Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur'an: Believers' Enthusiasm is Non-abating

"The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful."

This description reveals the enthusiasm believer’s harbor in their hearts. It is so because no matter what, the unyielding struggle to uphold their values lasts for a lifetime and is only sustained with an enthusiasm that faith grants to man. The merit of the believers’ steadfastness in their struggle and the value of their continuous efforts are also stated by the Prophet Muhammad: "The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done regularly." Another factor keeping believers’ enthusiasm strong and fresh is the mood of apprehension combined with longing in their hearts, which they experience throughout their lives: "And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good."

The meaning of "in fear and aspiration" is the following: Believers can never be completely sure whether or not Allah is pleased with them, and whether or not they have displayed the moral conduct which would make them worthy of paradise. For this reason they fear Allah’s punishment and constantly strive to perfect their morals. Meanwhile, they know that through zeal and sincerity, they will do their best to earn the approval of Allah, His love and His mercy. They experience fear and hope simultaneously; they work hard but never find their efforts sufficient and never consider themselves perfect, as confirmed in the verse: "They fear their Lord and are afraid of the evil of [their] account." Therefore, they embrace Allah’s religion with great zeal and make great efforts for its cause. Their fear of Allah prevents them from becoming weak-hearted or growing heedless, and this mood upholds their zeal. Knowing that Allah gives glad tidings of paradise to those who have faith and do good deeds encourages them further and adds to their commitment. A believer reveals himself also through the care he takes over his religious observances and performing them with joy and zeal; he enthusiastically performs the prayer 5 times a day, ablutions and fasting commanded by Allah throughout the course of his life.

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: The Prophet said, “The religion of Islam is based on five fundamental principles: attesting that there exists no deity but Allah, that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, praying, fasting and pilgrimage.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) A believer’s concept of zeal is completely different from that of a society of ignorance. Compared to the temporary enthusiasms of disbelievers, believers’ zeal is a never-ending exuberance nourished by faith in Allah. He has given believers glad tidings of the result of continuous zeal in the Qur’an: "And give good tidings to the believers that they will have from Allah great bounty."