Continuation of good deeds and worship

"Spare time" is an alien concept to the believer who abides by the principles of the Qur'an. Allah has commissioned believers to spend their lives struggling with both their own selves and intellectually with the unbelievers.

In so doing, they engage in endless tasks that are geared to earning Allah's good pleasure. Therefore, accomplishment is not a reason to take a break, but marks the beginning of further activity. In the Qur'an, Allah commands:

So when you have finished, work on, and make your Lord your goal! (Surat al-Inshirah; 7-8 )

In compliance with the verses, once a Muslim completes a task for the good pleasure of Allah, he should immediately start a serious effort toward another. The only exception would be taking a rest in order to regain strength to struggle again for the cause of Allah. Benefit from the blessings granted by Allah within legitimate limits causes a believer to be thankful to Him and to feel more energetic.

There is no similarity between the intellectual struggle of a Muslim to spread the Qur'an's moral teachings and that of an unbeliever's difficulties, hardship, distress and despair that he refers to as "struggle in life." The exhaustion and anguish an unbeliever experiences in this world is but a slight preview of never-ending grief in the Hereafter, which they cannot escape unless it is Allah's will. In contrast, the efforts of a believer who loves Allah above everything else with great loyalty and zeal will bring him great spiritual joy similar to that in Paradise. Meanwhile, his efforts will earn great and infinite rewards in the Hereafter, Allah willing.

Not divulging information of a disquieting or reassuring nature

In a society which the morals of the Qur'an are experienced, Allah instructs the conveyance of all kinds of information concerning Muslims directly or indirectly about a possible harm or benefit to the authority who is in the best position to interpret it:

There are many drawbacks to spreading information among people. First, the information in question may not reach the proper authority, or if it does, after passing through several channels, it will most probably become corrupted and may delay a matter that needs urgent attention. Second, the spread of information better kept confidential allows unbelievers and hypocrites to become aware of it. Using this information, they can cause harm or render a precaution ineffective.

Therefore, it is obligatory to immediately inform those in authority who are most capable of making the best interpretations, formulating pertinent decisions and ensuring the necessary precautions. A believer possesses wisdom and awareness that will enable him to recognize information of a reassuring or disquieting nature and then communicate it promptly to the appropriate authorities. Increase in the number of wise believers who possess this understanding will cause the morals of the Qur'an to spread.

Suspecting of information brought by a deviator

A deviator has gone astray from the path of Allah and chosen a life based on rebellion against the morals of the Qur'an. One cannot expect a rebel against Allah's religion to observe the limits of justice, righteousness, honesty or reliability, for such people have no fear of Allah, envy believers, are eager to cause them to deviate, and foolishly take pleasure from bringing harm to them or making them unhappy. But it is of course impossible for them to achieve that objective. Because no matter what they do, no matter what traps they set for believers, in their own eyes, Allah will overturn these snares and everything will turn out for the best for believers.

This being the case, the accuracy of information reported by such people should be thoroughly scrutinized. As Allah reveals in the Qur'an:

You who believe! If a deviator brings you a report, scrutinize it carefully in case you attack people in ignorance and so come to greatly regret what you have done. (Surat al-Hujurat; 6)

Making a decision without investigating the accuracy of information according to the commands inscribed in the Qur'an would be ignorant behavior. In another verse, Allah states:

Do not pursue what you have no knowledge of. Hearing, sight and hearts will all be questioned. (Surat al-Isra'; 36)

Lack of affection for those who oppose Allah's words

All the value judgments of believers are based on the standards of the Qur'an and the Sunna. Love is one of these. A believer loves only what Allah loves and has no affection for those who oppose Allah and Muslims. This is a definitive and certain measure that Allah sets out in the Qur'an and also is the natural inclination of any sincere believer. The love he feels for Allah and the believers is dependent upon his faith. The intensity of the love that Allah has towards believers increases according to the measure of their faith. A true believer cannot feel affection for enemies of his religion. Allah explains in the following verse:

You will not find people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having love for anyone who opposes Allah and His messenger, though they be their fathers, their sons, their brothers or their clan. Allah has inscribed faith upon such people's hearts and will reinforce them with a Spirit from Him.... (Surat al-Mujadala; 22)

