CONCLUSION

In the Qur'an, Allah warns believers about becoming overwhelmed with fear and despondence through the difficulties they encounter, and falling into anxiety and laxity:

Be patient. But your patience is only by Allah. Do not be grieved by them and do not be constricted by the plots they hatch. (Surat an-Nahl, 127)

So be steadfast. Allah's promise is true. Do not let those who have no certainty make you impatient and shake your firmness. (Surat ar-Rum, 60)

It is the responsibility of believers never to forget the significance of these verses that Allah has revealed, and to serve Him with determination, patience and faithfulness.

A strong sense of faithfulness will bring about strong faith, and will provide a believer the strength and true patience to face the many difficulties that may occur. It will also make of him a devoted servant, who always turns to Allah, remembers Him, fears Him, loves Him, and takes only Him as his protector. His strong devotion to Allah will direct him to earn His favor, by constantly performing good deeds on His path, and make him one worthy of attaining a high moral character and mature faith. Therefore, "the loyalty and devotion felt for Allah and His messenger" are the qualities that separate believers from others; they demonstrate their sincerity, and are the essential characteristics of a believer, and grant him strength in every stage of his life. In the Qur'an, Allah speaks of this strong bond that believers feel:

[People of intelligence are] those who fulfill Allah's contract and do not break their agreement. (Surat ar-Ra'd, 20)

One of the clearest indications of the faithfulness and devotion believers feel towards Allah is their concern to comply with the moral precepts of the Qur'an, and to tell others of them; and, in doing this, they are not deterred in any way by the obstacles they may encounter on the Way of Allah. In return for their sincere submission and unwavering dedication to Him, Allah makes them this promise:

As for those who make Allah their friend, and His Messenger and those who believe: it is the party of Allah who are victorious! (Surat al-Ma'ida, 56)

In order to test them, Allah may impose on them difficulties in the course of their lives, but they never forget Allah's ultimate promise, being, "it is the party of Allah who are victorious." The reason why believers are able to attain such courage, patience, determination, the willingness to perform self-sacrifices, and never compromise their high moral character, is because they firmly embrace the teachings of the Qur'an, feeling also a strong sense of obedience and loyalty towards Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah refers to the Prophet Nuh (as) as an example of faithfulness, and praises him for his determination in calling others to this superior morality:

He said, "My Lord, I have called my people night and day but my calling has only made them more evasive. Indeed, every time I called them to Your forgiveness, they put their fingers in their ears, wrapped themselves up in their clothes and were overweeningly arrogant. Then I called them openly. Then I addressed them publicly and addressed them privately. I said, 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Truly He is Endlessly Forgiving.'" (Surah Nuh, 5-10)

As is the case with Prophet Nuh (as), one who believes in Allah must have in his heart a deep sense of this faithfulness, that he may win Allah's favor and eternal life of Paradise. In order to follow the true Path that will win them that favor, all believers must strive continually and throughout their lives, no matter what difficulties they may encounter, to be His true servants. As Allah says in the Qur'an:

It was not for people of Madina, and the desert Arabs around them, to remain behind the Messenger of Allah nor to prefer themselves to him. That is because no thirst or weariness or hunger will afflict them in the Way of Allah, nor will they take a single step to infuriate the disbelievers, nor secure any gain from the enemy, without a right action being written down for them because of it. Allah does not let the wage of the good-doers go to waste. Nor will they give away any amount, whether large or small, nor will they cross any valley, without it being written down for them so that Allah can recompense them for the best of what they did. (Surat at-Tawba, 120-121)

In the verse 114 of the Surah Al 'Imran, Allah describes believers as devout individuals who warn others against evil, urge them towards what is good, and take every opportunity to call them to live good moral lives.

They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. (Surah Al 'Imran, 114)

By living according to these high moral standards, believers will foster peace and order and ensure the survival of moral values, by encouraging unity and co-operation among people. In this way, every individual will gain greater strength, higher morals, greater sincerity and become more industrious. As long as a believer exercises sincere devotion towards Allah and His messengers, all his difficulties will become alleviated. Believers, who remain faithful to Allah throughout their lives, will always enjoy His help, protection and mercy:

Those who submit themselves completely to Allah and do good have grasped the Firmest Handhold. The end result of all affairs is with Allah. (Surah Luqman, 22)