awed by the Grandeur and^Greatness of Allah Ta*ala Shanohu that
they are afraid to say ( 2u ) (here am I offering myself for Thy
service!) lest- they be rejected by Him. Aishah Radhiallaho anha says
that she asked Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam, "Does this
Ayat (No J 7 above) concern those who indulge in stealing, adultery,
drinking wine and other sins, and at the same time they fear due to
the fact that they have to return to Allah 1 ? (that is to say, they are
afraid of facing Allah Ta'ala Shanohu for their sins). Rasulullah
Sallallaho alaihe wasallam replied, "No! it concerns those who
observe fasting, give in charity and are regular in their Salaat, yet
they are afraid all the time of rejection of these virtues". In another
Hadith Aishah Radhiallaho anha asked Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe
wasallam whether the aforesaid Hadith (S.No. 17) referred to those
who committed sins and mistakes and feared Allah. Rasulullah
Sallallaho alaihe wasallam answered in the negative and explained
that it referred, instead, to persons who offer Salaat, observe Fast,
and give Sadaqah and still their hearts are full of fear. Ibne Abbas
Radhiallaho anho has been quoted to say that it refers to the people
who do righteous deeds but are apprehensive Saeed Ibne Jubair
Rahmatullah alaihe says that it refers to those who give charity but
fear the serverity of accountability in front of Allah Ta*ala. Hasan
Basri Rahmatullah alaihe says that they are the people who act
righteously, yet fear that their virtues may not bring them salvation.
The face of Zainul Abedin Rahmatullah alaihe Ibne Hussain Radhi-
allaho anho used to turn pale when he stood up to perform Salaat
and his body shivered. When someone asked him the reason, he said
CH. I; ATAAT - THE VIRTUES OF SPENDING 2B
in reply, "Do you know before whom I am standing?" Several instan-
ces of this type have been mentioned in the 'Virtues of Salaat* and a
special Chapter has been devoted in 'Stories of Sahabah' concerning
those who feared Allah Ta'ala Shanohu.
18. And let not those who possess dignity and ease
among you , swear not to give to near of kin and to
the needy, and to fugitives for the cause of Allah.
Let them forgive and show indulgence. Do you not
yearn that Allah may forgive you? Allah is forgiving,
merciful. (An-Noor; 22)
Note: In the battle of Bani Mustaliq in the sixth year of Hijrah,
Aishah Radhiallaho anha accompanied Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe
wasallam. She had a separate camel to ride. A litter was fitted on it
for her; she stayed in the litter most of the time. Before moving, a
few men would lift the litter and tie it on the back of the camel. She
was very light in weight, so much so that the men lifting the litter
would not feel the weight of a very light young lady. As usual, the