Strong Will and firm resolution

Strong Will a= nd firm resolution

BS Foad,M.D. 2008

Al-Irada = is to have the will to do something or to have the will not to do it. This will passes through several stages:

1- Thinking about it

2- Wishing for it

3- Having the will to achieve it

4- Making the decision and finding the resolve

5- Forming a firm commitment and resolve

As human bein= gs we differ in our resolve and commitment:

Where does th= is high ambition, strong will, the desire to lead and make important contribution c= ome from?
- In what areas= does this strong will and high ambition manifest
  itself ?
  
  1-    Seeking knowledge:
  
  Our ancestors sought useful knowled= ge and the Qur’an explains to us the value and importance of knowing the tru= th:
  
  Is one who worships devoutly during= the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord, (l= ike one who does not)? Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who= do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.
  
  = ;         Az-Zumar 39 : 9
  
  The prophet’s companions understood the importance of the Hadeeth. They worked hard to relate to us the prophetR= 17;s sayings and were honest and careful to tell us exactly what he said without additions or omissions. Those who followed them traveled weeks and months searching for the Hadeeth, stayed late at night studying the Hadeeth and authenticating it.
  
  What is important is spreading useful knowledge that benefits others, and not keeping that knowledge to ourselves. Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) told us that one of the things= that will help us after we long gone is the knowledge that we imparted to others= and left behind that continues to help and benefit:
  
  ( When<= span style=3D'font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-bidi-fo= nt-family: Arial'> man dies his deeds cease except for a charity that continues to ben= efit others; or useful knowledge ( that he imparted ), or a righteous son or daughter that seek God’s forgiveness on his behalf )
  
  Muslim
  
  Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) used to seek protection in Allah from knowledge that is not useful or helpf= ul ( that can harm or divide ):
  
  ( O Allah I seek protection in You from knowledge that does not benefit; and from a heart that has no faith; and from a soul that is never satisfied; and from a prayer that is not responded to )
  
  Ahmad
  
  We seek knowledge and critically think about wh= at we have learned to reach conclusions. Then we apply this useful knowledge to become better human beings. We do not keep this useful knowledge to ourselv= es, but we share it with others. Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) praised those who learn the Qur’an, but also teach it to others:
  
  ( The best among you is the person who learns the Qur’an and teache= s it to others )
  
  Bokhari= & Muslim
  
  2-&n= bsp;   Serving Allah and worshipping Him:
  
  Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) i= s our best example in a true worshipper of Allah. He used to stand up in prayer at night:
  
  And put thy trust on the Exalted in Might, the Merciful,
  
  = ;         Ash-Shura’a 26 : 217
  
  Who sees thee standing forth (in pr= ayer),
  
  = ;         Ash-Shura’a 26 : 218
  
  And thy movemen= ts among those who prostrate themselves.
  
  = ;         Ash-Shura’a 26 : 219
  
  The prophet ( PBUH ) used t= o turn to Allah every day more than 70 times seeking His forgiveness and renewing = his pledge with Allah.
  
  3-&n= bsp;   Searching for the truth:
  
  We are obligated as Muslims to search for the truth an= d to accept it and submit our will to Allah. We cannot be arrogant and follow our vain desires or inclination after the truth has become manifest. Arrogance = will lead to disobedience and this will lead to sin and Hell Fire, whereas the t= ruth will lead to righteousness and this will lead to paradise.
  
  The Qur’an tells us that what is true and useful= will stay and benefit mankind. In contrast, what is false and useless will disap= pear like froth:
  
  He sends down water from the skies,= and the channels flow, each according to its measure: but the torrent bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface. Even so, from that (ore) which they heat in the fire, to make ornaments or utensils therewith, there is a scum likewise. Thus doth Allah (by parables) show forth Truth and Vanity. For the scum disappears like froth cast out; while that which is for the go= od of mankind remains on the earth. Thus doth Allah set forth parables.
  
  = ;         Ar-Ra’d 13 : 17
  
  4-&n= bsp;   Inviting to Allah:
  
  If we believe that Islam is God’s true religion = and that it can change our life and make us better human beings, then it is only logical that we want others to believe as we do and to enjoy God’s blessings as well. Hence the order came to prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) and his followers to invite to Allah with conviction and clear insight:
  
  Say thou: "This is my Way: I do invite unto Allah - on evidence clear as the seeing with one's eyes - I and whoever follows me. Glory to Allah! and never wi= ll I join gods with Allah!"
  
  = ;         Yusuf 12 : 108
  
  Invite (all) to th= e Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knows best, who have strayed = from His Path, and who receive guidance.
  
