importance of salah in islam (1)

8/8/2019 Importance of Salah in Islam (1)

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Importance of Salah in Islam: Salah (Salat, Namaz) (Prayer according to Islam)

Allah (SWT) has said in the Noble Qur'an: "I have not created the jinn andhumankind for any other purpose except that they should worship Me."(Noble Qur'an 51:56)

It is clear from the above verse of Noble Qur'an that the purpose of our

birth and of our life is no other than that of the worship of Allah (SWT).There are many acts of worship (Ibadah, Ibadat) in Islam, and Salah isone of the most important obligatory acts.

Salah (Salat, Namaz) is the ritual prayer practiced by Muslims insupplication to Allah (SWT). The term is commonly used to refer to the five daily prayers, which arecompulsory upon all mature Muslims. Salah (Salat, Namaz) is considered the most important act of worship (Ibadah, Ibadat) in Islam and its importance is such that under very few circumstances itcan be omitted.

Salah (Salat, Namaz) strengthens the foundations of our faith. It prepares a person to live the life of goodness and obedience to Allah (SWT), and it builds courage and determination. Every time weperform Salah, we renew our commitments to Allah (SWT) and we rid ourselves from worldlypressures five times a day.

According to a Hadith a companion of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) came to him one day andasked him "What is the thing that Allah (SWT) loves most?" Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) replied"The thing that Allah (SWT) loves most is when his people pray Salah on time."

Salah (Salat, Namaz) is a practical sign of obedience to the commands of Allah (SWT). Itsimportance has been emphasized about 500 times in the Noble Qur'an.

Once Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) shook a dry branch of a tree so that all of the leaves of thebranch fell off than the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said "The sins of those who pray Salah,drop off as the leaves of this branch fell off."

Before Salah, we make Wudu. Wudu (Ablution) is a unique way of cleansing certain parts of ourbody so we are clean before bowing down to the one who created us, who created the universe theone and only Allah (SWT).

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) once asked his companions "Tell me if there was a river at thedoor step of one of you in which you washed five times a day would any of your dirt remain?" WhenHoly Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received the reply that none of it would remain he then said "Thatis like the five times Salah, with which Allah (SWT) wipes out sin.

The last thing that Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) emphasized at his deathbed was Salah. He alsosaid the first thing we will have to answer about on the day of judgement is Salah.

While in Salah one communicates with Allah (SWT) and experiences his presence. That's why aHadith says: Salah is the Meraj of a Momin (Namaz is called as Meraj-ul-Momineen).

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) also said "The key to Heaven is Salah. The key to Salah isPurification."

"Namaz is a pillar of Religion. If Namaz is accepted all other deeds are accepted. If Namaz isrejected then all other Deeds are rejected." (Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh))

Importance of Salah in Islam: Sayings on Salah (Salat, Namaz)



Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "Almighty Allah (SWT) has set thelight of my eyes in Salah (Salat, Namaz) and made it the most desirablething for me, like the food for the hungry and the water for the thirsty. Thehungry is contented after the meal and the thirsty is satisfied after drinkingwater. But my thirst for Salah (Salat, Namaz) is never quenched."

Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "Everything has a face and the faceof your religion is Salah (Salat, Namaz); none of you should stain the faceof his religion."

Commander of the Believers Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (pbuh) said: "Almighty Allah (SWT) has ordainedthe obligation of faith for purification from polytheism and the obligation of Salah (Salat, Namaz) forrefraining from pride and arrogance."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (pbuh) said: "The superiority of Salah (Salat, Namaz) performed in the earliestmoments over the one offered in the last moments of its specified time is the same as thesuperiority of the Hereafter over this world."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (pbuh) said: "It is quite possible that a person lives for fifty years and not even asingle prayer of his is accepted. Is there anything harder and more painful than this? There are

some people ... whose prayers ... will not be accepted ... because they belittle Salah (Salat,Namaz), while nothing but good is admitted to Almighty Allah (SWT). How can Almighty Allah (SWT)accept that which is considered to be of little worth?"

Imam Ali bin Moosa Al Ridha (pbuh) said: "When it is time for Salah (Salat, Namaz), perform yourprayers; you never know what will happen afterwards ... Nothing is dearer to Almighty Allah thanSalah (Salat, Namaz). Worldly affairs must not detract you from the prayer timings. Do not delayyour prayers (from the prescribed timings) for no reason. Always perform your Salah (Salat,Namaz) on its best time."

