The ripple effect! 
 

Assalamualaikum Wr Wb,

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. O Allah, we ask for your peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad SAW. Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list. InshaAllah this email finds you and your family in the best of health and imaan. May the peace and blessings of Allah SWT be upon you and your family, inshaAllah. 

 

Every one of us will at some point in our lives experience some type of hardship or pain that hurts us. It is therefore, important to explore the importance of helping others from in any way possible. Helping each other is a way to overcome grief that we may experience, and it can empower us in our worship to Allah. One of the greatest human beings to walk the earth and who was also the best example of compassion and kindness in human form, was the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

"Whoever relieves a believer's distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the Hereafter. Whoever alleviates one in dire straits who cannot repay his debt, Allah will alleviate his lot in both this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal (his faults) in this life and the Hereafter." 

 

Being so used to the comforts of everyday life, we find it incredibly easy to forget what we actually have to be thankful for; sometimes, issues arise within our households and we face various problems day to day. The one thing that we seem to forget, though, is that although we are being tested by Allah SWT to a certain extent, our problems may not actually be problems as such. 

If we were faced with problems to much greater extent, we may then reflect upon the issues we are currently dealing with and perhaps see them as a blessings. The trouble with the human mind is that it doesn't always reflect the opposite extreme and usually focuses on what is at the very forefront.

 

Now, let’s take a look at how the other half of the world lives. Some people have no access to food or nourishment, some have lost their parents and siblings and are orphaned, some have no means to earn a living, some have no home, medical support or education, some are suffering from extreme poverty and many don’t even have access to clean water for drinking or sanitation purposes.

Our problems don’t really feel like problems anymore now, do they?

What we must realize is that whilst those who are less fortunate than us are being tested by Allah SWT, at the same time, in fact, so are we.

 

Allah SWT gives wealth to us so that we can share with our brothers and sisters in need; it is our duty to ensure that what we have been given also goes towards others who may even need it more. It is, indeed, our extravagance which is the primary cause of poverty today as so many of us are guilty of purchasing a meaningless accessory or item which could theoretically feed numerous families for an entire year; it can really put things into perspective, right? 

Nonetheless, we are all guilty of something and none of us are perfect - only Allah SWT can judge us. But right now, let’s pledge to help at least one person in need and aim to change their life for the better. Whenever we have extra to help or even when we pray, make it a habit to pray for others.

Remember the ripple effect from prayer and giving are simple remarkable. When you pray for others, good things come to you. The Almighty is engaged in helping someone as long as he is engaged in helping someone else. So don’t be stingy. Stop hesitating. Start doing it!

 

Don’t be afraid of giving. Give. Give of your time, your forgiveness, your understanding, your love. Give of your money. Give to the creation, and you’ll be given by the Creator. Be generous, and the Most Generous will be generous with you.