The concept of sacrifice holds a central place in Islamic teachings, reflecting the essence of piety and righteousness in the life of a believer. Rooted in Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions, the notion of relinquishing something beloved for the sake of Allah ﷻ and others emphasizes the depth of faith and commitment expected of Muslims. Whether it be material possessions, personal ambitions, or cherished relationships, Islam emphasizes the virtue of selflessness and generosity.
In a verse highlighting this, Allah ﷻ says:
"You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it." [Surah Al-Imran, 3:92]
This verse emphasizes that true righteousness is attained when a person is willing to give from what they hold dear, not just from their surplus wealth or possessions. It highlights the idea that charity and sacrifice should come from the heart and involve genuine attachment to what is being given.
Hadith:
There are numerous Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that emphasize the virtue of giving and sacrificing for the sake of Allah ﷻ and others. One well-known Hadith states:
"Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah ﷻ increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah ﷻ except that Allah ﷻ raises his status." (Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith encourages believers to be generous and selfless, assuring them that their sacrifices will be rewarded by Allah ﷻ.
The Reward:
In another verse which explains the rewards of selflessly giving to others, Allah ﷻ states:
"Whatever loans you give, ˹only˺ seeking interest at the expense of people’s wealth will not increase with Allah. But whatever charity you give, ˹only˺ seeking the pleasure of Allah, it is they whose reward will be multiplied. It is Allah Who created you, then gives you provisions, then will cause you to die, and then will bring you back to life. Can any of your associate-gods do any of this? Glorified and Exalted is He above what they associate with Him ˹in worship˺!" [Surah Ar Ruum: 39-40].
While this verse does not directly mention spending from what one holds dear, it underscores the importance of giving in charity (zakat) as an act of worship and a means to attain piety. The concept of giving from what one holds dear is consistent with Islamic teachings on generosity, selflessness, and the purification of wealth through charitable acts.
Setting Examples:
There's this beautiful story about Abu Talha, one of the prosperous companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Medina. He had this lush garden right next to the mosque, his pride and joy. When the verse about spending from what you love was revealed, Abu Talha didn't hesitate. He told the Prophet ﷺ, "My beloved wealth is this garden of Bayrha, and I see it as a charity for the sake of Allah ﷻ. I trust in its reward and treasure with Him. So, O Messenger of Allah, place it wherever you see fit." The Prophet, acknowledging the significance of Abu Talha's gesture, advised him to share it with his relatives, which he gladly did.
Similarly, Umar, the second Caliph, faced a similar test. When he expressed his attachment to the spoils from the Battle of Khaybar, the Prophet ﷺﷺ advised him to keep the initial investment and distribute the profits in charity, emphasizing the principle of giving from what one holds dear.
Prior to the prohibition of slavery in Islam, there's the touching account of Abdullah ibn Umar, who, upon reflecting on the verse, realized that the dearest possession to him was a Roman slave-girl. He promptly freed her for the sake of Allah ﷻ, contemplating marriage to her solely for the sake of pleasing Allah ﷻ if given the chance again.
These stories remind us of the profound lesson: true righteousness lies in being willing to part with what we cherish for the sake of Allah ﷻ and His pleasure.
Translation and Pronunciation:
In the video below is a recitation that includes pronunciation and English translation. Kindly do not forget to leave a Like, and subscribe to their channel.