Imam Ali bin Moosa Al Ridha (pbuh) said: "When you are praying, avoid being drowsy, slumberous,playing and hastening. Pray with solemnity, gravity and soberness. It is up to you to remainattentive, humble and submissive in Almighty Allah's presence. Stand in front of your Lord as a

slave appears before his master. Keep your feet in order and your stature firm. Do not look hereand there. Be as if you could see Him; for, if you do not see Him, He sees you."

Importance of Salah in Islam: Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Salah (Salat, Namaz)

One of the companions of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), by thename of Sa'd, was very poor and was regarded as one of the People of theLedge. Sa'd used to offer all his Salah (Salat, Namaz) prayers behind theHoly Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), who was greatly distressed by Sa'd'spoverty. One day, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) promised him thatif he got some money, he would give it to Sa'd. Time passed but no moneycame to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) who became even moredistressed at Sa'd's situation. It was at this time that Jibril (Gabriel)descended, bringing with him two Dirhams.

Jibril (Gabriel) said to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), "Allah (SWT)has said: We are aware of your distress in connection with Sa'd's poverty. If you want him toemerge from this state, give him these two Dirhams and ask him to engage himself in business."

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) took the two Dirhams and set out of the house for the Dhuhrprayers when he found Sa'd waiting for him near one of the rooms of the mosque.

Turning to Sa'd, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) asked: "Could you engage yourself inbusiness?"



"By Allah (SWT)! I have no capital with which I can do business," replied Sa'd.

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) handed him the two Dirhams and told him to start businesswith this capital.

Sa'd took the money and after offering the Dhuhr and Asr Salah (Salat, Namaz) prayers set about to

earn his livelihood.

Allah (SWT) blessed Sa'd in such a way that whatever he purchased for a Dirham, he would sell itfor double the amount. Consequently, his financial state gradually improved. This continued till heeventually purchased a shop near the mosque and began conducting his business from there. As hisbusiness picked up, he began to become lax with respect to his acts of worship (Ibadah, Ibadat),even to the extent that when Hazrat Bilal ibn Rabah recited the Adhan he would not get ready forthe prayers. Previously, he was ready well before Adhan was recited!

When the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) noticed Sa'd's lateness for Salah (Salat, Namaz) prayers,he said to him: "Sa'd, this world has made you so busy that it has even weaned you away from yourSalah (Salat, Namaz) prayers."

Sa'd replied, "What can I do? If I leave my wealth unattended, it will go towaste and I will end up in loss. From one person, I have to collect themoney for the goods sold, while from another I have to take possession of the goods purchased."

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was disturbed at Sa'd's involvementwith his wealth and his negligence with respect to his acts of worship andSalah (Salat, Namaz) prayer. At that moment, Jibril (Gabriel) descendedagain and said: "Allah (SWT) has said: 'We possess knowledge of yourdistress. Which of the two states do you prefer for Sa'd?"

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) indicated that the previous state was beneficial for Sa'd. Jibril(Gabriel) agreed, "Yes, love for the world causes man to become heedless of the hereafter. Takeback the two Dirhams, which you had given to him previously."

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) approached Sa'd and asked him if he could return the twoDirhams that he had given to him.

"If you desire, I shall even give you two hundred Dirhams," replied Sa'd.

"No, just give me the two Dirhams, which you had taken from me." said the Holy ProphetMohammad (pbuh).

Sa'd handed the money to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and within a short time, his financialsituation turned a full circle and before long he found himself in his previous state.

Importance of Salah in Islam: Salah Timings (Prayer according to Islam, Salah Time)

He remembered his grandmother's warning about praying Salah (Salat,Namaz) on time: "My son, you shouldn't leave Salah (Salat, Namaz) to thislate time". His grandmother's age was 70 but whenever she heard theAdhan, grandmother got up like an arrow and performed Salah (Salat,Namaz). He however could never win over his ego to get up and praySalah (Salat, Namaz). Whatever he did, his Salah was always the last tobe offered and he prayed it quickly to get it in on time. Thinking of this, hegot up and realized that there were only 15 minutes left before Salat ulIsha. He quickly made Wudu (Ablution) and performed Salat ul Maghrib.While making Tasbih (Glorification) of Fatimah Zahra (sa), he again



remembered his grandmother and was embarrassed by how he had prayed Salah (Salat, Namaz).His grandmother prayed with such tranquility and peace. He began making Dua and went down tomake Sajda (prostrating) and stayed like that for a while.

