Spending in the way of Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it.'' (34:39)


"And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allah's Countenance. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.'' (2:272)


"And whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well.'' (2:273)





The whole concept of wealth is considered a gift from Allah. How we use it and spend it is a test. The fact the one of the five pillars of Islam is about giving money to the poor reminds us that everything we have belongs to Allah. People are given their wealth as a trust from Allah, an amanat, and spending it in the right way, with the right intentions, for the best purpose, and for the sake of Allah helps free us from the love of money.

Subhannallah, think of all the things we spend our money on in this day and age. Many times we spend it without thinking, and on many items of excess. And yet, when we see people in front of us in need of money, many times our hearts harden and we shrug a shoulder to them. This is not the way of the muslim. We are the ummah of the best of creation. Our Beloved Rasool gave openly and without regret when he saw causes in need, even though he himself was not rich.

Nowadays it isn't even a question about charity and giving generously. What are we spending our money on for ourselves is a question which ought to be asked. Are we spending it in the seeking of virtuous knowledge? Are we spending it in ways that will help us get closer to our goal, which is Allah? Are we spending it on quality? Or is it all being spent on things which will help us only with the distraction which is the dunya? On entertainment and play? Moderation is something we ought to remember as we think about this. Sure we need to spend for this dunya too, we are alive afterall but this shouldnt be our main goal. This shouldnt be our only cause. Many of us are begining to forget the bigger picture.

Yet as the Quran tells us, we will not lose out if we spend consciously in the way of Allah. In the world we live in now, our nafs will probably hurt for a little while when we spend generously for the cause of Allah. Yet, Allah has promised a much greater award. Subhannallah, what is better than the rewards from our Lord? He does not need us, we need Him.





Abu Kabshah `Amr bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "I swear by Allah for three (qualities) which I am going to tell you about. Remember them well:
(1) The wealth of a man will not diminish by Sadaqah (charity).
(2) Allah augments the honour of a man who endures an oppression patiently.
(3) He who opens a gate of begging, Allah opens a gate of poverty (or he said a word similar to it).''


He (PBUH) also said, "Remember well what I am going to tell you:

The world is for four kinds of people.

(1) One upon whom Allah has bestowed wealth and knowledge and so he fears his Rubb in respect to them, joins the ties of blood relationship and acknowledges the Rights of Allah on him (and fulfills them); this type will have the best position (in Jannah).

(2) One upon whom Allah has conferred knowledge but no wealth, and he is sincere in his intention and says: `Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so.' If that is his intention, his reward is the same as that of the other.

(3) One whom Allah has given wealth but no knowledge and he squanders his wealth ignorantly, does not fear Allah in respect to it, does not discharge the obligations of kinship and does not acknowledge the Rights of Allah. Such a person will be in the worst position (in the Hereafter).

(4) One upon whom Allah has bestowed neither wealth nor knowledge and he says: `Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so (i.e., he would squander his wealth).' If this is his intention, both will have equal sin.'' [At-Tirmidhi].




May Allah help us earn our money in the halal way. May Allah help us spend our money for the best of causes, Allahs cause. May Allah bless us all with generous hearts and open hands. May Allah help us realise that we only gain when we give in charity and may He help us refrain from stingyness and a love for the material wealth of this dunya. Ameen.

Materialism

Asalamalaikum.

So recentley, i lost 3 of my favourite possesions. My tasbih [prayer beads], which broke in the college toilets [yes, you can laugh! ...here is the story and be warned, the english is not perfect :look: ] ok when i say recentley, that event was actually about a year ago, but so traumatic its been embedded in my memory.

Last week, i also lost my palestine badge, which for all who know me, is always, always in my possession. Ive been called palestinian so many times because of that badge. I have entered into conversations with so many people, muslim and non muslim, who i wouldnt have if it was not for that badge. Now i miss it.
I also lost my favourite hijab pin, in the whole world. And no it wasnt made by me like the rest of them. It actually did its job. Shucks.

So i was so moped about this, telling my friend about my minute loss, when she stated, twice in the same day, "you are such a materialist you know".

*gasp*

I am not a materialist. atleast i didnt think i was. There are a few possessions of mine, which yes i admit i am frantic over. But notice how they are all related, somehow to the deen. But that made me think about materialsm. Am i materialist? Allow me, what is materialism?

Materialism, according to the dictionary definition is "Interest in and desire for money, possessions etc, rather than spiritual or ethical value". Subhannallah!! Is it a sin to be materialistic? Is there a difference between materialism and merely liking certain things?

Well, i had to sunnipath this one....

Islamically, there is nothing wrong--in of itself--with consumption and
enjoying worldly comforts, as long as this doesn't lead to "worldliness."

The worldliness that the Qur'an and Sunna censure is, as Ibn Ata'illah
states, "That which busies you away from Allah." Thus, when our worldly concerns and consumption become blameworthy when they leads us away from Allah and from pursuing next-worldly benefit.

In this vein, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)
explained that it isn't from arrogance or reprehensible conduct to eat well or to dress well. Rather, he stated (Allah bless him and give him peace) that, "Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty."

As for wastefulness, it is defined by the scholars, in light of the
Qur'an and Sunna, as, "Spending beyond considered need or benefit."

And Allah alone gives success.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

So alhamdulilah. Good reminder. So anyways, although i know i try not to be materialistic, i still believe there were some very big lessons to be learnt through the losing of these particular things.

1. The tasbih. - i used to obviously use it for dhikr, but i also used to make a fashion out of putting it round my neck. That stopped sure enough through that experience. It was wrong to use something like that as a fashion statement. Even if i wasnt intentionally seeking attention, it was attracting attention. Big no no.
   
2. Filistine badge. Support of them does come through wearing a badge. yes it does. but duas and sadaqah is the better support. Give directly to the oppressed brothers sisters mother fathers out there. Talk less and act more. Big lesson! Hard lesson!
   
3. Hijab pin. Lesson? Dont run for the bus when your hijab pin is loosening. Coz no, it will not stay on. no matter how much you think it secures your hijab, it can fall out. Good idea yes. Miracle no. And also, tone it down! Hijab = modesty. Not an excuse to dress like a flamingo with glitzy butterflies and hearts popping out of your head.
   
   And the biggest lesson of all? Think about your actions. Even about the actions you dont usually think about, or the ones which are just so part of your schedule, inbedded in your daily living, your being, part of you. Stop and look at yourself for a moment, what you do and why you do it, especially if it is a habit. Is it to be cool? Is it to be accepted? Is it to be noticed? Or is it for the sake of Allah?
   
   If its not for the sake of Allah, then really, its not worth it.