DONATING WHAT ONE LOVES
(Surat as-Saff; 2-3)
"You were bandying it about on your tongues, your mouths uttering something about which you had no knowledge. You considered it to be a trivial matter, but, in Allah's Sight, it is immense."
(Surat an-Nur; 15)
DONATING WHAT ONE LOVES
Giving from one's wealth with a sincere heart in order to earn the good pleasure of Allah is a mark of faith. Believers who spend generously are praised and given good tidings in many verses. Allah mentions a subtle aspect of spending—that by the giving away of what one loves, he will attain righteousness:
You will not attain true goodness until you give of what you love. Whatever you give away, Allah knows it. (Surah Al ‘Imran; 92)
The importance attached to something is linked to how much one sacrifices in order to attain it. Reluctance to give up particular things means that those things are thought to be dearer. Since nothing is more precious than the approval and mercy of Allah, a true believer can give away anything he owns in an instant. A contrary attitude would mean that worldly things are dearer than the good pleasure of Allah, so he would not attain the state of righteousness mentioned in the Qur'an.
It may be that a person donates much, renders important services for the cause of religion, and performs his acts of worship regularly. He may also have religious knowledge. Yet, his failure to let go of something he loves and contribute it for the cause of Allah when necessary shows weakness of faith and failure to grasp the essence of religion. Because this would mean that he prefers that thing to the good pleasure of Allah. In this sense this would put all his good deeds at risk, even if he thinks what he had done is good.
A Muslim should love Allah above all else and love created things only because they are manifestations of Allah's creative artistry or because Allah loves them too. In Allah's sight, this is the only legitimate way of love. This perception will allow a person to part with anything he loves at any time. Because his love is primarily for Allah, he loses nothing. For Allah pervades and embraces everything. He is closer to him than his jugular vein. In fact, he attains greater love and blessing because he has acted in compliance with Allah's will. He does not regret what he gave; on the contrary, he feels pleased. This is the attitude of a true Muslim.
But if a person loves something or someone as autonomous and independent of Allah, he ascribes it as an associate to Allah (Allah is Surely Beyond That) and becomes an idolater. If he must possess something but, at the same time, does so in accordance with Allah's commands, Allah may will to purify him from the "association" he fell into through his ignorant desires. Finally he will attain goodness and enjoy Allah's mercy.
NOT GIVING WHAT IS DISLIKED
As with all other acts of worship, it is important to keep the purpose of giving or spending in mind. Giving is a spiritual purification for believers. And giving something loved becomes most praiseworthy in the Sight of Allah when one does it to earn His approval. In this way, a believer will have proven that he will not exchange anything in this world to please Allah and obtain His mercy and that he will make every sacrifice to attain this joy. With this attitude, a believer is bound to please Allah. Allah is above all things. He commands the following:
You who believe! Give away some of the good things you have earned and some of what the earth produces for you. Do not have recourse to bad things when you give, things you would only take with your eyes tight shut! Know that Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy. (Surat al-Baqara; 267)
As stated in this verse, Allah forbids believers from giving away only the things they dislike or want to be rid of and expects them to give out of what they would use themselves.
By appearing to be generous, a person will gain nothing in Allah's sight. Therefore, a believer will be careful to avoid this error which is contrary to what is revealed in the above verse and goes against the general spirit of the Qur'an.
AVOIDING STINGINESS AND HOARDING POSSESSIONS
Societies distant from Qur'anic values have a flawed understanding about giving and spending. In order to ease their consciences, they give away an insignificant portion of their possessions, while keeping most for themselves. Their act of giving makes them feel satisfied that they have fulfilled a religious obligation. Allah alludes to this, saying:
Have you seen him who turns away and gives little, and that grudgingly? (Surat an-Najm; 33-34)
The worshipful act of giving revealed by Allah in the Qur'an is completely different. According to the Qur'an, giving is measured as that which is left after one's needs have been met. This is a command from Allah and the duty of everyone to perform:
. . . They will ask you what they should give away. Say, ‘Whatever is surplus to your needs.' In this way Allah makes the Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will reflect. (Surat al-Baqara; 219)
Anyone who hoards his surplus while others are in need displeases Allah, endangering his eternal life in the Hereafter. Such a person is actually disobeying a commandment of Allah, and by being stingy, he unjustly claims ownership of what actually belongs to Allah. In fact, Allah gives him possessions to test him. In the Qur'an, Allah describes this attitude as one particular to unbelievers:
As for those who are tight-fisted and direct others to be tight-fisted, and hide the bounty Allah has given them, We have prepared a humiliating punishment for those who disbelieve. (Surat an-Nisa'; 37)
The end of those who hoard and do not give what is due to Allah and His needy servants is related as follows:
You who believe! Many of the rabbis and monks devour people's property under false pretences and bar people from access to the Way of Allah. As for those who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in the Way of Allah, give them the news of a painful punishment on the Day it is heated up in the fire of Hell and their foreheads, sides and backs are branded with it: ‘This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you were hoarding!' (Surat at-Tawba; 34-35)
Who has amassed wealth and hoarded it!
He thinks his wealth will make him live for ever.
No indeed! He will be flung into the Shatterer.
And what will convey to you what the Shatterer is?
The kindled Fire of Allah.
(Surat al-Humaza; 2-6)
A believer can never be like the people described in these verses, amass wealth and be stingy. Yet he needs to beware of this attitude. He may have spent the majority of his earnings, but if he does not make a habit of sharing his possessions, he may tend to the mentality described above. The major causes for amassing possessions are fear of future poverty, attachment of more importance to this world than the Hereafter, and a lack of sufficient trust in Allah, which results from weakness of faith. As it is seen, there may be very important weaknesses behind such an act, and this would show his lack of sincerity and submission to Allah. A sincere believer should fear a great loss in this world and the Hereafter and meticulously realize this command of Allah.
AVOIDING WASTE
Failure to appreciate the blessings of Allah, spending inconsiderately or squandering is waste, against which Allah warns:
Give your relatives their due, and the very poor and travelers but do not squander what you have. Squanderers are brothers to the Satans, and Satan was ungrateful to his Lord. (Surat al-Isra'; 26-27)
Indifference to the multitude of blessings provided by Allah shows a lack of gratitude to Him. As stated in the Qur'an, ungratefulness is an attribute of Satan; therefore, those who are ungrateful to Allah by wasting provisions become "brothers of the devils" or followers of Satan. While blessings should logically increase one's gratitude to Allah, wasting them shows ingratitude, an attitude that may deprive one of His mercy and blessings in the Hereafter.
Paradise is a place of glory adorned with the infinite and perfect blessings of Allah. However, it is unlikely that a person who remains insensitive to a multitude of blessings in this world can adequately appreciate the blessings of Paradise and praise Allah. To deserve Paradise, a person must first appreciate what Allah has given him while still in this world.
Although one may avoid major wastefulness, carelessness with small things, their misuse, harm or failure to preserve them are considered ingratitude as well. A believer must be especially meticulous in such matters for fear of being ungrateful or failing in respect to Allah.
Allah wants His servants to benefit from His blessings in the best manner, although they should avoid waste:
Children of Adam! Wear fine clothing in every mosque and eat and drink but do not be profligate. He does not love the profligate. (Surat al-A‘raf; 31)
