Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. O Allah, bless us with your wisdom and mercy, O Allah the most Merciful.

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Let us start today’s post with a little of self-checking.

• Did you tell a Prophet story with your child before bedtime yesterday?
• Did you smile to your parents before going out this morning?
• Did you just share a piece of sandwich you made for breakfast with a colleague next to you?

For the benefit of those who have overlooked our post, here we provide a summary of it. We have helped made giving possible for all by highlighting that money is not the only form of giving. Giving may come in any form. It may be in the form of sharing knowledge to as simple as throwing a smile. Most importantly, it must be done with honesty, sincerity and for the sake of Allah s.w.t. Now, tell me, do you agree when I say the concept of giving in Islam is very easy and simple?

Islam itself is about giving. When we look for the term “Islam” in the dictionary, we will discover that it literally means “surrender”. While an equivalent to “surrender” is “to give”. Thus, without us realizing, the teachings of Islam actually educates us “to give” in every aspect.

Take the Pillars of Islam for example. Pillars of Islam are the basic rules that all Muslims should follow. It has five main pillars and from it the other essence of Islam stemmed out. These pillars are mandatory. Failure in observance will lead to one’s apostasy from the religion. So, how do these pillars educate us with the concept of giving?

The first pillar of Islam is the Syahadah or declaration of faith. Through Syahadah, one declares their belief in the oneness of Allah s.w.t and the acceptance of Muhammad s.a.w as Allah’s s.w.t messenger. But declaring, it is just not enough. There is more when it comes to the declaration of faith.

For example, one can be reciting the Singapore pledge every morning but that does not justify their obedience towards it. Their obedience is only justified when their actions reflect what they have been reciting. Obviously, in Singapore, is the ability “to give” their own self the understanding that prejudice is not in their scope of living in this multi-racial and multi-religious society.

When it comes to Syahadah, it is not merely a declaration but a declaration utter with understanding, devotion and sincerity. Understanding means to be completely aware of the meaning of Syahadah. Devotion is the state of profound dedication. Sincerity is the ability to declare the Syahadah for the sake of Allah s.w.t. With all these invested into the Syahadah, it will differentiate one’s act of devotion from one’s mundane act.

However, all of the above do not come freely. A “giving-process” is involved to gain it. Effort has to be given to understand the meaning of Syahadah. Attachment has to be given to the meaning of Syahadah to attain devotion. And realization has to be given to the devotion to bring the awareness that one is declaring for the sake of Allah s.w.t and to no other. Now you see? How teachings of Islam educate us with the concept of giving?

Stay tune to our INFAQ newsletter, for we will share to you how SOLAT educates us on GIVING.