Page 45 - Perfected Faith

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THE MORAL PERFECTION CONFERRED BY PERFECTED FAITH

hard times are no exceptions; a single warning from their conscience
suffices to make them immediately see the good and turn to it.
An example will clarify this issue: Think of a believer who has just
returned from a long tiresome journey; having had only a few hours
sleep, he is exhausted and hungry. Just at the time he is about to rest
to regain his strength, he meets a person in a desperate situation who
asks for help. This believer feels no hesitation in setting aside all his
personal needs and rushes to his assistance. If he is physically too
weak to help himself, then he finds someone who will replace him.
Meanwhile, in return for all this help, he avoids any such attitude as
would arouse feelings of indebtedness in the other person; he does
not stoop to mentioning his needs or the sacrifices he has made. That
is because, he has performed all these services to earn Allah's ap-
proval. He does not expect anything in return. The attitude of such
people is stated in the Qur'an as follows:
We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We do not want any re-
payment from you or any thanks. Truly, We fear from our Lord a
day of anguish and of woe. (Surat al-Insan, 9-10)
This is the understanding of conscience of a person of perfected
faith. No matter how dire the circumstances may be, he does not
swerve from following his conscience and never does a good deed in
expectation of a reward. The thought that Allah is aware of that deed
is sufficient for him.
In the case of one who lacks the morality conferred by perfected
faith, every inconvenience becomes a legitimate excuse that makes
him ignore the right option to which his conscience guides him.
Physical needs such as sleeplessness, exhaustion or hunger may well
change his attitude, turning him into an intolerant, nervous and bad-
tempered person. At such times, let alone helping someone, he be-
comes rude to the people around him who try to help him. If he
agrees to help another—which is often an exceptional situation—he