[2:286] GOD never burdens a soul beyond its means: to its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits…
[7:42] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life―we never burden any soul beyond its means―these will be the dwellers of Paradise. They abide in it forever.
We are given this interim on earth as an opportunity to redeem our souls and secure our future with God in the true eternal life. It is our responsibility to abide by the laws and guidelines that God, by His infinite mercy, has provided for us in this life. We were not left without guidance, to wonder what God expects of us and what we need to do. By God’s grace He has always made it clear to us what we need to do, how we need to behave, what we should avoid, what we should encourage and what we should discourage and prohibit in order to be redeemed, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him. All of this can be found in the scriptures sent down by God.
But, as anyone alive can tell you – as God Himself tells us – this life is full of distractions. Distractions in every imaginable form – money, children, work, family, television, friends, bills, school, and just plain everyday living. As some people say, life has a tendency to get in the way. But as much as we may feel overwhelmed with what we have to deal with, we must remember that God tells us that He never burdens us more than we can handle.
[3:191] They remember GOD* while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.
[7:205] You shall remember your Lord within yourself, publicly, privately, and quietly, day and night; do not be unaware.*
[35:5] O people, GOD's promise is the truth; therefore, do not be distracted by this lowly life. Do not be diverted from GOD by mere illusions.
The Purpose of Our Existence
[51:56-58] I did not create the jinns and the humans except to worship Me alone. I need no provisions from them, nor do I need them to feed Me. GOD is the Provider, the Possessor of all power, the Supreme.
By God’s grace we were guided to His truth as submitters and we know (or we should know) what the purpose of this life is and that our first and foremost priority is seeking to please God, and living as righteously as is in our means.
God tells us that we must constantly be aware of Him and to remember Him so that we make Him our god. This life, as “real” as it may seem is an illusion. Our only goal should be to use every opportunity, every breath and every moment that we have to ‘invest’ in the Hereafter—that we may succeed.
[5:35] O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and seek the ways and means to Him, and strive in His cause, that you may succeed.
[22:78] You shall strive for the cause of GOD as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion―the religion of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you "Submitters" originally. Thus, the messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and hold fast to GOD; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best Supporter.
[29:6] Those who strive, strive for their own good. GOD is in no need for anyone.
Part of living righteously, and working to redeem ourselves, is that God tells us we must strive in His cause. We strive with our money and our lives and strive whenever we can.
But what does it mean to strive in God’s cause? And why is it important that we do this? The Quran is our roadmap to salvation and everything we need to know about what God expects from us has been included in it – including how and why we strive in the cause of God.
[2:177] Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.
[2:207] Then there are those who dedicate their lives to serving GOD; GOD is compassionate towards such worshipers.
Striving in the cause of God is devoting our life to God. Strivers obey the commandments God has set out for us on how to live our lives, how to treat each other, what to forbid, and what to advocate. Strivers dedicate their lives and money to God. They do it, because they want the higher ranks from God. They want to be admitted an honorable admittance (17:80) back with God.
Better Believers Strive in the Cause of God
[9:41] You shall readily mobilize, light or heavy, and strive with your money and your lives in the cause of GOD. This is better for you, if you only knew.
Higher Ranks for the Strivers
[4:95] 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.
[4:96] The higher ranks come from Him, as well as forgiveness and mercy. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.