No Return Expected
Holy Qur'an 76/8 to 10
 
We wish and pray for all our viewers a blissful and prosperous life, with dignified provisions and all good things in this world. May the peace and blessings of ALLAH be on all of us! May the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe shower HIS Bounties on all HIS creatures on this earth! With these noble sentiments in our heart we greet all our viewers with:

It is an assurance that we harbor no ill-will in our heart, but regards, reverence and good wishes for all mankind. Now we take recourse to the Last Book of our LORD in order to reform and develop our actions, emotion and attitudes in conformity with the Divine Book of Guidance. It will not only make our life worthwhile in this world but also assure great success in the Hereafter. We profess and testify the Oneness of our LORD, and strive for purification and perfection of our own life, while pursuing the high ideals set by the Last Messenger, Muhammad (s.a.w.s.).
 
Dear Viewers, Today we shall ponder over verses 8 to10 of chapter 76, and find out what information do they convey to us!
 
 
 
It is just impossible to translate the glorious words of GOD ALMIGHTY in our earthly language, due to our many limitations. And so here is only an attempt to be close to the contents and spirit of the original verses, and to search out the way in the light of GOD ALMIGHTY’s Commandments, that guarantee success of both the worlds. May the LORD of the worlds help us in our humble efforts!
 
“(The truly virtuous and grateful are those who) seek the pleasure of their LORD, they feed the needy, the poor, the orphan, and the trapped one.”
 

Their endeavor remains, "We feed you for the sake of ALLAH Alone: we desire no recompense from you, nor any thanks. We stand in awe of our SUSTAINER; we have to face HIM for trial on a fateful Day!”
 
The Final Revelation of ALMIGHTY LORD frequently draws our attention to the plight of weaker sections in the society, and urges the believers who are economically well-off to discharge their moral, social and collective responsibility towards the poor and the orphans, the helpless and the deprived ones, and those living under extreme conditions. It is the collective responsibility of those having an upper hand in financial matters, to provide their less fortunate fellows at least their basic needs.
 

The Holy Book advises the faithfuls to be highly attentive and alert in taking care of the deprived ones in 51/19.

 
 
“(The truly virtuous and grateful are those who) know that in their wealth, there is a due share for those who ask for help, and those who are deprived.” (verse 51/19)
 
A man of intellect and reason, who is well versed with the Word of his LORD, understands the worth of this transitory world. He understands that this life is nothing but a period of probation. He knows the origin of his life, and his connection with his fellow humans. He also knows that the entire humanity has a common lineage - of Adam and Eve. He remembers well what the Prophet of ALLAH said
 
“Kullo kum Banoo Adam Wa Adamo Khuleqa min turab”
 
 
“O human being, you all children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay.”
 
GOD ALMIGHTY has created the Earth, the Skies, the Sun, the Moon, the stars, the planets, the animals, and all other small and big creatures for the progeny of Adam. A close observation reveals the fact that all these creatures are subservient to mankind. They are placed in the service of human. And so are they doing most sincerely and impartially. No group, community or nation can claim a copy right for the essential ingredients of this earth like air, atmosphere, clouds, water, and the sunlight. GOD ALMIGHTY is ceaselessly supplying these vital elements to all human beings free of charge, irrespective of their caste, color, creed, nation or community. All human beings are equally eligible to avail these priceless provisions of the Creator.
 
Still some people have been entrusted with more resources like wealth, health, property, assets, knowledge, power, talents, competence, ability and aptitude. Now the fortunate ones who have surplus possessions, should learn a lesson from the natural division of GOD’s Bounties and share the extra provisions with other persons, as they belong to their own tribe, the tribe of Adam. The people endowed with intelligence know that, all the riches of the world actually belong to the One Real Owner, the SUSTAINER of the Universe. Their possessions are not permanent. Their role is no more than that of a trustee and that too for a particular period.
 
A sincere compliance to GOD’s Commands is a requisite condition for one’s claim to be a Mo’min, a perfect and faithful to duties person. And so the people with unflinching faith must be more conscious than others, and spent their wealth to relieve those really in need. In the life history of the Prophet (s.a.w.s), we find ample descriptions of the Prophet’s effort to provide succor to the sufferings, his concern for people reeling under debts. In the books of Ahadees, the tradition, we come across many incidents wherein he took pains to provide relief to the widows, the orphans, the aged persons, the wretched and the poor.
 

In HIS Book the All Compassionate GOD also recommends a humane attitude for the slaves, servants and the subordinates. The believers are exhorted to help them financially and socially and if they want freedom, have mercy on them and even provide them financial assistance. But these acts of charity must not be followed by any reference or reminders. The chief motive behind these acts of kindness should be to seek ALLAH’s pleasure and our own spiritual good.
 
In verse 24/33 ALLAH says:
 
“…….And give them from the wealth of ALLAH which HE has given you…….”
 

