Page 53 - Loyalty Described in the Qur'an

The Faithfulness of Believers
cation and, if necessary, will sacrifice his youth and particular interests.
In short, people choose a lifestyle that corresponds to their goals, or-
ganizing their lives towards their future fulfillment.
Certainly, there is nothing wrong with a person setting goals in

his life and career goals and working hard to achieve them. What is
wrong is limiting one's expectations only to this life, and not making
apt consideration of the afterlife. If a person's attainments are limited
to this life, his life will be no different from that of those outlined above.
One who lives without faith, nor knows anything of the life of the
world to come, will strive only to attain the transient worldly goals he
has set for himself.

This is one of the most pronounced differences between believ-
ers and disbelievers. Believers are well aware of the transience and
mundane nature of this world, and could never become excessively
attached to it. Of course, they benefit from the blessings of this life,
but the goal of the believers ultimately is to serve Allah, earn His
mercy and favor, and attain Paradise. For this reason, they devote
their lives to good works that will win the favor of Allah, and to liv-
ing according to the moral teachings of the Qur'an. Allah says in the
Qur'an that He directs them on His straight path because they are

deeply devoted to Him:
Whoever holds fast to Allah has been guided to a straight
path. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 101)
Believers, who remain steadfast on the path that Allah has shown
throughout their lives, say, "… Allah's guidance, that is true guidance.
We are commanded to submit as Muslims to the Lord of all the
worlds" (Surat al-An‘am, 71). Remaining steadfast on the path of Allah

means that a believer will never depart, at any time during his life,

51