Page 106 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

the fact that other Muslims who face the same circumstances willingly
assume their responsibility also shows the insincerity of these people.
Just as they refused to enter the struggle, they encouraged others
to follow their example because it was too hot to fight. Others, as the
Allah says, referred to service and self-sacrifice as "fitnah." Allah re-
veals their insincerity:

Among them are there some who say: 'Give me permission to
stay. Do not put me to fitnah [trial].' Unquestionably, into fit-
nah they have fallen. Hell hems in the unbelievers. (Surat at-
Tawba: 49)
Another excuse used to convince those around them is that they
are occupied with the affairs of this world. Again, some of the people
whom our Prophet (saas) called to support the Muslims sought to
avoid that responsibility:

And a group of them said: "O people of Yathrib. Your position
is untenable, so return." Some of them asked the Prophet to ex-
cuse them, saying: "Our houses are exposed," when they were
not exposed. They merely wanted to run away. (Surat al-Ahzab:
13)
These people thought that they would suffer hardship, danger,
and difficulty if they did what the Prophet (saas) told, and so they tried
to make excuses by saying that they were needed at home, where they
had important responsibilities. Allah tells us that they were lying, for
they were fully aware that He was pleased with the Prophet's call and
supports the believers. Allah then says that their overall goal was to

avoid responsibility and self-sacrifice.
They use these kinds of excuses for everything imaginable.
Believers who know that people are suffering must do what they can to

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