Charity and Blessing

In a surau the other day, a friend read for me a sentence from a book that goes something like this:-
In the morning, some Angels would supplicate “Dear Allah, please give back, the equivalent or better to those who have given to charity (sodaqah); please take away part or all things that people hold back from giving to charity”.

Note: Non-Muslim readers are much-welcomed to read but may find the content is a tad too "Islamic".

An enterprising cousin, who has been operating a ‘not too small’ roadside food stall, has recently confided in me the secret of her success:- Her late mother told her to give to charity whatever little that she can spare – after following her mother’s advise her business ‘blossomed’. A three storey bungalow somewhere in Gombak near Batu Cave is a testimony of her endeavour (Oops! her word here, I believed her husband has also contributes big time for the bungalow).

The story of AbdurRahman ‘Auf (one of the richest men during Rasulullah s.a.w. time) might have been recounted to some of you umpteen times over the years, in short the story goes like this:-
AbdurRahman was bringing back a trade expedition of 70 fully loaded camels to Madinah.
On confirming the tradition of Prophet which (more or less) pointed out that ‘AbdurRahman will crawl on his way to enter the paradise due to his wealth in this life’, AbdurRahman then donated the whole 70 fully loaded camels to Baitul Mal (House of Finance).
Hardly a week has passed-by, by the grace of Allah: AbdurRahman has through normal trading/business, regained a similar size of wealth.


Following are some verses from Al Quran that relates to wealth, sodaqah, remembrance of Allah and spending for the betterment of souls.

“Verily, as for the men and women who accept the truth as true and who [thus] offer up unto Allah a goodly loan, they will be amply repaid, and shall have a noble reward [in the life to come].." (Al Hadid, Verse 18)

Say: “Behold, my Sustainer(Allah) grants abundant sustenance, or gives it in scant measure, unto whomever He wills of His servants; and whatever it be that you spend on others, He [always] replaces it: for He is the best of providers.” (Surah Saba’, Verse 39)

O ye who believe! Let neither your wealth nor your children distract you from remembrance of Allah. Those who do so, they are the losers. (Surah Al-Munafiqun, Verse 09)

And spend of that wherewith We have provided you before death cometh unto one of you and he saith: My Lord! If only thou wouldst reprieve me for a little while, then I would give alms and be among the righteous. . (Surah Al-Munafiqun, Verse 10)

So keep your duty to Allah as best ye can, and listen, and obey, and spend; that is better for your souls. And whoso is saved from his own greed, such are the successful. (Surah Al-Taghabun, Verse 16)

If ye lend unto Allah a goodly loan, He will double it for you and will forgive you, for Allah is Responsive, Clement. (Surah Al-Taghabun, Verse 17)


My late FIL and MIL stayed with me for few months before my FIL felt that he should go home for the Ramadhan in late 1999. I remembered very clearly that before they came over, for months I used to have RM10-30 in my bank balance a day before the salary day. Somehow my saving improved, I have some RM200 -300 addition to the previous balance to my bank account for each month of their stay.

I did not earn any extra money through salary increase or other activities and I did not recall that the in-laws chip in any money for their stay as yours truly is supposed to be well to do Petronas staff. What I recalled was that during the few months of their stay I did not have to send my old 23 years young car to my trusted foreman, Ah Lai, “under the big tree” workshop in Ampang.


Several months before I retire from Petronas last year, I sold off my 12 years old second hand car after acquiring 2 slightly newer (6 and 9 years young) second hand cars. One is to ferry my family, MIL and her helper and the smaller 2 doors for me and my family. I bought them because members of my family thought that I, as a Petronas retiree should have nice or acceptable (not too old) cars. I was rather reluctant at first, trying not to use so much money as I might need them for my two children’s education (the eldest was in form 5 then) and I was also very mindful that I might not be working after my retirement. After much persuasion from my children, I gave in telling myself that I have to do willingly and sincerely.

Somehow, very shortly after buying and selling the cars, money from unexpected resources came in. One from JHDN (after 5 long years of trying to get back whatever extra I have paid to them) and the other one is the lump sum merit increment (my third for a duration of more than 29 years of services.. just a month before retirement at that.. this do not normally happens, in Petronas mind you)… Alhamdulillah

In the end, with the money from the sale of one car and the two windfalls, I only have to pay less than 30% of the prices of the two cars. To top that, the hard-headed firebrand, barb-trading and ‘lawan-towkey’ yours truly, was offered two year contract to continue working in Petronas at a much lower responsibility and at slightly lower salary. Alhamdulillah.. kecil tapak tangan, nyiru saya tadahkan.

There are few other smaller incidents that also contribute and make me conclude that the money sincerely spent on my household, my family, my friends, my relatives and in-laws may indeed be considered as sodaqah(giving to charity) for I felt there is some baroqah (blessing) as on month to month basis, I end up spending much less than I normally would..

You may have heard or by your own experience conclude that any kindness (giving to charity, do’a and other good deed) you have extended/expended is indeed for the betterment of yourself.

Now that we know, may Allah give us sustenance, strength and courage to always give (sincerely) in His way.


P.s. If you have any similar experiences/incidents, kindly relate it in your comments below so that other readers and I can share them InsyaALLAH. Even if you do not have them, feel free to drop your kind comment/s.