He had been at school all day and was tired, so tired. He awoke abruptly to the sound of noise andshouting. He was sweating profusely. He looked around. It was very crowded. Every direction helooked in was filled with people. Some stood frozen looking around, some were running left andright and some were on their knees with their heads in their hands just waiting. Pure fear andapprehension filled him as he realized where he was.

His heart was about to burst. It was the Day of Judgment. When he was alive, he had heard manythings about the questioning on the Day of Judgment, but that seemed so long ago. Could this besomething his mind made up? No, the wait and the fear were so great that he could not haveimagined this. The interrogation was still going on. He began moving frantically from people topeople to ask if his name had been called. No one could answer him. All of a sudden his name wascalled and the crowd split into two and made a passageway for him. Two people grabbed his armsand led him forward. He walked with unknowing eyes through the crowd. The angels brought him tothe center and left him there. His head was bent down and his whole life was passing in front of hiseyes like a movie. He opened his eyes but saw only another world. The people were all helpingothers. He saw his father running from one lecture to the other, spending his wealth in the way of

Islam. His mother invited guests to their house and one table was being set while the other wasbeing cleared.

He pleaded his case; "I too was always on this path. I helped others. I spread the word of Allah(SWT). I performed my Salah (Salat, Namaz). I fasted in the month of Ramadan. Whatever Allah(SWT) ordered us to do, I did. Whatever Allah (SWT) ordered us not to do, I did not."

He began to cry and think about how much he loved Allah (SWT). He knew that whatever he haddone in life would be less than what Allah (SWT) deserved and his only protector was Allah (SWT).He was sweating like never before and was shaking all over. His eyes were fixed on the scale,waiting for the final decision. At last, the decision was made. The two angels with sheets of paper intheir hands, turned to the crowd. His legs felt like they were going to collapse. He closed his eyes asthey began to read the names of those people who were to enter Jahannam (Hell). His name wasread first. He fell on his knees and yelled that this couldn't be, "How could I go to Jahannam? I

served others all my life, I spread the word of Allah (SWT) to others". His eyes had become blurryand he was shaking with sweat. The two angels took him by the arms. As his feet dragged, theywent through the crowd and advanced toward the blazing flames of Jahannam. He was yelling andwondered if there was any person who was going to help him. He was yelling of all the good deedshe had done, how he had helped his father, his fasts, prayers, the Noble Qur'an that he read, hewas asking if none of them would help him. The Jahannam angels continued to drag him. They hadgotten closer to the Hellfire. He looked back and these were his last pleas. Had not Holy ProphetMohammad (pbuh) said, "How clean would a person be who bathes in a river five times a day, sotoo does the Salah (Salat, Namaz) performed five times cleanse someone of their sins"? He beganyelling, "My prayers? My prayers? My prayers?"

The two angels did not stop, and they came to the edge of the abyss of Jahannam. The flames of the fire were burning his face. He looked back one

last time, but his eyes were dry of hope and he had nothing left in him. One of the angels pushed him in. He found himself in the air and falling towards theflames. He had just fallen five or six feet when a hand grabbed him by thearm and pulled him back. He lifted his head and saw an old man with a longwhite beard. He wiped some dust off himself and asked him, "Who are you?"The old man replied, "I am your Salah (Salat, Namaz) prayers".

"Why are you so late? I was almost in the Fire! You rescued me at the last minute before I fell in".The old man smiled and shook his head, "You always performed me at the last minute, and did youforget?" At that instant, he blinked and lifted his head from Sajda (prostrating). He was in a sweat.



He listened to the voices coming from outside. He heard the adhan for Salat ul Isha. He got upquickly and went to perform Wudu (Ablution).

Say Your Prayers Before Prayers For You Are Said (Namaz Parha Karo Is Se Pehle Ke TumhariNamaz Parhi Jaye).

