Mercy, Generosity & Sincerity
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 250 |
| Khutbah Date: | 10/05/07 |
Ramadaan is the month of heightened Allah-consciousness, of attaining unto taqwa (piety), of training ourselves to be the best we can be; a month to initiate improvement of character and cultivating good habits; and in so doing, perchance pave the way to Paradise. As Ramadaan goes into its final phase, we call to mind the words of our beloved Prophet (pbuh) who said that most people will not enter Paradise merely due to prayer, fasting or charity, but rather due to …
برحمة الله وسخاوة الأنفس و سلامة الصدور
the mercy of Allah, generosity of spirit and purity of heart.
This statement encapsulates the very spirit of Ramadaan: seeking the Mercy of Allah, enhancing the spirit of generosity and repairing our hearts.
- Mercy of Allah
There are many names of Allah given in the Qur'an which reflect divine attributes. Some of these names are directly related to His compassion and forgiveness ...
- Al-Ghafoor/The most Forgiving: There are other names from the same root, such as ghafir and ghaffaar. The meaning of the word ghafara is to cover, to hide, and from it comes the meaning to excuse, to pardon, to remit and to forgive. (Occurs in the Qur'an more than seventy times)
- Al-'Afuw: This refers to another dimension of forgiveness. Literally the word 'afw means "to release" "to heal", "to restore", "to remit". Sometimes in the Qur'an both names, 'afuw and ghafoor come together.
- Al-Tawwab/The Acceptor of repentance: Allah accepts the repentance of those who sincerely repent and turn to Him.
- Al-Haleem/The Clement: This means that Allah is not quick to judge. He gives time. He forebears and is patient to see His servant to return to Him.
- Al-Rahman and al-Raheem/The Most Merciful and Compassionate:
The most pervasive of Divine attributes.
In seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy, we should too should reflect Godly characteristics تخلقوا بأخلاق الله . The Prophet said; لا يرحم الله من لا يرحم الناس the person who is not merciful, should not expect the Mercy of the Most Merciful. Prophet Jesus/'Isa (pbuh) stated: “If you do not forgive people their sins, God will not forgive you.” [Matthew 6:15] Sayyedna ‘Ali echoed the same sentiments when he asked
كيف ترجوا من الرحمان رحمته و انما يرحم الرحمان من رحمه
How do you expect the mercy of the Most Merciful, Who is most merciful to those who show mercy to others? All manifestations of the generosity of spirit can only emanate from a loving heart. A Believer loves and is loved. There is no goodness in one who neither offers love nor accepts love; And the best of people are those best to humanity." [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]
- Generosity, Ramadaan & Charity
So emphatic is the injunction to generosity that the Qur’an employs five specific terms for charity: zakaah / obligatory charity, sadaqah / general charity, khairat / good deeds, ihsan / kindness and consideration, infaq fi sabil Allah / spending for the sake of Allah.
Two things directly link Ramadan to Charity: The saying of the Prophet (pbuh)
- “ the charity of the body is fasting” – لكل شىء زكاة و زكاة الجسد الصوم
- “ the fast of a fasting person hovers between Heaven and earth until payment of Sadqa-tul-Fitr.” -
Zaka-tul-Fitr is a specific charity, due on every member of the household that has to be paid by the provider of that household; as long as that household has enough provision for more than one day. The Prophet declared this zaka-tul-fitr / sadaqa-tul-fitr as a pre-requisite for the acceptance of the Ramadaan fast. It must be paid in Ramadaan, before the performance of Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. Such charity causes the giver to grow accustomed to performing acts of generosity, hospitality and empathy towards those who are in need.
Forgiveness as generosity of Heart
There is another dimension of generosity, often overlooked or neglected; and that is the capacity to forgive. It would be wise to heed the advice of the sage who said, “Seek your identity through faith, your honor through humility, your dignity through propriety, and your forgiveness from Allah through forgiving others.” Islam prefers forgiveness over resentment and vengeance, as Allah says If you pardon, reconcile and forgive; (know that) surely Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Qur'an 64:14]
Wise ones have said that forgiveness is God's invention for coming to terms with a world in which, despite their best intentions, people are unfair to each other and hurt each other. God began by forgiving us and He invites us all to forgive each other. His way of forgiving is the model for our forgiving. It is thus said that to err is human and to forgive is divine.
- Soundness of Heart (Sincerity in what we do)
We must sincerely implore Allah to bless us with the insight of our own strengths and weaknesses. Unless we practice muhaasabah/critical self evaluation, we will not be able to improve ourselves and rectify our faults. Remember, nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected. This correction begins with the heart for even the faith of a person is not correct unless his/her heart is correct. The Prophet said; “Successful indeed is the person who is sincere in faith, whose heart is pure, whose speech is truthful and whose character is upright.”