101 - Striving hard

Do you reckon that you will enter paradise while you have not suffered like those [believers] who passed away before you? Affliction and adversity befell them, and so terribly shaken were they that the messenger and the believers with him would exclaim, ‘When will God’s help come?’ Surely, God’s help is close at hand.

Do you reckon that you can enter paradise unless God has identified those among you who strive hard [in His cause], and who are patient in adversity. (142) Surely, you used to wish for death before you came face to face with it. Now you have seen it with your own eyes.

Do you think that you will be left alone, unless God takes cognizance of those of you who strive hard for His cause and establish close association with none other than God, His Messenger and the believers. God is well aware of what you do.

Do people think that once they say: ‘We are believers’, they will be left alone and not put to a test? (2) We certainly tested those who lived before them; and so most certainly God knows those who speak the truth and most certainly He knows those who are liars.

Then, he who transgressed the bounds of what is right, (37) and chose this present life (38) will have hell for his dwelling place. (39) But he who feared that he will stand before his Lord and forbade his soul its base desire (40) will dwell in paradise.