When Allah Is With You: The Truth of Struggle

In this 5th episode of Journey Through the Quran, Season 2, Shaykh Riad Saloojee reflects on the final verse of Surah al-Ankabut: “And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of ihsan.” (Qur’an 29:69) We explore what it means to do mujahada (spiritual struggle) “for Us” and “in Us”: • Bringing our whole heart into salah, du‘a, dhikr, and Qur’an • Wrestling with the nafs, boredom, distraction, and Shaytan • Understanding that life’s tests are passed through sincere struggle in ‘ibadah • Realizing the promise that Allah will surely guide those who strive, and that He is with the people of ihsan From the opening of Surah al-Ankabut about being tested, to its closing promise of guidance and divine companionship, this episode invites us to live as truthful seekers who strive for Allah in every aspect of life. May Allah make us among the muhsinin and grant us sincerity, stamina, and His nearness. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & salaam 01:27 – Recap: joy in Allah’s grace, love, and the gift of salah 04:48 – “Walladhina jahadu fina”: the law of spiritual struggle 08:18 – No shortcuts: effort as a law of dunya and akhirah 12:01 – What it means to struggle “in Us”: being fully present 16:13 – Battling the nafs, boredom, and Shaytan 22:00 – “Lanahdiyannahum subulana”: Allah’s promise of guidance 26:43 – “Wa innallaha lama‘a al-muhsinin”: Allah is with the people of ihsan 35:18 – Beginning and end of Surah al-Ankabut: belief, tests, and struggle 38:39 – Passing life’s tests through sincere worship and mujahada 40:29 – Closing du‘a and transition to the evening wird