Allah The Almighty has praised those who fulfil the needs of the poor and the needy in different places in His Noble Book. He, The Exalted, also gave great rewards for those who spend in charity. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {And those within whose wealth is a known right. For the petitioner and the deprived.} [Qur’an 70:24-25] The Lord The Almighty has explained that the reward for such generosity and spending is great; He The Almighty Says (what means): {Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.} [Qur’an 57:7]
As a reward for the greatness of spending in charity, Allah The Almighty has made a special gate to Paradise, and no one can pass through it other than them. In this regard the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), said in the authentic Hadith (narration): “Whoever is one of the people of charity will be called from the gate of charity.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The reward of charity is multiplied if it is given during the blessed time which Allah The Almighty has endowed with special advantages and virtues. Ramadan is one of such great seasons in which the Muslim should strive to spend in the different ways and avenues of good deeds and righteous acts as much as he can, following the example of the Messenger of Allah. He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to spend more in charity in the month of Ramadan than in any other month. It was proved in the two Saheehs (books of authentic narrations) that he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was the most generous of people, and he would be even more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel (Gabriel), may Allah exalt his mention, met him to study the Qur’an with him. The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, would be more generous than the blowing wind, in doing good. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
This proves the virtues of spending in Ramadan. These virtues may take a higher noble rank and a more sublime position if one gives charity to his kin and those closely related to him if they are among the needy and poor – it is considered even better than spending on strangers. This can be substantiated by the Saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, “Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives.} [Qur’an 2:215]
The most deserving and those who should be given preference are the people who have greater right over you such as parents to whom one has to be very dutiful. Amongst the greatest forms of dutifulness towards them is to spend on them, then other relatives according to the degree of closeness and need. Spending on them is a charity and a way of upholding the ties of kinship. [Tafseer As-Sa‘di]
The advice of your Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: Abu Talhah, may Allah be pleased with him, had more property than any other amongst the Ansaar (Helpers) in Al-Madinah and the most beloved of his property to him was a garden called Bayruhaa’, which was in front of the Mosque of the Prophet. The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to go there and drink from its fresh water. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “When this verse was revealed: {Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love.} [Qur’an 3:92]
Abu Talhah, may Allah be pleased with him, said to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: “‘O Messenger of Allah! Allah The Almighty Says: {Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love} and no doubt, the garden of Bayruhaa’ is the most beloved of all my property to me. So I want to give it in charity in the cause of Allah. I expect its reward from Allah The Almighty. O Messenger of Allah! Spend it wherever Allah The Almighty instructs you.’ On that, the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: ‘That is a good deal! That is a good deal! I heard what you have said (O Abu Talhah), and I recommend that you distribute it among your relatives.’ Abu Talhah said, ‘I will do so, O Messenger of Allah.’ Then Abu Talhah distributed that garden amongst his relatives and cousins.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Why such virtue?
You may be interested in knowing the reason behind this virtue. Read what the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Charity given to a poor person is charity, but charity given to a relative is two things, charity and upholding the ties of kinship.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The eminent scholar Al-Munaawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “It involves two rewards, unlike spending on strangers which has only one reward. The Hadith also includes an explicit indication that the action may combine the reward of two actions for it achieves their aims. So, its doer will receive all the rewards that are mentioned about them out of the pure generosity and kindness of Allah The Almighty.” [Faydh Al-Qadeer]
The most deserving of relatives (of one’s charity)
If you would like to know more about who are the most deserving of charity among your relatives, they are divided into two categories:
First: the orphan, because Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {But he has not broken through the difficult pass. And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? It is the freeing of a slave. Or feeding on a day of severe hunger. An orphan of near relationship.} [Qur’an 90:11-15], meaning, an orphan who has a close relationship with you. Spending on orphan relatives takes precedence over spending on others if their need is equal because relatives are more deserving of your goodness. [Mustafa Al-‘Adawi; Silsilat At-Tafseer]
As-Sayyid Murtadha, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “This is encouragement for giving precedence to the needy among relatives over strangers.” [Mahaasin At-Ta’weel]
Second: the relative who harbours a grudge against you and dislikes you. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The best charity is that given to a relative who does not like you.” [Ahmad; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
The wisdom behind this is that it implies a way of forcing the soul to humble itself before its enemies. It is better in reward than that which is spent on a stranger for he (the relative) is the most deserving of good deeds. [Faydh Al-Qadeer]
Others who are like relatives:
l Neighbours. Allah The Almighty has recommended observing kindness to them with His Exalted Saying: {The neighbour who is near of kin, and the neighbour who is a stranger.} [Qur’an 5:36]
l Friends and companions for the sake of Allah The Almighty for the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The best dinars which a man can spend are a dinar which he spends on his children, a dinar which he spends on his riding beast for the sake of Allah, and a dinar which he spends on his companions for the sake of Allah The Almighty.” [At-Tayaalisi; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
Doing good deeds towards your relatives is in no way limited to charity as some may believe. Rather, it includes various aspects of life. The best action one can do for his relatives is calling them (to Allah The Almighty), giving them sincere advice and teaching them beneficial knowledge of the worldly life and the Hereafter. This is because religious texts have enjoined preferring and giving them precedence over others.
