The Importance of Following the Good Word (Harun Yahya)
Description
ISBN: 8178983664
Author: Harun Yahya
Publisher: Goodword Books (2004)
Pages: 94 Binding: Paperback
Description from the publisher:
From the book's introduction :
By "the good word," most perceive it to mean being complimentative, expressing love or speaking in an inspiring manner. However, the type of "good word" Allah refers to in the Qur'an means something quite other, and is more comprehensive, although it also includes the above-mentioned meanings. Allah describes what the good word is with the verse;
Who could say anything better than one who summons to Allah, and acts rightly and says, "I am of those who submit to Allah"? (Surah Fussilat, 33)
In other words, the "good word" is that which summons people to Allah and the Qur'an. And, those who utter this good word, that is, those who call to Allah, are the believers.
Conveying Allah's religion, guiding people by the light of the Qur'an, enjoining the good and condemning the wrong, reminding people of Allah's verses; each are manners of calling to Allah, and the best and most beneficial words that can ever be said to another. These words uttered by the believers, to lead people to the Qur'an's morality, are neither aimed to please them, or gain some worldly benefit. All such words have a single goal; to earn Allah's good pleasure, and assist the other to attain a quality of character with which Allah will be pleased. This being so, remembering Allah, explaining the ideals of morality, encouraging another to become one worthy of Paradise, while from time to time also criticizing him by the light of the Qur'an, to allow him to become aware of his flaws that he may can correct them, and reminding him to heed Allah, are all examples of the good word.
The reader may better be able to understand the meaning of the good word, in its true sense, if he considers the following example: assume for a moment that you are right next to the eternal fire of Hell, where you see people dragged from one form of punishment to another; they mourn in regret, feeling the terror of being unable to save themselves from that fire. They are offered boiling water or tied to towering columns. Having seen such things, you would focus all your attention in earning Allah's good pleasure, so as to avoid any mistake that would lead you into such punishment. What you would most fear and seek to avoid would be losing Allah's good pleasure. At that moment, someone admonishing in light of the Qur'an, warning you against some error, or reminding you of Allah, would be the best and most helpful words that you could ever hear. As one who feels the punishment of Hell as if it were right next to you, you would neither react adversely against these remarks, nor make up any excuses to deny them, nor feel prideful. Being sincere in the conviction that correcting your mistakes is of vital importance, you would be open to any form of admonition or criticism. The moment you would hear these remarks, which are explained to you solely for your own benefit, you would humbly accept them, feel thankful towards the person who offered these admonitions, and most probably would want him or her to continue providing you with such advice.