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“They ask thee what they should spend (in charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers...” (Chapter 2: verse 215)
“And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer” (Chapter 17: verse 26)
“But a Samaritan while travelling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion” (Luke 10:33)
Individually we are traveling on A PATH of life; however, collectively we are travelling on THE PATH of life. There is a master plan that supersedes, yet accommodates our individual plans. As we simultaneously travel these two pathways special moments occur when our personal path or journey intersects with another human being's pathway in ways that obligates both parties, sometimes forcing all involved to make—hopefully—right decisions.
The major, collective path, for all Believers is outlined for us in divine scripture. Other than nature and science, our scriptures are the highest form of the Word of G_d. Allah created each of us with an individuality that is best developed when we engage one another; especially the poor and needy ones who may be struggling to manage their life’s journey.
Acknowledging that being “poor” is not always based on money. Destitution manifests itself in many forms. We may conclude that the “poor” regularly have the oddest, strangest difficulties in life. And when their struggling lives intersect our life pathway, what are we going to say to them? Are we going to help them? Do we - at the moment of this intersection—remember our scriptures?
As we travel our life’s journey within the bigger journey of Allah’s master plan, we are encouraged to be mindful of the needy
In some concerns of life Gd has blessed some with more wherewithal than others. We should ask ourselves, as a reminder, did Allah give me these benefits to me just for me and my family, or did He give me this blessing to test me on the larger collective path of life?
The “traveler,” even if they are well established in their homeland or their respective domain, while on the “road” they are needy because they are in foreign territory, not knowledgeable of the customs, or fluent in the local language. The traveler is often at the mercy of those who are accustomed to the environment.
As we travel our life’s journey within the bigger journey of Allah’s master plan, we are encouraged to be mindful of the needy. We are asked to show compassion to everyone we encounter. At a moment’s notice any of us can become the needy one. No one practices becoming needy. A sudden major change in one’s live can put an individual in a position of want, even a posture of begging, all at the twinkling of an eye.
As Believers we share solely for the pleasure of Allah. We do not give to be seen by others. More importantly, we do not give so we can feel good about ourselves, or to feel superior to the recipient. We assist others because divine requirements taught us to give and to have compassion for everyone.
As travel the roads of life we will encounter needy strangers, someone we have never seen before and probably ever will see again after this once in a lifetime encounter. So, that singular encounter is a very special brief and unique moment given to us from Allah to serve others. Sometimes, the one who we think is a needy person may actually be an angel from Allah who is providing us an opportunity to improve our human compassion.
Everyone we encounter during our life’s jourey has rights over us. Allah says, “Render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer.” All Good Samaritans understand that the needy laying on the Samaritans pathway has rights over them. So, let’s spend our wealth (time, compassion, wisdom and money) on our parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. One way or another we all are travelers with some needy person occupying space on our road of life; likewise, in some form we are the one perched, with serious needs, on another person’s life journey’s road. And collectively we all are on the universal PATH of life within the Master Plan of Allah Let us pray that listen to our divine scriptures as we assist others who G_d places before us to help us be better Believers.
