Page 96 - Self-Sacrifice in the Qur'an's Moral Teachings

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

merce from the remembrance of Allah, the performance of
prayer, and the giving of the alms; fearing a day when all hearts
and eyes will be in turmoil. (Surat an-Nur: 37)

These possessions and children are blessings from Allah. Of
course, people may try to find a good job, start a family, and engage in
profitable business. However, these things must never become the
main goals in life or divert them from the importance of praising Allah,
working toward the Hereafter, and winning His approval. On the con-
trary, all of these should help them attain these goals. Otherwise, as
Allah says in the above verse, these things may have evil consequences
and cause a person's downfall in this world and the Hereafter.
By pursuing their own interests and avoiding self-sacrifice, they
cannot grasp the idea of Allah's power, His mercy and forbearance to-
ward believers, or His protecting and helping them. Ignoring the fact
that Allah sends their difficulties to test them, these people think that
they have absolute power and strength. Since they think that other
people can harm them, they are overwhelmed by fear. For an example,

in the Qur'an Allah cites the case of those people who accompanied our
Prophet (saas) to the battlefield but then wanted to retreat because they
were terrified that they would be hurt. Allah tells these people to trust
that Allah would help them:
Remember when you left your family early in the day to install
the believers in their battle stations. Allah is All-Hearing, All-
Knowing. And remember when two of your clans were on the
point of losing heart and Allah was their Protector. Let the be-
lievers put their trust in Allah. Allah helped you at Badr when

you were weak, so fear [and respect] Allah so that, hopefully,
you will be thankful. (Surah Al 'Imran: 121-123)

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