Some who have recently embraced Islam and have not yet become acquainted with the values of the Qur'an may still have an erroneous understanding of love and friendship. A flawed attitude generally stems from insufficient knowledge of religious moral values and therefore a failure to wholeheartedly embrace the religious outlook. But Allah addresses believers as follows:

One who retains his former understanding of love and adopts values incompatible with the morals of the Qur'an despite this explicit warning will "stray from the soundness of the way." If he should try to conceal this state of mind and associates with Muslims because of personal interests, his wrong intention will be revealed by Allah sooner or later. In a verse Allah reveals:

Or did you suppose that you would be left without Allah knowing those of you who have strived and who have not taken anyone as their intimate friends besides Allah and His messenger and the believers? Allah is aware of what you do (Surat at-Tawba; 16)

Not fearing censure by opponents

In every age, true believers have been criticized by the society in which they live since they serve Allah alone, observe His limits and strive to earn His good pleasure rather than that of the mass of the people. Unbelievers are antagonistic toward them because they are critical of their deviant lifestyles and philosophies and adhere to the morals Allah describes in the Qur'an. The reaction of a disbelieving society has often taken the form of assault, persecution, becoming an opponent, applying moral pressure or censure.

When faced with criticism and persecution, believers who enjoy firm faith and trust in Allah never stray from the principles of their religion. For this reason Allah's help and support is always with them, and they gain victory over the unbelievers due to their good character.

A believer may not always be subjected to physical attacks. Yet, his meticulousness in obeying the law of Allah and determination to expose the unjust ideological systems of disbelief often make him a target of criticism and condemnation. But upon observing the strong character of believers who have firm trust in Allah and are not discouraged in the face of criticism, unbelievers soon realize their efforts are doomed to failure. Those who fear the blame of Allah alone are not shaken by censure. On the contrary, believers implant a deep anxiety in the hearts of their critics with their wisdom, patience, astuteness, determination and also victory in the intellectual struggle. This kind of condemnation just motivates believers even more.

To fear the blame of other people amounts to ascribing associates to Allah, since He enjoins fear of Him alone. Anyone failing to stand firm for his religion harms only himself. And Allah will replace such people with people who have the best character, as revealed in the verse:

You who believe! If any of you renounce your religion, Allah will bring forward a people whom He loves and who love Him, humble to the believers, fierce to the unbelievers, who strive in the Way of Allah and do not fear the blame of any censurer. That is the unbounded favor of Allah which He gives to whoever He wills. Allah is Boundless, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Ma'ida; 54)

Humility before Allah

Perfection is an attribute particular to Allah alone. Even the prophets who had profound faith and whose moral excellence is praised in the Qur'an were not above human error. Believers are advised to avoid these kinds of errors. Throughout the Qur'an, Allah commands the prophets and all believers to seek His forgiveness because intentionally or not, people commit sins. This is a clear sign that man is weak, vulnerable, and in need of Allah, even while observing the limits set by Him.

The responsibility of a believer is to repent once he recognizes his mistakes and sins, seek forgiveness and be careful not to repeat them. But this is not to make yourselves appear sinless and without error or to prove your innocence; such an attitude is not pleasing to Allah:

The reason a person pretends to be righteous is his desire for distinction or eminence. However, such a person actually degrades himself both in Allah's Sight and in the eyes of believers. In one sense, even if it is not overt, his claims to being superior are an invention of his own making, and this is discomforting to the heart of a sincere Muslim. He foolishly thinks he has deceived believers and attained value and worth in their sight, but he does not realize that he is pitiful and being treated with indulgent patience. Shortly afterwards, he really starts to believe that he is perfect, and day by day his behavior becomes more humiliating.

He may even begin to believe he is infallible, and if he regards himself as sinless, a person does not feel the need to ask for forgiveness from Allah. He becomes arrogant and thus virtually molds himself into an idol (Allah is surely beyond that). This is his certain downfall.

A sincere believer, on the other hand, is aware of his errors and continuously asks for forgiveness from Allah. He constantly hopes for Allah's mercy and approval. Therefore, Allah conceals his faults, forgives his sins, purifies his soul, and makes him a superior person.

Do you not see those who claim to be purified? No, Allah purifies whoever He wills. They will not be wronged by so much as the smallest speck. (Surat an-Nisa'; 49)