In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, Ever Merciful.

Love for All, Hatred for None.

Browse Al Islam

Printer Friendly Icon Printer Friendly

Spending in the way of Allah

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

March 31st, 2006

NOTE: Alislam Team takes full responsibility for any errors or miscommunication in this Synopsis of the Friday Sermon

Citing verse 196 of Surah Al Baqarah (2:196) Huzuraba based his Friday Sermon on spending in the way of Allah.

Huzuraba said it was a great Divine favour on the dear Community of the Promised Messiahas that its people honour their pledge and are at the forefront of financial sacrifice. However, there should be regular reminding of virtuous tasks lest anyone who is getting indolent may play attention as well as the younger people and the new comers to the Community get an appreciation of the significance of financial sacrifice.

Huzuraba said the Holy Qur’an is replete with pronouncements and indeed glad-tidings about spending in the way of Allah and how Allah rewards it in this life as well as in the Hereafter.

Huzuraba said the Community’s financial year is to end in a few months and the administration is always concerned about receipt of chanda and he hoped that through the sermon those who have not paid the obligatory chanda by now may do so.

Huzuraba said it is his belief and he is firm on it that whatever requirements are there of the Community will be met by Allah. New projects and tasks are also inspired by Him and this is because He has granted the Community the capability to carry them off. In the latter-days it is the followers of the Promised Messiahas who have been granted this spirit of spending in the way of Allah. Especially in this age of materialism there is a large majority of people in the Community who have a great sense of financial sacrifice.

Huzuraba cited the supreme example of Hadhrat Abu Bakrra regarding financial sacrifice and said that among other things it was due to his high degree of faith. Huzuraba also related the sense of sacrifice of Hadhrat Umerra and the other Companions who expended in accordance with their capacity.

Huzuraba said the Quranic statement of “Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity” (2:287) should not be used as an excuse for not meeting one’s chanda payment. Huzuraba said the excellent model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and indeed as it was followed by his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) was always of sacrifice made by taking on hardship. Huzuraba drew attention to how the above verse continues…”It shall have the reward it earns, and it shall get the punishment it incurs”.

Huzuraba remarked that at times even the Moosis are on the look out not to disclose all their income; whether one is a Moosi or not when one is financially prosperous one should increase one’s donations. Huzuraba said there is facility in the administrative system of the Community to apply for concession in chanda payment during certain circumstances and this should be utilised. While those who wrongly disclose their income, thus cause their earnings to be devoid of blessings as well as commit the sin of falsehood.

One should keep one’s dealing with Allah straightforward. Financial sacrifice is a means of moral training as well as to purify oneself. If one is making some financial sacrifice but in doing so is also not telling the truth then they are not partaking of that Divine promise which is about cleansing oneself through financial sacrifice. Such financial sacrifice is of no use; it is a source of laxness in moral training and is the cause of speaking a lie.

Commenting on the Quranic term ‘lending a good loan to Allah’ Huzuraba quoted the Promised Messiahas and explained that even to imagine that Allah asks for a loan or is dependant is kufr (disbelief), rather this terms is used because He returns whatever is spent in His cause with reward.

Huzuraba said those who are miserly with chanda during prosperity should pay heed that chanda is for their benefit only. Huzuraba said one should earn one’s living with a permissible source only then can one present wholesome donation. Allah does not like wealth earned through unacceptable means and wealth earned with usury as well as money gained by bribery.

Huzuraba said in this age of the Messiah a type of Jihad is that of financial sacrifice; this facilitates publication of literature in defence of Islam, translation of the Holy Qur’an in various languages of the world and despatching it to the corners of the earth; establish missions all over the world train missionaries to be sent all over the world. Huzuraba said mosques are built with this as are schools and colleges and hospitals to serve the suffering humanity. Until such time that the message of Islam reaches each corner of the earth and to each person in each of that corner and until such time that each need of the poor and needy is not met this Jihad has to continue and each Ahmadi has to take part in it according to their capacity.

Huzuraba said today when Islam is being attacked from all sides and the Community of the Promised Messiahas has been raised -through his means - to present the conclusive arguments and proofs we should be attentive towards financial sacrifice – otherwise we would be those who are destroyed and would be deprived of serving faith and being deprived of serving faith is indeed destruction.

Huzuraba cited a few Ahadith to further elucidate the significance of spending in the way of Allah among which was the hadith e Qudsi “O son of Adam keep on spending, I shall grant you”.

Huzuraba also related the example of a young man from the German Jama’at who despite being in debt and forthcoming marriage gave all his savings for the wedding towards the 100 Mosques Scheme.

Next Huzuraba clarified a few points pertaining to financial sacrifice.

Huzuraba said although a lot of attention is being given to the Wasiyyat scheme there is some lacking in understanding, where some Moosis mistakenly think they only need to pay their Wasiyyat contribution and not other chandas. All Moosis should be aware that unless their situation demands, when they may seek permission for a concession in their regular chanda, their standard of financial sacrifice should be greater than the rest.

The real objective of financial sacrifice is to attain nearness to Allah rather than collect money. Therefore the correct income should be declared with regards the regular obligatory chanda. If need be, concession should be sought. The office-holders should involve the new converts in financial sacrifice, this would facilitate keeping in touch with them as well as in raising their standard of moral training and taqwa.

Zakat is a fundamental commandment and those on whom Zakat is obligatory should pay it ; Zakat should be paid on the accumulated capital in the bank and jewellery and is also obligatory on some farmers.

Huzuraba mentioned the Tahir Heart Foundation (in Rabwah) and spoke of the high level of sacrifice doctors of USA Jama’at have offered towards it. They have taken on the huge expenditure of the equipment for the Institute upon themselves. Huzuraba prayed for their prosperity and also requested that prayers are made for them.

In conclusion Huzuraba requested prayers for this forthcoming visit to Australia that begins next week; may Allah bless this trip, make it successful and may it be a source of good for the local Jama’at and may Allah grant protection during the journey.