6:125 Whomever GOD wills to guide, He renders his chest wide open to Submission. And whomever He wills to send astray, He renders his chest intolerant and straitened, like one who climbs towards the sky. GOD thus places a curse upon those who refuse to believe.
One of the most formidable birds in the sky is the eagle. Despite this, they are often harassed by other birds like crows, ravens, and magpies. These smaller birds will often mob eagles, dive-bombing them and trying to steal their food. Eagles will typically try to avoid these attacks by flying away or by fighting back. However, if the harassment persists, the eagle may fly to a higher altitude where the smaller birds cannot follow.
When a person’s chest is wide open to Submission, they can reach new heights in their closeness with God, and at these higher elevations, those who desire to send them astray cannot bear to be with them. This creates a barrier of protection for the believers, and within this protection, we are not only closer to God but we are also admitted to the peace that God provides.
6:126 This is the straight path to your Lord. We have explained the revelations for people who take heed.
God calls this the straight path. The term mus’taqim ( مُسْتَقِيمًا), which is translated as straight, can also be understood as upright. As in this is our upright path to God.
6:127 They have deserved the abode of peace at their Lord; He is their Lord and Master, as a reward for their works.
The words peace ( ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ) and Submission ( لِلْإِسْلَـٰمِ) both come from the same root. It is through Submission that we find peace, and God is giving us the formula in these verses. From the root of these words, we also get the words ladder and stairway.
52:38 Do they climb a ladder that enables them to listen? Let their listeners show their proof.
6:35 If their rejection gets to be too much for you, you should know that even if you dug a tunnel through the earth, or climbed a ladder into the sky, and produced a miracle for them (they still would not believe). Had GOD willed, He could have guided them, unanimously. Therefore, do not behave like the ignorant ones.
This may indicate that the peace we are striving for requires that we be elevated.
7:176 Had we willed, we could have elevated him therewith, but he insisted on sticking to the ground, and pursued his own opinions. Thus, he is like the dog; whether you pet him or scold him, he pants. Such is the example of people who reject our proofs. Narrate these narrations, that they may reflect.
It is by cutting our depednecy with anything in this world and making a connection with God that we find true contentment.
22:15 If anyone thinks that GOD cannot support him in this life and in the Hereafter, let him turn completely to (his Creator in) heaven, and sever (his dependence on anyone else). He will then see that this plan eliminates anything that bothers him.
The verses continue to warn us that if we do not elevate in righteousness, we will only attract the company of the unrighteous.
6:128 The day will come when He summons all of them (and says): “O you jinns, you have claimed multitudes of humans.” Their human companions will say, “Our Lord, we enjoyed each others’ company until we wasted the life span You had set for us.” He will say, “Hell is your destiny.” They abide therein forever, in accordance with GOD’s will. Your Lord is Wise, Omniscient.
6:130 O you jinns and humans, did you not receive messengers from among you, who narrated to you My revelations, and warned you about the meeting of this day? They will say, “We bear witness against ourselves.” They were totally preoccupied with the worldly life, and they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers.
We each choose the path we follow. God tailors each of our paths to optimize our results, but if we fail to recognize this and insist on sticking to our comfort zone close to the ground, then we will never be able to reach our full potential.
Incase you missed it, here is Part 1 of this article.