Welcome to a new interesting episode of Qur’anic Gems series with Nouman Khan.
Here Nouman Reflects on the verse number 92 of Surat Aal-`Imran (the third chapter of the Qur’an)
He begins his talk by shedding some light on the merit of charity and spending on all faces of goodness. If you wish to have goodness in both this worldly life and the hereafter, you have to spend from what you love.
Follow us on this talk to know more about charity and how to have
goodness.
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Generosity in Islam
As human beings, we have an innate sense of morality. No matter what religion, race or color we are, certain qualities serve as the moral standard.
We admire justice, bravery, honesty and compassion. We also abhor those who demonstrate treachery, cruelty or corruption. Moral standards are universal, and one of the most important aspects of Islam is adherence to high moral standards and good manners in society.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) taught Muslims to have the best manners and distinguished characteristics. The Prophet’s own high standard of morals and manners made him the best example for Muslims to follow. Almighty Allah said in the Qur’an:
And verily you, O Muhammad, are on an exalted standard of character. (Al-Qalam 68: 4)
Generosity was among the countless good qualities of Prophet Muhammad. He was the most generous of people and he used to be most generous in Ramadan.
One day Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) offered Prayer in the mosque and then hurriedly went to his house and returned immediately. A companion asked why he left and he replied: “I left a piece of gold at home which was given for charity and I disliked letting it remain a night in my house, so I brought it to the mosque to distribute.” (Al-Bukhari)
Our worldly possessions are bounties from Allah, who is the Most Generous. Muslims believe that everything originates from Allah and everything will return to Him. Thus, it is logical to behave as if that which we possess is merely a loan, something we are obligated to preserve, protect and ultimately share.
Whenever Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) met a miserly person, he advised him to be more generous and charitable. Ibn `Abbas said that he heard Prophet Muhammad saying: “The believer is not the one who eats when his neighbor beside him is hungry.” (Al-Bayhaqi)
Another companion heard the Prophet saying: “The believer is simple and generous, but the wicked person is deceitful and ignoble.” (Abu-Dawud)
Definition of Generosity
Princeton University WordNet defines generosity as the willingness to give freely. Islam encourages this concept of generosity so much so that it is embedded in one of the five pillars of Islam, the obligatory charity known as Zakah. In Arabic, the term Zakah literally means purification of the heart; however, it is also the payment, from surplus money, of an obligatory charity designed by Allah to provide for all the needy members of the community. It is a fixed calculable amount.
There is also another form of generosity in Islam called Sadaqah (optional charity). Anything given generously – freely to others – with the intention of pleasing Allah is Sadaqah. Sadaqah can be as simple as a smile, helping an elderly person with their groceries or removing objects from the road or path.
Generosity can be viewed as a wise investment in the future. Generosity or Sadaqah may pave the way to Paradise because with every generous act comes great reward from Allah. However, being generous does not only mean giving freely from what you have in abundance. Generosity does not lie in giving away something that is no longer useful but in giving freely from the things we love or need.
`A’ishah (the wife of the Prophet) said: “A lady, along with her two daughters came to me asking for some alms, but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters.” (Al-Bukhari)
Allah tells us in the Qur’an that whatever we give away generously, with the intention of pleasing Him, He will replace and multiply. Allah knows what is in the hearts of men. Allah says:
Say: Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and also restricts it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it.And He is the Best of providers.(Saba’ 34: 39)
The Value of Generosity
The Companions understood the value of being generous. `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was seen in the market buying fodder for his camel on credit. One of the men queried this knowing that `Abdullah had received 4,000 dirhams and a blanket the previous day. It was explained that before nightfall `Abdullah had distributed the money amongst the needy. He then took the blanket, threw it over his shoulder and headed home, but by the time he arrived even the blanket was gone, he had given it to a needy person.
After the death of the Prophet, the people faced great hardship due to drought. They came to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) asking him to provide them with enough to sustain them, but he was unable to help, the treasury was empty. Just at that time, the camel caravan belonging to `Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived from Damascus. It was filled with foodstuffs and other goods. The merchants gathered at `Uthman’s house offering him large amounts of money for the goods; however, he turned them down saying he was prepared only to give the goods to the one from whom he would receive the greatest reward. `Uthman gave all the goods to the starving people of Madinah and did not charge them. He knew that Allah would reward him with something far greater than money.
Even in the direst of circumstances, a true believer is the one who gives generously.
The people came to Prophet Muhammad and asked: “If someone has nothing to give, what should he do?” He said: “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked: “If he cannot find even that?” He replied: “He should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then, the people asked: “If he cannot do that?” He replied: “Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Al-Bukhari)
And Allah says in the Qur’an that He will repay the generosity of a believer.
And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged. (Al-Baqarah 2:272)
Allah is the one who provides for us and He expects us to share generously. We are encouraged to be benevolent and unselfish with our possessions, with our time and with our exemplary behavior towards others.
