Fervent praise be to Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta 'ala (SWT)) on the privilege of life till this moment. Peace and blessing be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (SallaLlahu Alayhi Wasallam (SAW)) and the entire followers on his guidance till the Last Day. Here we are again witnessing a unique moment of thanksgiving in our noble organisation Ansar-Ud-Deen Society. Harvest (now popularly known as Suukul Barakah) treats members to annual thanksgiving and bidding on the proceeds of Society organs across the year of steward. Against all counter-views bothered on the origin and practice of the same, Ansar-Ud-Deen is a means of dynamics in the way of ameliorating the age-long sufferings of the Muslims. Suukul Barakah appears a lesser evil evolved sequel to earlier 20th century cosmopolitan Lagos concert, dancing competition, and literary/debate means of raising funds for the progress of Islam. This assertion is based on Istihsan, Istislah and Istidlal (public good) prerogative of Islamic source of rules enactment.
Before long, Allah (SWT) declares: 'It is He who produces garden, with trellises and without, and dates, and with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety); eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for Allah loves not the wasters (Qur'an 6:141).' The proceeds or the profits and not the capital should be dedicated to Allah at the moment of gathering them. In addition to that the rewards of sowing the proceeds is like re-investing in rewarding and viable ventures whose profits remain utterly unimaginable. 'The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of coin; it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains, Allah gives
manifold increase to whom He pleases: and Allah cares for all and He knows all things (Qur'an 2:261).'
In tandem with comparative and shared advantage in this regard, examining the admonition of the noble Messenger comes to mind. It says: 'Which of you loves other people's property than his own? They said, O Messenger of Allah, there appears among us no one who loves others' property than his own. Then the Messenger said, 'what is spent and finished is for him and whatever remains is for others'. As parable as the Hadith looks, it prepares the mind of a believer against niggardliness as well as fabulous spending on others as a token generosity.
To this extent, the imperatives from the above appear as the central theme of yet another Hadith. It reads: 'Whoever is wealthy should extend hands in charity to others from the wealth; and whoever is knowledgeable should invest his knowledge in others; and whoever is endowed with power and influence should invest same in others as well'.
The import of this Tradition includes but not limited to the fact that: i. 'One can hardly give what is not owned', ii. Giving in part is imperative, iii. Giving should not be to the jeopardy of the capital, iv. Giving is meant to encourage dignity of labour and NOT for continual spoonfed, and v. At the instance of developing entitlement mentality, cutting off is allowed. The essence of Suukul Barakah to the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society cannot be over-emphasized.
That the Society is run on funds is not a hyperbole. The tremendous programs and projects under its auspices are capital intensive. Although individual contributions and other programs like Ramadan lectures and fidau prayers form part of the revenue sources, the Society's Suukul Barakah constitutes the largest share of the revenue drive. Most of the bigger projects like infrastructure, mobility and of course staff wages depends largely on revenue from Suukul Barakah.
The above financial commitment of the Society notwithstanding, some realities stand for more priority for ultimate benefit to the Society in particular and to the Ummah in general. Of course some of these stand points may appear compulsory elective (Fardu kifayah) i.e an aspect some group takes charge on behalf of others and others may look elsewhere. The inter-twin nature of the Ummah calls for the giant-like in form of ADS to task in this manner for the rest others to benefit. Mention must be made that most of these aspects are open to endowment and philanthropic gestures which Societies like ADS are capable.
There appears no two ways to the fact that any human must die one day. When, how and where question is far and beyond human comprehension. The remains of a man in Sunnah enjoys sacredness and so it should be committed in record time to the mother earth. A situation whereby he prepared not for the final journey and of course where to be buried, a common cemetery should be provided. This is for no other thing but
to prevent air-borne diseases arising from stenches emanating from unkept human dead body.
Provision of mosque is called for to enhance human spirituality. Farmland and farming provision is to curtail excess of hunger and to ensure food security. Hospital provided is to prevent ailment and provision of sound health. Guest house is meant to be secured even on the journey by strangers and itinerant persons of religious and political jam from despair.
In the same vein, periodic visit to prison (Correctional Centres) gives inmates adequate sense of belonging and stability in faith against sporadic apostasy. A visit to Orphanage homes and donation to the dwellers would galvanize in visitors appreciation of parenthood. Environmental hygiene is enhance through provision of public toilet. Provision of schools is a great antidote against ignorance which prevents developmental progress. Granting Soft-loan and empowerment gives members not only sense of belonging but also some degrees of concetration. Scholarship given to indigent students serves as Sadaqatun Jariyyah at both ends of donor and beneficiary. A lots more fall into the category of proactive exercise which individual might not be able to help rather than the Society.
To further demonstrate the benefits of spending in the way of appreciation and thanks, the holy Messenger (SAW) said: 'Generosity
is symbolic in the way a tree that has the root in the Al-Jannah and its branches all over the place. So anyone who clings unto the branch is led to Al-Jannah and vice versa. Being generous to people is a way of appreciating the Creator Allah and through this a Muslim is guaranteed an increase in favour. Till we meet again during the next edition, thanks and Jum'at Mubarakah.
#SUUKULBARAKAH
#THANKSGIVING
#REALITIESOFTHEDAY
DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. ©2025 https://www.slaipaclass.com
0 Comments