Punishments of Not Giving Zakat

Dear Islamic brothers in this piece of writing we will learn answers of these questions:

What is the significance of Zakat?

When did Zakat become Fard?

What is the Definition of Zakat?

What is the ruling on denying Zakat to be a Fard act?

What amount of Zakat will be given?

On whom is Zakat Fard?

What are the punishments of not giving Zakat?

Dear brothers! Zakat is the basic pillar of Islam and became Fard in 2 Hijri before the Siyam. 1/40th part of the zakat nisab (i.e. 2.5%) will have to be given as Zakat. It is proven from the Holy Quran that Zakat is Fard; one who denies it is a Kafir. The Beloved Rasoolصَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has stated, ‘The foundation of Islam is on five acts: To testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ is His Rasool; to offer Salah; to pay Zakat; to perform Hajj; and to observe Sawm of Ramadan.’

(Bukhari/Kitab ul Iman)

The significance of Zakat can be observed by the fact that: Salah and Zakat have been mentioned together in the Holy Quran 32 times.

(Radd ul Mukhtar/Kitabuzakat)

Besides this, the fortunate Zakat-giving person receives great blessings and benefits of this world and the Hereafter.

Zakat is Fard

It is proven from the Holy Quran and Sunnah that Zakat is Fard. Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ has stated in the Holy Quran:

وَ اَقِیْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَ اٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ

Translation from Kanz-ul-Imaan: And establish (obligatory) prayer, and give Zakat.

(Part 1, Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 43)

Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Na’eemuddin Muradabadi رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ (who passed away in 1367 Hijri) has stated: This Ayah says about Salah and Zakat donation being Fard.

When the Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ sent Sayyiduna Mu’aaz رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ towards Yemen, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said: Tell them that Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ has made Zakat Fard in their wealth; it should be taken from the wealthy people and given to the Fuqara [poor people.

(Tirmizi/Kitabuzakat)

Definition of Zakat

That wealth specified by Shari’ah is termed as Zakat from which a person discontinues his benefit in every manner and then for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ, it is given into the possession of such Muslim Faqeer [Shari’ah-declared poor person], who is neither Hashmi himself nor is he a slave freed by any Hashmi.

(Durr e Mukhtar/Kitabuzakat)

On whom is Zakat Fard?

Giving and Zakat calculator is Fard on every such ‘Aaqil [sane] and Baligh [person who has reached puberty] Muslim who is not a slave and who meets the following conditions:

1 He owns Nisab.

2 This Nisab is Naami [growing in nature].

3 He has Nisab in his possession.

4 Nisab is exclusive of his Haajat-e-Asliyyah (i.e. basic necessities of life).

5 Nisab is exclusive of the money he owes (i.e. he should not owe the people such debt that his Nisab will no longer remain if he pays it).

6 A year passes on this Nisab.

(Bahar e Shariat)

Punishments of not giving Zakat

Not giving Zakat is a cause of destruction of wealth as the Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: The wealth that has got destroyed in the land and sea, it has got destroyed because of not giving Zakat.

(Majma-ul-Zwaed/KitabulZakat)

At another place, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: Wealth of Zakat will destroy the [wealth] in which it will be present.

(Shob-ul-Iman)

Explaining the abovementioned Hadith, Mufti Muhammad Amjad Ali A’zami رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has stated, ‘Some great Ulama have stated the following meaning of this Hadith: If Zakat becomes Wajib on a person but he does not pay it and keeps it included in his wealth, this Haraam will destroy that Halal. Imam Ahmad رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has stated the following meaning: If a wealthy person takes Wealth of Zakat, this Wealth of Zakat will destroy his wealth as Zakat is for the Fuqara [poor people]. Both the meanings are correct.’

(Bahar-e-Shariat)

The nation which does not give Zakat can suffer from troubles collectively. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: The nation which will not give Zakat, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّwill make it suffer from drought.

(Al Moj-ul-Osat)

At another place, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: When the people abandon paying Zakat, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ stops the rain. If quadrupeds were not present on the Earth, even a single drop of water would not fall from the sky.

(Ibn-e-Majah)

The person who does not give Zakat has been cursed, as Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ has narrated: Rasoolullah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has cursed the one who does not give Zakat.

