ISLAMIC ARTICLE ~ Allah guides those who struggle

"And those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide themto Our
paths." – Al-Ankaboot, 29:69. Struggle may seem like something to be
avoided, but the alternative is to walk in dim light, seeing nothing
clearly. If our livesconsist of sitting on the sofa watching TV, doing
jobs without passion, shrugging our shoulders at the suffering of
others, and accepting the unreality that is pushed at us by
advertising and the media, then we are living in shadow, even when the
sun shines.
Yes, we all have bills to pay, and sometimes we work jobs that we are
not passionate about, in orderto support our families. I have a
website about money transfer services, and another about paying bills
online. They are boring, but I spend time on them because they earn
money. In my free time I struggle to do work that is important to me –
this website being a notable example. Even a short article might take
metwo or three days to write, because of the limited time I haveto
work on it. Longer articles can take weeks. And yet people sometimes
tell me that my writinghas changed their lives.
We can all find a little time every day to pursue what we love, and to
make a difference in people's lives, even in a small way. Beyondthat,
we must strive to represent truth in everything we do: in ourfamily
lives, our work, our entertainment – everything.
Imam Jamil Al-Amin wrote in 2006:
"In the heart there is an emptiness and a need which nothing can
satisfy except for theremembrance of Allah (swt). The only proof of
faith is in struggle, struggling in word and deed, in body and soul.
The lack of faith will crush you far more than defeat ever could. 'And
what willexplain to you the path that is steep?' (90:12). Conscious
struggle is the path that is steep. Struggle where bitter hardship and
misfortune and difficulty becomes sweet tasting to the soul."
There is no road to success except through the struggle for truth and
righteousness. This is actually good news, because if you're a seeker,
if you've got a nose for truth, if you care about justice, then you're
already struggling, walking a hard road. It's inevitable. Those who
pursue truth and speak it out loud are seen as strangers and
subversives. You might wonder sometimes if it's worth it, or if you're
moving in the right direction.
Don't worry. The fact that you're struggling means that Allah is
guiding you, and you're on the right road.

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