The Moral Event Horizon
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Imagine venturing close to a cosmic monster in the vastness of space, a black hole, where the gravitational pull is so intense that nothing, not even light, can escape once it crosses a certain boundary known as the event horizon, a point of no return. Once you cross it, the black hole’s gravitational grip becomes so intense that it becomes physically impossible to ever escape.
Now, picture a person on the brink of a moral event horizon. This individual starts with small compromises, bending the rules, and justifying minor wrongs for what they believe is the greater good. As they continue down this path, each step takes them closer to the moral event horizon. Just like the black hole, there’s a point where a person’s morality is so astray and their deeds so horrendous that there is no possible path back to righteousness for such people.
Innate Knowledge
God has placed the innate knowledge of the worship of God alone inside every human being.
[30:30] Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know.
فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
| 5 | fiṭ’rata | فِطْرَتَ | Natural instinct |
| 6 | l-lahi | ٱللَّهِ | (made by) God |
| 7 | allatī | ٱلَّتِى | (upon) which |
| 8 | faṭara | فَطَرَ | He created / initiated |
| 9 | l-nāsa | ٱلنَّاسَ | the people |
| 10 | ʿalayhā | عَلَيْهَا | [on it]. |
God has also given the soul an innate understanding of right and wrong.
[91:7] The soul and Him who created it.
[91:8] Then showed it what is evil and what is good.
وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّىٰهَا
فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَىٰهَا
| 1 | fa-alhamahā | فَأَلْهَمَهَا | Then He placed innate knowledge in it (of) |
| 2 | fujūrahā | فُجُورَهَا | its evilness / immorality |
| 3 | wataqwāhā | وَتَقْوَىٰهَا | and its righteousness. |
The word “alham” ( أَلْهَم ) used in the verse above signifies “innate knowledge,” and this informs us that every soul has been given innate knowledge to be able to distinguish between immorality and righteousness. But what happens when someone persists in immorality?
At first, they may attribute their shortcoming to weakness, but this will cause discomfort in the form of dissonance for the person. Because most sensible people dislike having beliefs that are incongruent with their actions. So eventually, the dissonance will get to be too much, and they will slowly start to self-justify and create excuses for their bad behavior and feel more comfortable in their sinful ways. Once this happens, then over time, the person will no longer be capable of distinguishing between right and wrong.
Consider a person who initially values honesty but finds themselves in a competitive work environment where bending the truth is seen as a way to gain an advantage. Initially, they might resist engaging in dishonesty, attributing their reluctance to their strong moral principles. However, under continuous pressure to succeed and witnessing others benefit from dishonest practices, they might tell a small lie to secure a deal or promotion, justifying it as a necessary action for survival or success in their field.
Over time, as they continue to compromise their values, the initial discomfort with dishonesty diminishes. They begin to rationalize their behavior, convincing themselves that everyone does it, that it’s the only way to stay ahead, or that their actions are justified by the outcomes they achieve. This rationalization serves to reduce the cognitive dissonance experienced between their actions and their original moral beliefs.
Eventually, if this pattern persists, the person’s moral compass becomes distorted. The innate knowledge of right and wrong (“alham”) becomes overshadowed by a series of justifications and rationalizations. In this state, distinguishing between ethical and unethical behavior becomes challenging because their decision-making becomes muddled. They might no longer feel guilt or moral conflict about actions that they would have considered wrong before, indicating a shift in their moral baseline.
God knows our innermost thoughts
The Quran informs us that God knows our innermost thoughts.
[3:29] Say, “Whether you conceal your innermost thought, or declare it, GOD is fully aware thereof.” He is fully aware of everything in the heavens and the earth. GOD is Omnipotent.
قُلْ إِن تُخْفُوا۟ مَا فِى صُدُورِكُمْ أَوْ تُبْدُوهُ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
[11:5] Indeed, they hide their innermost thoughts, as if to keep Him from knowing them. In fact, as they cover themselves with their clothes, He knows all their secrets and declarations. He knows the innermost thoughts.
أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ يَثْنُونَ صُدُورَهُمْ لِيَسْتَخْفُوا۟ مِنْهُ أَلَا حِينَ يَسْتَغْشُونَ ثِيَابَهُمْ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
The literal Arabic for this expression, translated as “innermost thoughts,” is what “the chest possesses.” This is because, as humans, we are incredibly good at self-justifying and creating narratives after the fact to rationalize our decisions, and this can cause us to deceive ourselves without even perceiving it. Therefore, someone can be morally depraved and not even realize it.
