It would depends what you get in return. Most things have a price - which may change from situation to situation, person to person.

Seraphim wrote:

You wrote:

It would depends what you get in return. Most things have a price - which may change from situation to situation, person to person.

I dunno what did Prophet Abraham (as) get?
Not that either one of us are prophets, but i imagine we'd simply get to live in the knowledge that we gave something up for the sake of Allah (swt).

And would that not be enough? The feeling that we gave up something very precious for the sake of Allah swt? Would you not feel closer to Him?
Its not like I can speak or anything. Im just trying to imagine the situation on me. I dont know what I would do unless I'm in the situation to be honest.

Seraphim wrote:

Thats just it. Im not sure i could. Does that make me a bad person?
Or just mortal (ew).

Okay. Well. Im just thinking. Allah swt know that we have our weaknesses. I personally dont think that it makes you a bad person. There are lots of reasons not to sacrifice. And it does completely depend on the situation.
Mortal. Human. Allah swt gave us feelings too. We just have to be wise and use our brains.
What about asking Allah swt for advice and guidance? and then using your gut feeling to help you decide whether the sacrifice is worth it?

My name wrote:

Seraphim wrote:

You wrote:

It would depends what you get in return. Most things have a price - which may change from situation to situation, person to person.

I dunno what did Prophet Abraham (as) get?
Not that either one of us are prophets, but i imagine we'd simply get to live in the knowledge that we gave something up for the sake of Allah (swt).

And would that not be enough? The feeling that we gave up something very precious for the sake of Allah swt? Would you not feel closer to Him?
Its not like I can speak or anything. Im just trying to imagine the situation on me. I dont know what I would do unless I'm in the situation to be honest.

Iv not really thought about this question before. Wouldn't sacrificing something for the sake of Allah swt make you a better person within? Wouldn't it change a person for the better?

As far as I know, Allah won't ask you to sacrifice something (for real) unless He thinks you can deal with it or if it will be beneficial in the long run.

Why do you think you have to sacrifice? Is it something for good or something for a short time with some gain later on?

It's all about pricing.

and doing something "for the sake of Allah (swt)" with no physical benefits, results to show for it is probably very hard indeed and if the cost is high, people may not want to.

Its just like fasting. Not everyone does it all through the month of Ramadan - even though it can make you feel good.

When Hadhrat Uthman Ghani Bought a well in Madinah and donated it to the community, they did not just say "this is feesabilillah". Rather he made a sale to the Prophet asking for something in relation to the Spring of Kawsar on judgement day (can't remember what exactly).

So was that act feesabilillah or for self gain?

Why does there need to be an "exchange"?

Such things happen when the resources are finite.

wednesday wrote:

I wasn't talkling about swapping happiness. There might be things that the other person may handle better than myself and vice versa?

Like that film, Strangers on a Train?

But, no. That would be cheating. God puts on our shoulders what He wants us to deal with.

I ain't gonna argue with Him. That would be an argument even I couldn't win (and by 'win', I mean become hopelessly pedantic til the other party gives up/in)

I read a fable about this once. May have been from a post by Ya'qub. Can;t remember it exactly but its on the following lines:

There was a rich businessman who had a slob of a brother who he felt did not appreciate him. He prayed that they could exchange places for a day so that his brother would appreciate his hard work.

One day, the wish was granted. He woke up in his Slob brother's shoes. He had no money so lazed for the morning, then went job centre, got treated like crap and when he went shopping he had no money for things he wanted to buy.

That night he said he would never hold his brothers ways against him as he now knew that his brother went through hardship too.

Next day, when he went to work, he had been fired for turning up late, doing no work and making sexually provocative remarks to the secretary.

It's not an example - just something that I found amusing.

You wrote:

So was that act feesabilillah or for self gain?

Confused.

I would've thought acting for the sake of God always WAS/is for self gain.

Prossibly indirectly.

But even above, i think it was Fizzle who said "wouldn't doing this for God make you a better person?" Well that's self gain isn't it?

So is it Feesabillah?
Is it a combination of the two?

Do i have the completely wrong idea? (most likely option.)

Ya'qub wrote:

wednesday wrote:

I wasn't talkling about swapping happiness. There might be things that the other person may handle better than myself and vice versa?

Like that film, Strangers on a Train?

But, no. That would be cheating. God puts on our shoulders what He wants us to deal with.

I ain't gonna argue with Him. That would be an argument even I couldn't win (and by 'win', I mean become hopelessly pedantic til the other party gives up/in)

Wow.
That explains SO much.

(Blud. )

You wrote:

I read a fable about this once. May have been from a post by Ya'qub. Can;t remember it exactly but its on the following lines:

There was a rich businessman who had a slob of a brother who he felt did not appreciate him. He prayed that they could exchange places for a day so that his brother would appreciate his hard work.

One day, the wish was granted. He woke up in his Slob brother's shoes. He had no money so lazed for the morning, then went job centre, got treated like crap and when he went shopping he had no money for things he wanted to buy.

That night he said he would never hold his brothers ways against him as he now knew that his brother went through hardship too.

Next day, when he went to work, he had been fired for turning up late, doing no work and making sexually provocative remarks to the secretary.

LOL! Be grateful for what you have, one little thing can change so much.

There is no such thing as a sacrifice?

Being selfless is a waste of time?

Always look out for your self first?

It is possible to be selfless - but IMO its a waste of time effort and ultimately futile.

You can do many things that are selfless and with no aim at being rewarded physically, emotionally or even in the hereafter, but you may be in either of those ways.

But having a personal reason for it - any reason - can make sure that you do not end up resenting you doing such things in the longer term.

Go ahead.

and how does that make what I said untrue?

Seraphim wrote:

Intentions count in your actions. And if you expect the blessings of God, be kind to His people.

well said.

Seraphim wrote:

You wrote:

Go ahead.

and how does that make what I said untrue?

Lets say someone gives up their own happiness for the sake of someone elses happiness. Why? maybe bcoz theyre crazy or value the other persons happiness than their own.. who knows. But how is that a waste of time and effort?

But they are making a sale where they value the other person's happiness above their own. That decision there has an aspect of selfishness to it.

Depends on the circumstance. If it is about marriage, then would you really want to marry someone who is thinking of someone else?

If it is listening to parents, is the cost of not listening actually low enough for you to accept? In 2007 I went to Umrah (and mostly enjoyed it greatly), mainly because in my estimation if I said no, I would not be able live it down for over a year - at which point I would have to go anyway.

But that's not selfish in the main sense is it?