Opportunity for Sincerity: Stand Together

Opportunity for Sincerity: Stand Together

Muslim children of all sizes lined up to help the survivors of the Tsunami disaster. These well- behaved children shook the crumpled dollars, jingling pennies, out of the plastic baggies and into a cardboard box. Some donors were so small they had to be lifted up to reach the table. But their eyes were big with sincerity and their hearts even bigger. The children donated at least $1650.00.

It was a beautiful scene, at New Jerseys’ MCNJ, a nonprofit founded in 1992 to serve the Muslim community of Edison - Woodbridge area of New Jersey. The organization conducts Juma Prayers at the Akbar restaurant for about 350 Muslims; and also offers Eid Prayers and collects/distributes Zakat & Fitrana donations. With so many children in the community, MCNJ is especially attentive to Islamic education and the development of the community’s most precious resource. Together with a team of 20 dedicated teachers and volunteers, Brother Wahid Shibli and Br Mohammed Younis supervise the 250 students of the Islamic Sunday School at Iselin Middle School. On weekdays, four teachers provide classes on the Qur’an, for 40 Students. The atmosphere in the school is warm, friendly and also serious. It is sincere.

We Muslims are urged to give with a whole heart, without hesitations, groaning, or grudging. The Prophets, the rightly guided, the friends and the saints provide many examples of generosity, showing a very high level of trust in God. For example, the Shaykh Nizam ad-din Awliya told the following tale to illustrate the shining sincerity of sadaqa. Abu Bakr as Siddiq gave all of his money, which was 40,000 dinars, to the Prophet, and even the shirt and outer garments he was wearing. Then, right at that moment, Gabriel appeared, wearing an identical shirt and outer garment. “Why are you dressed in these clothes?” asked Muhammed (PBUH). “Oh Prophet, responded Gabriel, “today all the angels have been ordered to dress like Abu Babr as Siddiq.” May Allah be pleased with the sincere one. “For closeness with the Prophet did he crave, and sucked the serpent’s poison in the cave, Forty thousand dinars did he offer, as well his thorn-stitched quilt for love he gave”.

Some of you have already given generously to the victims of the Tsunami disaster. May Allah reward you all. But the chance to give is never done, and we cannot sigh, and say, “Oh no thanks, I have done that already.” Each new chance to give is a gift in itself. The gift that keeps on giving! There is so much to be done in this world! Insha’Allah, on Sunday afternoon, February 13, we will all attend the first Muslim-run Tsunami relief event at Riverside Church on 120th Street near Columbia University. The event is called “Stand Together: A Day for Tsunami Remembrance and Relief.” This is not only a chance to give—but to show our traditions freely in an interfaith setting. It is rare and important opportunity for the dawah of good example to people of sincerity. Interfaith leaders and officials will also be there— and let them know us as we are, insha’Allah.

The fundraiser is in a historic church building, but I hope this does not scare you! Muslims are organizing this event, and we are not there to worship in their way. Like a generous host, these Christians are trusting us with their space. And like the victorious Ottomans, we will respect their churches with great seriousness. It is a chance for them to know us on our best behavior, celebrating the work of Islamic Relief, ICNA Relief, Muslim Foundation of America, and Unicef. It is a chance for them to see that our charities are not plotting against them in the shadows. Praise be to Allah the Compassionate and Merciful.

We Muslims prefer our giving to be discrete, and not like the ostentatious throwing of dollar bills in some Beirut nightclub. But at this time (with yet another charity facing harassment from law enforcement and the media) it is good for our traditions of Sadaqa to be known by others. Not only is such an event a pro-active and smart move to avoid possible misunderstanding, but the Qur’an itself tells us that non-Muslims should get to know us. Let us visit them, with our own prayers. Then they may feel able to trust and respect us, insha’Allah.

Even the bloodthirsty marauding conqueror Gengiz Khan released some of his Muslim detainees (you knew I had to mention detainees!) when told that the detainees regularly gave Sadaqa. He first asked “did they give to their own people or to strangers?” When told they gave to strangers, he understood they had fine moral understanding and not just self-interest. The brutal conqueror freed them, even providing a free cloak. Yet another story suggesting how generosity can be like a protective garment, insha’Allah. May it protect us.

As they have embraced Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela, as they recently hosted Imam Talib Rashid as speaker on the anniversary of MLK’s famous speech against the Vietnam War, Riverside is offering their hospitality. I hope you and your friends and family will be there! Ads in this paper provide contact information. And give whatever you can. It may or may not be your moment to give like Abu Bakr. But we must give something, and insha’Allah not with a heart like a little closed fist. And open heart is happier.

One final tale: Farid al-din Attar relates: “One night Abu Yazid al-Betami could find no joy in worship. ‘Look to see if there is anything of value in the house,’ he said. His disciples looked, and discovered half a bunch of grapes. ‘Fetch them and give them away!’ Abu Yazid commanded. ‘My house is not a fruit shop!’ And then he rediscovered his composure.” Peace to you all.