101ST EDITION OF VOICE THE MIMBARR: GIVE THANKS; BE MORE BLESSED- BY DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim...

Glory be to Allah, the Unconquerable and Undefeatable Lord of the the worlds. Fervent and ever increasing blessing be upon the soul of the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW), his entire household, Sahabah and all sincere followers of his path till eternity. As the year 2024 rolls by, there appear tremendous reasons for living souls to give gratitude to the Creator-Allah (SWT). A thousand and one reasons can be aduced for causes of appreciation but only those who can reflect would toll this line.

Human psychology portends much of counting on material riches but to Divine, one thousand and one unimaginable blessings predispose man to praiseworthy. Allah in the holy Qur'an declared categorically that: "Is it not Him Who produced gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruits in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess fir Allah loves not the wasters (Qur'an 6: 141)".

From the above Qur'an provision, it is clear that there are times to cultivate, work, do business and monitor investments and there are times to harvest bountifully. Trusting in Allah across board remains the ultimate for survival on the long run. Harvest and thanksgiving appear two sides on a coin which inseparable. For a simple reason, the only treasured wealth useful for the owner does not go beyond three things. These are: 'the proportion he spent on himself alive, the amount of clothes that became torn, and of course, the proportion with which blessed humanity out of wealth endowed to him; but the whole lots of left over belong to others (Hadith)."

To put thanksgiving in a proper perspective, the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) was reported having said: "Who among you loves other people's property than his own? The Sahabah replied 'O Messenger, no one among us loves other people's property than his own. The Messenger clarified: 'Whatever is spent to exhaustion is for you while the left over is definitely for others.' In this context, the like of thanksgiving instrumental in this direction include perfect Sadaqah (charity), Zakaat (Compulsory Almsgiving), Waqf (Endowment), Hibbah (Pro-rata gift), Wasiyyah (Shari'ah-compliant will-writing, and of course Mi'rath (Inheritance).

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of coin; it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases: and Allah cares for all and He knows all things (Qur'an 2:261)". 

It is to this end that the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) enjoined believers that: "Whoever is wealthy should give out (charity) of his wealth; whoever is endowed with knowledge should bless people with his knowledge; and whoever is endowed with might should impact on people with it." It amounts to no essential being miserly when and where using our blessing to help others. A good inference from this aspect is that all manners of wherewithal is deemed to be used in a way to enhance the cause of humanity.

To contemporize this concept, not only that civilization would continue to florish on the mantra of blessing people in charity but also un-alloyed goodwill and security of the giver is ensured. Turbulent-becoming of the society attracts no human possible solution. Life gravitates to levels unbearable for human and suffering from multi-dimensional penury hinder development of both individuals and generality. More lives sink on daily basis as a result of acuted shortage of basic infrastructure.

Today, hospitals glorify to public mortuary. Roads perpetually remain death trap. Correctional Centers is by no means different fro criminal incubator. Schools had become certificate but not morally pace-setting! Youth slide into complete lethargy and commit crime with impunity! Who did this to us? The world is bleeding and no one seems to be concerned.

Realities of the day reflects that

 the dimensions of thanksgiving in the present circumstances should incorporate arrangements of Muslim Cemetery, Masjid building where none exists and maintaining the existing ones to stand test of time and organizing farm and farming settlements to obliterate food insecurity. Building hospitals by corporate bodies and individuals would mitigate the effects of diseases on humanity. Arrangements of Guest houses for travellers would ensure safety of visitors. Provision of public toilet would facilitate sanity of the environment. Visit to both Motherless homes and Correctional centers would galvanize sense of belonging. Building more schools and funding the existing ones would burn out rots of ignorance just as it roadmaps sustainable development. Giving scholarship to indigent students and soft loans to less buoyant member traders would instill a sense of giving back to the Society that supported them initially. 

To sum up this edition, a Prophetic parable of generosity and nigardliness comes to bear. He placed on record that: "Generosity is a symbolic tree rooted in Al-Jannah but with its branches spreading across the earth. Attempt to plug into the branch leads a believer to Al-Jannah. Contrarily, nigardliness is a symbolic tree rooted in Nar (Hell) with its branches spread across the earth. Lending to miserliness amounts to plugging unto a branch of the tree that invariably leads to Hell. We pray Allah for continual sustenance and enablement to bless humanity through Allah's provision in our hands, while we encourage dignity of labour and hardworking for the fact that one can hardly give what he does not have. Till we meet again in the next edition. Thanks for taking part of your time to read from us. Stay blessed.

DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, 

Imam Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Ipaja Branch Lagos State.

- Nigeria