Page 56 - Loyalty Described in the Qur'an

LOYALTY DESCRIBED IN THE QUR'AN
[They are men] not distracted by trade or commerce from the
remembrance of Allah and the establishment of prayers and
the payment of alms; fearing a day when all hearts and eyes

will be in turmoil. (Surat an-Nur, 37)
As Allah says in verse 37 of Surat al-Hajj, "Their flesh and blood
does not reach Allah but your heedfulness does reach Him. In this
way He has subjected them to you so that you might proclaim
Allah's greatness for the way that He has guided you. Give good
news to the good-doers," believers know that what will make their
acts of worship worthy in the sight of Allah are the intentions in their
heart. For this reason, they are very careful to act with true sincerity.

Believers show this steadfastness in their worship in order to
attain the high moral character that pleases Allah, and which He has
described in the Qur'an. The struggle with their lower-selves to at-
tain moral excellence also reveals their sense of determination in
this regard.
In the test that is this earthly life, Allah has revealed two paths to
human beings: the good and the evil. In order to retain good moral
character throughout their lives, they must be careful not be diverted
into the evil ways of their lower-selves. For example, in a situation that

might incite anger, a believer restrains himself, and acts in a concilia-
tory fashion. When he meets an arrogant individual, he does not re-
turn arrogance for arrogance, but maintains a modest composure. In
the Qur'an, our Lord says: "People are prone to selfish greed" (Surat
an-Nisa', 128). He commands us to be cautious against the selfishness
of our lower-selves, and to be steadfast in exhibiting good morals. One
who pursues the kind of morality revealed by Allah is generous, and

thinks of others before himself. He is composed under all situations

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