While reflecting on verse 10 of Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn, I was reminded of a profound Yoruba adage which teaches that no one has ever returned from death to tell the living what truly matters there. Yet, Allah (SWT), out of His infinite mercy, has clearly informed us via this verse of the Qur’an.
In this verse, Allah, The Knower of Everything, calls upon us to spend from what He has provided for us before death overcome us. He (SWT) unveils a striking reality of the dying moment: when the veil is lifted, when the truth of life after death becomes clear, the only wish of the departing soul is not for more years of luxury, nor more possessions, but for a short return, just to give charity, so as to be counted among the righteous.
Allah (SWT) says in Qur’an 63:10: “And spend from that which We have provided for you before death comes to one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a short term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.”
This verse reads like a confession by one who has now seen the reality beyond this World. It is a testimony from the threshold of death that ‘charity’ holds immense weight in the scale of the life after death. It teaches us that alongside prayer, fasting, and other pillars of Islam, sincere charity is a powerful key that admits a servant into the ranks of the righteous.
From this divine reminder, we also learn that giving charity with one’s own hands while alive is more rewarding and enriching than charity given on one’s behalf after death. Both are virtuous, but the former is far more enriching in the sense that, it is personal and it carries your clear intention as the owner, it is your personal sacrifice, humility, and conscious devotion which are qualities that elevate deeds before Allah, The Most High.
The Prophet (SAW) was reported to have once asked his Companions: “Which of you loves the wealth of his heirs more than his own wealth?”
The Companions of the Prophet (SAW) replied: O Messenger of Allah (SAW), there is none of us except that he loves his own wealth more.
He (SAW) then said: “His wealth is only that which he has personally sent forward, while the wealth of his heirs is what he leaves behind.”
So, why do we then work in contrast to what we truly love? Why do we strive so hard and sometimes, so blindly to accumulate just to leave them behind?
Because, when death comes, everything you leave behind becomes the property of your heirs. They will dispose of it as they wish: selling, keeping, or giving them in charity. And unless they intentionally give the charity in your name, the reward will be recorded in their own scale (Mīzān) and not yours. Moreover, many of the things we withhold today out of attachment, may hold little or no value to those who inherit them.
The irony of the matter is even clear that: what you refused to give personally for Allah’s sake while alive may eventually be given away, without any reward returning to you.
Therefore, while you still breathe, give generously, give consciously, give sincerely, give privately and give publicly. Give to the needy, give to the weak, give to the forgotten, and give to the causes that pleases Allah (SWT).
O Allah, make us among those who give before they are asked, and who spend before they regret.
O Allah, do not make us among those who wish for return at death, but among those who meet You with satisfied hearts and heavy scales of good deeds.
O Allah, purify our wealth through charity, soften our hearts through your remembrance! Ameen
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