THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING SADAQAH (CHARITY)
WRITTEN BY:
IMAM AHMAD RAZA KHAN BARELVY (RA)
TRANSLATED BY:
MAOLAANA AAFTAAB CASSIM RIZVI
THE
IMPORTANCE
OF
MUSLIM CHARITY
(Sadaqat)
By
Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi
Translated by
Dr. Maulana Abdul NaimAzizi
THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSLIM CHARITY
(SADAQAT)
Question: What do the Jurists say on this issue: there is a custom in
our region that if any calamity, such as cholera,
smallpox or famine breaks out, then to prevent them, the inhabitants of the
area give rice, wheat and money
according to their capacity, cook food and give a feast to the Muslim divines
and religious persons and then also the
inhabitants all eat along with them. Is giving this meal to the inhabitants of
the area legal or not? What is the
Shariat's verdict about this meal?
May Allah reward you! (From Moulvi Ahmed-Ullah disciple of Mawlana Ahmed Hasan, Maddarsah Faiz A'am 1312A.H. 1894 A.D.).
Answer: Allah's name I begin with the Affectionate and the Merciful. All
praises be to Allah who bestowed this blessing
upon a group of the brethren and put an end to destruction due to a meeting of
friends and neighbours. And
benediction and salutation on the Intercessor, the Respondent to the call, the
Favourer of the party, the Cure
for the Calamity, epidemic, famine and hunger and on his offspring, companions
and the group of the Muslims and
the same upon us. O Affectionate and Merciful! Amen, Amen, Amen, O Lord! Amen!
As mentioned in the
question, the act of feeding and eating meals is lawful for all who are invited
and for the
inhabitants. This is not prohibited by Islamic law.
Allah Ta'ala says: "There is no blame upon you whether you eat together or
separately."
(
And so to prohibit this lawful act is ignorance and darkness! And I say and May
Allah guide! If you look at this
act, then this is a cure for many problems because the beggars and poor will
also take this meal and even virtuous
persons, relatives, friends, neighbours and natives will benefit from this.
This act thus has eight qualities which are
the numbers of the doors of
1. Excellence of
the alms (charity).
2. Service by virtuous persons.
3. Kindness towards relatives.
4. Sympathy with neighbours.
5. Pleasing the hearts of the Muslims, particularly of the poor.
6. Providing their favourite food to the people.
7. Giving a feast to the Muslim brethren.
8. The gathering of the Muslims in a feast and all the acts, if done
with good intention, bring benefits by pleasing
Allah, and bring forgiveness of sins and prevention of the Calamity by Allah's
Command.
It is clear that
famine, epidemics and every calamity
happen because of sins.
Allah Ta' ala says:
"And whatever affliction reached you was due to what your hands have
earned; and He pardons much." (
So sources of
salvation, Allah's pleasure and His Bounty are undoubtedly the real solution to
the calamities.
Now with the guidance of Allah listen to an Hadith.
Hadith 1: Tirmizi declared this Hadith correct. Ibn Hibban in `Sahiha' reports from Anas bin Malik (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Charity puts out the fire of the Anger of Allah and takes away a bad death."
Hadith 2: Abu Yala and Bazzaz narrate from Siddique Akbar (Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet
(Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Save yourself from Hell if only by
giving half of a date in charity because it
helps to put mistakes right and takes away a bad death."
Hadith 3:
Tabrani and Abu Bakar bin Muqeem report in `Jurze' from Amro bin
Auf (Radi Aliahu Ta'ala Anh) that
the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Undoubtedly the
Charity of a Muslim causes him to live
long and prevents a bad death."
Hadith 4, 5: Tabrani narrates in `Kabeer' from Rafai bin Mukkessur Ridwani (Radi Allahu Ta' ala Anh) that the
Holy Prophet (Sail
Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Charity wipes out sin and protects from a
bad death."
