Page 44 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

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

silver by my side. (Muhammad Yusuf Kandahlawi, Hayat as-Sahabe
[Life of the Companions], vol. 2: Sentez Nesriyat, p. 474.)
Allah informs us of the excellent moral character of those believ-

ers who, in spite of their own need, gave to the poor, the orphans, and
the captives:
They give food, despite their love for it, to the poor, the or-
phans, and the captives. [Believers say:] "We feed you only out
of desire for the Face of Allah. We do not want any repayment
or any thanks. Truly, We fear from our Lord a glowering,
calamitous Day." So Allah has safeguarded them from the evil
of that Day, has made them meet with radiance and pure joy,
and will reward them for their steadfastness with a Garden
and silk. (Surat al-Insan: 8-12)
In these verses, Allah shows us the extent to which believers can
sacrifice their own interests. They spend their lives fearing and respect-
ing Allah and listening to their conscience. These things determine
their actions. They know that everything they have given up to win His
favor will earn them a far better reward in the Hereafter. Their need
may be short-lived, but their good deeds will bring them Allah's love,
friendship, and mercy. This hope will make them forget their depriva-
tion, for it will be the source of great joy and pleasure. This is the only
basis of real goodness and self-sacrifice. Real goodness is defined in the
Qur’an as:

It is not devoutness to turn your faces to the East or to the West.
Rather, the truly devout believe in Allah and the Last Day, the
Angels, the Book and the Prophets; those who, despite their
love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives, the or-
phans and the very poor, the travelers and the beggars, to

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