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Friday 3 March 2017

LIFE & GENEROSITY OF ABDURRAHMAN BN ‘AUF (RA): LESSONS FOR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENT BY YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI



   THE 109 KHUTBAH ON THE LIFE & GENEROSITY OF ABDURRAHMAN BN ‘AUF (RA): LESSONS FOR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENT DELIVERED AT AREA 10 JUMA'AH  MASJID ABUJA, BY YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI ON 3RD MAR 2017/4TH J/THANI 1438AH
  TOPIC: LIFE & GENEROSITY OF ABDURRAHMAN BN ‘AUF (RA): LESSONS FOR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENT


In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
 My dear respected brothers and sisters in Islam, Today's sermon will discuss the topic: Life and generosity of Abdurrahman bn ‘Auf: Lessons for financial independent.
As Muslims our role model always is prophet Muhammad (SAW) followed by his companions (RA). The first generations of Muslims, the men, women around the Prophet who believe and supported the religion of Allah; those were trained by
Him are best role model  you can have. Role models are people that we can look up to; we often striving to emulate their best qualities and attributes to have the same result in life.
 Allah says: There has certainly been for you in them an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day. And whoever turns away - then indeed, Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy. (Q60:6)
The companions (RA) are the heroes of the Muslim nation. Allah (SWT) praised them in the Quran. They are the ones who formed the first and best society of human beings in the city-state of Medina; a society that was based on Allah's rules. They strengthened Islam while the Prophet was alive, and preserved it after his death. They are the ones who struggled for, memorized, lived and died to carry the message of Islam to the rest of the world.
The companions of the prophet are great people with great characters worthy of emulation. Some were gentle and lenient in nature, while others were strict in truth; some were learned, while others were note. Some of the Sahabah were ascetic (zuhd) and lived on what people will consider impossible, while others were business men who were the millionaires of their time; top on the list of these category of companions is Abdurrahman bn ‘Auf (RA).
Today we will look at  this  companion;  Abdurahman bin auf, his life style, his business skills and talents as well as his generosity in order to extract what seems to be the best way out for  us as individuals  in the  hash time and considered  to be viable  most especially when it comes to financial independent.
His  name was Abdul Amr (servant of Amr). It was prophet (SAW) who renamed him 'Abdurrahman (servant of the Most Merciful).
He converted to islam through Abu Bakr (RA) who spoke to him about Islam, then invited him to meet the messenger, who heard his kalima and taught him the Islamic prayers even before they start using the house of Al-Arqam; 'Abdurraahman bn Auf was one of the first eight men to accept Islam.
 GENEROSITY OF ABDUR-RAHAMN BN AWF
Many narrations have been said of 'Abdurrahman's personal generosity. He once sigle handedly equipped the entire army with 1,500 camels. He gave 400 dinars to the survivors of Badr and took upon himself all the financial obligations (feeding clothing, transportation,  hajj  etc.) for the Wives of the prophet (SAW). One day he brought a caravan of 700 merchant camels into Medina and  gave it out to muslim in madina.
MIGRATION TO MADINA
When Abdur-Rahman (RA) arrived in Madinah, he had no money and no property. He had to start from scratch. Some Muslims set off with their families to Madinah, where they were lodged in the houses of the Ansar, the Muslims of Madinah, until they could set up their own homes. Abdur-Rahman (R.A) was paired up  with Sa’ad Ibn Ar-Rabi’ah (RA) who was one of the wealthiest men of Madinah. On that time, Sa’ad (RA), out of generosity and kindness to his new brother, told Abdur-Rahman (RA), “My brother, among the people of Madinah I have the most wealth. I have two plantations and I have two wives. See which of the two farms you like and I shall vacate it for you, and which of my two wives is pleasing to you and I shall divorce her for you.”
This is the kind of love Muslims of the time had for each other. Sa’ad Ibn Ar-Rabi’ah was ready to part with his fortune and his family for the sake of Allah and offer it to another Muslim brother.
When most other Muslims accepted the sharing offered to them from their Muslim brothers of Madinah, Abdur-Rahman’s (RA) response is going to blow your mind away. It is going to raise the hair on your skin and it will truly make you appreciate the will of a Muslim. Abdur-Rahman (RA) responded to Sa’ad Ibn Ar-Rabi’ah (RA) showing great appreciation, “May Allah bless you in your family and wealth. But show me where the market-place is.” It was “The market of Qainuqa” he was asking about.
He did not wish to be a burden on anyone inducing his paired brother Sa’ad (RA). He didn’t want to take a loan or a gift from anyone because he knew that Allah (SAW) would provide for him, and he believed in his ability to earn from finding opportunities in the open market.
 Allah says: “Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength”.Q51:58
Abdurrahman bn Awf  was trained in business from his father, he ran businesses with his father  until he was 30 years old. Before accepting Islam, he was one of the high relatives of Makkah who were born with silver spoons.
This nose for smelling opportunities and the eye to see them anywhere, allowed him to enter the market, employ his business talent and capitalize on opportunities.
From day one since Abdur-Rahman (RA) began his own business in the market of Qainuqa in Madinah, Allah (swt) blessed him with bounty beyond his expectations. It was not long before whatever he touched seemed to bring him instant success.
This constant growth didn’t take long before he was sufficiently well off and was able to get married. After his marriage, he went to the noble Prophet with the scent of perfume lingering over him.  A perfume, which smelled very nice.
