-Likeness of a Grain-

**- Qatada -** · 04-19-2006

Bismillah ar-rahman ar-raheem,

Allah azza wa jall says in surah al-baqarah, ayah 261:

مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّئَةُ حَبَّةٍ وَاللّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاء وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.

If we are to ponder upon these beautiful words from our Rabb, we realize, subhanAllah, how generous Allah is. Even one penny given in way of Allah; its reward is multiplied. Indeed in the long run that penny and another penny and so on together materialize into a fruitful endeavour. Hence the person who contributed even a single cent gets the share of reward for he helped towards this end result. It is like a drop of water; each drop one by one turns into a river and that river brings forth vegetation and this vegetation provides sustenance.

Indeed, the simlitude of giving in way of Allah is as such. It is like a grain, a single grain, that grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. SubhanAllah, it would be a pity if we fail to see how even little of efforts can help towards greater good and positive ramifications. It may take time, however, it will not be futile. For "Allah gives manifold increase to whom he wills".

And also we should not forget the following words of the Most Beneficient whose Mercy has no bounds:

بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُ أَجْرُهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُون

Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allah's sake only without any show off or to gain praise or fame, etc., and in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger Muhammad Peace be upon him ) then his reward is with his Lord (Allah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [surah al-baqarah, ayah 112].

Yes! If we are good-doers we need not worry how much or how little we give or how shall it help others; those in need. For that is not upto us to decide, Allah is only and mind you only "asking" us to give and we get the reward! Allah ta'ala has not even put end results as a condition! Allah u akbar! How Benevolent indeed is our Lord.

Now let's have a look at what is the essence of the reward that waits those who are muhsin and give in the way of Allah;

عَلَى سُرُرٍ مَّوْضُونَةٍ
(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones,

مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَابِلِينَ
Reclining thereon, face to face.

يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَانٌ مُّخَلَّدُونَ
They will be served by immortal boys,

بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍ
With cups, and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine,

لَا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلَا يُنزِفُونَ
Wherefrom they will get neither any aching of the head, nor any intoxication.

وَفَاكِهَةٍ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ
And fruit; that they may choose.

وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
And the flesh of fowls that they desire.

[surah al-waaqi'ah, ayaat 15-21]

These are the delights that await those who believe and do good! What more could one want who has tasted the sweetness of eman, and faced hardship for its sake and given in its way. His reward multiplies manifold like, a grain of corn multiplies into full-fledged plant with seven ears containing a hundred grains. Furthermore he or she gets the pleasure of aakhirah.

So, what's stopping us my brothers and sisters in islam. Give, give and give in the way of Allah for the reward awaits you!