[Attachment(s) from Isha Khan included below]
An important topic and discussion that many Muslims puts a lower priority on.
Regularity of charity in Islam
Javed Ahmad
Charity is one of the most important factors in Islam. Over and over again Allah advised in the holy Qur'an to the believers to maintain regularity in charity. Some of those verses are discussed below.
While discussion the matter, we will also notice that in Islam acceptable charities are of different forms, not just monetary. In Islam, every good act is considered a charity, even a smile to another person. There are many different interesting traditions of the Prophet (S) or hadiths on this subject as well, but for simplicity we will limit our discussion with the Qur'anic examples only. Instead of limiting yourself on this article alone, please explore the traditions for further learning and understanding on the concepts of charities in Islam.
"And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with God: for God sees Well all that ye do. And they say: "None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful." Nay,-whoever submits His whole self to God and is a doer of good,- He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (2:110-112).
Islam is a simple religion that flows naturally in all living beings. By definition, Islam is basically submission to Allah in peace for peace. Therefore, this religion aims for peace at all levels. Disbelievers around the world may have given a wrong image of Islam calling it a "terrorist" religion with false accusations that does not stand a scrutiny. An interesting recording we find in the above verse is that the claim of the Jews and Christians about their religion that no one would enter paradise unless one be a Jew or a Christian. Allah is directly challenging their claim by teaching the Muslims to ask them to produce their proof if they are truthful. In other words, their claim is false and therefore they would not be able to prove it.
But the claim of Islam being the last and final religion for mankind is well grounded in the Qur'an and this book is a living challenge to mankind to inspect its accuracies and truthfulness as a timeless divine recordings. The challenge of Islam is simple, if you doubt Qur'an then produce not a book, but just a single verse like it and find discrepancies in it if you can.
"This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear God;.." (2:2).
"Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other Than
God, they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy." (4:82).
"This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than God; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the worlds. Or do they say, "He forged it"? say: "Bring then a Sura like unto it, and call (to your aid) anyone you can besides God, if it be ye speak the truth!"(10:37-38).
"Say: "If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce
the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support. And We have explained to man, in this Qur'an, every kind of similitude: yet the greater part of men refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude!" (17:88-89).
In the same verse, the importance of charity is addressed. Maintaining regularity of charity is stressed and compared it to deposits with Allah that will be reimbursed one day as 'rewards'.
"It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards east or west; but it is
righteousness- to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing." (2:177).
The above verse is a brief definition of Islam. To Allah, righteousness means, belief in Him, and the last day (meaning the Day of Judgment), the angles, the book (meaning the Qur'an) and the messengers including Prophet Muhammad (S) as the last of the prophets. Interestingly it does not stop there, it continues to say that charities out of love for Him, for the kin, orphans, and needy, for those seek help, ransom for slaves is also a criteria for being righteous while remaining steadfast in prayer and charity. Fulfilling contracts and agreements, being patient at the times of adversity and pain are also the part of the criteria. All of the above qualities are expected to be seen in a Muslim (i.e., a believer).
"They ask thee what they should spend (In charity). Say: Whatever ye spend
that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for
wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good, -God knoweth it well." (2:215).
The verse above tackles a question on defining charity. Here we see Allah is stressing on our own understanding of good and bad in order to determine what and how a charity should be spent while indicating some of the best ways among them, like spending on parents, kin folks, orphans, way farers and those in want (needy). But this does not limit it within these terms. See the following verse to understand other forms of charities -
"Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by
injury. God is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing. O ye who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury,- like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in God nor in the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil: on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (Just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And God guideth not those who reject faith. And the likeness of those who spend their substance, seeking to please God and to strengthen their souls, is as a garden, high and fertile: heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest, and if it receives not Heavy rain, light moisture sufficeth it. God seeth well whatever ye do." (2:263-265).
Kind words and covering of faults is said to be better than charity! Under no circumstance we should terminate a charity that is regular. And our charity efforts should not be for show, for name and fame. Because if it for name and fame then it would not bear the expected fruit and will not be accepted in the kingdom of Allah; simply because it was for show and was not intended for pleasing Allah as clarified in the following verses,
"And whatever ye spend in charity or devotion, be sure God knows it all. But
the wrong-doers have no helpers. If ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye conceal them, and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you: It will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil. And God is well acquainted with what ye do." (2:270-271).
