What are the characteristics of God-fearing people (Muttaqin) for whom God has prepared the Paradise?

Verses 1-5 of Chapter 2

Alif. Lam. Mim. This is the Book of Allah: there is no doubt about it. It is guidance to Godfearing people, who believe in the unseen, establish the Salats and expend (in Our way) out of what We have bestowed on them; who believe in the Book We have sent down to you (i.e. the Qur'an) and in the Books sent down before you, and firmly believe in the Hereafter. Such people are on the right way from their Lord and such are truly successful.

Verses 133-136 of Chapter 3
And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the Muttaqin (God-fearing people). Those who spend (in Allah's cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the Muhsinin (the good-doers). And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (immoral sin) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; and none can forgive sins but Allah, and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know. For such, the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (of good).

Verses 1-11 of Chapter 23  
Successful indeed are the believers. Those who humbly cry in their prayers. And who do not incline towards indecent matters. And who pay the (obligatory) charity. And who guard their private organs. Except from their wives or the legal bondwomen that they possess, for then there is no blame upon them. So whoever desires more than these two - they are crossing the limits. And those who keep proper regard for their trusts and their pledges. And who guard their prayers. They are the inheritors. Those who will get the inheritance of Paradise; they will abide in it forever.

The true believers fear God alone and remain united in His way while inviting others to what is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong!

Verses 102-105 of Chapter 3

O Believers, fear Allah as He should be feared and see that you do not die save as true Muslims - Hold fast together to Allah's cord and let nothing divide you. Remember the favour of Allah upon you, when you were enemies to one another, then He united your hearts, and by His grace, you became like brothers, and you were on the brink of the abyss of Fire and He rescued you from it. Thus does Allah make His signs clear to you so that you may find the right path to true success by these. There should always be among you some people who invite to what is good and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong: They alone will attain true success. And do not be like those, who became divided into sects and got involved in differences of opinion even after receiving clear teachings. Those shall suffer a terrible punishment on the Day.

Verse 110 of Chapter 3

Now you are the best community which has been raised up for the guidance of mankind: you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. Had these people of the Book also believed, it would have surely been better for them. Though there are among them some believers, yet most of them are transgressors.

Can we ever attain piety without spending in the way of God of what we love?

 

Verse 92 of Chapter 3

By no means shall you attain to righteousness until you spend (benevolently) out of what you love; and whatever thing you spend, Allah surely knows it.

No other religion except Islam is acceptable to God!

 

 Verses 19-20 of Chapter 3

Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except out of rivalry, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (revelation) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in reckoning. So if they dispute with you say: "I have submitted myself to Allah, and (so have) those who follow me.'' And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterate (Arab pagans): "Do you (also) submit yourselves'' If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allah sees the servants.


Verses 83-85 of Chapter 3
Now do these people desire to give up the way of Allah's submission (Islam) and adopt a different way (knowing well), that all things in heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, submit to Allah, and to Him shall all return? (O Prophet) say, "We believe in Allah and in the teachings which have been sent down to us, and also in those teachings sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and his descendants, and in the guidance that was given by Allah to Moses, Jesus and other Messengers. We do not discriminate against anyone of them and we submit and surrender to Him." And whoso adopts any other than this way of submission (Islam), that way shall not be accepted from him and in the Hereafter he shall be among the losers.

Verses 151-153 of Chapter 6
O Muhammad, say to them, "Come, I will recite what limits your Lord has set for you." (He has enjoined:) (1) That you should not set up anything as a partner with Him,(2) and you should treat your parents kindly, (3) and you should not kill your children for fear of poverty, for We provide sustenance for you and will provide sustenance for them also, (4) and you should not go near indecent things whether they be open or hidden, (5) and you should not kill any living being whom Allah has forbidden to kill except by right. These are the things which He has enjoined on you: it may be that you use your common sense. And He has enjoined:(6) that you should not go near the property of an orphan except in the best way, until he reaches his maturity.(7) and you should use a full measure and a just balance. We charge one only with that much responsibility that one can bear, (8) and whatever you say should be just, even if it is concerning your own relatives,(9) and you should fulfill your covenant with Allah.Allah has enjoined these things on you so that you may follow the admonition.(10) And Allah also enjoins: "This way alone is My Right Way; therefore you should follow this Way and should not follow other ways lest they should lead you astray from His Way. This is what Allah has enjoined on you so that you may avoid crooked ways.

‘Fear of God’ and ‘remembering of Him in His prescribed ways’ are the two most essential components of worshiping Him while ‘asking for His help alone’ is always integrated with it!

 

Verses 1-7 of Chapter 1

http://openingal-quran.blogspot.com/

Verses 183-184 of Chapter 2

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may acquire Taqwa (fear for Allah). Fast for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g., an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you if only you know.

Verses 197-203of Chapter 2
The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known months. So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, Allah knows it. And take provisions for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa. So fear Me, O men of understanding! There is no sin on you if you seek the bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage by trading). Then when you leave `Arafat, remember Allah (by glorifying His praises, i.e., prayers and invocations) at the Mash`ar-il-Haram. And remember Him (by invoking Allah for all good) as He has guided you, and verily you were before, of those who were astray. Then depart from the place whence all the people depart and ask Allah for His forgiveness. Truly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful. So when you have accomplished your Manasik, remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with far more remembrance. But of mankind there are some who say: "Our Lord! Give us (Your bounties) in this world!'' and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter. And of them there are some who say: "Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!'' For them there will be alloted a share for what they have earned. And Allah is swift at reckoning. And remember Allah during the Appointed Days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey Allah (fear Him), and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him.

