Author: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
Alms (Zakat) [Part Three]
How the Qur’an Instilled the Concept of “Trust and Caliphate” in the Hearts of Muslims
The truth affirmed by the Qur’an is that Allah the Almighty possesses absolute ownership over all creatures on earth and all that humans acquire and possess. This belief was firmly embedded in the minds of the early Muslims and dominated their lives. They understood that in relation to their possessions, they were entrusted as stewards and representatives, and this concept could neither be altered nor diminished. Furthermore, there was no absolute freedom in using these possessions; pride, arrogance, and vanity held no value regarding them.
The Holy Qur’an instilled the concept of “trust and caliphate” in their hearts and minds through various methods and wise educational approaches. It conveyed that the wealth they had acquired through hard work, sweat, and skill in various fields, such as income, industry, and trade, was meant according to the covenant of Islam to be surrendered to Allah. Islam requires Muslims to relinquish all their rights and claims for the sake of Allah. This divine ownership is affirmed by the acceptance of Islam and the declaration of faith, making it obligatory upon them. Allah the Almighty has the right to take back His trust at any time and demand what He has purchased. Allah the Almighty says: «إِنَّ اللهَ اشْتَرَى مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الجَنَّةَ» Translation: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth in exchange for Paradise for them.”
He warns those for whom the love of wealth has become dominant and who prefer comfort, ease, and desires over striving in the path of Allah and fulfilling His rights. These individuals believe they have the right and freedom to use, retain, and be concerned about their possessions as they wish, and Allah cautions them, saying: «قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّی يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ» Translation: “Say: ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth you have acquired, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings you love are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His decision. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.’”
The Qur’an also warns Muslims that turning away from spending their wealth generously and willingly in the path of Allah, failing to sacrifice their lives and possessions for Him, and refraining from supporting this religion—which their survival, dignity, and prosperity depend upon—amounts to an attempt to destroy their own lives and wealth. This is equivalent to committing suicide.
Allah the Almighty says: «وَأَنفِقُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ وَأَحْسِنُوا إِنَّ اللهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ» Translation: “And spend in the way of Allah, and do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands. And do good, for Allah loves the good doers.”
How Did the Early Muslims Embrace the Concept of “Trust and Caliphate”?
The companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) viewed wealth, goods, lands, possessions, farms, and children through this lens. They entrusted all of these to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to benefit Islam. Their lives in Makkah before the Hijrah reflected this mindset. Companions like Abu Bakr Siddiq, Uthman ibn Affan, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf, Suhayb Ar-Rumi, and Abu Salama (may Allah be pleased with them) were exemplary of this truth. Similarly, the lives of the Ansar in Madinah mirrored this philosophy. This thought and feeling clearly manifested in the words of Sa’d ibn Mu’adh (MABH) before the Battle of Badr.
It is narrated: “When the news of the Quraysh marching toward the Prophet (PBUH) reached him, he consulted with his Sahaba. First, the Muhajiroun spoke and expressed their readiness beautifully. The Prophet (PBUH) then sought their opinion once again. This time, the Ansar realized the Prophet (PBUH) was seeking their input. Sa’d ibn Mu’adh (MABH) rose and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! It seems you are referring to us.’ (And indeed, the Prophet (PBUH) was seeking their opinion, as they had pledged allegiance to him on the condition that they would protect him and the Muslims within the boundaries of Madinah). Sa’d (MABH) continued: ‘Perhaps you fear that the Ansar consider defending you their sole right in their land. I speak on behalf of the Ansar, and I will answer you: Go wherever you wish, make peace with whomever you desire, break treaties with whomever you want, take whatever wealth you need from us, and whatever you give us is more beloved to us than what you take from us. Whatever command you give us, we will follow. By Allah! If you go to the land of “Al-Birak” in Ghamdan, we will follow you. And by Allah! If you enter the sea, we will go with you.’”
Encouragement to Spend Extra Wealth in the Path of Allah and Its Implementation by the Muslims
From the very beginning, when this truth was firmly established in the hearts of the Muslims, and when this special perspective toward wealth and possessions took root within them—that their wealth truly belonged to Allah, and that He had made them His stewards—they were urged by Allah to spend whatever wealth they had that was above their essential and lawful needs. This is when the following verse was revealed: «وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلِ الْعَفْو» Translation: “And they ask you what they should spend. Say: ‘Whatever is beyond your needs.’”
They eagerly implemented this command. Once the belief that their wealth truly belonged to Allah and that they were His stewards became firmly planted in their hearts and minds, everything else became insignificant in their eyes. They began to prefer others over themselves, even in their own times of need. The story of Abu Talhah al-Ansari (MABH), recorded throughout Islamic history, exemplifies this rare trait of generosity and selflessness.
Imam Bukhari (MABH) narrates from Abu Huraira (MABH) who said: “A man came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I have become poor.’ The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sent someone to his wives, but they found nothing with them. Then the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘Who among you will host this man tonight? May Allah show him mercy!’ A man from the Ansar stood up and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I will do it.’ He then went home and said to his wife: ‘This is the guest of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH); do not withhold anything from him.’ His wife replied: ‘By Allah! We have nothing except food for the children.’ The Ansari man responded: ‘When the children ask for dinner, put them to bed and turn off the light (so the guest will not notice that we are not eating). We will sleep hungry tonight.’ His wife did so.
The next morning, the Ansari man came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), who said: ‘Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, has been amazed by the actions of such and such a man and woman.’ In another narration, it is said: ‘Allah smiled.’ After this, Allah the Almighty revealed the following verse: وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ» Translation: “And they give preference to others over themselves, even though they are in need.”
Continues…
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