Then another Hadith is as Ahmad narrates from Rafai bin Mukkessur Ridwani and
Qazay from Abi
Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta' ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa
Sallam) says: "Charity prevents a bad death."
Hadith 6: Imam Abdullah bin Mubarak in `Kitabal Bir' narrates
from Anas bin Malik (Radi Allahu Ta' ala Anh)
that the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Undoubtedly
Allah locks up the seventy doors of a bad death."
Hadith 7: Tabrani narrates in `Kabeer' from Rafai bin Khudaij
(Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet
(Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Charity shuts seventy doors of
evil."
Hadith 8: Khateeb narrates from Anas (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the
Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)
says: "Charity prevents seventy calamities amongst which leprosy and white
spots are the least."
Hadith 9, 10: Tabrani narrates from Amirul Momineen Ali and Baihaqi from
Anas (Radi Ailahu Ta'ala Anhuma) that
the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Give Charity early
in the morning because the
calamity does not come together with Charity."
Hadith 11: Dailmi reports from Anas (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the
Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)
says: "Charity given in the morning prevents calamities."
Hadith 12: Ibn Asakar reports from Jabir (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that
the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa
Sallam) says: "Charity puts off ill luck."
Hadith 13: Ibn Asakar narrates from Jabir (Radi Ailahu Ta'ala Anh) that
the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa
Sallam) says: "Correct your relation with Allah Ta'ala by remembering Him
much and by openly and secretly giving
much charity. If you do this, you will be given livelihood and helped to put
right wrongs done to you "
Hadith 14 to 17:
Tirmizi narrates from Ma'az bin jabal and like wise (but with some difference
in the words) Ibn
Hibban narrates from Kabben Aira And Ibi Yala narrates from Jabir (Radi Ailahu
Ta'ala Anh) and Ibn Mubarak
narrates from Akrama that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says
"Charity puts out sin as water does
the fire".
Hadith 18: Baihaqi in `Shaibul Imam' and Abu Naim in `Hilya'narrates
from Abu saeed Khudri (Radi Ailahu
Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says:
"The saying about the Muslim and Iman is
that they're like a horse tied by a rope in the meadow so that after grazing on
all the sides it comes back to where
it's tied; likewise a Muslim makes mistakes and then returns to Iman. So feed
pious persons and behave well to
the Muslims."
It is clear from this Hadith that to cure sin, one should feed pious persons
and treat the Muslims well.
Hadith 19: Abu Yala narrates from Anas (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the
Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa
Sallam) says: "Undoubtedly Allah makes us live long due to Charity and
Kindness, and prevents a bad death and
prevents you from being fearful or disliked."
Hadith 20: Bukhari narrates from Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh)
that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu
Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "He who desires the best livelihood, and good luck
in wealth, should treat his
relatives well."
Hadith 21, 22:
Abdullah bin Imam in `Zawaidul Musnad', and Bazaar and Hakim in `Mustadrick'
narrate from
Amirul Momineen Ali (Karam Allahu Ta'ala Wajhahu) and likewise Hakim narrates
from Aqba bin Aamir (Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says:
"One who wishes to live long and
to increase his livelihood and to prevent a bad death, should fear Allah,
strengthen relationships and treat relatives
well."
Hadith 23: Tabrani narrates from Amro bin Sahal (Radi Allahu Ta' ala
Anh) that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu
Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Good behaviour to near relatives is the increaser
of wealth, love and life."
Hadith 24: Qazai narrates from Ibn Masood (Radi Allahu one to you."
Hadith 25: Tabrani narrates from Abu Bakr (Radi Aliahu Ta' ala Anh) that
the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa
Sallam) says: "Undoubtedly kindness to relations causes immediate reward;
even if the members of the family are
sinful still their wealth is increased and they are increased in numbers due to
kindness to each other."
This is more in another Hadith: "Any family that is not one in which
members are kind towards one another
becomes poor."
