Page 81 - The Alliance of the Good

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The Evil's Greatest Fear: The Alliance Of The Good

and unwavering support, or considering him as a rival, is
unacceptable for a true Muslim. A believer should be proud
of others' commitment and provide his support.
Jealousy is an attribute of the evil alliance. The existence

of such an evil trait among individuals collaborating for a
righteous end does nothing but diminish the strength of the
alliance. It is surely the evil alliance that benefits from such
detriment. As Bediuzzaman says, the only cure for this illness
is not following one's ego and always taking the side of one's
fellow.
In the Risale-i Nur collection, Bediuzzaman draws a
comparison between the machinery of a factory and
believers. The harmonious and smooth functioning of this
machinery is essential for a productive output. A similar
harmony is also required in the co-operation among
believers. Said Nursi explains that believers should avoid
talk which could cause jealousy and bitterness as follows:

This is not to criticize your brothers who are employed in this
service of the Qur'an, and not to excite their envy by displaying
superior virtues. For just as one of man's hands cannot compete
with the other, neither can one of his eyes criticize the other, nor his
tongue object to his ear, nor his heart see his spirit's faults. Each of
his members completes the deficiencies of the others, veils their
faults, assists their needs, and helps them out in their duties.
Otherwise man's life would be extinguished, his spirit flee, and his
body be dispersed. Similarly, the components of machinery in a
factory cannot compete with one another in rivalry, take precedence
over each other, or dominate each other. They cannot spy out one
another's faults and criticize each other, destroy the other's
eagerness for work, and cause them to become idle. They rather