BY MUKARRAM RAJA ATHAR QUDUS SAHIB
General Sherman lives in California,General Sherman is more than 2000 years old and General Sherman weighs more than 4 million pounds, who is General Sherman?*1
Imagine when the Jews were trying to crucify Hazrar Isa A.S General Sherman was alive. When Abu Jahal thought that he was going to crush Islam, General Sherman was alive. When Columbus discovered America he didn’t discover General Sherman sitting quietly in California, who is General Sherman? It’s a sequoia, a giant and humongous tree. Sequoias are naturally very tall trees but they start with one small little seed. Today General Sherman is 275 feet tall. A typical giant oak tree is 50 to 75 feet tall. This stage is about 20 feet tall, when you go around after the jalsa the tallest tree which you will see General Sherman is probably 4 to 5 times taller than that. If you put these two projection screens together, the trunk of General Sherman is wider than that. You look at that tree and you will think of God that how a tiny and small seed changed into a giant tree.
انفاق فى سبيل الله or spending in the way of Allah is no different than this example.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran
مثل الذين ينفقون أموالهم في سبيل الله كمثل حبة انبتّت سبع سنابل فى كل سنبلة مائة حبة والله يضعف لمن يشاء والله واسع عليم.
The similitude of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like the similitude of a grain of corn which grows seven ears, in each ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies it further for whomsoever He pleases and Allah is Bountiful, All Knowing. *2
How beautiful is that. Like the tallest tree in the world took one small seed to grow similarly Allah multiplies whatever a man sacrifices in his way manifolds. According to the Arabic dictionary the word seven is used to signify a large quantity.
My dear brothers and sisters, the topic of my speech is FINANCIAL SACRIFICE: A SECRET OF WINNING CONNECTION WITH ALLAH
In his book The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, the Promised Messiah (as) has mentioned eight means of finding and recognising God Almighty and strengthening one’s faith in Him. These means are also necessary to fulfil the purpose of a man’s creation. About these means, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “The fifth means of achieving the purpose of life appointed by God Almighty, is striving in His cause; that is to say, we should seek God by spending our wealth in His cause, and by employing all our faculties in furthering His cause, …; as it is said: Strive in His way with your wealth and your lives and with all your faculties; and Whatever We have bestowed upon you of intelligence and knowledge and understanding and art, employ it in Our cause. We surely guide along Our ways those who strive after Us.” *3
According to a scientific study, the human body starts decomposing within eight to ten minutes after one’s death. *4 . Human body is one of the fastest things to decompose. It’s obvious that the money becomes irrelevant after one’s death but according to a Hadith if the money is used in Sadaqa tul Jariya, his soul will keep getting the Ajr.
The Holy Prophet SAW says.
When a human being dies, one’s deeds cease, except three: a Sadaqah Jariyah, [religious] knowledge [one leaves behind] from which others benefit, and a righteous child who prays for one” *5
The Promised Messiah (as) says: “It is not possible for you to love wealth as well as to love Allah. You can love only one of them. Fortunate is he who loves Allah. If any of you loves Him and spends his wealth in His cause, I am certain that his wealth will increase more than that of others, ….”
He (as) further stated: “It should be so that every member, every individual of our Community pledges that they shall [regularly] give a certain amount of chandah. Whosoever makes this pledge for the sake of Allah the Exalted, Allah will in turn bless his wealth.” *6
Respected Audience.
