Page 30 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

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

fulness toward our Prophet (saas) and their self-sacrificial moral char-
acter:
The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves.
(Surat al-Ahzab: 6)

Islamic scholars have passed down many such examples of the
early Muslims' determination, courage, patience, and self-sacrificial ac-
tions done solely to win Allah's approval and mercy and attain
Paradise. Living in a non-Islamic society, the Companions risked
everything and believed in Muhammad (saas) as His Prophet, despite
the unbelievers' oppression and threats. At that time, the powerful and
respected members of the Meccan community applied great pressure
to make the believers recant and return to their ancestral idolatry.
Many sincere believers were determined to resist in order to win
Allah's approval. Some of them were maimed by torture, had their
hands and feet cut off, or even died. But none of them recanted. On the
contrary, this oppression caused them to become more resolute, more
self-sacrificial, and more eager to spread the Qur'an's morality. They
may have been wounded in battles, but even this did not daunt them;
rather, they accepted it as a blessing and a great honor. Their excellent
moral character is described in the Qur’an:
Many a prophet has been fought when there were many thou-
sands with him. They did not give up in the face of what as-
sailed them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken or yield.
Allah loves the steadfast. All they said was: "Our Lord, forgive
us our wrong actions and any excesses that we went to in what
we did. Make our feet firm and help us against these unbeliev-
ing people." So Allah gave them the reward of this world and
the best reward of the Hereafter. Allah loves good-doers.
(Surah Al 'Imran: 146-48)

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