The beauty of charities is that we are all doing it to please Allah who is free from all wants, but likes it and He uses all our charities to clean us from all the evil stains that we knowingly or unknowingly accumulate during our lifetime. In other words, we are pleasing our Lord with something that will come back to us as a rescue!
"(Charity is) for those in need, who, in God's cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured God knoweth it well. Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (2:273-274).
In the above verses importance of charities to disabled people is stressed. A regular charity program should be there for them to benefit from.
"God will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: For He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked. Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. O ye who believe! Fear God, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers." (2:276-278).
A sharp distinction between the usury (interest) and charity is drawn in the above verses. Allah does not like usury and asks us to forego all usury claims. Islam prohibits and denounces all dealings with usury. Therefore, charities based on interest income would not be acceptable by Allah.
"If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it is easy for him to repay.
But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew." (2:280).
Relieving someone from the burden of loans is a way to charity. This could be done in two ways, by forgiving the loan by the loaner; and by paying off someone's loan as an act of charity. If none of the above is possible, then at least allow more time to pay off the loan amount as a gesture of goodwill.
"But those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge, and the believers, believe in what hath been revealed to thee and what was revealed before thee: And (especially) those who establish regular prayer and practice regular charity
and believe in God and in the Last Day: To them shall We soon give a great reward." (4:162).
Practicing Islam with proper understanding is stressed in the verses above. Pay attention that the regularity of charity is repeated here.
"We ordained therein for them: "Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (No better than) wrong-doers." (5:45).
Here we find an excellent example of charity through forgiveness. Only a few would have the heart and mind to handle such a magnitude of charity that is mentioned as 'an act of atonement'. Therefore, equal retribution is allowed in Islam for the revenge seekers with a slight warning that any excess in it would be unacceptable.
"Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the (fellowship of) believers,- those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship). As to those who turn (for friendship) to Allah, His Messenger, and the (fellowship of) believers,- it is the fellowship of Allah that must certainly triumph." (5:55-56).
The same sentence of regular charity is repeated here with clarity on who are the real 'friends' of a believer. Along with Allah Himself and His Messenger, a believer should consider like minded people as his or her friends as well. The same matter is revealed in the following verse.
"The mosques of God shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in
God and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, and fear none (at all) except God. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance." (9:18).
The importance of masjids (mosques) is stressed here as a place for visit for worshipping purposes in a community of believers. Masjids are to be maintained by the believers. Why a community is important? We find the answer in the following verse -
"The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin
what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey God and His Apostle. On them will God pour His mercy: for God is Exalted in power, Wise." (9:71).
Once again we are seeing a verse that stresses on living in a community of like minded believers who would be protecting one another, enjoin good and forbid evil while practicing regular prayer and charities. A community of believers is a covenant of Allah -
"Amongst them are men who made a covenant with God, that if He bestowed
on them of His bounty, they would give (largely) in charity, and be truly amongst
those who are righteous." (9:75).
Unity is strength. This universal truth could be put to use through a covenant where the combined effort and contributions could make a difference in the community. In a communal effort it is always better to act jointly than alone.
"Those who slander such of the believers as give themselves freely to (deeds
of) charity, as well as such as can find nothing to give except the fruits of their
labour,- and throw ridicule on them,- God will throw back their ridicule on them: and they shall have a grievous penalty." (9:79).
No charity is small, even if it is a free labor. No one should take the audacity to ridicule any form of charity, because all charities are directed to Allah and He values all charities that are sent to Him as deposits.
"Know they not that God doth accept repentance from His votaries and
receives their gifts of charity, and that God is verily He, the Oft-Returning, Most
Merciful?" (9:104).
Allah is so flexible in receiving charities that He even accepts charities from someone who did wrong against Him earlier and then repented. Allah is indeed merciful and willing to forgive. All we have to do is seek forgiveness from Him and join His covenant. He is always there for us willing to open His doors to anyone who would knock gently seeking permission to enter promising not to do any wrong anymore.
"Speak to my servants who have believed, that they may establish regular
prayers, and spend (in charity) out of the sustenance we have given them, secretly and openly, before the coming of a Day in which there will be neither mutual bargaining nor befriending." (14:31).
Charities should be spent from the amount of sustenance we earn or receive. I have seen many rickshaw pullers and baby taxi drivers in Dhaka city giving in charity donations to the poor people in the streets from their hard earned income. They too have a heart to handle charities from their limited incomes proving themselves as believers, believing that all their contributions in the name of Allah will be reimbursed manifold by Allah Himself on the Day of Judgment.
