Part One: SEERAH (Biographical Sketch) CHAPTER

C:\Users\Admin\Dropbox\The Message - Material of Maulana\16. Books and Review\Apa's Books\Life And 93 the recognition of the right that every human being has to attain the fullness of life. Inspired by the traditions of the Prophet, the spirit of helping others to earn God’s pleasure has been best reflected in Muslim society in the field of education. Following the dictum: “The greatest charity is for a Muslim to learn something and then teach it to others” (Ahmad). Generation after generation, Muslims in large numbers have devoted themselves to the enlightenment of others in the field of education. They did this individually and also by establishing maktabs and madrasas, that is primary schools and colleges. These educational institutions, set up in the house of the teacher or in separate buildings, generally made no charges for instruction. Wealthy people helped in the running of these madrasas, not only through zakah but also by making them endowments (waqf) of their properties, the income from which met the needs of these schools. Orphans and poor people were given stipends in addition to boarding and lodging. Waqf is a permanent form of charity which is called sadaqah jariah. It covers, in addition to giving education to the needy, such good works as helping someone to recover from some disease by monetary assistance; looking after orphans and the destitute, and giving scholarships to students. This being an institution is the reason for so many centres of social welfare having continued to exist among the Muslim community. However, there are no statistical records of the work of individuals in this field. Inspired by the verses of the Qur’an and the traditions and practices of the Prophet and his companions, the giving of sadaqah to individuals or institutions remains a widespread practice among Muslims. The Prophet, the most generous of men, used to give with his own hand. When asked for anything, he never refused. If he had nothing to give, he would borrow from one of his companions and repay him later. The Prophet’s wives were also renowned for their almsgiving. Of them, Zaynab bint Jahsh was the most generous. The Prophet used to call her “the longest in arm”. She was also known, on account of her almsgiving, as the “mother of the poor.” Whenever anyone uttered any words of blessing for