Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur'an: The Kinds of Behavior that Reveal the Zeal of Believers

The superiority of a person who harbors enthusiastic faith in his heart is recognized in every moment he spends, every attitude he assumes, and every word he utters. It generates such perfection in one’s conduct that other believers bearing the same zeal in their hearts immediately recognize the enthusiasm resulting from faith and devotion to Allah. Disbelievers also notice the enthusiasm, commitment and spiritual power of believers. Yet, they can never figure out the source of this commitment and exuberance since they do not acknowledge the true religion or know how to be attached to Allah alone. Despite the fact that disbelievers cannot pinpoint its source, they do notice the kind of daring and brave character of believers which is not seen in other people. The kinds of behavior that indicate zeal is of great significance to believers since it is impossible to exercise decisive judgement about the profoundness of another’s faith and his closeness to Allah. Only Allah knows for certain those with deep faith from those with hypocrisy in their hearts, but He has provided a yardstick, which is the zeal and ardor in believers to attain Allah’s acceptance and to live by the religious moral values He is pleased with. In this way one can easily identify those with true faith who have devoted themselves to Almighty Allah. Similarly, he will notice the weaknesses of people whose indifference is strikingly obvious when compared with a believer’s enthusiasm, just, as he is able to discern the strong and reliable ones among the believers. Believers are thus enabled to seize the opportunity to reinforce and strengthen the faith of those people having a poor level of enthusiasm.