Page 126 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

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

Such great men of Islam as Bediuzzaman Said Nursi placed a high
value on each difficulty that they were forced to endure throughout
their lives. Said Nursi, whose superior moral character will be dis-
cussed in further detail in the following pages, spent years in prison
and exile and was crushed by oppression. Despite sickness, poverty,
and hardship in his old age, he submitted to Allah and put his trust in
Him. In his most difficult moments, he thought about the best interests
of Islam and Muslims, was determined in his acts of self-sacrifice, and
was an example of superior morality to his students. The sincere efforts
of the Master and his followers were, by Allah's permission, an impor-
tant means of imparting the Qur'an's moral teachings to the masses.
Today, all Muslims should show the same eager determination to
adhere to and spread the Qur'an's moral teachings. Their difficulties
should not cause them to despair; rather, they must resolve to earn the
reward offered by these valuable moments in a spirit of unity and self-
sacrifice. Worldly preoccupations and personal interests should never
stand in the way of living by this morality, for in the Hereafter each
person will be called to account for whatever good and bad deeds he or
she has done.
In the Qur'an Allah tells us that the believers will be successful
and that the Qur'an's morality will prevail. Allah, Who is above
every defect and rich beyond need, is definitely the victor. On the
other hand, a human being is a needy creature that has to win His
pleasure and approval. Allah needs only to speak the word
"Be" to accomplish His will. Thus, each person must
work to attain his or her salvation by assuming
each responsibility and doing their
best to fulfill it.

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