The Three Friends and the Date Farm
Listen to Today's Lesson
The Concept
We often think of charity (Sadaqah) as 'helping the poor.' But in Barakah Culture, charity is actually 'helping yourself.' It is an investment strategy. The Prophet (peace be upon him) swore by Allah on three things, and one of them was: 'Wealth does not decrease because of charity.' How is this possible? 1. **Protection:** Charity wards off calamities that would have cost you money (car accidents, health issues, theft). 2. **Purification:** It cleanses your wealth from the 'filth' of unintentional sins or greed. 3. **Attraction:** It signals to Allah that you are a trusted conduit of His provision. When you give, He gives you more so you can give more.
The Date Farm Miracle
A man was walking in a barren desert when he heard a voice thundering from a cloud above him: 'Water the garden of so-and-so!' The man was astonished. He watched as the cloud moved towards a specific patch of stony ground and poured its rain into a channel. The man followed the water until it reached a garden where a farmer was standing with his shovel, directing the water. The traveler asked, 'O servant of Allah, what is your name?' The farmer said his name—the same name the traveler heard in the cloud. The traveler asked, 'What do you do with this garden that Allah commands the clouds to water it specifically?' The farmer replied: 'Since you asked, I will tell you. I wait to see what the garden produces. Then I give **one-third** to charity, I use **one-third** for my family to eat, and I reinvest **one-third** back into the garden.' This is the 'Thirds Rule.' Because he prioritized Allah's share (charity) equally with his own needs and his business needs, Allah commanded the laws of nature to serve him. He didn't chase the rain; the rain chased him.
Today's Action
Apply the 'Thirds Rule' (or a version of it) to your next paycheck or profit. If you can't do a third, do a specific percentage (e.g., 5% or 10%). But make it a *system*. Today, give a small charity (even $5) with the specific intention: 'O Allah, I am watering my garden. Please bless the remainder of my wealth.' Watch what happens to your expenses this week.
Journaling Reflection
"Do I view charity as a 'tax' that reduces my net worth, or as a 'purifier' that protects my net worth?"