—He first gave us our mind and body as vessels to help us navigate the soul. 

Allah begins the story of life and belief with the Children of Adam. Adam and Hawwa (Eve) were sent down from Paradise to Earth already as witnesses of Allah. So from the beginning, mankind was never unaware of Allah’s existence or His truth. The test of mankind—to live on Earth, to overcome Shaytan’s influence—relied on this mind-and-body entity Allah created to help us navigate and protect the soul. Before the notion of religion was presented in the first revelation of belief in the Torah. 

The Children of Adam, having already been witnesses to Allah's existence and His signs, were entrusted with the principles of the Torah to combat the corruption that Shaytan was introducing. At that time, corruption and rebellion among mankind had reached such a level that Allah saw mankind was unable to nurture and protect the soul without a spiritual guide to align it.

Fast forward to today—the Qur’an continues to guide us. In Surah Al-A‘la, Allah speaks about the soul—its purity, the path to its success, and the causes of its downfall. He reminds us of the cycles of history and how easily people forget. Allah did not create souls with the intention of sending them to Hell; rather, He gives each soul the opportunity to choose freely and to unlearn the distorted, predestined outcomes shaped by the effects of Shaytan’s corruption. This is why some souls reject the truth—not out of ignorance, but because they are already inclined toward falsehood, shaped by inherited conditions from a past that was vulnerable and prone to lies and deceit.

In Allah’s infinite wisdom, He created a piece of land in Paradise for every soul. That means everyone has a place. But our belief and spiritual work on Earth contribute to building our home there. It may sound like a game to someone who doesn’t see the depth, but it’s not—it’s real. Look at how we live life. Even Benjamin Franklin said, “The only certainty in life is death and taxes.” That statement itself holds irony—because both require accountability.

Allah uses metaphor to make us think. Taxes are a collective contribution toward a functioning society. Similarly, the spiritual work we put in—our prayers, patience, kindness, struggle for truth—are a contribution to our soul’s well-being and our spiritual environment. It affects not just us, but everything around us, and it builds our hereafter.

Allah doesn’t let a soul escape what it has witnessed. If someone forges what they’ve seen, or denies the truth that reached them, it’s to their own detriment. He explains His verses clearly—not harshly—but as part of a natural calculation. There are results for every action, and those results are not delayed without reason.

True free will isn’t just doing what we want—it’s choosing to do the work Allah created us for. The mind and body were made as excellent machines to guard and support the soul. Allah teaches us to think, reflect, and see deeply. The battle of faith is always internal, but Allah keeps reminding us that the Children of Adam weren’t always receptive to His guidance—while the Children of Israel  were able to succeed in upholding the Torah and continued their path believing in Allah swt.

Musa (AS) is an example. He had sincere belief, even when he made a mistake—killing a man under Shaytan’s influence. But he turned back to Allah. Shaytan, on the other hand, is called the chief deceiver for a reason. Like the angels, he was given knowledge of the soul’s purpose. So he knows how Allah’s grace works—how persistent and patient Allah is in guiding us. And that’s exactly what he vowed to override. He promised to interfere with Allah’s signs and confuse us about His truth.

The Qur’an is advising that following this final revelation is a known strive in every era. The sensitivity of its revelation was already met with difficulty, as people were holding on tightly to the previous scriptures—the Torah, the Bible, and the Psalms. Allah is fully aware of this challenge, because the Children of Israel had to unlearn what the Children of Adam naturally absorbed. And He makes it clear that not everyone will grasp this easily, because many simply do not hearken to the truth.

Submitting to Allah’s guidance often means facing rejection from society. Allah even describes this as “killing the messenger”—when people reject divine truth because it conflicts with their desires or traditions. Even though the Qur’an encourages the settling of disputes and promotes peace, those who turn away often seek temporary solutions. Yet, they eventually find themselves in situations that expose their need for Allah, running back to Him with conviction and a plea for help.

