[SeelaypeKet]

Is it classed as fear of Allah if one is fearful of getting sick or becoming dependent on others and charity? Or is this lack of Trust in Allah ?

Also with regard to provision, we are told in the Quran that we will be tested by Allah with loss, is fear of this a lack of trust? We are also told that Allah has guaranteed us Provision...yet people still go hungry so what does it mean that it is guaranteed?

It is hard to know what to do in many situations, are we allowed to take out company pensions? The pension fund usually invests the money in high yielding interest bearing transactions...yet in old age one can be faced with poverty if one does not take out a pension. If everyone one knows mostly non Muslims at work is in the pension scheme one does feel like they will lose out in the future if they too do not join. I think I might be getting infected by their fears of provision. If one has recently come into savings of 40 or 50 thousand pounds what can they do with it? Buying a property interest free is not possible, the money sitting in the bank in a non interest bearing account is just being used by the bank for its own profit charging interest to others. One cannot take it out of the bank for fear of loss. What is to be done?

[pseusawbappem]

You asked two separate questions:

A)What is the correct concept of 1) 'fear of Allah' and 2)Trust in Allah?

and

B)How to invest 40k-50k.


A1)

Here are two articles by Shaykh al Oudah regarding fear in life.

The Feeling of Fear part 1

The Feeling of Fear part 2

From article two:
Some scholars of spiritual matters have correctly observed: “The most complete state that a person can be in is a perfect balance between hope and fear.”

Ahmad b. Hanbal used to say: “A person’s hope and fear should be equal.”


Which is superior, fear of Allah Himself or fear of sin?

The answer to this is that the fear of Allah is superior, for even a person who is free from sin will feel this fear. Allah says, speaking about the Prophets (peace be upon them):

“They call upon their Lord in fear and hope.” [Sûrah al-Sajdah: 16]

“Verily, they used to hasten to perform good deeds and used to call upon their Lord in hope and dread and they had humility before Us.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 90]

Allah tells us that this is the reason for salvation. He says: “This is for him who fears standing before Me and fears my threat.” [Sûrah Ibrâhîm: 14] This verse is talking about the most select and pious of people. Their status in Paradise will be elevated on account of their fear of Allah.


Regarding anxiety:

Ibn Jawzî said: “I was plagued by a problem that compelled me to continuously suffer from worry and anxiety. I began to go to great lengths trying to figure out any ruse or strategy to rid myself of that problem, but to absolutely no avail. Then I remembered the verse: “And whoever fears Allah, Allah will provide for him a way out.” Then I realized that fear of Allah is a way out of every worry. No sooner did I resolve to strengthen my fear of Allah than I found a way to solve my problems.”

[endulundaSauh]

Recite Suratul Waqia at night everyday. You won't have to worry about Rizq till you die .

Ibn Masoud (Radiya Allahu Anhu) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:
"Whoever reads Surah of al-Waqi'ah every night, poverty will not come over him."
[ al-Bayhaqi, ]

Also try to understand the concept of Barakah. Numbers are always deceiving. More doesn't always mean better.
Watch this video by Shaykh Suleiman Moola: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelqRK5Z4i8
It changed my complete outlook on life. It was a reality check for me.

Always remember this Ayah:


"Shaitân (Satan) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahshâ (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins);
whereas Allâh promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."
[Quran: Chapter Al-Baqara (2), verse 268.]

[pseusawbappem]

Regarding the question of Trust in Allah, I refer to the issue of the Belief in Rizq is from Allah as the more specific topic. Both of these topics, Trust in Allah and Rizq, are part of Al Qadar: Divine Decree in which we believe.



Excerpt regarding Rizq:

" The truth to which the Muslim should submit is that rizq is from Allah (SWT)and not man.Many aayaat (not open to interpretation) clearly show that rizq is from Allah (SWT) alone and no one else. This makes us absolutely certain that what we understand from the styles and means by which the rizq is provided, these are set of conditions present so rizq may come.

Thus, Allah (SWT) says:'And eat of the things which Allah (SWT) has provided for you.' [5:88]
and He says:'Who created you, then provided food foryou.'[30:40]
and He says:'Spend of that which Allah (SWT) has provided you.'[36:47]
and He says:'Verily Allah (SWT) provides sustenance to whom He wills.'[3:37]
and He says:'Allah (SWT) provides for it and for you.'[29:60]
and He says:'Surely, Allah (SWT) will provide for them.'[22:58]
and He says:'Allah (SWT) increases the provision for whom He wills.' [13:26]
and He says:'So seek your provision from Allah (SWT)(Alone).'[29:17]
and He says:'And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah (SWT).'[11:6]
and He says:'Verily, Allah (SWT) is the All-Provider (al-Razzaq).'[51:58].

