Page 21 - Zeal and Enthusiasm in the Qur'an
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Harun Yahya - Adnan Oktar
who are the truthful." 6
This description reveals the enthusiasm believer’s harbor in
their hearts. It is so because no matter what, the unyielding strug-
gle to uphold their values lasts for a lifetime and is only sustained
with an enthusiasm that faith grants to man. The merit of the be-
lievers’ steadfastness in their struggle and the value of their contin-
uous efforts are also stated by the Prophet Muhammad (saas):
"The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done regularly." 7
Another factor keeping believers’ enthusiasm strong and fresh
is the mood of apprehension combined with longing in their hearts,
which they experience throughout their lives:
"And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy
of Allah is near to the doers of good." 8
The meaning of "in fear and aspiration" is the following:
Believers can never be completely sure whether or not Allah is
pleased with them, and whether or not they have displayed the
moral conduct which would make them worthy of paradise. For this
reason they fear Allah’s punishment and constantly strive to perfect
their morals. Meanwhile, they know that through zeal and sincerity,
they will do their best to earn the approval of Allah, His love and His
mercy. They experience fear and hope simultaneously; they work
hard but never find their efforts sufficient and never consider them-
selves perfect, as confirmed in the verse:
"They fear their Lord and are afraid of the evil of [their] ac-
count." 9
Therefore, they embrace Allah’s religion with great zeal and
make great efforts for its cause. Their fear of Allah prevents them
from becoming weak-hearted or growing heedless, and this mood
upholds their zeal. Knowing that Allah gives glad tidings of paradise
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