       &n= bsp;    An-Nahl 16 : 125
  
  5-&n= bsp;   Striving in the cause of Allah:
  
  Jihad involves striving with our persons and possessio= ns in the cause of Allah. It is proof that we understand our duty and are willing= to sacrifice and endure hardship to serve Allah. Jihad is the ultimate express= ion of faith in Allah as prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) t= old us. The Qur’an stresses that Jihad is a criterion of belief :
  
  Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah: such= are the sincere ones.
  
  = ;         Al-Hujerat 49 : 15
  
     &nbs= p;        When we invite to Allah, we are likely to meet resistance and rejection. And we = are likely to hear many things that will grieve us and face distortions of the truth:
  
  Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil, then that will= be a determining factor in all affairs.
  
       &n= bsp;    Al-Imran 3 : 186
  
  The Qur’anic verse e= xplains that our response should be guided by :
  - 6-&n= bsp;   Controlling our vain desires and not submitting to Satan and his evil influence
    
    It takes a strong will and firm resolve to be able to control our human weakness and not submit or become slaves to our vain desi= res. The Qur’an encourages us to control our vain desires:
    
    Then, for such as had transgressed = all bounds,
    
    = ;         An-Nazi’at 79 : 37
    
    And had preferred the life of this = world
    
    = ;         An-Nazi’at 79 : 38
    
    the Abod= e will be Hell-Fire;
    
    = ;         An-Nazi’at 79 : 39
    
    And for such as had entertained the= fear of standing before their Lord's (tribunal) and had restrained (their) soul = from lower Desires,
    
    = ;         An-Nazi’at 79 : 40
    
    Their Abode will be the Garden.
    
    = ;         An-Nazi’at 79 : 41
    
    If we do not control our vain desires, we become slaves to those desires, then we are likely to c= ommit sin, and live our lives pursuing and fulfilling these desires and wasting o= ur time in useless dangerous pursuits:
    
    Seest thou such a one as taketh for his god his own passion (or impulse)? Couldst thou be a disposer= of affairs for him?
    
         &n= bsp;    Al-Furqan 25 : 43
    
    á Or thinkest thou t= hat most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle; nay, they are worse astray in Path.
    
         &n= bsp;    Al-Furqan 25 : 44
    
    7-&n= bsp;   Hastening = in all good deeds
    
    When we understand our goal in life and realize that what counts is the good tha= t we do, then we make it our priority to hasten in all good deeds and be among t= hose foremost in doing good and helping others:
    
    Verily those who l= ive in awe for fear of their Lord;
    
         &n= bsp;    Al-Mumenoun 23 : 57 Those who believe = in the Signs of their Lord;
    
         &n= bsp;    Al-Mumenoun 23 : 58
    
    Those who join not= (in worship) partners with their Lord;
    
         &n= bsp;    Al-Mumenoun 23 : 59
    
    And those who disp= ense their charity with their hearts full of fear, because they will return to t= heir Lord;
    
         &n= bsp;    Al-Mumenoun 23 : 60
    
    It is these who ha= sten in every good work, and these who are foremost in them. <= /p>
         &n= bsp;    Al-Mumenoun 23 : 61
    
    8-&n= bsp;   Being stea= dfast in the face of adversity, not loosing hope, but able to cope and patiently persevere
    
    As human beings we are tested and tried in various ways. This is normal and is= to be expected. What is important is our reaction to difficulty and adversity.= Do we give up or do we pick ourselves, get up and fight and try to cope with o= ur difficult situation and never give up hope of God’s mercy.
    
    And We shall try you until We test those among you who str= ive their utmost and persevere in patience; and We shall try your reported (mettle).
    
            &= nbsp; Muhammad 47 : 31
    
    Did ye think that ye would enter He= aven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (in His Cause) and remai= ned steadfast?
    
            &= nbsp; Al-Imran 3 : 142=
    
    It is this attitude of patient perseverance and renewed effort that will change our fate to another fate that God wills for us. Allah does not change our f= ate until we ourselves put in the effort to change it. This requires resolve and determination:
    
    For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession. Before = and behind him: they guard him by command of Allah. Verily never will Allah cha= nge the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.
    
         &n= bsp;    Ar-Ra’d 13 : 11
    
    9-&n= bsp;   Controllin= g our anger
    
    It is not easy to control our anger when provoked or when facing injustice or being wronged or facing ignorance. But controlling our anger is exactly wha= t is needed in these situations, otherwise we make rash decisions and we make mistakes, that we surely will regret when we are more sober and are able to think more clearly. This quality of being able to control our anger is difficult to achieve. Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) = asked his companions : who is the person whom you consider to be strong. When they said: the one who is strong physically, he answered: ( = No, the strong person, is he who is able to control his anger )
    
    The Qur’an praises those who control their anger, and forgive others and = do good:
    
    Those who s= pend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good.
    
            &= nbsp; Al-Imran 3 : 134
    
    =
    
    =
    
    So how can we= put this resolve and high ambition in our life here in America?
    
