The Companions of the Prophet

flourishing. When Islam received a setback, they would not rest until they had redressed it. When one associates oneself with a cause—as the Companions did with Islam—one needs no telling about what one’s attitude should be. Heartfelt enthusiasm shows the way. One is willing to give everything for it and place its interest above all else. Our losses on its behalf become our gains, and there can be no feeling of diminishing our worth in the face of its claims. The difficulties we encounter in its espousal are easily surmounted because of the fervour with which we are imbued. There was nothing extraordinary or supernatural about the Companions. They were human beings like any other. What made them stand out from the rest of humanity was that the feeling of true love, which most people feel only for themselves, was thought for the faith of Islam. They built for the future of Islam as normal people build for their futures. Just as people put all their energy and wealth into pursuing their interests, so did they put their all into pursuing Islamic interests. The depth of their attachment to Islam enabled them to establish the supremacy of the Faith. Recognising the Prophet at the Very Beginning One unique quality of the Companions was that they recognised a prophet who was their contemporary. It is very difficult to identify and believe in a prophet of