[2:8] Then there are those who say, “We believe in GOD and the Last Day,” while they are not believers.
[2:9] In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving.
[2:10] In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD augments their disease. They have incurred a painful retribution for their lying.
[2:11] When they are told, “Do not commit evil,” they say, “But we are righteous!”
[2:12] In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضًا وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ
[40:56] Surely, those who argue against GOD’s revelations without proof are exposing the arrogance that is hidden inside their chests, and they are not even aware of it. Therefore, seek refuge in GOD; He is the Hearer, the Seer.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَـٰنٍ أَتَىٰهُمْ إِن فِى صُدُورِهِمْ إِلَّا كِبْرٌ مَّا هُم بِبَـٰلِغِيهِ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ
Self Justification
In a famous set of experiments on split-brain patients in the 1960s and 1970s, neuroscientists observed a phenomenon they called “confabulation” or the “interpreter effect.” In these experiments, patients who had undergone corpus callosotomy (a procedure severing the corpus callosum to treat severe epilepsy) exhibited interesting behaviors when different stimuli were presented to each hemisphere of their brain. Since the corpus callosum connects the brain’s two hemispheres, severing it prevents the hemispheres from communicating directly.
In one of the experiments, different information would be presented to each hemisphere of the brain. For example, the non-speaking right hemisphere of the brain would receive the word “bell,” while the left hemisphere (responsible for speech in most people) was shown the word “music.” Then, the patient was asked to point to an image representing which picture best represented what they saw. All four pictures would be music-related, yet the person would pick the bell. Then, when asked why they picked the bell, they would rationalize their actions with a logical explanation that had nothing to do with the actual stimulus. This was because the left hemisphere, which generates explanations and rationalizations, was unaware of the information presented to the right hemisphere.
This led to the understanding that the brain’s left hemisphere acts as an “interpreter,” constantly creating explanations for our behaviors and feelings, even in the absence of complete information. In another experiment, when emotional responses were artificially induced through electrical stimulation of specific brain areas during surgery, patients would sometimes attribute these feelings to something in their environment or their thoughts rather than the stimulation itself. So, for instance, they may start laughing, and then when asked why, they would say something like the clock looks funny. Or they may start crying, and when asked why, they would say that they just recalled a sad event in their life. This demonstrates how the brain seeks to maintain a coherent narrative of our experiences and actions, even when external interventions are the actual cause of our sensations or emotions.
In the case of immorality, a person who self-justifies not only fools themselves to their actual motives but compounds this with the gradual erosion of moral clarity, and eventually, the person will not only fail to discern right from wrong but will convince themselves that their evil behavior is righteous. When someone has done this, they have crossed the moral event horizon and will be unable to return because they will no longer be able to distinguish right from wrong.
[35:8] Note the one whose evil work is adorned in his eyes, until he thinks that it is righteous. GOD thus sends astray whoever wills (to go astray), and He guides whoever wills (to be guided). Therefore, do not grieve over them. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
أَفَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُۥ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِۦ فَرَءَاهُ حَسَنًا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرَٰتٍ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
Satan vs. Adam
The first entity that we see to have crossed the moral event horizon was Satan. When God created Adam, he commanded all the angels to fall prostrate, yet Iblees (Satan) did not fulfill the commandment of God.
[7:11] We created you, then we shaped you, then we said to the angels, “Fall prostrate before Adam.” They fell prostrate, except Iblees (Satan); he was not with the prostrators.
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَـٰكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ
When God questions Iblees (Satan) regarding his decision, Satan doesn’t ask for forgiveness, nor does he repent or reform. Instead, he doubles down on his decision and asks for a respite till the Day of Judgement so he can attempt to prove his point. And it is because of that reason Satan is beyond redemption and destined for Hell
[7:12] He said, “What prevented you from prostrating when I ordered you?” He said, “I am better than he; You created me from fire, and created him from mud.”
[7:13] He said, “Therefore, you must go down, for you are not to be arrogant here. Get out; you are debased.”
[7:14] He said, “Grant me a respite, until the Day of Resurrection.” [7:15] He said, “You are granted a respite.”
