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The Clash Between Our Children’s Goals and Our Goals For Them

“Nineteen-year-old college student commits suicide because he received a C in Biology.”

Although this was not an actual headline, it could have been. Over the years, we have seen suicides by students for similar reasons. Japan has the highest suicide rate among students and it’s all related to not getting high enough scores on this or that. Harvard University also has a good reputation for suicide students due to high expectations and pressure on the students.

Parent’ Expectations
Parents often have very high academic and career expectations for their children, which some children cannot live up to. Unfortunately, in some societies concern about disappointing one’s parents is a tragedy the student cannot deal with, so he kills himself.

I remember an engineering student who lived next door to me when I was in college. He used to study all of the time, and it was rare to see him. Once I told him that he must love engineering to work so hard for it. He said that he didn’t really want to be an engineer, but that’s what his parents wanted him to be. He really wanted to be a photographer.

Children’s Interests
This is not an uncommon situation. A child has a field of study that he is interested in, but the parent has a totally different goal for him. The child wants to be an artist; his parents want him to go to med school and become a doctor. The child wants to be a political scientist; his parents want him to be an engineer. This clash seems to be especially prevalent in immigrant Muslim families.

In some cases, the parents mean well. They want their children to work in a profession in which they have a good chance of succeeding economically. They feel that the social sciences and arts, in general, do not offer as much potential for financial success as do engineering, medicine, business, and law. And they are right. However, many young people do not place the same priority on getting a high salary as their parents do. They might be more interested in a lower-paying career that matches their interests or that provides spiritual, emotional, psychological, or social rewards, rather than monetary ones.

All Halal Occupations are Honorable in Islam
Unfortunately, many parents may want their children to work in a highly paid and prestigious field because of social snobbery or as a form of competition with their friends and relatives whose children may be studying or working in a prestigious field. In Living With Teenagers: A Guide for Muslim Parents, Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood writes:

“Sometimes parents are rather snobbish—they only tend to think in terms of the highly paid, skilled salaried jobs for their offspring. Whereas it is true that Islam encourages every person to seek the most knowledge that they can and to aim as high as they can, any social snobbery is totally against the spirit of Islam, which gives dignity to every honorable employment, no matter how lowly.

Parents have therefore to watch out that they do not push him or her above their capabilities. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught that there is no room in Islam for snobbery. The man who works as a simple porter or road-sweeper has as much right to his dignity as the manager of a great business concern (particularly in this age when the manager is deeply immersed in banking and interest transactions which are forbidden). What counts is honesty, and the attitude to the work one is doing.

Since society needs rubbish collectors just as much as brain surgeons, nobody needs regard any useful employment as being beneath them—the prophet Dawud was a shepherd and a metalworker, Nuh and Isa were carpenters, and Musa was a shepherd, peace be upon them, and Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was a trader. Islam actually gave dignity to many professions which people had previously considered lowly and degrading, including, incidentally, being a housewife.”

Luxury without Charity is discouraged in Islam
Although many parents push their children to study medicine, law, or engineering so that they will get a financially rewarding job when they graduate, many other jobs can adequately support a family. The family might not be rich, but it can have its needs met. Moreover, in Islam, even Muslims who have excess money are not encouraged to live lives of luxury. Rather, they are encouraged to help those in need with their excess money, and Muslims who are rich have an even greater responsibility to help others.

These jobs, as long as they are halal and do not involve the person in haram activities, have as much dignity as the higher paid, more prestigious jobs. So unless parents have better reasons than higher pay and more prestige, why should they pressure their children into pursuing careers that they are not interested in?

Important for Parents to Consider Children’s Interests
As previously mentioned, there is also some danger in pushing one’s child into a field of study he has no interest in or which may be beyond his capabilities. Not everyone is meant to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. To pressure the child into studying something that is not really for him could merely ensure his failure at it, which might also be followed by shame, depression, low self-esteem, rebellion, frustration, and even suicide.

