Al-Ghazali letter to Administrative Heads of all Government Departments

by Abu Hamid al-Ghazālī

To the Administrative Heads of all Government Departments Allah says: "Whosoever has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whosoever has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it also." Koran, Chapter 99 verses 7-8

Man's conduct, speech, silence, generosity or avarice are either a glorious treasure which he cannot part with or these are the seeds of wretchedness which he sows in all direction. Though he is indifferent to what he does, yet the guardian angels record every good or evil he does. Allah is always near those who seek Him, while only those that are far removed from Him are those who do not remember Him, and who by their actions fail to acknowledge that He is Omnipresent and Omniscient, knowing and seeing all they do. The moment man dies, a register of his deeds from the early period of his life to the end of his days is shown to him: "The Day that every soul shall find what it has done of good brought forward, and what it has done of evil, it will wish if there were only a far space between it and that (Day)." Koran, Chapter 3 verse 30

Then good, even though it be just an atom's weight will be placed in one scale and evil having the same amount will be placed in another, then man will be subjected to the verdict of the balance and he will be very worried, and anxious to know which of the scales rises and falls: "Then he whose deeds weigh heavy in the Balance shall live a life which is pleasing, but he whose weight is light in the Balance, his head will be in the Plunging. What shall teach you what the Plunging is? (It is) a Fire which is (extremely) hot." Koran, Chapter 101 verses 6 - 11.

On that day the scales of the rich will be light, for they spend their money to satisfy their animal passions but the scale of the humble will be heavy, because they used their money to carry out the commands of Allah. Those who have much are often greedy, those who have little always share. Those who spend their whole wealth in charity to escape the dangers involved in worldly possession, attain perfect salvation. Abu Bakr Siddiq disposed of his estate and vast wealth and placed the proceeds at the feet of the Holy Prophet, praise and peace be upon him. When asked what he had left for his dependents he, may Allah be pleased with him, replied: "I am sure Allah and His Messenger can confer on me a substantial benefit sufficient to relieve me from anxiety concerning the means of the subsistence of my family." This occurred when the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said "The rich have perished and he alone has survived who has scattered his wealth in all directions, helping the poor and carrying out the commands of Allah."

Because man is miserly by nature and does not want to spend his money except in his own personal interest, it is therefore incumbent upon him to spend his money only upon those who are really in need of his financial help so that Allah may reward him with increase upon increase on the Day of Judgement. When the exchange value of $1 is given to the needy it will be equal to more than $1000. The money gifted by a rich man must be honestly earned and distributed among the pious and learned who have no source of income to fall upon during hard times. Allah says: "O you who believe, do not annual your charitable giving with reproach and hurt." Koran, Chapter 2 verse 264

Sincerely

Al Ghazali