During the ninth century, the king of Iraq was trying to kill a rebellion in Iran and many generals before failed to achieve that goal for the king and finally the king selected one of his best generals and sent him to Iran. This general fought valiantly for six to twelve months. He finally was able to regain those territories and the King was super happy. And now he arranges are ceremony where this general is going to be knighted. Shibli was also present in the ceremony. As it normally happens that after a long travel this general was sick, he was coughing and sneezing. In the Royal Palace he was bestowed with gifts including a Royal Robe, while wearing the robe the general coughed and sneezed. Not finding the handkerchief, he cleaned his mouth and nose with that robe. The king saw that. He was furious. He said that you just disrespected the robe that I bestowed on you. I am going to fire you immediately from this position and you take off this robe. This was Shiblis life changing event and he started crying. The king said what happened because I haven’t said anything to you. He said my lord, if I don’t cry then who will? Because this man gave his full year for this service and put his life at risk to please you and you couldn’t forgive his little mistake. So how angry will God be with me when I am disrespectful to God with all the blessings he gave me. So instead I should be trying to spend whatever I have to please God.*7
This pretty much explains that no matter what you do, you cannot make a human being happy but the matter is different with God Almighty. God Almighty says that whosoever spends in my way, i will give him manifolds like
Allah Almighty states
لن تنالوا البر حتى تنفقوا مما تحبون.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih ATBA says
Promised Messiah (peace be on him) at one time while shedding light on financial sacrifices said that in this world human beings love wealth very much that is why it is written in the books of interpretation of dreams that if in a dream someone takes out and gives his liver that means he had given his wealth. That is why it is said that for to achieve real advancement and faith it is mentioned in the Holy Quran “Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love.” Because compassion and hospitality with the creations of God is the second huge part without which the faith cannot be perfect and firm. Unless one sacrifices how one can benefits others. For the benefits and compassions sacrifice is necessary. And in this verse “Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love” that teachings and guidance are provided. Thus spending in the cause of God Almighty is also a criterion and right of one’s event and is ones righteousness. *8
Beloved Brothers and sisters, Jihad is an important injunction in Islam. Muslims in the early days did Jihad Bi Saif and did not hesitate to present their lives for Islam in order to attain nearness of Allah the Almighty. The likes of Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed R.A have been regarded as one of the finest generals that this world has seen even by the non Muslim authors. Hazrat Musleh Maud R.A says
“When you read about Hazrat Khalid, Hazrat Saad, Hazrat Amr Bin Maaz Karb and Hazrat Jarrar, you wish that you had lived at their time and achieved similar feats. What you forget is that for every time and every thing there is a proper place.
In this age, Allah Almighty has opened the door to the Jihad of spreading the faith and Jihad against one’s own self, instead of Jihad with the sword. And we cannot spread the faith without money. You are mujahideen of this age and you deserve the same reward which those people did, and indeed you are getting it. Do what you are told with diligence and also teach others, so that all of you become Mujahideen in the way of Allah. *9
Hazrat Promised Messiah A.S writes about financial sacrifice of Hazrat Maulvi Nurudeen Sahib saying
“First of all, I feel greatly moved to mention a spiritual brother of mine whose name, like the light of his sincerity is Nuruddin (the light of faith). The services he is rendering in the cause of the spread of Islam out of his cleanly earned money makes me envious. Would I also could render such services?” *10
Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud said that his sacrifices were so immense that the Promised Messiah (as) gave him the honour [saying] that you have offered such immense sacrifices for the sake of this Jama’at that you are no longer in need of making any further sacrifices.
Mr President, that is only one part of the story. The second part is that how Allah Almighty used to Bless him because of the connection he made with Him by sacrificing in His way.
Once Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib received a telegram from Hazrat Promised Messiah A.S that “Come immediately”, he left his clinic straight for the Batala Railway Station and he did not have a single penny in his pocket to buy any ticket. One the way he met a cart man who told Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib R.A that he had been sent to him by the tehsildaar (the district head) as his wife was seriously ill. The cart man took him to Batala. Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib told the tehsildaar the district head that he had to rush to Delhi by the train, which was due to leave the station in few hours. He said “You examine my wife and prescribe a medicine, and till you do that the train would not move.” Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib examined his wife and gave the necessary medicine. The district head then accompanied him to the station, bought a rail ticket for Delhi and gave him a hundred rupee of cash. *11
How do you explain this event other than the result of his close connection with God Almighty. As He rightly says
ويرزقه من حيث لا يحتسب
Hazrat Musleh Maud R.A narrates an incident about Hazrat Munshi Aroray Khan Sahib R.A, a companion of Hazrat Promised Messiah A.S that “I cannot forget that after the few months of the demise of Promised Messiah A.S, someone told me that somebody is waiting for me at the door. When I came out I saw Hazrat Munshi Aroray Khan Sahib R.A standing, he embraced me warmly and put his hand in the pocket to bring out two or three pounds which he gave it to me saying that I should give them to Hazrat Amma Jaan R.A, the wife of the Promised Messiah A.S. Then he started sobbing and crying straight away. When he felt a bit better, I asked him that what made him cry? He said that I was a poor man but whenever I found a chance, I used to come to Qadian. I used to cover a lot of distance by feet so I can save some money and give it for the service of Jamat but still I used to end up spending one or one and a half rupee. When I used to see rich people spending more for the cause of Jamat, I wished that I could also spend gold instead of silver for Jamat. When my salary was increased, I started saving the money every month. When the money reached to a reasonable amount, I wanted to change it to pounds so that I could present it. Now I have pounds but the Promised Messiah A.S has passed away.*12
Dear brothers and sisters, research shows that when it is asked that are you self aware of what you are doing? About 85 percent of us say yes. But in reality about 10 to 15 percent are actually self aware.