Muslim Ummah Needs People of Diverse Occupations
In addition, the Muslim Ummah needs people to work in a variety of other professions, such as social work, nursing, psychology, auto repair, farming, and education. Muslim leaders have long complained about the lack of Muslims pursuing careers in the media. Although in recent years, there seems to have been an increase in Muslims going into these fields, Muslims are still in no position to compete with non-Muslim media. America should be flooded with high-quality Islamic publications and radio and television broadcasts. But still, only a small number of Muslims are going into media occupations.

A Career: More than Financial Security
In the past, just having a job and being able to support oneself and one’s family was essential. People often went into the same profession as their father. A farmer’s son became a farmer. A carpenter’s son became a carpenter. Opportunities to advance or to go into a field of one’s choice were quite rare. Today, we have a totally different situation. People have a much greater choice in the career they pursue. A career is no longer just a means of financially supporting one’s family; it is a major part of one’s life. To be trapped in a career one hates can be very difficult. To have a job one loves and enjoys can be one of life’s great joys.

Career choice has become a controversial issue in many families.
Although many children may one day appreciate their parents’ insistence that they study engineering or medicine, others may always wish that they had gone into the field “they” wanted rather than the field “their parents” wanted them to. But the real question is not whether the children will one day appreciate their parents’ pressures to go into a certain career or whether they will resent them, the real question is whether or not the parents were right or wrong to pressure them into it in the first place.

All praises and thanks be to Allah, Lord of everything that exists. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.Master of the Day of Judgment You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help. Guide us to the Straight Way The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor those who went astray. Ameen

What Should Be Done With The Sacrifice?

It is mustahab or preferable for one who has made a sacrifice not to eat anything on that day before he eats from it, if this is possible, because of the Hadith, “Let every man eat from his sacrifice.” (Sahih Al-Jami, 5349). He should eat after the Eid prayer and khutbah (sermon). This is the opinion of the scholars, including Ali, Ibn Abbas, Malik, Ash-Shafi’i, and others. The evidence for this is the Hadith of Buraydah (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace be upon him) would not go out on the Day of Fitr until he had eaten, and he would not eat on the day of Adha until he had slaughtered (his sacrifice).” It is better for a person to slaughter the sacrifice himself, but if he does not, it is mustahab for him to be present when it is slaughtered.

It is mustahab to divide the meat into three: one third for consumption, one third to be given as a gift and one third to be given in charity. This is the opinion of Ibn Mas’ud and Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). The scholars agreed that it is not permissible to sell anything from its meat, fat, or skin. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “Whoever sells the skin of his Udhiyah, there is no Udhiyah for him (i.e., it is not counted as Udhiyah).” (Sahih Al-Jami, 6118). The butcher should not be given anything of it by way of reward or payment, because Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded me to take care of the sacrifice and to give its meat, skin in charity, and not to give anything of it to the butcher as a compensation. He said, ” We will give him something from what we have.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

It was said that it is permissible to give the butcher something as a gift, and that it is permissible to give some of it to a non-Muslim if he is poor or a relative or a neighbor, or in order to open up his heart to Islam.

Ramadan – The Month Of Mercy And Repentance, The Month Of Qur’an

Ramadan, the month of mercy and repentance, the month of Qur’an. In the second year of Hijrah, Allah made it obligatory to fast during this month upon every mature, sane, and healthy Muslim.

Ramadan is the month of seeking forgiveness and protection from the Hell-fire. It is the month of repentance and acceptance of prayers. It is the month when the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are locked and the gates of Paradise are opened.

Ramadan is a month of worship. We should worship Allah sincerely, keep away from sins, spend night and day in prayer, supplication, and recitation from the Holy Qur’an.

Fasting is a shield from many sins and with which Muslims protect himself from the Hell-fire. Fasting is more than just abstaining from food. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech and from arguments and quarrel. Therefore, fasting also helps to develop good behavior.

Fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as Muslim experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. This gives a new sense of togetherness and association.

Allah, the Almighty, said in the Qur’an, “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs for the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” (Qur’an, 2:185)

As Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an. A Muslim is encouraged to complete a full recitation of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan.

Ramadan is also a month of charity and sympathy. Let’s give generously to the poor and share meals to break the fast together. Most Muslims also pay Zakah in the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan becomes a blessed month of physical, moral, and spiritual renewal through fasting, charity, and worship.

Ramadan: Time For Celebration

The month of Ramadan is a special season that signifies much for every Muslim who fasts in the day and volunteers other forms of worship at night. His motive is the great prize of forgiveness of past sins. As Ramadan is over, Muslims celebrate a festive season, called Eid Al-Fitr, or the feast that ends the fast. It is no wonder that the end of our month of Ramadan, which is a season of worship and blessing, is an occasion of festivity and celebration. Ramadan is certainly a hard month for Muslims. They have to resist their natural desires during its days and they are encouraged to spend at least part of each night throughout the month in voluntary devotion. All this comes on top of the normal duties of life, which makes the obligation of fasting and the recommended night devotion truly hard.

This, however, epitomizes the life of the Muslims who realize that there is always a higher aim to strive for. They look at themselves as trustees of God’s message. They call other people to it and struggle in order to make it known to all people, so that they may have a chance to accept it and reform their lives according to its principles. One can hardly find an advocate of Islam who has a casual attitude to life. The month of Ramadan, with its strong emphasis on the fulfillment of duties, is instrumental in the development of the serious attitude of Muslims. This is the reason why Muslims receive the month of Ramadan when it approaches with open arms, as it were. They go through it with patient perseverance because they realize that it is a season of great benefit to them. Self-discipline and the strengthening of their social ties are simply a part of the bargain. What is more is that for those who fulfill their duties with sincerity of intention and honesty of purpose, forgiveness of their past sins is guaranteed.

It is not surprising, therefore, that we celebrate the end of Ramadan. We welcome the fact that for the next eleven months we are free of the obligation of fasting, although we may volunteer to fast any time during the year, to gain more reward from God. But we celebrate, above all, our forgiveness. As human beings, we are always liable to err, indulge ourselves in some sinful practices or neglect our duties. Some of us are better than others with regard to adherence to the code of life God has provided for us. But we all make mistakes: A momentary distraction from the right course, a fleeting thought of sin or a sinful act of disobedience to God. All sorts of mistakes are possible. None of us is free from temptation; none is immune from falling. Hence, Ramadan provides us with a chance to wipe our slate clean, to feel that we are on the side of God, to renew our determination to follow the path He has set for us. After Ramadan, we feel as if we are born anew. Hence, we celebrate the Eid, as we visit one another, offering congratulations and blessings.

There is an important social aspect to the end of Ramadan and the approach of the Eid. As the Prophet has taught us, the acceptance of our fasting by God is made conditional on our payment of Zakah Al-Fitr. This is a prescribed charity, small in amount, but made obligatory to everyone who has more than enough for his family?s food on the last day of Ramadan. Moreover, everyone has to pay this charity on behalf of his wife and children as well as any other dependents he supports. Only those who do not have enough for their food are exempt, and those, as well as other poor people who may be less unfortunate, are the recipients of this noble act of charity. The idea is to relieve all poor people of the worries of their needs for this festive season. As the Prophet encourages us to pay this zakah to the poor, he makes its purpose very clear: “Make them rich for the day.’

Islam places a strong emphasis on the strengthening of social ties within the Muslim community. It does not like such a great occasion as Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the acceptance of the fast and the forgiveness of those who have carried out their obligations in the proper manner to pass while a section of the community is unable to take part in the festivity because of their need. Hence, the payment of Zakah Al-Fitr is made a religious duty, which is unique in all systems of taxation, religious or secular.

