INFAQ/AID
The first meaning of “ن ف ق n f q”, which is the root of the word of “الإنفاق infaq” is the “death of a horse and other living beings”. The word has subsequently come to be used with the meanings of “Eradication, consumption”.
Meaning of the world of “إنفاق infaq”, is the “spending and consumption of assets, money and life”.[1] As a term, infaq means “Ensuring the subsistence of the poor and needy ones among people, specifically the kinsmen, by means of providing them with monetary or sustenance aids”.
One of the derivatives of this word, “نفقة nafaqa” is the name for the compulsory consumables that are consumed by means of eating, drinking and wearing. The monthly fee allocated through a court order to the persons for whom someone is obliged to provide subsistence is also referred as nafaqa.
The meaning of the “infaq” expressions of Allah in the Qur’an is both “Spending on the way of Allah” and “providing nafaqa; procurement of the consumables”.
In the ayat (verses) where the word “إنفاق infaq” is used, the meaning to be preferred is understood from the wording of the context in the passage of the ayah. In some of the ayat, both meanings must be taken into account.
Infaq is gratitude; that is to say, it is the repayment of the values granted by Allah as a grace. Our Rabb[2] stated that when this duty is performed, He will not decrease reduce but increase.
Surah Saba 39:
39Say: “Surely, my Rabb extends His provision for whomever He wills of His servants and manages for him. And whatever you spend for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance, He will immediately compensate it. And He is the best of providers”.
Surah Al-Baqara 261:
261Example of those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance first for their relatives and then others is like the example of the grain that yields seven spikes, and each spike with a hundred grains. Allah multiplies for whom He wills. And Allah is the One Whose knowledge and mercy is vast and limitless, the One Who knows very well.
Surah Al-Baqara 272:
272To guide them to the righteous path is not a liability upon you, but only Allah guides whom He wills to the righteous path. And that which you spend from good for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance first for your relatives and then others is only for yourself. And you spend only to seek countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good, it will be paid to you fully. And you will not be treated unjustly.
Surah Ar-Rum 39:
39And whatever you give of riba [revenues which are obtained without effort, service and risk] to increase in the wealth of the people, will not increase with Allah. But what you give of your zaqat/taxes desiring the countenance of Allah…It is those who are the multipliers.
Surah Ibrahim 6,7:
6,7And when Moses said to his people: “Remember the favor of Allah upon you; when He saved you from the family of Pharaoh who afflicted you with the evil of torment, strangled your sons; made you weak, unqualified by leaving you uneducated and covered your women with disgrace. There was a great trial for you from your Rabb that you would wear off in this. And when your Rabb declared: “Indeed, if you repay for the blessings you are given, I will definitely increase for you and if are ungrateful, My punishment is absolutely very severe”.
Infaq is a worship that is different from zaqah/tax or sadaqa/public revenue. Zaqah/tax and infaq/aid are mentioned in different sections in Surah Al-Baqara 177.
Surah Al-Baqara 177:
177It is not “being righteous” to turn your faces to east and west. But, “the righteous people” are the ones who believe in Allah, the day of Akhirat [Afterlife]/the Last Day, angels, the Book, prophets; who give their wealth to relatives, orphans, needy, travelers and paupers and the ones who do not have freedom even though they love wealth and who give their wealth by loving Allah and who establish Salah [establish and maintain the institutions that support financially and spiritually; enlighten the community], who give zaqah/tax. And they are the ones who fulfill their promise when they promise and who have patience in the times of hardship, illness and war. They are the ones who are true. And they are the ones who have entered under the guardianship of Allah.
Here, our Rabb mentions infaq, the financial aids to be given to the relatives, orphans and the fallen, along with zaqah/tax that sustain the state of the believers.
Why Infaq (Spending on the path of Allah)?
Allah did not create all humans with the same intelligence, reason, capability and power. Hence, there become differences among humans in financial grounds; some people can be rich while some remain poor.
Allah has assigned the persons who have made use of His own property excessively to provide infaq for the people who have remained without means and solutions.