All these aayaat are definite in meaning and definite in authenticity, having only one possible meaning and not open for interpretation, that is the rizq only comes from Allah (SWT) Who is ar-Razzaq, (the One Who provides sustenance) and it lies in the hand of Allah (SWT) alone.

However, Allah (SWT) has ordered His servants to perform actions and they have been given the ability to choose the conditions they wish to practice that will lead to provision of rizq. They should pursue, according to their choice, all conditions that will lead to provision of rizq. However, these conditions are not the cause of rizq, nor are they who bring forth this rizq, as clearly stated in the text of the Qur’an. Rather, Allah (SWT) is the one who gives provision in these conditions irrespective of whether the rizq is halal or haram, irrespective whether Allah(SWT) has obliged, allowed or forbidden it, and regardless of whether the rizq was obtained or not. Islam has clarified the manner in which the Muslim is allowed or forbidden to pursue those conditions in which rizq can be obtained.


(The fact is that these circumstances (eg. literacy, diploma, bachelor's degree, etc. professional license, work experience, luck etc) that lead to the acquisition of provision are circumstances which lead to obtaining the rizq and are not a cause of rizq. If these are the causes of rizq then these circumstances will always lead to a provision of rizq, but it can be seen that they do not always lead to provision of rizq.)

[pseusawbappem]

As for putting Trust in Allah.

[TMQ]"...then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah (SWT).
If Allah helps you none shall prevail over you; if He forsakes you then who can help you?
It is in Allah that the believers should put their trust. [3:159-160]

Meaning, after you have consulted and decided on a matter, put your trust in Allah(SWT) and proceed in the most sensible and appropriate manner.

I recall recently reading a quote from caliph Umar in which Muslims were describing those who recite Quran for money as 'mutawakileen'- those who put there trust in Allah. Umar heard this and disputed. He say are not, rather they take the money of the people. The one who is mutawakileen is the one who takes the seeds and drops them in the earth and waits for them to grow.

Take that as you wish, and Allah knows best.




As for investing 40-50k, that is must be done according to what Allah has revealed.

[SeelaypeKet]

Jazakallah for all the replies, may Allah reward us all with good. Ameen

[SeelaypeKet]

Very good lecture it kind of cements in the believer the view that we must obey and trust in Allah completely. Living in a culture where Allah is absent from most lives makes it doubly difficult to have this view given in the lecture, insha-Allah it will help.

Recite Suratul Waqia at night everyday. You won't have to worry about Rizq till you die .

Ibn Masoud (Radiya Allahu Anhu) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:
"Whoever reads Surah of al-Waqi'ah every night, poverty will not come over him."
[ al-Bayhaqi, ]

Also try to understand the concept of Barakah. Numbers are always deceiving. More doesn't always mean better.
Watch this video by Shaykh Suleiman Moola: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelqRK5Z4i8
It changed my complete outlook on life. It was a reality check for me.

Always remember this Ayah:


"Shaitân (Satan) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahshâ (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins);
whereas Allâh promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."
[Quran: Chapter Al-Baqara (2), verse 268.]

[NikitahDE]

Is it classed as fear of Allah if one is fearful of getting sick or becoming dependent on others and charity? Or is this lack of Trust in Allah ?

Also with regard to provision, we are told in the Quran that we will be tested by Allah with loss, is fear of this a lack of trust? We are also told that Allah has guaranteed us Provision...yet people still go hungry so what does it mean that it is guaranteed?

It is hard to know what to do in many situations, are we allowed to take out company pensions? The pension fund usually invests the money in high yielding interest bearing transactions...yet in old age one can be faced with poverty if one does not take out a pension. If everyone one knows mostly non Muslims at work is in the pension scheme one does feel like they will lose out in the future if they too do not join. I think I might be getting infected by their fears of provision. If one has recently come into savings of 40 or 50 thousand pounds what can they do with it? Buying a property interest free is not possible, the money sitting in the bank in a non interest bearing account is just being used by the bank for its own profit charging interest to others. One cannot take it out of the bank for fear of loss. What is to be done?

MashaAllah brothers have given excellent opinion about the fear of Allah(swt) and the great benefit that it brings.

As far as $60-70k (sorry my keyboard does not have pound symbol), you can create a portfolio with some portion going into stocks, some investing directly in a venture of reliable and trusted (please do due deligence) Muslim brother, and rest you can keep in cash. Make sure that you must pay Zakah on it, and give out regular Sadaqah from it as well. Always remember that if you want have elegant and beautiful houses in Jannah (abadan-abadah) this is how to get it now.