Page 60

[Sayyid Qutb] and disorder within it. Those who weaken and fall behind must therefore be expelled far from the rank to protect it from disintegration and defeat. Tolerance toward those who leave the rank at the hour of hardship and then return to it in a time of ease is an offense against the entire rank and against the call for which it wages its bitter struggle.

*

Behind the love of ease and the preference for safety lie fallen aspiration, abasement of the soul, a bowed head, and flight from confrontation.

*

In the fray of life and the clash of events, the Muslim character was formed. Day after day and event after event, this character matured and grew, and its features became clear. The Muslim community made up of those characters emerged into existence with its own foundations, values, and distinctive character among all other communities.

Events bore harshly upon the emerging community, sometimes reaching the level of severe trial. It was a trial like the assaying of gold. It separated authentic substance from false froth and revealed the realities and qualities of souls, so that they no longer remained a mixture of unknown value.

Al-Quran would descend during a trial or after it had passed, portraying events and casting light into their bends and corners. Positions, emotions, intentions, and consciences would then be revealed. It would address hearts while they lay exposed to the light and stripped of every garment and covering. It touched within them the places of feeling and response, educated them day after day and event after event, and ordered their feelings and responses according to the method it intended.

The Muslims were not left merely to have Al-Quran descend with commands, prohibitions, laws, and directions all at once. God instead took them through experiences and trials,