Surah Az-Zukhruf 32:
32Are they the ones who distribute the mercy of your Rabb? It is We Who have distributed their livelihood among them in this simple worldly life. We have raised some of them above some of others in degrees so they may make use of one another for service. And the mercy of your Rabb is better than that which they accumulate.
Surah Rum 37, 38:
37Have they not seen that Allah extends provision for whomever He wills and manages it? Indeed, there are evidences/signs in this for a people who will believe.
38Then give the poor who were driven out from their lands, the needy and the travelers their right. This is better for those who desire the countenance of Allah. And they are the ones who maintain their status, succeed.
Allah has also informed about the existence of the rights of those who ask/needy and deprived people in the earnings of the believers.
Surah Al-Ma’arij 24, 25:
24,25And those who fulfill Salah are the ones within whose wealth is a known right for those poor who ask and are shy to ask.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat 15-19:
15-19 Surely, those who have entered under the guardianship of Allah will be in the gardens and the springs as the ones who received what their Rabb has given them. Surely, they were those who produced good before. They used to sleep a little in the night. They asked forgiveness during daybreak and there was a right in their wealth for those who asked and did not ask.
Surah Al-Insan 5–22:
5-22Indeed, “the righteous people” will drink from a bowl containing camphor, from a spring gushing out of which servants of Allah will drink who give away their food to the poor, the orphan and the captive for the love of Allah/even though they love it, saying: “We feed you only for the countenance of Allah only and we do not expect from you a recompense and gratitude; and yes, we fear our Rabb on an austere and distressful day”.
And that is why, Allah will protect them from the evil of that day; He will give them light and happiness, He will give them Jannah [Heaven/Paradise] and silk as a reward of their patience; they will abide there reclining on thrones; they will not see therein a sun nor freezing cold and the shadows of the garden will hang over them and their picking up will be descended. And a silver cup and crystal bowls will be circulated among them, -their crystals which they will measure is of silver-. And they will drink from a bowl mixture of which is of ginger, from a spring there called Salsabil… And walk among them will young boys of everlasting youth; when you see them you will think they are scattered pearls! When you see there, you will see happiness and a great dominion and governing; those who abide there will be wearing fine green silken and glossy satin garments; they will be adorned with silver bracelets; their Rabb will make them drink a pure drink. Surely, this is the recompense for you. And your efforts are worth recompensing.
If there is no infaq/aid, there will be a disaster.
Surah Al-Baqara 195:
195And spend your wealth for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance for your relatives first and then others, do not put yourselves in danger with your own hands and do good deeds. Indeed, Allah likes those who do good deeds.
The fact that the wealthy people delve into luxury and waste and multiplying (having a lot more than what is enough and necessary) and fail to direct their savings to employment and production and to think about the poor with the help of whom they may be gaining incomes, causes the unemployed and the poor feel jealousy and malice to them. As a result of this, social explosions, perturbations and mutinies take place in societies.
Infaq (directing the savings to employment and production) helps ensure the solidarity between people. It narrows down the distance between the rich and the poor, expands prosperity and love and fellowship among people. Hence, in addition to the religious and immaterial profundity of infaq/aid, its role in ensuring social justice in a society is unquestionable.
Our Rabb ordered in the beginning surat of the Qur’an; that is to say, in His initial messages, that infaq, savings to provide employment to the jobless and taqrin (honoring) of the orphans; to provide them with a better life.
Surah Al-Muddaththir 38–48:
38,39Every one who has found his self – except for the companions of the right – is a pledge for what he has earned.
40,41The companions of the right will be in the gardens. They will ask each other about the criminals: 42”What led you into the Saqar?” 43The criminals will say: “We were not of those who fulfill Salah [support financially and spiritually; strive to enlighten the community], 44and we did not give opportunities for those unemployed so they might earn their living. 45And our deeds were in vain together with those whose deeds were in vain. 46,47And we denied the Day of Religion until indisputable and inevitable death, the Qiyamat [Resurrection] came to us”. 48Now, help and intercession of intercessors, helpers will not benefit them.
