Islam

Friday Sermon: Alhaji Ismai’il Babatunde Jose, 15 Years After: A Ringside Perspective

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2023

Eric

By Babatunde Jose

Fifteen years after the demise of Alhaji Isma’il Babatunde Jose, thousands of encomiums and praises have been poured on him, from various quarters and constituencies which his stratavarious life touched: From the world of journalism to newspaper management, manufacturers to board rooms of industrial conglomerates, and from the printing industry to religious undertakings.

However, for a change, it would be instructive to have the testimony of the man whom the great God used as an instrument in Jose’s life. A man whom Jose described as his guardian angel; Cecil Hamsworth King, former Chairman of the International Publishing Corporation, and owners of the Daily Times at the beginning of Jose’s career. And also hear from Alhaji Jose himself.

These two perspectives are taken from the Foreword and Preface of Jose’s book: Walking a Tight Rope; Power Play in the Daily Times, published by the Oxford University Press, Ibadan, 1987.

In the foreword to the book, late Cecil Hamsworth King wrote:

“I have great pleasure in providing a Foreword to Dr Jose’s coming book of his career, in which I am proud to have played a part.

“Dr. Jose, whom I knew well, was a member of my staff during the years 1948 to 1968, after which I retired. I think that I met him in 1949 when he was a reporter on a salary of £8 per month. He had been on the staff of the COMET, the newspaper of Dr. Zik. This was the best source of journalistic training at that time as Dr. Zik was an excellent journalist – hampered by the lack of an adequate manager. After a short spell with the Comet, Dr Jose joined the staff of the Daily Times where he remained until his retirement as Chairman in 1976.

“The Daily Mirror bought the Daily Times in 1948 and I went to Nigeria and stayed with Sir Hugh Foot (Lord Caradon), the newly appointed Chief Secretary, as his guest, while he was waiting for his furniture to arrive by boat.

“The Daily Times was owned by the West African Newspapers Limited based in Liverpool and enjoyed a sale of 6,000 copies. I was looking at the paper with some distaste while Hugh Foot quoted to me an Arab proverb – “To its mother, even a baby beetle is beautiful.”

“The paper was a poor effort but for its future it had to be put on a solid basis. In fact, the policy of the paper was to be devoted to the cause of self-government for Nigeria. I was surprised that the British Colonial Government officials were apparently under the impression that self-government for Nigeria was not inevitable. My invitations to senior members of the British Colonial Service were at first cordial but later the policy of the paper was resented and their invitations to me were severely curtailed.

“The big event in my relationship with Dr Jose, this great man, was when I asked him to have lunch with me. He refused as he was fasting during the daytime owing to the Moslem feast of Ramadan. Later in the day I was much impressed by his religious attitude in a second interview and told him that if he was intending to devote his life to religion, I would send him to Mecca and also to the tomb of the Prophet; to the great Mosque in Jerusalem and to the famous Moslem University in Cairo. The visit set his life on a pattern of religion which he has maintained day by day ever since. That I should have helped him to found his life on his Faith – as he has – has been so important to his contribution to Nigeria and a development to which I am proud to have contributed.

“The success of Dr Jose is known throughout Nigeria, and it was by my decision that he was promoted to the editorship of the Daily Times and finally to the Chairmanship of the company — a very successful venture that made a profit of nearly £1,000,000 (N2,000,000) a year and gave employment to 1,000 Africans. At the end of my time in charge of the Daily Times there were only two Englishmen on the staff — one was their accountant, and another was their engineer – the editorial staff were all Africans.

“Clearly, such a career as that of Dr Jose was built on a real knowledge of the newspaper business. But the essential of his career is that his commercial success was based on a deep religious faith — not on words but on the actual performance of the precepts of the Prophet and on the injunctions given by Him. I am not a Moslem — my religious symbol is the Cross, and the symbol of the Moslem faith is the growing Crescent; but Dr Jose and I can both say “Whatever I have done with my life, my services on earth, my prayers and my death are in total submission to Allah. He is the final judge who will determine my place. My humble prayer is that he may be merciful to me despite my unintentional sins and grant me paradise.”