Allah describes the sincere believers—those who seek the truth genuinely—as being given strength and vision to defend what is right. He emphasizes that mosques, and any place where Qur’anic law and values are upheld, naturally provide a just and powerful environment. Because upholding Allah’s principles isn’t an overnight task. It requires sincere effort, patience, and participation.

When we receive clear signs and evidences from Allah, we are naturally walking under His light. But that light is only sustained through our active participation—our enthusiasm for His virtues, our effort in worship, and our striving for truth. To be a Muslim under Allah’s light requires genuine involvement, not just cultural association or surface-level belief.

Because when we start mixing our belief with other influences—doubt, ego, desire, or social conformity—we jeopardize our own piety and contradict the very livelihood and guidance Allah designed for us. So when we think about life—work, struggle, accountability—it all comes back to this: we are souls in a test. And the more we serve our souls with the intention to seek Allah’s truth, the more clarity we get—not just in this world, but for our space in the next.

Surah 27:75-93

And there is nothing hidden in the heaven and the earth but it is in a Clear Book (i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz).

Verily, this Qur'an narrates to the Children of Israel most of that about which they differ.

And truly, it (this Qur'an) is a guide and a mercy for the believers.

Verily, your Lord will decide between them, by His Judgement. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.

So put your trust in Allah; surely, you are on manifest truth.

Verily, you (O Muhammad) cannot make the dead to hear, nor can you make the deaf to hear the call, when they flee, turning their backs.

Nor can you lead the blind out of their error. You can only make to hear those who believe in Our Ayât, and who have submitted (to Allah in Islâm).

And when the Word (of torment) is fulfilled against them, We shall bring out from the earth a beast to them, which will speak to them, because mankind believed not with certainty in Our Ayât.

And (remember) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a troop of those who denied Our Ayât, and they shall be set in array (before their Lord for punishment).

Till, when they come (before their Lord), He will say: "Did you deny My Ayât while you comprehended them not in knowledge, or what (else) was it that you used to do?"

And the Word (of torment) will be fulfilled against them, because they have done wrong, and they will be unable to speak (in order to defend themselves).

See they not that We have made the night for them to rest therein, and the day sight-giving? Verily, in this are Ayât for the people who believe.

And (remember) the Day on which the Trumpet will be blown—and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth will be terrified, except him whom Allah will (exempt). And all shall come to Him, humbled.

And you will see the mountains, thinking them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds—the Work of Allah, Who perfected all things, verily! He is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

Whoever brings a good deed, shall have better than it; and they will be safe from the terror on that Day.

And whoever brings an evil deed, they will be cast down on their faces in the Fire (it will be said to them): "Are you being recompensed for what you used to do?"

I (Muhammad) am commanded only to worship the Lord of this city (Makkah), Who has made it sacred and to Whom belongs everything. And I am commanded to be from among the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islâm).

And to recite the Qur’an. So whosoever receives guidance, receives it for the good of his own self; and whosoever goes astray, say (to him): “I am only one of the warners.”

And say (O Muhammad): “All the praises and thanks be to Allah. He will show you His Ayât, and you shall recognize them.” And your Lord is not unaware of what you do.

20:52-73

[Mûsâ (Moses)] said: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord is neither unaware nor He forgets."

He Who has made for you the earth like a bed (spread out); and has opened roads (ways and paths, etc.) for you therein; and has sent down water (rain) from the sky. And We have brought forth with it various kinds of vegetation.

Eat and pasture your cattle (therein); verily, in this are Ayât (proofs and signs) for men of understanding.

From the earth We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.

And indeed We showed him [Fir‘aun (Pharaoh)] all Our Signs and Evidences, but he denied and refused.

He [Fir‘aun (Pharaoh)] said: "Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Mûsâ (Moses)?

"Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof: so appoint a meeting between us and you, which we will not fail to keep, neither we nor you—in a fair (open) place."

[Mûsâ (Moses)] said: "Your appointed meeting is the day of the festival, and let the people be assembled when the sun has risen (forenoon)."

So Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) withdrew, devised his plot and then came back.