I am starting from myself first that are we self aware of the fact that whatever we are presenting as financial sacrifice is up to the level of sacrifice which Hazrat Khalifatul Masih ATBA wants from us? I think everyone of us should ask this question to ourselves.
Allah Almighty says
يايها الذين امنوا انفقوا مما رزقناكم من قبل أن يأتى يوم لا بيع فيه و لا خلة و لا شفاعة والكافرون هم الظالمون.
O ye who believe, Spend out of what We have bestowed on you before the day comes wherein there shall be no buying and selling, nor friendship, nor intercession, and it is those who disbelieve that do wrong to themselves. *13
Dear listeners on one hand we see Qarun, Firaun, Namrud and Abu Jahal. One thing is common in all of them that every single one of them was rich and powerful. But when they all died, their wealth and money have no benefit. On the other hand we have the holy example of Hazrat Abu Ubaida Bin Jarah R.A
Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, when he arrived in Syria, he said to Abu ‘Ubaydah, “Let us go to your house.” When he entered his house, he saw nothing. Umar said, “Where are your provisions? I do not see anything but rags, a water-skin, and a dish. You are governor! Do you have food?” Abu ‘Ubaydah went to a bucket and took out some scraps, and Umar wept. It is enough for you to have in the world what lets you reach the final place of rest.”
Hazrat Umar R.A said
کلنا قد غیرتہ الد نیا إلا أنت یا أبا عبیدۃ!‘‘
This world has changed everyone but it could not change you. *14
Hazrat Masih Maud A.S says
“It is now time for all those who count themselves among my followers, that they should help this movement with their money. If someone can only afford one paisa, he should pay one paisa each month for the requirement of the movement, he who can afford a rupee each month should offer a rupee each month”*15
Beloved Brothers and sisters, we have heard now that sacrifice should be according to one’s capacity.
We have the noble examples of Hazrat Abu Bakar and Hazrat Umar R.A in front of us. At the occasion of battle of Tabuk, the Prophet SAW asked his companions to sacrifice their wealth. Hazrat Umar R.A narrates that,
“Incidentally I had a lot of wealth at that time. So, I thought in my mind that there is no better opportunity to overtake Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A in financial sacrifice than today. So, I brought half of my wealth to the Holy Prophet SAW.
Beloved Brothers and Sisters, Prophet SAW did not ask Umar R.A that how much did you bring because it’s possible that he had more wealth to sacrifice at that time as he narrated and Abu Bakar R.A had less belongings to sacrifice. But Prophet SAW asked what did you both leave in your house. Hazrat Umar said that I have left half of my belongings in my home but Abu Bakr R.A said that I have left Allah and His Prophet for my family.*16
We can see that their connection with God was strong that He made them the successors after the demise of Prophet SAW.
Allah Almighty says.
وأنفقوا من ما رزقناكم من قبل أن يأتي أحدكم الموت فيقول رب لو لا أخرتنى إلى أجل قريب فأصدق و أكن من الصالحين.
And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.*17
Modern Science is telling us now what Allah Almighty told us some 1500 years back. Different studies showed that different patients have different regrets.
A study showed that a 87-year-old epilepsy patient unexpectedly passed away during a brain scan, the scan found that his brain seemed to replay memories in the 30 seconds before and after his heart stopped beating.*18
In other words every dying man goes to the flashbacks of his life and regrets not doing several things which he should have.
If we die today, none of our money is going to help us. So instead of regretting later, why should we not understand this warning of God Almighty and spend in his way because God Has clearly said that He will not Give anyone respite when his time has come.
ولن يوخر الله نفسا إذا جاء اجلھا
Hazrat Abu Huraira R.A narrates “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Which charity is the most superior in reward?” He replied, “The charity which you practice while you are healthy and afraid of poverty and wish to become wealthy. Do not delay it to the time of approaching death and then say, ‘Give so much to such and such, and so much to such and such.’ And it has already belonged to such and such (as it is too late).”*19
Respected Brothers and sisters,
Spending money in the way of Allah results in making a strong connection with him.
