VIDEO - Thoughts on tribute to Chuck Feeney

THOUGHTS ON VIDEO WITH TRIBUTE TO CHUCK FEENEY

LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67eF0HMJvr8

A video is being shared where a tribute is given to Mr. Chuck Feeney with emphasis on his simple living and philanthropy measures. Please first see the video before checking the rest of the comments below:

Sometimes we are just sharing such videos but do not try to understand what we actually need to learn and what we don’t need to copy. Some views are being given below in this context.

In our beautiful religion Islam, a balanced path is desired for a Muslim. If one has means and resources acquired through permissible sources of earning (as in Islam), then an individual is not forbidden to spend money on himself/herself within decent limits. For example, one can keep a car for personal use, own a reasonably priced branded watch (though still not being crazy about premium brands) and go to office with a proper brief-case (though it depends on personal requirements and nature of job) instead of carrying a plastic bag.

Secondly, it is still awesome to see a very rich man adopt a simple lifestyle when wealth can corrupt most people in the world. This spirit demands great sacrifice and selflessness where many Muslims fail. Being a Muslim does not make us a better human automatically. However, we have to be wary about the ways of Non-Muslims.

1-      They do not believe in Allah and His final Prophet (pbuh)

2-      They deal heavily in Riba (interest or usury)

3-      Most of them consume alcohol or liquor

4-      Most of them do not consider Zina (illicit sexual relationships) as immoral act

5-      Since they do not believe in Islam, they do not observe the obligatory worship acts as in Islam

6-      In USA alone, there is high trend of leaving old parents in ‘Old Homes’. An American lady confessed this in a discussion on Facebook. Compared to that, the family structure is very strong in Pakistan and we care for old parents.

Hence, in short, we should not be over-impressed by the Westerners and their deeds, though there is no harm in learning from them and adopting positive traits. Secondly, of course, we certainly should not consider any Non-Muslim inferior to us just because of faith. We have to relate to them on human level and can form business relationships with them also (though everything within the prescribed framework of Islam).

In Surah Al-Kahf (No. 18), verse No. 7, Almighty Allah says: “Verily, We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds.” ( i.e. those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah's sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم )

May ALLAH guide us and protect us – Aameen.

-          By S Roman Ahsan.