March 1986. CECIL H. KING DUBLIN

Alhaji Jose in the preface to his book also wrote about his encounter with fate:

“I have deliberately waited for ten years after my retirement from the Daily Times to publish my memoirs because I wanted to give myself sufficient time for reflections.

“I joined the Daily Times in April 1941, as a “small boy”, on five shillings (50 kobo) a month, with destination unknown. By the grace of Allah, I retired as a “big boy” in 1976 — as the Managing Director, one of the highest paid executive positions in the country.

“But of much greater fame were the founding fathers, the illustrious Sir Adeyemo Alakija, and his British and Nigerian friends, who laid the foundation for the present state of the company’s advancement and whatever changes might take place in the future.

“I am grateful to all those who inspired me, trained me, encouraged me, worked, or co-operated with or assisted me throughout the years I served the Daily Times of Nigeria. I am immeasurably grateful to Cecil Hamsworth King, who was an instrument in the hands of Allah, as my guardian angel.

“Let me make seven statements of beliefs and four acknowledgements:

1. I believe that any life without religious faith is empty.

2. I believe that leadership of a family, community or organization imposes on the leader great responsibility to lead an exemplary, disciplined life.

3. I believe that a leader should not say or do in private what he cannot own up to in public. Nothing is secret.

4. I believe that the price of progress can only be paid for in the currency of hard work. That is the motto of my life.

5. I believe that the sum total of the purpose of publishing a newspaper is to influence people’s minds and that means the exercise of enormous power and responsibility.

6. I believe in the freedom of the press within the limitation of just laws.

7. I believe that you cannot produce a daily newspaper as if you are operating a plebiscitarian democracy.

“There are four persons who possess certain qualities that I admired in my early life, and I aimed to combine such qualities with my own beliefs and inherent qualities. All these have influenced me in walking on the tight rope of my profession over many years.

“The first was my late father, Hamza Brimoh Jose whose high religious, moral, and cultural values influenced my life.

“The second is Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, whose writings in the West African Pilot inspired me to choose journalism as a career and to resolve to become a great publisher like him. He also gave me the first opportunity on his newspaper — THE COMET.

“The third is Mr. Cecil King, former Chairman of the International Publishing Corporation in the United Kingdom who gave me the greatest opportunity: a great man, with great mind of great perception.

“The fourth is Percy Charles Roberts, former Chairman of the Mirror Group of Newspapers in UK, who was at various times General Manager and Managing Director of the Daily Times from 1952 to 1960 — who brought his military and journalistic training to bear in his work — in particular his flair for detailed planning and strategy before starting any operation and his almost inexhaustible capacity for work.

“Running a commercially successful and politically independent newspaper in a developing country, in a multi-ethnic society, with centrifugal forces always and almost permanently at work, means walking on a tight rope. I did not exercise my civic right to vote in any election throughout my employment on the Daily Times; lest it would be said that I voted for one party. The Daily Times was an independent newspaper and I said to myself I must be independent.

“I always told my editorial colleagues that it is not the function of journalists in developing countries to be hypercritical of the government all the time. A good boxer fights in order to fight again. He does not fight to be killed. We are not in the army and so we do not have to die for Nigeria.

“Rather, we must live for Nigeria. To be able to do so, the Daily Times as an institution must survive the men in any government at any time. Our attitude throughout has been militancy without hostility. This means that the Daily Times should strongly criticize irregularities in government policies without being an enemy of the government. At the same time, it should cheerfully praise and publicize commendable government activities. To be in permanent opposition would be at its peril; because if any government decided to close the paper down for as long as it is in power, all the champions of American style of Press freedom will not fight; and all the angels swearing we were right, would not save us. The journalists would get other jobs, possibly less remunerative, but the Daily Times would have died through foolhardiness that some less thoughtful men might call “courage.”

“In all these years, I was the leader of a group of brilliant young journalists, all of us walking on a tight rope. My policy was that I had the power to remove anything from the paper because I had a duty to protect the interests of the shareholders and the staff. But I had no power to insist on inserting any news or comment in the paper against the Editor’s wish, because Editors are responsible by law for the contents. This arrangement worked most satisfactorily.