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IMPORTANCE OF ZAKAT

Brethren-in-Islam !

After Salah, Zakat is the greatest pillar of Islam. Generally, since in the usual series of

µIbadat fasting immediately follows Salah, people have come to understand that fasting is asnext to Salah. But from the Holy Qur'an we learn that in Islam Zakat stands second inimportance to Salah. These are the two great pillars on which rests the structure of Islam. If these are removed Islam cannot survive.

Meaning of 'Zakat'

Zakat means purity and cleanliness. A portion set apart from your wealth for the needy andthe poor is called Zakat. because in this manner a man's wealth and along with it his ownNafs ?(self) becomes purified. The wealth of that person is impure who does not take outfrom the God-given wealth what is due to the poor and the needy. And along with his

wealth his Nafs too is impure because it is filled with ungratefulness. His heart is so narrow,he is selfish and so much a worshipper of wealth that it pains him to render what is due inreturn for the Divine favour of bestowing on him wealth in excess of his real requirements.Can it be expected from such a person that he will ever do any good deed to please Godand will make any sacrifice for the sake of his religion and faith ? This is why the heart of such a person is impure as also his wealth which he amasses in this manner.

'Zakat' a test

By making Zakat obligatory Allah has put every person to test. That person alone whowillingly takes out what is due to God from that wealth which exceeds his requirements, and

helps with it the poor and needy, is useful for Allah and is worthy of being counted amongthe faithfuls. And that one whose heart is so narrow that he cannot make this much sacrificefor the Lord of the world, is of no use to Allah. He is absolutely unfit to be included in thecommunity of the faithful. He is a rotten limb which may better be severed from the body,otherwise it will purify the whole frame. This is why when after the demise of the HolyProphet (peace be on him) when some tribes refused to give Zakat, Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq(may Allah be pleased with him) waged a war against them, as is done against unbelieverseven though they used to say Salah and professed faith in Allah and His messenger. Fromthis it is clear that without Zakat, Salah, fasting and affirmation of faith are all useless.



None of these is credible.

'Zakat' obligatory on Ummah s of all prophets

Look into the Holy Qur'an. You will see that from ancient times Salah and Zakat wereordained as compulsory for the Ummahs of all prophets and the Islamic religion was neverbereft of these two items during the period of any prophet. After mentioning about ProphetAbraham and the Prophets of his race, Allah says in the Qur'an :

"And We made them leaders of men. They guided the people according to Ourcommand, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds and rightestablishment of Salah and giving of Zakat and they were worshippers of Us."

(Al-Qur'an 21:73)

About Prophet Ishmael it is said:

"He enjoined upon his people Salah and Zakat and was acceptable in the sight of his Lord."

(Al-Qur'an 19:55)

Prophet Moses prayed for his people :

"O God ! Bestow upon us the well-being of this world as also the well-being of theHereafter".

Do you know in reply to it what Allah said ?

"I shall smite with my punishment whom I will. Although My mercy embraceth allthings, but I shall ordain it for those who will fear Me and give Zakat and thosewho will believe in Our revelations."

(Al-Qur'an 7:156)

Since the people of Prophet Moses were narrow-minded hankered after money, just as yousee the condition of Jews even today, Allah plainly said in answer to the prayer of such adistinguished prophet : "If your people will give Zakat steadfastly, then the promise of Mymercy is for them, otherwise listen clearly here and now that they will be deprived of Mymercy and My punishment will encompass them". Similarly, even after Prophet Moses BeniIsrael were repeatedly admonished on this account. Time and again covenants were takenfrom them to worship none save Allah and to be steadfast in Salah and Zakat (Al-Qur'an2:10) till ultimately a clear notice was given :

"And Allah said : O Children of Israel ! I am with you, if you offer Salah, and giveZakat and believe in My messengers and support those messengers who are tocome, and lend unto Allah a nice loan surely I shall remit your sins"



(Al-Qur'an 5:12)

Before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the last Prophet was Prophet Jesus. Thecommandment about Salah and Zakat was given to him also by Allah, as is found in SurahMary : "And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined uponme Salah and Zakat so long as I remain alive."

(Al-Qur'an 19:31)

This shows that the religion of Islam has been established from the beginning, in theministry of every prophet, on the two great pillars of Salah and Zakat, and it neverhappened that any Ummah believing in God was exempted from these two obligatoryduties.

