AL-SADAQAH (ALMS) – Part Five

THE BEST ALMS (CONTINUATION)

AL-EITHAAR (GIVING PREFERENCE TO OTHERS)

The third kind of Sadaqah that is also considered as the best and superior in the sight of Allah (SWT) is the one, which, a believer gives despite his own financial troubles to those who are more needy.

This act is known as Al-Eithaar in the Holy Quran and it has been highly praised.

“And they give them (others) preference over themselves even though poverty be their own lot. And those who are saved from their own greed-it is they who are the felicitous.”  

                                                                              (59:9)

Giving preference to others over oneself is an act of greatness. The Prophets, the Imams and the sincere believers usually exhibit such attribute.

Once, having come to know that there is no food at home, Imam ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) borrowed a dinar and went to the market to buy some cereals. There, he (a.s.) saw Miqdad crossing the street. He was strolling to pass his time as, in his house too, there was no food. Miqdad could not bear the sorry plight of his children, so he had left home. Imam (a.s.) found the real cause of his distressed appearance and gave him the dinar, and returned home empty handed. (S V Mir Ahmad Ali)

Once a group of men came to Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) and said, “We always rely upon Allah. We eat when we have food; and if we do not have it then we bear (the hunger) with patience.” Imam (a.s.) said, “Real dependence on Allah is to thank Him when there is nothing with you, and when you have something, to give it to others who are more in need of it than you.” (S V Mir Ahmed Ali)

Abu Baseer once asked Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) or Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.), “Which is the best Sadaqah?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “The struggle of one who has no possession. Have you not heard Allah (SWT) saying in the Quran: ‘And they give them (others) preference over themselves even though poverty be their own lot.’ Don’t you see that greatness is in this?”

                                                             (Meezan al-Hikmah)

MODERATION IN AL-EITHAAR

Although giving preference to those who are more needy is considered to be a sign of greatness and a superior quality of Sadaqah, we will find that even in this act, Islam has prescribed moderation.

“Let not your hand be shackled to your neck, nor stretch it forth to the utmost stretching, lest you sit down blamed, destitute.” (17:29)

According to the above verse, one should neither be stingy nor should he be lavish to an extent that he renders himself destitute. A path of moderation should be applied.

“And they ask you (O Muhammad) as to what they should spend? Say: What you can spare.” (2:219)

Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.) has said, “Do not spend on your brothers from yourself what will harm you more than what will benefit them.” (Wasail al-Shia’h)

However, it is important to note that even in the prescribed moderation, one must strive to give to an extent that one himself feels that he has reached his limit and has been sufficiently lavish.

In his will to Imam ‘Ali (a.s.), the Holy Prophet (saww) said, “With regard to giving Alms, you must strive in it until you can tell (yourself): ‘I have been lavish’, and you have not been lavish.” (Bihar al-Anwaar)

                                      To be continued…………………………..

Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff