How to Gain More Sustenance

Jeddah 2015 ~ Right here, in my neighborhood, is a white bearded old man.  He wanders our street cleaning – working to keep our streets clean.  Resting just a moment, he heads to where there are clusters of garbage. He collects it,  continuously.  Collecting these discarded items of trash, plastic and even bread he leaves a trail of cleanliness.  His work is methodical with no complaint.  Finally he stops to eat.  His meal is disrupted by the giving of alms by a passing driver.  Ah…Allah handed him money through the passing driver.

In comparison to this old man, a younger man also works along side the old man but he awkwardly awaits us as we exit our home in hopes that someone gives him money.  The difference is, his work isn’t done and the trail of cleanliness is not to be found from the work of this young man.

I wondered about the old man.

One of my staff happened to speak to the old man as he never awaits for us to give him alms.

Do you make enough money to meet your needs?

The old man’s answer:

Alhamdulillah it is enough to meet my daily needs and send money to my family in home country. My earning is around Saudi Riyal 800 (or US$ 213) from the company who commissions my work.  I also collect rubbish plastic bottles, the leftover breads and then sell it.  This additional income adds to my savings. I also sometimes get tips from people who live in the surrounding housing, or even from passersby.

If the plastics are thrown out it can be sold and reprocessed as recycled products.   As for the leftover breads, just drying it allows me to sell it for animal feed.

Then comes Ramadan, tips are generous, as many Saudi Citizens love to give charities and alms directly to the recipients. So much is collected, the workers can build or fix their homes in their villages.

The key here is to work fissabillilah – with diligence, pride and graciousness.  No begging, no demanding just doing the work for the sake of work.  Allah rewards such acts. 

Some versus of the Quran and Hadith mention the methodologies of obtaining sustenance or Rizq.

Some of those verses are as follows:

Always be devoted to Allah

And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. (QS At Thalaq 65: 3)

Seek forgiveness and Repent

And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers. (QS. 71:10-12)

The Prophet said, “If you want to put my trust in God with truth then surely Allah will give you good luck as birds that were given good luck, in the morning he was in a state of hunger and satiety back in the state.” (Reported by Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by Al-Albani )

Cultivate Friendship

Prophet SAW says,

From Abu Hurairah RA said,” I heard the Prophet sal-Allaahu alaihi wasalam said, “Who is happy to be widened his rizq and lengthen his age then let connect silaturrahim.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Infaq

Allah Almighty says, meaning,

Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.” (QS Saba’ 34:39)

O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy. (QS. Al Baqarah 2:267)

In a hadith Qudsi Messenger of Allah said, Allah said, “O son of Adam, donated then I will donate to you.” (Muslim)

Doing good to the poor

“It is not you all be given help and good luck but because of the weak among you.” (HR. Al-Bukhari)

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