Is a Muslim compelled to obey his Lord and perform the obligatory duties, or does he choose to do so, and must he force himself into obedience, or does he adhere to it by choice?

The Islamic contract obliges the Muslim to fulfill their rights and obligations out of religious obedience and compliance, not out of cosmic determinism, with the Muslim retaining free will and choice. The Muslim should call to mind the intention of compliance and seeking reward (ihtisab) when performing obligations and other acts, in order to attain a greater reward. For, calling to mind the intention of faith and seeking reward increases the reward and expiates sins, as in fasting, praying Qiyam, and spending on one's family. And seeking reward (ihtisab) is the act of calling to mind faith and compliance with Allah's command with sincerity, without seeking compensation or praise from creation, and it is hoped that whoever does so will receive what Allah has promised.