Hadith 26: Imam Ahrnad and Baihaqi in `Sahib Al Iman" narrate
from Ummul Momineen Ayisha Siddiqa (Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anha) that the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says:
"Kindness towards relations, good
manners and good behaviour to neighbours increase the population of towns and
cause lives to be long."
Hadith 27: Hakim narrates in `Mustadrick' from Anas
(Radi Allahu Ta' ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet (Sail
Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Acts of good behaviour safeguard you from
evil deaths, calamities and destruction
and those who are kind in this World will be the ones who do well in the
Hereafter."
Hadith 28: Tabrani narrates in `Ausat' from Ummul Momineen
Umm Salma (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the
Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Generous deeds are a
safeguard from calamities and
hidden aims puts out the fire of Allah's anger, and good behaviour to relatives
brings Allah's Blessing to life and all
good behaviour of any kind, to anyone, is nothing but Charity. Kind persons in
this World will get Allah's favour
in the Hereafter in the same way as they have helped people in this World and
the opposite will be the condition
of the evil people of this World in the Hereafter. First before all others,
well behaved persons will go to
Hadith 29: Tabrani in `Kabeer' and `Waseet' narrates
from Hazrat Sayyidina Imam Hasan bin Ali (Radi Allahu
Anhuma) that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says:
"Undoubtedly to gladden the heart of the
Muslim brother is one of the acts which truly brings your salvation."
Hadith 30: Tabrani in `Kabeer' and `Waseet' narrates
from lbn Abbas (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet
(Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Next to the compulsory duties,
dearer to Allah than all other acts is to
gladden the heart of the Muslim."
Hadith 31 to 33:
This is narrated in `Ausat' from Amirul Momineen Umar (Radi
Allahu Anh) and likewise (with
some difference in the words) Abu Shaikh in `Sawab' and Asbahani
in a Hadith narrate this from Ibn Abdullah, and
Ibn Abi Dunia narrates this from a few Companions of the Holy Prophet (Sail
Ailahu Alaihi wa Sallam) that the Holy
Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "The most excellent deed is
to gladden the heart of the Muslim and
that means either to clothe his body or fill his stomach in hunger or do
something for him."
Hadith 34: Aqeeli, Bazzar and Tabrani in `Kabeer' narrate from
Abu Darda (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy
Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "If any Muslim desires to eat
and drink anything or any favourite
Halal dish or drink and by chance another person provides that for him, then
Allah will forgive him."
Hadith 35: Bahaiqi narrates from Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta'ala
Anh) in `Shoaibul Iman' that the Holy
Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Allah Ta'ala will forbid
Hell for him who feeds his Muslim brother his
favourite dish."
Hadith 36: Hakim and Baihaqi and Abu Shaikh in `Sawab' narrate
from Jabir (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy
Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "To feed a poor Muslim is
certain to bring you the Generosity of
Allah."
Hadith 37 to 46: This is a part of a glorious, nice, beautiful, famous,
beneficent, useful and bountiful Hadith.
Imams Abu Hanifa, Imam Ahmad and Abdul Razzaq narrate in `Musannaf' and
Tirmizi and Tabrani narrate it
from Ibn Abbas Ahmad, Tirmizi, and Tabrani and Ibn Mardwaih narrate it from
Ma'az bin Jabal. Ibn Khuzaima,
Darmi, Baghvi, Ibn Sakn, Abu Naim, Ibn Basta narrate it from Abdul Rahman bin
Ayisha. Ahmad and Tabrani
narrate it from many Companions of the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)
and Bazzar narrates it from Ibn
Umar and Sauban. Tabrani narrates it from Abu Imamah. lbn Qane narrates it from
Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah.
Darqutni, Abu Bakar Nesapuri in `Ziyadat' narrate it from Anas
Abul Farah in `Alal' from Abu Hurairah. Ibn Abi
Shaiba narrates it from Abdul Rahman bin Sabit (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum) in an
Hadith connected to the
Prophet's Miraj Journey to Allah Ta' ala that He put His palms between the
shoulders of the Prophet as is worthy of
His glory and the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said that
everything had become manifest to him
and he now knew it. Another narration is that he knew everything which exists
between the East and the West.