Verses 238 of Chapter 2

Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the Middle Salah. And stand before Allah with obedience. And if you fear (an enemy), (perform Salah) on foot or riding. And when you are in safety, then remember Allah (pray) in the manner He has taught you, which you knew not (before).

Verses 205-206 of Chapter 7

And remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words in the mornings and in the afternoons, and be not of those who are neglectful). (206. Surely, those who are with your Lord (angels) are never too proud to perform acts of worship to Him, but they glorify His praise and prostrate themselves before Him.

Verses 34-35 of Chapter 22

To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice), that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food). But your god is One God: submit then your wills to Him (in Islam): and give thou the good news to those who humble themselves. To those whose hearts when Allah is mentioned, are filled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed upon them.

Verses 44-45 of Chapter 29
Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth. Verily, therein is surely a sign for those who believe. Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and perform the Salah. Verily, the Salah prevents from Al-Fahsha' (immoral sins) and Al-Munkar (evil deeds) and the remembering (praising) of Allah is greater indeed. And Allah knows what you do.

Verse 29 of Chapter 48

It is Allah Who has sent His Messenger with the Guidance and the religion of Truth that He may make it prevail over all religion, and Allah is sufficient as a Witness in this regard. Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are hard on the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. When you see them you will find them bowing down and falling prostrate and craving for Allah's bounty and His good-will. They have the marks of prostrations on their faces by which they are distinguished from others. This is their description in the Torah, and in the Gospel they have been likened to a crop which put out its shoot, then strengthened it, then swelled and then stood on its own stem, filling the sowers with delight and the disbelievers with jealousy of them. Allah has promised those of them, who have believed and done good works, forgiveness and a great reward.

How should the believers preserve the rights of orphans?

 

Verse 220 of Chapter 2

… And they ask you concerning orphans. Say: "The best thing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. And Allah knows (the one) who means mischief (e.g., to swallow their property) from (the one) who means good (e.g., to save their property). And if Allah had wished, He could have put you into difficulties. Truly, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

Verse 10 of Chapter 4
Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!

God strongly emphasizes on spending money for the welfare of needy people (blood-relatives and non-relatives)!

http://spendingwealthforthesakeofgod.blogspot.com/

God has strictly prohibited alcoholic drink and gambling!

Verse 219 of Chapter 2

They ask you (O Muhammad ) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefits for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit.'' And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: "That which is (spare) beyond your needs.'' Thus Allah makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought.

Verse 43 of Chapter 4

O Believers, do not offer the Prayer while you are intoxicated, for Prayer should be offered only when you know what you are saying. Likewise, do not offer the Prayer if you are "unclean" until you take your bath, except when passing on the way: and if you are sick or on a journey or if any one of you has relieved himself or you have touched women and can find no water, then cleanse yourselves with pure dust by rubbing it on your face and hands; no doubt Allah is Lenient and Forgiving. 

Verses 90-92 of Chapter 5
O Believers, wine, gambling, (ungodly) shrines and divining devices are all abominable works of Satan: therefore refrain from these so that you may attain to true success. Indeed Satan intends to sow enmity and' hatred among you by means of wine and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of Allah and from Salat. Will you not, therefore, abstain from these things? Obey Allah and His Messenger and abstain from these things; but if you disobeyed, note it well that Our Messenger's only responsibility was to convey the Message clearly. 

Mere performance of religious rites or formalities has no real importance to God!

Verse 177 of Chapter 2

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing.

Verse 37 of Chapter 22:

It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is Taqwa from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may proclaim Allah's greatness for His guidance to you. And give glad tidings to the doers of good.

What are the criteria of foods that God commands us to judge prior to eating? 

 

Verses 172-173 of Chapter 2
O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship. He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.

Verses 3-4 of Chapter 5

You are forbidden carrion and blood, the flesh of swine and of that animal which has been slaughtered in any other name than that of Allah, and of the strangled animal, and of that beaten to death or killed by a fall or gored to death or mangled by a beast of prey -save of that you duly slaughtered while it was still alive and of that which is slaughtered at (un-godly) shrines. It is also unlawful for you to try to find your fortune by means of divining devices, for all these things are sinful acts, Today the disbelievers have despaired of (vanquishing) your religion; therefore do not fear them but fear Me. Today I have perfected your religion for you and completed My blessing on you and approved Islam as the way of life for you, (Therefore observe the limits prescribed by the Law); if, however, one, dying of hunger, eats of any of these forbidden things, provided that he is not inclined towards sin, he will find Allah Forgiving and Compassionate. They ask you what has been made lawful for them. Say, "All the good and pure things have been made lawful for you. You may also eat of what the hunting animals, which you have trained to hunt in accordance with the knowledge Allah has given you, catch and hold for you, you should, however, mention Allah's name over it, and fear to violate the Law of Allah. for Allah is swift at reckoning."

How does God describe the people who love to merely follow the ways of their fathers?

 

Verses 170-171 of Chapter 2
When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah has sent down.'' They say: "Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers following.'' (Would they do that!) even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided. And the example of those who disbelieve is as that of him who shouts to those (flock of sheep) that hear nothing but calls and cries. (They are) deaf, dumb and blind. So they do not understand.