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misfortune, he swore he would never eat or drink anything until they had told him about the
well-being of his noble Companion, Muhammad (Peace be upon him). That was the spirit of
selflessness and sacrifice that characterized the behaviour of those early Companions.
3. The sense of responsibility. The early Companions were fully aware of the daunting
responsibility they were expected to shoulder. They were also convinced that those charges
were inescapable even though they were being persecuted for fear of the far-reaching
ramifications, and the horrible impact that humanity would suffer in case they shirked their
obligations.
4. Unwavering Belief in the truth of the Hereafter. This was the corner-stone that strengthened
their sense of responsibility. There was a deep certainty established through the light of
their religion that one day they would have to rise on the Day of Resurrection and account
for all worldly deeds, small or big. They were sure that their future in the other world would
depend wholly on their acts in their provisional life on earth, either to everlasting Garden
(Paradise) or perpetual chastisement in Hell. Their whole life was divided between hope for
Allâh’s mercy and fear of His punishment.
·
“… Who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their
hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not),
because they are sure to return to their Lord.” [23:60]
They had already known that life with all its amenities and pains was worthless when
compared with the Hereafter. Such deep convictions brought about in them a sense of
indifference to all troubles and hardships that attended their life.
5. The Qur’ân. The verses and chapters of the Noble Qur’ân were attractively, forcefully and
successively revealed at that gloomy and critical stage, supporting and advancing
arguments on the truth and soundness of the principles of Islam, round whose axis the
whole Call of Muhammad Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã was revolving. They constituted the immune
basis upon which the best and most wonderful Divinely decreed society was to be
established. The Qur’ânic verses served also to excite the feelings of the believers,
strengthen their selves on their course of patience and endurance and introduce them to the
most purposeful examples and suggestive instructions:
·
“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who
passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so
shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, ‘When (will
come) the Help of Allâh?’ Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allâh is near!” [2:214]
“
Alif-Lam-Mim
. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe’,
and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will
certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it)
known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting
them to test).” [29: 1-3]
Mere lip profession of Faith is not enough. It must be tried and tested in the real turmoil of
life. The test will be applied in all kinds of circumstances, in individual life and in relation to
the environment around us to see whether we can strive constantly and put the Lord above
self. Much pain, sorrow and self-sacrifice may be necessary, not because they are good in
themselves, but because they will purify us, like fire applied to a goldsmith’s crucible to burn
out the dross.
These verses also constituted an irrefutable answer to the false allegations of the
disbelievers, and a clear ultimatum that smacked of the horrible consequethat would ensue
in case they persisted in their disbelief. On the other hand, the Noble Qur’ân was leading the
Muslims to a new world and enlightening them as to its features, the beauty of Lordship, the
perfection of Godship, the impact of kindness and mercy and the manifestations of the
yearned for Allâh’s pleasure. They implicitly connoted meaningful messages carrying glad
tidings of definitely approaching Divine Mercy leading to eternal bliss in a blissful Garden
(Paradise). They, at the same time, envisaged the end of the tyrants and disbelievers who
would be brought to Divine Justice and then dragged through the Fire where they would
taste the touch of Hell.
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