Page 155 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

Harun Yahya - Adnan Oktar

The Companions' Self-Sacrifice in

Giving Alms
In many respects, the Companions led very difficult lives, for they
were the first Muslims in a very traditional society of hostile unbeliev-

ers. Thinking that their ancestral religion would be harmed, the unbe-
lievers spared no effort to silence the believers, divert them from their
faith, and even kill them.
Subjected to all sorts of psychological pressure, cruelty, torture,
and accusations, they lived much of their lives under the threat of
death and, as revealed in the Qur'an, struggled with terrible fear, star-
vation, and oppression. This treatment lasted for years, during which
all business, trade, and sometimes even social relations were severed.
In addition, some of their families and tribes excluded them.
Sometimes they could find nothing to eat, and thus had to endure star-
vation and thirst, as well as cold and the sicknesses that such condi-
tions cause. But they endured all of these things willingly and
courageously, for they knew that Allah was testing them and that if
they were successful, they would win His approval: "We will test you
with a certain amount of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and life
and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast" (Surat al-Baqara: 155).
By acting in unity, and with a spirit of solidarity, not to mention using
all of their possessions in His path, they overcame their adversities.
They did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives and possessions, and
were examplary sacrificers of their own interests. Their total belief in

Allah and the Hereafter prevented them from considering giving what
they had to others as a loss; on the contrary, they regarded each oppor-
tunity to do so as an opportunity to win His love and approval. As
Allah says: "And how is it with you that you do not give in the way of

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