Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 144
144 islam’s response to contemporary issues From what we had provided them, they spend a part thereof in Our cause. 7 Therefore, it is not out of mere courtesy that a true believer rejects gratitude but he genuinely believes that if a recipient of his favours owes gratitude to anyone, it is only to God and not to him. True believers, who really understand the meaning of faith, feel extremely embarrassed whenever their favours are returned with thanks. The Holy Quran declares: They feed, for love of Him, the poor, the orphan, the prisoner, even when they themselves stand in need saying: ‘We feed you for Allah’s pleasure only. We desire no reward nor thanks from you’. 8 Just to feed people is not enough; you should feed them when you yourself know the meaning of hunger and suffering and you share in their pain, expecting no reward or thanks in return. The beauty of this verse is dazzling. If the believers were taught to show a superficial and condescending attitude by just refusing to accept gratitude and posing as humble men, there was every danger that this would promote hypocrisy. When we say, ‘No, thanks’, in fact, we are conscious of the fact that by doing so, our image is further enhanced in the eyes of the person under favour. The Islamic teaching is much more sublime. The benefactor is reminded that he cannot sell his commodities twice over to different parties. An act of goodness can either be done to win the pleasure of