Kisah Nyata Bersedekah 3 Kali - Ust. Hanan Attaki

Summary

This story highlights the power of intention in charity. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) narrated the tale of a man who, despite giving charity three times, felt disheartened by the outcomes. First, he gave to a thief, second to a prostitute, and third to a wealthy man. However, an angel explained that his charity was accepted by Allah, as each act prevented wrongdoing or encouraged a positive change. The moral reinforces that Allah values the intention behind deeds, not just the actions themselves, echoing the principle 'Indeed, actions are judged by intentions.'

Takeaways

• 😀 The story starts with a person who wants to give charity and prays to Allah for guidance on who to help.
• 😀 The first time, he gives charity to a man, and the next day, people say he gave charity to a thief. He feels regretful.
• 😀 The second time, he gives charity to a woman, and people say she was a prostitute. Again, he feels regretful.
• 😀 The third time, he gives charity to a man who doesn't show any reaction, and people later say the man was rich. He again feels disappointed.
• 😀 Despite feeling like he made mistakes, the person continues to try to do good with a sincere heart.
• 😀 The person then dreams, and in the dream, an angel informs him that his charity was accepted by Allah in all cases.
• 😀 The angel explains that by giving charity to the thief, he prevented the man from stealing.
• 😀 By giving charity to the woman, he prevented her from sinning, as she no longer needed to engage in prostitution.
• 😀 His charity to the rich man was accepted because it helped to awaken generosity in the wealthy individual.
• 😀 The story highlights the importance of good intentions behind every act, emphasizing the hadith: 'Actions are judged by intentions.'
• 😀 The key takeaway is that Allah rewards sincere intentions, even if the outcome is not what was expected, reminding us that our actions are ultimately judged by the purity of our hearts.

Q & A

What is the main message of the story in the transcript?

The main message of the story is that charity (sedekah) is accepted by Allah based on the intention behind the act, not the outward appearance or the recipient's circumstances. Even if the act seems misplaced, if done with a sincere intention, it holds value.

Why does the man feel that his charity is wasted in the first case?

The man feels his charity is wasted because the recipient of his donation is a thief, and the village later spreads the news that a thief received charity. He believes he made a mistake by helping someone who should not have received charity.

How does the second charity recipient affect the man's feelings?

The man feels again that his charity was wasted when the recipient turns out to be a woman involved in immoral behavior (a prostitute). He believes his charity is misdirected because people in the village claim she received charity, which causes him to feel regret.

What happens after the third charity, and how does it affect the man?

In the third instance, the man gives charity to a rich person, and the next day the village claims that the wealthy man received charity. This makes the man feel like his charity was given to someone who didn’t need it, leading him to feel that all three acts of charity were failures.

What is the significance of the dream in the story?

The dream serves as a divine revelation from Allah through a messenger (angel), informing the man that his charity was accepted in all three instances, but for different reasons. It shows that Allah values the intention behind actions, not the apparent outcome.

What were the positive outcomes of the man’s charity, according to the angel?

The angel explains that the man’s charity had three positive outcomes: 1) The thief no longer had to steal. 2) The woman in immoral behavior was prevented from continuing her actions. 3) The rich man was reminded to be generous and became more charitable.

How does this story relate to the hadith *'Innamal A'malu binniyat'*?

'Innamal A'malu binniyat' translates to 'Actions are judged by intentions.' This hadith is central to the story, as it demonstrates that Allah rewards individuals based on the purity and sincerity of their intentions, even if the outward result of their actions is different from what they expected.

What lesson does the story teach about the nature of charity?

The story teaches that charity is not just about giving money to the right person; it’s about the intention behind the act. Even when the recipient might seem unworthy by human standards, Allah looks at the sincerity and the potential good that can come from the act of charity.

Why does the man feel he failed after each of his charitable acts?

The man feels he failed because, in each instance, the charity was given to someone whom the villagers later claimed did not seem deserving or proper to receive charity. He believed his actions were misguided, not realizing that the charity was transformative in different ways.

How can this story be applied to everyday life in terms of giving charity?

This story encourages individuals to give charity with a sincere heart, without focusing on whether the recipient seems deserving by societal standards. It teaches that Allah looks at the intention and that even if we don’t see the impact of our charity, it can still bring about positive change.