Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur'an (Harun Yahya)

ISBN: 9960887014
Author: Harun Yahya
Publisher: Abul-Qasim Publishing House (2002)
Pages: 93 Binding: Paperback

Description from the publisher:

Introduction:

Believers are people who make earning the approval of Allah the ultimate purpose of their lives and strive hard for this cause. In the Qur'an, Allah calls them the ones who strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. Because they have devoted their lives to Allah and are willing to offer everything they have, material and otherwise, for the pleasure of Allah and Paradise, believers have a very important attribute that enables them to commit themselves and to say under the most trying circumstances: "Sufficient for us is Allah." It is their eagerness to earn the approval of Allah.The zeal granted by faith is a power that increases one's physical and mental capacity, enabling him to lead every moment of his life in the best and most productive way. This enthusiasm consequential to love of Allah provides a person with spiritual power, great strength and resistance, a steel-like will and courage. Through spiritual power believers overcome every difficulty and continue to strive hard for Allah whatever the conditions and circumstances may be.

This book discusses the zeal of believers that continues to increase until the end of their lives. Its purpose is to encourage all Muslims to be more zealous by showing how great a blessing zeal is as an attribute which strengthens believers. The reader will understand the important secret that makes one successful even under the most difficult conditions. Furthermore, he will learn of the bounties that have been promised to those who never lose their zeal and who meet difficulties by putting their trust in Allah. This book encourages people to comply with His directive:

"Hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e., Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth."

An additional aim is to motivate those who merely follow a middle course when living the principles of Islam and feel satisfied with this rather than striving to be among the forerunners.

Excerpt from book:

Zeal and excitement are, in fact, intensely experienced feelings with which everyone is familiar. However, the main purpose of dealing with the concept of zeal in this book is to reveal some obvious differences between zeal as experienced in society at large and the zeal the Qur'an communicates to man.

Zeal, in general terms, is used to express enthusiastic interest and devotion to a cause, and sincere diligence in accomplishing it. Whether important or insignificant, everyone has causes he eagerly embraces throughout his life. Enthusiasm often directed toward materialistic benefits, also surfaces when worldly passions are the issue. Some people exert efforts to be rich, to have a brilliant career or a prestigious position, while others try to appear superior or to earn prestige, respect and praise. For example, everyone is familiar with the determination a high school student shows to pass a college admission test, the enthusiasm of a person hired for a desired position in a company, or the ambition and effort exerted for a business deal which is expected to be profitable. There is one strikingly common feature to all these - enthusiasm produces a distinctive and strong character in a person which would be unlikely to appear in the absence of zeal. Risks one never dared to run under normal conditions may well be taken to realize a goal. An unprecedented self-sacrificing manner is adopted without hesitation. Indeed, a person may ultimately attain considerable power in both the material and spiritual sense by employing his knowledge and capabilities to the full extent.

However, the zeal of most people is not long-lived because it lacks strong grounds. Often there is no particular goal, which would sustain their zeal under all circumstances and give them strength. The only people who never lose the enthusiasm in their hearts throughout their lives are believers because the source of their zeal is faith in Allah and their major goal is earning the good pleasure of Allah, His mercy and His Paradise.

Before proceeding with this subject, it would be useful to define the concept of zeal prevailing in ignorant societies, where people do not know the Qur'an or live by it.