Page 77 - Deep Thinking

Those Things that Need to be Thought About 75

their consciences would never allow such iniquity and injustice. They
would help out needy people with quick, definite and long-lasting solu-
tions not allowing any ostentation, and, if necessary, exploiting all the pos-
sibilities of the world.
Allah tells us in the Qur'an that helping the poor and needy is a char-
acteristic of people who fear Allah and the Day of Judgment:
Those in whose wealth there is a known share for beggars and
the destitute; those who affirm the Day of Judgment, those who
are fearful of the punishment of their Lord. (Surat al-Ma‘arij: 24-
27)
They give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and
orphans and captives: ‘We feed you only out of desire for the
Face of Allah. We do not want any repayment from you or any
thanks. Truly we fear from our
Lord a glowering, calamitous
Day.' (Surat al-Insan: 8-10)
Not feeding the poor is a character-
istic of irreligious people who have no
fear of Allah:
(Allah commands) ‘Seize him
and truss him up. Then roast
him in the Blazing Fire. Then
bind him in a chain which is sev-
enty cubits long. He used not to
believe in Allah the Most Great,
nor did he urge the feeding of
the poor. Therefore here today
he has no friend nor any food
except exuding pus which no
one will eat except those who
were in error.' (Surat al-Haqqa:
30-37) There are hidden meanings to be reflected
on in the disaster reports frequently cov-
ered by newspapers and TV.