In conclusion:
This is a good transaction with your Lord with which you can receive the reward twice as long as the buyer in this transaction is your Lord The Almighty. Be certain that it will be profitable for you. You may, moreover, recite the saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish - that He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative.} [Qur’an 35:29-30]
So, hasten to take part in it and spend in charity. Mujaahid, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “O Son of Adam! It is the most appropriate place in which you can put your efforts and earnings. Do not spend on so and so and leave your relatives and your kin.” [Ad-Durr Al-Manthoor]
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
Supplication on the Night of Al-Qadr
In a Hadith on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah, radhiallah ‘anha, she said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, if I know which night is the Night of Al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: ‘Say: ‘Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun kareemun tuhibbu al-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Ever Pardoning and Generous and You love pardoning, so pardon me!)’” [At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh]
In another narration, she said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I witness the Night of Al-Qadr, what should I say?’ He said: ‘Say: ‘O Allah, You are Ever Pardoning and Generous, and you love pardoning, so pardon me.’’” [Ibn Maajah]
Benefits and rulings:
First: The virtue of the Night of Al-Qadr and the keenness of ‘Aa’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, to witness it, offer voluntary prayers in it and supplicate to Allah in it.
Second: The keenness of the Companions to ask about matters that benefit them.
Third: The virtue of supplication on the Night of Al-Qadr and the fact that it is most likely to be answered.
Fourth: A recommendation to supplicate to Allah by the succinct words of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and not to burden oneself with supplications that are rhyming or those whose meanings are not known.
Fifth: The supplication mentioned in the Hadith is one of the most beneficial and all-inclusive supplications because it combines between the good of the worldly life and the Hereafter. For if Allah pardons His slaves in the worldly life, He will remove punishment from them and bestow favour upon them. If He pardons them in the Hereafter, He will save them from Hell and admit them to Paradise.
Sixth: Ascribing the attribute of love to Allah in a way that befits His Majesty and that He The Almighty loves forgiveness.
Seventh: The virtue of pardoning people because Allah The Almighty loves pardoning and those who pardon others.
Eighth: The advice of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to his Ummah (nation) and teaching them what benefits them.
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
Remember the rich rewards for virtuous deeds
Allah The Almighty repeatedly reminds us to perform various virtuous deeds. He Says (what means): {“Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord.”} [Qur’an, 57: 21].
Shaykh ibn As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, commenting on this, “One who hastens towards virtuous deeds during his life will therefore also hasten to enter Paradise in the Hereafter.”
However, forgetfulness is a trait that is inherent in human beings, which leads to neglecting virtuous deeds and weakens their effect. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm willpower”} [Qur’an, 20: 115]
Remembering the reward for performing these deeds is one of the most successful ways of treating laziness and encourages people to perform them. For example, a person is encouraged not to belittle even the smallest good deed, when one reads the saying of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention): “I saw a man enjoying Paradise as a result of a tree he cut, which was in people’s way and harming them.” [Muslim].
Attending the assemblies of knowledge with virtuous Muslims also encourages one to perform virtuous deeds, or continue performing them. It reminds the Muslim of his Lord, fosters a sense of competition and keeps the heart occupied with virtuous thoughts. A believer is stronger when he is with a group of virtuous people, and he becomes more enthused to utilise his time and take advantage of his life, in obedience to Allah The Almighty.
Incentives to perform good deeds
1. Visiting charitable and humanitarian organisations encourages a Muslim to perform virtuous deeds.
2. Remembering that competing in performing virtuous deeds is one of the qualities of the true believers, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“So, We answered his call, and We bestowed upon him Yahyaa, and cured his wife (to bear a child) for him. Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear.”} [Qur’an, 21: 90]. This is also one of the characteristics of angels, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“And by those that press forward as in a race (angels).”} [Qur’an, 79: 4] Mujaahid, may Allah have mercy upon him, commented on this by saying, “This refers to the angels when they defeated the son of Adam in the performance of virtuous deeds.”