"To those whose hearts when God is mentioned, are filled with fear, who
show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed upon them." (22:35).
Once again the criterion of a believer is re-asserted in the verse above as well as in the verse below -
"(They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with God rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs." (22:41).
Islam is simple to practice as it is a disciplined religion. The prayers are flexibly timed, charities as we see now are flexible as well, thus imposing no difficulties whatsoever in following it. All that is required is a strong determination to continuously strive for the good causes. One interesting fact that came out of this the following verse is that the name "Muslim" was used by Prophet Abraham (A) to term the believers!
"And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under
discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Apostle may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to God! He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help!" (22:78).
Allah is our protector; therefore He should be feared with the understanding that He is also a punisher;
"And those who dispense their charity with their hearts full of fear, because
they will return to their Lord;-…" (23:60).
We will be at His mercy when we will face Him after our return from this world. Similar message is relayed in the following verses -
"By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the Remembrance of God, nor from regular Prayer, nor from the practice of regular Charity: Their (only) fear is for the Day when hearts and eyes will be transformed (in a world wholly new),- That God may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace: for God doth provide for those whom He will, without measure." (24:37-38).
The points to note on the above verses is that there are some people who are so focused on Islam that noting would divert their attention from fulfilling their commitment with the covenant, because of their sincere acknowledgement that Allah is supreme in power and one day they would have to face Him for accountability on which basis his or her fate will be determined. Allah is the final decision maker. So, what is the condition? Says the following verse -
'So establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and obey the Apostle;
that ye may receive mercy." (24:56).
Which is basically the same Islamic message to the believers we encounter in different places in the Qur'an.
"These are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear; A guide: and glad tidings for the believers,- Those who establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full) assurance of the hereafter." (27:1-3).
Therefore, the Qur'an is a 'guide' for the believers with clear signs and glad tidings. Choosing any other way other than the teachings in the Qur'an and Sunnah are not acceptable in Islam and is not expected of a Muslim. Here is an example of guidance in the Qur'an -
"Twice will they be given their reward, for that they have persevered, that
they avert Evil with Good, and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them." (28:54).
Our deposits to Allah will be returned to us as rewards in double. The main duty of a Muslim is to avert evil and replace with good, persevere at the time of crisis while continuing on charity work from their sustenance.
"So give what is due to kindred, the needy, and the wayfarer. That is best for
those who seek the Countenance, of God, and it is they who will prosper. That which ye lay out for increase through the property of (other) people, will have no increase with God: but that which ye lay out for charity, seeking the Countenance of God, (will increase): it is these who will get a recompense multiplied. It is God Who has created you: further, He has provided for your sustenance; then He will cause you to die; and again He will give you life. Are there any of your (false) "Partners" who can do any single one of these things? Glory to Him! And high is He above the partners they attribute (to him)!" (30:38-40).
The secret of prosperity is revealed here once again which is the same as we have seen in the verses above. Basically, helping anyone in need with the aim to please Allah is considered a charity in Islam. Islam focuses on after life more than this material life. The religion stresses on victory in after life by utilizing the wealth and resources of this world. It is basically a trade off with guarantees from the Creator who have created both the worlds – the world we are living in now and the world we will be entering later. And all this is possible for Allah alone, who has no partners.
"A. L. M. These are Verses of the Wise Book,- A Guide and a Mercy to the Doers of Good,- Those who establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity, and have (in their hearts) the assurance of the Hereafter. These are on (true) guidance from their Lord: and these are the ones who will prosper." (31:1-5).
Alif, Laam and Meem (shortened as A L M above) are the Arabic alphabets or letters that is symbolizing something mystic. Many Muslim scholars pondered on the secrets of use of these letters in the Quranic verses. One of the most popular analysis or explanation is that the first letter or alphabet stands for the standing position of a Muslim in prayer that looks like the letter "Alif". The next letter "Laam" symbolizes the sitting position of a Muslim in prayer that looks like that letter, and the other letter "Meem" symbolizes the prostration position. In other words, the importance of prayer is stressed here indicating some benefits to the believers. Similarly, there is another explanation for the mustic letters. When the arm is at normal length, it looks like alif, when it is held parallel to the ground from elbow it is like laam, and when we make a fist in that position it resembles meem.
Probably it means a lot of things. Since the verse is related to prayer, we could focus on that aspect for now. In fact there are lot of benefits in offering regular prayers other than the medical and health benefits (as an alternative to physical exercises or Yoga), which is beyond the scope of our discussion here. A full discussion could be handled under a different topic to cover this matter.
