By Abdullahi Jamaa
Every human being on earth persistently searches for satisfaction, contentment and unceasing joy that forms the basis for happiness. This pleasurable experience that stems from a restful heart spills feeling and meaning to the making of one’s life.
Yet for many, the search for happiness is an uphill battle where most individuals fake it with a brittle and mirthless smile from a bleeding heart. This kind of false satisfaction often lasts for shorter period of time resulting in seething frustrations and fears.
True happiness is a continuous feeling of bliss and comfort that you may never experience even when you own an earth-load of gold and silver. The feeling of an internal satisfaction cannot be bought from the market, neither can it be faked for long.
There is an old Arabic adage that ‘one may be able to purchase a bed but certainly cannot purchase sleep’. This is a powerful indication that owning a vast amount of wealth cannot guarantee true state of happiness.
When a journalist asked Christina Onassis “are you the richest woman on earth” she replied “Yes I am, but I am also the unhappiest”. Astonishing that she had all the money of the world and still not happy.
Mainstream psychology supports the understanding that good relationship is one way of attaining happiness. Relationships that includes social support to individuals and groups within a community plays a pivotal role in realizing a happier and ideal worldly life.
In Islam we are told that our relationship with people is a litmus paper that tests the tenacity and strength of our faith. The stronger our relationship with believing people, the closer we are to Allah.
In building and reinforcing bridges of functional and affectionate relationship, a Muslim is required to always remain to be a strong and reliable of pillar of the community, supporting the Ummah when and if necessary.
True altruism is a rich component of Islam defining a philosophy of philanthropic relations amongst the believers. Been there for the community, their poor and needy, supporting them through thick and thin is one sure way of getting internal satisfaction and ultimate happiness.
Here comes Sadaqa, a voluntary charity that is highly regarded in Islam. It is the banisher of sorrow and grief, the comforter of hearts and minds and the mother of happiness. In Saqada, the blessed religion of Islam extols the spirit of brotherhood, compassion and mercy.
The Quran explains it as an act of greatness that not only takes one to the highest abode of paradise but also charts the roadmap for worldly accomplishment. It’s described further as an act of a kind that instantly diminishes the anger of the Almighty.
There is nothing more powerful than a secret charity wilfully given out without any demand for it. A promise of forgiveness, protection against the destruction of hellfire and the purest bliss of paradise awaits the honourable Muslim donor.
“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.” (Quran 57:7)
Apart from the remembrance of Allah, voluntary charity is another way that makes our ever pounding hearts to rest with exceptional calmness and satisfaction. Ironically only few people understand the power and wisdom of Sadaqa.
While we are in a world of individualism that dictates and follow the parochial idea of ‘by me and for me’, voluntary charity opens the door of achievement and gratification.
The practice of wilfully donating in kind and in cash is an open gateway to a totally new world of affirmation away from mendacious melancholy. That is to say, if you are looking for a comforting life with or without wealth, make voluntary charity your little hobby.
Feel all the goodness on earth!
The key to success in life is in your hand, it is you who don’t want to use it to unlock the limitless potential around you. Allah has given you the abilities in form of wealth, knowledge or energy to run faster and faster in aiding fellow humans.
In sadaqa there is life, love and liberation of the heart. It is not just about helping people, it is about extending a caring hand that wipes tears from a distraught face replacing it with a captivating smile.
When you are the person behind a rare yet timely smile, you will feel all the goodness on earth. Religiously, this goodness doesn’t just end in this world, it follows you up to the heavens.
And the radiant happiness that sprouts from a voluntary charity strikes the hearts of both giver and taker melting each one in a distinct yet special ways. The two beaming faces from two different worlds ignite an ingenious feeling with sweet pleasures.
Impressively, the joy in giving is greater than the enchantment in receiving. Imagine the cascading emotions, the unparalleled gratifications and the calm delight that sensationally fizzes your veins when you help a cash strapped widow. Certainly you will shed tears of joy.
As for those who found delight in charity and made it an exciting interest, the greatness they say is in giving. A companion of the prophet (SAW) whose name I cannot recall was known for generously hugging beggars before presenting his Sadaqa. He used to say “I need this more than you” by saying this, he appreciated beggars for the opportunity to donate.
One of the richest companions of the prophet (SAW) was Uthman Bin Afaan (RA), the third caiph of Islam who said “I need the reward more than the beggar needs the money.” Knowing the purpose and meaning of Sadaqa, caliph Uthman was a generous companion that has touched so many lives.
The water well he donated to the people of Medina some 1400 years ago is gushing water until today, watering plantations that help feed generations and generations of people including widows and orphans.
