The 4 Signs of Protection from Allaah's Punishment

 بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Makhool رحمه الله said: “Four things, whoever has them, they are for his own advantage; and three things, whoever has them, they will be against him (and will be for his own disadvantage). The four things are: الشكر (Shukr - thankfulness), الإيمان (Imaan - Faith), الدعاء (al-Du`aa’ - supplication) and الاستغفار (al-Istighfaar - seeking forgiveness). Allaah تعالى says:

{ما يفعل الله بعذابكم إن شكرتم وآمنتم} [النساء: 147]

{Why should Allaah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him?} [Surah al-Nisaa' (4): 147]

And Allaah تعالى says:

{وما كان الله ليعذبهم وأنت فيهم وما كان الله معذبهم وهم يستغفرون} [الأنفال : 33]

{And Allaah would not punish them while you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are amongst them, nor will He punish them while they seek (Allaah's) forgiveness.} [Surah al-Anfaal (8): 33]

And Allaah تعالى says:

{قل ما يعبأ بكم ربي لولا دعاؤكم} [الفرقان : 77]

{Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to the disbelievers): “My Lord pays attention to you only because of your invocation to Him. But now you have indeed denied (Him). So the torment will be yours forever (inseparable, permanent punishment).”} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 77]

As for the three, then they are the following: المكر (al-Makar – slyness/evil plotting), البغي (al-Baghi - transgression), النكث (al-Nakath – breaking the commitments). Allaah تعالى says:

{فمن نكث فإنما ينكث على نفسه} [الفتح : 10]

{Then whosoever breaks his pledge, breaks it only to his own harm} [Surah al-Fath (48): 10]

And Allaah تعالى says:

{ولا يحيق المكر السيئ إلا بأهله} [فاطر : 43]

{But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it.} [Surah al-Faatir (35): 43]

And Allaah تعالى says:

{إنما بغيكم على أنفسكم} [يونس : 23]

{O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allaah) is only against your own selves} [Surah Yunus (10): 23]”

[Tafseer al-Qurtubee]