Lessons from Surah Al-A'raf

I read this special chapter after Maghrib and felt something so powerful behind these ayah.

11. And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels, "Prostrate to Adam", and they prostrated, except Iblis (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrate.
12. (Allah) said: "What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?" Iblis said: "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay."

A beautiful reminder for me. "I am better than him". The very reason why Iblis disobeyed Allah for the first time. I still need to fix this.

13. (Allah) said: "(O Iblis) get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of those humiliated and disgraced."

Arrogant. The sense of "I am better than ....". Arrogance is definitely an act of syaitan. So, do not follow him.

14. (Iblis) said: "Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)."
15. (Allah) said: "You are of those allowed respite."
16. (Iblis) said: "Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path.
17. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You)."

O Iblis, you are really smart. Always find ways to distract us.

18. (Allah) said (to Iblis) "Get out from this (Paradise) disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all."

Janji Allah. If you follow syaitan, you'll go to An-nar. No exception. Well, not if you have repented.

19. "And O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree otherwise you both will be of the Zalimun (unjust and wrong-doers)."
20. Then Shaitan (Satan) whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts (before); he said: "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals."
21. And he [Shaitan (Satan)] swore by Allah to them both (saying): "Verily, I am one of the sincere well-wishers for you both."
22. So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them (saying): "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaitan (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?"

Similar to our life actually. 99% in this life are halal, only 1% is haram. All we have to do: do good deeds and avoid bad deeds, but most of the time, we want to pursue the dark path. Another thing is that Allah has already said, Satan is an OPEN enemy=musuh yang nyata, but we always forget that. Since satan is very smart, they tend to fool us by making us think that a sin is not really sin. E.g., we still wear tudung but we wear tight jeans. (Oh!) We practice things that are shubhah. O Allah, please protect me, my family and friends from Satan.

23. They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers."
24. (Allah) said: "Get down, one of you an enemy to the other [i.e. Adam, Hawwa (Eve), and Shaitan (Satan), etc.]. On earth will be a dwelling-place for you and an enjoyment, - for a time."

Allah Maha Pengampun. Always gives us another chance to improve ourselves. Thank you Allah.

25. He said: "Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e.resurrected)."
26. O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc.) and as an adornment, and the raiment of righteousness, that is better. Such are among the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, that they may remember (i.e. leave falsehood and follow truth ).

Taqwa adalah sebaik2 pakaian, not fake make-ups, nor excessive jewelries that fool humans. Ranks, positions, wealth. None of them actually. God will only look at our heart, only.

27. O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitan (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinns or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayatin (devils) Auliya' (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not.
28. And when they commit a Fahisha (evil deed, going round the Ka'bah in naked state, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.), they say: "We found our fathers doing it, and Allah has commanded us of it." Say: "Nay, Allah never commands of Fahisha. Do you say of Allah what you know not?

Don't do something just because everyone else does it.

Reading this made me realize, Husna, you have a long way to go, like seriously. Oh Allah, give us the chance, guidance and strength to become a better khalifah. Without You, I am nothing.