Page 16 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

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

interests here, instead of trying to attain Allah's favor, mercy, and
Paradise, will suffer eternal agony. In addition, they know that Allah
will reward their self-sacrificial moral character with good things in
this world and incomparable eternal blessings in the Hereafter:
Those who do good will have the best, and more. Neither dust
nor debasement will darken their faces. They are the
Companions of the Garden, remaining in it timelessly, forever.
(Surah Yunus: 26)

So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the best re-
ward of the Hereafter. Allah loves good-doers. (Surah Al
'Imran: 148)
If anyone desires the reward of this world, We will give him
some of it. If anyone desires the reward of the Hereafter, We
will give him some of it. We will recompense the thankful.
(Surah Al 'Imran: 145)
However, self-sacrifice is far more than just giving part of one's
possesssions to someone in need. For believers, it is a way of life that
comes from the strength of their belief, pervades their whole life, and
requires that they sensitize themselves to their surroundings. This in-
volves feeling a sense of personal responsibility for social problems
and trying to solve the problems of oppressed and needy
people. Rather than thinking that the rich and powerful will
take care of these problems, they consider it a moral im-
perative and a demand of their conscience to get in-
volved, for being a virtuous person means to act in
the knowledge that every believer who

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