Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Hadhrat
Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)
Islam
is a beautiful, perfect way of life which does not stifle worldly progress and
success. If making money was prohibited and off-limits and man was expected to
just live for the day, we would not have the beautiful system of Zakaah or the
laws of inheritance.
Whilst
Islam allows the individual to make use and enjoy worldly amenities and
comforts, we are required to curb our attachment, love and greed for Dunya. And
there is no doubt that man has love for Dunya because the Creator of man –
Allah Ta’ala - mentions this very clearly:
وَإِنَّهٗ لِحُبِّ الْخَيْرِ
لَشَدِيْدٌ ۚ
“And indeed he (man) is intense
in his love of wealth.”
[Surah
Al-Aadiyaat 100 : 8]
This
Ayat refers to the test man has been put through in respect to his wealth.
Amongst
the beautiful teachings of Dien, Islam also teaches and instils discipline and
moderation. So as a person improves in his finances and he earns more - then by
all means, he can improve his home and upgrade his belongings and live well -
but it should not be that he lives wastefully and extravagantly, spending
heedlessly and uncontrollably because he has money.
Comfort
is acceptable. Some luxury is permissible. However, extravagance, wastefulness
and lavishness – are sinful. Allah Ta’ala states:
“Surely, squanderers are
brothers of shaytaan, and shaytaan is very ungrateful to his Lord.”
Whilst
Shari’ah allows for us to upgrade our standard of living, but as Muslims – we
have to also have concern for
Aakhirah and accountability and keep before us the wellbeing and welfare of
others. We should also use our excess wealth for those around us who are poor
and destitute - and upgrade their lives and improve their conditions as well.
Rasulullah ﷺ said: “None
of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”[1]
Together
with this, we should spend what is surplus in noble causes which will benefit
the Ummah at large and which will contribute to progress in the different works
of Dien – and which will contribute to our salvation and success in the
Hereafter, Insha-Allah.
THE SAHABA (Radhiyallahu
‘Anhum) – SETTING A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE
Hadhrat
Uthman (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hadhrat AbdurRahman Ibn Auf (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
and many Sahabah (Radhiyallahu anhum) were extremely wealthy. Look towards how they
lived their lives despite the abundance of wealth they possessed; how they
earned and how they spent their wealth.
Despite
great, great wealth, they chose simplicity and a modest, humble lifestyle –
sparing themselves the concerns, stress and the waste of time that comes with
accumulating the embellishments of Dunya.
Hadhrat
Uthman (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had said so aptly:
“Concern of this world is darkness in the heart, but concern with the
hereafter is light in the heart.”
Hadhrat
Uthman (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is well known for his generosity and spending in
the causes of Dien. He purchased the well of Raumah for 10 000 Dirhams
solely for the free usage of the
Muslims. He would purchase slaves every Jumu`ah with the intention of freeing
them for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.
When it came to responding to the call of Tabuk, he
provided 1000 fully equipped camels and horses and 10 000 Dinars, and
similarly, he would provide generously for all battles and expeditions. Time
and again, he would purchase the properties of people to facilitate the
expansion of Masjidun Nabawi ﷺ and would provide liberally to the poor, needy and widows.
Hadhrat AbdurRahman Ibn Auf (Radhiyallallahu ‘anhu),
who also belongs in the category of the Ashara Mubashara [the ten Sahabah
(Radhiyallallahu ‘anhum) who were given the glad tidings of Jannah] was an
extremely successful trader and a man of immense wealth. Despite being blessed
with so much, he was not heedless of the trust and responsibility of money nor
did he allow his riches to distract him.
His
good fortune in business and trade left him so amazed, to the extent of saying:
“If
I lift a stone, I find beneath it, gold and silver!" …This was the
ease with which Allah Ta’ala facilitated his sustenance.
There was no greed that motivated Hadhrat AbdurRahman Ibn Auf (Radhiyallallahu ‘anhu) – greed which takes so many of us away from Salaah, from Zakaah, from maintaining family ties and other good and greed which even takes towards Haraam – interest, gambling, fraud, etc.
There was no greed that motivated Hadhrat AbdurRahman Ibn Auf (Radhiyallallahu ‘anhu) – greed which takes so many of us away from Salaah, from Zakaah, from maintaining family ties and other good and greed which even takes towards Haraam – interest, gambling, fraud, etc.
Hadhrat
Uthmaan Ibn `Affaan (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had said: "AbdurRahman`s money is
Halaal and pure. Its food gives health and blessing."
He
earned only to spend on the poor and needy and where the pleasure of Allah
Ta’ala would be obtained. It has been said that one third of his wealth was for
Sadaqah and strengthening the ties of kinship, one third was for loans which he
would not ask for, and another third was to pay the debts of others. He would
say: “The people of Madinah are partners of Ibn `Auf in his wealth.”
On
one occasion, he sold a piece of land for 40 000 Dinars and distributed the
entire amount. It is also related that in his lifetime, he freed
30 000 families of slaves. After the demise of Rasulullah ﷺ Hadhrat AbdurRahman Ibn Auf (Radhiyallallahu ‘anhu) generously
supported the Azwaajul Mutahharaat (Radhiyallahu ‘anhunna).