Source: Article by author titled (Generosity) published at The Religion of Islam web site islamreligion.com. Here taken form onislam.net.
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What is standing between you and God?
What do you struggle with in life? Do you ever wonder what is really missing in your life?
What is standing between you and true peace; between you and God?
In what do you believe? Do you really believe the things you believe in? Are you a true believer? And how do you know you are one? What should we do to enhance our faith?
Do you feel God’s love? Are you struggling with perfecting your faith and getting really close to Allah?
Have you asked yourself these questions before?
Some fellow American Muslims were asked these and other similar questions and here are their responses…
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Source: ibn.net
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By Jenna Evans
Oh mankind! Worship your Lord, who created you and those who were before you so that you may become pious. (Al-Baqarah 2:21)
Islam is a complete way of life where a constant state of worship is not an unreachable ideal, but a rational possibility.
When we hear the command to worship Allah (Exalted be He) in the Qur’an, what comes to mind?
Most likely we think of completing the five daily prayers, fasting during the month of Ramadan, or sharing a portion of our wealth with the poor. Although these acts are considered the foundations for faith – the pillars (arkan) of Islam – they comprise only one aspect of worship.
Worship, or `ibadah in Arabic, is an inclusive term for all that Allah loves. In other words, worship consists of everything one says or does for the pleasure of Allah, whether it is abiding by the required rituals, living by the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), or perfecting our behavior.
Allah created us to worship Him and developed the religion of Islam as a “complete way of life” with rules and recommendations to govern our spiritual, physical, emotional, and social lives; these facts, clearly outlined in the Qur’an, suggest that a constant state of worship is not an unreachable ideal, but a rational possibility.
But when faced with the demands of school, work, and family, and desires to socialize and pursue hobbies, how can we engage in the ongoing worship Allah asks of us?
Part of the answer lies in the following seven words: Intention elevates deeds from habit to worship.
The Prophet emphasized the importance of our intentions when he said:
“All actions are judged by intention, and each person will be rewarded according to their intention.” (Al-Bukhari)
By explicitly changing our attitude from a bitter “I have to do this” to a positive “I want to do this for Allah” many of our habitual tasks can in fact become acts of worship.
The Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet set out specifics on morals and manners that can aid us in achieving a constant state of worship. Each of the following personal and social acts has the potential to draw us closer to our Creator:
– Modesty in dress and behaviour
– Grooming and cleanliness
– Eating and drinking
– Using the bathroom
– Travelling
– Going to work
– Keeping in touch with loved ones
– Exchanging gifts
– Respecting elders
– Kindness to animals
– Volunteering
Many of us attend to these everyday tasks with little forethought, ignoring the numerous opportunities to earn reward.
Instead, take note of that which Allah loves, and use the power of intention to remain in a state of worship. As Khurram Murad states in the book “In the Early Hours”:
“Let there be no territories carved up and no frontiers set up in serving Him….Let nothing motivate us but an intense longing to please our Lord in the next world, and let that expectation give a decisive shape to our life here.”
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Source: Sisters Magazine
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By Dr. Jasser Auda
Do not befriend someone who does not elevate you with his state, or guide you to God with his speech. It could be that you are doing evil, yet you think that you are doing good because you are comparing yourself to your friend who is worse than you. So, how should the believer choose his friends?
Throughout our journey to God, we have learned how to dig for our flaws. We also learned that the origin of every sin, forgetfulness, and lust is in being self-righteous, and the origin of every good deed, awareness, and chastity is in being self-critical. Likewise, we have learned that one should be like the accusing voice of one’s conscience by which God swore in the Qur’an.
Here Ibn `Ata’illah talks to about another flaw which is that of the bad choice of friends. How should the believer choose his friends? He says; “Do not befriend someone who does not elevate you with his state or guide you to God with his speech. It could be that you are doing evil, yet you think that you are doing good because you are comparing yourself to your friend who is worse than you.”
Therefore, it is either that you befriend someone who is better than you or that you befriend someone who is worse than you.
Ibn `Ata’illah says that when you befriend someone who is worse than you will think that you are doing good because you are comparing yourself to your friend who commits minor and grave sins and does not care.
However, if you befriend someone who elevates you with his state, or guides you to God with his speech; i.e. you befriend someone who is religiously not worldly better than you, this friend will have a good influence on you.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said; “A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace.”
If you befriend someone who is of a good character, he might give you a physical perfume because the believer has a good smell. He might also give you a moral smell in the form of offering you a piece of advice, reminding you of a particular Quranic verse, guiding you to a good action, or smiling in your face.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said; “Smiling in the face of your brother is charity.” (At-Tirmidhi) He might be a good example for you, i.e. you see him giving in charity, doing a good action, or worshipping God. Therefore, you will imitate him by doing the same things.
The other friend who is like the blacksmith he might burn your clothes if you approach him because he smokes in reality. If you get closer and closer to him, he will burn your heart, i.e. he will incite you to commit sins like backbiting, gossip, giving false testimony, etc.
