Striving to please God

[94:7-8] Whenever possible you shall strive.  Seeking only your Lord.

God says to strive. Let’s reflect on: Why should we strive?

[4:95-6] Not equal are the sedentary among the believers who are not handicapped, and those who strive in the cause of GOD with their money and their lives. GOD exalts the strivers with their money and their lives above the sedentary. For both, GOD promises salvation, but GOD exalts the strivers over the sedentary with a great recompense. The higher ranks come from Him, as well as forgiveness and mercy. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

Higher Ranks, then, is one answer. For both the strivers and the sedentary, God promises salvation, but God says, they're not equal. You know in university, you can pass the course getting a "C", but would you rather get an "A+" or a "C"? What would you tell your kids to work for? If it matters in this world, imagine the differences in the Hereafter!

Now, we're not saying “just passing” isn't a big deal. It certainly is (3:185).

[3:185] Every person tastes death, then you receive your recompense on the Day of Resurrection.

Whoever misses Hell, barely, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than an illusion.

You pass, you still get your degree. You still make it to Paradise. But given a choice, which would you rather choose? Economy or First Class? You can compare in Quran in Suras 55 and 56. The rewards for anyone who attains Paradise are wonderful, but in High Heaven, it’s full of provisions within reach, with springs flowing. In the Lower Heaven, wells must be pumped and provisions collected.

Let’s look at 17:78-79 using another example related to college: students love opportunities for extra credit; it gets them closer to that “desired grade”. You can do the basics to pass: making Salats and reading Quran once a day. Or you can also meditate for extra credit and read Quran at night (17:78-80, 73:20) to come ever closer and closer to God. (One understanding of meditation is it’s a broad term that encompasses remembering and worshiping God.)

[17:78-80] You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset.

You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed. During the night, you shall meditate for extra credit, that your Lord may raise you to an honorable rank. And say, "My Lord, admit me an honorable admittance, and let me depart an honorable departure, and grant me from You a powerful support."

[73:1-10] O you cloaked one. Meditate during the night, except rarely. Half of it, or a little less. Or a little more. And read the Quran from cover to cover. We will give you a heavy message. The meditation at night is more effective, and more righteous. You have a lot of time during the day for other matters.

You shall commemorate the name of your Lord, to come ever closer and closer to Him. Lord of the east and the west; there is no other god besides Him. You should choose Him as your advocate. And remain  steadfast in the face of their utterances, and disregard them in a nice manner.

Striving helps keep us guided. Like other traits of the righteous, striving is inter-linked with righteousness. God says that those who strive, God guides them.

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