What is Faith?

Those who do not fear God cannot understand the state of mind of those who do The expedition of Tabuk was conducted under extremely difficult conditions. Abdullah ibn Abbas tells of how the Prophet exhorted the Muslims to make contributions towards it, and people started giving what they could. It was Abdul Rahman ibn Auf, with his donation of 200 ounces of silver, who made the largest contribution. When the Prophet asked him if he had left anything for his family, he said that he had. The Prophet then asked him what he had left for them and he said, “Something of greater value and more excellent than what I have donated.” The Prophet then enquired as to the exact value. “Whatever provision and good fortune God and His Prophet have promised” was Abdul Rahman ibn Auf’s reply. Abu Aqeel Ansari, however, had brought only one sa ‘as of dates. He told of how he had spent the whole night hauling water for a Jew, for which he earned two sa’as of dates. One sa ‘a he had left for his household. The other he had brought with him. He felt ashamed of his paltry contribution and excused himself on the grounds that he had nothing else to give. Such was the open-hearted sincerity of the true Muslims. There were hypocrites of Madinah, however, who used to decry the contributors of substantial sums as being ostentatious. They scoffed likewise at those who donated small amounts: “They are more in need of their sa ‘as than anybody.” (KANZ AL-UMMAL)