Surah Al-Qalam 17–33:
17-24 Indeed, We will test them as We tested the companions of the farm: When they swore that they would definitely harvest the crops of the farm in the morning. And they made no exception. Then, there came a wind from your Rabb over the farm while they were asleep. And by the morning, the farm became as reaped/harvested. They called one another in the morning: “Go early in the morning if you should harvest!”. Then, they set out, they were whispering among themselves: Do not let any poor come among you!
25-29They went early with a prohibitive/aggressive attitude. But when they saw the farm, they said: “We have indeed lost/come to a wrong place; no, no, we have been deprived; Allah has punished us!” The best of them said: “Did I not tell you “Do you not purify Allah from deficiencies?”.13 They said: “Our Rabb, we purify You; truly, we were the ones who do wrong; act against their own good, treat themselves unjustly!”.
30-32Then they turned, reproaching each other: “Woe to us! We were indeed transgressors who see themselves like Pharaoh; we hope our Rabb will give us better than it; truly, we turn our all hope to our Rabb.”
33Such is the punishment in the world! Indeed, the punishment of Akhirat [Afterlife] is greater; if only they were among those who know!
Surah Haqqah 25–37:
25-29And as for the one who is given his book from his left; he will say: “I wish I had not been given my book, I had not known what my account is. If only that affair had been concluded. My wealth has not availed me at all. My power/authority has perished and gone from me.
30-37Seize him then tie him up. Then drive him into Jahannah [Hell]. Then admit him into Jahannah [Hell] within seventy cubits of chain! Indeed, he did not believe in Allah, the grand. And he did not encourage for the opportunities for those unemployed so they might earn their living. Therefore, there is no devoted friend for him here on this day. And there is no food but pus which no one will eat except the sinners.-
Surah Al-Fajr 17–20:
17-20Certainly not as you think! Indeed, you do not raise the orphan in an honorable way. You do not encourage one another to give opportunities for those unemployed, poor so they might earn their living. Yet, you consume heritage of the world, devouring it! And you love wealth with immense love, stockpiling it!
Surah Al-Ma’un 1–7:
1Have you seen/have you ever thought about the one who denies the fact that everyone will be recompensed for his deeds, good or evil, in Akhirat [Afterlife]/the one who denies the principles of Allah that regulate the social order? 2,3He is the one who repulses the orphan and does not encourage on giving opportunities for those poor so they might earn their living.
4-7Woe to those who are careless, apathetic to their Salah, who fulfill Salah [while they look like they support others financially and spiritually; strive to enlighten the community] for showing off, and forbid that even small kindnesses should reach to a needy!
Surah Luqman 2–5:
2-5These are the Ayat of that book which contains laws as a guidance to the righteous path and mercy upon those who establish Salah [establish and maintain the institutions that support financially and spiritually; enlighten the community], who give zaqah/tax, and those who certainly believe in Akhirat [Afterlife], who do good deeds –they are upon a righteous path from their Rabb. And they are the ones who will reach the salvation-.
It was warned that unless infaq/aid is made from the loved values, Birr/being “righteous person” (position of being a person who can enter heaven) cannot be reached.
Surah Ali-Imran 92:
92You can not attain the degree of “righteous person” unless you spend from that which you love for the cause of Allah. And whatever you spend, indeed Allah is the One Who knows it best.
In many ayah of the Qur’an, “infaq/aid on the path of Allah” was recommended and ordered and those people who spend on the way of Allah were praised:
Surah Al-Baqara 261–274:
261Example of those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance first for their relatives and then others is like the example of the grain that yields seven spikes, and each spike with a hundred grains. Allah multiplies for whom He wills. And Allah is the One Whose knowledge and mercy is vast and limitless, the One Who knows very well.
262The reward of those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance first for their relatives and then others and do not brag after what they give and do not hurt is with their Rabb. There is no fear upon them and they will not grieve.
263A word in a way that is acceptable for all and to forgive is better than a sadaqa/service fee to be taken followed by bragging and hurting. Allah is free of need, is the One Who forbears much.
264O you who have believed! Do not invalidate your sadaqas by bragging and hurting like the one who spends his wealth to show off even though he does not believe in Allah and the last day. His example is like the example of the boulder on which is a dust, then becomes bare when hit by downpour. They can not keep anything from what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the people of infidels; those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb.
