Page 16 - Devoted to Allah

DEVOTED TO ALLAH

blessing which is incomparable to worldly achievements
that is, to the approval of Allah and His Garden, also
strive hard for their cause. Of this attribute Allah says the
following:
He who desires this fleeting existence shall soon re-
ceive in it whatever We will: We bestow Our gifts upon
whoever We please. But then We will consign him to
Hell where he will roast, reviled and helpless. But as for
anyone who desires the Hereafter, and strives for it a+s
he ought to, being a believer, his endeavors will be
gratefully acknowledged. (Surat al-Isra’: 18-19)
A believer strives with “all due striving” for the ap-
probation of Allah and for the Hereafter. He “sells” his
property and his life for the cause of Allah (Surat at-
Tawba 111).
No difficulty a believer encounters in the way of Allah
undermines his commitment, provided that he has sold
“his property and self” to Allah. Nothing but Allah’s ap-
probation has any attraction for him. Aware that he is not
the “owner” of his body and property, he never follows
the vain desires of his lower self (nafs). Allah is the owner
of his body and everything he possesses, and they will be
put to service in compliance with Allah’s Will.
This aside, whether one’s determination is serious will
also be tested by Allah. A believer must not avoid any
struggle on Allah’s path. That is because had been there
any question of “easy gains,” hypocrites might also per-
form any deed which has the appearance of being in com-
pliance with Allah’s Will—and not the actual deed with
which Allah will be pleased—to attain this “easy gain”:

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