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I was watching in the last Winter Olympics the Ice Dancing competition. Two phrases used by the commentators during the competition caught my attention. One phrase—“the elite of the elite”—was used about the athletes being judged more exactingly because they were Olympians. The other phrase—“they need to fine-tune their program”—was used about a pair that had been dancing together only a short while, though both were experienced skaters. They were said to have done well with the major aspects of their routine, but needed to fine-tune such details as synchronization and relating better to each other during the dance.
I knew I had seen “elite of the elite” in the Quran (56:10) relating to the high heaven. I knew “fine-tuning” wasn’t in the Quran, but I couldn’t get over the feeling that it also referred to the Quran in some way. One morning when I was reading Quran at dawn, I came upon these verses: [41:34] Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend. [41:35] None can attain this except those who steadfastly persevere. None can attain this except those who are extremely fortunate.
The phrase “fine-tuning” immediately came to mind. It seemed that God was letting us know that only those who can control their egos to this extent can achieve the state of being “extremely fortunate.” I recalled the use of the word fortunate in 11:108: As for the fortunate ones, they will be in Paradise. Eternally they abide therein, for as long as the heavens and the earth endure, in accordance with the will of your Lord―an everlasting reward. God says here that the fortunate ones will be in Paradise.
We are familiar with the Five Pillars of Islam. It’s an expression used to describe the major rites of our religion: 1) the worship of God alone (La Elaaha EllaaAllah), 2) observing the five daily contact prayers (Salat), 3) the obligatory charity (Zakat), 4) fasting during the month of Ramadan, and 5) the Hajj pilgrimage. These rites are the mainstay of the religion, and as stated in Appendix 15:
When Abraham implored God in 14:40, he did not ask for wealth or health; the gift he implored for was: “Please God, make me one who observes the contact prayers (Salat).” The religious duties instituted by God are in fact a great gift from Him. They constitute the nourishment required for the growth and development of our souls. Without such nourishment, we cannot survive the immense energy associated with God’s physical presence on the Day of Judgment. Belief in God does not by itself guarantee our redemption; we must also nourish our souls (6:158, 10:90-92). Additionally, 15:99 states that observing the religious duties instituted by God is our means of attaining certainty: “Worship your Lord in order to attain certainty.”
Seemingly, if we all performed the required practices equally, we would attain the same rank in heaven. But there is a great difference between the Low and High Heaven, namely the closeness to God, as noted in 56:10-11: Then there is the elite of the elite. They are those who will be closest (to God).
Once again, my thought processes led me back to “fine-tuning.” The dictionary definition of “fine-tune” is “to make minor adjustments so as to produce stability or improvement.” The tweaking of the ego seemed to be indicated. My question to myself is how can I tweak my ego to make myself worthy of the High Heaven? Let me say that I do not mean to be presumptuous. I pray fervently to even be worthy of the Low Heaven. [3:185] Every person tastes death, then you receive your recompense on the Day of Resurrection.
Whoever misses Hell, barely, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than an illusion. I will be deliriously happy to be admitted to the Low Heaven. But I want to strive for the High Heaven because I want to be as close to God as I can. So, I continued my research and what I’ve been able to find is the importance of our reactions and responses to situations we are confronted with and how our egos respond and react. We must control our egos, not allow our egos to control us. There are so many verses encouraging this that I could not include them all.
[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.
[42:37] They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive. [42:43] Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.
[16:126-127] And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones. You shall resort to patience―and your patience is attainable only with GOD’s help. Do not grieve over them, and do not be annoyed by their schemes.
[3:133-134] You should eagerly race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth; it awaits the righteous, who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. GOD loves the charitable.
[4:149] If you work righteousness―either declared or concealed―or pardon a transgression, GOD is Pardoner, Omnipotent.
[7:199] You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant.
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