Raziullah Noman, Canada
One of the most important teachings of Islam, according to the Qur’an and Ahadith (sayings of the Holy Prophet (sa)), is the financial sacrifice in the way of Allah the Almighty. Allah continuously reminds the believers to spend in His way. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) would regularly urge his companions to fulfil this duty and they would strive in doing so. This financial sacrifice is separate from Zakat, which is only paid on one’s saved money, stock and tradeable assets (including jewellery in gold and silver) which has been in one’s possession for one full year, provided one had more than the assessable limit. Zakat is only obligatory for those who fulfil its conditions, while financial sacrifice in general, is obligatory on every Muslim.
This article will be focusing on Chanda (financial contributions/sacrifices). Chanda is an important system which was established by the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian. Through this system, every Ahmadi Muslim presents a certain percentage of their income for the service and propagation of Islam. Out of ignorance, some Muslims raise the allegation that this system is an innovation in Islam.
Every Prophet taught that the rights of humanity must be fulfilled. How can this be fulfilled without Chanda? Every prophet said build places of worship. How can this be done without Chanda? Every prophet said spread the message of the faith. How can this be done without Chanda? Without Chanda, no religion spreads. Every Prophet introduced a system of financial sacrifice.
Why does man sin? The Prophet Muhammad (sa) stated:
Love for the world is the cause to every sin (Narrated by Imam Baihaqi)
To gather money, some people lie, steal, cheat, evade taxes and much more. However, when people begin establishing the habit of spending money in the way of Allah, they save themselves from all of these sins. Because of this, their ‘chart’ of evils decreases and their good deeds increase. For this reason, Allah the Almighty states:
‘Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love; and whatever you spend, Allah Surely knows it well’ [1]
Allah never said these words for anything except spending in the way of Allah.
In the second chapter of the Holy Qur’an, Allah the Almighty states:
‘Who believe in the unseen and observe Prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them’ [2]
He then states:
And spend for the cause of Allah, and cast not yourselves into ruin with your own hands, and do good; surely, Allah loves those who do good. [3]
‘Who is it that will lend Allah a goodly loan that He may multiply it for him manifold? And Allah receives and enlarges, and to Him shall you be made to return.’ [4]
‘O ye who believe! Spend out of what We have bestowed on you before the day comes wherein there shall be no buying and selling, nor friendship, nor intercession; and it is those who disbelieve that do wrong to themselves.’ [5]
‘The similitude of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like the similitude of a grain of corn which grows seven ears, in each ear a hundred grains. And Allah Multiplies it further for whomsoever He pleases and Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing.’ [6]
‘Those who spend their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord; on them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve.’ [7]
‘Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love; and whatever you spend, Allah Surely knows it well.’ [8]
When this verse was revealed, the companion Hazrat Abu Talha Ansari (ra) decided that he wanted to spend his most beloved garden in the way of Allah. The incident is recorded in the following narration:
‘I heard Anas bin Malik saying, ‘Abu Talha had more property of date-palm trees gardens than any other amongst the Ansar in Medina and the most beloved of them to him was Bairuha garden, and it was in front of the Mosque of the Prophet (sa) . Allah’s Messenger (sa) used to go there and used to drink its nice water.’ Anas added, ‘When these verses were revealed:–‘By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you spend (in charity) of that which you love. ‘ (3:93) Abu Talha said to Allah’s Messenger (sa) ‘O Allah’s Messenger (sa)! Allah, the Blessed, the Superior says: By no means shall you attain righteousness, unless you spend (in charity) of that which you love. And no doubt, Bairuha’ garden is the most beloved of all my property to me. So I want to give it in charity in Allah’s Cause. I expect its reward from Allah. O Allah’s Messenger (sa)! Spend it where Allah makes you think it feasible.’ On that Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Bravo! It is useful property. I have heard what you have said (O Abu Talha), and I think it would be proper if you gave it to your kith and kin.’ Abu Talha said, I will do so, O Allah’s Messenger.’ Then Abu Talha distributed that garden amongst his relatives and his cousins.” [9]
There are many sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) regarding financial sacrifice as well. For example:
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger as stating that Allah the Almighty Says : ‘Spend with an open heart, Allah will Spend on thee.’[10]
Each morning, two angels descend, one of them saying: ‘Allah bestow a (good) return upon the spender’; and the other saying: ‘Allah, Destroy the property of the miser.’ [11]
We also see the importance of financial sacrifice from a well-known incident, when the Prophet Muhammad (sa) ordered the companions to spend in the way of Allah. It is narrated:
Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: The Messenger of Allah (sa) ordered us to give charity and at the time I had some wealth. I said to myself, ‘Today I will outdo Abu Bakr, if ever there were a day to outdo him.’ I went with half of my wealth to the Prophet and he said, ‘What have you left for your family?’ I said, ‘The same amount.’ Then, Abu Bakr came with everything he had. The Prophet said, ‘O Abu Bakr, what have you left for your family?’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Allah and his messenger.’ I said, ‘By Allah, I will never do better than Abu Bakr’. [12]
The companions would spend in the way of Allah regularly and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) would order this. On one occasion, the Prophet Muhammad (sa) commanded that women should also give alms, even from their ornaments. [13]
Thus, any concept of financial contribution and sacrifice which falls in line with these teachings cannot be considered an innovation; such is the case with the system of Chanda established by the Promised Messiah (as). The Chanda collected by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is wholly and solely for the service and propagation of the religion of Islam. This is evident from the manner in which it is spent.
