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Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur'an: Those Whose Faith is Not Assured

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

In the Qur’an such people are also called "those in whose hearts is a disease," "hypocrites," "those who hold back" or "those who stay behind." It may be observed that they belong neither completely to the society of ignorance nor to the Islamic society, as stated in the following verses: "They are neither of you nor of them."

"...Wavering between them, belonging neither to these [i.e., the believers] nor to those [i.e., the unbelievers]." However, it is noteworthy that such people generally live among Muslims. Their appearance, lifestyle and some of their attitudes resemble those of believers. The truth is, however, that they are not really like them because the most distinct characteristic of believers is their sincere devotion to Allah, while these people lack strong faith in their hearts. Although they express belief, they are not believers in the true sense. Of this Allah says the following: "And of the people are some who say, ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day,’ but they are not believers. They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive it not."

What they state is vastly different from what they conceal within themselves, mainly due to "sickness" in their hearts. This fact is also stated in the Qur’an: "In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie."

It is not a disease in the physical sense but is of a spiritual nature. One in whose heart is such an illness fails to comprehend faith properly or live by it. Although he sees obvious signs of Allah’s existence, he cannot submit his heart to Him and fails to meticulously observe His limits. He is unable to live by Allah’s religion completely because although his conscience guides him to the right, he is too weak to practice what his tongue confirms. Compared to the blessings of paradise, he considers worldly benefits much more easily attainable. Hence, he becomes deeply attached to this world and does not adequately value the hereafter.