265And the example of those who spend their wealth/provide sustenance first for their relatives and then others for the appreciation of Allah and to assure themselves are like the example of a garden in the fertile lands, which receives plenty of rain and yields two fold produce. If not a rain in abundance falls in a garden like this, a drizzle… Allah is the One Who sees best what you do.
266Would one of you wish to have a garden of date palms and grapevines underneath of which rivers flow in which he has all kinds of produces, but he is afflicted with old age and has a weak lineage? Then a whirlwind containing fire hits it and that garden burns. Thus Allah makes clear His Ayat so you may give thought.
267O you who have believed! Spend from the pure of what you have earned and what We have brought out for you from the earth for the cause of Allah. Do not attempt to give impure things which you would not take except with closed eyes. And indeed, know that Allah is the One Who is free of need, praised/praiseworthy.
268Satan intimidates you with poverty and commands you immorality. Allah, on the other hand, promises forgiveness and abundant bounty. And Allah is the All Encompassing, the Most Merciful, the One Who knows best.
269Allah gives laws, rules and principles that are set forth to prevent injustice, corruption and chaos to whom He wills. And whoever is given the laws, rules and principles that are set forth to prevent injustice, corruption and chaos, he has really been given much good. None will contemplate except for those who are able to reason.
270And whatever you have spent as consumable or made as commitment, Allah definitely knows it. And there is no helper for those who treat their selves unjustly.
271And if you give sadaqa openly, then it is good; but if you conceal them, give them to the poor, then, this is better for you and it will make some of your sins to be removed. And Allah is aware of that which you do.
272To guide them to the righteous path is not a liability upon you, but only Allah guides whom He wills to the righteous path. And that which you spend from good for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance first for your relatives and then others is only for yourself. And you spend only to seek countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good, it will be paid to you fully. And you will not be treated unjustly.
273Let your spending for the cause of Allah be for the poor who are not able to travel through the earth, who devote themselves to the cause of Allah. Because of their modesty, those who do not know think that they are wealthy. –You know them by their signs.- They do not demand from the people with importunity. And whatever you spend of good, know that Allah is indeed the One Who knows it very well.
274And those who always spend their wealth secretly and openly for the cause of Allah; they have their reward with their Rabb. And there will be no fear for them nor will they grieve.
When the qualifications of the owners of taqwa (those who enter under the guardianship of Allah) are listed in the Qur’an, those who perform infaq, which means “those who spent on the path of Allah / those who provide the subsistence money of people, primarily the acquaintances ” are listed in the third place after those believing in the unseen, and those who establish Salah [Support financially and spiritually; establish and maintain institutions that enlighten the community].
Surah Al-Baqara 2–4:
2-4This book; about which there is no doubt is a guidance for those who believe in the unseen, the unheard, the unknown places, who establish Salah [establish and maintain the institutions that support financially and spiritually; enlighten the community], who spend from what We have provided for them for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance first for their relatives and then others, who believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you, who has entered under the guardianship of Allah –and they definitely believe in Akhirat [Afterlife]-.
Surah Ali-Imran 133-135:
133-135And hasten to forgiveness from your Rabb and Jannah [Heaven/Paradise] that is as wide as the heavens/universe and the earth, which is prepared for those who spend for the cause of Allah in prosperity and hardship, restrain their anger, pardon the people, remember Allah and ask forgiveness right away because of their sins when they treat themselves unjustly or commit an immorality, -and who is it who forgives sins other than Allah?-, do not persist intentionally in that evil which they do, have entered under the guardianship of Allah. And Allah likes those who do good deeds.
Infaq/aid was considered an indicator of belief and it was underlined again and again that hypocrites avoid infaq/aid.
Surah Al-Munafiqun 9–11:
9O you who have believed! Do not let your wealth and children divert you from remembering Allah. Whoever does that; it is those who suffer, lose.
10And before death comes to one of you and he says: “My Rabb! Delay me until a close end of the term so I may give sadaqa/public revenue and be among the righteous”, spend from what We have provided for you for the cause of Allah.
11Allah will never delay one who has come to the end of his term. And Allah is aware of what you do.