[7:16] He said, “Since You have willed that I go astray, I will skulk for them on Your straight path.
[7:17] “I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find that most of them are unappreciative.”
[7:18] He said, “Get out therefrom, despised and defeated. Those among them who follow you, I will fill Hell with you all.
قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍ
قَالَ فَٱهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَٱخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰغِرِينَ
قَالَ أَنظِرْنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنظَرِينَ
قَالَ فَبِمَآ أَغْوَيْتَنِى لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَٰطَكَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
ثُمَّ لَـَٔاتِيَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ وَعَن شَمَآئِلِهِمْ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَـٰكِرِينَ
قَالَ ٱخْرُجْ مِنْهَا مَذْءُومًا مَّدْحُورًا لَّمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Contrast this with the response we see from Adam. Even thought both Satan and Adam disobeyed God, the difference was that when Adam was called out for his wrongdoings he did not turn arrogant, but instead repented to God, and God redeemed him.
[7:19] “As for you, Adam, dwell with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom as you please, but do not approach this one tree, lest you fall in sin.”
[7:20] The devil whispered to them, in order to reveal their bodies, which were invisible to them. He said, “Your Lord did not forbid you from this tree, except to prevent you from becoming angels, and from attaining eternal existence.”
[7:21] He swore to them, “I am giving you good advice.”
[7:22] He thus duped them with lies. As soon as they tasted the tree, their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Their Lord called upon them: “Did I not enjoin you from that tree, and warn you that the devil is your most ardent enemy?”
[7:23] They said, “Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers.”
وَيَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لِيُبْدِىَ لَهُمَا مَا وُۥرِىَ عَنْهُمَا مِن سَوْءَٰتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَىٰكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰلِدِينَ
وَقَاسَمَهُمَآ إِنِّى لَكُمَا لَمِنَ ٱلنَّـٰصِحِينَ
فَدَلَّىٰهُمَا بِغُرُورٍ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا ٱلشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْءَٰتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَنَادَىٰهُمَا رَبُّهُمَآ أَلَمْ أَنْهَكُمَا عَن تِلْكُمَا ٱلشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَآ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
So the reason one had their fate sealed for Hell, while the other was given another chance to redeem themselves was due to their response, and as we will see their response was determined by their past works.
The Difference
The above scenario was a test for both Satan and Adam. Both of them had some level of moral decay, so God created the situation by which each of their innermost thoughts would be brought to light so they could see for themselves their moral deficiency. Just like a person cannot fix what they don’t know is broken, one cannot repent for what they don’t think is unrighteous.
The difference between Satan and Adam is that Satan refused to recognize his arrogance. Instead, when his arrogance was pointed out to him by God, he begged God to exile him from His Kingdom as long as he was allowed to attempt to prove his point to show that the human being was unappreciative. This forever sealed his fate. He will never seek God’s forgiveness since he doesn’t recognize his moral failure. Therefore, he will never repent and reform since he will never seek God’s forgiveness.
Protection from Falling in Sin
Satan’s objective in this world is to get the human being to disbelieve and turn unappreciative of God, yet his power is limited to only those who stray from God’s path and become susceptible to his influences.
[15:39] He (Satan) said, “My Lord, since You have willed that I go astray, I will surely entice them on earth; I will send them all astray.
[15:40] “Except those among Your worshipers who are devoted absolutely to You alone.”
[15:41] He (God) said, “This is a law that is inviolable.
[15:42] “You have no power over My servants. You only have power over the strayers who follow you.
قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغْوَيْتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
قَالَ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسْتَقِيمٌ
إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَـٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلْغَاوِينَ
[14:22] And the devil will say, after the judgment had been issued, “GOD has promised you the truthful promise, and I promised you, but I broke my promise. I had no power over you; I simply invited you, and you accepted my invitation. Therefore, do not blame me, and blame only yourselves. My complaining cannot help you, nor can your complaining help me. I have disbelieved in your idolizing me. The transgressors have incurred a painful retribution.”
وَقَالَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لَمَّا قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ وَعْدَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَوَعَدتُّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ وَمَا كَانَ لِىَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَـٰنٍ إِلَّآ أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَٱسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِى فَلَا تَلُومُونِى وَلُومُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُم مَّآ أَنَا۠ بِمُصْرِخِكُمْ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُصْرِخِىَّ إِنِّى كَفَرْتُ بِمَآ أَشْرَكْتُمُونِ مِن قَبْلُ إِنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
This is why God informed us that the best thing one can do to recieve God’s protection from sin is to maintain righteousness.