“It is true that over the years, I personified the paper and the company. I offer no apologies for that. Only a person without a sense of mission would lead a national institution like the Daily Times of Nigeria during such an historical period without his shadow being clearly visible on the walls. The fact, however, that the company and the newspapers continue to be successfully managed largely by men and women recruited and trained by me, is a measure of the corporate structure I left behind.

“What is more, it was the will of God that on March 23, 1984— eight years after my retirement I was requested by the Federal Military Government to advise on the re-organization of the Board and top management of the Daily Times of Nigeria and all my recommendations were accepted and implemented in May 1984.

“Thank God by whose grace alone I was able to walk on the tight rope for more than three decades and alighted safely without any injury to my person or reputation.

“For, to be the conscience of the Daily Times Group of newspapers for eighteen years was the closest thing to walking on a tight rope, outside the circus. One has to balance between the ivory and the iron towers, occasionally risking a little spin round one foot and yet remaining firmly balanced on the rope.”

ISMA’IL BABATUNDE JOSE May 1986.

As the family and friends gather together next Tuesday 29^th August for the annual family prayers for the repose of the souls of departed members and that of Alhaji Jose, we pray to Allah to grant them, Jannatul Firdous.

Inna Lillahi wa Ina Ilehi rajiun.

Barka Juma’at and happy weekend.

+2348033110822

Islam

Friday Sermon: Pride and the Pitfalls of Arrogance

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

By Babatunde Jose

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 .

The problem with pride is that it is a dangerous and deceptive sin. Nothing brings more destruction to our nation, homes, and relationships than a prideful spirit.

Adrian Rogers says, “Pride is a problem that all wrestle with, and those who think they don’t have it probably have more of it.”

A good self-image or self-esteem is not pride; neither is receiving honor or awards we’ve worked for.

Pride is an attitude of independence from God; it is a spirit of ungratefulness to God. A prideful person esteems himself better than other people.

The great sin of pride is a snare into which we fall all too easily, and its deceitful road leads only to destruction. Charles Haddon Spurgeon (Late Baptist preacher) declares that “There is nothing into which the heart of man so easily falls as pride, and yet there is no vice which is more frequently, more emphatically, and more eloquently condemned in Scripture.”

Unchastity, anger, gluttony, arrogance, conceit, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…… it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began.

Pride defies God; it is a fist in His face. Pride is what created the devil and ruined the human race in the Garden of Eden. God hates it, and when we harbor pride in our hearts, we become His adversary.

Pride divides society; there has never been an argument, a war, a divorce, or church split apart where pride was not the major factor.

Pride dishonors life; in the pursuit of honor, pride brings shame. Proverbs 29:23 says, “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”

Pride is the road to ultimate ruin—national, domestic, financial, emotional, spiritual, and eternal ruin—because it destroys all that it controls.

Pride is a matter of the heart; if we are not right with God, we cannot be right with one another. But the grace of God is sufficient for everyone. James 4:6 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

There is none so bad he cannot be saved, there is none so good he doesn’t need saving. Defeating pride begins with humbling ourselves before God.

A profane person is one who has no spiritual conception, who sets no value on a birthright, and will sell it for red pottage. A profane person has no consciousness of the eternal, no commerce with the spiritual, is proud of animal ability, and acts as though independent of God. Profanity never prays, never worships, never speaks of spiritual intercourse, has no traffic with the eternities, no commerce with heaven.

What is pride? Pride is an attitude of independence from God. Pride is a spirit of ungratefulness to God. God has so blessed us. We have so many things. We act like we deserve it and have earned it, and it is ours.

Some may say that they worked for what they have. Who gave us the ingenuity to work? Who gave us the strength and energy? We do not have one thing that we have not received. Pride is esteeming ourselves better than other people.

A proud person becomes irritated when corrected for mistakes. A proud person accepts praise for things over which he or she has no control, such as beauty, talent, and abilities. Those are gifts.

C.S. Lewis said that pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the other man.