(Imam Ahmad Raza said that he mentioned this Hadith with the details of its
testimonial and with the variation of
the words and further will describe this in his book in "Salt an
atul Mustafa Fi Maikoote Kullil Wara"). And all
Praise be to Allah for those graces which He has imparted to us, so that the
Holy Prophet (Sail Aliahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says:
"Spreading the Salam, feeding human beings and
praying in the night while people remain sleeping, are acts
which raise your rank in the Hereafter."
This is narrated in `Mirqat Sharif': "To feed people high or
low, raises your rank in the Hereafter."
Hadith 47: Hakim narrates from Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta' ala Anh)
that the Holy Prophet (Sall Ailahu
Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "To feed people, to say the Salam and to pray in
the night when people remain sleeping are
what makes sin disappear."
Hadith 48:
Tabrani in `Kabeer', Abu Shaikh in `Sawab' and
Hakim in `Sahih' Baihaqi narrate from Ibn Umar (Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says:
"He who will feed his Muslim
brother to fill his stomach and quench his thirst, will be kept seven ditches
away from Hell by Allah Ta'ala. There
is a distance of five
hundred years Journey from one ditch to another."
Hadith 49: Abu
Shaikh narrates from Imam Hasan Basri that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi
wa Sallam) says:
"Allah along with His Angels is proud of those slaves (See! This is the
Excellence) who feed the people."
Hadith 50, 51:
Ibn Maja narrates from Ibn Abbas and Ibn Abi Dunia from Anas (Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anh) that the
Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Benefits and blessings
reach the house in which people are
given food sooner than the knife can reach the hump of the camel."
(Sacrificing the camel, firstly its hump is cut.)
Hadith 52:
Asbahani narrates from Ummul Momineen Siddiqua (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha) that
the Holy Prophet
(Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Angels bless and greet you till the
table is laid for one of you."
Hadith 53: Abu Shaikh narrates from Abu Darda (Radi Allahu Ta' ala Anh)
that the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu
Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "The guest comes taking his livelihood and leaves
taking the sin of the host and
removing his sin."
Hadith 54: Abu Shaikh in `Sawab' narrates from Sayyidina
Imam Hasan Mujtaba (Radi Ailahu Anh) and
this is as clear as the next Hadith and this is dependent upon Imam Hasan i.e.
this is a Mauqoof Hadith i.e. it is his
saying (If the evidence for an Hadith goes back to a Companion of the Holy
Prophet (Sail Allahu Alaihi wa
Sallam), this is known as a Mauqoof Hadith).
This Hadith says: "I prefer to feed one mouthful to my religious brother
rather than give the poor one rupee and
giving to my religious brother is dearer to me than giving a poor man one
hundred rupees in charity."
Hadith 55: This Hadith is also dependant upon Sayyidina Imam Hasan (Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anh) i.e. this is a
Mauqoof Hadith also and is narrated by Sayyidina Amirul Momineen Maula Ali
Murtuza (Karram Allahu Ta'ala
Wajuhuma): "To gather a few religious brothers of mine for a feast of
three seers or six seers* of food is more
loving to me than to free a slave just bought from the market."
Hadith 56: Abu Dawood, Ibn Maja and Hibban narrate from Wahshi
bin Harb (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh): `The
Companions of the Holy Prophet (Sail Aliahu Alaihi wa Sallam) told the Prophet
(Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)
that they ate but were not satisfied." Upon this the Holy Prophet (Sall
Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) asked whether they
ate separately or together? They replied, separately. Then the Holy Prophet
(Sail Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Eat
together and invoke the Name of Allah, that will bring good fortune from Allah
for you."
Hadith 57: Ibn Maja and Askari in `Mawaiz' narrate
from Amirul Momineen Umar (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the
Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Saliam) says: "Eat together and do not
be separated because the Blessing of
Allah is with a group."
