One More Step: Building Resilience Through Faith and Effort

The Trust Placed on the Believer

Every believer carries a trust. It is not meant to crush us, but to raise us for the sake of Allah. Our Lord does not take joy in hardship, yet some burdens are necessary. They loosen our grip on the world and teach us to hold fast to Him.

The Qur’an assures us: “Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Qur’an 94:6, link). Notice how Allah follows comfort with command:

Ease is not an invitation to drift into comfort. It is a call to rise, to choose effort after trial. This rhythm—pressure, release, striving—becomes the believer’s training ground.

Khadijah RA and the Absence of Fatigue

Our mother Khadijah RA was promised a house in Jannah “with no noise and no fatigue” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3820, link). Notice the promise: rest is a reward, not the purpose of this life. Khadijah RA earned it through tireless support of the Prophet ﷺ, through wealth spent, sacrifices made, and struggles borne with steadfastness.

Here in dunya, fatigue is part of the path. First comes the tiredness of trials we did not choose, then the tiredness of effort we willingly offer for Allah. Both are steps toward eternal rest.

Struggle as a Step Up

There will be days when the journey feels heavier than our strength. Those are not signs of weakness, but moments of building. Most people do not fail because they lack ability, but because they retreat when pressure arrives.

When you hit a wall, name it for what it is: a step up. Every person of greatness stood at that edge and chose not to falter. Neuroscience teaches us that resilience is built not in ease, but in the small, repeated moments of choosing effort over retreat. Each “micro-struggle” strengthens neural pathways of endurance, shaping a brain and heart that do not collapse under pressure¹².

The Habit of “One More”

Build the habit of “one more.”

• One more page of Qur’an

• One more task done with excellence

• One more minute of dhikr with presence

• One more rep in training

• One more rak‘ah of prayer

Small enough to do now, powerful enough to change direction. Over time, “one more” becomes mental toughness, emotional resilience, and spiritual strength. Psychologists call this deliberate practice—tiny increments that accumulate into mastery³. Islam calls it striving for Allah, step by step, until He opens the doors of His mercy.

Applying This Teaching to Our Lives

1. One More Page of Qur’an

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The one who recites the Qur’an and is proficient in it will be with the noble, righteous scribes.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4937, link)

• Benefit: Strengthens memory and calms the nervous system through rhythmic recitation.

2. One More Rak‘ah of Prayer

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done regularly, even if they are few.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464, link)

• Benefit: Builds consistency, which rewires the brain for discipline and self-regulation.

3. One More Minute of Dhikr

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Qur’an 13:28, link)

• Benefit: Dhikr slows breathing and lowers cortisol, aligning with modern breathwork therapies.

4. One More Act of Service

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to the people.” (al-Mu‘jam al-Awsaṭ 6026, graded hasan)

• Benefit: Acts of kindness release oxytocin, boosting emotional resilience.

5. One More Step in Physical Effort

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The believer who is strong is better and more beloved to Allah than the believer who is weak.” (Sahih Muslim 2664, link)

• Benefit: Exercise fuels neuroplasticity, sharpening cognition and emotional stability.

Conclusion

The absence of fatigue belongs to Jannah. Here, struggle is a gift that builds us. Do not fear the wall, for it is only a step up. When the urge to stop arises, remember Khadijah RA, remember the Qur’anic command, and remember the strength found in “one more.”

Take one more step today—for Allah—and trust that He sees it all.

FAQ

Q1: What does Islam say about resilience in hardship?
Islam teaches that trials are part of life and a means of growth. The Qur’an reminds us that with every hardship comes ease (94:6).

Q2: How can I apply the “one more” principle in daily worship?
Add one small act—one verse, one rak‘ah, one minute of dhikr—each day, consistently.

Q3: Why is hardship necessary for believers?
Hardship teaches humility, detachment from dunya, and reliance on Allah. Without it, we remain stagnant.

Q4: What is the balance between rest and striving in Islam?
Rest is part of the Sunnah, but ultimate rest is promised in Jannah. In dunya, our striving continues.

Q5: How does modern science support the idea of “one more”?
Neuroscience shows that small repeated actions build resilience and neuroplasticity, while psychology confirms that incremental effort fuels long-term growth.

Footnotes

1. McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation. Physiological Reviews.

2. Southwick, S. M., & Charney, D. S. (2018). Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges.

3. Ericsson, K. A. (2006). The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance.