Page 64 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

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

These people try to persuade those around them that their atti-
tudes are quite reasonable. But in reality, they are only attempting to
quiet their own conscience. Sometimes they use the excuse of having
family or business responsibilities to give the impression that they are
not in a position to sacrifice for others. However, they know that their

excuses are invalid. In addition, they are aware that everything in this
life is transitory and that only Allah is eternal; He is the One to Whom
everything will finally return. Allah knows their real intention: "We
know those of you who have gone ahead and those who are still to
come" (Surat al-Hijr: 24). In spite of this, they still prefer to satisfy their
lower self rather than to win Allah's favor. They fall into the serious
error of thinking that it is to their advantage to protect their own inter-
ests, whereas their real advantage is to seek His approval, for only He,
the Lord of the worlds, can protect and bestow blessings upon them,
and ensure their security, contentment, and ease.
Those who have a selfish moral character will find themselves be-
littled both in this world and in Hereafter. In fact, those who avoid self-
sacrifice are proclaimed in the Qur'an:
If Allah returns you to a group of them and they ask you for

permission to go out, say: "You will never go out with me, nor
will you ever fight an enemy with me. You were happy to stay
behind the first time, so stay behind with those who are left be-
hind." (Surat at-Tawba: 83)
In addition, those who claim to believe and yet choose their own
interests over earning Allah's approval will experience great sorrow in
the Hereafter. But if they consider these truths and live as best as they
can according to the Qur'an's moral teachings, they can hope to be
saved from this eternal sorrow.

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