Allah reminds us in this verse that moving forward or holding back is ultimately our own choice. Notice that He does not say “step forward with your deeds,” but simply, “you step forward.” The focus is on the person -your very self and body -taking that step.
In an earlier passage, the Qur’an illustrates this reality through the example of Waleed ibn al-Mughira, painting a vivid picture of how personal choice unfolds from the inside out.
Do not ever think that if you stop pushing yourself you will stay where you are. The fact is, whenever we stop pushing ourselves, we slip backwards! This is true physically, mentally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. This phenomenon is noted in the Qur'an in the Ayah: لِمَن شَآءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَتَقَدَّمَ أَوْ يَتَأَخَّرَ 'To whomever among you wishes to advance, or regress.'
Meaning, all the warnings, reminders, glad tidings and admoniti...
The Qur'an has this theme where it puts the duty on you -- It's YOUR job to take action, to make the decision, to CHOOSE. One of the central themes in Islam is accountability, that every human walking this Earth will have to take account for his deeds in life. This belief of accountability is the not-so-secret, secret to fixing the world. Imagine if everyone doing something bad, knew they would be punished for it, thus not making the sin worth it...