Quran, A Book of Reminding and Advice
The word Dhikr (reminding) is used in several verses to describe the Quran, including in Verse 17 of Surah Al-Qamar: “We have made the Quran easy to remember, is there any that will remember!”
Reminding and giving advice are things that the Quran highlights given their benefits for believers.
Reflecting on this verse reveals many points, including the following:
Emphasis on the issue of Dhikr. In the Quran, Dhikr has a special place, as it awakens and enlivens hearts and draws attention to the truths. There are people who are ready to accept the truths and when they are given advice and face Dhikr, they easily find the truth and walk on its path.
There are of course some who are happy with transient joys and when see their interests in danger, they take a stand against the truth. When facing Dhikr, some of these people gradually turn to the path of the truth while there are still some who insist on continuing their previous path.
What methods does the Quran use for Dhikr? One of the methods is reminding people of death. Death is a certain thing that will happen to all beings. The Quran frequently talks about death and its different aspects in order to awaken people and remind them of the ephemerality of the worldly life.
“Every soul shall taste death. You shall be paid your wages in full on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is removed from Hell and is admitted to Paradise shall prosper, for the worldly life is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion.” (Verse 185 of Surah Al Imran)
One of the outcomes of remembering death is that one realizes he will leave this world one day and will have to be accountable for his actions in every second of this life. This will cause him to be more careful in what he does and avoid doing thing that would make him regret his actions in the hereafter.
