Alhamdulillah, the completion of the construction of the Mecca Center is very near. This is a great blessing from Allah upon us, we should be grateful to Him so that He will shower us with more blessings and gifts (14:7). Indeed, everything we have is because of Allah’s grace, “and whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help” (16:53). Here are some ways to express our gratitude to Allah.

Spending for the sake of Allah

Spending from our wealth in the cause of Allah is one of the best ways to show our gratitude and grow our wealth. In fact it is considered a great Jihad in numerous verses in the Quran, such as: “that you believe in Allah and His Messenger and that you strive hard in the Cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know! (61:11) Here are some facts for those who spend in the way of Allah:

First, it saves them from the Hellfire:

“And spend in the Cause of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allah), and do good. Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers)” (2:195).

Second, it confirms their Iman:

“Indeed the Mosques of Allah shall be built only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, perform As-Salat and give Zakah and fear none but Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance” (9:18).

Third, it must be done all the time; in good times and in bad times, and in secret and in public; it is a basic characteristic of every Muslim:

“Those who spend (in Allah’s Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers)” (3:134).

“Those who spend their wealth (in Allah’s Cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” (2:274).

Fourth, rewards will be multiplied 700 times:

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower” (2:261)

Fifth, whatever is spent will be totally returned to spenders by Allah:

“Say: Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers” (34:39)

Sixth, it all came from Allah in the first place:

“O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zâlimûn (wrongdoers)” (2:254)

And seventh, spending to build Masjids is Sadaqa Jariya (continuous charity); rewards will amass as long as the Masjid is there to serve people. This is definitely an extra incentive for people to donate generously and show their gratitude to Allah..

Conclusion:

Brothers and sisters, we have to remember that carrying this Deen out is the responsibility of both men and women. Allah says in the Quran:

The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’ruf (all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salat and give the Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (Tauba 9:71)

At the end, any show of gratitude we undertake will be for ourselves. Allah the Most High does not need our money, prayer, fasting…etc. Those are ways for us to collect more rewards and inherit paradise by the grace of Allah.

By: Mohamad Rachid