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A Believer Exhausts His Devil

ALLAH the Exalted says: ‘For over my servants no authority shalt thou have, except such as put themselves in the wrong and follow thee.’ (‘Quran’ Surah Al-Hijr (The Rocky Tract) 15 A # 42-43)

‘Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy, he only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze’. (‘Quran’ Surah Fatir 35: A # 6)

‘Verily the believer exhausts his devil just like one of you exhausts his camel during travel.’ meaning, the believer wears out his devil, so he debilitates him and makes him lose weight from his grief and sadness. Because he is not able to tempt him. Just like the person wears out his riding camel during travel and makes it lose weight due to the length of the travel and its hardships. And this is the condition of the believer with his devil in the constant struggle with him.

He resists his plots and plans and whispers by always being firm upon the obedience of ALLAH the Exalted and Mighty. Ibn Abi Dunya {Allah be pleased with him} narrates in his book “The Plots of the Devil” Verily a devil meets another devil, so he says to him ‘why is it that I see you looking so sickly’? (Meaning the change is weight)” The (other) devil replies: Verily I am with a man that, if he eats, remembers the name of ALLAH! So I can not eat with him. And if he drinks he remembers the name of ALLAH so I can not drink with him. And if he enters into his home he remembers the name of ALLAH, so I am rejected outside the house.

The other devil says, but as for me then I am with a man if he eats he does not remember ALLAH so he and I eat together, and if he drinks he does not remember ALLAH, so I drink with him, and when he enters his home he does not remember ALLAH, so I enter with him.
Note: Exhaust: weaken; meaning they exhaust him, making him lose weight. Thus making him a ‘Nidwan’ {the ‘Nidwu’ is an animal that has become lean (skinny) through traveling, thus its meat has left its body!}

Zakah To Off-spring Of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

Question:
I have heard that a Syed [Off-Spring of Prophet Mohammad] cannot take Zakah. How should a Syed be financially assisted if Zakah is not permitted for him to take?

Answer:
It is not permissible to discharge one’s Zakah by distributing it to a Syed. [Shami]

As with regard to the concern that How should a Syed be financially assisted if Zakah is not permitted him to take? Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi Rahmatullahi alaihi (the former Grand Mufti of Darul Uloom Deoband) states: That wealthy person should financially assist them with donations since Zakah is considered the filth of one’s wealth. The status of the Syeds is far above that they should make use of the filth of people’s wealth. It is stated in Hidaayah,

Zakah should not be given to the Bani Haashim because Rasoolullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam said “O Bani Haashim! Indeed Allah has prohibited for you the filth and squalor of people”.

It is not permissible to give zakat to the progeny of Hadrat Fatimah Radi Allahu anha, the progeny of Hadrat Ali Radi Allahu anhu, Hadrat Abbas Radi Allahu anhu, Hadrat Ja’far Radi Allahu anhu, Hadrat Aqeel Radi Allahu anhu, Hadrat Haarith bin Abdul Muttalib Radi Allahu anhu. Similarly, the charities that have been made wajib by the Shariah cannot be given to the progeny of the above Sahabah. Such charities are, nazr, kaffarah, ushr, sadaqatul fitr. Apart from these, all other charities can be given to them.

As for the family of the Prophet, upon whom be peace, the vast majority of the Hanafiyyah, the Shaf’iyyah, the Hanbaliyyah, and the majority of the Zaidiyyah hold that nonobligatory sadaqah is permissible for them but not the obligatory one, since to them the obligatory sadaqah is nothing but filth that comes out from people’s holdings. This is understood to mean that the (prescribed) zakah and not the nonobligatory sadaqat, are forbidden to them. It is said in alBahr that nonobligatory sadaqah is restricted by being confined to a donation, gift, or endowment.

In Al Bahrur Raaiq it is stated that the generality of this Hadeeth disqualifies the notion that a Bani Haashim is permitted to give Zakaah to a fellow Bani Haashim (which also includes the Syeds).

[Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Vol. 7 Pg. 254/5, also see Vol. 11 Pg. 123/4, Vol. 3 Pg. 32]

And Allah knows the Best

Author: Darul Iftaa
Organization: Jamiatul Ulama – Council of Muslim Theologians, Johannesburg – South Africa

Basic Mistakes Muslims Make When Paying Zakat Al-Fitr

Ibn Umar (R.A) reported that: the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam), made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa (a measurement) of dried dates or one Saa of barley. [Sahih Bukhari – Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, H # 579]

Mistake #1: Paying at Eid ‘Salah’
Some people go to Eid Prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that they have paid their ‘Zakat-Ul- Fitr’ No! Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the hands of the needy family before Eid Prayer. If someone goes to Eid Prayer and pays, then it is guaranteed that the money will not arrive on time.

Mistake #2: Snail Mailing the money overseas [basic principle as before]
The Zakat al-Fitr, food, must be in the hands of the needy before Eid prayer. One cannot mail the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after Eid Prayer is over. However, if one can get the Zakat al-Fitr to the needy overseas before Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then In Sha Allah it’s alright.

Mistake #3: Not Paying
Yes, as simple as this error is, it is to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. Everyone must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, for every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in your house, ‘Zakat Al-Fitr’ must be paid X 8, even if the youngest member is just a few days old.

Mistake #4: Confusing Zakat Al-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal
We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think “Iftar”, i.e. Ramadan). ‘Zakat Al-Maal’ (‘Maal’ literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on one’s money, etc. and that could be due any time during the year depending on when it was due.

Mistake #5: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project
Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a charitable building project: like the building of a ‘Masjid’, or Islamic school. There is a difference of opinion on this issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on Eid. All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in the ‘Quran’ are humans, not “building projects”.

Mistake #6: Giving Zakat Al-Fitr to non-Muslims
Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However, Zakah Al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the Muslim poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street.“Regular” charity can be given to them, but not Zakah Al-Fitr.

Mistake #7:Delaying distribution
Sometimes ‘Masjids’ might collect Zakah Al-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn’t reach the needy for months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr immediately when it is due.

Hadith: Warnings About Missing Prayers

The Holy Qur’an says, “Then woe to those prayer performers. Who are heedless of their prayers (Part 30, Surah verse 4-5). The First Accounting will be for the Prayer.

Hazrat Anas Radi Allahu ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah Sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, “The first thing that a person will be questioned about is his prayers.” (Tibrani)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! How ungrateful is a person who eats the sustenance that He has given us, takes advantage of the life that He has given us, but does not bow down his head to Him? That is why we are reminded that the first thing that we will be asked about on the day of judgment is our prayers. Therefore, we should be punctual in our prayers so that we are not shamed on the day of judgment, and we can be blessed with respect in the court of Allah Ta’ala. May Allah Ta’ala make all our accounting easy through the waseela of His Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam. Aameen. Allah Ta’ala gives us sustenance. He has given us life and has ordered us to pray five times a day. Hazrat Umar radiallaho ta’ala anho narrates that Rasool Allah Sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, “Prayer is a pillar of faith. Whoever abandons it has destroyed his faith.” (Baihiqi)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! If a child drops something expensive at home, we get angry and shout at them. If a child or someone else breaks an expensive possession, we lose control. Please tell me, is there anything more valuable than our faith? Today, all members of our household are destroying their faith five times a day, but we don’t get upset at this because we are guilty of the same crime.

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam has proclaimed that prayer is the pillar of our faith and one who does not pray is called a destroyer of faith. No Muslim would ever desire that he should be classified as the destroyer of faith. Therefore, try to be a builder of the faith by being punctual in prayers. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to establish prayer. Aameen.

Valley of Hell for Those that Miss Prayers
It is reported in Hadith that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “The faces of those that do not pray will be blackened first of all on the day of judgment, then he will be put in a valley of Hell called Alam. There are snakes in this valley that are as large as camels, and their length is the equivalent of one month’s travel time. They will bite the people and their poison will stay in the person’s body for seventy years, then their meat will rot”. (Makashifat Ul Quloob).