Hadith 58: Tabrani in `Kabeer' and Baihaqi
in `Shoab' narrate from Salman (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the
Holy Prophet says: "Blessing lies in three things: i.e. in the gathering
of the Muslims, eating Sareed (a kind of food)
and eating Sahri (Meals before dawn during the fasting month)."
Hadith 59: Bazzar narrates from Samra (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh)
that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa
Sallam) says: "The diet of one person is enough for two persons and the
diet of two persons is enough for four
persons and the Hand of Allah (Allah's protection) is on the group."
Hadith 60: Abu Yala, Tabrani and Abu Shaikh narrate from Jabir (Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy Prophet
(Sall* A seer is a measure of grain Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says:
"Undoubtedly food eaten together is dearer to
Allah."
It is proved from these Hadiths that the Muslims who participate in this act
with good intention and pure
deeds are expected to get twenty five benefits by the Mercy of Allah Ta'ala and
the reward of the Holy Prophet (Sail
Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam).
1. They will be saved from an evil death by Allah Ta'ala's order (Hadith 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 21, 22, 27, 28: Eleven
Hadiths). Seventy doors to an evil death will be shut for
them.
2. They will
be caused to live long (Hadith 3, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28: Nine Hadiths).
3. They will
be increased in numbers (their population will be increased) (Hadith 25.) These three benefits are related
particularly to epidemics.
4. There will
be increases in their livelihood and abundance in their wealth. (Hadith 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25: Six Hadiths).
They will never become poor due to adopting this practice. (Hadith 25).
5. They will
get virtue and blessings (Hadith 50, 51, 56, 57, 58: Five Hadiths). These two benefits are related to the
prevention of famine.
6. Calamities
and evil will be removed (Hadith 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 27: Seven Hadiths). The evil death will be put off
(Hadith 12); seventy doors of evil will be shut (Hadith 7) and seventy kinds of calamities will be removed (Hadith 8).
7. Their town
will be populated (Hadith 26).
8.
Wretchedness will be removed (Hadith 13).
9. Fear and
suspicion will vanish and they will get complete satisfaction (Hadith 19).
10. Allah's
help will accompany them (Hadith 13, 59: Two Hadiths).
11. Allah's
bounty will become definitely certain for them (Hadith 36).
12. The Angels
will invoke Allah's Blessing upon them (Hadith 52).
13. They will
do a deed for Allah's will. (Hadith 30, 31, 32, 33, 60: Five Hadiths).
14. Allah's
Anger will vanish from them. (Hadith 1, 28).
15. Their sin
will be forgiven. (Hadith 4, 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 29, 34, 47. 53: Eleven
Hadiths). The Forgiveness of
Allah Ta' ala will become definitely certain for them (Hadith 29). The fire of
their sin will be put off. (Hadith 4,
5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 29, 34, 47, 53: Eleven Hadiths). These Hadiths
are related to the prevention of famine and
epidemics and are helpful in all kinds of disease, calamity, needs that must be
met, blessing and good fortune.
16. They will
get more reward from the Charity by serving religious persons. (Hadith 54).
17. They will
achieve more reward than by liberating a slave (Hadith 55).
18. Their bad deeds will be corrected (Hadith 2).
19. Love and
affection which are the source of every excellence and virtue will grow between themselves.
(Hadith 23).
20. Many
people will eat at little cost because if one eats separately, double is spent.
(Hadith 59). Relating to this
subject, there exist many Hadiths which I have not described due to the need to
be brief.
21. They will
be exalted before Allah (Hadith 37 to 46: Ten Hadiths).
22. Allah will be proud of them in the presence of the Angels (Hadith 49).
23. They will
be saved from Hell on the Day of Resurrection. (Hadith 2, 35, 48: Three Hadiths). The Fire of
Hell will be forbidden for them. (Hadith 25).