Surah At-Tawbah 67:
67The hypocrite men and the hypocrite women are from each other; they command the evil, avert from the good and they withhold their hands/are stingy. They abandon Allah so Allah abandons them. Truly, the hypocrites are the ones who have gone astray from the righteous path.
Providing nafaqa starts with the family
The most virtuous and best type of infaq/aid is the expenditures of a person for his/her needy relatives (mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, children and grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles..etc). The nafaqa required for a person himself/herself when he/she can afford has the precedence over the aids for others and spending on the way of Allah because continuity by a person of his/her life and fulfillment of his/her infaq duty toward others depends on this.
Surah An-Nisa 34:
34Because Allah has given more to some of you than others and men provide compensation from their wealth, men take care of risky matters of women; they are gentlemen to women. Therefore, righteous women are to obey Allah; are the ones who follow the rules that Allah has set forth, they are guarding against the calamities that have not yet happened to them but may happen because of that which Allah protects. Advice the women to whom you fear of risk of harassment and rape because of their stubbornness and make them travel where they live in peace; within the borders of your lands and impose upon them psychological pressure, warnings. Should they treat you with respect, do not seek other ways against them. Allah is the most sublime, the grand.
Surah An-Nisa 36–38:
36-38And worship Allah and do not associate others with Him. And do good to your parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, neighbors who are relatives, neighbors who are from farther away, companion at your side, stranded travelers, those who have been given under your protection in accordance with the laws. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are arrogant and who brag about themselves; those who are stingy, instruct others stinginess and conceal that which Allah has given to them from His bounty and those who spend their wealth so it may be seen by the people while they do not believe in Allah and Akhirat [Afterlife]. And We have prepared for the infidels; those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb a humiliating punishment. And to whomever satan is a contemporary/close companion; how an evil companion he is!
Surah Ar-Rum 37, 38:
37Have they not seen that Allah extends provision for whomever He wills and manages it? Indeed, there are evidences/signs in this for a people who will believe.
38Then give the poor who were driven out from their lands, the needy and the travelers their right. This is better for those who desire the countenance of Allah. And they are the ones who maintain their status, succeed.
Surah Al-Baqara 215:
215They ask you what they should spend for the cause of Allah/what they should give for sustenance. Say: “That/sustenance which you give from good/from your wealth; time, knowledge are for your parents, closest people, orphans, the needy and travelers”. And whatever you do of good, indeed Allah is the One Who knows it best
Surah Al-Baqara 270:
270And whatever you have spent as consumable or made as commitment, Allah definitely knows it. And there is no helper for those who treat their selves unjustly.
Surah Al-Baqara 219, 220:
219,220They ask you about that which confuses, intoxicates the mind/causes intoxication of the mind and the games of chance. Say: “In them is great sin yet some benefits for the people. But in the world and in Akhirat [Afterlife], their sin is greater than their benefits”. And they ask you what they should spend for the cause of Allah. Say: “Spend the excess”. Thus Allah makes clear His Ayat for you so you may give thought. They ask you about the orphans as well. Say: “For them ‘improvement’ is the best. If you mix with them, then they are your brothers. Allah knows the corrupter from the amender. If Allah had willed, He would have put you in difficulty. Surely, Allah is the One Who is the most exalted, the most powerful, the most honorable, the invincible/the subduer, the best law maker, the One Who precludes corruption best/makes incorruptible.
Surah Saba/39:
39Say: “Surely, my Rabb extends His provision for whomever He wills of His servants and manages for him. And whatever you spend for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance, He will immediately compensate it. And He is the best of providers”.
Surah Al-Anfal 75:
75And after this, those who have believed and emigrated from their lands and striven with their all strength with you; they are of you now. And those who are relatives, are closer to each other according to the book of Allah. Indeed, Allah is the One Who knows all best.
