Remain Focused* [[--- Part 2 ----]]

 *Remain Focused*

[[--- Part 2 ----]]
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

It's encouraged that we read Qur'an more in the month of Ramadan.

But,

Imagine a time when people have the Quran, but it’s not in their hearts. Imagine some people call themselves Muslims, but their actions are far from what Islam teaches. Imagine the mosques are full of people, but they are empty of true guidance.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "A time will come when nothing will be left in the minds of the people from the Quran except its calligraphy and from Islam except its name. People who call themselves Muslims will be the furthest from Islam. Mosques would be filled but empty from guidance. ...” 📚[Reported by Tabarani, Daily and Al-Hakam]

We recite Qur'an, fast and pray. But our respect for the full message of Islam has become weak.

We have started to "pick and choose" our religion. We take the parts we like and we leave the parts that ask us to give up our desires. We treat Islam like a list of things to do, not a complete way to live.

Look at the month of Ramadan. It is a blessed month. Millions of us work hard to finish reading the whole Quran. This is a great thing. But here is the painful truth:

The words we read so beautifully are often missing from our daily lives.

My people!

Why do we work so hard to finish the words of the Quran, but we don't work to live by its commands?

This "picking and choosing" has made our faith weak. Yes. It has turned our beautiful way of life into something that looks like just another empty ritual. We have gotten it right with our prayer (swalah), and for that. But what about the other half?

You see,

In the Quran, Allah (swt) hardly ever mentions prayer (swalah) without mentioning giving money in charity (zakat, sadaqah). They are always together. Prayer is our connection to Allah. Giving is our connection to His creation. You cannot have one without the other if you want your faith to be complete.

Today,

We hold on to our wealth so tightly forgiving that every single coin that enters our hand has a small piece that belongs to someone else. Yes. Someone who is not your wife. Not your husband. Not your child. Not your mother. A stranger. A poor person. Someone who asks. Someone who is too shy to ask.

Evidence:

Allah (swt) says in the Quran:

وَٱلَّذِينَ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَّعْلُومٌ

لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ

"And those in whose wealth there is a recognized right. For the one who asks, and for the deprived." 📚(70:24-25)

Did you catch that?

Allah did not say "those who give charity." He said "those in whose wealth there is a right."

Meaning: That money was never fully yours. Allah (swt) made you a trustee. A guardian. A temporary holder.

This is your test. Are you passing or failing?

Servants of Allah,

When you give anything to the poor especially to ease their affairs during the month of Ramadan, you are not only being generous, you are returning what already belonged to them.

Remember,

You must not have enough before qualifying to give. Yes. The only person EXEMPTED from giving is the person who has NOTHING to give.

This is the complete Islam.

Prayer connects you to Allah (swt). Giving connects you to Allah's creatures and multiplies your rewards beyond your imagination.

Let this Ramadan be different.

Will we just read about generosity, or will we be generous?

Will we just pray for Jannah, or will we pay the price for it?

To be continued...