A believer is someone who believes in what ever is revealed in the Qur'an and does not doubts any of the information revealed. Allah is assuring prosperity for having the faith in His words and believing in them with devotion.
"Their limbs do forsake their beds of sleep, the while they call on their Lord,
in Fear and Hope: and they spend (in charity) out of the sustenance which We have bestowed on them." (32:16).
Offering regular prayers is not an easy job as it may seem. A Muslim actually forsakes his or her physical comfort to engage in prayer out of fear and love of Allah and spends in charity. Only through regularity the prayer becomes a habit and becomes a normal process and part of daily activities. This is in Islam is called the 'establishment of regular prayer'. Another importance of prayers is that in after life the first accountability will begin with the prayers.
"O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye
do fear (God), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey God and His Apostle. And God only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless." (33:32-33).
Islamic practices were the same for the consorts of the Prophet (S). In fact, the pressure was lot higher on them than the ordinary women because of their position in Islam. Allah was strict on them in order to achieve a 'pure and spotless' image and impression on them for the believers to adore.
"For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God's praise,- for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward. It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by God and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys God and His Apostle, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path." (33:35-36).
Allah has revealed the definition and the nature of the winners with an addition of another condition that a believer should not question on a matter that has already been decided upon; thus closing the doors for any innovations.
"Those who rehearse the Book of God, establish regular Prayer, and spend (in
Charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a
commerce that will never fail: For He will pay them their need, nay, He will give them (even) more out of His Bounty: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service)." (35:29-30).
In addition to regular prayer and charity in the above verse we are finding another element of faith, which is rehearsing or reading the Book (i.e., The Qur'an). Indeed, without reading the Book regularly we would not know what instructions and guidance are there for us to follow! Majority of the Muslims today are moving away from Islam mainly for not doing this 'reading' duty. Even if they do habit of reading the Book, majority of the Muslims do not read with understanding. One of the main reasons being the fact that Arabic is not their mother tongue. The fact today is, only 20% of the Muslims population around the world are Arabic speaking and rest of the 80% are non Arabs. Therefore, learning the Arabic language is a must for all non Arab Muslims.
"Say thou: "I am but a man like you: It is revealed to me by Inspiration, that
your God is one God: so stand true to Him, and ask for His Forgiveness." And woe to those who join gods with God,- Those who practice not regular Charity, and who even deny the Hereafter." (41:6-7).
Our Prophet (S) was an Arab speaking person so he received the revelations in Arabic that he could understand. He just re-iterated the messages as they were in delivering the messages of the Qur'an. The Qur'an, although a Book was not revealed in a physical book form to the Prophet (S); it came to him by inspirations as revelations that were later recorded by his literate followers under his guidance.
"Believe in God and His apostle, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance)
where of He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in
charity),- for them is a great Reward." (57:7).
In order to receive the benefits of charities given, one has to be a believer or a Muslim – believing in Allah and His Messenger. One of the first declarations of faith to become a Muslim is – "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." Without this faith, all good work and charities would not yield any results. This applies to all members of mankind, not just the Muslims. Therefore, becoming a Muslims is mandatory for all of mankind. The logic is simple; the one who believes and performs would get the benefits and not the one who never believed in any returns. Therefore, the first thing that matters is the 'faith' in Islam.
"For those who give in Charity, men and women, and loan to God a Beautiful
Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward." (57:18).
Allah has prohibited dealing with usury for mankind in this world as it opens the doors to oppression. But He reserved the right to compound the loans offered to Him as for Him increasing the reward is not at a difficult matter being the only Owner of the unlimited resources available at will
"O ye who believe! When ye consult the Apostle in private, spend something
in charity before your private consultation. That will be best for you, and most
conducive to purity (of conduct). But if ye find not (the wherewithal), God is Oft-
Forgiving, Most Merciful. Is it that ye are afraid of spending sums in charity before your private consultation (with him)? If, then, ye do not so, and God forgives you, then (at least) establish regular prayer; practice regular charity; and obey God and His Apostle. And God is well-acquainted with all that ye do." (58:12-13).
Charity is so important in Islam that Allah even mandated giving charities before seeing the Prophet (S) for a private and personal consultation. Not to the Prophet (S), but to the society or community. This act was probably suggested for the benefit of the person who is giving the charity who is bound to get a return from Allah in manifold. But then again, it was not strictly enforced probably because many may not have had the means to offer any charity.
