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Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur'an: What is Zeal?

Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. What is Zeal?
  3. Who Belongs to a Society of Ignorance
  4. The Excitement of Its Members is but a Temporary Desire
  5. The Source of Believers’ Enthusiasm: Their Faith, Love and Devotion to Allah
  6. Believers' Enthusiasm is Non-abating
  7. There are Those Among Believers Who are Foremost in Good Deeds.
  8. The Kinds of Behavior that Reveal the Zeal of Believers
  9. Loyalty to Allah Until the End of Their Lives
  10. Seeking the Kinds of Deeds that Most Please Allah
  11. Preference of the Religion’s Interests to Their Own
  12. Commitment to Live Good Morals
  13. Submission of Themselves and Their Wealth to Allah
  14. Competition in Righteousness
  15. Remaining Patient in the Face of Difficulties
  16. Becoming More Zealous in the Face of Hardships
  17. Seeking Allah’s Approval with Great Joy
  18. What the Believers’ Excitement is Like
  19. The Observance of Allah’s Artistry in Creation
  20. Seeing Blessings and Beauties
  21. Love and Friendship
  22. Protecting the Righteous
  23. Worship
  24. Reciting Verses of the Qur’an
  25. Supplication
  26. Repentance to Draw Closer to Allah
  27. Communicating the Good Values of the Qur’an
  28. The Thought of Paradise
  29. Obtaining Power and Strength
  30. Obtaining the Aid and Support of Allah
  31. Obtaining Paradise
  32. The Indifference of Those Whose Faith is Not Assured
  33. Those Whose Faith is Not Assured
  34. Their Presence Among Believers
  35. Their Lingering Behind
  36. Lingering Behind is Not Advantageous but Foolishness
  37. Consequences Resulting from Deeds Done Unenthusiastically and Reluctantly
  38. The Only Solution to Lack of Enthusiasm: Fear of Allah
  39. Conclusion

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 guide 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.

THE CONCEPT OF ZEAL IN A SOCIETY OF IGNORANCE