Chapter 35. Fervour And Courage Which Is Praiseworthy

The criterion here is that the only fervor or courage which is praiseworthy is that which has been praised by Allah and His Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Allah is the one whose praise is beauty and whose censure is dishonor, and this is to no one other than Allah, neither poet, nor orator, nor anyone else. Thus, when an Arab from the tribe of Bani Tameem said to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) "My praise is beautification, and my censure is disgrace", the Prophet said to him: "That is Allah!".

 

Allah has praised courage and forbearance in His path, as in the sahih, narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash'ariy (may Allah be pleased with him):

 

It was said to the Prophet: A man may fight out of courage, and he may fight out of fervour and excitement, and he may fight to be seen by others, so which of those are (truly) in the path of Allah? The Prophet said: Whoever fights so that the word of Allah may be uppermost is in the path of Allah."

 

Just as Allah said:

 

[And fight them until there is no more chaos and discord, and all religion is solely for Allah] Quran 8/39

 

This, in fact, is the purpose for which Allah has created mankind, as He said:

 

[And I have not created the jinn and humankind except that they may worship Me.] Quran 51/56

 

Thus any act which is in pursuit of the overall goal for which the entire creation has been created is praiseworthy in the sight of Allah; and it is that which has some remaining benefit for its doer, and Allah will benefit him because of it. These then are the righteous deeds (Al-a'maal As-Saalihaat) referred to in the Quran. In this regard, people can be divided into four categories:

1. Those who strive and work for the sake of Allah with courage and forbearance. These are the believers who deserve the reward of paradise.
2. Those who strive and work for other than Allah with courage and forbearance. These benefit from their efforts in this life, and there is nothing of that for them in the hereafter.
3. Those who work for Allah, but without courage and without forbearance. These have an element of hypocrisy (nifaaq) and lack of faith (imaan) to the degree of their cowardice and discontent.
4. Those who do not work for Allah, and who have no courage and no forbearance. These have no share neither in this world nor in the hereafter.

 

The Character Needed By The Believer

 

These traits and these works are needed by the believer in general, and especially in times of chaos, strife, and extreme trials. They are in need of thorough reforming of their selves, in spite of the presence of that within them which calls to chaos and corruption. And they also need to fulfill their obligations in terms of enjoining others what is right and forbidding them what is wrong to the extent of their ability. Both of these obligations contain great difficulties as we have seen, though are easy for those for whom Allah has made them easy.

 

This is because Allah has ordered the believers to have faith and do good deeds, and has ordered them to call the people and struggle with them to bring about faith and the practice of good deeds. And Allah has promised them His aid in these pursuits. Allah said:

 

[And Allah will certainly aid those who aid Him (i.e. His cause), and verily Allah is strong, mighty. Those who, if we empower them in the land establish the prayer, pay the Zakat, enjoin all that is right, and forbid all that is wrong. And unto Allah is the end of all affairs.] Quran 22/41

 

[Verily, we will support our prophets and those who believe in the life of this world, and on the day when the witnesses stand forth. (i.e. Qiyama)] Quran 40/51 [Allah has decreed: I will be victorious, myself and my prophets. Verily, Allah is strong, mighty.] Quran 58/21

 

[Verily, our forces will vanquish them.] Quran 37/173

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