[7:24] He said, “Go down as enemies of one another. On earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile.”
[7:25] He said, “On it you will live, on it you will die, and from it you will be brought out.”
[7:26] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD’s signs, that they may take heed.
[7:27] O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you as he did when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise, and the removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and his tribe see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils as companions of those who do not believe.
قَالَ ٱهْبِطُوا۟ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَـٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
قَالَ فِيهَا تَحْيَوْنَ وَفِيهَا تَمُوتُونَ وَمِنْهَا تُخْرَجُونَ
يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَٰتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ كَمَآ أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْءَٰتِهِمَآ إِنَّهُۥ يَرَىٰكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُۥ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Disbelif Consequence of Sin
When anyone falls into disbelief, the Quran informs us that this is reflective of some evil sins they have done in the past.
[3:155] Surely, those among you who turned back the day the two armies clashed have been duped by the devil. This reflects some of the (evil) works they had committed. GOD has pardoned them. GOD is Forgiver, Clement.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا۟ مِنكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ إِنَّمَا ٱسْتَزَلَّهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ بِبَعْضِ مَا كَسَبُوا۟ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
| 8 | innamā | إِنَّمَا | only |
| 9 | is’tazallahumu | ٱسْتَزَلَّهُمُ | [he] sought to make them slip (*dupe them) |
| 10 | l-shayṭānu | ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ | the devil |
| 11 | bibaʿḍi | بِبَعْضِ | for some |
| 12 | mā | مَا | (of) what |
| 13 | kasabū | كَسَبُوا۟ | they earned. |
This indicates that sin precedes disbelief. So, since Satan disbelieved while Adam repented, this indicates that there must have been something preceding these decisions by these two entities that caused the respective responses to the test. Yet, while both had this deficiency that made them vulnerable to disobeying God and thus falling into sin, we see that it was Satan who schemed against Adam, but who then schemed against Satan?
But if Satan duped Adam, then who duped Satan?
The Quran informs us that one of the idols that people put up for themselves is the ego. This manifests itself in the form of personal opinions that run counter to the commands of God.
[45:23] Have you noted the one whose god is his ego? Consequently, GOD sends him astray, despite his knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a veil on his eyes. Who then can guide him, after such a decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?
أَفَرَءَيْتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ وَأَضَلَّهُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ سَمْعِهِۦ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ عَلَىٰ بَصَرِهِۦ غِشَـٰوَةً فَمَن يَهْدِيهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱللَّهِ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
[25:43] Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?
أَرَءَيْتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ وَكِيلًا
In the following response from the governor’s wife, who made the false accusations against Joseph, when she confessed her wrongdoings, she made the following statement.
[12:53] “I do not claim innocence for myself. The self is an advocate of vice, except for those who have attained mercy from my Lord. My Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful.”
وَمَآ أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِىٓ إِنَّ ٱلنَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌۢ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّىٓ إِنَّ رَبِّى غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
When Satan was called out for his crime, he advocated for himself and his own opinion over the commandment of God. Therefore, Satan duped himself. There also appears to be a pattern in the Quran where it gives the name Iblees ( إِبْلِيسَ ) to Satan before he defied God’s commandment to fall prostrate before Adam, and after his exposure, he is referred to almost exclusively as Satan ( l-Shaitan / ٱلشَّيْطَـٰن ). This may indicate that Satan came into manifestation when Iblees chose his own ego as his god. If this is the case, then what did Satan do beforehand that caused him to fall into disbelief?
Iblees’ Shortcoming
The book of Isaiah provides us some details of the evil that Iblees had hidden inside his chest that God wanted to expose. The following passage from Isaiah 14 is understood to be about the supercilious thoughts that Satan had before his fall.
12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.[b]
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
Adam’s Shortcoming
Despite Adam being created in the best design, his design had a self-imposed flaw. In the following verse, there is a linguistic subtly that isn’t fully encompassed in the English translation.
[4:28] GOD wishes to lighten your burden, for the human being is created weak.
يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُخَفِّفَ عَنكُمْ وَخُلِقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ضَعِيفًا
| 1 | yurīdu | يُرِيدُ | [He] wishes |
| 2 | l-lahu | ٱللَّهُ | God |
| 3 | an | أَن | that |
| 4 | yukhaffifa | يُخَفِّفَ | He lighten |
| 5 | ʿankum | عَنكُمْ | for you [all]; |
| 6 | wakhuliqa | وَخُلِقَ | and [he] was created |
| 7 | l-insānu | ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ | the human being |
| 8 | ḍaʿīfan | ضَعِيفًا | weak. |
When we read this verse in English, it is unclear who created the weakness for the human being. If we say it is God, then this conflicts with other verses where God said that God created the human perfect.
[64:3] He created the heavens and the earth for a specific purpose, designed you and perfected your design, then to Him is the final destiny.
خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
[82:7] The One who created you, designed you, and perfected you.
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكَ فَسَوَّىٰكَ فَعَدَلَكَ
The answer to this conundrum can be understood through the following verse.
[4:79] Anything good that happens to you is from GOD, and anything bad that happens to you is from you. We have sent you as a messenger to the people, and GOD suffices as witness.
مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
God created the human being perfect, yet there is something we did to ourselves that caused this deficiency that made us vulnerable to Satan’s persuasions. Therefore, God creates the situations for this self-imposed imperfection to come out so it can be fixed.
[95:4] We created man in the best design.
[95:5] Then turned him into the lowliest of the lowly.
[95:6] Except those who believe and lead a righteous life; they receive a reward that is well deserved.
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَـٰهُ أَسْفَلَ سَـٰفِلِينَ
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ
So when it states that “we turned him (the human being) to the lowliest of the lowly, I understand this to mean that God creates situations where our moral deficiency is exposed so we can redeem ourselves, much like what happened to Adam in Paradise with the tree.
The Test
In this world, every soul will have to be tested in order to confirm their true convictions.
[29:2] Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test?
أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
[29:3] We have tested those before them, for GOD must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars.
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
God creates the conditions for each person to have their true convictions come to light so they can see for themselves why they end up where they do in the Hereafter.
[29:10] Among the people there are those who say, “We believe in GOD,” but as soon as they suffer any hardship because of GOD, they equate the people’s persecution with GOD’s retribution. But if blessings from your Lord come your way, they say, “We were with you.” Is GOD not fully aware of the people’s innermost thoughts?
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
[47:31] We will certainly put you to the test, in order to distinguish those among you who strive, and steadfastly persevere. We must expose your true qualities.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ ٱلْمُجَـٰهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَا۟ أَخْبَارَكُمْ
[3:154] After the setback, He sent down upon you peaceful slumber that pacified some of you. Others among you were selfishly concerned about themselves. They harbored thoughts about GOD that were not right— the same thoughts they had harbored during the days of ignorance. Thus, they said, “Is anything up to us?” Say, “Everything is up to GOD.” They concealed inside themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, “If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle.” Say, “Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled into their death beds.” GOD thus puts you to the test to bring out your true convictions, and to test what is in your hearts. GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
ثُمَّ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلْغَمِّ أَمَنَةً نُّعَاسًا يَغْشَىٰ طَآئِفَةً مِّنكُمْ وَطَآئِفَةٌ قَدْ أَهَمَّتْهُمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ يَظُنُّونَ بِٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ ظَنَّ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ يَقُولُونَ هَل لَّنَا مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ مِن شَىْءٍ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْأَمْرَ كُلَّهُۥ لِلَّهِ يُخْفُونَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِم مَّا لَا يُبْدُونَ لَكَ يَقُولُونَ لَوْ كَانَ لَنَا مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ مَّا قُتِلْنَا هَـٰهُنَا قُل لَّوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُيُوتِكُمْ لَبَرَزَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَتْلُ إِلَىٰ مَضَاجِعِهِمْ وَلِيَبْتَلِىَ ٱللَّهُ مَا فِى صُدُورِكُمْ وَلِيُمَحِّصَ مَا فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
The Function of the test
The function of the test is two fold. The first is to prove our devotion to God alone under all circumstances.
[2:155] We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
[3:186] You will certainly be tested, through your money and your lives, and you will hear from those who received the scripture, and from the idol worshipers, a lot of insult. If you steadfastly persevere and lead a righteous life, this will prove the strength of your faith.
لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ أَذًى كَثِيرًا وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
[2:214] Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were tested with hardship and adversity, and were shaken up, until the messenger and those who believed with him said, “Where is GOD’s victory?” GOD’s victory is near.
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
The second kind of tests are brought upon because of our sins and transgressions and is meant to fix our dificencies and to purify and redeem our souls.
[42:30] Anything bad that happens to you is a consequence of your own deeds, and He overlooks many (of your sins).
وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَن كَثِيرٍ
Sin out of ignorance
An exception to this is if we fall in sin out of ignorance. In such a case God may overlook our transgression.
[4:17] Repentance is acceptable by GOD from those who fall in sin out of ignorance, then repent immediately thereafter. GOD redeems them. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
إِنَّمَا ٱلتَّوْبَةُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُونَ مِن قَرِيبٍ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
[16:119] Yet, as regards those who fall in sin out of ignorance then repent thereafter and reform, your Lord, after this is done, is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Sin intentionally
On the otherhand if someone knows what they are doing is sinful, yet they persist God informs us that their must be a payment for these kinds of transgressions.
[25:68] They never implore beside GOD any other god, nor do they kill any soul—for GOD has made life sacred—except in the course of justice. Nor do they commit adultery. Those who commit these offenses will have to pay.
وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا
Pay via righteous deeds
Another form of restitution for sin is through righteous works that can wipe out previous sins.
[11:114] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) at both ends of the day, and during the night. The righteous works wipe out the evil works. This is a reminder for those who would take heed.
وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَىِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ إِنَّ ٱلْحَسَنَـٰتِ يُذْهِبْنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ
Pay via hardship
But if we do not atone for our sins, then God may have us go through trials and tribulations in order to return to the right path and turn appreciative.
[16:112] GOD cites the example of a community that used to be secure and prosperous, with provisions coming to it from everywhere. But then, it turned unappreciative of GOD’s blessings. Consequently, GOD caused them to taste the hardships of starvation and insecurity. Such is the requital for what they did.
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ
Hardship For The Good of the People
Therefore, God imposes hardship for the good of the people so they can turn back to belief and appreciation and avoid the eternity of Hell and instead enjoy the eternity of Paradise.
[4:147] What will GOD gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.
مَّا يَفْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَءَامَنتُمْ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًا
We are required to change
The Quran informs us that while God is Omnipotent, His law is that He will not change any people’s condition until they decide to change. Therefore, the events one experiences in one’s life are instituted by God to get people to change.
[13:11] Shifts (of angels) take turns, staying with each one of you—they are in front of you and behind you. They stay with you, and guard you in accordance with GOD’s commands. Thus, GOD does not change the condition of any people unless they themselves make the decision to change. If GOD wills any hardship for any people, no force can stop it. For they have none beside Him as Lord and Master.
لَهُۥ مُعَقِّبَـٰتٌ مِّنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ يَحْفَظُونَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَإِذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوٓءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَالٍ
Believers are put through ordeals to have them increase their faith and remove their deficiencies. We see this in the example of Moses, such that when he was first asked to go to Pharoah, he was unsure of himself.
[26:10] Recall that your Lord called Moses: “Go to the transgressing people.
[26:11] “Pharaoh’s people; perhaps they reform.”
[26:12] He said, “My Lord, I fear lest they disbelieve me.
[26:13] “I may lose my temper. My tongue gets tied; send for my brother Aaron.
[26:14] “Also, they consider me a fugitive; I fear lest they kill me.”
[26:15] He said, “No, (they will not). Go with My proofs. We will be with you, listening.
Then, by the time the ordeal was about over and it appeared that Pharoah and his troops were about to get them, his response was the following.
[26:60] They pursued them towards the east.
[26:61] When both parties saw each other, Moses’ people said, “We will be caught.”
[26:62] He said, “No way. My Lord is with me; He will guide me.”
[26:63] We then inspired Moses: “Strike the sea with your staff,” whereupon it parted. Each part was like a great hill.
[26:64] We then delivered them all.
[26:65] We thus saved Moses and all those who were with him.
[26:66] And we drowned the others.
[26:67] This should be a sufficient proof, but most people are not believers.
