Hajj Reflection #20: Sadaqah

Do as much charity (sadaqah) as possible; monetary or physical(smiling included :)). Yet, it is important that we give sadaqah for the pleasure of Allah as the reward is for the hereafter and not for human acknowledgement or worldly rewards.

And do not favour others in order to receive more.

 (Al-Mudathir: 6)

 In actual truth, I had begun to practice the art of giving sadaqah more frequently approximately eight months before performing my hajj. It included giving sadaqah to those I felt uncomfortable with, such as the beggars who walked up to my house gate every month, or those who stopped me as I approach my car with an excuse of a donation. Issues such as scams and the eligibility of the person making the pledge often cloud my mind. Slowly, I was able to push all negative thoughts aside and just focus on the act of sadaqah itself.  

In terms of the amount we give, it is often said that giving RM1 is better than nothing.  However, I am of the opinion that when giving, if it won't even feel a pinch, then why not raise the bar?  This, however, must be done in istiqomah and ikhlas.  For me, I raised both the frequency and amount.

 Now, imagine being able to give sadaqah in the holy lands - MasyaAllah! I tried hard to make it a habit there, to give sadaqah to the cleaners in the holy mosques and in the streets, on a daily basis. There were also opportunities to tip any mutawif, and even fellow hujjaj, Alhamdulillah. Every time I reached my own target at something, such as completing an umrah or reciting the whole Quran, I ensured I gave more as a form of appreciation and gratitude to Allah swt.

 Ergo, after a month of this amazing process of purification, I came home wanting to tip everyone who crossed my path! SubhanAllah, I notice that I have become more generous and definitely less calculative (especially with my children!).

 O Allah, I beseech You for sustenance (rezq): abundant, good and lawful-from the sustenance You own.

 NB: May Allah forgive me for my sins and protect me from any form of evil or feelings of riya' for sharing a very personal practice of mine

Hajj Reflection #17: The gift of a smile

Smiling is sadaqah. Amazingly, my hajj experience has taught me how to smile more, and hopefully better. Well, I'm not specifying on the degree you arch your smile or anything like such. It goes on more to the act of smiling to others.

Initially, I must say that I did not know anyone in the group, other than a friend's friend who I looked out for a day prior to departure. As previously mentioned, I had chosen to go to the hajj courses organised by Tabung Haji in Kelana Jaya instead of the ones organised by the agency I was going with. Thus, I didn't know anyone from the courses I had gone to before.

So, on 23rd October, I was placed with a group of 202 other hujjaj/pilgrims who I was to hang around with for the rest of the month. I broke all ego and shyness, and attempted to be as friendly and helpful to others as I could. I discovered that the easiest way to make that work was actually by smiling. I don't care whether you are going to smile back to me, maam, but I will just do it anyway. Neither will I be offended if you don't return my smile, sis, for I am just going to smile all the same. And sir, I am smiling to you lillahi ta'ala, and not because I take a fancy to you. Hence, I smiled my way up the elevator, while queuing for food, while walking to the mosque or whenever I was waiting. I smiled to strangers, to cleaners, and to hujjaj from other packages or countries.

Once, while I was waiting for a friend in the hotel lobby, one of the attendants (of Pattani descendant) made a comment. He said, 'Sis, I can't help but notice that you are always smiling and seem very happy, from the beginning till this very day. You don't appear to have any worries or problems. Alhamdulillah...'

I chuckled. 'Why shouldn't I smile? I am very happy indeed and I am pleased to be here, chosen as His guest in this Holy land!'

In true essence, smiling reflected my feelings: I was happy and in gratitude to the Almighty for allowing me to be there, in the holy land, subhanAllah... It helps to be in good spirits because smiling can be really contagious! So when you make someone feel better, isn't that how it works out as a sadaqah? Spread the happiness by smiling!!