al_etidaal_gn

The reply shall be given: “You have spoken an untruth. Indeed you had spent but all was
done so that people may say: ‘This is a kind and generous person.’ And so it has been
said and your object has been attained.”
The command shall be given that he too be cast into Hell. (Mishkat)
Reports with this same theme are numerous in Hadeeth kitaabs. It is thus of the utmost
importance that whatever works of good are done, should be done for Allah’s sake and
Allah’s sake alone. There are some such works where the chances and possibility of
doing things for the sake of fame and name are more stronger. Similarly, in some fields
the temptations to work for worldly selfish gain are more tempting than in others. It
stands to reason that where the temptations are stronger, the precautions to be taken by
Muslims should be greater.
In the field of political activity there is tremendous scope for boasting about
achievements, much praising and cheering for things said and done, that one is greatly
tempted to do things for name and fame. For this reason, whosoever enters politics should
take special precautions to save himself, so that his actions may be of benefit to deen, and
for the security and protection of Islam. His intention should he to save Islam from
dangers, to protect Islam from the onslaughts of its non-Muslim enemies and to halt their
victory over Islam.
If this is the object of the politician, no one can deny its being a good and righteous
activity. Who is there among the Muslims who can deny this or has no desire in his heart
that this be done? If however someone is incapable of involving himself, he should then
at the very least try in his own chosen manner to assist those who sincerely do this noble
work of striving for Islam and the Muslims rather than becoming a hindrance.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Whosoever sends anything to be spent in
the way of Allah, while he himself remains at home, shall in return for every dirham.
receive the reward of seven hundred dirhams. And if he himself takes part in the path of
Allah, he shall for every dirham spent receive the reward of seven thousand dirhams,”
(Mishkat)
For this reason, I say that those people who due to some preoccupation or for some
religious reason, are unable to take part in striving on behalf of the Muslims, should not
refrain from assisting the actual workers financially, physically as well as with the efforts
of their pens.
How great is Allah’s grace that even upon the incapable ones, the lazy ones, those
lacking in courage and the weak ones, He did not close the doors of His reward. He did
not in fact keep those doors closed in any facet of Ibaadah for these categories of people.
The fact that we occasionally seek refuge in both valid and invalid excuses to avoid
action, is another question.
“And Allah is the giver of the ability to achieve that which he loves and that which
pleases Him.”
Al- Eti’daal Fi Maraatibur- Rijaal 42