Funding a Winning Battle, Learned

Addressing the people who embraced Islam after the fall of Mecca, the Prophet (saw) once said: “If you spend in God’s way a heap of gold equal to the mountain Uhud, it will not be equal to a mudd – roughly a kilo – of wheat which my comrades have spent, nor even half a mudd.” This explains the greatness of the first Muslims who responded to the Prophet’s call and believed in him, devoted their lives, spent their wealth and rendered great services to Islam.

This is the reason why the Qur’an says:

لَا يَسْتَوِي مِنكُم مَّنْ أَنفَقَ مِن قَبْلِ الْفَتْحِ وَقَاتَلَ أُوْلَئِكَ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً مِّنَ الَّذِينَ أَنفَقُوا مِن بَعْدُ وَقَاتَلُوا

“You are not equal to those who spent money before the Conquest and fought; for they are far above those who spent afterwards and fought.” [57:the Iron:10]

Before the fall of Mecca the Muslims were a very poor community, so those who spent in the cause of Allah (swt) in such days of distress are superior to those who spent after the removal of poverty when economic prosperity was achieved.

It is a historical fact that the wealth of Khadijah al-Kubra (ra) inherited by Fatimah az-Zahra (ra) and her children was spent to feed not only the displaced muhajirs but also to finance the battles fought by the Holy Prophet (saw) to defend the small community of Muslims.

As far as the fighting in the way of Allah (swt) is concerned none can be cited save Ali (kwj) whose valour and courage won all the battles fought by the Holy Prophet (saw).

Imam Ali (kwj) said: "Allah told the Holy Prophet: ‘Wealth is Mine. The possessor of it is a trustee. The poor and the have-nots of this world are My family. Woe unto those possessors of wealth who do not discharge their duty concerning My trust.’"

O you who inherit wealth! You must remember that what came into your hands should have been spent in the cause of Allah (swt) by your ancestors, who by hoarding it have already earned the displeasure of Allah (swt) and now you must not follow your fathers’ footsteps but “spend out of what He hath made you trustees.”

أَنفِقُوا مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