The Most Gracious represents His attributes in utmost perfection. When He states that He is the Possessor of the Highest Ranks (Rafeeu Al-Daragat), this means that His example is the highest, most superior of all ones, and therefore claiming these attributes for Himself, by all means, is claiming their definitions and their infinite and divine sources. He is the source of justice (Al Haq) and His mercy encompasses all things (7:156 - Al-Raheem). He is the source of all grace which is the meaning and definition of Al-Rahman- a proper name He has exclusively given to Himself. He is the source of compassion (Al-Rauf), clamency (A--Haleem) and forgiveness (Al- Afuw, Al-Ghafoor) and all dignity belongs to Him (4:139, 35:10).

Along these lines, God is the perfect and absolute righteousness. He calls Himself the source of righteousness (Ahal Al-Taqwa). His kingdom defines the beauty and the perfect peace associated with righteousness ; no nonsense is heard in it. Such divine righteousness is all that a believer would pray for:

God has explained in Quran that not only righteousness is one required element for salvation (5:69, 2:62, 2:82, 4:124) but also is a condition for accepting our repentance (20:82, 66:8) and forgiving & remitting our sins (5:65, 29:7, 11:114). It is also the criterion that distinguishes among all people (49:13).

Based on how crucial righteousness is to His forgiveness, the remission of our sins and our redemption, the Most Merciful did not leave us in the dark not knowing what righteousness is. Being the source of all righteousness (74:56), He has set for us His standards of who a righteous is. We could NEVER reach His absolute righteousness, but we are to stick to His standards that He authorized. On a humanly level, upholding God's teachings in His fully detailed scripture and following His examples of righteousness fulfill His expectations and represent the REAL righteousness for us.

Those who know God, love Him, and fully grasp His attributes would never settle for any standards but His. They have the sincere conviction that it is not up to them or others besides God to establish and proclaim their own righteousness based on personal judgments and preferences or based on shortsighted selectivity in implementing God's teachings. They NEVER entertain the idea of setting any standards or examples for God because they fully comprehend the context of the following prohibition and they do not underestimate the loss of promoting the human's flawed and fallible logic:

The following verse outlines ONLY SOME important standards of righteousness according to God:

However, there are more detailed attributes and commands scattered all over Quran that add to the definition of those who are righteous and love God the most and those whom God loves. Such commands and standards of righteousness are equally vital to our souls and our communities. Some of these standards are that the righteous avoid all gross sins, and they never pollute their souls with idol worship or hypocrisy. They honor their parents. They are trustworthy. They are just and honest when they judge among people or when they offer a testimony. They uphold God's laws when they resolve any kind of disputes. They avoid bad language except for when they react to aggression. They are equitable even in self defense situations. They treat people with kindness and respect and they stand for their rights when they face injustice. They proclaim and promote God's truth and they never conceal it or compromise it. They verify information and investigate rumors. They avoid harmful suspicion, spying and backbiting. They do not commit or appreciate any kind of corruption. They are not arrogant, show offs. They do not mock, ridicule or make fun of others. They do not conspire except for righteous purposes and they do not prohibit lawful things or attribute to God what He has never authorized. They do not kill except in the course of justice, and they do not commit fornication, evil or vice. They ally themselves with the believers, and never ally themselves with or defend the disbelievers. They are not betrayers and they never side with betrayers. They give to charity from their favorite possessions during bad and good times. They commemorate God and meditate with Quran at night and at dawn. They utter peace to the ignorant and enlighten and remind with God's words. They suppress their anger and strive to forgive when angered. They fight oppression. They remember God when they sin and they ask Him for forgiveness, repent and reform. They are neither stingy or extravagant. They reverence the meeting of their Lord, heed the guidance and appreciate the reminders. They never hesitate to strive in God's cause with their lives and their money without any fear of blame. They cooperate and compete in matters of righteousness. They fully trust God, His attributes, and His systems. They love all that God loves and abhor all that He abhors and therefore they highly value His standards and examples of integrity and righteousness.

It is our ego that deceives us into preferring our own standards over God's or blinds us to selectively apply certain verses that conform with our own wishes. Gradually, we start to waver and compromise God's measures of righteousness and sense the convenience and the comfort of our self-proclaimed ones. It is the righteous who are able to recognize and reject this FALSE righteousness. They know that it is not going to be pleasing to God. They understand it would only let its advocates down, individuals or communities, because it is lacking the divine wisdom and the infallible knowledge and guidance of the Almighty.

May God guide us to pursue the real righteousness as defined by Him ; the righteousness that would please Him, and may He protect us from ever falling into the comfort zone of our personal standards, traditions and preferences.

Peaceful Friday, Salaam and God bless.