The Quran states that Allah does not like the arrogant and boastful, and those with an atom’s weight of arrogance in their heart will not enter Paradise. Humility, on the other hand, is a central goal of spiritual purification and is seen as the opposite of pride.

The concept of conceit, expressed in the Quran with terms like ‘mukhtal’ (self-deluded) and ‘fakhur’ (boastful), is a severely condemned spiritual disease. Pride is a direct challenge to Allah’s attribute of Al-Kabeer (The Greatest). Allah explicitly states His dislike for the arrogant and boastful.

Tafsir by authorities like Ibn Kathir on Quran 4:36 For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious; and 57:23 For Allah loveth not any vainglorious boaster; clarifies that this refers to an arrogant individual who is pleased with themselves and boastful to others, while being ungrateful to Allah for His blessings.

In classical Islamic scholarship, pride (Al-Kibr) is a grave spiritual malady of the heart, defined by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as the dual act of rejecting divine truth and holding people in contempt. Classical authorities like Imam Al-Ghazali elaborate that it is an internal sense of self-aggrandizement that positions oneself above others and, ultimately, above the truth itself.

Across the 11 key Quranic verses on this topic, from the ‘pride in sin’ (2:206) “When it is said to him, “Fear Allah,” he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. Enough for him is Hell; – an evil bed indeed (to lie on)!” – to turning away from people scornfully (31:18); a consistent theme emerges: Pride is the primary veil that blinds the heart to guidance and severs the connection with Allah.

Ibn Kathir’s tafsir confirms that this was the foundational sin of Iblis and the cause of ruin for past nations who rejected their prophets. This synthesis establishes pride not merely as a negative trait but as a direct challenge to divine authority and a fundamental obstacle to spiritual purification.

In theological perspective, pride is a spiritual disease of the heart (qalb) that corrupts faith and actions.

Seen as the root of narcissism, inability to accept criticism, and contempt for others, leading to social isolation and spiritual ruin; Pride seals the heart from accepting truth and guidance from Allah and His messengers.

Overcoming pride and cultivating its opposite, humility, is a central goal of spiritual purification.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) warned severely against it, stating that no one with an atom’s weight of arrogance in their heart will enter Paradise.

There is a powerful connection between pride and the senses. Verses like 22:9 (Disdainfully) bending his side, in order to lead (men) astray from the Path of Allah: For him there is disgrace in this life, and on the Day of Judgment We shall make him taste the Penalty of burning (Fire). And 75:33 Then did he stalk to his family in full conceit! show that internal arrogance is not abstract; it physically manifests in one’s posture, gait, and even the direction of one’s gaze. This proves that purification in Islam is holistic, requiring both internal change and external correction. — Al-Ghazali, Al-Qurtubi

A cross-verse synthesis of ‘pride in sin’ (2:206) and ‘pride of ignorance’ (48:26) uncovers a critical insight: pride creates a self-reinforcing cycle. The ‘pride of ignorance’ prevents one from seeking knowledge, and the ‘pride in sin’ prevents one from accepting correction, trapping the individual in a downward spiral of ignorance and disobedience, a spiritual feedback loop that only humility can break.

One recurring theme emphasized throughout the Quran is the importance of humility and the warning against pride and arrogance. These negative traits are viewed as obstacles in the spiritual journey, hindering individuals from attaining closeness to Allah and fostering harmonious relationships with others.

Surah Luqman, verse 18, states formerly cited highlights the detestable nature of arrogance and also contrary to the qualities that Allah desires in His servants.

“Indeed, He does not like the arrogant.” (Quran 16:23). This verse serves as a clear message that pride and arrogance find no favor in the sight of Allah.

Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 206, illustrates the grave consequences of arrogance. It highlights that when individuals become self-absorbed and disregard the guidance of Allah, they pave the way for their own spiritual downfall.

Surah Al-Furqan, verse 63, provides a contrasting image: “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” This verse showcases the virtue of humility in the face of adversity.

The Holy Quran serves as a beacon of guidance for Muslims, offering profound insights into various aspects of life. Among the recurring themes emphasized in the Quran are the condemnation of pride and arrogance, and the promotion of humility. These negative traits are seen as hindrances to spiritual growth and detrimental to one’s relationship with Allah and fellow human beings. These verses underscore the importance of humbleness, while warning against the pitfalls of arrogance.

