Page 62 - Passivity in Religion

PASSIVITY IN RELIGION

were told, "Come and fight in the way of Allah or at least
help defend us." They said, "If we knew how to fight, we
would certainly follow you." They were closer to disbelief
that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was
not in their hearts. And Allah knows best what they are
hiding. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 167)
The love these people of hypocritical character have for the
lifestyle of ignorance is far greater than their love for Allah. This
is the reason why they are enthusiastic and happy when they are
in the company of those with moral character reflecting their ig-
norance of religion, but saddened and despondent when among
believers. The Qur'an tells us that those with this bent of character
feel anger when the name of Allah is mentioned, and happy when
He is not thought of:
When Allah is mentioned on His own, the hearts of those
who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink back shudder-
ing, but when others apart from Him are mentioned, they
jump for joy. (Surat az-Zumar, 45)
On the other hand, those who are truly religious are always
eager and willing to do all they can in their hope of winning
Allah's favor and mercy and of attaining Paradise. In the Qur'an,
Allah commands believers:
So when you have finished, work on, and make your Lord
your goal! (Surat al-Inshirah, 7-8)
In another verse, Allah commands the believers to "race each
other to the good" (Surat al-Baqara, 148). Believers who obey this
command are never idle, but spend every hour in the search for
good deeds they can perform. They give priority to one another's
needs, never with any sense of rivalry, except competing with one
another in doing good. They do not miss any opportunity to do a
good deed that will bring a reward for them in the Hereafter,
never feeling lax or procrastinating when the occasion presents it-

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