(Sahih Ibn-e-Khuzaimah)

Dear Islamic brothers! this is a very short writing for this important topic if you want to read details of it please visit our online book library and read many books on this topic you can also buy these books from Maktaba-tul-Madina.

May Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ enable us to learn our Deen and to act upon its teachings! Ameen

Masjid A Blessed House

Wherever you go around the world, you find a masjid there. What is the reason behind it? If you search for Masjid images the images of the masjids from the different parts of the world will appear on your screen. The reason behind this fact is this that Muslims love Masjids. It is one of the best norms of Muslims that wherever they start living, they search for ‘Masjid near me’ and if they do not find any masjid, they build a masjid. In the sublime kalam of Allah Almighty, Masjids are given great status and in many traditions of the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم the importance of masjids is also mentioned.

In Quran Alkareem Allah Almighty says:

اِنَّمَا یَعۡمُرُ مَسٰجِدَ اللّٰہِ مَنۡ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَ الۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَ اَقَامَ الصَّلٰوۃَ  وَ اٰتَی الزَّکٰوۃَ وَ لَمۡ یَخۡشَ اِلَّا اللّٰہَ فَعَسٰۤی اُولٰٓئِکَ اَنۡ یَّکُوۡنُوۡا مِنَ الۡمُہۡتَدِیۡنَ

Only those maintain and frequent the Masaajid (Mosques) of Allah, who believe in Allah and the Last Day and keep Salah established and pay Zakaat and fear none except Allah, so it is near that they will be amongst the people of guidance.                 (Translation of Quran Kanzuleman, surah Tobah, Ayah 18)

Here, in this blessed Ayat Allah Almighty praises those who maintain the masjids and there are different ways to maintain the masjid like building the beautiful masjid minar, covering the expenses of its lighting and carpets etc. To gain these blessings Muslims always try to associate themselves with Masjid and try to maintain it and give donations to cover its expenses. This love and attachment of Muslims with Masjid is the main reason for Masjids being built around the world.

There is a very touching story about a respected lady; she used to clean  Masjid ul Nabvi in the blessed apparent life of the bloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  Respected Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم showed great favour upon her on knowing  this. Let us read this story:

“There was a lady in the blessed city Madinah Munawra. She used to clean the blessed Masjid of the beloved Rasool. One night, she passed away and the respected companions, after offering her janazh prayer, laid to rest her in grave. Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم asked about her. The companions told him about her demise. He  صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم said “قال أفلا كنتم اذنتمون؟ دلوني علي قبرها فأت علي قبرها فصل عليها” why did you not inform me? Tell me her grave! He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم came to her grave and read salat of janazah on her grave.” (Bukhari, Hadees no, 458)

If we study the blessed sayings of the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم we come to know that our beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  has emphasised  the importance of the Masjids. He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم taught his ummah to clean masjid and respect it. Let us read few blessed ahadees regarding the prize of building a Masjid Mihrab. صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم

“It is narrated by  jabir bin Abdullah  رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَُ that: The beloved Rasool of Allah said: whoever build a Masjid for the sake of Allah, like a sparrow’s nest or even smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise”                                                                                                  (Sunan Ibn e Majah, Hadees no, 738)

“It has been narrated that: The beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم said : Whoever builds a Masjid for the sake of Allah, be it small or large, Allah Almighty will build a house for him in Paradise”(Jame Tirmizi, Hadees no,391)

 After reading these blessed ahadees we understand the dignity and honour of the Masjids. We should try to be frequent to masjids and always keep Namaz Time in our mind to read namaz with jamat. May Allah Almighty enable us visiting the masjids with respect. Ameen

Reward of Building a Masjid

jamia masjid construction

When our beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم Migrated from Makkah to Madina and reached Quba, there he صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  built the first masjid of Islam. This Masjid is called Masjid e Quba. This masjid is mentioned in the blessed Quran Alkareem as well in these words “لَمَسۡجِدٌ اُسِّسَ عَلَی التَّقۡوٰی مِنۡ اَوَّلِ  یَوۡمٍ اَحَقُّ  اَنۡ تَقُوۡمَ فِیۡہِ ؕ”indeed the masjid that has been founded on piety from the very first day deserves that you should stand in it. Our beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  himself participated in the construction of this Masjid and did the labor work. He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  laid the foundation stone with his own blessed hands and carried heavy stones for building Masjid Quba. When respected companions requested him to carry his stone, he صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  would give that stone to his companion to hearten him and carry another stone of the same weigh. He would read these couplets of Abdullah bin Rwaha رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَُ in course with other companions.

