Thanks for your input. It is quite interesting to know the other side of subject. I fully respect your point of view. I do not have a religious knowledge, authority or a convincing power to change your point of view or anyone's who is of the same opinion.
Due apologise if my points as a professional hurt the feeling of individuals personally or religiously. I would like to only discuss the subject in a layman’s way of understanding using my commonsense. May ALLAH forgive me for my SINS.
“It is absolutely a matter of Individuals CHOICE that how he/she would like the surviving family members to live a life after an unforeseen circumstances happen”.
Yes, I do second an opinion on the point of Educating the community member to such an extent, so that they can stand up to the position that they become independent. We have seen lots of community Trust and our Buzurgane-deen are also doing a great and wonderful job by encouraging and giving money to the deserved student from “Taalimi fund” with No interest. Even banks help to a great extent by subsidizing the rates of interest.
Now the issue is after education individuals set their own Standard of Living or Lifestyle and they keep striving hard either to maintain it or improve upon it.
In this jet age of speed and discoveries of modern medicine either the person die young or live too long (but with lots of medical issue).
Both the situation needs MONEY (unfortunately)…..to continue with a same standard of living.
Now the source of income to get this money could be either of the following :
1. Spending from current savings.
2. Housewife / husband starts a full time job.
3. Asking help from friends / relatives.
4. Asking from a Charity. ( Community Leaders)
5. Protecting Life Styles. ( Insurance )
In this era Joint family concept has become a History. People used to see the Joint families as a wonder of the world,. Nuclear family is a talk of the town. Parents and children’s – even 2 brothers live in different houses in spite of living in the same city. This all has really affected the bonding and love amongst each other. Cost of living is such that even D.I.N.K (Double Income No Kid) family's live month on month with only pay check and a small amount to save.
So again we have to decide where would we like our family to get the money from ????????????
“It is absolutely a matter of Individuals CHOICE that how he/she would like the surviving family members to live a life after an unforeseen circumstances happen”.
We can only pray to ALLAH that may such day / situation does not come in any one’s life but the fact remains as a fact.
Everyone has to Die … Ratio is 1:1 and the medical statistics shows that Every 1 out of 3 will be suffering from Critical Illness before the age of 65 years …. Ratio 1:3. Thanks to modern medical inventions which we still are unable to make out that is it a boon or curse???
We invest in lotteries / raffle coupons (while shopping ) where the probability is 1in 10000’s and pray to ALLAH for our chance.
But we do not think or work on the sure shot or closest probability.
We in the financial planning industry cannot protect lives neither can we save life – medically ( we are not doctors) but we try to protect lifestyles (standard of Living).
This implies that “Insurance is not because you will die …. But it is because they (family) will live.” Insurance money gives a deceased family a platform to start living a comfortable life.
We do not have a single case history where the Widow has come to an Insurance industry and said that we don't need this money .... because either my Community or my father or father-in-law or brother is going to take care of our lifestyles and all our financial needs. In fact almost all of them prefers to stay independently with whatever little savings and the insurance money. We call it – KHUDDARI …. Kyu kisi par bojh banu ???
We know lots of families even in our community who have taken a benefit of Insurance money in the past and they will second my point of view.
TAWAKKALTU ‘ALALLAH is not a only an expression …… One has to have a Firm belief and Perfect Reliance on HIM. But HE is also expecting all of us to make an effort towards it.
HE has promised us to give FOOD but we have to EARN IT with honesty and dignity. This is what we have heard from our elders.
We all should be practicing Muslims and not only muslims. Simultaneously, I also feel we have to see the practicality of the circumstances along with theoretical aspect of life and religion.
There is a saying " When we are in the desert ALLAH wants us to BELIEVE in HIM but also expect us to TIE the CAMEL" … because if he runs away we cannot blame HIM for our ignorance. HE has given us brain and an ability to THINK and this is the reason why we human beings are above all the living creatures of the world. ( i suppose )
You all will agree that there is a reason behind everything …. even the stranger meeting up with you has a reason behind it.
Whom do you think is introducing a Financial planner to you .... Many a times he ( financial planner) is coming to you as a stranger and talking to you about your Financial planning...... about the hard facts of your life (point to ponder). Don’t you think there is some GOOD reason behind it ????.
Yes …..It has its own reason. ALLAH must have planned a meeting between 2 strangers. In fact there is a reason even why we are talking on this subject today.
I would like to share an incident which came across during my routine business call / meeting.
I met with a gentleman during my work and we were talking about financial planning. Since he was not open to the subject of an insurance we have decided not to talk about it and we have started discussing about various other investment planning options. During the discussion in his house I saw a beautiful mini fish aquarium with lots of fish in it. Out of curiosity I asked him that how does he take care of it when he goes for a month to his home town. He said that his friend comes home cleans the aquarium and feed the fish. So I just said to him that don’t you think it is an INSURANCE in its own way. I have complimented him that it is a great thought that you see to it that the fish does not die which shows you are a responsible man making an arrangement for it.
He got the point and understood what I mean. Today he is my client who is contributing to an insurance plan.
The point to emphasize is “Tawakkultu alallah” is NOT only an expression ..... in fact that is the ONLY thing one should believe in ?
Planning for the unforeseen circumstances does not mean we are not believing in "Tawakkultu alallah".
ALLAH has given us an ability to think what is Good and what is bad for us and adhere to our conviction about the existence of ALLAH and HIS miracles. It is only because of HIS wish we are either planning or not planning. Without HIS wish nothing can move. I am sure everyone will agree to it.
Also we all agree money is not everything but unfortunately Money helps us to buy everything which is important and necessary......forget about the luxury.
So again we have to decide where would we like our family to get the money from ????????????. Refer the previous paragraph for the 5 options.
“It is absolutely a matter of Individuals CHOICE that how he/she would like the surviving family members to live a life after an unforeseen circumstances happen.”
I would like to conclude with a due respect and apologies to all the community member, if I have been blunt on putting the point across.
It is purely my opinion. Kindly use your own judgment and conviction to plan anything in context with the subject.
Feel free to further discuss in case of clarification.
Keep writing and Happy investing.
