Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur'an: Protecting the Righteous
Contents
- Introduction
- What is Zeal?
- Who Belongs to a Society of Ignorance
- The Excitement of Its Members is but a Temporary Desire
- The Source of Believers’ Enthusiasm: Their Faith, Love and Devotion to Allah
- Believers' Enthusiasm is Non-abating
- There are Those Among Believers Who are Foremost in Good Deeds.
- The Kinds of Behavior that Reveal the Zeal of Believers
- Loyalty to Allah Until the End of Their Lives
- Seeking the Kinds of Deeds that Most Please Allah
- Preference of the Religion’s Interests to Their Own
- Commitment to Live Good Morals
- Submission of Themselves and Their Wealth to Allah
- Competition in Righteousness
- Remaining Patient in the Face of Difficulties
- Becoming More Zealous in the Face of Hardships
- Seeking Allah’s Approval with Great Joy
- What the Believers’ Excitement is Like
- The Observance of Allah’s Artistry in Creation
- Seeing Blessings and Beauties
- Love and Friendship
- Protecting the Righteous
- Worship
- Reciting Verses of the Qur’an
- Supplication
- Repentance to Draw Closer to Allah
- Communicating the Good Values of the Qur’an
- The Thought of Paradise
- Obtaining Power and Strength
- Obtaining the Aid and Support of Allah
- Obtaining Paradise
- The Indifference of Those Whose Faith is Not Assured
- Those Whose Faith is Not Assured
- Their Presence Among Believers
- Their Lingering Behind
- Lingering Behind is Not Advantageous but Foolishness
- Consequences Resulting from Deeds Done Unenthusiastically and Reluctantly
- The Only Solution to Lack of Enthusiasm: Fear of Allah
- Conclusion

"And what is [the matter] with you that you strive not in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, ‘Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper’?" In this verse Allah draws attention to the situation of people who are oppressed and wait for a supporter or an ally. In compliance with this verse protecting innocent people who are unable to stand up for their own rights, helping them and ensuring their safety is a responsibility upon believers.
Believers aware of their responsibilities feel a great desire and eagerness to save people who are oppressed only because they believe in Allah. They have conscience and a precise understanding of justice, so they never condone the oppression of innocent people; rather, they provide them with material and moral support. For this cause their zeal and enthusiasm gives them great courage and strength.
Allah also holds believers responsible for struggling against evil and preventing it, which adds to their enthusiasm. Striving against evil, wiping out tyranny from the earth, and establishing peace and welfare are among the greatest and most honorable services that can be rendered for humanity. The importance of fulfilling the duty of forbidding evil is stated in the Qur’an: "And when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We saved those who had forbidden evil and seized those who wronged, with a wretched punishment, because they were defiantly disobeying."