Page 61 - Perfected Faith

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THE MORAL PERFECTION CONFERRED BY PERFECTED FAITH

insincerity, hypocrisy, haughtiness, arrogance against Allah, un-
scrupulousness, and the assumption of an attitude that will displease
Allah.
This is the how the people of perfected faith call one another to ac-
cept the truth. Allah defines such people in the Qur'an as follows:
They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right
and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are
among the true believers. (Surah Al 'Imran, 114)
In return for their efforts, they do not expect any rewards. They aim
only to comply with the commands of the Qur'an and thus to attain
the pleasure of our Lord. Throughout history, Allah's messengers ad-
monished their people as the Prophet Nuh (as) did:
I do not ask you for any recompense for this. For none can re-
ward me but the Lord of all the worlds. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 109)
Another example mentioned in the Qur'an is the Prophet Musa
(as)'s address to Pharaoh. Allah commands thus:
When his Lord called out to him in the holy valley of Tuwa say-
ing: "Go to Pharaoh—he has overstepped the limits—and say:
'Do you resolve to purify yourself? I will guide you to your
Lord, so that you may fear Him.'" Then he showed Pharaoh the
Great Sign. But he denied it and disobeyed, and then he hastily
backed away. But then he rallied all his men and called out, say-
ing, "I am your Lord Most High!" So Allah made an example of
him, meting out punishment to him in this world and the here-
after. There is certainly a lesson in that for those who fear Allah.
(Surat an-Nazi'at, 16-26)
As described in the verses above, the Prophet Musa (as) called
Pharaoh to believe in Allah but he refused outright and rebelled
against Allah. This reprehensible attitude of Pharaoh exonerated
Musa (as) from his responsibilities towards him, since he was only
held responsible for enjoining right and forbidding evil. It is Allah
Who guides a man's heart to the true path or leads him astray.