"O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the
remembrance of God. If any act thus, the loss is their own. And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! Why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good". But to no soul will God grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and God is well acquainted with (all) that ye do." (63:9-11).
Charities are to be given while we have life on this world. Once dead, all our activities ends. And there will be no opportunity to return to this world again to offer charities once we depart.
"God! There is no god but He: and on God, therefore, let the Believers put
their trust. O ye who believe! Truly, among your wives and your children are (some that are) enemies to yourselves: so beware of them! But if ye forgive and overlook, and cover up (their faults), verily God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Your riches and your children may be but a trial: but in the Presence of God, is the highest, Reward. So fear God as much as ye can; listen and obey and spend in charity for the benefit of your own soul and those saved from the covetousness of their own souls,- they are the ones that achieve prosperity. If ye loan to God, a beautiful loan, He will double it to your (credit), and He will grant you Forgiveness: for God is most Ready to appreciate (service), Most Forbearing,- Knower of what is open, Exalted in Might, Full of Wisdom." (64:13-18).
The interesting information revealed in the above verses is that we have enemies within our own families! Our wives and children could be our enemies as they at times become obstacles in following Islam properly. At times they could be used as subjects by Allah to test our faith. Therefore, Allah is asking us to be obedient to Him alone while staying alert in worship. We should try our best to make our families obedient to Allah so that instead of them becoming enemies to us they become a source of encouragement and a partner is worship of Allah.
"Thy Lord doth know that thou standest forth (to prayer) nigh two-thirds of
the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so doth a party of those with thee. But God doth appoint night and day in due measure He knoweth that ye are unable to keep count thereof. So He hath turned to you (in mercy): read ye, therefore, of the Qur'an as much as may be easy for you. He knoweth that there may be (some) among you in ill-health; others travelling through the land, seeking of God's bounty; yet others fighting in God's Cause, read ye, therefore, as much of the Qur'an as may be easy (for you); and establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and loan to God a Beautiful Loan. And whatever good ye send forth for your souls ye shall find it in God's Presence,- yea, better and greater, in Reward and seek ye the Grace of God: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (73:20).
Other than repeating the same message in the above verses Allah is acknowledging the dedication to worship of the Prophet (S) and some of his followers. But Allah wants to set a limit to worship based on our abilities and as such He is advocating for reading the Qur'an as much as possible to understand the needed limits of worship so that no excess was done. But our Prophet (S) always performed extra worships personally and used to worry about his followers. Therefore, Allah is assuring success if the regularity of basic Islamic practices is performed.
"So he who gives (in charity) and fears (God), And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best,- We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, And gives the lie to the best,- We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery; Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit)." (92:5-11).
No matter how much riches and wealth we have that might make us feel 'self-sufficient' may not rescue us in the end. Greed and being stingy in charities would lead us to misery. Therefore, we should never fall short in obeying Allah's guidance in the Qur'an as long as we call ourselves a 'believer'; because it is Allah who holds and determine our fate.
Finally, let us close our discussion with chapter 98 called "THE CLEAR PROOF, EVIDENCE" that says the following:
"Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, were not going to depart (from their ways) until there should come to them Clear Evidence,- An apostle from God, rehearsing scriptures kept pure and holy: Wherein are laws (or decrees) right and straight. Nor did the People of the Book make schisms, until after there came to them Clear Evidence. And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship God, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practice regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight. Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures. Those who have faith and do righteous deeds,- they are the best of creatures. Their reward is with God: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; God well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher." (98:1-8).
Prophet Muhammad (S) is the 'clear evidence' for the world to judge who have presented a book called the "Qur'an" pure and holy. Islam is a continuation of the earlier religions teaching basically the same principles like worship one God with sincere devotion, establish regular prayer and charities, etc. But for whatever reasons, the actual message from those earlier versions of religion has eventually got corrupted losing the basic truths. Therefore, those religions are no longer valid and no choice is offered on this matter. The deal now is, either take it or leave it. Those who would 'take it' will benefit, and those who would 'leave it' would end up in hell fire. All the religions, philosophies and ideologies other than Islam have become null and void in the Kingdom of Allah. All that matters to Allah now is Islam.
Further readings:
Islam – The final religion for mankind: http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=322970
The horrors of hypocrisy: http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=319651
Faith, Logic and the Truth: http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=310287
Rise of social ills in absence of Islam: http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=318635
Greed and its consequences: http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=317574
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