The next characteristic of the true servants of the Most Merciful is mentioned in chapter 25 Al Furqan, verse 67:
“And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate.”
They understand that in reality everything they possess belongs to Allah, the Exalted, and it was only given to them as a loan. So they therefore return the loan to Allah, the Exalted, by using their blessings, such as their wealth, in the way prescribed by Islam without being stingy, excessive, wasteful or extravagant. They realise that their wealth and other blessings are a test from Allah, the Exalted, so they behave as truly grateful servants and pass this test by using their wealth and other blessings in the correct way. Chapter 67 Al Mulk, verse 2:
“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed…”
They have learnt that Allah, the Exalted, dislikes extravagance so they spend without being wasteful. Chapter 6 Al An’am, verse 141:
“…And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.”
They avoid being stingy at all costs as they are aware of the Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 1961, which warns that the greedy person is far from Allah, the Exalted, far from Paradise, far from people and are instead close to the fire of Hell. This same Hadith advises that, Allah, the Exalted, prefers an ignorant generous person more than a stingy worshipper.
The servants of the Most Merciful avoid greed as they are fully aware of the fact that Allah, the Exalted, provides them with provision and has even taken an oath on it. Chapter 51 Adh Dhariyat, verses 22-23:
“And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised. Then by the Lord of the heaven and earth, indeed, it is truth – just as [sure as] it is that you are speaking.”
In fact, the provision of the entire creation was allocated and recorded over fifty thousand years before the creation of the Heavens and the Earth. This is confirmed in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 6748.
Because of these divine teachings and others they avoid the two extreme attitudes of extravagance and greed. And instead remain in the middle by spending when necessary and withholding when necessary.
They avoid all forms of unlawful wealth knowing that Allah, the Exalted, will not accept the supplication of the one who is sustained on the unlawful. This has been warned in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 2346. If Allah, the Exalted, rejects their supplication how will He accept any of their deeds?
In another Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 2342, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, advised that Allah, the Exalted, only accepts charity from lawful wealth. This Hadith also highlights one’s great reward when they give charity for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, from their lawful wealth. Allah, the Exalted, will give a mountain worth of reward for lawful charity even if it is only a single date fruit in size.
The true servants of the Most Merciful always donate their obligatory charity knowing there are severe penalties for not fulfilling this important duty. Chapter 3 Alee Imran, verse 180:
“And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection…”
The next blog in this series will continue discussing this important characteristic.
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