and a man whom a woman of status and beauty seeks to seduce (1), but who says, “I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds”; and a man who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand spends.”
In Sahih Muslim (2), Iyād ibn Himār (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The inhabitants of Paradise are three: a just ruler; a man who is merciful and tenderhearted (3) toward every relative and every Muslim; and a wealthy, chaste man who gives in charity.”
It is also reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Sunan collections (4) that he said: “An alms collector who performs his duty faithfully is like one who strives in the cause of Allah.”
When Allah, Exalted is He, commanded jihad, He said: “Fight them until there is no more persecution and religion belongs wholly to Allah” [al-Anfāl: 39].
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, one man fights to display his bravery, another fights out of partisan loyalty, and another fights to show off. Which of them is fighting in the cause of Allah?” He replied, “Whoever fights so that the word of Allah may be