Where is Chanda Spent?
Everything collected by the Community is used for Islam and Ahmadiyyat. In today’s day and age, Islam is being attacked daily by its opponents. In his book Victory of Islam, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), discusses five important branches required to spread the message of Islam.
The first of these branches relates to the preparation of books and other literature which, which of course costs a lot of money. The second branch relates to the publication of leaflets. The Community prints thousands of books and millions of pamphlets every year. In fact, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has translated the Holy Qur’an in more languages than any other single Muslim organization.
Over the past year alone, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community published a total of 4, 256, 659 publications across 93 different countries. Furthermore, 9, 357, 000 leaflets were distributed which resulted in the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat reaching 22, 700, 000 people across the world. [14] This in itself bears testament to the benefits of spending in the way of Allah, as well as the wisdom behind the system of Chanda instituted by the Promised Messiah (as), as it clearly renders great service to Islam.
The third branch mentioned by the Promised Messiah (as) relates to all of those visitors who travel for the truth and take part in the events held by the Community. It is the Community’s responsibility to fulfil every need of the guests, which also requires a lot of money. The Community holds worldwide conventions and other important events for the seekers of truth.
The fourth branch relates to correspondence relating to inquirers, truth-seekers and even the opponents. For example, thousands of letters are written to the Fifth Caliph and Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) and they are all replied to.
The fifth branch relates to Allah the Almighty Himself guiding the pure-hearted ones to Islam Ahmadiyyat. Alongside this, there are life devotees and Imams whose entire lives are devoted to the service and propagation of Islam; their needs are also looked after. There are also schools, hospitals and various aid for orphans and the less-fortunate which the Community provides for, just to name a few examples. Serving humanity is also a vital part of fulfilling the teachings of Islam, thus all of these things require financial contributions.
Regarding financial sacrifices and how they are needed for the service and propagation of Islam, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) stated:
The greatest difficulty that confronts us today is that we require financial support in order to propagate Islam. You ought to bear well in mind that ultimately, God Almighty has willed to establish this community with his own hand and He himself is the Supporter and Helper of this community. However, since God desires to make His servants worthy of spiritual reward, the Prophets are compelled to make an appeal for financial support. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, called for assistance, and in the same manner— upon the precepts of prophethood—I too apprise my friends of the community’s needs. [15]
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) stated:
‘These days publication of books and other literature is essential for Tabligh, then there is the organisation of missionaries, building of mosques and mission houses and other media resources in this age of electronic means of communication. All these require financial giving. MTA is a big source of Tabligh and is currently utilising four different satellites which leave no part of the world where the message does not reach. The message is been relayed in seven to eight major languages of the world. Financial giving is required for these tasks and the contributions of the Community are better than ever.’ [16]
In being the foretold Messiah who was to revive the true teachings of Islam, as well as being the true servant of the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah and founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslims community also gave great importance to financial sacrifice and spending in the way of Allah. He emphasized this in light of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet (sa).