By cultivating humility in their hearts and actions, believers can strive to embody the virtues that Allah seeks in His servants, fostering an atmosphere of love, respect, and harmony within themselves and their communities.

Today, we celebrate the birthday of a virtuous woman of impeccable humility and godliness who has demonstrated forbearance and patience. A paragon of beauty, resilience and acceptance: We present to you our amiable sister Alhaja Lateefah Abimbola Kuru (the last daughter), retired but not tired and ever smiling. May Allah bless her new age and bless her home. Grant her good health and the wherewithal to take care of Amal, her lovely daughter. Bola, happy birthday and Allah’s everlasting blessings.

Barka juma’at and happy weekend.

Islam

Friday Sermon: Which of the Favours of Your Lord Will You Deny? Surah Ar-Rahman

Published

1 week ago

November 28, 2025

Eric

By Babatunde Jose

The teachings of Al- Qur’an are universal, addressed to all people throughout the world regardless of their creed and colour. They enlighten man’s soul, purify his morals, condemn all wrongs, order good deeds and call for the establishment of justice and fraternity through obeying Allah as the supreme authority. Surah Ar-Rahman has benefits in education, indicating that the properties of educators are generous, compassionate, gentle, polite and morality to their students and anyone (Personal Competence).

Surah Rahman is the 55th chapter of the Quran and has 78 verses. It is often referred to as “The Beneficent.” It highlights the attributes of Allah, particularly His mercy and generosity. The surah is notable for its repeated refrain, “Fabi ayyi ala’i rabbikuma tukaththiban?” (So, which of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?), which serves to remind and awaken the listener to the blessings they receive from Allah.

The repetition of this question challenges those who deny the existence or power of Allah and invites them to reflect on their own limited abilities in comparison to the infinite power of Allah.

Surah Rahman also contains other instances of repetition. For example, the phrase “Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?” is repeated six times in the surah.

Similarly, the phrase “So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?” is repeated five times in the surah. This repetition further emphasizes the importance of gratitude and encourages the listener or reader to reflect on the countless blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them.

Another example is the repetition of the phrase “Which of the powers of your Lord can you (people) deny?” This phrase is repeated nine times in the surah, and it serves to highlight the power and might of Allah.

Overall, the repetition in Surah Rahman serves to emphasize key points and make them more memorable for the listener or reader. The repetition of the question “Which of your Lord’s blessings would you deny?” throughout the surah reminds us of Allah’s countless blessings and encourages us to express gratitude to Him. It also serves as a rhetorical device to challenge those who deny or reject the existence of Allah, inviting them to reflect on the blessings that are evident in the world around them.

The repetition of this question, along with other phrases such as “Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?” and “So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?” further emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging Allah’s blessings and encourages us to think about the ways in which we may be ungrateful or unaware of these blessings.

Finally, the repetition of the phrase “Which of the powers of your Lord can you (people) deny?” serves to highlight the power and might of Allah and challenges those who deny His existence or power to reflect on their own limited abilities in comparison to the infinite power of Allah.

Surah Rahman also includes other forms of repetition, such as parallelism and refrains. Parallelism is a literary device in which similar ideas are expressed using different words or phrases. For example, in verse 13, the phrase “Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?” is repeated twice, with slightly different wording: “Which of the favors of your Lord will you deny? He created man from clay.” This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and balance and helps to drive home the message of gratitude and recognition.

In the great astronomical universe there are exact mathematical laws, which bear witness to Allah’s Wisdom and also to His favors to His creatures; for we all profit by the heat and light, the seasons, and the numerous changes in the tides and the atmosphere, on which the constitution of our globe and the maintenance of life depend.

To be taken both literally and figuratively. A man should be honest and straight in every daily matter, such as weighing out things which he is selling: and he should be straight, just and honest, in all the highest dealings, not only with other people, but with himself and in his obedience to Allah’s Law. Not many do either the one or the other when they have an opportunity of deceit.

