Page 66 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

avoiding such an attitude. Otherwise, it would not promote conduct which would serve in
attaining the will and pleasure of Allah. Besides, as the verse below indicates, it is detrimental
to the unity of believers:
And obey Allah and His Messenger; and fall into no disputes, lest you lose heart and
your power depart; and be patient and persevering: For Allah is with those who
patiently persevere.
(Al-Anfal, 46)

It follows that a believer should never let competition or dissension prevail among his
brothers. Considering the primitive nature of these feelings, his soul should never be driven by
them. Furthermore, he should never arouse envy in others. Being unpretentious and modest
eradicates the danger of competition among believers. Another key attribute of a believer
stressed in the Qur’an is being self-sacrificing. A believer always gives priority to the needs and
wishes of other believers and displays a virtuous spirit. What is more, he takes pleasure in
assuming such an attitude. The Qur’an describes this attitude as follows:

But those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith,-
showed their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertained no desire
in their hearts for things given to the (latter), but gave them preference over
themselves, even though poverty was their own lot. And those saved from the
covetousness of their own souls are the ones that achieve prosperity.
(Al-Hashr, 9)

Essentially, envy, rivalry and contentiousness are the three basic factors posing a serious
threat to the maintenance of brotherhood and solidarity among the believers. Competitiveness,
likely to be aroused by ambition, does harm the bond of brotherhood. This is indeed
detrimental to the soul and leads to moral regression.
It is, therefore, senseless to waste time in hindering the efforts of other believers through
competition and envy, while endless opportunities lie ahead of man to earn the good pleasure
of Allah. Indeed, competition never prevails in an environment where the common goal is
earning the pleasure of Allah. A believer should never forget that a community of believers is
like a body in which each organ functions in close cooperation with the others for its general
well-being. In this context, believers should see the success of their brothers as if it were their
own success. This is quite an important concept. There are numerous verses in the Qur’an
stressing the importance of brotherhood. In one verse, a prayer made by believers is recounted:
And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who
came before us into the faith, and do not leave in our hearts, any rancour (or sense of
injury) against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of Kindness,
Most Merciful.”
(Al-Hashr, 10)

A dispute or controversy among the believers will impair the entire struggle. Such a
happening would lessen the unity and power of believers, while strengthening the unbelievers.
Indeed, unless believers remain each other’s protectors oppression will prevail. The Qur’an
makes the following observation:

Unbelievers are each other’s protectors. Unless you do this, (protect each other), there
w i l l b e
tumult and oppression on the earth, and great mischief.
(Al-Anfal, 73)