24. They will
become prosperous with the favour of Allah in the Hereafter and this is the greatest of all our aims and
wishes (Hadith 27, 28).
25. Allah
willing! They will be in that blessed group which will enter
sacred shoes of the Holy Prophet (His Brilliancy, the Luminous, the Master of
the World, the Kind Leader andthe Guide) (Sall
Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam). (Hadith 28). Allah is great! Think of this and praise
Allah! What
a glorified, fine, comprehensive, sufficient, curative, pure and complete cure
is contained in this single medicine and
how much refreshing profit. And Allah's Bounty is extreme, extensive, enormous,
excellent and unlimited.
The Ulama tell of many things to help recovery and prevent calamity: if a
person pays his wife the total dower
or a part of it and she gives him something from this as a present with a kind
heart, and then he purchases honey and
olive oil with that amount, and taking a plate writes a few Quranic Verses
particularly Surah Fatiha and Ayat Shifa,
and washes the plate with rain water, and if that is not available washes with
river water, and mixing up a little oil
and the honey, drinks it, then he will be cured of every disease by Allah's
help because he collected five things:
two cures, the Quran and the honey, two blessings, the rain water and the
olive, and one more, the agreeable and
pleasantly presented money of the dower.
Allah Ta' ala says:
1. "And we send down in the Quran that which is a healing and Mercy to the believers." (Surah Bani Israil. 82).
2. "In
which there is healing for the people." (Surah An Nahal. 69).
3. "And
we sent down out of Heaven blessed water."
(Surah Qaf. 9).
4. "The
blessed olive tree." (Surah Al Noor. 35).
5. "If
they, of their own heart's pleasure give back something to you, then eat it with taste and pleasure."
(Surah Al Nisa. 4).
This means that We sent down in the Quran that which is a Healing and Mercy to
the believers and We sent
down out of Heaven blessed water, a blessed olive tree, and so if the women of
their own pleasure of heart give
something back to you, eat it with taste and pleasure. Hazrat Amirul Momineen,
Maulal Muslimeen Ali Murtaza
(Karram Allahu Ta' ala Wajhu) and Hazrat Sayyidina Auf bin Malik Ash Jayi (Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anh) guided us to
these blessed methods. Ibn Abi Hatim in his Tafseer narrates from Hazrat Maula
Mi (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh)
that he says:
"Whenever any of you are ill, he should make a gift of one dirham to his
wife from her dower and purchase
honey, and then, taking the rain water, collect it and enjoy the taste,
pleasure and good fortune." Once he said,
"Whenever any of you desires healing, write any Quranic Verse on a plate,
wash it with rain water and then take one
dirham (a silver coin) from your wife's dower with her own agreement and buy
honey, and mix it up in the water and
drink. Undoubtedly there is healing in it."
Allama Zarqani says in his `Sharh Maowahib' that: "Auf bin
Malik Ash Jayi became ill. He told them to bring
the water that Allah Ta'ala says, `He sent down the blessed water out of
Heaven.' He further told them to bring honey
and recited the Verse that `there is healing in it for the people.' He also
told them to bring olive oil and recited the
Verse `from the blessed tree'. Then he mixed these up, drank and attained
healing."
Now only when the collection of the miscellaneous things is lawful and
profitable, will this medicine have all
these qualities. The best example of it is described by Hazrat Abdullah bin
Mubarak, the disciple of Imam Azam
Abu Hanifa (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhuma) and it is gloriously described in a
vision of the Holy Prophet (Sail
Allahu Alaihi wa Sailam).
1. Au bin Hussain bin Shaqique says that a person in his presence asked
Abdullah bin Mubarak "0! Abu Abdul
Rahman, he has been suffering from a boil abscess coming out of his knee for
seven years. He has consulted various
types of physicians but had no relief." Upon this Ibn Mubarak said,
"Go and find such a place where people
need water. You dig a well there. I hope that there a spring will emerge for
you and this bloodshed of yours will then
stop." That person did this and he was healed. Imam Baihaqi narrated this
event from Mi (Au bin
Hussain bin Shaqique) who said that he heard this from Ibn Mubarak. A man asked
Ibn Mubarak about this event and
he then described it.
