Experience and Wisdom

SHOULD I GIVE TO BEGGARS?

In school, some of my students asked me whether they should give to beggars. I said no. I have learned that "beggars are better dead" (Words of Wisdom, Old Testament). But, If you have some jobs for them to do, let them do the work. Do not be bothered whether the work is light or heavy, or that it will just take fewer hours than what you will have to pay. Right before they could dry up their hands, pay them for the day's work.

Further, the students insisted, what if we do not have any work for them to do. I said, then, do not give. Is this not greed? They asked. I said no, if you too did not take more than what you need. If you have only what you need to live for a day, then, there is no mistake in that. But, if you have hoarded, that is another story. Rather than keeping your money in can, let it grow and multiply. Many will no longer beg because they will find work and be compensated.

DONATIONS AND SHARING

From my point of view, donations should not be found in the vocabulary of Muslims. This is because sharing what we have to fellow believers is obligatory. This is only in addition to the fact that everything we do is in the name of Allah and for the pleasure of Allah. And that, not one permanently owns anything, but, is just a temporary custodian. However, at the height of fame and wealth, while it it correct to find joy in it, many forget and overlook, so that good deeds are overshadowed by personal desire to have and to keep for the mites, the insect, the waters, the wind, and the microorganisms to devour. It is well to remember that king Solomon and all his glory went down with him under the soil. Only maggots were the first witnesses to his death. And, only the worms and microbes found joy and amusements in his flesh. Perhaps, the idea of donations and sharing should not be mixed up by a believer so that good deeds will prevail and thus serve as inspiration by most young people in the community.

GIVING

Among the many things that Allah would like me to learn to be spontaneous with is giving a part of the material goods that He has richly provided. This idea certainly was not very easy and simple at times especially after so much effort have been exerted just to get hold of what could sometimes be meager. But, when I give something from out of which I thought is only enough for me, then, and only then have I surpassed the trial of trustworthiness. The rewards are often beyond my comprehesion. However, there are many among my brethren who have not as yet learned of the lesson. This could be the reason why they are subjected to greater trials in this life.

It is well to realize that Allah have created everything. He did not ask anyone to pay for it. Allah does not wait for anyone to give Him in return for the favor. So, it is just right for his creations to learn His ways of giving.

SAKAT

Sakat is charity. In the daily life of believers, they are inspired and encouraged to practice charity. Charity may come in many forms. The most basic is sharing of food to those who do not have anything to eat within the community. Since Muslims are encourage not to beg, the poor and the underprivileged in the community are always identified by elders. So it is easy to bring to the folds of the needy whatever is given or shared. Even a cup of soup for the needy will always be appreciated.

However, the rich and the famous can dole out more at regular intervals. So, not one individual in the community is left in hunger or thirst.

Zadaka is another form of charity. This is about 2.5 percent of the gross income for the whole year or a portion of the cost of all the material goods earned within the year. This is another sweet smelling oblation which believers can loan to Allah for the needy and the hungry in the community. In such a way, clothing, shelter, and education are additionally provided to the underprivileged part of the community.

The giving of sakat and zadaka is also another way of showing one's manners of generosity, modesty and kindness which are only few of the adornments of a believer in Allah alone.