Page 52 - Zeal and Enthusiasm in the Qur'an
P. 52

Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur’an

             others fail to see. Those who cannot exercise reason properly and
             who do not profoundly ponder over events will comprehend only
             their outward appearance. Therefore, the pleasure they derive
             from them remains limited. Believers, on the other hand, see faith-
             related points and Divine purposes in everything they encounter.
             Thus, they manage to appreciate many details and blessings,

             which give them more pleasure and excitement.
                 Another reason why believers see blessings in detail and are
             more impressed by them is the following: A person who is arrogant
             against Allah cannot recognize the beauties and marvels He cre-
             ates because if he acknowledges Allah’s omnipotence, he must
             acknowledge his own imperfection. Since he finds this unaccept-
             able, he will not see the beauties of creation in their proper per-

             spective. Even if he notices them, he prefers to explain them away
             and suppress his excitement.
                 Free from arrogance and conceit, believers never fail to appre-
             ciate beautiful things and witness the magnificent creation of
             Allah, and they express inner feelings and excitement. For exam-
             ple, when they see a rose or a violet of eye-catching color arousing
             pleasure with all its beauty and attractiveness, they first realize
             that it is a manifestation of Allah’s attribute "jameel" (beautiful).
             Beautiful and fascinating creations lead them to reflect upon the

             vastly superior and eternal beauty of the Creator. This reflection
             excites them greatly, for they perceive that all these beauties have
             been created for them and that they are a favor and gift from Allah.
             They experience excitement knowing that all of them are signs of
             Allah’s love and mercy toward them. They enjoy thinking that al-
             though these beauties may not mean much to many people, they
             are the fortunate ones, the friends of Allah who derive the most



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