Questioning the Divine

I was just reading the translations of Surah 73 Al Muzzammil (The Enshrouded One) and Surah 74 Muddhaththir (The One Wrapped Up) from The Holy Quran. Some things that I found really interesting include:

And whatever good ye send forth for your souls ye shall find it in Allah's Presence- Yea, better and greater, in Reward and seek ye the Grace of Allah: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (73:20).

Any good that we do raises our own spiritual state and dignity. We must not think that when we speak of God’s service or His Cause, we are doing anything for His benefit: He is independent of all our needs whatsoever. However, whatever good we do, our own merits are comparatively small. God’s grace (divine assistance or favor) must lift us and blot our shortcomings. Even in piety there may be arrogance which is undesirable. We should always seek God’s mercy under all circumstances.

Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself) (74:6)

Usually, you give in order to receive. And usually you expect to receive what is worth to you a little more than you give. The spiritual consideration is that you give, but expect nothing from the receiver.

And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers,- in order that the People of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the Believers may increase in Faith,- and that no doubts may be left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the Unbelievers may say, "What symbol doth Allah intend by this?" Thus doth Allah leave to stray whom He pleaseth, and guide whom He pleaseth: and none can know the forces of thy Lord, except He and this is no other than a warning to mankind (74:31).

There are four classes of people mentioned here: 1) the Muslims will have their faith increased because they truly believe in God’s revelation 2) The People of the Book, those who received earlier revelations, and find a broad understanding of the scripture despite the controversies 3) those in whose hearts is a disease, the insincere ones, the hypocrites will only be mystified since they are not true to their beliefs. The insincere man who thinks he can get the best of both worlds by compromising with good and evil only increases the disease of his heart, because he is not true to himself. Even the good that comes to him can pervert to evil 4) the Unbelievers who don’t believe anything.

However, all things are referred to God. But we must not attribute evil to Him. After all, whatever good happens to us is from God, but our unfavorable actions emanate from our own soul. I’m not sure what instigates the soul to go against the will of God. Perhaps, I will know once I go deeper into the book.

Nay, this surely is an admonition: Let any who will, keep it in remembrance! But none will keep it in remembrance except as Allah wills: He is the Lord of Righteousness, and the Lord of Forgiveness. (74: 54-56)

Again, I am baffled by the mystery behind these verses. First, it refers to man’s will to take as warning the signs and learn and remember the message of God. But then, it points towards God’s will being greater than man’s will because “none will keep it in remembrance except as Allah wills”.

So, does that mean that one, even if he seeks and desires, cannot follow the right path without the assistance of God? Why would one need the will of God to do the right thing? Or why can’t just God grant everyone remembrance if His will is greater than man’s will? And, who are the people who God grants the gift of remembrance?

I guess I’m asking a lot of questions. And, I’ll try to find the answers.