Abu Umamah (RA) reported: Nabi ﷺ said, “Whoever loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah, and withholds for the sake of Allah has perfected the faith” (Abu Dawud, 4681).
4) To withhold for the sake of Allah: This means to not spend in impermissible avenues. Haraam business ventures, impermissible investments, interest dealings, gambling and other known vices fall under this category. To refuse the requests of others also falls under this category. For example, if a spouse or child asks for money to spend in haraam, to withhold is compulsory. Though they are dear to us, Allah should be dearer to us and obedience to Him is more important. Besides, if we fulfil their requests, we may please them in this world but we will be doing them a disservice in the hereafter. This withholding should be done for the pleasure of Allah alone, not out of hatred or to prove a point.
Shaykh Haaji Imdaadullah Muhaajir Makki (RA) was the successor of Shaykh Miyanji Noor Muhammad Jhanjhanvi (RA). Shaykh Miyanji was a great scholar and known to be a dhaakir (one who remembers and praises Allah abundantly). When he would go to the market, he would carry a pouch full of money. Shaykh Miyanji would pay for his items by giving the entire pouch to the cashier who would count the money, take what was required and put the change back in the pouch. He was so particular in completing his dhikr that he did not want to waste any time, not even in counting his own money.
One day, a thief followed him and stole his pouch. Shaykh Miyanji immediately noticed but he chose not to turn around and spot the thief, let alone take revenge. For revenge would require him to divert his attention away from Allah and towards the thief and he knew this was not worth it. He did not wish to exchange reward in the hereafter acquired through dhikr, for money in this world by chasing the thief. This mindset may be difficult for us to comprehend because he was willing to sacrifice anything and everything for the sake of Allah, while many of us struggle to fulfil basic acts of worship, let alone sacrifice. But this was the level of his Imaan and unbreakable connection with Allah.
He prayed in his heart, “O Allah, I have forgiven the thief and made over to him a gift of what he has taken away.” This was his way of removing the incident from his mind and heart and remaining focused on dhikr instead. The thief escaped and Shaykh Miyanji forgave him which would seemingly be the end of this story. But Allah decided to teach the thief a lesson. Despite the thief knowing the way home, Allah casted doubt and confusion in his mind causing him to become lost in his own locality. He began wandering around in circles. Eventually, he realised that this condition of his was due to stealing. He enquired about Shaykh Miyanji and went to his home to seek forgiveness.
He knocked on the door and Shaykh Miyanji opened, but he did not recognise him. The thief disclosed his identity, saying “I had snatched your money. For Allah’s sake take it back. I made a mistake.” Shaykh Miyanji replied, “I have made this money lawful for you and gifted it to you. It is no longer mine. I cannot take it back.” Again, Shaykh Miyanji was not interested in unnecessary conversations with people, as he preferred to converse with Allah. As far as he was concerned, the incident was long forgotten. But the thief refused to leave and insisted on returning the money, repeating “for Allah’s sake, please take it back!”
The two began arguing. The thief was begging him to take the money back and he continuously refused. Eventually, Shaykh Miyanji asked why he wants to return it, considering he voluntarily stole in the first place. The thief said, “I want to go home but cannot find the path. I have strayed through these streets for hours.” Shaykh Miyanji replied, “Well I will pray that you find your way.” He made dua for him and Allah removed his confusion, allowing him to return safely home. (Discourses on Islamic Way of Life (Part 11, page 126).
His refusal in accepting his own money back was rooted in his desire to please Allah alone. It is from the Imaan of a believer to withhold money, information or anything for the sake of Allah. Many of us know of the virtues of giving money, but withholding when and where required is equally virtuous. 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.
