Page 150 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

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

other Companions, she used her body to shield him and received many
wounds. 37
Ikrima ibn Abi Jahl always put the Prophet's (saas) safety before
that of himself, his tribe, and his relatives. He fought at Yarmuk against
the Byzantines during Abu Bakr's (ra) reign. The Muslims were victori-

ous, but he, along with al-Harith ibn Hisham and Suhayl ibn Amr,
were seriously wounded. History records their self-sacrifice:
Al-Harith ibn Hisham, Suhayl ibn Amr, and Ikrima ibn Abi Jahl were
seriously wounded and fell at the battle of Yarmuk. Al-Harith asked for
water to drink. One of the soldiers brought him some water. Seeing that
Ikrima was looking at him, he said: "Take this water to Ikrima." As
Ikrima was taking the water, he saw that Suhayl was looking at him. He
did not drink the water, but said: "Take this water and give it to
Suhayl." But Suhayl died before he could reach him. At this, the water-
bearer ran to Ikrima. But Ikrima had also died. He immediately rushed
to al-Harith, but al-Harith had also died. 38

We can see that the Companions, when at the point of death and
in moments of extreme need, thought first of their fellow Muslims.
Without a doubt, this great self-sacrifice came from their firm belief in
Allah and the Hereafter and their sincere submission to Him.
The Companions were never daunted by their difficulties. Even
though they might have been justified in not fighting in His way be-
cause of their own needs and distress, they made no excuses. They
were always eager to do as much as they could and to spend all their
personal and material strength. One of the best examplars of this atti-
tude is Zayd ibn Suhvan. While fighting at Qadisiyyah, where 600

Muslims were killed, he was wounded and lost his arm. But he wanted
39
to continue fighting, because his belief was so strong. ‘Ilba' ibn Jahsh-

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