Concerning how we can manage inflation as Muslims who are striving for Allah’s pleasure: #
1. Our Rizq (sustenance and provisions) is preordained:
While it is our responsibility to obtain our sustenance, it is important that we never forget that the quantities of our Rizq were decreed and recorded even before the creation of the heavens and the earth. Our actions only determine whether our intended provisions reach us in a legal or illegal manner.
It is narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr al-‘As (رضي الله عنه) said: “I heard Allah’s Messenger ﷺ saying, ‘Allah ordained the measures [of provisions and all matters] of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth” (Sahih Muslim, hadith no. 2653)
2. Matters concerning to our Rizq are controlled in the Heavens:
Allah says in Surah adh-Dhariyat, verse 22: “And in heaven is your provision and also what you are being promised.”
The timeless wisdom of the Quran teaches us that our Rizq will never be affected by any events on earth, regardless of how disastrous they may be. This is because, ultimately, it is Allah, the All Mighty, who sustains His creation from limitless sources.
Also, it was narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“O people, fear Allah and be moderate in seeking a living, for no soul will die until it has received all its Rizq, even if it is slow in coming. So, fear Allah and be moderate in seeking provision; take that which is permissible and leave that which is forbidden” (Sunan Ibn Majah, hadith no. 2144)
3. Reconnect our heart and soul with the name of Allah, al-Razzaq (the All Provider):
As Muslims on a journey to paradise, we should take advantage of current circumstances (economic crisis) to renew our relationship with Allah through His name al-Razzaq (the All Provider), a name we rarely remember during times of ease and prosperity. Allah kept us alive in our mothers’ wombs, providing for and sustaining us at a time when our parents could only make duas for our healthy development. We often forget that nothing has changed in our initial relationship with Allah as we enter the world and grow into adults with their own jobs and responsibilities. He is not only the Provider, but the One who always provides perfectly and perpetually regardless of circumstance. He provides for us now, as He did when we were in our mothers’ wombs, and He will continue to do so in every moment. Connecting and reconnecting with Allah through this beautiful name reminds us as Muslims that our Lord is the Lord of Power and Might. Nothing in the universe can prevent His will from becoming a reality.
4. Seek comfort through patience:
Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah, verse 155: “Surely We will test you with a bit of fear and hunger, and loss in wealth and lives and fruits, and give good tidings to those who are patient.”
While some may interpret this verse as instilling fear in our hearts, it merely seeks to calibrate us on a pragmatism associated with those who live a paradise-centric life. At the end of the day, the stark truth is that we were created for paradise, and our time on earth is spent in moments spent building it, with our eternal house in paradise being connected to the state of our scales on the day of judgement.
Moreover, patience through trials and tribulation of any size benefit Muslim-believers as mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ: “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that” (Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no. 5641).
5. Take care of Allah’s commands, and Allah will take care of your affairs in this life and the hereafter:
It was narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Be mindful of Allah, and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Him, and you shall find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of Allah” (Jami’ at-Tirmizi, hadith no. 2516).
It is especially during times of adversity that we must take the necessary steps back and re-evaluate our relationship between Allah and our financial affairs. Perhaps a better way to carry out this re-evaluation would be to ask ourselves how much we develop or increased in our iman (faith) in comparison to our capital gains and profits during easy times. Did we find that if we made an extra S$1,000 profit, for example, our iman increased as well?
The reality is that if our efforts to increase sustenance cause our prayers to become more hurried and our relationship with Allah’s book to become subdued. Then, we are indeed suffering from inflation, multiplying our prayers but with no real value in Allah’s eyes. After all, what is the point of pursuing this world’s life at the expense of the everlasting life of the hereafter?
Continue for next week:
6. Spend wisely:
As individuals, we should examine our notions of what constitutes “needs” and what constitutes “wants” when it comes to our spending habits. Practically coping with the rise in the cost of living requires sacrifices that are both common sense and rooted in the teachings of Islam. Identify the places where costs are high relative to returns and cut those out. Let’s switch to cooking at home twice a month instead of ordering takeout once a week. Let’s save some money by purchasing a pre-owned cell phone instead of a brand-new one. Avoid confusing needs and wants: one good tip is to delay any purchase we may feel are “needs” for at least 3 days, after which we can assess whether the purchase is still necessary, or if it is a purchase that can be avoided – at least in the short term. Lastly, we should also go over our monthly bills to see which services we do not use or can do without.
7. Charity and duty to our communities
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Sadaqah (charity) does not in any way decrease the wealth. (Similarly) servant who forgives, (does not lose but only to gain by) Allah increasing his/her honor. (Likewise) the one who shows humility in seeking of Allah’s pleasure, (does not lose but only to gain by) Allah elevating him/her in ranks” (Sahih Muslim, hadith no. 2588). Also, it was narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “He is not a believer whose stomach is full while the neighbor to his side is starving” (Sunan al-Baihaki, hadith no. 19668).
Giving charity is the most rewarding deed in Islam that is done with sincere devotion. If we have any surplus, let us freely give sadaqah (charity) in its various forms. If we do not have that financial surplus, we must remember that giving hope to others, providing transportation to a destination, connecting them to those who may have an excess of wealth to share, and other similar acts are all forms of sadaqah. Furthermore, it is mentioned in other hadiths that sadaqah increases our wealth and health, makes the mercy of Allah befall on us, dispels troubles, and repels afflictions.
8. Qard Hasan:
Surah Al-Hadid, verse 11, of the Quran stated: ” Who is there to advance a loan, a good loan, to Allah so that He multiplies it for him, and he may have a noble reward?.”
Qard Hasan is a loan extended on the basis of goodwill, primarily for welfare purposes, with no interest charged. It is a source of great rewards in this life and the next, as well as a type of sadaqah. In the event that we have restricted excess funds, that we do not need immediately but will need in the near future, we should consider giving them (after conducting due diligence) to those in need of short-term liquidity. This is because wealth ultimately belongs to Allah (not to humankind), and He entrusts it to us so that we can worship Him as He has commanded. What better way to use our wealth than to attain His pleasure?
9. Have mercy of other and Allah ﷻ will have mercy on you:
For those who are owed money, try to facilitate the matter by making payment arrangements as simple as feasible for others. Your kindness, especially in these tough circumstances, is a form of sadaqah and a means of acquiring much-needed blessings upon your wealth.
Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you” (Jami’ at-Tirmizi, hadith no. 1924)
Allah All Mighty knows best.