Similarly,
other Sahabah (Radhiyallallahu ‘anhum) and many from amongst our
Aslaaf (pious predecessors), would spend – seeking the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and Jannah.
It was never with the purpose of living
it up for themselves.
Many
Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallallahu ‘anhu) later became governors and
held high positions in different lands – but those high positions did not
change their modest, simple way of living and did not curtail their generosity
– rather it increased their kindness upon the creation.
Today,
our brothers and our sisters and our children in Syria, in Palestine, in Burma,
in Central Africa are in dire, desperate need of our assistance. Even in our own country, thousands are
living in very miserable, pitiable conditions.
And
where there is poverty and ignorance, we will find the Christian missionaries
working very, very hard – by providing food and other material needs in their
invitation to Christianity. This is their way of winning people over to
Christianity. They offer what is false of religion whereas we have what is true
– but very sadly, we fail in our responsibility to those who are suffering and
poverty stricken. ...We should make a concerted effort and see to the needs of the poor and destitute.
In
these times, there is no shortage of avenues whereby our money can be usefully
spent. So take the cue from the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and seek
the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and seek the Aakhirah with the wealth Allah Ta’ala
has granted.
Imbibe
the spirit of the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallallahu ‘anhu). Live the quality of moderation
for oneself and the quality of generosity with others. …May Allah Ta’ala grant
us the Taufeeq.
HEEDLESSNESS AND
NEGLIGENCE
Unfortunately
and very sadly, we find today that for many, living is about personal comfort,
ease, relaxation and happiness. There is no differentiation between what we
need and what we want. And human weakness is that what we see – we want; even
when there is no need. We take great pride in having the best of Dunya but
little attention is given to having the best of Deen.
Not
only have women become compulsive shoppers but many men have become just as
uncontrolled in their expenditure. We have so much of clothing, so many shoes
and so many other material items that we require more cupboard space, more
storage space and even more rooms. Sometimes, there is so much of food that a
person requires two or three fridges as well as deep-freezers.
Each
season comes with new colour schemes and new designs for homes, kitchens,
clothing, shoes, bags, cell phones, etc. and we get so carried away. Our gullibility and
foolishness become evident because our energies, our time and our money are directed to the mundane and insignificant
instead of on Dien and elevating the Dien of Allah Ta’ala. We have fallen deep into Ghaflat (negligence) and lost focus of the
purpose of our time in this world.
Not
only does a person lose spiritual focus, but often one’s sense of humanity is
lost. There is little thought about the poor and needy and the suffering
humanity across the globe – because we perceive a need for more and more
material possessions – for ourselves.
...And it is this that contributes to the huge chasm and division between rich and poor and which also breeds bitterness and enmity.
...And it is this that contributes to the huge chasm and division between rich and poor and which also breeds bitterness and enmity.
Hubbud Dunya (Love for the world) gives rise to the parasites of greed and
selfishness – which cause great harm – especially to a person’s Dien.
Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Two hungry wolves let loose on
a flock of sheep cannot cause as much destruction to the flock than the damage
inflicted to one’s Dien by one’s greed for wealth and fame.”[2]
We
spend exorbitant amounts of money for branded clothing and accessories – and in
doing so offer those fashion houses free advertising and promotion from our
side, by displaying their names on ourselves.
Nowadays,
we find even the Kurtas, Burqahs, Niqaabs, Jilbaabs, etc. are designer and
branded. Why do we want these names all over our clothes and accessories? If it
to show off or out of pride, then we should keep in mind the Hadith wherein Nabi ﷺ said: “Whoever wears
garments for fame, Allah will clothe him with the garment of disgrace.”[3]
…Moreover,
we are paying these companies so much and then do them a free service by
advertising their brand and increasing their profit margins. We do not even
recognise that we are being exploited to increase their sales.
Amongst
different noble attributes, Allah Ta’ala describes His Special Servants as
having the beautiful quality of moderation:
وَالَّذِيْنَ إِذَآ أَنْفَقُوْا
لَمْ يُسْرِفُوْا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوْا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذٰلِكَ قَوَامًا ◌
‘And those, who, when they
spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, but hold a medium (way) between
those (extremes).’
[Surah
Al-Furqaan 67:2]
THE PULL OF DUNYA
Dunya
is like quick-sand. It pulls a person in, drawing a person away from Dien; devouring
his time, exhausting his wealth and depleting his energy. Dunya deprives us of
opportunities of earning our Aakhirah.
On
one occasion, a brother, who had Ta’alluq with our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana
Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) and would attend the
programmes at the Khanqah, said to Hadhrat (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) that he
intended to open a third factory. Hadhrat (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) responded: “You already have two factories. A third one
will take you away from me, take you away from attending the programmes and
your time in Dien will be reduced because of a something of Dunya – which is
not even a need.”
Alhamdulillah,
this advice was sufficient for the brother to change his mind.
Hadhrat Hasan Basri (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) said: “Beware of the diversions of this world,
which are many. If a man opens a door of diversion, then that door may open ten
other doors.”
