Asalaamu Alaikum,
Insha Allah this reaches you all in good health and iman. Alhamdulilah things are going very well for my family. My wife got the job she really wanted and is happily teaching at a small islamic school in Baltimore. My daughter Amira also attends that school and is doing well, she's learning arabic very fast and is starting to learn a few suras. Musa is getting big and he's eating foods now. He loves to play and smiles a lot he has an uncanny awareness and seems eager to particpate in the mobile world.
I've been reading a lot about charity lately and general thankfulness. I'm striving to be more thankful in my everyday success and more humble as i grow.
One day some one asked me for money and I didn't have any cash to give at the time and then another and then another. by the end of the day several people had asked me for charity and i refused them all not because I didn't want to give but because I didn't have the cash at the time and I chose not to get any althogh i could have easily gone to an ATM. By the end of the day my conscience had gotten to me and I decided to take some money out in the even that someone would ask me for help, and noone did. I acctually drove around for a while looking for someone who may need some money (which is pretty dumb, I'm aware) and I didn't really see anyone. The whole experience forced mwe to think about the way I show my appreciation for all the good things that I have. I don't know if we should always carry money for situations like that but I've resolved to be better in giving charity. All that said, here are a few hadith think about
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone gives in charity something equal to a date from his honestly earned money--for nothing ascends to God except good--then God will take it in His Right (Hand) and bring it up for its owner as anyone of you brings up a baby horse, until it becomes like a mountain...Nothing ascends to God except good." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Number 525B
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Blessed is the wealth of a Muslim from which he gives to the poor, to orphans and to needy travelers." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 544
The Prophet also said: "Charity given to a relative it serves a double purpose, being both charity and a connecting link." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 606
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 589
