SHARING THE REWARDS

Participate in Spirit

IN the year CE 630, the Prophet led a military expedition to Tabuk. Some Muslims had valid excuses precluding their participation in this expedition. With regard to them, this verse of the Quran was revealed:

‘No blame shall attach to the weak, the sick, and those who have no means to spend, provided they are sincere to God and His Messenger. There is no reason to reproach those who do good deeds; God is most forgiving and merciful. Nor [does any blame] attach to those who came to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said, ‘I can find no mounts for you,’ they went back, and tears welled up in their eyes with sadness, since they could not find any way to contribute.’ (9: 91-92)

According to the Prophet’s earliest biographer, Ibn Ishaq (d. CE 767), these were seven individuals belonging to the Ansar (Muslims of Madinah). After the Prophet had set out on the expedition, he referred to them in the presence of his Companions. ‘Do you know,’ he said to them, ‘you have left some people behind in Madinah who will share with you the reward of everything you have spent, every valley you have crossed and every victory you have gained over the enemy.’ ‘Even though they remain in Madinah?’ Asked the Companions. ‘Yes,’ replied the Prophet. ‘They had valid reasons for staying behind.’

This goes to show that a person, even when not in a position to contribute, can gain a share in the reward of those who have striven for a cause. While appearing to have achieved nothing, he can join the ranks of those who have achieved much. How can this be? The way to accomplish this is for us to participate in spirit in those actions in which we are unable to take an active, physical part. For example, if we see another person more capable than we are, rather than being jealous of him, we should acknowledge his superiority. Thus, we shall have a share in the reward for anything that he does, which it is beyond us to accomplish. If someone is wealthier than us, it should be our heart’s wish that God grant them the grace to be truly thankful for their wealth, and spend it rightly. When they do so, we shall have a share in their reward. If we see someone in an influential position, while ourselves remaining among the anonymous masses, we can pray for them thus:
‘Lord, may they use their influence in the service of truth, not in the service of falsehood’.