2. Imam Baihaqi says the case of his teacher Abu Abdullah Hakim (the
author of Mustadrik) was the same. A boil-
abscess appeared on his face. He tried various types of medicine as treatment
but couldn't get relief. In the same
condition he passed
about one year. On a Friday he asked the teacher Abu Usman Sabooni (Rahmatullah
Alaih), at
his meeting, to make Dua for him. He made the Dua and the audience said Amen in
abundance. On the next Friday a
lady threw away a letter at his meeting and on it was written that she had
returned to her home and that night had
tried praying to Allah Ta'ala for the recovery of Abu Abdullah Hakim. She had
the honour of visiting the Holy
Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) in the dream and he (the Holy Prophet)
ordered her to tell Abu Abdullah to
supply water to the Muslims. Imam Baihaqi says that he took away that letter to
his teacher Abu
Abdullah Hakim.
He ordered him to construct
a reservoir at his door. When it was completed he
made it fill up with water, provided ice and the people began to drink the
water. Even before a week had passed,
he began to be cured. The boil abscess began to vanish and his face became
cleaner than it was before. After this he
lived for many years. In all this the Muslims should regard some points as obligatory
so that they may attain prosperity in this World
and the Hereafter with these magnificent profits.
1. The intention should be pure for as is a man's intention so does he
achieve the reward. If you did a good deed but
the intention was bad, it would be of no use. Acts depend upon intention, so it
is necessary not to let hypocrisy or
show etc, or any bad intentions interfere, otherwise instead of the profit they
will only deserve loss. May Allah protect
us!
2. Do not intend to end this unexpectedly because a good act may have
many good intentions for the future and if the
man wishes to do only one of them, then he will only deserve the reward for
this single wish. For everyone there
is the same reward as he intends. If without any excess work but only because
of the intention one good act brings
ten rewards, then how foolish is it to have only one intention and suffer loss
without any reason. We have
mentioned above how many intentions may be made in this act. Intend to do all
those so that you attain the profit of all
rather than intending to end it unexpectedly.
Then in fact the
reward will be the result of those intentions too as we have made clear from
the Hadiths. To not have these
intentions: Charity to the poor, service to virtuous persons, kindness towards
relatives and doing good to the
neighbours but only the intention of ending unexpectedly is like having only
the skin of a fruit without the pulp.
3. Make the
maximum possible attempt to be pure in your wealth. Allah Ta'ala is sacred and
accepts purity.
Bukhari and Muslim, Nasai, Tirmizi, Ibn Maja, Ibn Khuzaima narrate from Abu
Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta'ala
Anh) that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says: "Allah
only accepts the pure."
That is a part of the Hadith and Ibn Abbas (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhuma) also
reports this.
Does it bring some sadness to owners of impure wealth that their Alms, Charity,
Fatiha (prayer for the dead)
Niyaz (offering) etc are not acceptable? May Allah protect us!
4. Beware! On
no account invite only well to do persons and ignore the poor who deserve and
need this feast. To
ignore them is to torment and break their hearts. Allah forbid! To break the
heart of a Muslim is a great calamity
which will turn all acts into ash. His Honour, the Holy Prophet (Sail Allahu
Alaihi wa Sallam) said: The worst
feast is one where well to do persons who are not poor are invited and needy
persons, who want to come, are ignored.
Muslim narrates from Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anh) that the Holy
Prophet (Sall Ailahu Alaihi wa Sallam)
says: "The worst feast is the feast of Walima (wedding party) of which the
needy persons are deprived and to
which well to do persons are invited;"
Tabrani in `Kabeer' and Dailmi in `Musnad-ul Firdaus', narrate from Ibn Abbas (Radi Allahu Anhuma)
that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) says:
"The poor are deprived of the feast and prosperous persons
are invited."
