ASSALAMUALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHI TA’ALA WABARAKATUH
DEAR RESPECTED BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISLAM.
IT’S ANOTHER REMINDER JUST FOR THE SOUL SAKE OF ALLAH SUBHANAHU WA TA’ALA.
ALLAH SUBHANAHU WA TA’ALA IS AL-WAHHAB: The Generous & Constant Bestower of Gifts.
Think of the last time someone gave you a gift—how did you feel? A
feeling of joy, love, of being special to the person from whom you received the
gift, and sometimes a bit of shame if you feel you didn’t deserve it. Because,
in essence, a gift isn’t given in return of anything.
One of ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala ’s Beautiful Names is al-Wahhab. The root of this word is hiba, which means a gift. And because ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is al-Wahhab, it means that He not only gives gifts once or twice, but He constantly does so. ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala tells us in the Qur’an:
“ Do
they have _ to own (and to distribute) _ the treasures of the mercy of your
Powerful Lord, the Generous Grantor of gifts?”~(Noble Qur’an 38:9)
Transliteration:
[Noble
Qur’an 38:9] Am AAindahum khaza-inu rahmati rabbika alAAazeezi alwahhabi
Arabic (from right to left):
So how do we know when ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has given us a gift? Rizq (sustenance) is written for us, but we have to work for it. So if in the course of our efforts, we earn $1 million, which is rizq that ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala had ordained for us. Hiba, on the other hand, is just that—a gift that was not conditioned upon your efforts. When you get a phone call from someone you love, that you felt you missed—that is hiba. When without planning, you are fortunate enough to be able to go on `umrah (the minor pilgrimage), that is hiba. When ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala brings an amazing person into your life and you are able to improve because of them, which is hiba.
NOW I AM ASKING: “Do you want to be a recipient of al-Wahhab?”
We are all recipients of the many gifts of ALLAH Subhanahu Wa
Ta’ala . Out of about 7 billion people in this world, He chose you to be of the ummah (community) of His Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
That in itself is a gift that we cannot thank Him enough for. If we all reflect
on the many personal blessings in our lives, we cannot help but feel special to
ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Every little gift and every huge blessing was because
al-Wahhab wanted to give you, and you specifically, something.
If you want to be a companion of al-Wahhab, then remember to acknowledge His gifts, even if they seem to be minute, and to thank Him. ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says, “And your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will grant you much more. Should you be ungrateful, My retribution is very severe, indeed!” ~(Noble Qur’an 14:7)
Transliteration:
[Noble
Qur’an 14:7] Wa-ith taaththana rabbukum la-in shakartum laazeedannakum
wala-in kafartum inna AAathabee lashadeedun
Arabic (from right to left):
Indeed…the more we are conscious of ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala ’s gifts to us, the more we are able to increase our love for Him, and recognize how blessed we are.
Moreover, we should use His gifts in His way and in His cause. No one likes for their gifts to be cheapened. If ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has given you a gift, do not use it for what He dislikes. If we do that, the gift in question becomes a test that we will be held accountable for.
Finally, be a gift giver yourself. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Give gifts, for this will increase your mutual love.” (Muslim)