In one instance the Promised Messiah (as) states:
‘O Well to do people of Islam! I convey to you the message that you should assist this Institution of reform, which has been established by Allah Almighty, with all your heart, attention and sincerity. You must consider all the aspects of this institution with reverence and do quickly whatever you can do to help it. Whoever wishes to offer an amount each month, according to his means, should make it binding upon himself like a debt, and make his payment each month without fail. He should take this duty purely as an obligation to Allah, and should not be late or slow in its payment. He who wishes to pay all at once can do so, but remember that the true method which will ensure the continuous progress of this movement is that people, who truly care about the faith, should make it binding upon themselves to pay a certain amount each month which they can give with ease and regularity unless they are faced with unexpected circumstances. Of course, whoever has the means and the resources to give something, apart from his monthly pledge, is welcome to do so.
O you, my dear ones, my loved ones, the evergreen branches of the tree of my being! O ye who have, by the grace of the Almighty which is upon you, entered into Bai`at [oath] of allegiance with me! O ye who sacrifice your lives, your comfort and your wealth in this cause! I know that you consider it an honour to accept whatever I say, and will not hesitate as far as it is in your power, but I cannot make compulsory for you with my own tongue the service you have to offer, so that your services should be out of your own pleasure and not as an obligation from me….’[17]
Regarding Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nooruddin (ra), who would later become the First Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Promised Messiah (as) stated:
‘There is no one else that I could compare with the colossal amount of financial help that he has accorded me. I have found him having a natural tendency, with a deep conviction of the heart, to serve most devotedly the cause of faith. Although his daily life is fully dedicated in all aspects to be a true servant of Islam and to serve the Muslims, but from among the helpers of this Movement he has proved to be of the first order. [18]
The Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad (ra) stated:
‘In this age, Allah Almighty has opened the door to the Jihad of spreading the faith and Jihad against one’s own self, instead of Jihad with the sword. And we cannot spread the faith without money. You are the Mujahidin [people who strive] of this age and you deserve the same reward which those people did, and indeed you are getting it. Do what you are told with diligence and also teach others, so that all of you become Mujahidin in the way of Allah. Amin.’ [19]
The Third Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad (rh) stated:
‘Allah has created us for the victory of Islam. Our job is to do whatever is in our power to bring this about and to offer every sacrifice in this cause. Even if our efforts fall short of the necessary requirement, Allah will Himself do the rest by His grace….Our spiritual eye can discern the victory of Islam over the horizon of the current turmoil, but we will still have to make sacrifices for it and will have to spend our time and money in this cause’ [20]
The Fourth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) stated:
‘You should always be true and straightforward in your dealings with Allah, Who is the Giver and Provider. Only then will your sacrifices be of any use to you and you will inherit even greater blessings. Why should you fear to spend in the way of Allah? It is this spending which is the source of your income and of His blessings. At the time of the Promised Messiahas, some of the Disciples who presented a little money to him had to make great sacrifices to do so. But their progeny has become recipient of such Divine bounties even in their worldly affairs, that it is hard to recognize them; so wonderfully have their possessions been blessed.’ [21]
The Fifth Caliph and current Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) stated:
‘We Ahmadis are fortunate to partake in the accomplishment of the task which was started by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). While the world is lost in the love of money, owing to the education and training of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) majority of Ahmadis spend out of their precious wealth to publicise faith. It causes them anxiety if for some reason they are not able to spend as they would like to and some of them are reduced to tears in this regard. This condition of hearts is a proof that God sent the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in this age for the publication and dissemination of the faith brought by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and now the progress of Islam is destined to take place through the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). And this is why God has instilled the spirit of jihad of financial giving in true believers.’ [22]
‘The purpose of this is not to merely collect wealth, rather it is to offer sacrifices for the religion of God Almighty in order to acquire His love.’ [23]
Regarding the system of Chanda (financial contributions) within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, some raise the allegation that members are forced to pay a certain amount, even though they may not be able to afford it. This is not true.