Justice is the central virtue, and the avoidance of both excess and defect in conduct keeps the human world balanced just as the heavenly world is kept balanced by mathematical order.

How can Allah’s favors be counted? Look at the earth alone. Life and the conditions here are mutually balanced for Allah’s creatures. The vegetable world produces fruit of various kinds and corn or grain of various kinds for human food. The grain harvest yields with it fodder for animals in the shape of leaves and straw, as well as food for men in the shape of grain. The plants not only supply food but sweet-smelling herbs and flowers.

The whole Surah is a symphony of Duality. The things and concepts mentioned in this Surah are in pairs: man and outer nature; sun and moon; herbs and trees; heaven and earth; fruit and corn; human food and fodder for cattle; things nourishing and things sweet-smelling; and so on throughout the Surah. Then there is man and Jinn. “Will ye deny?” that is, fail to acknowledge either in word or thought or in your conduct. If you misuse Allah’s gifts or ignore them that is equivalent to ingratitude or denial or refusal to profit by Allah’s infinite Grace.

The ships-sailing ships and steamers, and by extension of analogy, airplanes and airships majestically navigating the air-are made by man, but the intelligence and science which made them possible are given by man’s Creator; and therefore the ships also are the gifts of Allah.

The most magnificent works of man-such as they are – are but fleeting. Ships, empires, the wonders of science and art, the splendors of human glory or intellect, will all pass away. The most magnificent objects in outer Nature – the mountains and valleys, the sun and moon, the Constellation Orion and the star Sirius – will also pass away in their appointed time. But the only One that will endure forever is the “Face” of Allah. Tekbir!

Every single creature depends on Allah for its needs: of all of them the Cherisher and Sustainer is Allah. “Seek (its needs)”: does not necessarily mean ‘seek them in words’: what is meant is the dependence: the allusion is to the Source of supply.

Allah is still the directing hand in all affairs. He does not sit apart, careless of mankind or of any of His creatures. But His work shows new splendor every day, every hour, every moment.

Allah gives to both good and evil men a chance in this period of probation; but this period will soon be over, and Judgment will be established. To give you this chance, this probation, this warning, is itself a favor, by which you should profit, and for which you should be grateful.

If you think that because you do things in secret, or because some of your sins do not seem to meet their inevitable punishment or some of your good deeds seem to go unnoticed, do not be deceived. Judgment will soon come. You cannot possibly escape out of the zones in which your lives have been cast, without authority from Allah. Be grateful to Allah for the chances He has given you.

Blessed be the name of thy Lord, Full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.

The question in Surah Rahman is a wake-up call for all of us. It reminds us that our time in this world is short. We don’t know when we will die or when the Day of Judgment will come. So, we need to make the most of every moment and every blessing. We need to use our time and energy to do good and get closer to Allah. We need to change our bad habits and develop good ones. We need to be kind and generous to others. And we need to remember that everything we have is a gift from Allah. It is not because of our own efforts or abilities. This should make us humble, and it should also make us more grateful.

At this hour, we pray to Allah to grant divine healing to the sick as we remember our sister Sobura, who is currently afflicted. May Allah open the gate of divine healing for her and ease her pains as she currently undergoes chemotherapy.

May Allah teach us how to be grateful for all we have been given.

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend!

Islam

Friday Sermon: Charity: Believer’s Shade on the Day of Ressurection

Published

2 weeks ago

November 21, 2025

Eric

By Babatunde Jose

“Give (in charity) and do not give reluctantly lest Allah should give you in a limited amount; and do not withhold your money lest Allah should withhold it from you.”

Allah enjoins all Muslims to spend in charity as much as possible. Spending in charity is an obligation which is not only desirable and beneficial to the giver, but also spiritually rewarding. The prophet (SAW) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” – Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 604 He went on to say: “Give (regular charity) out of your property, for truly it is a purifier, and be kind to your relatives and acknowledge the rights of the poor, neighbours and (those in need who seek your help).” – Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 3

In saying these, the Holy Prophet (SAW) was only corroborating what the Quran said. For Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 63 Surah Munafiqoon verse 10: And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, “O my Lord! Why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good”. (Quran 63:10)

Allah also says in the Holy Quran, Surah Baqarah, verse 261: The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: It groweth seven ears, and each ear hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth: And Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things. (Quran 2:261)

Allah goes on in the same Surah Baqarah, verse 254: O ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) we have provided for you, before the Day comes when no bargaining (will avail), nor friendship, nor intercession. Those who reject Faith–they are the wrongdoers. (Quran 2:254)

In same Surah Baqarah verse 274, Allah says: Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Quran 2:274)

In Surah Baqarah verse 110, Allah warns us: And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with Allah: For Allah sees well all that ye do. (Quran 2:110)

The Hadith is full up with several narrations enjoining the virtues of giving charity and as believers, it is incumbent on us to follow these admonitions.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said that Allah Says: ‘Spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’ Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.11

Narrated by Abu Hurairah. A man asked the Prophet (SAW), “O Allah’s Messenger (SAW)! What kind of charity is the best?” He (SAW) replied. “To give in charity when you are healthy and greedy hoping to be wealthy and afraid of becoming poor. Don’t delay giving in charity till the time when you are on the death bed when you say, ‘Give so much to so-and-so and so much to so-and so,’ as at that time the property is not yours but it belongs to so-and-so (i.e. your inheritors).” Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.492

Narrated by Haritha bin Wahab. I heard the Prophet (SAW) saying, “O people! Give in charity as a time will come upon you when a person will wander about with his object of charity and will not find anybody to accept it, and one (who will be requested to take it) will say, “If you had brought it yesterday, I would have taken it, but today I am not in need of it.” Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.793

Narrated by Adi bin Hatim I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying, “Save yourself from the (Hell) Fire even with half a date (to be given in charity); and if you do not find a half date, then with a good pleasant word.” Sunna of Abu-Dawood, Hadith 2860

Narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri .The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘A man giving a dirham as sadaqah (charity) during his life is better than giving one hundred dirhams as charity at the moment of his death.’ Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 6.543

Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “Envy is not permissible except of two men. A man whom Allah has given the knowledge of the Book and he recites it during the hours of the night, and a man whom Allah has given wealth, and he spends it in charity during the night and the hours of the day.”Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.764

Narrated by Asma. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “Give (in charity) and do not give reluctantly lest Allah should give you in a limited amount; and do not withhold your money lest Allah should withhold it from you.”

Abu Kabshah al Anmari reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “I swear upon three (things) and ask you to memorize my words: ‘Sadaqah (charity) given from a property never decreases it; a man who suffers injustice and is patient with it, Allah will grant him strength; a man who starts begging, Allah will cause him to be poor.” Related by Tirmidhi.

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Allah receives charity by His right hand, and then He causes it to grow for each of you. Just as you raise a horse, colt, foal, or young weaned camel, so that morsel becomes as large as the Mount of ‘Uhud.” Sahih Muslim Hadith 7061

Narrated by Abdullah ibn ash-Shikhkhir. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘The son of Adam claims: ‘My wealth! My wealth! O son of Adam, is there anything as your belonging except that which you consumed, which you utilized, or which you wore and then it was worn out, or that which you gave as charity and sent it forward (for the life hereafter)?’ Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 1527

Narrated by Mu’adh ibn Jabal. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ‘Charity obliterates sins just as water extinguishes fire.’

There are many who constantly give in charity. They have been endowed by God and cheerfully give in charity to their fellow men. They establish foundations, relief agencies and hearken to the cries of the needy; during Ramadan they contribute to feeding the poor, they give to the aged and destitute and are fond of contributions to the mosque and churches. These men and women often grant scholarships to discerning pupils who would have dropped out of school for lack of funding. They are often self effacing and do not boast about their acts of giving.

On Monday, 24^th November one of such men we have described turns 77. Many of us know him and he knows himself, but most important, Allah knows him. A quintessential philanthropist and Mumin, we pray that Allah will preserve him and teach him to number his days. May Allah bless his new age, grant him good health and bless his progeny. Here is wishing happy birthday to our invisible man of God. May his days be long and in good health, Amen.

May Allah give us the Grace to give in charity and may he obliterate our sins.

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend!