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Finances & Hardships

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What If?

What If?

By: Sikander Ziad Hashmi, Ottawa Ontario

Adapted from a Jummah Khutba (Friday Sermon). Modified with permission of the Author

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In the situation when many of us are hit hard by financial restraints, physical, and spiritual optimism is important to retain. We should believe that no one can dictate Allah, and He is the one who dictates and decrees. Allah says regarding Himself:

لَا يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْأَلُونَ

"He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will ˹all˺ be questioned.” (21:23)

In the post Covid-19 era things will be different from which we were used to. A month or two ago we did not even fathom the situation we are in. As time goes on, the impacts of the shutdown will continually multiply. And while the government has been helping, there is only so much the governments can do. The reality is that this will cost the world more ways than we can imagine.

The actuality, regardless of the situation is that everyone is facing some level of financial uncertainty. There are many, who are living in poverty and are already used to rationing and being careful with their money, but this is a challenge for many people who are new to it. This reminds us once again of how little we can control. We like to think that we earn from our own effort and skills, but in reality, it is Allah who makes it happen and He can change it in a moment.

أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

"Do they not know that Allah gives abundant or limited provisions to whoever He wills? Surely in this are signs for people who believe.” (39:52)

Desperate situations can bring desperate reactions. While it may be tempting at this time to resort to unethical or dishonest behaviour. But we should be mindful that, Hadith: من غشنا، فليس منا” ---“He who cheats us is none of us”. We should remember that whether it’s making a false declaration on a form to get government support that we don’t qualify for, or monopolistic behaviour that takes advantage of people’s desperation and needs, the benefit of earning from haram means are short lived and also impermissible. Haram earnings will perish, sooner or later. The accountability associated with it, makes it a worthless act.

However, in case we find ourselves in a dire situation, even then, it is better to seek halal help instead of haram. But one should only seek financial assistance, only if all halal options have been exhausted. Such as cutting costs, using one's savings, selling unnecessary items, downgrading, and using one's skills to earn a halal income, even if it means stepping away from one’s usual profession or trade.

Other than finances most investments have also been hit hard – once again a reminder that our wealth truly is that which we have already used in a halal manner or that we have given in charity. The rest is just with us temporarily and will leave, so do not lament its loss too much.

يَقُولُ ابْنُ آدَمَ مَالِي مَالِي - قَالَ - وَهَلْ لَكَ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ مِنْ مَالِكَ إِلاَّ مَا أَكَلْتَ فَأَفْنَيْتَ أَوْ لَبِسْتَ فَأَبْلَيْتَ أَوْ تَصَدَّقْتَ فَأَمْضَيْتَ

"He said: The son of Adam claims: My wealth, my wealth. And he (the Holy Prophet) said: O son of Adam. is there anything as your belonging except that which you consumed, which you utilized, or which you wore and then it was worn out or you gave as charity and sent it forward?” (Sunan an-Nasa'i 3613)

Nonetheless, we should be mindful of all the days that Allah provided for us and kept blessing us. Now, if for a few days, Allah has decided to test us, accept the test with an open heart and realize, as the provisions without difficulty were a test, provisions with difficulty are also a test. Exercise taqwa and increase your dhikr especially istighfar – In’Sha’Allah Allah will open doors and provide from unimaginable places. Also let us reflect upon what lessons can be learned with regards to our spending choices and habits.

Hadith Qudsi: يَا عِبَادِي! كُلُّكُمْ جَائِعٌ إلَّا مَنْ أَطْعَمْته، فَاسْتَطْعِمُونِي أُطْعِمْكُمْ. يَا عِبَادِي! كُلُّكُمْ عَارٍ إلَّا مَنْ كَسَوْته، فَاسْتَكْسُونِي أَكْسُكُمْ

"O My servants, all of you are hungry except those whom I have fed, so seek food from Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except those whom I have clothed, so seek clothing from Me and I shall clothe you.” (40 Hadith Nawawi 24)

وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

Allah Almighty says in the Quran: “There is no moving creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by Allah. And He knows where it lives and where it is laid to rest. All is ˹written˺ in a perfect Record.” (11:6)

It is quite possible that Allah is destined for us, providing what is, and how much, is best for us. What if, we have decided to overspend and stretch ourselves thin? Or have we become a means of usurping the rizq sustenance destined for others, leaving them hungry?

Another practice we should continue is regular charity, even if it is a little and in’ Sha’ Allah it will open doors for us and remove hardships.

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good (3:134)?

And last but not least:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا - ,وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا-

"And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them. Certainly, Allah achieves His Will. Allah has already set a destiny for everything.” (65:2-3)

In addition, do not forget, الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاءِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ -يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

"Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.” (Quran 2:268-269)

Quranic Reference: https://quran.com/

Photo By Carlos-quintero On Unsplash

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