ZAKAH AND SPENDING

But how many generations before them did We destroy (for their sins),- stronger in power than they? Then did they wander through the land: was there any place of escape (for them)?

Verily in this is a Message for any that has a heart and understanding or who gives ear and earnestly witnesses (the truth). (Qaf 50:36-37)

Bear, then, with patience, all that they say, and celebrate the praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting.

And during part of the night, (also,) celebrate His praises, and (so likewise) after the postures of adoration. (Qaf 50:39-40)

We know best what they say; and you are not one to overawe them by force. So admonish with the Qur'an such as fear My Warning! (Qaf 50:45)

You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and you shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if you persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs. (Aal Imran 3:186)

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

Say, "Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allah will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allah . And Allah is Seeing of [His] servants (Aal Imran 3:14-15)

He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding. (Al Baqarah 2:269)

On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all and inform them of what they did. Allah had enumerated it, while they forgot it; and Allah is, over all things, Witness. (Al Mujadilah 58:6)

On the Day Allah will resurrect them all, and they will swear to Him as they swear to you and think that they are [standing] on something. Unquestionably, it is they who are the liars. (Al Mujadilah 58:18)

Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers. (Al Mujadilah 58:19)

Today there are many people reciting Qur’an, reading Qur’an, attending Qur’an study sessions, but ironically Qur’an is absent from our lives. We are too far from comprehending the message and the wisdom Allah SWT is sharing with us in His book. Read carefully and see for yourself…

Behold, We turned towards you a company of Jinns (quietly) listening to the Qur'an: when they stood in the presence thereof, they said, "Listen in silence!" When the (reading) was finished, they returned to their people, to warn (them of their sins).

They said, "O our people! We have heard a Book revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it: it guides (men) to the Truth and to a Straight Path.

"O our people, hearken to the one who invites (you) to Allah, and believe in him: He will forgive you your faults, and deliver you from a Penalty Grievous.

"If any does not hearken to the one who invites (us) to Allah, he cannot frustrate (Allah's Plan) on earth, and no protectors can he have besides Allah: such men (wander) in manifest error." (Al Ahqaf 46:29-32)

What will happen if we continue in the state of heedlessness, indulge in duniya and do not listen to the message of Allah? This will be the ending!

Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) messengers of inflexible purpose; and be in no haste about the (Unbelievers). On the Day that they see the (Punishment) promised them, (it will be) as if they had not tarried more than an hour in a single day. (Yours but) to proclaim the Message: but shall any be destroyed except those who transgress? (Al Ahqaf 46:35)

In these verses Allah SWT tells you very straightforwardly that you will only achieve what you are looking for and aiming for. You want duniya, you will get it; you want akhirah, you will get it. Just remember, one day you will have to stand in front of Allah SWT!

That man can have nothing but what he strives for;

That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:

Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete; (An Najm 53:39-41)

Allah SWT left the journey of iman open as a challenge for us to do our utmost. Two of the most beloved topics to Allah SWT—dhikrullah and spending—are not obligatory actions. None of the various forms of spending we discussed so far are obligatory except zakat-ul-mal and zakat-ul-fitr. Everything else is a form of struggle to elevate our iman and a proof of our devotion, sincerity, love and belief in the One we are doing it for.

I challenge those who claim that Islam spread by force that it could not have worked. We cannot make people do things by force. Allah SWT never pressurizes people into believing, instead He engages us in a conversation. He advertises, encourages and motivates our souls to believe in His oneness and greatness. The more we believe, the more we love, and the more we hasten to do whatever we can to gain His pleasure.

A very important comment: Today among the many tragedies of this ummah is our shaky belief in the promises of Allah SWT. Even those Muslims who study very well, know Qur’an and sunnah, listen to scholars, and worship, suffer from this weakness of faith. Our iman, our love for Allah, our belief in and longing for jannah is so weak that spending is very difficult for us; especially voluntary spending!