Mûsâ (Moses) said to them: "Woe to you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He should destroy you completely by a torment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allah) will fail miserably."

Then they debated one with another what they must do, and they kept their talk secret.

They said: "Verily! These are two magicians. Their object is to drive you out from your land with their magic, and to overcome your chiefs and nobles.

"So devise your plot, and then assemble in line. And whoever overcomes this day will be indeed successful."

They said: "O Mûsâ (Moses)! Either you throw first or we be the first to throw?"

[Mûsâ (Moses)] said: "Nay, throw you (first)!" Then behold! Their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast.

So Mûsâ (Moses) conceived a fear in himself.

We (Allah) said: "Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand.

"And throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow up that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician's trick, and the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount (of skill) he may attain."

So the magicians fell down prostrate. They said: "We believe in the Lord of Hârûn (Aaron) and Mûsâ (Moses)."

Surah Saba (34): Verses 44–52

And We had not given them (the pagans of Makkah) Scriptures which they could study, nor sent to them before you (O Muhammad) any warner.

And those before them denied, and these (Makkans) have not received one tenth of what We had granted to those (of old); yet they denied My Messengers. Then how (terrible) was My denial (punishment)!

Say (O Muhammad): "I preach unto you only one (thing): that you stand up for Allah’s sake in pairs and singly, and reflect (within yourselves): there is no madness in your companion (Muhammad). He is only a warner to you in face of a severe torment."

Say: "Whatever wage I might have asked of you is yours. My wage is from Allah only. And He is Witness over all things."

Say: "Indeed my Lord sends down the truth (i.e. inspiration and revelation) as the All-Knower of the unseen."

Say: "The truth (the Qur'an) has come, and falsehood can neither create anything nor resurrect (anything)."

Say: "If I err, I err only for myself, but if I am guided, it is because of what my Lord reveals to me. Truly, He is All-Hearer, Ever Near (to all things)."

And if you could but see when they will be terrified with no escape, and they will be seized from a near place.

And they will then say: "We do believe (now) in it (the Qur'an);" but how could they receive (Faith and the acceptance of their repentance by Allah) from a place so far off (i.e. to return to the worldly life again).

Indeed they did disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah, Islâm, the Qur'an and Muhammad) before (in the world), and they used to conjecture about the unseen (i.e. the Hereafter, Hell, Paradise, Resurrection, and the Promise of Allah, etc.), from a far place.

22:37-41

It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His guidance to you. And give glad tidings to the doers of good.

Truly, Allah defends those who believe. Verily! Allah does not like anyone who is a betrayer, a disbeliever.

Permission to fight is given to those who are fought against because they have been wronged; and surely, Allah is able to give them victory.

Those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said: "Our Lord is Allah."—For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much, would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.

Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for the establishment of prayer, give zakah, enjoin what is right (Al-Ma‘rûf), and forbid what is evil (Al-Munkar). And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures).

49-66

Say: "O mankind! I am (sent) to you only as a plain warner."

So those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah—Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, for them is forgiveness and Rizq Karîm (generous provision, i.e. Paradise).

But those who strive against Our Ayât to frustrate them—those will be dwellers of the blazing Fire.

Never did We send a Messenger or a Prophet before you but when he did recite (the Revelation or narrated or spoke), Shaitân (Satan) threw (some falsehood) in it. But Allah abolishes that which Shaitân throws in. Then Allah establishes His Revelations. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.

That He may make what Shaitân has thrown in a trial for those in whose hearts is a disease and whose hearts are hardened. And certainly, the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers) are in an opposition far-off (from the truth).

And that those who have been given knowledge may know that it (the Qur'an) is the truth from your Lord, so that they may believe therein, and their hearts may submit to it with humility. And verily, Allah is the Guide of those who believe, to the Straight Path.

And those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt about it (this Qur’an) until the Hour comes suddenly upon them, or there comes to them the torment of a Day whereon no soul shall be of any avail to another, and the decision, that Day, will be with Allah.

