by Jamila Jones
Spending
We spend most of our time trying to accumulate more and more. We see people purchasing the biggest homes, the most expensive cars and extravagant furniture. To them, maybe these things are considered a necessity – to have such riches will help boost status and popularity, but we should remember, these are not considered important in the sight of Allah.
Allah has asked us to spend on our parents, orphans and the needy. If we have any extra wealth remember those close to you and maintain balance in your spending, don’t forget about those who need our help. While they will benefit from your help in this life, you will benefit in the Hereafter.
Jihad
We have all experienced situations where we find ourselves having to go through something we do not like. But it’s necessary to go through some kind of struggle and hardship in order to benefit and appreciate what we have.
Every little act that we strive for in the way of Allah is a jihad. Each day when a woman wears her hijab in a non-Muslim country and encounters rude remarks but still holds onto her hijab just for the sake of Allah is jihad. When a Muslim man keeps his beard despite receiving rejections from jobs, it is jihad. Giving support to someone who is on the right path is considered jihad because you are encouraging good. So, the struggle at the beginning, we dislike it, but gradually we get used to it, and then we begin to enjoy it, as it is we who ultimately benefits.
Often people can commit great sins over petty issues. They may not even remember the reason why they began fighting in the first place, pride takes over as nobody wants to back down. To stop arguing and fighting does not mean you are weak, in fact, it takes great strength to approach your enemy or those you disagree in order to make peace.
Intoxicants
A lot of people fall prey nowadays to drugs and alcohol due to peer pressure or in times of sadness. I remember my life before Islam, how lost and depressed I was. I use to drink alcohol to numb any emotional pain. When I embraced Islam I stopped. I could not bear the thought of Allah not being pleased with me and worse, to not have my Dua’s accepted for forty days felt like a lifetime.
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever drinks wine and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days, and if he dies he will enter Hell, but if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance. If he drinks wine again and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days, and if he dies he will enter Hell, but if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance…”
[Ibn Majah]
The impact of these words along with the guidance of Allah (swt) helped me to stop drinking. May Allah guide us and forgive us all for our shortcomings.
Caring for Orphans
Caring for orphans is a beneficial and righteous deed. The Prophet (pbuh) said:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “I and the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise,” showing his middle and index fingers and separating them. [Bukhari]
Who would not love to be so close to our beloved Prophet (pbuh)? But to gain such a reward comes with accountability. We need to be careful and just.
The property of an orphan is a great responsibility. They need support until they are mature enough to look after their belongings themselves, which means, anyone who is managing the orphan’s affairs should always consider what is best for the orphan and not what is best for themselves. A child does not have the knowledge to deal with property management or to deal with expenses, they rely on their relatives or guardian. Be just, Allah is the most powerful and wise.
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Author’s Bio – Sister Jamila is a sister who loves seeking knowledge and making a difference in her community. She provides Free Resources and Islamic Study Material on her blog for all wanting to learn and understand the meaning of the Quran.
