Charity: trait of the believers

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

Research in psychology shows that giving to charity makes us happier. Charity is mentioned very early in the Quran as one of the traits of the believers. God encourages charities for the growth and purification of our souls. Charity we give is to please God, and for the benefit of our own souls (Quran 2:261, 2:272).

The Best Investment

[Quran 2:261] The example of those who spend their monies in the cause of GOD is that of a grain that produces seven spikes, with a hundred grains in each spike. GOD multiplies this manifold for whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous, Knower.

Investments in this world do not return a yield of over 700 times and more (equivalent to 70,000%). That’s what God promises us in 2:261. All praise be to God. Our worship, our prayers and our charities are only for the sake of God.

[Quran 76:8-9] They donate their favorite food to the poor, the orphan, and the captive. "We feed you for the sake of GOD; we expect no reward from you, nor thanks.

 

References:

• Charities of the Believer

Peace.

Meditation: Another great way to Remember God

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

Which one of us would like to be raised to an honorable rank with God? If your answer was, "I would", then meditation is an activity that should be on your daily list. God tells us in the Quran:

[Quran 17:79] During the night, you shall meditate for extra credit, that your Lord may raise you to an honorable rank.

[Quran 39:9] Is it not better to be one of those who meditate in the night, prostrating and staying up, being aware of the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of their Lord?…

Peace.

Reference:
Meditation: Another Great way to worship God

Lessons from Honeybees

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

Honeybees choose a new home by due consultation, and a process of consensus building that's quick and effective by God's design. How effective? They end up making the right choice some 90-95% of the time according to Professor Thomas Seeley.

The process honey bees use to choose their home reminds us of a variety of Quranic principles that God recommends for us in our lives and our decision-making. In Chapter 42 of the Quran (title: Consultation, or Al-Shoora in Arabic), God encourages the believers to decide their affairs by due consultation (Quran 42:38).

For this democratic process to work, we need to uphold the truth and be absolutely equitable when bearing witness (Quran 2:177, 5:8). Another helpful trait, is that scout bees (who are usually elder and more experienced) do not blindly follow what another honey bee is saying—they verify the information for themselves (Quran 17:36). Finally, we see that the bees are not fanatical or egotistical about their viewpoints. Once they have presented the hive and how good they think it is, they are open-minded and willing to accept other viewpoints and be part of forming a consensus with the rest of the hive, even if it is not the opinion they originally presented.

All of these fall into traits God recommends for humans, and important for a successful democracy:

• truthfulness (3:17)
• killing one’s ego (2:54)
• not insisting on our ways despite the proofs (98:1)
• seeking the truth rather than being wedded to one’s personal opinion (38:26)
• regarding one’s associates (4:36)

To conclude with a few verses from Quran on bees and consultation.

The Bee

[Quran 16:68-69] And your Lord inspired the bee: build homes in mountains and trees, and in (the hives) they build for you. Then eat from all the fruits, following the design of your Lord, precisely. From their bellies comes a drink of different colors, wherein there is healing for the people. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who reflect.*
*16:69 Besides its recognized nutritive value, honey has been scientifically proven as a healing medicine for certain allergies and other ailments.
   
[Quran 42:38] They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).

 

Related Articles

• God's Design of the Bee
• Characteristics of a successful human Society

Peace.