Financial
Sacrifice-Part II
Alhamdulillah,
Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue the
same subject which I started last Friday on Financial Sacrifice.
So
like I said last week, the solution of all the economic and other
problems of man, of all believers is found in spending in the way of
God (Allah the Almighty). This is the remedy for overcoming poverty
and all kinds of difficulties and problems.
Another
remedy for overcoming poverty is faith. As a result of paying Zakaat
and other financial contributions one's faith increases and one wins
the pleasure of God. Allah never ignores those who make sacrifices
for Him. He never deprives them of their needs. One has to become a
beggar either of God or of the world. It is better to become a beggar
of God. Therein lies true intelligence.
One
should always understand that by becoming a beggar of God one wins
the pleasure of God. This is an established reality. There is no
doubt about it. Some people complain, due to misunderstanding, that
the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam is constantly dwelling on the need of
its members to make financial sacrifices and does not pay attention
to other necessary requirements. It is not the officials of the
Jamaat, but it is God Himself, Who, in the Holy Quran exhorts the
faithful to make financial sacrifices. The officials are only
expounding God's exhortations, therefore, no fault lies on them.
Giving in the way of God is, in fact, for everyone's own spiritual
and material benefit.
The
giving of financial contributions develops sincerity and purifies the
soul; it helps in the acquisition of Taqwa
(reverential fear of Allah, righteousness, piety). In fact Taqwa
is manifested through it. The person's outlook changes and he
attracts the pleasure and blessings of God and even if he has faults
and weaknesses his contributions will not go to waste. God, out of
His grace, even overlooks his faults and help him to change for the
better. Allah is greater, kinder and much more capable of love than
parents. He is more protective and fierce to defend His beloved
servants. We learn from the Holy Quran that He overlooks the faults
of His beloved servants. I know that God overlooks the faults of
those who make financial sacrifices for His sake. They grow in piety.
Two Types of Parents
A devout mother would not feel happy if her children did not spend
any money for religion. She does not consider it would be a burden
upon them. She wants them to participate in this blessing.
I
know the parents of some children who hold back their children who
have just started earning from making contributions in the way of God
on the grounds that they are not properly settled in life. There are
some who even see this spending as wastage (God
forbid).
On
the other hand there are other parents who are thankful for the
blessings they have received as a result of their contributions and
do not want to deprive their children of also drawing blessings from
God. So they urge them to contribute.
Some
children well trained by their parents fully understand the
philosophy of giving in the way of Allah. Some young people,
Alhamdulillah,
send their earnings to me to be used in the service of God, while
others, who used to take part in community activities have let go of
this practice. They must beware lest this become a curse for them.
Remember! Spending in the way of God is the most intelligent
investment for the believer. Allah shall never ever leave you
empty-handed! When you remember Him and love to spend in His way,
helping His cause in whatever capacity you have and with whatever you
have of means, then Allah returns it all back to you and multiply
your investment further, both in this world and the hereafter. But
not all people understand this vital precept of life, and of the
kindness and generosity of God.
Parents
should be the supporters of their children in their intention to help
the cause of Allah. Parents who bar their children from spending in
the way of Allah shall be bereft of the blessings of Allah. While
their children are ever ready to serve the cause of God, having such
parents who advice them otherwise, discouraging them from 'wasting'
their money in the way of God is really bad. Indeed, Allah Himself in
the Holy Quran advices giving preference to Allah and His
commandments first, then afterwards comes the parents and their
wishes. Now if parents encourage their children to respect the divine
commands, such are truly magnanimous parents, worthy of the praise,
love and blessings of Allah. But if parents disregards the
commandments of Allah, and hinder their children from becoming fully
the people of God, then whilst the children should always respect
them and care for them, but in respect to their faith, they should
forgo the wrong teachings of their parents and put into practice the
evergreen teachings of Allah.
Many
such cases have come to my attention where children find themselves
in a precarious situation when their own parents restrict them from
spending in the way of Allah, and by the grace of Allah I was able to
settle these matters amicably in capacity as Messenger of Allah,
which means that Allah has placed me as the head of a worldwide
family with whom people discuss personal matters informally, without
any fear.
In
connection with this vital question my attention was drawn to the
following verse of the Quran:
Do
not kill your children for fear of poverty.
(Al-Anam 6: 152).
This
verse is generally and correctly interpreted to mean that no one
should practice birth control for fear of being unable to care for
one's children or for national economic reasons. The verse generally
applies to this subject. But it can also be interpreted to mean that
spiritually you would be killing your children with your own hands if
you prevented them from giving financial contributions in the way of
God.
It
is essential that members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam should
constantly be reminded and guided in understanding about the
beneficial blessings which result from giving to God Who knows the
conditions of our hearts. We should give with full awareness,
humility and genuine feeling. This is the spirit which Allah (swt)
loves and which is difficult to express in words. Sometimes one gives
something to a person just in order to get rid of him, or to a
persistent child just to keep him quiet. In like manner, people
sometimes give something to a beggar. It is better to give with
sincere and pleasant feelings which melt the heart, with awaken your
humanity and awareness of being a temporary traveler in this world,
and it is the next abode which shall be eternal. If you live with
this awareness, and dedicate all good works for the sake of God, then
God Almighty shall reciprocate and show you His magnanimity and
kindness. You shall be ever loved and cherished by none other than
the Creator of the Heavens and Earth, your Maker, the One Who shall
always be there for you, even when everything shall come to an end.
So,
if members give with this spirit then our Jamaat, and the whole
Islamic Community - one body with one soul (The
body of Islam - touched with the Holy Spirit - and the sacrifices of
all its members) - will prosper in
leaps and bounds and no one will be able to block its progress.
May
Allah enable us to do so. Ameen Summa
Ameen, Ya Rabbul Aalameen.
-Friday Sermon of 06 April 2018 (18 Rajab 1439 AH) delivered Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.