This zakah is imposed on people, not on their wealth or income. Thus, everyone, even babies born a minute before the Eid prayer, should pay this zakah, or have it paid on their behalf by their fathers or guardians. Some scholars are of the opinion that a prospective father should also pay it for his unborn child if his wife is pregnant.

The amount paid is estimated in measure. It should, preferably, be given in a measure of wheat, dates, barley, corn or rice, or any other product, which is considered the staple diet of a particular community. The measure is roughly equivalent to a little over two kilograms of wheat or four times the fill of the cupped hands of an average person. It is possible, according to an increasing number of scholars, to pay this zakah in cash, particularly where there is an abundance of shops and commodities. If in a certain community there are few shops, and commodities are scarce, then Zakah Al-Fitr must be paid in kind. A unique aspect of this form of charity is that some of those who receive it, the very poor, receive so much of the zakah of their fellow Muslims that they find themselves with more than they need for their food on the last day of Ramadan. Therefore, they become liable to pay this zakah to others who are less fortunate than they are.

The deadline for the payment of Zakah Al-Fitr is the Eid prayer, normally offered a short while after sunrise on the day of the Eid. As for the range of time allowed for its payment, it should be remembered that it is payable in the last few days of Ramadan. Some schools of thought allow their payment at any time during Ramadan.

One aspect of the blessings of Ramadan is that on the day when it is over, not a single person of the Muslim community goes hungry for the lack of food or because he is poor.

Sayings Of The Holy Prophet

• “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded.” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, No. 38)

• “It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in punishing.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1011)

• “Anyone who believes in God and the Last Day (of Judgment) should not harm his neighbor. Anyone who believes in God and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously. And anyone who believes in God and the Last Day should say what is good or keep quiet.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, No. 47)

• “Seven kinds of people will be sheltered under the shade of God on the Day of Judgment…They are: A just ruler, a young man who passed his youth in the worship and service of God…one whose heart is attached to the mosque…two people who love each other for the sake of God…a man who is invited to sin…but declines, saying ‘I fear God’…one who spends his charity in secret, without making a show…and one who remembers God in solitude so that his eyes overflow.” (Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Hadith 376)

• “It is better for any of you to carry a load of firewood on his own back than begging from someone else.” (Riyadh-us-Saleheen, Chapter 59, Hadith 540)

• “‘…what is the best type of Jihad (struggle).’ He answered: ‘Speaking truth before a tyrannical ruler.’” (Riyadh us-Saleheen Volume 1:195)

• “…you should show courtesy and be cordial with each other, so that nobody should consider himself superior to another nor do him harm.” (Riyadh-us-Saleheen. Hadith 602)

• “(Each one) of you should save himself from the fire by giving even half of a date (in charity). And if you do not find a half date, then (by saying) a pleasant word (to your brethren).” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 394)

• “In the name of God, I put my trust in God. O God, I seek refuge in Thee lest I stray or be led astray or cause injustice or suffer injustice or do wrong or have wrong done to me!” (Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 2, No. 67b)

• “Righteousness is good morality, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in your soul and which you dislike people finding out about.” (An-Nawawi’s “Forty Hadith,” Hadith 27)

• “Do not turn away a poor man…even if all you can give is half a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you…God will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376)

• “Avoid cruelty and injustice…and guard yourselves against miserliness, for this has ruined nations who lived before you.” (Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Hadith 203)

Stinginess Draws Allah’s Wrath

How often we forget the blessings of Allah. This forgetfulness leads us to stinginess and pride. Our nature and with the less fortunate change as if they are people who have no worth.

A story mentioned in Surah Al-Qalam of the Qur’an about certain brothers who inherited a garden is a great reminder for all of us. Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said the polytheists of Quraish were likened to the people of the garden. The garden had trees and plants of various fruits, and the time for harvest had come.

Allah said: “When they swore” secretly “to pluck the fruits of the (garden)” i.e. to harvest it; “in the morning” to avoid being seen by the poor and needy, lest they should be forced to give them some fruits in charity.