To be continued…..
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The article is excerpted from “Some of Al-Hikam Al-Ataiyyah” (The Path to God: A Journey with Ibn `Ata’illah’s Words of Wisdom In the Light of the Quran, the Prophetic Tradition, and Universal Laws of God- By Dr. Jasser Auda
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Allah has chosen certain days over others, and on top of these days are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Al-Bukhari)
What is specific about such days, and how should we make use of them?
In the this video Sheikh Yasir Qadhi talks about the status and merits of such blessed ten days, how to seize the chance of them, and the advantages of extra effort in worshiping during them.
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Zakat and Sadaqah are forms of charity given by Muslims. The two are different in their own respects. Zakat means growth, purification, and blessing in Arabic. Sadaqah means sign of sincerity of faith…
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All of us need to get knowledge regarding such an important obligation in Islam as zakah. Watch this session and listen to what the sheikh has to say in response to the questions raised by the viewers.
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The true owner of things is not man, but God.
Charity is not just recommended by Islam, it is required of every financially stable Muslim. Giving charity to those who deserve it is part of Muslim character and one of the Five Pillars of Islamic practice. Zakah is viewed as “compulsory charity”; it is an obligation for those who have received their wealth from God to respond to those members of the community in need.
Devoid of sentiments of universal love, some people know only to hoard wealth and to add to it by lending it out on interest. Islam’s teachings are the very antithesis of this attitude. Islam encourages the sharing of wealth with others and helps people to stand on their own and become productive members of the society.
In Arabic it is known as Zakah which literally means “purification”, because Zakah is considered to purify one’s heart of greed. Love of wealth is natural and it takes firm belief in God for a person to part with some of his wealth. Zakah must be paid on different categories of property — gold, silver, money; livestock; agricultural produce; and business commodities — and is payable each year after one year’s possession. It requires an annual contribution of 2.5 percent of an individual’s wealth and assets.
Like Prayer, which is both an individual and communal responsibility, Zakah expresses a Muslim’s worship of and thanksgiving to God by supporting those in need. In Islam, the true owner of things is not man, but God. Acquisition of wealth for its own sake, or so that it may increase a man’s worth, is condemned.
Mere acquisition of wealth counts for nothing in the sight of God. It does not give man any merit in this life or in the Hereafter. Islam teaches that people should acquire wealth with the intention of spending it on their own needs and the needs of others.
“‘Man’, said the Prophet, ‘says: My wealth! My wealth!’ Have you not any wealth except that which you give as alms and thus preserve, wear and tatter, eat and use up?”
The whole concept of wealth is considered in Islam as a gift from God. God, who provided it to the person, made a portion of it for the poor, so the poor have a right over one’s wealth. Zakah reminds Muslims that everything they have belongs to God. People are given their wealth as a trust from God, and Zakah is intended to free Muslims from the love of money. The money paid in Zakah is not something God needs or receives. He is above any type of dependency. God, in His boundless mercy, promises rewards for helping those in need with one basic condition that Zakah be paid in the name of God; one should not expect or demand any worldly gains from the beneficiaries nor aim at making one’s names as a philanthropist. The feelings of a beneficiary should not be hurt by making him feel inferior or reminding him of the assistance.
Money given as Zakah can only be used for certain specific things. Islamic Law stipulates that alms are to be used to support the poor and the needy, to free slaves and debtors, as specifically mentioned in the Qur’an (9:60). Zakah, which developed fourteen hundred years ago, functions as a form of social security in a Muslim society.
Neither Jewish nor Christian scriptures praise slave manumission by raising it to worship. Indeed, Islam is unique in world religions in requiring the faithful to financially help slaves win their freedom and has raised the manumission of a slave to an act of worship – if it is done to please God.
Under the caliphates, the collection and expenditure of Zakah was a function of the state. In the contemporary Muslim world, it has been left up to the individual, except in some countries in which the state fulfills that role to some degree. Most Muslims in the West disperse Zakah through Islamic charities, mosques, or directly giving to the poor. Money is not collected during religious services or via collection plates, but some mosques keep a drop box for those who wish it to distribute Zakah on their behalf. Unlike the Zakah, Giving other forms of charity in private, even in secret, is considered better, in order to keep one’s intention purely for God.
Apart from Zakah, the Qur’an and Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him) also stress Sadaqah, or voluntary almsgiving, which is intended for the needy. The Qur’an emphasizes feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping those who are in need, and the more one helps, the more God helps the person, and the more one gives, the more God gives the person. One feels he is taking care of others and God is taking care of him.
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Taken with slight modifications from: Islamreligion.com.
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It is common knowledge that Zakah is a pillar of Islam. But, what are the things that we are required to pay Zakah on? And what is the specific amount to be given?
Listen to the answers of Dr. Zakir Naik to these questions…
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