This audio is brought to you by MuslimCentral.com

My brothers and sisters, what is very important for us to know is when we develop a relationship with Allah, when we are conscious of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, Allah will grant us the ability to distinguish between right and wrong.

Through that ability we will achieve contentment. Imagine if you are able to know what's good for you and what's bad for you.

Imagine if you are able to know what's right and what's wrong. Imagine if you are able to distinguish between that which is profitable and that which is not profitable.

Imagine how happy you will be. Well if you'd like that Allah says to you and to everyone else. If you develop your relationship with Allah, your conscious of Allah, you fear the punishment of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, then you will definitely achieve something known as Al-Furqan, the criterion, the ability to distinguish and differentiate.

So here goes. These are verses of Suratul Anfal verse number 29. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says.

Ya ayuha alla dheena aamanu in tattakullaha ya jallaikum furqanawu wa yukafir alaikum saye atikum wa ya fi'lalikum.

Amazing verse of the Quran. O you who believe if you are to be conscious of Allah, I've said if you develop your relationship with Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, because that's a holistic meaning of the term takhwa,

he will give you the ability to distinguish between right and wrong and on top of that he will forgive your sins. He will forgive your sins SubhanAllah.

He will expiate, compensate them with something good because you've changed your life, you've developed your relationship with Allah.

Brothers and sisters, in a month of fasting, the month of Ramadan, we are asked by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala to fast in order to develop that relationship with Allah.

Fasting brings about compassion, brings about a closeness to Allah, a softness, it disciplines us, strive to develop your relationship with Allah.

Strive when it comes to your prayer, when it comes to your charity, the giving, when it comes to your character and conduct, and Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala will definitely open your doors.

May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala grant us that beautiful relationship with Him.

Then Allah tells us, you know, the importance of seeking forgiveness of Allah is such that even if the punishment were to be coming in your direction, it will be diverted because of you seeking the forgiveness of Allah.

This is why it's very important to keep seeking the forgiveness of Allah on a daily basis.

People wonder, I'm going through problems, is it a punishment or is it actually a test from Allah?

Well, if you are seeking the forgiveness of Allah at all times every day, it can never be the punishment of Allah.

Do you know why? Because Allah says in Suratul An-Fan verse number 33,

Wa Makan Allahumwa Al-Libahumwa Humayas Tawfiirun

A promise of Allah, he will not be punishing those who are seeking forgiveness from Him.

While seeking forgiveness, it's impossible that what's come to you in terms of negativity is a punishment from Allah.

...