Allah SWT says:

(Such has been) the practice (approved) of Allah already in the past: no change will you find in the practice (approved) of Allah. (Al Fath 48:23)

It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion: and enough is Allah for a Witness. (Al Fath 48:28)

The occasion to prove sincerity and faith is at the time of actions. Especially when we are surrounded by those who are needy and suffering, and we have the ability to alleviate some of their distress. The companions of the Prophet SAW did their utmost and spent majority of their wealth for Allah SWT.

After reading this, look around yourself and assess the needs of this ummah from the desperate need of da’wah to the state of orphans, victims of major crisis, sick, needy, and the list is unlimited. Ask yourself how much you are willing to spend to gain the promises of Allah and His glad tidings. Otherwise, may Allah SWT save us, we may be labeled as hypocrites without even realizing it.

Allah's Good Pleasure was on the Believers when they swore allegiance to you under the Tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down tranquility to them; and He rewarded them with a speedy Victory; (Al Fath 48:18)

Indeed, your efforts are diverse.

As for he who gives and fears Allah

And believes in the best [reward],

We will ease him toward ease.

But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need

And denies the best [reward],

We will ease him toward difficulty.

And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?

Indeed, [incumbent] upon Us is guidance.

And indeed, to Us belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].

So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing.

None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one.

Who had denied and turned away.

But the righteous one will avoid it –

[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself

And not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be rewarded

But only seeking the countenance of his Lord, Most High.

And he is going to be satisfied. (Al Layl 92:4-21)

Note: If you think this article is long, read only the 30^th juz in the Qur’an and see how many chapters and how many ayahs encourage spending and warn those who withhold.

Question for you to reflect on….

Why did Allah SWT repeat this topic over and over again?

When you read Qur’an, you will find that the message is the same. The qualities of the believers throughout times remain the same and the excuses of the hypocrites stay the same. Read these verses and see where you stand…

The desert Arabs who lagged behind will say to you: "We were engaged in (looking after) our flocks and herds, and our families: do then ask forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say: "Who then has any power at all (to intervene) on your behalf with Allah, if His Will is to give you some loss or to give you some profit? But Allah is well acquainted with all that you do. (Al Fath 48:11)

Duniya is material life where as akhirah is the hereafter. No one in this world whether believers, disbelievers, atheists claim they are going to live forever. We are going to die. It is not a matter of ‘if’, it is ‘when’, and the answer to that we do not know. Young and old, healthy and ill, all are going to experience death.

If you call yourself a Muslim and claim to believe in Qur’an you will find that Qur’an does not attempt to balance duniya and akhirah; it is 100% about akhirah. Islam teaches us to view this duniya as a transition—a bridge—to lead us to our final destination. This final destination can only be two places, paradise or hellfire. Paradise is the place of permanent pleasure and hellfire is the place of permanent torture. The bottom line of this message is: sacrifice the maximum you can from what is temporary to gain the pleasure of Allah SWT and enter heaven for infinity.

This is what the message is all about! I know today we are too far from the message and consequently too far from the practice of spending. If we understood the message of Islam, we would not hesitate from spending in the way of Allah SWT. Take the example of a car that you love and want to purchase. You go to the dealership, they tell you how much it is worth and you give your hard earned money to the dealer in return for the car.

What really happened during this transaction?

The love of your money was transferred to the love of the car. Therefore you were able to part with what you love for something that you loved and valued more. You were willing to sacrifice whatever you had to get what you love, or you thought you love, what you desire and what you believe would benefit you. All these transactions are temporary. The car will get old, the clothes will get worn out, and the house will eventually deteriorate.

On the other hand Allah SWT is advertising for what is everlasting. Allah SWT wants you to sacrifice what you love and what pleases you for what He loves and is pleased with. And in return you get the permanent abode of pleasure, the paradise.

A very important point: The challenge for mankind is to remember! Remember that the temptations and illusions of duniya are false and the promise of Allah is true even though it is unseen. Shaytaan (lanatullah alih) makes us busy with what is fleeting and we forget about that which is everlasting. This is where the power of belief comes in—to believe in and struggle for something that we cannot see. The more we believe, the more we are willing to spend, and the easier it becomes. Now we hasten to do good deeds knowing full well that all we are spending is in reality getting transferred to our Bank Ilahi meaning it has is being saved by Allah SWT and He will multiply it for us 7, 70 or even 700,000 times!

