VIRTUES AND REWARDS OF SPENDING FOR THE CAUSE OF ALLAH The Holy Quran and the Ahadith of Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam, the greatest of mankind, contain so many exhortations to give away Sadaqah that, after going through them, one cannot but conclude that money is not to be held back at all and that it is meant only for spending for the cause of Allah. The commandments and instructions on this subject are so numerous that it is difficult to collect even a tenth of them. In my usual way, I am quoting below, by way of example, a few Ayaat of the Holy Qur’an and some Ahadith with their translation. Section (a) AYAAT 1. (The Glorious Qur’an) In it there is guidance for those who fear Allah and believe in things not visible; they establish Salaat and spend from what We have bestowed on them; and they believe in what has been sent down to you and sent down before you; and they are certain of the Akhirah. They depend on the guidance from their Lord; they are the successful. (al-baqarah: 2-5) Note: These Ayaat contain several subjects, all of which need close consideration: (a) The Qur’an is a guidance to those who fear Allah Ta’ala Shanohu. Obviously, the one who does not fear his Lord, nor considers the Lord as his Master, and the one who does not know his Creator, cannot see the path indicated by the Glorious Qur’an. He alone can see the path who has the capability of seeing. Similarly, a person whose heart is devoid of the fear of Allah has no regard for His commandments. (b) "To establish Salaat’ is to perform it with full concentration, following the prescribed manner and fulfilling the necessary conditions. These have been fully dealt with in my booklet on the ‘Virtues of Salaat,’ wherein I have quoted a saying of Ibne Abbas Radhiallaho anho to the effect that: ‘The establishment of Salaat’ depends on correct performance of Ruku and Sajda, whole-hearted concentration and humility towards Allah. According to Qatadah Rahmathullah alaihe, perfection in Salaat can be achieved by observing it at its proper time, by proper ‘Wudhu’ (ablution), and by ‘Ruku’ and ‘Sajda’ in the proper way. (c) The highest achievement of man is to attain ‘Falaah’. The term Falaah implies success and happiness, both in spiritual and worldly affairs. Imaam Raghib Rahmathullah alaihe has written that ‘Falaah’ in the worldly sense means attainment of excellence in certain aspects of worldly life, in respect of lasting satisfaction, contentment and honour. ‘Falaah’ in the life of Akirah consists in four things: 1. Eternal life 2. Riches that have no shadow of poverty. 3. Honour with no trace of disgrace. 4. Knowledge with no taint of ignorance. In the case of absolute ‘Falaah’, success is implied in its highest degree, both in spiritual and material life. 2. It is not right righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or West; but the righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels, and the Scripture and the Ambiya and gives his wealth for the love of Him to kinsfolk and to orphans and the destitute and the wayfarer and to those who ask (in need) and to set slaves free; and observes Salaat properly; and pays Zakaat. (These are worthwhile attainments). (al-baqarah: 177) (The Ayat mentions a few more qualities of the righteous and in conclusion, asserts, "Such are they who are truly sincere. Such are the people who fear Allah")
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