Amount in infaq
Surah Al-Baqara 219:
… And they ask you what they should spend for the cause of Allah. Say: “Spend the excess”. Thus Allah makes clear His Ayat for you so you may give thought …
In infaq/aid, obligatory requirements of a person as in zaqah/tax, are not taken into account (which is presented in details in our article of sadaqa). Our Rabb ordered in Surah Al-Baqara 219 that the surplus to necessities must be given as infaq/aid and praises those people who provide infaq/aid even when in need. Hence, a person must be able spend on the way of Allah even if he/she suffers monetary hardships. Our Rabb qualified the real believers, as the persons who perform infaq/aid, even in hardships:
Surah Ali-Imran 133–136:
133-135And hasten to forgiveness from your Rabb and Jannah [Heaven/Paradise] that is as wide as the heavens/universe and the earth, which is prepared for those who spend for the cause of Allah in prosperity and hardship, restrain their anger, pardon the people, remember Allah and ask forgiveness right away because of their sins when they treat themselves unjustly or commit an immorality, -and who is it who forgives sins other than Allah?-, do not persist intentionally in that evil which they do, have entered under the guardianship of Allah. And Allah likes those who do good deeds.
136Recompense of these is forgiveness from their Rabb and gardens of Jannah [Heaven/Paradise], underneath of which rivers flow, wherein they will abide eternally. How excellent is the recompense/reward of those who do!
Surah Al-Hashr 9, 10:
9Those who settled in that land and the faith before them love those who have emigrated to them and do not have any necessity in their hearts of what has been given to them. Even though they are in need, they prefer them over themselves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his self, it is those who will succeed.
10And those who come after the believers of the era of the Prophet say: “O our Rabb! Forgive us and our brothers who have preceded us in faith, do not put in our hearts hatred for those who have believed! O our Rabb! Surely, You are the One Who shows compassion and mercy, protects, provides easiness, the One Who is the possessor of vast mercy!”.
Failure to perform infaq/aid means seizing Allah’s property. These were always reprimanded by our Rabb.
Surah At-Tawbah 34, 35:
34O you who have believed! Surely, many of the rabbis/scholars and priests consume the wealth of the people unjustly and avert them from the path of Allah. And as for those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend them for the cause of Allah/provide sustenance first for their relatives and then others, give them the tidings of a painful punishment immediately!
35On that day, gold and silver that they have been hoarding will be heated in the fire of Jahannah [Hell] and their foreheads, flanks and backs will be seared with them: “This is that which you have hoarded for yourselves. Now taste that which you have been hoarding!”.
Surah Al-Qasas 76–82:
76,77Surely, Korah was among the people of Moses and transgressed against them. We gave him such treasures that its keys would definitely be heavy for a people of a strong men. Once his people said to him: “Do not exult! Allah surely does not like those who exult. And seek the home of Akhirat [Afterlife] through what Allah has given you. And do not forget your share from the world! And do good as Allah has done good to you. And do not desire corruption in the world. Indeed, Allah does not like the corrupters”.
78Korah said: “This wealth has been given to me because of a knowledge that I have”. Did he not know that Allah had manipulated/destroyed of many generations before him those who were greater than him in power, who had more followers, more accumulation than him. – And these sinners will not be questioned for the sins of the others. –
79Then Korah came out before his people in ornaments and glory. Those who desired the worldly life said: “If only we had like what was given to Korah! Surely, Korah is the owner of a great fortune”.
80And those who were given knowledge said: “Woe to you! For those who believe and do righteous deeds, the reward that Allah will give is better. And only those who have patience will be granted it”.
81And then We caused the earth to swallow him and his house. There was no company for him to help from among those that are inferior to Allah and he was not of those who were able to defend and save themselves.
82And those who wished to be in his position yesterday overnighted and said: “O, so Allah extends provision for whomever He wills of His servants and restricts it. Had Allah not given us a bounty, He would have caused the earth to swallow us as well. So, the infidels; those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb will not save themselves”.
Surah Al-Kahf 7, 8, 32- 46:
7Indeed, We made what is on the earth, that which is adornment for it so We may test the people as to which of them will be better in deeds.
8And no doubt that We will make that which is on the earth a barren ground.
32And present to them an example of two men: We gave one of them two vineyards of all kinds of grapes and bordered two vineyards with date palms. And We made between them a field for crops.
33And both gardens produced their crops without any deficiency. And We made a river flow between them.
