3) To give for the sake of Allah: This refers to charity and spending on oneself, family, friends, or any individual. If we give solely for the sake of Allah, we will not become upset or angry if it is unappreciated by people, as Allah will always appreciate and reciprocate our efforts. A believer gives and lives with this hope.
One uncle told me that he met a young boy who had no family. He adopted him and raised him with the intention that when he reaches maturity, he will make him an aalim. However, when the young boy became of age, he spent a short while in a Darul Uloom before deciding that he is not interested. He returned home but this uncle became angry and disowned him. He was telling me that he has wasted many years in raising a child who eventually disobeyed him and shattered his hopes. He was visibly distraught blaming the child, whereas in reality, it was his own misjudgement that caused the pain he experiences today.
As believers, our focus should be on reward from Allah alone. We give to our children or others for Allah’s pleasure and our hope lies in Him. To misplace our hopes in our children instead is bound to create disappointment as they have their own hearts, desires and wishes over which we have little control. The most we can do is try and then trust Allah.
In a heated argument, a wife sometimes claims that her husband does nothing for her. The husband then becomes angry and begins counting his favours upon her. This happens often, but why are we counting? It is her basic rights that we are fulfilling which is expected, not counted. We count because we are not doing it sincerely for Allah alone, we have a mixture of intentions. The same applies to wives who begin counting all they do for their husbands when in reality, they are his rights, not luxuries. Some agents charge exorbitant rates for Umrah packages. Hajj is even more expensive.
Once we book, why complain excessively? It is not an average payment, this is worship. Your money has been spent in the path of Allah to undertake the journey of a lifetime. Don’t ruin it from the onset by complaining. The one who gives for the sake of Allah alone will recognise that his money falls quicker in his scale of good deeds, than the pockets of the agents. Even mundane tasks like buying groceries should be for the sake of Allah. To feed the family, to share Allah’s blessings with them and to sustain them with the money Allah has provided us with, are just some noble intentions that we can make. Thus, do for Allah alone. Give and expect from Allah and you will never be disappointed, for your reward in the hereafter will prove more than sufficient. Allah in His kindness will repay us more than we deserve. May Allah grant us the understanding, aameen.
— Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه الله
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s Jumah talk in Masjid-ut-Taqwa, Pietermaritzburg on 17/01/2020. To listen to the full audio, please click here.