5. If the poor
come, they should be treated with hospitality. Do not place them under an
obligation but rather feel
thankful to them because they take their livelihood and then make your sin
vanish. Do not treat them in any manner
whether in inviting, etiquette, feeding etc so that they feel any insult or
heart's displeasure. Charity goes to waste due
to reminding people of the favour and displeasing their hearts.
Allah Ta'ala says: "Those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, and
then after spending neither boast of the
favour they've conferred nor do injury, their reward is with their Lord, and
they shall have no fear or grief. To speak a
kind word and to forgive is better than that Charity which is followed by doing
injury. Allah is above needing anything,
and is Clement. 0 Believers! Don't make your charities worthless by boasting of
your favours conferred and
injuring people as he did who spent his wealth to show off to people." (
May Allah protect us!
With regards to these points do not do this act once only, but implement this
act again and again so that it will
be repeated so much that the beggars and the poor will be benefitted, and thus
will physical and spiritual grace,
blessing, prosperity and fortune be brought to you, particularly in the days of
famine, May Allah protect us!
While the famine remains, to practice this act daily is proper because this
will take care of beggars and the poor;
and your food will suffice for them too. Your soul will not feel it burdens it
to give them food as feeding a group with
food for one hundred persons will provide enough for two hundred. Hazrat
Sayyidina Amirul Momineen Umar
Farooque Azam (Radi Allahu Ta' ala Anh) had this intention in the period of
general famine by the Help and
Guidance on the Straight Path of Allah Ta' ala!
SALAM ON THE PROPHET
Ya Nabi salam alaika, ya Rasul salam alaika
Ya Habib salam alaika, salawat ullahi alaika
O Prophet Wa salute You, O Messenger we salute You,
O Beloved we salute You, may Allah's peace embrace You.
Fakhre Adam fakhr
Hawa, fakhr Noah fakhr Isa
Fakhre Ibrahim o Musa, fakhre Ismaeel o Yaqub,
You are the pride of Adam and Eve, You are the pride of Noah and Jesus.
You are the pride of Abraham and Moses. pride of Ismaeel and Jacob.
Ye Nabi salam alaika,
ya Rasul salam alaika
Ye Habib salam alaika, salawat ullahi alaika
O Prophet we salute You, 0 Messenger we salute you
O Beloved we salute You, May Allah's peace embrace you.
Rahmato kay taj walay, do jahan kay raj walay,
Arsh ki miraj walay, aasiyon day laj walay,
You are the crown of compassions, you are the ruler of the two Worlds,
You visited the Throne of Allah, you were the one who pleaded for the sinners.
Ya Nabi salam alaika, ya Rasul salam alaika
Ya Habib salam alaika, salawat ullahi alaika
O Prophet we salute You, 0 Messenger we salute You,
O Beloved we salute You, may Allah's peace embrace You.
Hey yay hasrat dar pay a-ain, ashk kay darya baha-ain
Dard sinay kay dikha-ain, samnay hokar yaya suna-ain
We wish to come to your door, and, we wish to shed a tear
before you, We wish to show you all our troubles, we wish to speak before you.
Ye Nabi salam alaika, ya Rasul salam alaika
Ye Habib salam alaika, salawat ullahi alaika
O Prophet we salute You, 0 Messenger we salute You
0 beloved we salute You, may Allah's peace embrace You.
Puri ya Rab yay dua kar, ham daray mola pay jaker
Pahlay kutch natain sunakar, yay path-hain sarko Jhuka kar
May Allah fulfil our wishes, we visit our Master's tomb in Madinah
And recite some poems in his honour, and bow our heads before him.
Ya Nabi salam alaika, ya Rasul salam alaika
Ya Habib salam alaika, salawat ullahi alaika
O Prophet we salute You, 0 Messenger we salute You,
O Beloved we salute You, may Allah's peace embrace You.
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