In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
The Self's Holy War
True believers live a daily strife to keep up with the divine standards of leading a righteous life. For them, everyday is an opportunity to practice perseverance, hold fast to the teachings of Quran, earn credit and grow their souls. Even though God would never burden a soul beyond its mean (23:62, 22:78, 4:28), He emphasizes that the journey on the straight path isn't smooth or effortless. We struggle to discipline ourselves to unconditionally obey God. It is often challenging to implement His teachings and portray His ethics.
[90:4] We created the human being to work hard (to redeem himself).
[90:5] Does he think that no one will ever call him to account?
[90:6] He boasts, "I spent so much money!"
[90:7] Does he think that no one sees him?
[90:8] Did we not give him two eyes?
[90:9] A tongue and two lips?
[90:10] Did we not show him the two paths?
[90:11] He should choose the difficult path.
[90:12] Which one is the difficult path?
[90:13] The freeing of slaves.
[90:14] Feeding, during the time of hardship.
[90:15] Orphans who are related.
[90:16] Or the poor who is in need.
[90:17] And being one of those who believe, and exhorting one another to be steadfast, and exhorting one another to be kind.
[90:18] These have deserved happiness.
[3:142] Do you expect to enter Paradise without GOD distinguishing those among you who strive, and without distinguishing those who are steadfast?
We are promised God's support when we steadfastly persevere to stay in this daily race. God also assures us that He will bring us ease and contentment when we choose this striving path of being devout servants of Him alone:
[47:7] O you who believe, if you support GOD, He will support you, and strengthen your foothold.
[61:11] Believe in God and His messenger and strive in the cause of God with your money and your lives. This is the best deal for you, if you only knew.
[61:12] In return, He forgives your sins, and admits you into gardens with flowing streams, with beautiful mansions in the gardens of Eden. This is the greatest triumph.
[61:13] Additionally, you get something you truly love: support from God and guaranteed victory. Give good news to the believers.
[2:153] O you who believe, seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.
[92:4] Your works are of various kinds.
[92:5] As for him who gives to charity and maintains righteousness.
[92:6] And upholds the scripture.
[92:7] We will direct him towards happiness.
[92:8] But he who is stingy, though he is rich.
[92:9] And disbelieves in the scripture.
[92:10] We will direct him towards misery.
Based on His knowledge, God assigns for each one of us in life certain duties and tasks. Easy or tough, simple or complicated, it is the effort to steadfastly apply God's commands while fulfilling these obligations and performing our duties that matters in the sight of God. The dedication and the effort we put forth to follow His teachings while handling these assignments validate our devotion and reverence to God. God is in full control of the outcome of our efforts. He urges us to do our best and teaches us through many examples that our efforts are appreciated irrespective of their outcome:
[4:74] Those who readily fight in the cause of God are those who forsake this world in favor of the Hereafter. Whoever fights in the cause of God, then gets killed, or attains victory, we will surely grant him a great recompense.
[6:135] Say, "O my people, do your best, and so will I. You will surely find out who the ultimate victors are." Certainly, the wicked will never succeed.
[17:19] As for those who choose the Hereafter as their priority, and work righteousness, while believing, their efforts will be appreciated.
[5:35] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and seek the ways and means to Him, and strive in His cause, that you may succeed.
[103:1] By the afternoon.
[103:2] The human being is utterly lost.
[103:3] Except those who believe and lead a righteous life, and exhort one another to uphold the truth, and exhort one another to be steadfast.
[22:37] Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches GOD. What reaches Him is your righteousness. He has subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation by glorifying GOD for guiding you. Give good news to the charitable.
Being sincere to practice a high quality worship of God alone and advocate the Truth at all times and by all available means, without fear, hesitance or compromise is striving with our lives in His cause. The effort is recorded and appreciated by God:
[19:65] The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them; you shall worship Him and steadfastly persevere in worshiping Him. Do you know of anyone who equals Him?
[29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.
[74:7] Steadfastly commemorate your Lord.
[31:17] "O my son, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat). You shall advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and remain steadfast in the face of adversity. These are the most honorable traits.
[47:35] Therefore, you shall not waver and surrender in pursuit of peace, for you are guaranteed victory, and GOD is with you. He will never waste your efforts.
[21:94] As for those who work righteousness, while believing, their work will not go to waste; we are recording it.
[2:158] .... If one volunteers more righteous works, then GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.
All of the above represents our holy war against our human weakness to merely purify and liberate our souls. This defines the strife in the cause of God. Those who steadfastly persevere and sincerely fight their best to win this battle are the ones who earn the ideal package with the best deal.
The Real Wealth [28:80] As for those who were blessed with knowledge, they said, "Woe to you, GOD's recompense is far better for those who believe and lead a righteous life. " None attains this except the steadfast.
[16:96] What you possess runs out, but what GOD possesses lasts forever. We will surely reward those who steadfastly persevere; we will recompense them for their righteous works.
[23:111] "I have rewarded them today, in return for their steadfastness, by making them the winners."
[61:11] Believe in GOD and His messenger and strive in the cause of GOD with your money and your lives. This is the best deal for you, if you only knew.
[2:250] ..... "Our Lord, grant us steadfastness, strengthen our foothold, and support us against the disbelieving people."
[7:126] ... "Our Lord, grant us steadfastness, and let us die as submitters."
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.