The Promised Messiah A.S says that Allah Describes the third spiritual level by saying
والذين هم للزكاة فاعلون
That Momineen are those who spend their dear money in the way of Allah to purify themselves from the misery.
He further states that spending the hard earned money in the way of Allah is better than the first two conditions of keeping one away from لغو and لهو.* 20
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih ATBA narrated an incident of a young man in Germany who was about to marry and had a burden of loan over him as well. He had collected some money for his marriage but when he was approached for contribution of building 100 mosques in Germany, he happily submitted all the collected sum for that cause.* 21
Dear listeners,
Islam is a perfect religion for all the ages and times. Every injunction of Islam has a deep wisdom. Islam doesn’t allow the circulation of wealth in few hands so that the rich will not get richer and poor will not get poorer. If that mode was followed, we would not be seeing this class difference what we are experiencing now.
According to a recent study, the richest 1 percent of the world has nearly twice as much wealth as the rest of the world put together.*22
To balance this difference Islam initiated Zakat.
The Promised Messiah A.S says
“What is zakat? It is taken from rich and given to poor. It teaches the highest level of human sympathy. Thus by coming together of the rich and the poor, the Muslims gain strength. It is a must for the rich to help the poor, and even if it were not so,it is a demand of human sympathy to do so. But nowadays, I see that people care the least.*23
I will share some faith inspiring incidents regarding financial sacrifice.
Huzur Anwar ATBA says
A Lajna sadr from a jamaat in Canada writes that when the secretary for Tahrik-e-Jadid enquired about the total outstanding amount from the members who were not able to pay, it turned out to be $325 – which is a small amount considering their [Canada’s financial] situation.
She says, “I thought that I would pay it myself. But when I checked my account, I did not have any money left. In fact, the account was in minus as I had spent $3 more.”
She then says, “However, when I checked the account the following day, I was left astonished as there was more than $3,000 in my account.” She says that this was an amount that had been pending for quite some time and there was no chance of receiving this amount. However, when Allah the Almighty saw her intention to pay the remaining amount, He ensured the means so that she immediately received that amount which had been pending for a long time. *24
Another incident which Huzur Anwar ATBA narrated in his sermon was about a young man from Nigeria. He told the missionary that I was jobless for three years. Then I thought that why not I start paying Chanda according to my capacity. He said that when I started paying Chanda, three months didn’t pass that I was offered a job by a marketing company and that recruitme was first of its kind. He says that I think it’s the blessing of paying Chanda in the way of Allah the Almighty.
Mr Chairman.
We see so many banks and insurance companies with different ads and flashy publicity that if u invest with us you are going to get seven percent or ten percent profit. But Allah Almighty says that whosoever wants to invests with me, I will multiply it to manifolds.
مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Who will lend to Allah a good loan which Allah will multiply many times over? It is Allah ˹alone˺ who decreases and increases ˹wealth˺.*25
The funniest thing with money is that it doesn’t stay at one place. We have seen many people going bankrupt from being millionaires and obviously the vice versa as well. But one thing is for sure that we have not seen anyone spending in Allahs way going bankrupt.
Hazrat Musleh Maud R.A states
During the time when the Promised Messiah A.S had legal cases going on in Gurdaspur, there was a need for extra finances. The Promised Messiah A.S put forward a request to his friends and followers that since the Langar(open kitchen) was being run in two places (Qadian and Gurdaspur) in addition to the money being spent on litigation, hence friends should pay attention towards the financial needs. Incidentally, Dr Khalifa Rasheed ud Din Sahib came to know of this proposal on the day he received his income of 450 rupees. He sent the entire amount to the Promised Messiah A.S. When a friend suggested that he should have kept some amount for his household as well, Dr Sahib replied “How could I keep some amount for myself, when God’s representative is telling me that it is needed for His religion? *26
Dear listeners,
As the Promised Messiah A.S rightfully declared that the age to sacrifice one’s life by means of Jihad has been replaced by the age to sacrifice by means of one’s wealth, this is high time we understand this that we are living in the time of Akhireen.
Think of a child. Any small but sincere sacrifice a child makes only to please his or her parent, delights the heart so much that at times it can feel as though the weight of the entire universe is less when compared to it. Such is the relationship between man and his creator. Never should any one of us think that his or her sacrifice is not making a difference because God loves His servants many more times than our mothers. May Allah Enable us to sacrifice according to our capacity and May He Accepts all our humble efforts.
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