Page 48 - The Courage of the Faithful

THE COURAGE OF THE FA I T H F U L

yourselves, recounting My Signs to you, those who guard
against evil and put things right, will feel no fear and will
know no sorrow. (Surat al-A‘raf, 35)
In spite of all the distress and difficulty they encounter, believ-
ers recommend the morality commanded by Allah to others with
g reat determination, while the pre s s u res over them never impede

that determination in the least. This trait is directly related to the
faith they possess. One without faith cannot remain determined
when subjected to slander, harassment, or is unjustly mistre a t e d .
Those who do not possess genuine faith lose any sense of determi-
nation when faced with the slightest difficulty, abandoning their be-
liefs and principles.
The measure of the sincerity of a Muslim is the determination

he shows when faced with difficulties. One without sincere faith
does not accept social re s p o n s i b i l i t y, for he knows that he may be
faced with such difficulties, as have befell the prophets and their
pious followers before. But, the behavior of those who accept the re-
sponsibility of promulgating the morality of the Qur'an, guiding
others towards good and keeping them from evil, even when it be-
comes difficult, is admirable and truly worthy of praise. While the
g reat majority of people are devoted to their own businesses and
other worldly affairs, engaging themselves in an ideological battle

for the sake of Allah, and accepting the large number of difficulties
which it entails, is highly noble behavior.
M o re o v e r, for a true believer, all this is not a problem, but a
g reat blessing. Because, as pointed out earlier, similar trials befell
the prophets. A number of prophets were subjected to slander, suf-
f e red oppression, were threatened with violence and death and

46