34And there was another income for the owner of these two vineyards. Therefore he said to his companion while he was talking to him: “I am greater than you in wealth and stronger than you in number of men”.
35,36And this man entered his vineyard while he was treating himself unjustly: “I do not think that this will ever perish. And I do not think that the Hour will come. And even if I would assume that I was taken to my Rabb, I would certainly find a better consequence than this”.
37-41And his companion said to him while he was talking to him: “Do you not believe in the One Who formed you from dust and then a drop of water/liquid and made you a mature human? But as for me; He is my Rabb, Allah. And I do not associate anyone with my Rabb. Why did you not say, when you entered your vineyard: “What Allah wills, happens! There is no authority but Allah!” Although you see me less than you in wealth and children, maybe my Rabb will give me a better one than your vineyard. And He will send a calamity upon yours from the sky so your vineyard becomes a slippery ground. Or the water of your vineyard will be drawn into the ground so you will never be able to seek it”.
42,43And that man who owned those two vineyards was surrounded/ruined with his wealth. Thereafter, he wringed his hands for the expenses he made to his vineyard. The garden collapsed upon its trellises and he was saying: “O woe to me! If only I had not associated anything with my Rabb”. There was no people to help from among those that are inferior to Allah for that person. And he was not the one who was capable of avenging for himself/helping himself.
44Dominion/help, protection, guidance belong only to Allah Who is the truth. He is the best in rewarding and the best in penalty.
45And you, present to them the example of simple worldly life: That simple worldly life is like a water that We send down from the sky and plants of the earth mingle because of it then it becomes a remnant which wind scatters. And Allah is the One Who makes all things to accept His power.
46Wealth and sons are adornment of the simple worldly life. But, enduring amendatory deeds are better in merit and in hope with your Rabb.
They say property is the essence of life. Those who worship properties do not want to spend very easily. In fact they suffer a lot when earning, saving and maintaining.
It is not difficult for a person who believes that the property belongs to Allah, that it is not something to covet about or set eyes on but an instrument of testing and a temporary ornament, and that the race of multiplying/piling up will turn the world into hell, to perform infaq/aid:
Surah Al-Hijr 88, 89:
88,89Do not covet upon that which We have given to some among them and let them enjoy with it; wealth and fortune. Do not grieve over them either… Lower your wings for the believers. And say: “Surely, I am the one who is the clear warner”.
Surah Ta-Ha 131:
131And do not extend your eyes/covet for the wealth, properties and children that We have given for enjoyment to some couples among them as ornaments of the simple worldly life to test them. And the provision of your Rabb is better and more enduring.
Surah Ali-Imran 14-17:
14Excessive and passionate desire for women, sons, heaped up gold and silver, fine branded horses, cattles bred for their meat and milk and crops has been beautified/made attractive to people. These are the enjoyments of the simple worldly life. And Allah is the One with Whom is the best return.
15-17Say: “Shall I inform you of what is better than this? For those who have entered under the guardianship of Allah; who say, “Our Rabb! Indeed We have believed, then forgive our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire!”, who have patience; who resist, who are true, show respect constantly, who spend for the cause of Allah and ask forgiveness at the daybreaks, there will be gardens of Jannah [Heaven/Paradise] underneath of which rivers flow and wherein they will abide eternally, pure spouses and approval from Allah. And Allah is the One Who sees the servants best.
Surah An-Nahl 8:
8And Allah formed horses, mules and donkeys so you may ride them and they may be your assets. And it is He Who forms that which you do not know.
Surah Al-Kahf 7:
7Indeed, We made what is on the earth, that which is adornment for it so We may test the people as to which of them will be better in deeds.
Surah Al-Kahf 28:
28Keep yourself patient with those who invoke to their Rabb continuously, asking for the countenance of their Rabb. Do not turn your stare away from them, desiring adornments of the simple worldly life. And you, do not follow one, heart of whom We have made careless/apathetic from Our remembrance, who follows his vain, transitory desire and whose affair is transgression.
Surah Al-Kahf 46:
46Wealth and sons are adornment of the simple worldly life. But, enduring amendatory deeds are better in merit and in hope with your Rabb.