So, the young men swore without saying Insha Allah (If Allah wills). Consequently, Allah the Almighty foiled their plans and sent over their garden a fire that burnt it and left nothing behind.

Allah said: “Then, there passed by on the (garden) something (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep. So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruin).” “Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke,” i.e. they got up in the morning and told each other: “Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits,” i.e. go early to your garden and pluck the fruits before the poor and needy come asking you for charity.

“So they departed, conversing in secret low tones,” “No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today,” “And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).” Ikrimah and Ash-Shu’abi said they went with rage and bad intention against the poor. “But when they saw the (garden),” “they said: Verily, we have gone astray”, i.e. we have lost our way to our own garden. Then they realized: “Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!”, i.e. we have been punished because of our bad intentions and were deprived of the blessing of our tilth.

And, “the best among them said” (Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and others said he was the best and the most moderate and just one among them).

“Did I not tell you: why do you not say: Insha’Allah (If Allah wills).” Meaning, to say a good word instead of what you have intended.

“They said: “Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers).” Then they turned one against another, blaming. They said: “Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient),” They regretted and showed sorrow but it could not help them. They confessed their sin after they had been punished.

The men are said to be brothers who inherited that garden from their late father who used to give a lot in charity. But, when they inherited the garden they stopped giving in charity and intended to deprive the poor of its fruits. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty punished them and meted out to them the severest of penalties.

Allah has commanded that Zakah must be taken out on agricultural produce and should preferably be paid on the day of harvesting. He says: “Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due thereof (its Zakah, according to Allah’s Orders l/lOth or 1/20th) on the day of its harvest.” (Qur’an, 6:141)

– Stories of the Qur’an by Ibn Katheer

Finding A Worthy Purpose To Devote Our Life For

It has disappointed so many, while also pleased many others. People have died chasing it and people who didn’t chase also died. Its joys and hardships are but temporary delusions.

How many times does it deceive us with its illusions? It can captivate the heart, blind the one besotted by it, and also burden us with worries. It is none other than the Dunya!

“Know that the life of the world is merely a game and a diversion and ostentation, and a cause of boasting among you and trying to outdo one another in wealth and children, like the plant-growth after rain, which delights the cultivators. Then it withers, you see it turning yellow, and then it becomes broken stubble. In the hereafter, there is terrible punishment, but also forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure. The life of the world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion.” (Qur’an, 57:20)

If we stop to think about those who are titled “successful” in this world, they are primarily those who have amassed a money. But if you look at the best of worldly pleasures, you know that what is of benefit one day, is harmful the next day. Joys are tainted with grief and our wishes never cease. Death will certainly overtake us though we have many more aspirations remaining.

Allah says: “Yet still you prefer the life of the world, when the hereafter is better and longer lasting.” (Qur’an, 87: 16 -17)

So, why do so many choose to run frantically after this life? Because rewards are seen and experienced on earth. If we perform our duties well, we are promoted or given a pay rise. Imagine if we were told that $10,000 await us every time we do an Umrah, we may try to go everyday, regardless of the hardship.

The reward in the everlasting life cannot be experienced here. For instance, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said if we knew how great the reward for praying in the first row of the Masjid was, we would compete with each other to do that. But let the first row aside, do we even attend the prayer in the Masjid?

Charity is one of the big deeds that will help us in the hereafter. The best charity is the one when we give so discreetly that our left hand doesn’t know what our right hand gives. But when the time for charity comes, our bills suddenly become very important. We get reminded of our rents and other expenditure.

As Muslims, our goal should be the pleasure of Allah. Our destination should be In Sha Allah Paradise. This does not mean we must sit in the Masjid all day. No. Instead, we should make everything we do in this life a means to make us successful in the hereafter.

The world looks up to celebrities as role models. But what happens when they lose their luster? What happens when they become old and weak?

