Why Muslims should abandon weakness and ineffectiveness. – – A Muslim is commanded to pursue available means of attaining power and to abandon weakness and ineffectiveness. The Prophet (PBUH) explained that “a strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in each one. Cherish that which gives you benefit, seek help from Allah and do not lose heart.” [Muslim]

How is it that a Muslim can become powerless or give up when he believes in the existence of cause and effect, and in the balance that is set by Allah in the universe?

Physical or spiritual weakness is a negative trait that a Muslim should avoid and get rid of. Allah, The Almighty, instead urged His slaves to actively pursue any course to achieve strength; for instance, against the enemy, when He Says: “And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged. (Q8:60).

The Noble Quran denounces those who are content with subordination and lead a life of weakness and impotence, though they possess the ability to change their state. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): “Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves – [the angels] will say, “In what [condition] were you?” They will say, “We were oppressed in the land.” The angels will say, “Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?” For those, their refuge is Hell – and evil it is as a destination. (Q4:97).

Surely, those who are satisfied with such an inferior existence, expose themselves to humiliation, disgrace and the oppression of tyrants.