'Z akat ' imperative for Muslim 'Ummah '

Now see how these two Faraid (obligatory acts) go hand in hand in the Shari¶ah of prophetMuhammad (peace be on him). On opening the Holy Qur'an what are those verses whichyou first see ?

These are :

"This Qur'an is the book of Allah whereof there is no doubt. It shows the right pathof life in the world to the pious people. (Pious people are) those who believe in theunseen and observe Salah and spend of that We have bestowed upon them (in thepath of Allah)."

(Al-Qur'an 2:1-2)

It is then said :

"It is such people who have received guidance from their Lord and it is they whoare (successful)."

That is to say those who have no faith and do not adhere to Salah and Zakat are neitherreceiving guidance nor can they achieve success.

After this, go on reading the same second Surah. After a few verses it is again commanded:

"Be steadfast in saying Salah and giving Zakat and bow your heads with those whobow (i.e. say Salah in congregation)."

(Al-Qur'an 2: 43)

A little further in the same Surah it is said :

"Righteousness is not merely that you turn your faces to the East and the West,but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the



Scripture and the Prophets; and gives his wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk andto orphan and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slavesfree; and says Salah and gives Zakat; and those who keep their treaty when theymake one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such arethey who are sincere Such are the God-fearing."

(Al-Qur'an 2:177)

Then see further what is said in Surah Ma'idah :

"O Muslim ! Your real friends and supporters are only Allah, His messenger andbelievers, i.e. such people who say Salah and give Zakat and bow down beforeGod. Therefore, whoso befriends Allah, His messenger and the believers is a manof Allah's party and Allah's party alone is going to be victorious."

(Al-Qur'an 5:55-56)

Sign of believers : 'S alah ' and 'Z akat '

A great rule has been expounded in this verse. First of all you learnt from it that thebelievers are only those people who say Salah and give Zakat. Those who discard these twopillars of Islam are false in their claim of being believers. Then it becomes known from thisverse that there is a party of Allah and His messenger and the believers, and it is the task of the believer to leave others and join this party. If a Muslim befriends a person who isoutside this party, may he be his father, brother, son, neighbour, countryman or any oneelse, and maintains with him relationship of affection and support, he should not expect thatAllah would like to keep up relation with him as his supporter. Finally, it is also learnt fromthis verse that believers can gain domination only when they single-mindedly make Allahand His messenger and believers their patrons, supporters, friends, and companions.

Foundations of Islamic fraternity

Now go ahead. In Surah Tauba :Allah has commanded Muslims to wage war againstdisbelievers and polytheists, and has continuously given directions in several Ruku¶s aboutwar only. In this connection Allah says :

" Then if they repent from disbelief and polytheism, and affirm faith, and say Salahand give Zakat they are your brethren in religion."

(Al-Qur'an 9:11)

This means that mere repentance for disbelief and polytheism is not enough. The proof of their having really repented from disbelief and polytheism and having affirmed faith can befurnished only in this way that they regularly say Salah and pay Zakat. Therefore, if bythese deeds, they provide a proof of their faith, then they are your religious brothers,otherwise, do not consider them your brothers and do not end war with them.



Then a little further it is said in the same Surah :

"And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another; theyenjoin the right and forbid the wrong and they say Salah and pay Zakat and obeyAllah and His messenger. As for these, Allah will have mercy on them."

(Al-Qur'an 60:71)

Now you have heard that no person can at all become a religious brother of Muslims untilafter affirming faith he actually says Salah and pays Zakat. Faith, Salah and Zakat thesethree things put together bring into being the community of believers. Those who adhere tothese three principles are integrated with this pure community and among them aloneexists the relationship of friendship, affection, companionship and mutual support, whilethose who disregard these three principles are outside this community, though they may beMuslim in name. To maintain relations of friendship, affection and companionship with thelatter means that you have broken the law of Allah and disrupted the party of Allah. Howthen do you expect to remain dominant on the world?

Now go still further. It is said in Surah Hajj:

Conditions for Allah's help

"Verily Allah helps one who helps Him. Lo ! Allah is Strong, Almighty. Those who, if We give them power in the land, establish Salah and give Zakat and enjoin virtueand forbid evil. And with Allah is the sequel of events."

