Why does the Quran warn about ultimate well-being?

The Holy Quran, a book of divine guidance and light, is replete with verses that show humanity the path of life. Among these teachings, a significant portion is dedicated to warnings that might seemingly appear concerning, but in reality, they are a gateway to divine mercy and compassionate guidance towards achieving 'ultimate well-being' (Aaqibat-b-Kheiri). In Quranic and Islamic culture, ultimate well-being means attaining a good and felicitous end in this worldly life and especially in the Hereafter; an outcome accompanied by God's pleasure, inclusion among the dwellers of Paradise, and the attainment of eternal peace. This concept is the ultimate goal of human creation and the fruit of righteous deeds. But why does the Quran, with all its emphasis on mercy and forgiveness, warn about losing this good end? The answer can be examined from several dimensions: 1. Human Nature and the Tendency Towards Heedlessness and Deception: Human beings are sentient creatures endowed with free will, situated amidst the material and spiritual pulls of life. Their innate nature inclines them towards God and truth, yet on the other hand, worldly allurements, Satan's temptations, and personal desires can divert them from the main path. The Quran repeatedly warns against this heedlessness and preoccupation with worldly life. Humans can easily forget that this life is transient and that there is a higher purpose beyond it. Quranic warnings act as alarm bells, waking individuals from the slumber of heedlessness and reminding them that every moment of their lives is an opportunity to shape their eternal destiny. These warnings help humans understand the true value of their time and deeds and prevent them from being deceived by the worldly glitter. Without these warnings, many people might fall into the grip of forgetfulness and indifference, never realizing their true potential for achieving eternal happiness. These warnings are not merely to prevent misguidance but also to stimulate movement towards perfection and spiritual growth, which ultimately leads to a good end. They serve as a constant reminder that true success lies beyond the ephemeral joys of this world. 2. The Necessity of Divine Justice and a Precise System of Accountability: One of the fundamental tenets of Islam is the belief in God's absolute justice. Every action, whether small or large, is recorded and preserved in God's presence, and humans will be held accountable for all their deeds on the Day of Judgment. By emphasizing this precise accountability, the Quran reminds people that life is not merely a meaningless game but a field for trial and action. Verses such as "So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it" (Al-Zalzalah, 99:7-8) clearly state that not a speck of good or evil will remain hidden. These warnings prompt individuals to reflect on the consequences of their behavior and encourage them to uphold the rights of others, fulfill obligations, and abstain from prohibitions. In essence, these warnings guarantee the establishment of divine justice in the Hereafter and assure humans that no action will go unrewarded or unpunished. This awareness of precise accountability serves as a powerful motivation for self-improvement and abstaining from any form of injustice or transgression, enabling individuals to achieve a good end with a luminous record. 3. Clear Elucidation of the Boundaries of Truth and Falsehood and the Path to Salvation: To guide humanity, the Holy Quran clearly elucidates the path of truth from falsehood and the path of felicity from wretchedness. Quranic warnings in this context act as guiding signs, showing humans which path leads to salvation and which leads to ruin. These warnings define the doctrinal and practical boundaries, ranging from disbelief (kufr) and polytheism (shirk) to major sins and oppression of others. By defining these boundaries, the Quran grants humans insight to make correct choices with full awareness and to escape the snares of Satan, whims of the self (hawa al-nafs), and erroneous social patterns. These clear warnings provide an opportunity for every individual to rectify their path before reaching a point of no return. Without these decisive guidances, humanity might have been lost in the darkness of ignorance and doubt, unaware of which actions lead to destruction and which lead to success and ultimate well-being. They empower individuals to navigate life's complexities with clarity and conviction. 4. Incitement to Righteous Deeds and Strengthening the Motivation for Piety (Taqwa): The Quran's warnings are not meant to instil despair or hopelessness, but rather to create a strong motivation in the hearts of believers to perform righteous deeds and adhere to piety (God-consciousness and abstinence from sin). When individuals become aware of the dire consequences of sins and disbelief, they engage in worshipping God with greater diligence and sincerity, striving to earn His pleasure. These warnings are a constant reminder that piety is the main key to ultimate well-being. Verses concerning Hell and punishment, alongside verses concerning Paradise and reward, create a psychological balance within individuals; both hope in divine mercy and fear of the consequences of sin. This fear is a constructive one that propels individuals towards goodness and righteous actions, deterring them from laziness and indifference. These warnings act as a driving force that urges individuals towards benevolence and away from corruption, ultimately leading them to the pinnacle of human perfection. They cultivate a sense of urgency and purpose in the pursuit of righteousness. 5. Manifestation of Limitless Divine Mercy and Compassion: Perhaps the most important reason for Quranic warnings is God's boundless mercy and compassion towards His servants. God does not wish for any of His creatures to tread the path towards eternal destruction and wretchedness. Therefore, with a clear and firm voice, He warns about the dire consequences of disobeying His commands, providing an opportunity for repentance, return, and rectification. These warnings are like the sincere advice of a loving parent who alerts their child to impending dangers. Through these repeated warnings, God keeps the doors of repentance and return open, granting humans the opportunity to correct their path before the end of their worldly term. This type of preventative warning is the epitome of the Creator's compassion and love for His creation, desiring His servants to attain salvation and eternal happiness instead of ruin. This forgiveness and second chance are a manifestation of His infinite kindness, as He never despairs of His servants. Conclusion: Therefore, the Quran's warnings about ultimate well-being are not a source of fear or despair; rather, they form the backbone of Islam's educational system. They are a tool in the hands of divine mercy to guide humanity towards eternal felicity. These warnings are an invitation to deep reflection, conscious choices, and continuous movement on the path of piety and righteous deeds, so that every human being can achieve the best and most felicitous possible outcome and find their rightful place in the eternal world. These are reminders that the opportunity of life is limited and every moment must be spent with care and insight, so as not to lead to eternal regret and remorse. Ultimately, these warnings ensure that no one can claim ignorance of the consequences of their actions, which is itself the epitome of divine justice and mercy. This divine warning system paves the way for humans to build their lives with awareness and responsibility in a way that ultimately leads to the pleasure of the Lord and an immeasurable reward in the everlasting abode.