The legendary Muslim leader, the highly presumed fifth caliph of Islam, Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz is quoted by Imam Ghazali to have said “prayer will take you to half of the royal path, fast will take you to the royal door and charity will take you to the king himself”
And Allah, the King that Umar refers to says “Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is knowing of it. [Quran3: 92]
Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “Verily, Islam is founded upon wisdom and welfare for the servants in this life and the afterlife. In its entirety it is justice, mercy, benefit, and wisdom.”
Don’t miss out on the mercy of Allah!
In the words of the prophet (SAW) one can never be a guided believer until one shows mercy to other fellow human beings. It is not just about compassion to friends, families and relatives but to entire humanity.
And the prophet (SAW) added further: “He who does not have mercy upon people, Allah’s mercy will be kept from him.” Who really wants to miss out on the mercy of Allah?
While sadaqa is one of Islam‘s golden avenues to help the poor and the needy especially in times of dire need, the benefit it offers to the donor is remarkably great. It averts impending calamities that may have devastating effects to an individual.
The prophet (SAW) said “Acts of kindness protect one from ruin wrought by evil. Sadaqa given secretly appeases the anger of the Lord, and a gift to strengthen the ties of relationship increases one’s life span.
And charity is a proof of faith in Islam. Whoever denies it and who doesn’t take part in it contradicts the very existence of Islam- the religion of peace and mercy.
The miser will miss its endless blessings here on earth and eternal rewards on the day of judgement. The prophet (SAW) ordered every Muslim to take part in giving out with or without richness. When an opportunity to do charity present itself a Muslim is encouraged to seize it and donate even a morsel.
Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Every Muslim has to give in sadaqa (charity).” The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (SAW.)! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked, “If he cannot do even that?” He replied, “Then he should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?” He replied, “Then he should perform all that is good and keep away from all that is evil and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Bukhari Vol. 2, Hadith 524)
Unlike Zakat that requires conditions of owning some form of wealth, Sadaqa requires no wealth. Both the poor and the rich are encouraged to donate towards the cause of Allah.
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing”
In today’s, world forget about the poor and the needy, the wealthy ones are finding it extremely difficult to take part in charitable activities. The fitnah of modern capitalism aggravated miserliness amongst people including the Muslims.
Narrated Abu Huraira (RA): Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Every day two Angels come down from Heaven; one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person, who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (Angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.’ “- [Sahih al-Bukhari]
And the famous hadith “Have mercy to those on the earth, He who is in the Heaven will have mercy on you” should guide us in seeking not only emotional pleasure but also the boundless mercy of the creator.
Do you know that charity doesn’t decrease wealth?
Allah praised the incredibly generous Muslim man and woman who is beneficial to the community. The person who stands for the people, in action and in thoughts, who sacrifices his wealth, knowledge and energy for the benefit of others is indeed a true hero.
Ibn Umar reported that: “The Prophet (SAW) said, “The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to the people. The most beloved deed to Allah is to make a Muslim happy, or to remove one of his troubles, or to forgive his debt, or to feed his hunger. That I walk with a brother regarding a need is more beloved to me than that I seclude myself in this mosque in Medina for a month……”
Whatever that is given for Allah’s sake will never decrease one’s wealth in the slightest manner rather, it will bless, purify and increase it, as the Prophet said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.”[Muslim]
Sadaqa rectifies not just our emotional and spiritual weaknesses but also acts as a unbreakable fortification against deadly diseases, agonising evil and habitual sins. It creates a strong barrier against Satan’s unabated temptations towards the devilish path of destruction.
As told by the prophet that ‘treat your sick by giving charity’ the manifestation of charity, it’s physical and emotional effects on our life is a strong spiritual pedigree that underlines the benevolence of this great prophetic practice of generosity.
If a believer would want to connect with the Almighty Allah, charity is one of the quickest and easiest ways to establish a stable relationship with the creator as along as the spiritual intention is clear as defined in the Context of Quran and sunnah.
For our own success, we should spend time, money and efforts in giving sadaqa for the pleasure of Allah as the rewards of it is nothing but success, both in this world and in the hereafter.
To be able to enjoy Allah’s tremendous rewards for every sadaqa that we give, we need to observe the following teachings: Sadaqa must be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allah and not out of riya’ (show off) to gain praise or recognition from others.
“O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day” (Qur’an, 2: 264)
For those who are wealthy but miser or negligent in giving sadaqa, may they take admonitions from the words of Allah. Referring to the guilt that the denier of Sadaqa feels in the life to come, the Qur’an says that they would ask each other: “What brought you to this hellfire?” They will answer: “We were not of those who prayed, nor did we feed the needy”. (Qur’an 74:42-44)
