Opinion

Islam's response to contemporary world problems (35)

Updated: 02/10/22

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SOCIO-ECONOMIC PEACE.

Dear readers will recall that in issue 34 we began the topic of Socio-Economic Peace. Continuing with the development of this theme, we attach further reflections based on the teachings of the Holy Quran.

Gratitude

In the case discussed above, there is, of course, the inherent risk that some people may be ungrateful towards their benefactors, and, instead of expressing gratitude for any favour received, they may end up saying that what they received from them was their own right, and that there was no need to show gratitude to that person. If this tendency were to be encouraged, it would be at the expense of polite and decent behaviour.

Addressing the recipient of favours, The Holy Quran continually reminds him of his duty to be grateful and express his gratitude no matter how small the favour shown to him. The believer is continually told that God does not love the ungrateful:

"If you are ungrateful, Al'lah is indeed Self-sufficient, being independent of you. But He does not approve of ungratefulness in His servants; but if you show gratitude, it pleases Him to see it in you. None shall bear the burden of another. Afterwards you will return to your Lord. He will inform you of what you have been doing. Verily, He knows very well what goes through your thoughts". (39:8)

Further on, emphasising the importance of the disposition for thankfulness, the Holy Founder of Islam (lpbD) reminds us:

"He who is not thankful to human beings is not thankful to God either."

From this it follows that if someone is ungrateful towards human beings, even if he were to show gratitude to God, his gratitude would not be accepted by Him. Thus, the message of the Holy Quran as contemplated in the above verse (Al-Zumar: 8) does not discourage decency, courtesy and gratitude. It is a discreet message, addressed to the recipient of favours, so that he does not suffer any complexes or harm his dignity. It follows that expressing gratitude does not harm man's dignity, but on the contrary, elevates it even more.

Turning to the donor, Islam inculcates a totally different attitude. It is considered contrary to dignity and modesty to accept gratitude as if one deserves it. This tendency is part of civilised behaviour everywhere in the world, but there is a fundamental difference between this universal habit and the Islamic teaching of honourable behaviour. Islam instructs the donor to serve humanity for a higher and nobler cause than the mere satisfaction of a natural need or the acquisition of a good reputation by benevolent acts. Islam repeatedly reminds man to do good for God's sake and only to obtain His pleasure and His favours.

From this it becomes evident that when a true Muslim makes any offering to someone in need, he does not, in reality, do it for himself or for anyone else, but only to please His Creator, Who at the beginning bestowed on him all that he possessed.

In the light of this principle, whatever he spends on others is his way of expressing gratitude to His Lord and not to favour anyone. This sublime attitude has its roots in one of the earliest verses of the Holy Quran which reminds the believers:

..... "Of what We have provided for you, you spend a portion for Our cause". (2:4)

Therefore, the true believer does not refuse gratitude out of mere courtesy, but because he sincerely believes that if the recipient of favours owes gratitude to anyone, it is to God alone and not to him. True believers who truly understand the meaning of faith are greatly embarrassed when they are thanked for their favours. The Holy Quran states:

"They feed, out of love for Him, the poor, the orphan and the prisoner, even when they themselves are in need, saying: "We feed you only for the sake of pleasing Al'lah. We do not desire reward or your thanks"". (76:9-10)

It is not enough to feed people, but also to feed them when one knows for oneself the meaning of hunger and suffering, and shares the pain without expecting reward or thanks in return.

The beauty of this verse is dazzling. If believers were taught to show a superficial and condescending attitude, simply refusing to accept gratitude and with a pose of humility, there would be a great risk of encouraging hypocrisy. When we say "no thanks", we are conscious of the fact that by doing so, we enhance our image in the eyes of the favoured person.

Islamic teaching is much more sublime. The benefactor is reminded that he cannot sell his wares twice to different groups. An act of kindness can be done either to obtain God's pleasure or to gain public favour. According to this verse, both intentions cannot be sustained simultaneously.

When the sensitive and faithful servant of God tells the needy that his intentions are indeed to please God, he also reminds him at the same time that God is the true benefactor, thus eliminating any inferiority complex that might arise.

There is no human reward for favours

In Islam, showing courtesy to others should not be a superficial habit learned from the values of civilisation, but should be deeply rooted in faith in God. All alms given to the needy should be given without any ulterior motive of receiving something in return from the recipient.

"And do not grant favours by trying to get more in return". (74:7)

Islam demands that when a favour is offered to someone, it should be forgotten as if nothing has happened. To boast about a good deed and to bring up one's favours is declared to be suicidal and self-destructive of one's own act of kindness. In contrast, the true believer behaves as described in the following verses which compare right and wrong conduct more extensively:

"Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Al'lah are like a grain of corn that yields seven ears of corn, and in each ear there are a hundred kernels. And Al'lah multiplies it still more for whom He pleases; and Al'lah is Magnanimous, Omniscient. Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Al'lah, and thereafter do not cause that which they spend to be followed by mockery or grievance, they are the ones who will have reward with their Lord, and they will not fear nor grieve. A kind word and forgiveness are better than alms followed by grievances; and Al'lah is Self-Sufficient, Self-Forgiving. O believers! Do not make your alms vain by reminding the recipient of your favours or by causing him trouble in return for what you have given him. Such a case would be similar to that of one who spends his fortune to be seen by men, and believes neither in Al'lah nor in the Last Day. His case is similar to a smooth rock, covered with earth, on which the downpour falls, leaving it bare, smooth and hard. These will not succeed in keeping anything of what they have gained. And Al'lah guides not the disbelieving people" (2: 262-265).

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