• English
• By: Syed Abdul wahab Shah

Spending in the Path of Allah: The Secret to Divine Prosperity

“O you who believe! Spend from what We have provided for you before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, no friendship, and no intercession.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 254)

In this verse, Allah commands the believers to spend from their wealth before the Day of Judgment arrives, when no bargaining, friendship, or intercession will avail. This verse emphasizes spending in the way of Allah as a means of salvation.

In another verse, Allah declares:
“Allah destroys interest and gives increase for charities.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 276)

That is, Allah eradicates wealth earned through interest and blesses and increases that which is spent in charity. This is not just a reward for the Hereafter but a divine promise for this world as well: Allah will increase your wealth in this world if you spend for His sake.

Those who complain about the lack of blessings in their wealth, whose earnings seem to disappear no matter how much they earn, should look into their own actions. How much do we spend in Allah’s way?

The Example of ‘Uthman ibn Affan (RA)

When Madinah suffered from famine, Hazrat ‘Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived with 1200 camels loaded with food. The merchants of Madinah rushed to him and said, “We will buy the entire load at a profit of two per dirham.”

He replied, “I have already sold it to someone else.”

They said, “We will give you three per dirham.”

He said, “I’ve sold it for more.”

They said, “Four, five, even ten per dirham!”

He replied, “I’ve sold it to someone who gives ten times more in this world and seventy times more in the Hereafter. I have sold it to Allah.”

Saying this, he distributed the entire load free of cost among the people of Madinah.

The Lesson for the Believers

Hazrat ‘Uthman (RA) was promised Paradise multiple times. Even the angels were shy before him. Still, when he had wealth, he gave it for the sake of Allah. Today, we hoard our wealth thinking it’s only ours. We spend on clothes, food, outings, and phones but not on Allah’s path.

The Jewish Example

Have you ever pondered how Jews control global wealth? It’s because, according to their teachings, they donate 20% of their earnings to charity. This is why Jews like Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin (founders of Google) are so wealthy. They not only tithe (10%) but go beyond that. And look at Bill Gates—despite giving billions in charity, he remained the richest man in the world for decades.

The Secret of Blessings

Yes, that’s the secret! The more you give in the path of Allah, the more your wealth increases. A person who gives 10% of his earnings to the poor is as if he’s investing in divine blessings and miracles. He doesn’t realize where barakah (divine increase) is flowing in his life.

A True Story from Lahore

Once, a resident of Lahore visited a cloth seller in the Anarkali market to buy cloth for widows. The shopkeeper asked, “Why do you buy this every month?”
He replied, “We buy for orphan girls and widows.”
The shopkeeper said, “Please count me in for a 4% contribution.”

This became a monthly routine. Years later, the shopkeeper built a hospital named “Munshi Hospital.” That same man met him again and asked, “Are you the same person who used to run that little shop in Anarkali?”
He replied, “Yes. And believe me, the secret behind this hospital is that 4%.”

This man had built a factory and then a hospital. Why? Because he gave 4% in the path of Allah.

A Personal Story

Now, I’ll share a personal experience. Back when my salary was just 8000 PKR, I made it a habit to give 500 PKR each month for needy students. I never felt the burden, and blessings poured into my life. When my salary increased, I started giving 1000 PKR, and later, I decided to always spend 10% of my income in the path of Allah. I saw unbelievable ease and blessings in my life. And now, I try to give 20% of my earnings in the way of Allah.

And I’ve realized this: It is impossible to spend in Allah’s way and then suffer loss. One never goes bankrupt or needy by giving in charity. On the contrary, giving in charity saves you from calamities, repels misfortune, and becomes a means of increase, mercy, and unseen help.

🌟 A Final Word

Spending in Allah’s cause is not only an act of faith; it’s a divine investment. The poor do not become rich by hoarding, but by giving. Whether it’s 4%, 10%, or 20%, just start. Begin somewhere. And you’ll see with your own eyes how your wealth, health, and heart begin to overflow with blessings.

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain of corn: it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 261)