By the time you finish this article and if Allah SWT opens for you and me to understand and comprehend this message, I promise it will have a profound impact on you. If Allah SWT gives us the ability to live this message, you will see that it will fill your life with incredible joy, pleasure and happiness and will eventually lead you to the permanent abode of happiness InshaAllah.

May Allah SWT open our hearts to be among those who are generous and are real believers, not fake ones. May Allah SWT cleanse our hearts and souls from stinginess, selfishness, greed, and love of accumulation of duniya and instead fill our hearts with love of Allah SWT, love of goodness, care, mercy, love of Rasul Allah SAW, believers and all mankind.

Look what kind of advices Allah SWT gives us…

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being - indeed that, for Allah , is easy - (Al Hadid 57:20-22)

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah . And whoever does that - then those are the losers. (Al Munafiqoon 63:9)

But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (Al Munafiqoon 63:11)

O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.

So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah ]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful. (At-Taghabun 64:14-16)

Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (At-Taghabun 64:18)

Allah SWT gives glad tidings to the believers and tells them what to do.

Read for yourself, determine where you are and where you are going.

As to the Righteous, they will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs,

Taking joy in the things which their Lord gives them, because, before then, they lived a good life.

They were in the habit of sleeping but little by night,

And in the hour of early dawn, they (were found) praying for Forgiveness;

And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of the (needy,) him who asked, and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking).

On the earth are signs for those of assured Faith,

As also in your own selves: Will you not then see?

And in heaven is your Sustenance, as (also) that which you are promised.

Then, by the Lord of heaven and earth, this is the very Truth, as much as the fact that you can speak intelligently to each other. (Adh-Dhariyat 51:15-23)

Hasten you then (at once) to Allah: I am from Him a Warner to you, clear and open! And make not another an object of worship with Allah: I am from Him a Warner to you, clear and open! (Adh-Dhariyat 51:50-51)

But teach (your Message) for teaching benefits the Believers.

I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve Me.

No Sustenance do I require of them, nor do I require that they should feed Me

For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance,- Lord of Power,- Steadfast (for ever). (Adh-Dhariyat 51:55-58)

And be patient, [O Muhammad], for the decision of your Lord, for indeed, you are in Our eyes. And exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord when you arise.And in a part of the night exalt Him and after [the setting of] the stars. (At-Tur 52:48-49)

Therefore shun those who turn away from Our Message and desire nothing but the life of this world.

That is as far as knowledge will reach them. Verily your Lord knows best those who stray from His Path, and He knows best those who receive guidance. (An-Najm 53:29-30)

If Allah helps you, none can overcome you: If He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you? in Allah, then, Let believers put their trust. (Aal Imran 3:160)

Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous,- (Aal Imran 3:133)

And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins,- and who can forgive sins except Allah?- and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done. (Aal Imran 3:135)

Sunnah of Allah SWT never changes…

Men said to them: "A great army is gathering against you": And frightened them: But it (only) increased their Faith: They said: "For us Allah sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs."(Aal Imran 3:173)

For such the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath,- an eternal dwelling: How excellent a recompense for those who work (and strive)! (Aal Imran 3:136)

Many were the Ways of Life that have passed away before you: travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth.

Here is a plain statement to men, a guidance and instruction to those who fear Allah!

So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For you must gain mastery if you are true in Faith.

If a wound hath touched you, be sure a similar wound hath touched the others. Such days (of varying fortunes) We give to men and men by turns: that Allah may know those that believe, and that He may take to Himself from your ranks Martyr-witnesses (to Truth). And Allah loveth not those that do wrong.

Allah's object also is to purge those that are true in Faith and to deprive of blessing Those that resist Faith.

Did you think that you would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (In His Cause) and remained steadfast? (Aal Imran 3:137-142)