they aim to attain Allah's (God's) approval in everything they do they
are always careful to make their surroundingsagreeable. One
significant attribute of a devout believer is that he is loyal and
determined. Believers give thanks for the blessings Allah bestows on
them and always think of other believers first in all matters, even if
they themselves are in need. They never exhibitan avaricious
character. Allah describes this moral virtue of believers thus in the
Qur'an:
"They give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and orphans
and captives: 'We feed you only out of desire for the Face of Allah.
We do not want any repaymentfrom you or any thanks…'" (Surat al-Insan,
8-11)
Believers, who regard other people as manifestations of Allah, have a
great love for other believers that stems from their love of Him.
Because of their faith and fear of Allah, they display a parental
virtue. The well-being ofother believers makes them happier than their
own. In one verse Allah says:"You see them bowing and
prostrating,seeking Allah's good favour and His pleasure. Their mark
is on their faces, the traces of prostration." (Surat al-Fath, 29)The
light of faith and moral probity of believers who turn to Allah is
reflected in their faces.
On the other hand, thinking of their worldlydesires alone put peoplein
a humiliating position. In the words ofthe Qur'an,"Truly man was
created headstrong – desperate when bad things happen, begrudging when
good things come –" (Surat al-Ma'arij, 19-21)Allah reveals the
selfishness and weakness inherent in earthly desires.
However, people who believe in and fear Allah overcome these
deficiencies inherent in their earthly desires through faith and moral
virtues, by proper making use of their consciences. But those who
strive to possess thetemporary baubles of the life of this world
imagine that selfishness puts them in a beneficialposition. The fact
is, however, that the benefits they obtain through selfishness do
terrible damage to their souls. These people's hearts become
hardenedto the praise of Allah. They therefore fail to seethe beauties
and manifestations of Allah around them and are unable to properly
appreciate His might andpower. These people, who turn their backs on
moral virtues and seek only their own worldly desires, are unable to
turn to Allah in a profound closeness. Their failure to heed their
consciences and their selfish behavior also impacts on their faces.
The faces of believers, who do heed the voice of their consciences,
are radiant like those of the prophets, while the faces of the former
display a spiritual rigidity born from selfishness.
Since believers place their trust in Allah, they never thirst for the
life of this world and its attractions. They accept everything that
Allah ordains for them in theirdestinies. And Allah bestows great
blessings and ease on them because of these moral values. They enjoy
the peace of mind that comes from submission to Allah. Those who
follow the selfish passions of their earthly desires imagine that the
benefits they gain through such moral values can really make them
happy. But the result is very different. Allah only bestows true
happiness on believers who live their lives for His approval. No
blessingobtained through selfishness in the life of this world can
replace Muslims' spiritual peace and happiness, the profound
satisfaction that comes from moral values displayed for Allah's
approval. Believers, who know that earthly desires cannot bestow any
happiness beyond what Allah desires, keenly avoid complying with these
desires and turn toAllah in full submission. They experience a
profound satisfaction from overcoming their earthly passions in
orderto gain the love of Allah and from happily and willingly making
sacrifices for His sake. Our Almighty Lord tells us of these servants
whoexhibit such superior moral virtues in the Qur'an:
"Those who were already settled in the abode, and in faith, before
they came, love those who have made migrated to them and do not find
in their hearts any need for what they have been given and prefer them
to themselves even if they themselves are needy. It is the people who
are safe-guarded from the avarice of their own selves who are
successful." (Surat al-Hashr, 9)
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