The Grand Imam cites the hadith of Bilal to confirm Islam’s consolidation of altruism
Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, said that all sustenance is from Allah, but it is not limited to material sustenance; rather it combines both material sustenance and spiritual sustenance. Material sustenance, as we said, is known or tangible, such as money, food and drink and, what is related to them such as health, prestige and authority. Spiritual sustenance, on the other hand, is more important and it includes faith, guidance, and believing in Allah, Glory be to Him. If Allah bestows on the Muslim a heart that always reminds him of Allah, then the Muslim has a great blessing that provides him with good understanding, good morals; and that is blessed sustenance.
During the twentieth episode of his Ramadan program Grand Imam At-Tayyeb Talk, His Eminence added that a person has to be sure that when he pursues the means to earn a livelihood, he waits for sustenance from Allah, the Provider. This sustenance is not the result of his work, because sustenance does not come as an inevitable result of work, but rather from Allah. How can a servant expect sustenance from someone who does not possess it? A person has to adopt the means to make a living and then wait for sustenance from the Sustainer, and then Allah may grant him something and may withhold it from him; Allah may give him much and may give him a little.
The Grand Imam stressed the need for a person to help his fellow human beings, and to give people from what Allah has provided him with. The prophet (pbuh) said to Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, “O Bilal, die poor, and do not die rich.” Bilal asked, “How can I do that, Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Do not hide what Allah has provided for you, and do not withhold from people what they ask you for.” Bilal asked again, “How can I do that, Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Either do that or fire will be the punishment.” This hadith shows us the beauty and greatness of Islam, the seal of all religions, which regulates the human life to the last moment in this life. It commands you to help people and give them from the same sustenance you have; give them money if you have money and help them with your knowledge if you are knowledgeable and so on.
Al-Fattāḩ (the Opener, the Judge)
The Grand Imam also explained Allah’s name Al-Fattāḩ (the Opener, the Judge). He indicated that this name has come in the Qur’an in all its derivatives: the root fatḩ, the verb iftaḩ, and the names Fattāḩ and Fātiḩ. Al-Fattāḩ is mentioned in the Noble Qur’an as well as in the Prophetic tradition, and Muslim scholars are agreed about it.
His Eminence made it clear that the first meaning that comes to mind about the name Al-Fattāḩ is to open what is closed, so Allah Almighty is the Fātiḩ who “has the keys of the unseen. He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a tree leaf ever falls but that He knows about it. And no grain is there within the darkness of the earth and no moist or dry thing but that it is written in a clear record” (Qur’an, 6: 59). This name also has the meaning of Judge: “Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision” (Qur’an 7:89). It means to make a judgement when two parties are in dispute. In addition, its meaning is related to victory (fatḩ): “If you are seeking victory, victory has already come upon you” (Qur’an, 8: 19). All of these meanings are included in Al-Fattāḩ as an attribute of Allah Almighty, which is an emphatic morphological form derived from the verb open; so anything “locked” or any adversity in this universe, Allah Almighty can “open” or overcome it.
The Grand Imam has indicated that it is impossible for the Muslim who believes that only Allah has the keys of the unseen to ask anyone else to help him when he is in distress or goes through difficulties. He must not entreat anyone except the One Who can overcome adversity. If the Muslim really draws on the meaning of this name Al-Fattāḩ, he has to do his best to help others and to make them happy.