Give Without Reminding

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَا أَنفَقُوا مَنًّا وَلَا أَذًى

(Qur’ān 02:262)

“Al-Ladhīna Yunfiqūna ’Amwālahum Fī Sabīli Allāhi Thumma Lā Yutbi`ūna Mā ’Anfaqū Mannāan Wa Lā ’Adhan”

“Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allāh, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury.” Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm.

Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says, “Believers who do not boast about their good deeds after giving them for the sake of Allāh ﷻ are acceptable people.” If it is given for the sake of Allāh ﷻ, then it is accepted. Therefore, there is no need to spoil it.

How is it spoiled? If you say, “I gave this, I did this, I gave that,” –of course there is still reward then, but it is not as good, it is not as high. If you say, “Allāh ﷻ has granted it to us,” without boasting and reminding others of that favor, but giving with rejoice, then your reward is many times higher than those who remind others.

Giving charity secretly is more acceptable. Sometimes it can be given openly to encourage others, but that’s not important. What’s important is not reminding others of the favor.

In the past, they used to write on signs “المنة لله”, “Al Minnetu li-Llah.” “بَلِ اللَّهُ يَمُنُّ عَلَيْكُمْ”, “Bali Allāhu Yamunnu `Alaykum”, “Nay, but Allāh has conferred a favour upon you,” (Qur’ān 49:17). Allāh ﷻ bestows a favor upon you and reminds you of it. “أَنْ هَدَاكُمْ لِلْإِيمَانِ”, “An Hadākum Lil’īmāni”, “That He has guided you to the Faith.” (Qur’ān 49:17).

The favor belongs to Allāh ﷻ for guiding you to īmān. It is not acceptable for anyone other than Allāh ﷻ to remind others of their favors. It is not a good act. Reminding others of favors done can cause people to look at each other badly or become enemies. Favor belongs to Allāh ﷻ.

We should be grateful to Him ﷻ for bestowing these things upon us, not to people. Gratitude belongs to Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla; we are grateful to Him ﷻ for bestowing beautiful things upon us. We are grateful to Allāh ﷻ for everything, for ourselves and for others. Since Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla gave it, no one resents being indebted to Him ﷻ. But when people do so to each other, it’s not good.

Some attributes belong to Allāh ﷻ. Some are also bestowed upon humankind, such as generosity and beauty. They are attributes of Allāh ﷻ and are also found in mankind. But there are certain attributes: Pride belongs to Allāh ﷻ. The Possessor of Kibriya (Majesty, Pride) is Allāh ﷻ. You mustn’t be arrogant. If you are, it will degrade you.

And favor belongs to Allāh ﷻ. If you remind others of a favor you’ve done to them, your deeds will not be acceptable and will be difficult. Therefore, thanks be to Allāh ﷻ. We are grateful to Allāh ﷻ. May Allāh ﷻ grant us to perform all kinds of goodness and every kind of good deed. May we not remind anyone of favors, in shā’a Llāh. Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

•⁠ ⁠Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

30 March 2026/ 11 Shawwal 1447

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul

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