(Al-Qur'an 22 : 40-41)

In this verse, Muslims have been served with the same notice as was given to Bani Israel. I

have just now told you what notice was given by Allah to Bani Israel. They were clearly told: " I am with you till such time as you say Salah and give Zakat, and co-operate with Myprophets in the fulfilment of their mission, i.e. you will try to enforce My law in the world.The moment you gave up this work I shall withdraw My helping hand from you." Exactly thisvery thing Allah has told to Muslims also. He has clearly pointed out to them : " If aftergaining power in the land you establish Salah, give Zakat, propagate virtues and eliminateevil, then only will I be your supporter, and who can subdue him when I support him. But if you turned your face against Zakat and after acquiring superiority over land propagatedevils instead of virtues, and eliminated virtues instead of evils, and raised aloft your wordinstead of My Word, and if from taxes collected built paradises on the earth considering it asthe objective of inheriting the land, then listen : My support will not be with you, in such acase Satan alone will be your supporter."

Warning to Muslims

Allah-o-Akbar ! What a situation to take lesson from ! The warning given to Bani Israel wastaken by them as an empty verbal threat, and they saw the consequence of not paying heedto it. They are wandering today on the surface of the earth. They are being shuttled hitherand thither and do not get any resting place. They have coffers brimming with crores of rupees. They are the wealthiest people in the world. But this money is of no use to them. By



adopting the cursed system of usury instead of Zakat, and by taking to lewdness instead of Salah they have invoked Allah's curse : and loaded with this curse they are running aboutcontaminating the whole world like plague-rats. Then this very threat was given to Muslimsbut disregarding it they neglected Salah and Zakat and stopped using the God-givenstrength for propagating virtues and destroying vices. See its result that they weredislodged from the seat of government and thrown away. They became victim of oppressors

throughout the world. They are weak and subjugated in all parts of the earth. You haveseen the disastrous result of abandoning Salah and Zakat. Now a party has risen amongthem which wants to drag them into indecency, obscenity and lewdness and is telling themthat to end their poverty they should start insurance companies and begin taking usury. ByGod if they did this they will be overtaken by the same disgrace and ignominy which Jewssuffered and they will be subjected to the same curse of God which has afflicted Bani Israel.

Doom of defaulters of 'Z akat '

Brethren-in-Islam !

I shall tell you in my future lectures what Zakat is and what tremendous power Allah hasinfused in it. I shall also show that this Divine mercy, which is considered an ordinary thingtoday by Muslims, indeed contains a great blessing for them. My intention in today's lecturewas only to explain to you the position which Salah and Zakat occupy in Islam. ManyMuslims think, and their Maulvis too assure them day and night, that they remain Muslimeven though they may not observe Salah and pay Zakat. But the Qur'an clearly refutes theirassumption. From the Qur'anic viewpoint the affirmation of Kalima Tayyiba is itself meaningless if to substantiate it a man does not bind himself to the observing of Salah andgiving of Zakat. For this very reason, as I have just now described to you, Hadrat Abu Bakrwaged a war against the rejectors of Zakat branding them as disbelievers. The Prophet'scompanions doubted in the beginning whether or not such a Muslim who professes belief inGod and His messenger and observes Salah also can be included in that category againstwhich war is ordered to be waged. But when Hadrat Abu Bakr, who was granted by Allah avery eminent position in al-Islam became adamant in his opinion and insistently said :

" By God, if these people withheld from the Zakat they used to give during the time of theHoly Prophet (peace be on him) even a piece of rope to which a camel is tied, I shall raisemy sword against them".

Then eventually Allah opened the hearts of all companions for the perception of Truth andthey all accepted the verdict that Jihad must be waged against the rejectors of Zakat is thework of idolaters who deny the Hereafter.

"And woe unto the idolaters who give not Zakat ! and who are disbelievers in theHereafter."

(Al-Qur'an 41:6-7)

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Belief in the unseen

Belief in the Unseen is central to the message of the Qur¶ân. Allah says: ³This is the Book; in it

is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; who believe in the Unseen, aresteadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.´ [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 2-3]

This verse establishes for us that belief in the Unseen is the basis for certainty of faith. Indeed, allsix of the articles of faith are founded upon belief in the Unseen.