The financial assistance to the poor section is made mandatory in the Book of ALLAH so that the process of moral and social upliftment in the society continues. More importantly, it prescribes for the affluent class, a minimum amount to be disbursed annually to the deserving poor. In the collections of Ahadees, it is mentioned under different heads as 2.5 percent annually on personal wealth. 5% on agricultural products if irrigated, 10 percent of non-irrigated agricultural products. Similarly there are instructions about live-stock and other gains. It is enjoined upon the believer as a religious obligation and is no less important than Salat, Fasting and Hajj, hence they are duty bound to pay it.

 
To do charity is not merely in the sense of inspiration and encouragement; it is a distinguishing feature of The Last Revelation that it makes charity in the way of ALLAH compulsory, a must for every believer who is economically well-off. Interestingly, in numerous verses of the Qur’an the command to pay Zakaat comes immediately after the order to establish prayers.
 
We recite here the verse 24/56:
 
“Be constant in prayer, and do charitable works, and pay heed unto the Messenger, so that you might be graced with ALLAH's Mercy.”
 
In addition, there is another provision to promote sincere and real services to humanity. Whenever we forget or fail to discharge any religious obligation, or if there arises any situation like ‘zihaar’ between husband and wife, or if someone fails to fulfill his promise or oath, all such persons are commanded to atone for their misdeeds by providing food and clothes to the poor and the needy. Frequent declarations of all such injunctions are indicative of the fact that Our LORD wants us to establish a society, where two basic requirements of humanity that is food and clothes, are taken care of, so that no man remains hungry or goes without clothes in the society.
 
Thus in verse 5/89 our LORD declares:
 
“……Thus, the breaking of an oath must be atoned for by feeding ten needy persons with more or less the same food as you are use to give to your own families, or by clothing them, or by freeing a human being from debt or bondage……”
 
In spite of so many exhortations by our LORD, the problem of hunger and poverty persist in our society. It clearly means that our social system is mainly based on rituals, customs and traditions, and it is devoid of the spirit of the Qur’anic teachings. Every one will agree that the social inequality in any society is the root cause of various social evils. The increasing gulf between the rich and the poor in financial matters generates class conflicts and invites its own perils.
 

Charity is in fact the true and lasting source of happiness in this world and the next. But the acts of human welfare should not be spoiled by the petty consideration. A believer should declare that in exchange of his charity he does want to earn any credit.
 
We neither intend obligation, nor any reward or appreciation from you.
We neither intend obligation, nor any reward or appreciation from you. There is abundant reward with ALLAH, material and spiritual, according to HIS own good pleasure and plan. Thus they should be assured that no return is expected from them, not even thanks, in return of these help.
 
The book of ALLAH wants to bring such healthy developments in the personality of its reader, so that his integrity remains intact. It sets the standard of this selfless service so high that one should not expect even a ‘thanks’ let alone seeking the praise, publicity or the desire to earn name or fame in print or electronic media. His only intention is to attract the Mercy of his LORD on the Day when ….
 
 
“The Day on which, neither wealth will be of any use, nor children, only he (will be in happy state) who comes before ALLAH with a heart free of evil!” (Verses 26/88, 89)
 
Then all sorts of deeds performed with some ulterior motives will be useless. Neither material wealth nor sons or manpower would be of any use. But only he will prosper that brings to ALLAH a guiltless heart, pure and pristine.
 
Is there any one so sincere, with such a sublime integrity, and no thought of any worldly gains? The one who goes on performing his duties, leaving all his payment balanced on his Master. If there is such a man with true charitable inclination and with no motives of ostentation, then let him be assured of unimaginable returns as our LORD declares in verse 2/245:
 
 
“Who is that would keep balance on ALLAH, (the reward of his charities as) goodly loan! ALLAH will repay him with manifold increase. It is ALLAH who withholds and grants in abundance. And to ALLAH, shall be your return.”
 
A spiritually healthy person, who raises his conviction to such a high standard, shall earn enormous rewards from his LORD.
 
For, his LORD is no less than the LORD of the vast Universe who has everything in his power. He will make the payment for his pious and unpretentious charity, for his contribution to humanity, according to HIS repute and exalted standards.
 

If HE wishes so, he can also grant HIS bountiful rewards in this world while manifold returns in the Akhira remain assured. Thus HE can give in both the worlds, according to HIS standard and munificence. And what is the proportion of HIS Generosity? The Holy Qur’an informs us in verse 2/261:
 
 
“Those who spend their wealth for the sake of their Creator may be compared to a grain, which sprouts into seven ears, with a hundred grains in each ear. ALLAH Grants manifold increase unto whom HE wills; and ALLAH is Infinite, all-knowing.”
 
We need to learn lesson from these ayahs and bring desirable development in our personal character and conviction.
 
O our LORD, no reward for our charity do we desire in this world, no desire for any thanks, no desire for name and fame. We only want to strengthen our Iman, our conviction; we only want to enrich our inner self. We only look for Your pleasure O our LORD.
 
And we expect multiplied returns from The Most Benevolent GOD, in the form of our forgiveness, in the form of pure pleasure of Paradise. May our LORD accept all our humble contributions in this world and exchange them with bountiful rewards in the eternal life. Aameen!