Page 21 - Zeal and Enthusiasm in the Qur'an
P. 21

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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