3. Learning about how much our pious predecessors would cry whenever they missed out on a chance to perform virtuous deeds. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The people of Paradise do not regret anything more than regretting an hour they spent (in this life) without mentioning Allah.” [Tabaraani]
Sa’eed At-Tanookhi, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to cry if for any reason he had missed a congregational prayer. Ibn Mas’ood, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I never regretted anything more than regretting a day which passed in which I did not increase (upon) my virtuous deeds.
4. Remembering that life is short makes a Muslim exert extra effort in performing virtuous deeds; the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Rush towards the performance of virtuous deeds before you are afflicted with trials as dark as the night.” [Muslim].
5. Reading books that soften the heart, mention virtuous deeds and encourage people to perform them.
6. Knowing that encouraging others entitles you to the same reward as theirs, as the Prophet, sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam, said: “He who revives a deed from Islam (which people forgot or abandoned) gets the same reward as the one who (subsequently) performs it.” [Muslim]
7. Loving those who perform virtuous deeds, because the Prophet, sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam, said: “A person will be (on the Day of Resurrection) with those whom he loves (in life).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
8. Knowing how eager our pious predecessors were in performing virtuous deeds. Competing in performing virtuous deeds was an intrinsic quality of the Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said regarding Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him: “Whenever we competed to perform virtuous deeds, Abu Bakr would win.”
One should always supplicate to Allah The Almighty to enable him to perform good deeds and facilitate them for him, because performing virtuous deeds is a gift from Allah The Almighty which He grants to whomever He wishes from amongst His slaves. Humaam ibn al-Haarith, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to supplicate saying, “O Allah! Make me satisfied with little sleep and grant me (the ability of) staying up during the night performing acts of obedience to you” and he would sleep very little, while sitting down.
Performing virtuous deeds is one of the main duties for Muslims in this life, as Allah commands by saying what means: {“O you who have believed! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good, that you may be successful.”} [Qur’an, 24: 77]
Performing virtuous deeds is also included in the saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {“…Help you one another in virtue, righteousness and piety; but do not help one another in sin and transgression…”} [Qur’an, 5: 2]
Performing virtuous deeds is an important component of the propagation of Islam, which is not restricted to delivering lectures or talks, or publishing books. Behaving virtuously and helping others endears one to people and opens the hearts and minds of others, who would then listen attentively to what one says.
Similarly, there are many Ahadith (narrations) from the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, addressing this issue, such as the following:
• “Rush towards the performance of virtuous deeds.” [Muslim].
• “He who leads others to virtue gets the same reward as the one performing it.” [Muslim].
• “O people! Spread (the greeting of) Salaam, feed the needy, and pray at night while people are sleeping, and you will (therefore) enter into Paradise peacefully.” [At-Tirmithi].
• “He who calls others to guidance will get the same reward as those who follow guidance.” [Muslim].
Incentives to performing good deeds
1. Having your mind and heart constantly occupied with these deeds and having a sincere intention, because, with sincerity, a slave reaches high ranks, and it also acts as an encouraging factor to perform the deed.
2. Knowing that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam, used to ask Allah The Almighty to enable him to perform virtuous deeds saying: “O Allah! I ask You to enable me to perform virtuous deeds and (for) the abandonment of sins.” [At-Tirmithi]. It is known that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam, would only supplicate with what Allah The Almighty loves.
3. Remembering Paradise and its pleasures, and what has been prepared for the people of virtue there. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“And march forth in the way (leading to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth.”} [Qur’an, 3: 133]
4. Knowing that performing virtuous deeds results in other people loving him, even after his death. The believers are witnesses on earth as Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “A funeral passed by us and people praised the deceased, so the Prophet, sallallaahau ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: ‘It has become mandatory.’ Then another one passed and people spoke of how bad the deceased was, so the Prophet said: ‘It has become mandatory.’ So ‘Umar asked about his comments on the two funerals, and the Prophet replied: ‘You praised the first one so Paradise became mandatory for him, and you dispraised the second one so Hell became mandatory for him; you are the witnesses of Allah on earth.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
5. Realising that the longer virtuous people live, the more beloved to Allah The Almighty they become, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said when he was asked about the best people in the sight of Allah The Almighty: “He who lives long and performs virtuous deeds.” [At-Tirmithi], because such a person utilised his life in virtuous deeds and was obedient to Allah The Almighty.
6. Knowing that being steadfast in performing virtuous deeds is beloved to Allah The Almighty even if the deeds are little in number, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those which are persistent, even if they are little (in number).”
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
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