“وَیَقْرَءُ الْقُرْاٰنَ قَائِمًا وَّقَاعِدًا …….َافْلَحَ مَنْ یُّعَالِجُ الْمَسْجِدَا”

It means the one who builds the Masjid and reads Holy Quran becomes successful.

Beloved and blessed Rasoolصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  encouraged building masjids and told us the reward of building masjids. Here are few ahadees in this regard:

“It is narrated from Muhammad bin labeed that when Usman bin Affan رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ intended to build the masjid the people did not like it. They liked that it should be kept in the same state. On this occasion syiduna Usman said : I heard the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  saying: the one who builds a Masjid for Allah, Allah will build a house for him like it in Paradise. (Sahih Muslim hadees 30 )

In another Hadees pak, it is said that the reward of building Masjid reaches to the person even after his demise. Here is that hadees:

“It was narrated that Abu Hurairah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَُ said: The beloved Rasool  stated: The reward of the good deeds that will reach a believer after his death are: Knowledge which he taught and spread; a righteous son whom he left behind; a copy of Quran that he left as legacy; a masjid that he built; a house that he built for travellers; a canal that he dug; or charity that he gave during his lifetime when he was in good health. These deeds will reach him after his demise.” ( Sunan Ibn e Majah Hadees 242)

Dear brothers! We have learnt that building Masjid is a great virtuous act. The beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  himself participated in the building of Masjid. The reward of building Masjid reaches to the person even after his demise and whatever virtuous acts are done in the masjid, he receives its reward in his grave. When a person builds a masjid in this world, Allah Almighty builds a house for him in Jannah. In other words, the reward of ‘build a masjid’ is Jannah and such a great it is.  We should also try to participate in the building of masjids. Let us make this intention that we will build a Masjid and try to help those who are building jamia masjid or any other masjid because Build a jamia masjid project is a project of all Muslims. It is not like the house project of any person or any shopping center of any company. This work is for pleasure of Allah Almighty and money spent in building masjid is in the way of Allah Almighty. May Allah Almighty enable us to jamia masjid construction for His sake. Ameen.

Why Should We Pay Our Zakat

Islam is a complete code of life for a Muslim. It guides us how to spend our life obeying Allah Almighty and teaches us the method to please our Lord Almighty. Islam tells us that the purpose of our creation is to worship Allah Almighty. In Islam, there is diversity in the ways and methods of worships. There are worships which a Muslim performs physically like Salah, Fast and Hajj and there are worships he can perform with his wealth like Zakat. Zakat is one pillar out of the pillars of Islam. Muslims have been ordered in Quran Alkareem by Allah Almighty to pay zakat.

Allah Almighty says in Quran Alkareem:

وَ اَ قِیۡمُوا الصَّلٰو ۃَ وَ اٰتُو ا الزَّکٰوۃَ

And keep obligatory prayer established and pay zakat.

[Kanz-ul-Iman Part 1, Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 43]

And in another Ayah He, the Almighty says:

وَ الَّذِیۡنَ ہُمۡ لِلزَّکٰوۃِ فٰعِلُوۡنَ

And who are active in paying zakat.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (Part 18, Surah Al-Mu`minoon, Ayah 4]

The beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّمalso emphasizes the importance of zakat on many occasions. Here are a few Ahadees in this regard:

Sayiduna Abdullah bin Umar رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا has narrated that the Dear Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم said: Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has ordered me to fight against people until they attest that there are none worthy of worship except Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم is the true Rasool of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ; offer Prayer appropriately; give Zakah; thus, if they do accordingly, their wealth and lives will be safe from me except for the punishment which Islam has made compulsory upon them. (Sahih Bukhari Hadees 20)

“Tell them that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has made Zakah compulsory in their wealth; it should be taken from the wealthy and given to the poor.” Said the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم when he sent syiduna Muaz رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَُ towards Yamen. (Sunan Tirmizi Hadees 625)