“Mahyarn, O Abdur-Rahman!” exclaimed the Prophet – indicating pleasant surprise.
“I have got married,” replied Abdur-Rahman. “And what did you give your wife as mahr?” “The weight of a nuwat in gold.”
“You must have a walimah  even if it is with a single sheep. And may Allah bless you in your wealth,” said the Prophet with obvious pleasure and encouragement.
Imagine the prophet giving you this Dua like “may Allah bless you in your wealth”.
Thereafter Abdur-Rahman grew so accustomed to business success that he said if he lifted a stone he expected to find gold or silver under it!
LESSONS FOR MUSLIMS IN THE LIFE OF ABDUL RAHMAN IBN AWF
1. When it comes to examples of manliness from the lives of the sahabah, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf stands out from the crowd. He converted to Islam at its very beginig; at one point, he constituted one of eight Muslim men in the entire world. He endured the trials and tribulation of Makkah, losing everything and migrating twice, once to Abyssinia and once to Madinah. In Madinah, starting with only the clothes on his back, he refused financial aid and, through the blessings of Allah  , built himself into the wealthiest man in the city. Adjusting for inflation and buying power, some people estimate that Abdul Rahman ibn Awf left a net worth of $160 million(over 60bNaira with current exchange rate)  when he passed away. In addition to his wealth, he left behind a legacy of generosity that continues to inspire Muslims till this day. One of the ten promised paradise, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf’s life is a brilliant case study of what it means to be an Ideal Muslim Man.
2. A MAN DOES NOT TAKE OFFERINGS; HE RELIES ON ALLAH AND THEN HIMSELF.
When Abdul Rahman ibn Awf made hijrah to Madinah, the Prophet  partnered him with Sa’ad ibn al-Rabi. In accordance with the legendary generosity of the Ansar, Sa’ad offered to split his entire wealth in half with Abdul Rahman as well as his wife to marry. Instead, Abdurrahman gave his famous answer, “May Allah bless you in your family and your wealth. I have no need of this. Just direct me to the marketplace.” And he went to the market and began buying and selling, leveraging what little he had to get more
Remember the story of Abdul Rahman ibn Awf the next time someone offers you a handout. The Prophet said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand.” It is far better to deprive yourself of some comfort than to stretch forth your hand in front of another person. If you’re short of money, go out and work, relying on Allah to bless you in the money you earn. It was said of Abdul Rahman ibn Awf that he was always doing something. If he wasn’t praying in the masjid or striving alongside the Prophet, he was in the marketplace, earning a livelihood.
3. A Man Does Not Become So Occupied With Money That He Loses Sight Of His Values.
Despite being the wealthiest man of the sahabah, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf always kept his priorities in order. He used to say, “I left half of what is halal, afraid I would accidentally engage in riba.” His wealth touched a number of different industries. He was a merchant by profession. Besides his business, he owned agricultural farms as well.
Allah has made most things in this world  halal for us. In the pursuit of those things, it’s important to never lose sight of our ultimate goal, the hereafter. Whether it’s the pursuit of money or education or fame or something else, it should always take second stage to our pursuit of Allah’s pleasure. Next time you’re tempted to cross the line from halal into haram, ask yourself what your values are.
4.  MEN ARE JUDGE ON THEIR CHARACTERS, NOT ON THEIR SOCIAL STATUS OR WEALTH
Once, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf was fasting and time came for iftar. As he began to break his iftar, the people saw tears profusely flowing form his face and he could not eat. He said, “Musa’b ibn Umair was martyred and he was better than me. He was wrapped in a garment so that if it covered his head, his feet showed, and if it covered his feet, his head showed. Hamza was martyred, and he was better than me. They found no funeral shroud to wrap him in other than clothes he was wearing. Now the world has been expanded for us, and we have been given much. I’m afraid our blessings are hastened [i..e, given in this world and not the next].” Despite being one of the ten guaranteed Paradise, despite being a veteran of Badr and a participant of Hudaybiyyah, despite being one of the ashab al hijratan, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf was never arrogant.
5. ONE SHOULD USE HIS MONEY WISELY & EFFECTIVELY
Abdul Rahman ibn Awf had enough money to live a life of luxury and ease, indulging in whatever pleasures were available to wealthy men of his era. Instead, however, he was constantly looking for ways to buy the hereafter.
Talha ( RA) used to say that all of the people in Madinah were living off of Abdul Rahman ibn Awf. He said 1/3 of money had debts which Abdul Rahman ibn Awf had paid of their behalf. 1/3 had taken loans from him that he had never requested repayment on. And 1/3 had received direct sadaqah from him.
Money in the hands of a good person can be very beneficial, Even if you have not been given the wealth of Abdul Rahman, look at the wealth you do have and evaluate how well you are using it. If 100% goes to yourself and not a penny to the sight of Allah and those who are in need, you are not following the footsteps of the best of men.
Some of the Way out to financial independence include:
 Start doing something and stop talking.  
Manage your time effectively.
Always Be first next  take action, then  have what you like.
Identify problems and solve them profitably and  be smart in using opportunities .
Identify your special talent, polish it and launch it to the society
Be original and creative not  copy the existing one
Learn how to make, manage and multiply money
 Get a mentor and also start mentoring
Learn, share and Give.
We ask Allah the most high to cont. to guide and protect our iman.



Contact: yahyalyolawi@gmail.com




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