Page 131 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings
P. 131
Harun Yahya - Adnan Oktar
Some of the desert Arabs around you are hypocrites, and some
of the people of Madina are obdurate in their hypocrisy. You
do not know them, but We know them. We will punish them
twice over, and then they will be returned to a terrible punish-
ment. (Surat at-Tawba: 101)
Our Prophet (saas) always responded to his people with the
Qur'an's moral teachings:
Indeed, you are truly vast in character. (Surat al-Qalam: 4)
You have an excellent model in the messenger of Allah, for all
who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember
Allah much. (Surat al-Ahzab: 21)
If people can be patient in the face of wrong attitudes that spring
from ignorance, hidden intentions, bad moral character, injustice, and
nevertheless respond according to the Qur'an's morality, they are good
examples of self-sacrifice. It is a sign of particular excellence if, when
they are entitled to something, they can forego their rights and endure
being treated unjustly. Ignorant people may not appreciate this moral
excellence; in fact, they may not even notice it. But those sincere believ-
ers who seek only to win Allah's favor can be forgiving, patient, and
conciliatory even when it is most difficult for them. When faced with
his people's evil intentions, our Prophet (saas) sacrificed his own de-
sires in order to win Allah's approval. He always wanted to improve
them and exhort them to be good. Allah informs us of our Prophet's
(saas) love for the believers, his self-sacrifice, and his good moral char-
acter:
It is a mercy from Allah that you were gentle with them. If you
had been rough or hard of heart, they would have scattered from
around you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and
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