I am in a dilemma. How far a person can go for one’s family? What if family members are lying to us. is it still necessary to help them financially if they are in need of money? I have supported my family ever since I have been employed. My parents are not alive anymore. My siblings are dependent on me financially but I discovered they are wasting my hard earned money and enjoying their lives. When they make financial decisions with the money I give them, without asking me beforehand, is it still my duty to support them since they are not earning any money themselves. They do not even make any effort. They tell me they will beg in streets if I do not send money. I am just fed up of their behavior but in a dharam sankat I feel that they will not have anything to eat if I do not send money.

I just read your book, “Muhammad”, which is a very interesting read, not only because of the powerful story telling skill, but also because of the awareness of the details of the place, the timing, and the way of thinking, coming from someone who was born a Muslim, but now consider myself agnostic. My question is: What was Muhammad’s true motivation? from my point of view, I think he was one of two things: 1- Someone who actually thought he saw Gabriel, God, Buraq…..etc. 2- A selfish leader who has represented the “ultimate” sales and marketing pitch and product (Fear of death and hopes for eternity). However, I might be off here, because, to play the devil’s advocate, in defense of the first motivation, I don’t think someone who saw shadows will be a great leader who people would listen to, I mean, a leader if anything should have some sense of common sense, and logic. And in defense of the second motive, if he was an evil and he knew it, then I don’t think he would have been as successful as he was for that long simply because he knows that he is not doing the right thing! So to conclude, what do you think Muhammad truly believed? I appreciate your input.