Page 38 - Zeal and Enthusiasm in the Qur'an

Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur’an

Allah commands believers to compete with one another in
doing good deeds. This competition, however, is not the sort of
race engaged in ignorant societies for the purpose of defeating
others. On the contrary, it is a race for the proliferation of virtues
and good deeds. The intent of believers to compete is not to de-
rive worldly gain or to establish superiority over other people.

Rather, they race to comply with Allah’s commands, to live the val-
ues with which Allah is pleased, and to attain the approval of Allah.
Their engagement in such competition is a manifestation of their
fear of Allah and their faith. Indeed, the efforts a person puts forth
serve as a reliable measure of his sincerity and commitment. He
wants Allah to be satisfied with him, to have mercy on him, and to
deem him worthy of His paradise, so he puts forth an all-out effort.

Exercising his reason, conscience and physical ability to the full,
he strives to live by the Qur’an in the most perfect way possible.
Indeed, Allah informs us that it is their sincere effort and striving
that renders believers foremost in the Sight of Allah.
"It is those who hasten to good deeds, and they outstrip
[others] therein." 39
The attitude of the Prophet Zachariah (as) is given as an exam-
ple:

"So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and
amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to
good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they
were to Us humbly submissive." 40
Here, Allah has drawn attention to the fact that to hasten to good
deeds is also an attribute peculiar to prophets. Throughout their
lives the prophets strove to win the consent of Allah, so believers
who look to prophets as role models follow in their footsteps.

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