They’re all reduced to a bunch of memories. Of what use one may wonder?! If you ponder and seek guidance from the Qur’an, you will realize that the only thing that truly matters at the end of the day is the way we have lived our lives – how many good deeds we have done and how less sins we have committed. This is the test for which the world has been created.

Hasan Al-Basri, who was a famous Tabi’ee (student of the Sahabah), described the world as being only three days. The day that has passed by and so there is no hope in it.

The day you are living in and so it is proper that you should make the most of it. The day that is to come, about which you don’t know if you will be a part of it.

Thanking And Being Grateful To Allah For The Wealth Bestowed Upon Us

Being Grateful To Allah and Thanking him for the favours and wealth conferred upon us
Sahih Muslim Book 42, Number 7070:
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Look at those who stand at a lower level than you but don’t look at those who stand at a higher level than you, for this would make the favors (conferred upon you by Allah) insignificant(in your eyes). Abu Mu’awiya said: Upon you.

Avoiding Envy and jealousy over wealth
Sahih Muslim Book 42, Number 7068:Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When one of you looks at one who stands at a higher level than you in regard to wealth and physical structure he should also see one who stands at a lower level than you in regard to these things (in which he stands) at a higher level (as compared to him).

The world is a prison-house for a believer and Paradise for a non-believer.
Sahih Muslim Book 42, Number 7058:Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The world is a prison-house for a believer and Paradise for a non-believer.

The world is like a dead lamb in the eyes of Allah
Sahih Muslim Book 42, Number 7059: Jabir b. Abdullah reported that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) happened to walk through the bazar coming from the side of ‘Aliya and the people were on both his sides.There he found a dead lamb with very short ears. He took hold of his ear and said: Who amongst you would like to have this for a dirham? They said: We do not like to have it even for less than that as it is of no use to us. He said: Do you wish to have it (free of any cost)? They said: By Allah, even if it were alive (we would not have liked to possess that), for there is detect in it as its ear is very short; now it is dead also.Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: By Allah, this world is more insignificant in the eye of Allah as it (this dead lamb) is in your eye.

Wealth Spent on oneself , one’s family and on others(the poor and needy) is money saved for the Hereafter , Wealth spent is wealth saved

Sahih Muslim Book 42, Number 7061:Mutarrif reported on the authority of his father: I came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as he was reciting: “Abundance diverts you” .He said: The son of Adam claims: My wealth, my wealth. And he (the Holy Prophet) said: O son of Adam. is there anything as your belonging except that which you consumed, which you utilized, or which you wore and then it was worn out or you gave as charity and sent it forward?

Sahih Muslim Book 42, Number 7063:Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A servant says, My wealth. my wealth, but out of his wealth three things are only his: whatever he eats and makes use of or by means of which he dresses himself and it wears out or he gives as charity, and this is what he stored for himself (as a reward for the Hereafter), and what is beyond this (it is of no use to you) because you are to depart and leave it for other people.This hadith has been narrated on the authority of al-‘Ala’ b. ‘Abd al-Rahman with the same chain of transmitters.

Spend and Allah will spend on you
Sahih Muslim Book 5, Number 2178:Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that Allah, the Most Blessed and High, said: O son of Adam, spend. I will spend on you. The right hand of Allah is full and overflowing and in nothing would diminish it, by overspending day and night.

Excellence of Spending on ones family and saving them from want
Sahih Muslim Book 5, Number 2180: Thauban reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The most excellent dinar is one that a person spends on his family, and the dinar which he spends on his animal in Allah’s path, and the dinar he spends on his companions in Allah’s path. Abu Qilaba (one of the narrators) said: He (the narrator) started with family, and then Abu Qilaba said: Who is the person with greater reward than a person who spends on young members of his family (and thus) preserves (saves them from want) (and by virtue of which) Allah brings profit for them and makes them rich.