After the apparent demise of the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم some Arab tribes denied the order of zakah; so the successor of the beloved Rasool ordered to fight with those people and said : By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! I will fight against the person who will differentiate between Salah and Zakah (that he admits Salah to be Fard but negates Zakah being Fard), and Zakah is the right of wealth. By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! If they stopped even a rope (that is Wajib upon them to give) which they would give in the blessed period of beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم, I will fight against them. (Sahih Bukhari Hadees 1400)

We understand that zakah is fard like salah and it should be given with proper calculation. Now, it is very easy to calculate your zakat by zakat calculatorgiven on the website of Dawateislami. Dear brothers! It is our duty to remember zakat year. When our zakat year is completed we should pay our zakat properly on time. However, you can pay your zakat in advance for the next year but when your zakat year completes you cannot delay after that. Dear Brothers! Keep it in your mind that when you pay your zakat, you get a lot of blessings because Zakat removes the dirt of the wealth, purifies the wealth and also saves it from calamities. Now, you can pay zakat onlineeasily along with any other Zakat donations using the online service provided by DawateIslami.

Dear, brother! When we pay our zakat, our wealth circulates in society. Those who are less privileged also receive a share from our wealth and make Dua for us and do not become jealous of our wealth. When we pay zakat, we help our fellow Muslims and helping Muslims is a great virtuous act. Allah Almighty grants his blessings to those who spend in His way and help the Muslims.

Those who do not pay zakat of their wealth, Allah Almighty gives them a severe punishment. Their wealth will become the mean of punishment for them on the Day of Judgment. Even in this world, their wealth is on risk. One Hadees says that zakat will destroy the wealth in which it is present. So please pay you zakat and save yourself from these punishments. Now, it is very easy to pay your zakat firah with zakat fitrah online service. May Allah Almighty enable us to fulfil the commandments of Sharia. Ameen

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Build a Mosque House of Allah

Role of Masjid in Muslim society

Masjid plays a basic role to establish a good environment in a Muslim society. Masjid is not only a place of worship, it is also a place where people meet and greet. In this way, a social system prevails everywhere. For this reason, Masjid is thebase of Muslim society. The one who is regular to Masjid is more attached to the people and knows the condition of the people; he can help them in their troubles and becomes a good Muslim. In one narration, it is said that Masjid is a strong castle against shetan “ اَلْمَسْجِدُ حِصْنٌ حَصِینٌ مِّنَ الشَّیْطٰن” Masjid plays the same role in a Muslim society.

Importance of Masjid

Masjid is called the house of Allah almighty. In Quran Alkareem, Allah Almighty says “وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ ” and it is stated in a blessed Hadees of Sahih Muslim “ثم مضى إلى بيت من بيوت الله” and another blessed Hadees of the same book says that Masjids are the most beloved places to Allah Almighty  “أَحَبُّ البلاد إلى الله مساجدُها”. The one whose heart is attached to Masjid will be under the shade of the throne of Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment.

Reward for building a Masjid

Normally what we build in this world is only for this world like our house, factory, shop, etc. But what a great reward to build a masjid has; when we donate to build a masjid, we earn a house in Jannah. It is stated in many ahadees with different wordings that the one who construct a masjid deserves a house in Jannah. Let us read a few ahadees in this regard;

“من بنی مسجدا للہ تعالی بنی اللہ لہ بیتا فی الجنة” The one who builds a Masjid for the pleasure of Allah Almighty; Allah Almighty would build a house for him in paradise. (Sahih Muslim)

“  من بنی للہ مسجداصغیرا کان او کبیرا بنی اللہ لہ بیتا فی الجنة” whoever builds a masjid for the sake of Allah Almighty ‘whether it is small or large’ Allah Almighty builds a house for him in paradise. (Sunan Tirmizi)

Reward even after death

There are few deedswhose reward reaches to a person even after his demise. Masjid construction project is one of such deed whose return a person receives in his grave as hadees says like this “أَوْ مَسْجِدًا بَنَاهُ”. So if someone wants to earn reward even after his death he should start a project of constructing a masjid. In this way, a house is not onlybuilt for him in paradise but he alsoreceives its reward after his death.

