The Divine Grading System: How Your Daily Actions Shape Your Spiritual Degree

Here, just like this, every second, every moment, we are being tested, and Allah Almighty is giving us a grade. Just as when students attend lessons in classrooms, after the test their teachers give a grade, either a passing grade, or a failing grade. We are also continuously receiving grades from our Lord. The name of these grades in the Holy Qur'an is degree, that is, when we fail in class and do not pass the test, the degree system is negative. But when we obey the commands of our Lord, when we live a life according to Allah, the grades we receive are positive. Allah Almighty explains the law as follows: in Surah Al-Anam verse 132, "For everyone there are degrees according to what they have done. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do." That is, He is aware of everything. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, no one in this worldly life is left without accountability. Every second is being recorded and evaluated. Either the negative degree failing the test and not passing, or the positive degree passing the test. For example, at this very moment we are all being tested, but I give you the glad tidings in advance that you are receiving a passing grade. At this moment, what are you all saying? You are saying "Allah". And the moment you say Allah, you gain 700 degrees. The grading system of Allah is like this: Whoever has wished to reach Allah, and pledges allegiance to his spiritual guide, and within a period of 7 or 8 months has returned his spirit to Allah and has become a companion of Allah, from then on, in every subsequent evaluation, he gains 700 for 1. You will say, "How do you know this, my teacher?" Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 261. What did I say? The Holy Qur'an is our manual of guidance. Just as you adjust the settings of a television before installing it in your home, likewise, when we come into this worldly life, we must set our adjustments according to the Holy Qur'an. Our eyes, our ears, our feet, our hands... even more than this, while describing a Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "Al-Muslimu man salima al-muslimuna min lisanihi wa yadihi." What does it mean? Its meaning is: The one who submits uses his hand and his tongue in a manner appropriate to Allah. A person from whose hand and tongue no one around him is harmed. However, as you know, in order not to cause harm with your tongue and your hand, you must certainly surrender your spirit. You must definitely surrender your physical body. What did Yunus say? To the one who insults, one must be as if without a tongue. What did Yunus say? To the one who strikes, one must be as if without a hand. What did Yunus say? A dervish must be without ego. Thus, at the first stage, we must control our tongue. Subsequently, we must control our hand. And we must also control our hearts so that, by fully obeying the command of our Lord, we may live a life in accordance with His will, God willing