    1-&n= bsp;   Setting our priorities
    
    We must = set our priorities correctly and understand our goals, then work hard to achieve th= ese goals, realizing that we are striving in the cause of Allah. The Qur’= an tells us to work and do our best, and understand that Allah is well aware of everything that we do:
    
    And say: "Work (righteousness)= : soon will Allah observe your work, and His Messenger, and the Believers: soon wi= ll ye be brought back to the Knower of what is hidden and what is open: then w= ill He show you the truth of all that ye did."
    
    = ;         At-Tawba 9 : 105
    
    2-    Not to be in a hurry to see results
    
    We may n= ot see the results of our work in our life. However, Allah is well aware of our de= eds. What is important is to work and do our best to achieve our objectives. Man= was created in such a way that he is hasty, he wants to see results right away. This is not the Sunnah of Allah: everything runs its course, it is not up to us, and everything is controlled by Allah:
    
    Man is a creature of haste: soon (e= nough) will I show you My Signs; then ye will not ask Me to hasten them!
    
    = ;         Al-Anbia’a 21 : 37 The prayer that man should make for good, he maketh for evil; for man is given to hasty (deeds)= .
    
         &n= bsp;    Al-Isra’a 17 : 11
    
    What are o= ur priorities ?
    
    1-    To live ou= r life as Allah commanded us to do: as good Muslims, submitting to Allah, serving = our community and exhibiting our faith in our character and behavior=
    
    2-    Raising our children well, giving them a good education, teaching them morals and faith= and making sure they are aware of their responsibility to serve Allah
    
    3-    Establishi= ng Muslim institutions to serve Muslims and to be a source of knowledge about Islam and as a way of interaction and cooperation with non-Muslims, and supporting these institutions to the best of our ability<= /p>
    4-    Setting our goals, short and long term and working hard to achieve these goals, and not allow outside events interfere with our objectives, events that we have no control over.
    
    5-    Becoming involved in our community and keeping open lines of communication and worki= ng with and supporting other projects. We need to understand that no man alone= can accomplish these goals, and that it requires coordinated efforts from many people. We should work together, rather than fight each other, or interfere with the sincere efforts of others. The good of the community should come f= irst and ahead of our egos or personal feelings.
    
    Summ= ary Strong will and firm resolve
    
    BS <= span class=3DSpellE>Foad,M.D. 2008<= /span>
    
    As human beings we differ in our resolve and commitmen= t: some do not have the desire, or the will to make a strong commitment. Other= s are willing to put in the effort and make a commitment. Or in other words, some= are followers and do not want to bother, others are willing to lead.
    
    Where do this high ambition and stron= g will and desire to lead come from?
    - How do we exh= ibit this strong will and commitment ?=
      
      1-&n= bsp;   Seeking knowledge that is useful and spreading useful knowledge
      
      “ Say: “ Are th= ose equal, those who know and those who do not know? Those who understand recei= ve admonition “ Az-Zumar 39 : 9
      
      Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) s= aid: ( When man dies his deeds cease except for three: a charity that continues to help others; or useful knowledge; or a righteous son or daughter that seek God’s forgiveness on his behalf ) Muslim
      
      2-    Serving Allah and worshipping Him and striving in His cause
      
      Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) u= sed to turn to Allah in repentance and seeking His forgiveness every day 70 times<= /p>
      “ Only those are beli= evers who have believed in Allah and His messenger; and have not doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the cause of Allah: such= are the sincere ones “ Al-Hujerat 49 : 15
      
      “ You shall certainly be tested and tried in your possessions and in your personal selves, and you shall hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if you persevere patiently, and guard against evil, = indeed this requires resolve “ Al-Imran 3 : 186
      
      3-    Inviting to Allah
      
      “ Invite to the way o= f your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that a= re best and most gracious “ An-Nahl 16 : 125=
      
      4-    Controlling our vain desires
      
      “ And for such as bei= ng fearful of standing before his Lord and had restrained his soul from vain desires, paradise is his abode “ An-Naziat 79 : 40 & 41
      
      5-&n= bsp;   Hastening in all good deeds
      
      “ And those who approach what they do with the understanding that they are accountable to their Lord, it is these who hast= en in all good deeds, and are foremost in them “ Al-Mumenoun 23 : 60 & 61
      
      6-&n= bsp;   Controlling our anger
      
      “ Those who spend, wh= ether in prosperity or in adversity; and who restrain anger; and pardon others: for Allah loves those who do good “ Al-Imran = 3 : 134
      
      Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) s= aid : ( Restrain your anger )
      
      7-&n= bsp;   Not to be in a hurry to see the results of our work
      
      “ Man is a creature o= f haste: Soon will I show you My signs: then you will not ask Me to hasten them! = 220; Al-Anbia’a 21 : 37
      
      8-&n= bsp;   Setting our goals and priorities