12. Strive to Finish the Journey and Return to God with an Excellent Soul

Now it is time for a full multidimensional action [Jihād] that builds on all the nine virtues so that the journey is complete and your soul is ready to return to its Lord in the highest degree of excellence. Linguistically, Jihad means to make an effort. So, anytime you are making an effort to do something great for God’s cause, you are performing an act of Jihad and you are called a mujāhid.

Jihad is to strive and thrive in the path of God, it does not mean “holy war.” Jihād can be carried out in various ways which can be summarized in 11 categories ‎(Yassine, 1981)‎: Jihad against one’s lower self, Jihad with money, Jihad through education, Jihad by enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, Jihad with words and proofs, Jihad through mobilization and society building, Jihad by being politically active, Jihad by putting plans into action, Jihad against disbelief, Jihad by role modeling, and Jihad by being united.

In their journey to God, the best mujahids will be those who wisely, constantly, and diligently embody these eleven categories with the right intention, at the right time, in the right way, and in the company of the righteous people. They implement them concurrently, continually, and comprehensively as complementary components of a clear mission and an achievable vision, not only for their own benefit, but also for the common good of the society.

Their mission is to excel in serving God and His creation while enjoying an excellent life on earth. Their vision is to become among the best of the best in God’s sight and attain ultimate bliss in heaven: The contentment of God and the contemplation of His Face while dwelling in the Firdaws (1)The best of paradises , forever!