Importance of being modest and having Humility and doing Justice to others inspite of being wealthy
Sahih Muslim Book 42, Number 7067:’Abdullah b. ‘Amr b. al-As reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: How would you be, O people. when Persia and Rome would be conquered for you?’ Abd at-Rahman b Auf said: We would say as Allah has commanded us and we would express our gratitude to Allah Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Nothing else besides it? You would (in fact) vie with one another, then you would feel jealous. then your relations would be estranged and then you will bear enmity against one another. or something to the same effect.Then you would go to the poor emigrants and would make some the masters of the others.
Allah Hafiz.

He Who Kneels Before Allah Can Stand Before Anyone

Bismillaahi wa’Alaa barakatillahi (“[I am eating] In the name of Allah (swt) and with the blessings of Allah (swt)”). These words are spoken before taking a meal to express our gratitude for the food on our table.

Food is life, a gift from Allah (swt) given to humans for sustenance. The Qur’an states “O believers, eat the clean things we have provided you, be grateful to Allah if you sincerely want to obey Him” (7:158).

The resources that Allah (swt) has provided to us are His gifts, and by respecting them, we are in turn being grateful to Allah (swt). No human can produce his own sustenance; we are, in essence, living off of the fruits of the earth, which are gifts from Allah. The food which we garner from the earth is our only means of sustenance. Without that food, we cannot survive. Hence, we owe our everyday existence to Allah, for Allah is our Provider and our Sustainer, ar-Razzaq being one of His many names.

According to the Qur’an and Sunnah, Muslims must follow certain etiquette, before, during and after eating, not only to be satiated with what is given to us, but also to be grateful and appreciative of the gifts of food and life that Allah (swt) has blessed us with. During a meal, Muslims have to abide by certain protocol to show their gratitude towards Allah (swt) and respect for His gifts. Prophet Mohammad (saw) said “mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish which is nearer to you (Bukhari VII; 65:288). In the Qur’an, Allah (swt) says, “Eat and drink but do not waste by excess, for Allah does not love the wasters” (VII: 31). Islamic law emphasizes the importance of remembering and thanking Allah (swt) while eating and only consuming enough food to survive. “A Muslim eats in one intestine (i.e. he is satisfied with a little food) while a Kafir (unbeliever) eats in seven intestines (eats much)” (Bukhari VII, 65:308).

Gluttony is considered wasteful. When one has greater access and availability of food and resources, one should take only what is necessary to sustain oneself without over-consumption. If there is an excess of food, then one must distribute it to the needy instead of hoarding or throwing it away.

Many of us are guilty of leaving food on our plates and trashing leftovers from the refrigerator. The amount of food wasted by well-off people could easily feed the famished stomachs of young children all around the world. Homelessness and starvation could lessen if charity were practiced locally. Major epidemics, famine and hunger could also be reduced if the right steps were taken to distribute food evenly round the world instead of having the wealthy few cache a majority of the resources. If charity were practiced more frequently, and an understanding that food and resources of this world are a blessing and gift from Allah (swt) were more widespread, then may be food shortage and hunger wouldn’t be so widespread today.

As the centuries have passed, people who can afford to, eat more, while those who can’t are left famished and dying. It is important to understand that Allah (swt) is the Sustainer of life and provides many of us with resources so we can preserve our lives. How we use the gifts of Allah (swt) is important. If we throw away these gifts instead of carefully cherishing them and sharing them with the needy, then we are disrespecting Allah’s gifts and being ungracious.

Because food is the key to life, Allah (swt) has outlined rules for us to respect food and treat it as a valuable and important part of our lives. Remembering Allah (swt) for His gift is integral to understanding the value of food. When Muslims are done with their meals, they must say, “Al-hamdu lill’hilladhi at-amana’ wasaq’n’ waja-alana minal muslimin.” (“All praise is due to Allah (swt) who gave us food and drink and made us Muslims”) (Tirmidhi). It is our duty to show our gratitude for our food by sharing it with others, thus showing our thankfulness to Allah for our gift of life.

By Mahruq Siddiqui
SIDDIQUI is a UC Irvine Alumna with a B.S. in Information and Computer Science.