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! We are not able to withstand a little mosquito bite and are troubled by its pain. Therefore, think that for missing prayers the punishment is snakebites. Who will be able to withstand that? Our state is that we believe in Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam but do not have total faith in what he has said. Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam has done great favors to us by telling us every aspect of the day of judgment and the punishments in the life hereafter.

Now that he has told us that the punishment for missing prayers is being stung by a snake, and has told us the size and appearance of the snake, it is our duty to perform prayers and save ourselves from such a punishment. May Allah Ta’ala make us all punctual performers of prayer. Aameen.

Flames in the Grave
Certain scholars have narrated that a person’s bag accidentally fell into his sister’s grave as he was burying his sister. When everyone had left, he remembered his bag. He returned to the grave and started digging it to rescue his bag. He saw that flames were burning in the grave. He covered the grave again and returned to his mother, very upset and with tears in his eyes. He asked, “Mother! Tell me what my sister’s habits were?” The Mother said, “Why are you asking?” He replied, “I have seen flames in her grave.” His Mother started crying and said, “Your sister was very lazy with her prayers and used to pray the prayers late.” (Makshifat Ul Quloob)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! Laziness in praying will result in flames in the grave as punishment. No relative will come into the grave to help us, therefore it is up to us to ensure that we pray on time and do not be lethargic about it. We should pray on time and pray with sincerity and presence of mind and body. May Allah Ta’ala save us all from the punishment of the grave and make our grave a garden from the gardens of paradise. Aameen

At the Door of Hell
Hazrat Abul Lais Sarqandi rehmatullahe ta’ala alaihe has narrated the following saying of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam. “The person that misses even one compulsory prayer, his name is written on the door of hell, and he will certainly have to go there.” (Qurrat Ul Ain),

Missing prayer is such a great sin and leads to such displeasure of Allah Ta’ala that one is subjected to all kinds of different punishments, and one of these punishments is the punishment of the grave. We know that we cannot cope with the smallest punishment, so why then do we continue doing things that will result in greater and more severe punishment?

Let us promise that Allah Ta’ala willing, we will not sin missing prayers from now on, and that we will be punctual in our prayers and give coolness to the blessed eyes of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam.
May Allah Ta’ala guide us all. Aameen

Virtues Of Charity

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers)” [al-Baqarah 2:254]

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures” needs, All-Knower.
262.Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve?
[al-Baqarah 2:261-262]

“O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allah is Rich (Free of all needs), and Worthy of all praise”
[al-Baqarah 2:267]

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allah’s way), theirs will be a great reward” [al-Hadeed 57:7]

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings for Allah does not accept anything but that which is good.  Allah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal until it becomes like a mountain.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1344; Muslim, 1014.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which the people get up, but two angels come down and one of them says, ‘O Allah, give in compensation to the one who spends (in charity),’ and the other says, ‘O Allah, destroy the one who withholds.'” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1374; Muslim, 1010.

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out on Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha to the prayer place, and when he had finished (the prayer) he preached to the people and enjoined them to give charity. He said, “O people, give in charity!” Then he went over to the women and said, “O women, give in charity, for I have seen that you are the majority of the people of Hell.” When he went home, Zaynab the wife of Ibn Mas’ood came seeking permission to see him. It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, here is Zaynab.” He said, “Which Zaynab?” It was said, “The wife of Ibn Mas’ood.” He said, Yes, let her in.” So they let her in and she said, “O Prophet of Allah, today you enjoined charity, and I have some jewelry which I wanted to give in charity, but Ibn Mas’ood claims that he and his child have more right to receive it in charity.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Give it in charity to Ibn Mas’ood, for your husband and your child have the most right that you should give it to them in charity.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1393; Muslim, 80.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.'” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5073; Muslim, 993.

And Allah is the Source of strength.