Quran reflection #10: Obedience should inspire gratitude not arrogance

Qur'an Surah 24, Verse 21:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَمَن يَتَّبِعْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ مَا زَكَىٰ مِنكُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَبَدًا وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يُزَكِّي مَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Translation:
O You who have attained to faith! Follow not Satan’s footsteps: for he who follows Satan’s foot­steps [will find that], behold, he enjoins but deeds of abomination and all that runs counter to reason. And were it not for God’s favour upon you and His grace, not one of you would ever have remained pure. For [thus it is:] God who causes whomever He wills to grow in purity: for God is all-hearing, all-­knowing.

Notes:
Here God delivers two complementary messages: don't follow Satan's footsteps and don't feel superior to those who sin differently than you. First God warns that Satan will only command what is harmful and wrong. But God then turns to the ones who obey and delivers a gentle warning: obedience cannot be a source of superiority to those who fall. It is not your strength or impeccable purity, but God's grace, we are reminded, that kept you away from sin. Let your obedience be cause for gratitude not arrogance. God hears and knows all things and therefore will be the final judge (not you).

via iQuran

-Dalia Mogahed

                  ♡❤TRUST IN ALLAH❤♡