Build a masjid or donate for it

After reading above mentioned excellences of building Masjid, one may think that it is a great virtue to build a masjid project but how can I build a masjid? It needs a lot of money? Dear brothers! Don’t get disappointed from the mercy of your Lord He, theAlmighty, blesses even those who spend even a little in construction of the masjid. One Hadees of book Ibn e Majah says “مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِدًا لِلَّهِ كَمَفْحَصِ قَطَاةٍ أَوْ أَصْغَرَ بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ” Whoever builds a masjid for the sake of Allah Almighty, like a sparrow’s nest or even smaller, Allah Almighty will build for him a house in Paradise.

Dear brothers! If someone affords to build a masjid, he should make his mind to build a jamia masjid. Otherwise, everyone should make their mind to donate for the masjid construction. If Allah Almighty wills, this virtue will takes him to Paradise and he will receive a palace of paradise by the mercy of Allah. Now, it is very easy to participate in construction of masjid you can give online donation to build a masjid. May Allah Almighty enable us to donate for the construction of masjid. Ameen

Sadaqah in Quran

Sadaqah means to spend something in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ without the intention of receiving praise from the people, rather, doing it with the intention to attain reward from the blessed court of Allahعَزَّوَجَلَّ .

(Kitab-ut-Ta’reefat, pp. 94)

From this definition of Sadaqah, we have come to know that real online Sadaqah is free from any kind of showing off and desires for respect and praises from the people, it is only done for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and for attaining rewards from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. There is another thing to remember, some people are of this opinion that they should give away worn out items or things of no use as their Sadaqah; this is incorrect and the opposite is true, people should give those possessions in Sadaqah for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ which are excellent, best and most-liked, as it is mentioned in Blessed Quran:

لَنۡ تَنَا لُو ا الۡبِرَّ حَتّٰی تُنۡفِقُوۡ ا مِمَّا تُحِبُّوۡنَ

وَ مَا تُنۡفِقُوۡ ا مِنۡ شَیۡ ءٍ فَاِنَّ اللہَ بِہٖ عَلِیۡمٌ

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: You shall never attain virtue until you spend in Allah’s cause the things you love; and Allah is Aware of whatever you spend.

(Part 4, Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, verse 92)

Commenting on the abovementioned verse, Sadr-ul-Afadil, ‘Allamah Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Na’eemuddin Muradabadi عَـلَيْهِ رَحۡمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ الۡـهَادِی has stated: Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا said, ‘Spending here refers to general and common spending, all Sadaqaat, regardless of whether they are obligatory or supererogatory are included. It is a saying of Hasan that the wealth & possession which is most-liked in the eyes of Muslims , should be spent in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ for attaining His Divine pleasure as the blessed verse refers to this possession even if it is only a date.

Sayyiduna ‘Umar Bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه used to purchase sacks of sugar to give in Sadaqah. He was asked, ‘Why do not you give its price in Sadaqah’. He replied, ‘I love Sugar; so I want to spend the thing most liked to me in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.’

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ Himself is persuading and motivating us to spend the things we like most in His عَزَّوَجَلَّ way. Therefore, with good intentions we should generously give Sadaqah & Khayraat instead of being stingy. As we all know that whatever we possess, is given to us by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. So spending what He عَزَّوَجَلَّ has given us will surely increase His blessings upon us; and on the contrary, despite having the ability, if we do not give Sadaqah & Khayraat, this could be a cause of depriving us of blessings.

Sayyidatuna ‘Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا has narrated that the Revered and Renowned Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to me, ‘Do not withhold your money, for if you did so Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ would withhold His blessings from you.’

(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-uz-Zakah, vol. 1, pp. 483, Hadis 1433)

Not to spend in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ to be stingy and hoarding money, turning our faces away from those who are genuinely needy & destitute are all actions that invite deprivation for one’s self. Because it is a privilege to spend Sadaqah & Khayraat in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ ; if we would not perform this charitable act then Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will choose others for this blessed act.

Remember! As spending in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ is beneficial to one’s self, similarly being stingy is also harmful to one’s self. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ chooses His generous bondsmen to do good deeds. Those who are exceedingly generous and give online Sadqa & Khayraat with incredible generosity, despite spending a lot, their possessions are surprisingly multiplied; and on the other hand, a miser, especially one who has much wealth feels that if he gives Sadaqah and Khayraat then his wealth will decrease, this mentality prevents him from discharging his obligatory & supererogatory Sadaqah, other virtuous acts or helping the creation of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ after all, he forgets that one day the angel of death approaches and his possessions will transfer into the hands of his heirs.

