Allah. The two are not mutually exclusive.
There are universal gifts that Allah gives to all. Life, the soul, the
will… beyond that, nothing is assured. Breath? Some people fight to
breathe. Food? Some people struggle for a bit of grain. Water? Some
people work an entire day to get water. Health? Some people are born
sick and fight for every day of life. Freedom? Millions of children
are born in refugee camps.
Allah gives us opportunities. He gives us abilities, talents, gifts,
and it's up to us to make something out of them. Allah gives us
guidance andtruth, but if we want to follow that truth then we'llhave
to fight for it, and it won't be easy. As soon as we dedicate our
lives to truth, we'll see obstacles appearing in our paths.
I don't mean physically fight (though that is sometimes the case). I
mean strive, struggle, workhard, deal with personal attacks and
naysayers, staypositive, find a way forward when the path appears to
be blocked, and refuse to give up!
If you want to pursue your dreams, you'll have to struggle. If you
want (halal) love in your life, if you want something real, ifyou want
to make something happen, well then brother and sister, you'll have to
strive with all your might. That's how it is.
"And those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our
paths." – Quran, Al-Ankaboot, 29:69.
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