Determination

Determination is the most significant attribute of a believer. A believer never loses his enthusiasm and devotion. He engages in his struggle only to earn the pleasure of God. That is why, no difficulty proves to be a hindrance to his endeavours. His only goal is to deserve the favour of his Lord; and he shapes his life accordingly.

 

God certainly puts the determination of believers to the test in various ways; either by periodically giving them trouble or making them undergo suffering. Details of the test are given in the verse below:

 

We shall test you with fear and hunger, with loss of life and property and crops but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. (Al-Baqara, 155)

 

However, a believer with total commitment displays his patience under all circumstances. God praises this attitude of believers in the following verse:

 

How many of the prophets fought (in God's way), and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in God's way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast. Their only words were: "Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything We may have done that transgressed our duty; make us firm of foot and help us against those that resist faith." (Al-Imran, 146-147)

 

Lack of commitment, on the other hand, is not a trait attributable to believers. The following verse confirms this fact:

 

Only those ask you for exemption who do not believe in God and the last day, and whose hearts are fieled with doubt, so that they waver. (Al-Tawba, 45).

 

Desiring the hereafter and striving for it with all their might, as well as avoidance of extravagance in daily affairs are indications of determination demonstrated by believers. Those who "strive with all their might" are thus described in the Qur'an:

 

Those who wish for the hereafter, and strive for it with all their might and have faith- they are the ones whose endeavours are acceptable (to God). (Al-Isra, 19)

 

Determination, consequently, is a significant attribute of believers. Those who seek an "immediate gain and an easy journey" (At-Tawba, 42)

fail to show an unyielding determination. Believers, on the other hand, accomplish what is expected of them and display an unchanging

determination until they meet their death.

 

The community of Kahf, into whose hearts God put courage, (Al-Kahf, 14) sets the best example for believers in the sense of determination. Continuity in worshipping is also important in the sense of consistency. Only death puts an end to the determination of a believer. A believer is responsible for showing patience and fulfilling his pledge to God until death comes.

 

Truly, those who plight their fealty to you do no less than plight their fealty to God: the hand of God is over their hands: then anyone who violates his oath, does so to the harm of his own soul, and anyone who fulfils his pledge to God, will soon be granted a great reward by God. (Al-Fath, 10)