Alhamdulillah, surely all praises and thanks are for Allah Ta’ala for His countless bounties and favours which He has most kindly extended to us. Among these many favours, Allah Ta’ala has bestowed us with wealth. This is also a great favour from Allah Ta’ala and as such we will surely be questioned about it on the Day of Judgement. The Prophet (S.A), in many traditions, has advised us that we should continue to spend for the cause of Allah Ta’ala and not fear decrease in our wealth, for it is Allah who increases our wealth and decreases it. Allah Ta'ala has also commanded us in the Holy Quraan to give now, while we are alive for there will surely come a day when we will wish to give large amounts but it will not be accepted. He says: "O you who believe, spend from that which We have provided for you, before there comes a Day in which there will be no exchange (i.e. ransom), no friendship and no intercession (without Allah's permission) (2:254).

My dear readers, let us understand that the wealth we have is an Amaanat (trust) which Allah Ta'ala has entrusted us with, and therefore it is to be utilized in a manner which is pleasing to Him. It is important that we ask ourselves, 'where am I obtaining my wealth from and am I spending it in a manner that is pleasing to Allah or not?' We should be able to give a satisfactory answer to these two questions while in this world because these are the questions which we will have to answer on the Day of Judgement. Giving sadaqah (charity) and spending for the cause of Allah will greatly benefit us in this world and in the Hereafter. However, for our sadaqah (charity) to be accepted and rewarded by Allah, we must firstly ensure that our wealth is obtained from Halaal sources and also we must ensure that it is spent on Halaal (lawful) things.

If any of these two things (the source of our wealth and on what it is spent) is done in a Haraam (unlawful) manner, then it would not be accepted by Allah and the person will be punished instead of being rewarded. If for example, a person steals some wealth and then he gives it as charity, this will not be accepted from him and he will be punished by Allah (for this charity) instead of being rewarded. The Prophet (S.A) also informed us about this in a tradition in which he said "If anyone buys a garment for ten Dirhams (silver coins) and among these ten there is one Dirham unlawfully acquired, his Salaat will not be acceptable as long as he wears it (the garment)" (Mishkaat). Another hadith states that "The flesh which has been nourished by food obtained from unlawful means is more fitting for the Fire of Jahannam." Therefore we should be very cautious with regard to the sources of our income and we should also ensure that it is spent on things which are lawful in the Shariah.

The reward for whatever is spent in Allah's cause (even though it may be little) continues to multiply greatly and Allah increases the rewards for whomsoever He wishes. The Holy Quraan mentions: "The example of those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah is like a seed (of grain) which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies (His reward) for whomsoever He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing and All-Knowing (2:261). Another verse states: “All that you give for the cause of Allah shall be repaid fully to you and you shall not be wronged.” (8:60).

My dear readers we should understand that whatever wealth we may possess in this world is temporary and could be stolen, destroyed or lost at any time but when it is deposited in the Treasury of Allah, absolutely no harm can come to it. A hadith says that Allah Ta'ala proclaims: "O man, entrust your treasures to Me for safe custody; none of these will catch fire, nor sink nor be stolen; you will receive these back from Me at the time when your need for them will be the greatest." (Durre Manthur). Allah Ta'ala also mentions in the Holy Quraan: "...and loan Allah a goodly loan (by charities and contributions to His cause). And whatever good you send forward for yourselves, you will surely find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (73: 20)

We should also bear in mind that whatever we give, it must be for the sake of Allah only. This is why it is more virtuous to give sadaqah (optional charity) secretly instead of openly as it prevents the act from being done for show or for pleasing anyone besides Allah. This is why the Prophet (S.A) said that seven (categories of) persons will be under the shade of Allah on the Day when there will be no shade except His (Allah), and one category from among these seven will be a person who gave charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what the right hand had given. This hadith shows the high status which will be awarded to those who spend sincerely for the sake of Allah. On that Day when the sun will be only one mile above our heads, those who will be saved from its intense heat will indeed be the fortunate and specially favoured ones.

The Prophet (S.A) has also informed us of the best and most virtuous time for giving charity. Once someone asked him (S.A) as to what kind of charity was the most virtuous. He (S.A) replied: “To give at a time when you are in good health, you have the hope of becoming rich and at the same time you fear becoming poor by parting from the wealth. That is the best time. Do not postpone it until the last moment of your life and then say, ‘give so much for so and so, and so much to so and so’. Your property has already gone to its heirs.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

My dear readers let us pay heed to these many advices and warnings of Allah Ta'ala and His Messenger (S.A) and send forward for ourselves whatever we can now, before it is too late. May Allah Ta’ala through His Infinite Mercy give us the ability to earn lawfully and spend on such things which will benefit us in this world and in the Hereafter Ameen.