Consequences of stinginess

Sayyiduna Yazīd Bin Maysarah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: In some ancient Ummah (nation), there was a rich and stingy person who had an abundance of wealth and many children. He who would not spend anything in the path of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ but would rather continue multiplying and accumulating his wealth. A number of slaves would always remain ready to receive his orders. Days and nights of that unwise and greedy person were passing in luxury, fun and complete heedlessness with his family, forgetting the reality of death. Once, Sayyiduna ‘Izraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوة ُ وَالـسَّلَام appeared as a beggar, knocked at his door. One of his slaves opened the door and saw a beggar standing outside. The slave asked the reason for his coming. Sayyiduna ‘Izraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوة ُ وَالـسَّلَام replied, ‘Go and send your master to me, I have to talk to him.’ The slave lied, ‘He has gone out to help a beggar like you.’

The beggar went away. After some time, there was another knock at the door. The slave opened the door and found the same beggar again. This time Sayyiduna ‘Izraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوة ُ وَالـسَّلَام said, ‘Go and tell your master that I am the angel of death.’ Intoxicated by wealth and heedless of Divine remembrance, when that rich man was informed about it; he began to tremble with fear and said to his slaves, ‘Go and treat him in a very polite and humble way.’ The slaves came out and humbly requested him, ‘Please spare our master and seize the soul of somebody else’. Sayyiduna Malak-ul-Maut عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوة ُ وَالـسَّلَام said, ‘That is not possible.’ He then said to the rich man, ‘Make your will if you want, I will not go without seizing your soul.’ Listening to this, the rich man and his family yelled out. The wealthy person asked his family members and slaves to bring the boxes of gold and silver and opened them. Instantly they carried out his order. There was a stockpile of treasure that he had accumulated throughout his life. Turning towards the treasure, he then said, ‘O despicable and contemptible treasure! Curse be upon you! I am doomed due to your love. Alas! I remained heedless of the Zikr of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and the afterlife just because of you.’

Suddenly, a voice came out from the stockpile of treasure, ‘O lover of wealth, O seeker of the world and heedless one! Why do you curse me? Were you not despicable in the eyes of the worldly people! It is me that gave you respect, enabling you to have access to the royal court. You married a rich woman by virtue of me. You yourself wasted me on evil things. If you had spent me in the path of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ you would not have been faced with this humiliation and disgrace. Tell me! Did I prevent you from spending me in virtuous things? Not at all! You alone are responsible for all the great calamity that you are facing.’ Thereafter, the angel of death seized the soul of that stingy rich person.

Three very important facts should be kept in mind when giving Sadaqah i.e. spending in the path of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ :

1. Do not disclose or boast of your favours after giving Sadaqah.
2. Not to hurt the feelings of those whom you have assisted by taunting them
3. 3. Sadaqah should be given sincerely, solely for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ .

For those who hurt Muslims by taunting, injuring their feelings by disclosing their favours and for those who have indulged in showing off & ostentation, they should remember the abovementioned three sayings whenever they are blessed with the opportunity of giving Sadqa (charity), unless they are counted amongst those destitute people who will appear on the Day of Resurrection with loads of virtues but would end up with nothing.

Those who carry out the virtuous deed of giving charity sincerely in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ blesses them double (according to one’s sincerity) and even more than that. What we spend in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ as Sadaqah is in fact profitable wealth and whatever we possess will go into the hands of others as soon as we die. Wise people are only those who serve those who are genuinely poor, especially Deeni students, but without reminding & boasting of their favours and thus they become deserving of virtues and excellences as mentioned in the blessed Quran & Ahadees . Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has a great reward for those who give Sadaqah and according to a blessed Hadis, the one who gives Sadaqah will not only remain safe from the heat of the grave but will also be under the shade of his Sadaqah. By the blessings of Sadaqah, misdeeds and calamities are removed; it is a source of increasing one’s age; it wards off the bad habit of arrogance; it gives protection from a bad end. Sadaqah becomes a barrier between Hell and a human and that fortunate person is privileged with salvation from Divine wrath .

اٰمِيۡن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الۡاَمِيۡن صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد