Fourth Reflection: Strive for What Benefits You and Seek Help from Allāh

Evidences: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Strive for what benefits you and seek help from Allāh." [Narrated by Muslim from Abū Hurairah, may Allāh be pleased with him] It has also been reported: "No one who possesses knowledge should allow himself to be wasted." [Reported by Al-Bukhāri in a suspended form, as well as Al-Khaṭīb in 'Al-Jāmi' and Al-Bayhaqi in 'Al-Madkhal' with a connected chain, as mentioned by Al-Ḥāfidh from the statement of Rabī‘ah] Lessons and Rulings -> The Prophet’s guidance emphasises the importance of striving for what is beneficial. -> One must exert effort and seek Allāh’s assistance in achieving beneficial matters. -> If Allāh facilitates for someone a noble task or a high rank, they should not squander it by choosing what is inferior over what is superior. -> Those whom Allāh has blessed with knowledge should not degrade it for worldly gain. Assessing Charity Organisations in Light of These Principles: -> Many members of charity organisations—if any exceptions can even be made—have neglected this noble prophetic guidance. -> Many among them were once capable of benefitting entire nations through knowledge and da’wah due to their qualifications. However, they gradually abandoned these pursuits in exchange for fleeting worldly gains, using various justifications and misconceptions, until their influence either completely or partially diminished(1). -> How many scholars, writers, and researchers have abandoned their roles, preferring ease and comfort, and limiting their engagement in da’wah to what preserves their personal image and interests? Discussion: Objection: May Allāh forgive you! How can you overlook the many benefits we strive to achieve through our charity organisation, such as building masājid, digging wells, sponsoring preachers and orphans, and much more? Response: 1. I am fully aware of these efforts. However, I have already pointed out earlier that the method utilised is not sanctioned by the Sharī’ah. If it were truly a virtuous approach, the Companions would have preceded us in adopting it. 2. Does this mean that the charitable activities you mentioned cannot be carried out except through an organisation? If you say yes—which I doubt—then reality itself disproves your claim. If you say no, then you cannot use these activities as a justification for your organisational structure. Objection: You claim we have neglected knowledge, yet what about our educational programmes, Qur'ān schools, preachers, and Friday sermons? Response: -> None of this is hidden from me, but the bitter truth—one you may not like—is that you have settled for and been content with a form of da’wah that sustains your worldly affairs. -> The evidence for this is that your presence is overwhelmingly concentrated in cities, where efforts are visibly weak. Meanwhile, in villages, rural areas, mountain peaks, and deep valleys, there are preachers devoted to Tawḥīd and Sunnah—yet how many of your members are present there? Even if some are found, they play no significant role in these efforts. -> Furthermore, no intelligent person among you can deny the severe decline in scholarly standards that has taken place. -> Friday sermons are often read from mobile phones, and lectures have become nearly an annual occurrence, except for those whom Allāh has spared. لقد هزُلت حتى بدا من هزالها كُلاها، وحتى سامها كلُّ مفلسِ Indeed, the situation has deteriorated to the point where its weakness is plainly visible, and even those with the least insight recognise its decline. __ (1) If this is the outcome of such highly qualified and experienced preachers, what can we expect from young, inexperienced individuals who aim to follow the same path? السعيد من وعظ بغيره Prosperous is he who learns from other people's mistakes May Allāh have mercy on Sheikh Muqbil who said: "Ah! Ah! Verily the pursuit of knowledge which leads to beggary has no goodness in it!"