[26:68] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
On the other hand, people of iniquity are shaken up through ordeals to encourage them to leave their straying and return to guidance.
[7:94] Whenever we sent a prophet to any community, we afflicted its people with adversity and hardship, that they may implore.
[7:95] Then we substituted peace and prosperity in place of that hardship. But alas, they turned heedless and said, “It was our parents who experienced that hardship before prosperity.” Consequently, we punished them suddenly when they least expected.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِى قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّآ أَخَذْنَآ أَهْلَهَا بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَضَّرَّعُونَ
ثُمَّ بَدَّلْنَا مَكَانَ ٱلسَّيِّئَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةَ حَتَّىٰ عَفَوا۟ وَّقَالُوا۟ قَدْ مَسَّ ءَابَآءَنَا ٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَٱلسَّرَّآءُ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
What happens if they don’t implore?
Yet, what happens that despite the hardship being imposed, one never chooses to return to God and never implores Him for forgiveness?
[6:42] We have sent (messengers) to communities before you, and we put them to the test through adversity and hardship, that they may implore.
[6:43] If only they implored when our test afflicted them! Instead, their hearts were hardened, and the devil adorned their works in their eyes.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَـٰهُم بِٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
فَلَوْلَآ إِذْ جَآءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا۟ وَلَـٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
We are given the following example in the Quran of a metaphor of one who is lost at sea.
[17:67] If you are afflicted in the middle of the sea, you abandon your idols and sincerely implore Him alone. But as soon as He saves you to the shore, you revert. Indeed, the human being is unappreciative.
وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ كَفُورًا
[31:32] When violent waves surround them, they implore GOD, sincerely devoting their prayers to Him alone. But as soon as He saves them to the shore, some of them revert. None discards our revelations except those who are betrayers, unappreciative.
وَإِذَا غَشِيَهُم مَّوْجٌ كَٱلظُّلَلِ دَعَوُا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ فَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ إِلَّا كُلُّ خَتَّارٍ كَفُورٍ
Being lost at sea is like being lost in our moral decision-making. Interestingly, the word for “the shore” is “al-bar” ( ٱلْبَرِّ ). This is the same root as the word for “righteousness,” which is “al-bir” ( ٱلْبِرِّ ). Also, the word for unappreciative is “kafūran” ( كَفُورٍ ), and this is the same word as for disbelief. So it is almost like someone goes astray, so God guides them back to righteousness, yet they revert to disbelief.
In another example from Abraham, we see that it is at these crucial junctures that a person who is astray can momentarily see the truth and has to make a critical decision that will determine their eternal destiny.
[21:58] He broke them into pieces, except for a big one, that they may refer to it.
[21:59] They said, “Whoever did this to our gods is really a transgressor.”
[21:60] They said, “We heard a youth threaten them; he is called Abraham.”
[21:61] They said, “Bring him before the eyes of all the people, that they may bear witness.”
[21:62] They said, “Did you do this to our gods, O Abraham?” Abraham Proves His Point
[21:63] He said, “It is that big one who did it. Go ask them, if they can speak.”
[21:64] They were taken aback, and said to themselves, “Indeed, you are the ones who have been transgressing.”
[21:65] Yet, they reverted to their old ideas: “You know full well that these cannot speak.”
[21:66] He said, “Do you then worship besides GOD what possesses no power to benefit you or harm you?
[21:67] “You have incurred shame by worshiping idols beside GOD. Do you not understand?”
So, despite experiencing the moment of clarity and recognizing the truth, the people of Abraham doubled down in their disbelief and continued with their straying.
This is why, at a certain point, there is no redemption for certain people. They have gone so astray that even when they are given a lifeline of forgiveness, they choose never to take it.
[3:90] Those who disbelieve after believing, then plunge deeper into disbelief, their repentance will not be accepted from them; they are the real strayers.
[3:91] Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, an earthful of gold will not be accepted from any of them, even if such a ransom were possible. They have incurred painful retribution; they will have no helpers.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ ثُمَّ ٱزْدَادُوا۟ كُفْرًا لَّن تُقْبَلَ تَوْبَتُهُمْ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلضَّآلُّونَ
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِم مِّلْءُ ٱلْأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا وَلَوِ ٱفْتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
[4:137] Surely, those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe, then disbelieve, then plunge deeper into disbelief, GOD will not forgive them, nor will He guide them in any way.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا۟ ثُمَّ ءَامَنُوا۟ ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا۟ ثُمَّ ٱزْدَادُوا۟ كُفْرًا لَّمْ يَكُنِ ٱللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ سَبِيلًۢا
This is because they are presented with the two paths and choose to go to the path of straying, and thus ally themselves with the devil.
[4:138] Inform the hypocrites that they have incurred painful retribution.
[4:139] They are the ones who ally themselves with disbelievers instead of believers. Are they seeking dignity with them? All dignity belongs with GOD alone.
بَشِّرِ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَيَبْتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ ٱلْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا
How Do We Know If We Reached The Moral Event Horizon
If anyone reaches the moral event horizon, they will not be able to be redeemed, but how would anyone know they have reached it and thus are irredeemable? In the following verse, the Quran provides a clue to this in another allegory of being astray in the form of being lost at sea.
[24:40] Another allegory is that of being in total darkness in the midst of a violent ocean, with waves upon waves, in addition to thick fog. Darkness upon darkness—if he looked at his own hand, he could barely see it. Whomever GOD deprives of light, will have no light.
أَوْ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍ فِى بَحْرٍ لُّجِّىٍّ يَغْشَىٰهُ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ سَحَابٌ ظُلُمَـٰتٌۢ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَآ أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُۥ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَىٰهَا وَمَن لَّمْ يَجْعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ نُورًا فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن نُّورٍ
It is interesting that despite the total darkness, in the middle of a violent ocean, with waves upon waves, in addition to thick fog, and darkness upon darkness, it does not say that the person can not see their hand, but instead says they can “barely” see it. This shows that as long as someone has the least bit of light to see the truth, then God can guide their heart and redeem them.
The Quran informs us that God’s forgiveness is infinite and that there is no sin that He cannot forgive.
[39:53] Proclaim: “O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD’s mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.”
قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Yet, for someone who refuses to see the light and return to the right path, there is no redemption, not because God can’t redeem them, but because they will never seek God’s redemption. This is because their hearts have become too hardened, and their arrogance has grown so much that they will never be able to see the errors of their way, and they will be destined for Hell for all of eternity.
[7:146] I will divert from My revelations those who are arrogant on earth, without justification. Consequently, when they see every kind of proof they will not believe. And when they see the path of guidance they will not adopt it as their path, but when they see the path of straying they will adopt it as their path. This is the consequence of their rejecting our proofs, and being totally heedless thereof.
سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ كُلَّ ءَايَةٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَا وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ سَبِيلَ ٱلرُّشْدِ لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ سَبِيلَ ٱلْغَىِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَكَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا غَـٰفِلِينَ
If there is Light, There is Hope For Redemption
One of the devil’s tactics is to convince individuals who have gone astray that there is no hope for them and that they have veered too far off the path and are thus irredeemable because of the sins they have committed. Yet, this is only true if the person no longer believes their actions were sinful. Therefore, no matter how far someone believes they have strayed due to their past transgressions, as long as they genuinely recognize the errors of their ways and sincerely repent and reform before death overcomes them, then God will not only redeem them, but He will even transform their sins into credits.
[25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.
[25:64] In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.
[25:65] And they say, “Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous.
[25:66] “It is the worst abode; the worst destiny.”
[25:67] When they give, they are neither extravagant, nor stingy; they give in moderation. [25:68] They never implore beside GOD any other god, nor do they kill any soul—for GOD has made life sacred—except in the course of justice. Nor do they commit adultery. Those who commit these offenses will have to pay.
[25:69] Retribution is doubled for them on the Day of Resurrection, and they abide therein humiliated.
[25:70] Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[25:71] Those who repent and lead a righteous life, GOD redeems them; a complete redemption.
[25:72] They do not bear false witness. When they encounter vain talk, they ignore it.
[25:73] When reminded of their Lord’s revelations, they never react to them as if they were deaf and blind.
[25:74] And they say, “Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous.”
[25:75] These are the ones who attain Paradise in return for their steadfastness; they are received therein with joyous greetings and peace.
[25:76] Eternally they abide therein; what a beautiful destiny; what a beautiful abode.
[25:77] Say, “You attain value at my Lord only through your worship. But if you disbelieve, you incur the inevitable consequences.“
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