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**djmassk** · 04-12-2010, 10:49 PM

When you say "training" does that mean it is obligatory? Some may say they are generous then because they are told to be, not because they feel conviction of the heart to do so. I agree we should all always be generous in our giving especially in prayer, but if we just do it because we are told, does that mean we really want to? Or because we are affriad of what happens if we don't?

Thank you in advance for your reply. God be with you.

وعليك,

This is a very insightful question! I think an example is most appropriate. When a child is growing up, if the parents from a young age force upon the child good manners and respect for others, then when he gets older, even when he is no long afraid of the parents, even when the parents are dead, that training will remain with him and he will have good manners and respect by default (unless he makes an effort to change). In the same way children that are spoiled and allowed to behave inappropriately will grow up with those same manners. Now if he wants to correct himself, he will have to either force himself to practice those good manners until it gets trained into his nature (this is very difficult) or find someone else to force him (for example, this is what Muslims go to the spiritual enlightened scholars (sufis) for).
In the same way, even if a person wishes to be generous, he will probably find it very difficult to do so, because as I mentioned, that little nagging voice will always be saying "What if?" So now, in order to get trained, the zakaah, for example and among other things, is required of him. Presumably, if he pays it with the correct intention, then eventually he will get to the next level and find giving in general, even when it is not obligatory, much easier. If a person only does the obligatory things grudgingly and because of fear of some authority, then it is expected that he may not ever progress to the next level. This is like the example of the teenager who's parents never taught him manners before, but suddenly they decide to start at that advanced age when he is already nearly independent. So now, whether it has an effect or not will largely depend on whether he conforms willingly or rebels and does it grudgingly.

Incidentally, this training to be generous is actually one of the things that are supposed to be taught to Muslim children from a young age as well. If you read in our books of law you will find that when parents wish to donate something from their money, they are encouraged to hand it to the children and have the children go and physically put it in the box, or whatever.

04-12-2010, 10:49 PM	#16
djmassk Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 461 Senior Member	When you say "training" does that mean it is obligatory? Some may say they are generous then because they are told to be, not because they feel conviction of the heart to do so. I agree we should all always be generous in our giving especially in prayer, but if we just do it because we are told, does that mean we really want to? Or because we are affriad of what happens if we don't? Thank you in advance for your reply. God be with you. وعليك, This is a very insightful question! I think an example is most appropriate. When a child is growing up, if the parents from a young age force upon the child good manners and respect for others, then when he gets older, even when he is no long afraid of the parents, even when the parents are dead, that training will remain with him and he will have good manners and respect by default (unless he makes an effort to change). In the same way children that are spoiled and allowed to behave inappropriately will grow up with those same manners. Now if he wants to correct himself, he will have to either force himself to practice those good manners until it gets trained into his nature (this is very difficult) or find someone else to force him (for example, this is what Muslims go to the spiritual enlightened scholars (sufis) for). In the same way, even if a person wishes to be generous, he will probably find it very difficult to do so, because as I mentioned, that little nagging voice will always be saying "What if?" So now, in order to get trained, the zakaah, for example and among other things, is required of him. Presumably, if he pays it with the correct intention, then eventually he will get to the next level and find giving in general, even when it is not obligatory, much easier. If a person only does the obligatory things grudgingly and because of fear of some authority, then it is expected that he may not ever progress to the next level. This is like the example of the teenager who's parents never taught him manners before, but suddenly they decide to start at that advanced age when he is already nearly independent. So now, whether it has an effect or not will largely depend on whether he conforms willingly or rebels and does it grudgingly. Incidentally, this training to be generous is actually one of the things that are supposed to be taught to Muslim children from a young age as well. If you read in our books of law you will find that when parents wish to donate something from their money, they are encouraged to hand it to the children and have the children go and physically put it in the box, or whatever.
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