To Rob Peter To Pay Paul

[sikander kalhoro]

The above dictum denotes a kind of philanthropic work which is done in an unacceptable way but rendered legitimately. The act of helping others is praiseworthy, but doing the same in a sinful manner is considered illicit. The one who is willful to benefit others by plundering or wresting other's, jeopardizes his qualities of being humanitarian. He is supposed to do so in such a manner that does not harm others.

As far as Islamic teachings are concerned, it strongly prohibits harming the one owing to benefiting the other. If one is willing to help someone and could not find a way except committing wrongdoings, he should prevent himself from doing so. His intentions, before Islam, are ample that he feels like helping someone who is in a need of resources; money or any other necessity. If God wills, the helper find himself a way to fulfill his needs instead of hoping for someone to come for his help.

We have seen number of such examples in our surroundings. For instance, if we see an opulent person owns abundant money and is willing to share his money with those who are devoid of livelihood. If his money is earned illegally, he would never be rewarded for his efforts of helping others both in the present world and hereafter, no matter how much money he shares, and would be tormented and considered corrupt in a society.

When it comes to rob or plunder anything for a good deed, is a sheer sin and is forbidden in both the laws of the state and the religion. If one is actually desirous of helping and fulfilling other's needs and at the same time unable to do so, must take the supreme (government and state) authority into consideration to look into and share their surplus budgetary amount with those who are deprived of such money so that, we can make the best of both, protecting ourselves from sinful efforts and calling for the one who has the authority to serve others, in a legal manner.