Not even martyrdom cancels out an unpaid debt
Al-Risala (English), August 1991, p. 17
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Not even martyrdom cancels out an unpaid debt.
1991 8 August 17 Not even martyrdom cancels out an unpaid debt. (137) The Prophet, admonishing his followers, told them that the struggle for God’s cause, and faith in Him were the greatest of all actions. A man arose and asked, “If I am slain while I am about God’s business, will all my sins be forgiven?” The Prophet replied, “If, in the patient pursuance of your purpose, pressing ever onwards, but at ‘the same time seeking God’s pleasure, you are slain in His path, your sins will indeed be forgiven.” After a pause the man, at the Prophet’s request, repeated his question. “Does this mean that if I am slain while I am about God’s business, all my sins will be forgiven?” The Prophet gave the same answer to this but added: “But not if you are in debt. That is what I have been told by Gabriel.”
(Muslim)
Trusting in God, not wealth
1991 8 August 17 Trusting in God, not wealth (85) During the Caliphate of Umar, some revenue arrived from Iraq. Umar began to distribute it, and appeared to be on the point of exhausting it completely when Abd ar Rahman ibn Auf suggested to Umar that he should keep some of it back in order to deal with any enemy attack or calamity that might befall them. At this, Umar was indignant. “Be done with you; you play the devil’s advocate. No, by God, for the sake of tomorrow, I will not disobey God today.”
