The second step of dakwa, it was in public. Prophet Muhammad (salallahu alayhi wa salam) had alot of difficulties. We should be happy now that we don't have to go through all the difficulties that our Prophet had been through during dakwa.
Sheikh also talked about being generous to other.
He talked about Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) who was the richest and the generous sahaba in that time.
To read about it more in here, Story of Abu Bakr Al Siddiiq
Charity is the topic that I always talk to my kids.
Some of statement from Al-Qur'an about charity are as following:
- Charity is considered a beautiful loan to Allah.
"Who is it thatt would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?
And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned."
(Al-Qur'an 2:245) - Allah will multiply what you spend in charity.
"And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allah and assuring(reaward for) themselves is like a garden on high ground which is it hit by a downpour - so it yields its fruits in double.
And (even) if it is no hit by a downpour, then a drizzle (is sufficient).
And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing."
(Al-Qur'an 2:265) - Charity done in secret is better.
"If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds (thereby).
And Allah, with what you do, is (fully) Acquainted."
(Al-Qur'an 2: 271) - Charity prescribed even before Islam.
"And (recall) when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, (enjoining upon them), "Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good (words) and establish prayer and give zakah."
Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing."
(Al-Qur'an 2:83) - Allah punishes those who do not give charity.
"O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert (them) from the way of Allah.
And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of painful punishment."
(Al-Qur'an 9:34) - Charity is for the needy.
"Charity is for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move about in the land.
An ignorant person would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their characteristic sign.
They do not ask people persistently or at all.
And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it'"
(Al-Qur'an 2: 273)
I also want to share story from last week after salah Jumuah in masjid.
There was a man, who wanted to stop smoking, came and asked advise to my husband. Then my husband advised him that he could save his money and gave it as charity instead of buying cigarrette."
The man said, "Okay, here is the money, I want to give the money to orphans."
Alhamdulillah. Insha Allah, he will stop smoking slowly.
Some people are really need to remind each other to do good deeds.
Religion is about reminding each other, giving naseeha, and doing good deeds what Allah commands us.
The kids said to me that the charity or sedekah and zakah can improve and solve the economy. Economy will be better and growing with this kind of distribution of wealth from the rich one to the needy.
This is very wise distribution of wealth from the one who has the wealth to the one who does not have.
The kids also said that Muslim should do more charity and zakah because Muslim knew it very well what the meaning of charity and zakah in Islam. There are so many rich Muslim in this world but why so many Muslim countries around the world are poor and need help escpecially for the kids who need for theis basic needs. The kids said that it might be because of Muslim did not give charity and zakah.
"If I am success in my business or my carreer I will try to help the needy to have better life", said my kids to me.
Insha Allah.
Insha ALlah, we also try to help others in this difficulty time.
Alot of people are losing their job, losing their home, losing their family, stress, can not afford to pay tuition for school or buying foods, etc.
May Allah help us to do good deeds. Ameen.