The Second Caliph (rh) stated:
‘My instructions are that whoever wants to pay less than the prescribed rate, should mention in writing that he is faced with such and such problems and he can only pay one or two paisa per Rupee. I am not saying that a person cannot pay less than an Anna, what I mean is that no one can do so without permission. Permission is necessary so that we should keep the record and he should also bear in mind that he ought to pay at the prescribed rate. Therefore, there is nothing to stop a member who does not pay as per prescribed rate from being included in the list of Chanda-payers. The budget of every Jama‘at should be an Anna per Rupee inclusive of all members whether they are payers or non-payers. In this way the budget of income can be raised considerably. Even though the whole budget may not be achieved in the first year, the Jama‘ats who prepare a sub-standard budget will be motivated.’ (Report Majlis-e-Mushawarat 1930)
Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) stated:
‘I have announced again and again that if someone is unable to pay the Chanda in keeping with the prescribed rate, he should clearly say so and should tell us about his circumstances. Khalifatul Masih can grant remission in Chanda ‘Am. And I openly promise that whoever honestly thinks that he is not up to the mark and that he should be granted remission, he shall be granted remission. But do not lie to God! It should not be that God gives you millions and you pay your Chanda on the basis of hundreds of thousands, and you say that He has only given you that much. Do you think that God forgets what He has given you (God forbid) and doesn’t know what you are paying back? He who has given you is aware of the secrets of the hearts and has knowledge of all hidden intentions. He is aware of the bank balances where the money goes and disappears and yet man doesn’t find contentment, he wants to possess even more. Hence, those who need help shall be helped, and their needs shall be catered for. They will be willingly granted remission. And if there is an Ahmadi who cannot give Chanda and is himself in need of assistance, the Jama‘at will assist him as far as possible. But no one can be permitted to lie to God. I am, therefore, allowing for one last chance, so that we should not lose our brothers. I am not in the least worried as to how God’s mission will be accomplished. If I were to do so, I would be a Mushrik [one who associates partners with God]. I am not worried that if we lose some Ahmadis how shall we find others in their place. If one were to leave us, God can and shall grant us hundreds of thousands in his place. What I am worried about is why at all should even a single Ahmadi go astray? Why should our brother get lost after treading the righteous path? What I am worried about is the thought of their own persons, and it is not the Jama‘at that I am worried about. There is God who will take care of the Jama‘at as He has always done. He has always fulfilled the needs of the Jama‘at, and so he shall do in the future. Hence, if we move forward without creating an order in the Jama‘at and without bringing all the members up to the minimum standard, then the few, who are the first and foremost, will continue to bear the burden of sacrifices. And people will not even realize that these are the sacrifices of a few people and not of the whole Jama‘at. We also pray for our brothers, may Allah grant them understanding and the power and ability to offer sacrifices.’ [24]
In conclusion, financial sacrifice is an integral teaching of Islam. Not only is it required for the service and propagation of Islam, but presenting such sacrifices in the cause of Allah are means for attaining His nearness and pleasure, the ultimate goal for any believer. Thus, any system which facilitates presenting financial sacrifices, while remaining within the teachings stipulated by the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet (sa), cannot be considered an innovation. Thus, the system of Chanda instituted by the Promised Messiah (as), which serves only to benefit, serve and propagate the true message of Islam, can, in no way, be considered an innovation.
[1] The Holy Qur’an 3:93
[2] The Holy Qur’an 2:4
[3] The Holy Qur’an 2:196
[4] The Holy Qur’an 2:246
[5] The Holy Qur’an 2:255
[6] The Holy Qur’an 2:262
[7] The Holy Qur’an 2:275
[8] The Holy Qur’an 3:93
[9] Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Obligatory Charity Tax, Hadith #1461
[10] Sahih Muslim, Book of Zakat, Hadith #993a
[11] Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Zakat, Hadith #522
[12] Jami at-Tirmidhi, Chapter on Virtues Hadith #4038
[13] Sahih al Bukhari, Book of Obligatory Charity Tax, Hadith #1466
[14] Friday Sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) 7th August 2020
[15] Malfuzat, Volume 1, Pages 238-239
[16] Friday Sermon, delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) November 4, 2011
[17] Fath-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 3, Pages 33-34
[18] Izala-e-’Auham, p. 777, Ruhani Khaza’in. vol. 3, p. 520
[19] Letter of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), to Members of Mal Karachi dated March 03, 1957
[20] Message to Jalsa Salana Qadian, 1978
[21] Friday Sermon Delivered by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh), July 23, 1982
[22] Friday Sermon, delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad November 7, 2014
[23] Friday Sermon, delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) January 3, 2020
[24] Friday Sermon, delivered by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh) September 10, 1982
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