Page 51 - The Secret Behind Our Trials

The Muslim of Difficult Times
it, as well as from their superior moral character. Muslims know that
good behavior is composed of acts that defy the lower self's voice.
For example, when generosity, loyalty, patience, faithfulness, and
other such high moral qualities are practiced, the lower self is dis-
gusted. But the result of all this will be spiritual and material good.
Living a life in this world and in the world to come in a state of con-
tentment with the rewards of moral purity is much better than ac-
quiring all of the things that belong to this world and please the
lower self. For example, people who refuse to listen to the lower
self's persuasive tones to enter into an illegitimate relationship, but
who prefer to wait for their reward in the Hereafter, will enjoy honor
and righteousness in this world. In the same way, those who go hun-
gry or without sleep to supply the needs of a beloved Muslim friend,
and who disregard the ensuing difficulties, will be joyous in their
hope to win Allah's good pleasure.
Muslims who have these fine moral qualities, all of which Allah
praises in the Qur'an, also earn the believers' love and respect. If
they work hard for Allah's cause and gladly confront every obstacle,
if they act with untiring dedication to a just cause without fear of
confrontation, and if they are willing to make every kind of self-sac-
rifice, the love and respect that others feel for them will increase sev-
eralfold. In the Qur'an, Allah refers to those who live according to
His superior morality: "Those for whom the Best from Us was pre-
ordained will be far away from it [Hell]" (Surat al-Anbiya', 101)
and relates to us their fine physical and moral qualities.

Muslims Are True Friends in Times of Need
There is a common saying among non-religious people:
Someone who has fallen on hard times has no friends. This is a good
expression of the common idea that you cannot find a real friend

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