Let
us ask ourselves: In the last 24 hours, have we devoted more time to Dien or to
Dunya? Have we spent more money for Dien and for earning our Aakhirah or have
we spent more of our money on Dunya’s luxuries?
REALITY
Dunya
is Darul Ghuroor – a place of deception. We give our time to and spend so much
on something we have to leave behind and something that has no value in the
Sight of Allah Ta’ala.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ’alayhi wasallam) said: “If
this world was worth the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah, He would not
have given a disbeliever a single gulp/ sip of water.”[4]
Once
Hadhrat ‘Umar (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) passed by a garbage dump and stopped there,
and his companions were uncomfortable due to the bad smell. He said: ‘This is the world of yours which you are so
eager for and you weep over.’
This
weakness of pursuing Dunya leads to rivalry, competition, jealousy and many
other problems. A Muslim competes for the Aakhirah and understands that accumulating
more of this Dunya slows him down in the race for Jannah!
Hadhrat
Umme Darda' (Radiyallahu 'anha) narrated that she once asked Hadhrat Abu Darda (Radiyallahu
‘anhu): ‘What is the matter with you? Why
don’t you also earn (abundant) sustenance just as so and so does?’
So he replied: “I heard Rasulullah ﷺ say: ‘Verily, before you lies a very steep
incline, the heavily burdened will not cross through it with ease, so I
desire to keep myself light for that incline.’”[5]
Were
we to adopt some simplicity in life – which is Sunnah – life will become
pleasant and easy. Otherwise Dunya comes with great stress and endless worry.
Imam
Shafi’ee (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said aptly: "Were this world to be sold
on the market, I would not buy it for a loaf of bread, for all the troubles it
contains."
REFLECTION
Rasulullah ﷺ say: “By Allah, I do not fear poverty for you,
but I fear that the world would be abundant for you as it has been for those
before you, so you compete for it as they have competed for it, and it destroys
you as it has destroyed them.”
Millions
of Rands, Dollars, Pounds, Riyaals, etc. are literally squandered for this excessiveness,
entertainment, sports, weddings, etc. with no thought: If I spend less – without even compromising on my comfort – I can spend
the extra money on some homeless person or family. I can maintain a poor family
for many years with these millions which I don’t waste on myself.
In these times especially, when
the Ummah across the globe is going through very, very trying conditions and
great suffering and grief, it is a truly an indictment upon us if we choose to
splash out and spend wastefully without care and concern for our brothers and
sisters who have no homes, no food, no clothing, no water, no electricity … and
are in abject poverty, subjected to oppression, suppression and persecution.
We
should also keep in mind that our ways and our traits pass over to our
children. Our children are accustomed to luxury and know nothing much about
poverty – so there is sometimes very little appreciation of Allah Ta’ala’s
Ni’mats (bounties). Many of our children cannot relate to the poor and
needy – and sometimes they only know that whatever they wish for is to be
granted.
We
find today that children will demand the latest fashion and technology.
Thousands are wasted in this manner. They understand ‘taking’ but sometimes
have no concept of ‘giving’. Again, what is imprudently nurtured is selfishness
and greed.
There
is a need to teach them simplicity because we just don’t know when conditions
could change. And we are living in a country where the situation is very
volatile.
Hadhrat
Abu Dharr reported Rasulullah ﷺ said: “My close friend (i.e. Rasulullah ﷺ) ordered me with seven things:
1.) To love the poor and to be
close to them,
2.) To look to those who are less
than me and not to those who are above me,
3.) To maintain the ties of kinship
even if they break them off,
4.) To not ask anyone for anything
(i.e. to abstain from begging),
5.) To say the truth even if it is
unpleasant,
6.) To not fear the censure of the
critics, and
7.) To increase in saying: ‘There
is no might nor power except with Allah,’ as it is from the treasures that are
underneath the Throne.”[7]
As
one our ‘Ulama had explained – the message of which is: When Allah Ta’ala
blesses with Dunya – with an increase in wealth, with prosperity and affluence
– then instead of us just improving and upgrading our own standard of living, we
should raise and improve our standard of giving.
May
Allah Ta’ala purify us of Hubbud Dunya, greed, selfishness and other base
qualities, and instil within us the qualities of selflessness, generosity and
the noble quality of the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu ‘Anhum), whom Allah
Ta’ala describes as:
وَيُؤْثِرُوْنَ
عَلٰۤى أَنْفُسِهِمْ
“…They prefer others above themselves…”
[Surah Hashr 59 : 9]
Let
us live by the words of Rasulullah ﷺ, who would
impress upon his beloved companions the reality of this life – its transitory
nature and the perishable nature of its commodities:
“O Allah! There is no true life except the
life of the Hereafter.”[8]
[1] Sahih Bukhari
[2] Tirmidhi 2482
[3] Abu Dawood
[4] Tirmidhi
[5] Tabarani
[6] Sahih Bukhari, hadith: 3158 and Sahih Muslim.
[6] Sahih Bukhari, hadith: 3158 and Sahih Muslim.
[7] Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5 pg. 15
[8] Sahih Bukhari
