Page 64 - Zeal and Enthusiasm in the Qur'an

Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur’an

Repentance to draw closer to Allah
Man is prone to make mistakes. It would be unreasonable to

expect anyone to have knowledge of everything or to be perfect in
conduct because the world is a place where Allah tests man. He
will remain in this world for a short while, where he will acquire bet-
ter qualities through the guidance of his Lord, and then pass on to
the hereafter, which is his permanent abode. That is why mistakes,
imperfections and faults are particular to this world, which is a
place of trial. The important thing is not to persist in mistakes, to

follow the right as soon as one recognizes it, and to quit one’s old,
bad habits. This process continues toward perfection, although
believers are people who are aware that they are imperfect and
weak servants of Allah. Hence, they seek Allah’s forgiveness and
repent. Repentance, an important form of worship ordered in the
Qur’an, grants them spiritual bliss.
When believers err, they do not show pessimism; rather, they
experience hope and the expectation that Allah will forgive them.
As soon as they realize that they have committed a wrong, they

immediately seek refuge in Allah and ask His forgiveness. Allah de-
scribes this characteristic of His sincere servants in the Qur’an:
"And [the righteous are] those who, when they commit an
immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], re-
member Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and
who can forgive sins except Allah? – and who do not per-
sist in what they have done while they know." 81
Allah’s good tiding that He accepts sincere repentance from
His servants inspires hope and excitement. That is because until

death comes upon them, even the most evil people of this world
have the opportunity to be purified of sin and to acquire attributes

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