Page 134 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

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

that… I was with the Messenger of Allah (saas) on the night of the
Battle of Abzib. We were gripped by a violent wind and severe cold. The
Messenger of Allah (saas) said: ‘The man who [goes reconnoitering

and] brings me news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day
of Judgment by Allah (the Glorious and Exalted).' Then he said: ‘Get
up Hudhaifa, [and] bring me the news of the enemy.' Presenting myself
before him, I gave him information about the enemy. When I had done
so, I began to feel cold, so the Messenger of Allah (saas) wrapped me in
an extra blanket with which he used to cover himself while praying. So
I continued to sleep until it was morning.'" (Sahih Muslim, book 19,
no. 4412)
Together with his matchless moral character, our Prophet (saas)
devoted his life and his possessions to Allah: Say: "My prayer and my

rites, my living and my dying, are for Allah alone, the Lord of all the
worlds" (Surat al-An'am: 162). He did this so that the Qur'an's morality
could spread everywhere, thereby enabling contentment, peace, and
love to prevail among all people. He was eager to achieve this end and,
content in his submission to Allah, put up with all kinds of hardship.
Our Prophet (saas) spent three years secretly proclaiming his mes-
sage with great caution. Many people accepted Islam and the number
of Muslims was growing. At the end of three years, by Allah's com-
mand, he openly announced Islam and his prophethood to the
Quraysh. These unbelievers became hostile and initiated a pitiless
struggle with him that consisted of trying to silence him by resorting to
all kinds of cruelty and even attempted murder. Led by Abu Lahab,

Umm Jamil (Abu Lahab's wife), and Abu Jahl, the leading men of the
Quraysh fought to stop him.

132