Surah Al-Hadid 20:
20Know that the simple worldly life is nothing but a game, a passionate distraction, an adornment, boasting to one another, a competition in increase in wealth and children. –Like an example of a rain; crop that rain causes to grow pleases the farmers, then it dries and then you see it turn to yellow and then it becomes debris.- And in Akhirat [Afterlife], there will be a severe punishment; forgiveness from Allah and approval. And the simple life in the world is nothing but a material of delusion.
Surah Hud 15, 16:
15Whoever desires simple worldly life and its adornments, We give him herein fully the recompense of what he does. And they will not be deprived therein at all.
16Those are the ones for whom there is nothing but fire in Akhirat [Afterlife]. And what they did and produced will be lost there. And that which they did will definitely be worthless.
Surah Al-Anfal 27, 28:
27,28O you who have believed! Do not betray Allah and the Messenger. And do not intentionally betray your trusts either. And know that your wealth and children are tools of trial; entities that may avert from the religion and there surely is a great reward with Allah.
Surah Saba 37:
37And it is not your wealth and your children that will bring you closer to Us. But whoever believes and does amendatory deeds, it is those for whom will be many times more recompenses for what they did. And they will be safe in their upper mansions.
Surah Al-Munafiqun 9–11:
9O you who have believed! Do not let your wealth and children divert you from remembering Allah. Whoever does that; it is those who suffer, lose.
10And before death comes to one of you and he says: “My Rabb! Delay me until a close end of the term so I may give sadaqa/public revenue and be among the righteous”, spend from what We have provided for you for the cause of Allah.
11Allah will never delay one who has come to the end of his term. And Allah is aware of what you do.
Surah At-Taghabun 14-18:
14O you who have believed! Indeed, among your spouses and children are those who are enemies to you. Therefore, avoid them. And if you pardon them and overlook their mistakes, tolerate and forgive them, know that Allah is the One Who forgives much, shows great mercy.
15Indeed, your wealth and your children are tools of trial that may throw you in the fire. Allah is the One Who has a great reward with Him.
16Therefore, enter under the guardianship of Allah as much as you are able, listen and obey. Spend from your wealth for the cause of Allah for your own good/provide sustenance first to your relatives and then others. And whoever protects himself from the greed of his very self; they are the ones who will be successful.
17,18And if you loan Allah a good loan, He will multiply it for you and forgive you. And Allah is the One Who repays best, forbears much, knows the unseen and the unheard best, the One Who is the most exalted, the almighty, the most honorable, the invincible/the subduer, the best law maker, the One Who precludes corruption best/makes incorruptible.
Surah Ali-Imran 116:
116Wealth and children of the infidels; those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb will never avail them at all before Allah. And they are the companions of the fire. They will abide there eternally
Surah At-Tawbah 55:
55Therefore, do not let their wealth and children make you envy. Yet Allah intends to punish them in the simple worldly life with these and take their lives while they are infidels; people who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb.
Surah At-Tawbah 85:
85And do not let their wealth and children impress you. Allah only intends to punish them in the world with these and that their souls should depart hard while they are infidels; those who consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb.
Surah Al-Takathur:
1,2The competition in increase amuses and distracts you until you enter graves.
3,4Certainly not as you think! You will know soon. Again; certainly not as you think! You will know soon.
5,6Certainly not as you think! If you know with an absolute knowledge, you will definitely see the blazing fire. 7After a while, you will see it real as if you are seeing with your eyes.
8Then, that day, you will absolutely be asked about blessings.
Hakkı YILMAZ
[1] Lisan al-Arab and Tajj al-Arus
[2] Rabb means “The One Who disciplines and educates, One Who guides his creations to a certain target/targets within the frame of a schedule, one who programs and manages the development”. This word, in absolute terms, is used for Allah alone. As to humans, it is used in such forms as “the rabb of the house”, “the rabb of the workplace”, etc. The English term closest to this term in the context of meaning is “boss”. While having a meaning close to rabb, this word does not cover the meaning of rabb entirely as it is used only in the commercial context. For this reason, since we did not have the possibility to explain the term rabb with multiple words, we had to leave it in its original Arabic form. Therefore, our readers should keep the above mentioned definition in their minds.