O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily! We have created you from dust, then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh—some formed and some unformed—that We may make (it) clear to you. And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term, then We bring you out as infants, then (give you growth) that you may reach your age of full strength. And among you there is he who dies (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth).

That is because Allah: He is the Truth, and it is He Who gives life to the dead, and it is He Who is Able to do all things.

And surely, the Hour is coming, there is no doubt about it, and certainly, Allah will resurrect those who are in the graves.

And among mankind is he who disputes about Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a Book giving light (from Allah),

Bending his neck in pride (far astray), to lead (others) astray from the Path of Allah. For him in this world is disgrace, and on the Day of Resurrection We shall make him taste the torment of burning (Fire).

That is because of what your hands have sent forth, and verily, Allah is not unjust to (His) slaves.

And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were, upon the edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts to disbelief after embracing Islâm). He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss.

He calls besides Allah unto that which hurts him not, nor benefits him. That is a straying far away.

He calls unto him whose harm is nearer than his benefit; certainly, and evil Maulâ (protector) and certainly an evil friend!

Truly, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous good deeds to Gardens underneath which rivers flow (in Paradise). Verily, Allah does what He wills.

Whoever thinks that Allah will not help him (Muhammad) in this world and in the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope to the ceiling, then cut himself off from it, and let him see whether his plan will remove that whereat he rages!

Thus have We sent it (this Qur’an) down as clear signs, evidences and proofs; and surely, Allah guides whom He wills.

11:84-95

And to Madyan (Midian), We sent their brother Shu‘aib. He said: “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (god) but Him. And give not short measure or weight. I see you in prosperity, and verily, I fear for you the torment of a Day encompassing.

And O my people! Give full measure and weight in justice and wrong not men in their things, and do not do mischief in the land, causing corruption.

That which is left by Allah for you (after giving the rights of the people) is better for you, if you are believers. And I am not a guardian over you.”

They said: “O Shu‘aib! Does your Salât (prayer) command you that we leave what our fathers worship, or that we leave doing what we like with our property? Verily, you are the forbearer, right-minded!”

He said: “O my people! Tell me, if I have a clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me a good sustenance from Himself, shall I corrupt it by mixing truth with falsehood? I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you. I only desire reform so far as I am able, and my guidance cannot come except from Allah. In Him I put my trust and unto Him I turn.

And O my people! Let not your opposition to me cause you to suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Nûh (Noah), or of Hûd, or of Sâlih. And the people of Lût are not far off from you!

And ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn unto Him in repentance. Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving.”

They said: “O Shu‘aib! We do not understand much of what you say, and we see you weak among us. Were it not for your family, we would have surely stoned you, and you are not powerful against us.”

He said: “O my people! Is then my family of more weight with you than Allah? And you have cast Him away behind your backs. Verily, my Lord is encompassing all that you do.

And O my people! Act according to your ability, and I am acting (on my way). You will come to know on whom will descend a torment that will disgrace him, and who is a liar. And watch, and I too am watching with you.”

And when Our Commandment came, We saved Shu‘aib and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us. And As-Sayhah (torment—awful cry, etc.) seized the wrongdoers, and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes.

As if they had never lived there. So away with Madyan as away with Thamûd!

5:76-89

Say (O Muhammad): "Do you worship besides Allah that which has no power to benefit you or to harm you?" It is you who are the wrongdoers.

Say: "O People of the Scripture! Exceed not the limits in your religion by believing in something other than the truth, and do not follow the vain desires of people who went astray before, and who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the Right Path."

Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dâwûd (David) and ‘Îsâ (Jesus), son of Maryam. That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.

They used not to forbid one another from the evil they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do.

You see many of them taking the disbelievers as their Auliyâ’ (protectors and helpers). Evil indeed is that which their own selves have sent forward before them; for that (reason), Allah's Wrath fell upon them, and in torment they will abide.

And had they believed in Allah, and in the Prophet (Muhammad), and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them (the disbelievers) as Auliyâ’, but many of them are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).

Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al-Mushrikûn, and you will find the nearest in love to the believers those who say: “We are Christians.” That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud.

And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. They say: "Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses.

And why should we not believe in Allah and in that which has come to us of the truth? And we wish that our Lord will admit us to Paradise along with the righteous people."

So because of what they said, Allah rewarded them Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); they will abide therein forever. Such is the reward of good-doers.

But those who disbelieved and denied Our Ayât, they shall be the dwellers of the Hell-fire.

O you who believe! Make not unlawful the Tayyibât (good things) which Allah has made lawful to you, and transgress not. Verily, Allah does not like the transgressors.

And eat of the things which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good, and fear Allah in Whom you believe.

Allah will not call you to account for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will call you to account for what your hearts have earned. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

For those who take an oath and then break it, the expiation is: feeding ten poor persons from the average of what you feed your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. But whoever cannot afford that, then he should fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn. And protect your oaths. Thus Allah makes clear to you His Ayât, that you may be grateful.

10:14-33

Then We made you successors after them, generations after generations in the land, that We might see how you would work.

And when Our Clear Verses are recited unto them, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, say: "Bring us a Qur’an other than this, or change it." Say (O Muhammad): "It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow that which is revealed unto me. Verily, I fear, if I were to disobey my Lord, the torment of the Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)."

Say (O Muhammad): "If Allah had so willed, I should not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you. Verily, I have stayed amongst you a lifetime before this. Have you then no sense?"

So who does more wrong than he who forges a lie against Allah or denies His Ayât? Surely, the Mujrimûn (criminals, sinners, disbelievers, etc.) will never be successful!

And they worship besides Allah things that hurt them not, nor profit them, and they say: "These are our intercessors with Allah." Say: "Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and on the earth?" Glorified and Exalted is He above all that which they associate as partners (with Him)!

Mankind were but one community (i.e. on one religion, Islâm), then they differed. And had not it been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, it would have been settled between them regarding what they differed.

And they say: "Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "The unseen belongs to Allah alone, so wait you, verily I am with you among those who wait (for Allah's Judgement)."

And when We let mankind taste of mercy after some adversity has afflicted them, behold! they take to plotting against Our Ayât! Say: "Allah is more Swift in planning!" Certainly, Our messengers (angels) record all of that which you plot.

He it is Who enables you to travel through land and sea, till when you are in the ships and they sail with them with a favourable wind, and they rejoice therein; then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think that they are encircled therein, they invoke Allah, making their faith pure for Him Alone, saying: "If You (Allah) deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful."

But when He delivers them, behold! they rebel (disobey Allah) in the earth wrongfully. O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your own selves—a brief enjoyment of this worldly life, then (in the end) unto Us is your return, and We shall inform you of what you used to do.

The likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water which We send down from the sky, so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat. Until, when the earth is clad with its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all the powers of disposal over it, Our Command reaches it by night or by day, and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus do We explain the Ayât in detail for the people who reflect.

Allah calls to the Home of Peace (i.e. Paradise), and guides whom He wills to a Straight Path.

For those who have done good is the best reward (i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honour of glancing at the Countenance of Allah). Neither darkness nor dust nor any humiliating disgrace shall cover their faces. They are the dwellers of Paradise, they will abide therein forever.

And those who have earned evil deeds, the recompense of an evil deed is the like thereof, and humiliating disgrace will cover them. No defender will they have from Allah. Their faces will be covered, as it were, with pieces from the darkness of night. They are dwellers of the Fire, they will abide therein forever.

And (remember) the Day when We shall gather them all together, then We shall say to those who did set partners in worship with Us: "Stop at your place! You and your partners (whom you had worshipped in the worldly life)." Then We shall separate them, and their (Allah's so-called) partners shall say: "It was not us that you used to worship."

"So sufficient is Allah as a witness between us and you, that we indeed knew nothing of your worship of us."

There! every person will know (exactly) what (all) he had earned before, and they will be brought back to Allah, their rightful Lord, and their invented false deities will vanish from them.