Being committed in your faith

Umari Stambuli
Holy Qur’aan Speaks
One must maintain humility and humbleness but never develop uncertainty, as it is one of the greatest deterrents to power.
ALLAH Almighty declares in His Divine revelation, The Holy Qur’aan, “And those who strive in our cause, We will surely guide them through on our paths (of success).” (Chapter 29: verse 69)
What we need to realise is that, in our endeavour to achieve goodness in our lives —which obviously can only be through belief and strong faith in The One and only, The Almighty – we often do not strive enough.
The lack of determination and commitment will only result in failure and non-achievement.
One “committed” person will always achieve more than a thousand “interested” people. Many people are interested in success and even more dream of greatness, yet without commitment it will always remain a dream.
What separates people is never genetics, good breeding or social advantages. What separates people is their level of commitment to excellence and mastery. A proverb says: “He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand but the hand of diligence makes him rich.”
Commitment leads to decisive actions and can lead to excellence and mastery. Greatness without mastery is indeed a fairy tale.
Commitment is not hard and it is proved by our actions and what we say. It needs persistence in cases of delay, defeat and adversity. Many a people do not achieve what they want because they quit too soon, and they forget that the road to greatness is always rough, tough and winding.
The sublime greatness that one can ever aspire for is attachment to The Almighty, who is the Supreme Sovereign, our Creator, Sustainer, Nourisher and Cherisher. Faith in Him, coupled with devotion and dedication in our worship and service to Him, will surely put us on a better footing in this world and indeed in the Hereafter.
Weakness of faith and or the lack of devotion and dedication in this regard usually creep in due to pressure of work, pressure of the home, family ties, getting married, negative peer pressure, pressure of studies, ill health, indulgence in fulfilment of personal passions, desires and so forth.
Be rest assured that at some point or the other all these will discourage you in one way or another but do not let odds discourage and intimidate you. Some people will tell you it’s too big a step for you, you won’t manage, you won’t afford to continue in the long run, it’s not fit for you, you’re going to look old fashioned, it’s too big a change, it’s not of much use, so-and-so tried and failed.
Fight for what you want and strive to overcome every limitation. All success stories, and even the great people around you, have stories of having failed at some point, and you are no different. Every mountain has a slope so you exert maximum effort to climb up and at times you may slip back. Life will always present you with challenges. All it requires is for one to be so patient and perseverant, as Allah Almighty, promises very clearly in the Holy Qur’aan: “Indeed after every hardship, there is ease.” (Chapter 94 v 5).
Patience and perseverance are indeed principles of nobility.
Nothing in the world will take the place of persistence, even talent will not. Is it not strange that nothing is very common than the “unsuccessful”. Even people with talents, genius, education and so forth cannot and will not achieve excellence without commitment. How unfortunate that the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
Occasionally just ask yourself that; Am I committed enough to reach to my goal? As long as you know that what you are doing is right, never admit defeat.
But rather have hope to overcome and call on divine support through regular prayer. Be bold in your actions but not arrogant.
One must maintain humility and humbleness but never develop uncertainty, as it is one of the greatest deterrents to power. Uncertainty will surely prevent you from fulfilling your goal and realising your dream.
Hesitation, losing confidence and insecurity not only dull your actions but even your status, as they are highly visible. Every word and action you execute must be done without any doubt. All of this holds particularly true in matters of faith and belief in the overall Supremacy of the Almighty.
Remember, for development in spirituality and growth in faith, believe in yourself and be committed to the cause of The Almighty — others are watching and very soon will want to take you as a role model, don’t let them down.
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]