This is why Allah mentions belief in the Unseen here as the first characteristic of a believer. Weare not supposed to limit our belief to those things that we can apprehend with our senses. We

are not supposed to allow our observation of the physical world to blind us to our faith in what is beyond it.

Allah gives us the balance that we are supposed to strike when He tells us: ³On the Earth aresigns for those of assured Faith, as also in your own selves: Will you not then see? And inheaven is your sustenance, as (also) that which you are promised.´ [Sûrah Dhâriyât : 20-22]

In these verses Allah mentions matters of the Unseen with matters that are subject to our empirical scrutiny. The world of the Unseen is the domain of faith. The proof for our faith,

however, is in the tangible world, the world wherein we carry out our lives.

A Muslim believes in the existence of that which is beyond human perception. A Muslim believes in Allah and His attributes. A Muslim believes in the angels, the scriptures, and the

Prophets. A Muslim believes in the Hereafter and what it entails of the Resurrection, Heaven and

Hell, the Balance, and the Bridge and other details mentioned in the Qur¶ân and the authenticSunnah.

This also entails belief in the Jinn, for Allah says: ³Say (O Muhammad): It is revealed unto methat a company of the Jinn gave ear, and they said: Lo! we have heard a marvellous Qur`ân,

which guides unto righteousness, so we believe in it and we ascribe no partner unto our Lord.´[Sûrah al-Jinn: 1-2]

Allah says: ³Behold, We turned towards thee a company of Jinn (quietly) listening to theQur`ân.When they stood in the presence thereof, they said, µListen in silence!¶ When the

(reading) was finished, they returned to their people, to warn them. They said: O our people! Lo!we have heard a scripture which hath been revealed after Moses, confirming that which was

before it, guiding unto the truth and a straight path.´ [Sûrah al-Ahqâf 29-30]

Therefore, it is, in a Muslim¶s faith, a matter of certainty that the Jinn exist and that they areaccountable to their Lord and Creator, that the message of the Prophets is for them as well, and

that among them are believers and unbelievers. Our belief in these matters requires no empirical proof.



We must simply concede that our minds and our faculties are limited, and some things in Allah¶screation have not been subjected to our scrutiny.

Consider the human soul. Though it has a vital connection with the human body, its nature is a

complete mystery to us.

Allah says: ³They ask you about the soul. Say: the soul is from the affair of my Lord, and of knowledge you have been vouchsafed but little.´ [Sûrah al-Isrâ: 85]

Belief in the Unseen gives the mind scope that it otherwise would not have. Without belief in theUnseen, life would become depressing and claustrophobic. This is why, regardless of their

religious convictions, people show a general tendency to need their Lord and Creator, especiallyat times of hardship.

Allah describes this tendency in the Qur¶ân: ³Now, if they embark on a boat, they call on Allah,

making their devotion sincerely (and exclusively) to Him; but when He has delivered them safely

to (dry) land, behold, they give a share (of their worship to others)!´ [Sûrah al-`Ankabût : 65]

Outside of the limited scope that Islam sets for belief in the Unseen within the framework of our

acceptance of the scriptures, Islam gives humanity wide berth for the exercise of reason and the pursuit of empirical knowledge. Islam encourages us to stud the world around us and uncover its

secrets.

This is why Islam demands that any claim we make about a matter of the Unseen must be strictly

supported by scripture. Otherwise, the Unseen should not be invoked.

Allah instructs us in the Qur¶ân, regarding a claim that people made about the Hereafter: ³Say:

Bring your proof (of what you state) if you are truthful.´ [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 111]

This gives us the criterion between belief in the Unseen and belief in superstition. The Unseen

refers to matters of faith that are beyond our rational powers to apprehend. Superstitions, bycontrast, are the consequences of our failure to exercise our rational faculties where they should

be applied.

The matters of the Unseen that Islam calls upon people of faith to believe ± they are all matters

which reason cannot ascertain. At the same time, they are not matters that run contrary to thedictates of reason.

Ibn Taymiyah explains this as follows:

Islam asserts matters that transcend the limits of human reason ± matters that the human mind is

incapable of resolving on its own. Islam does not assert matters that run contrary to the dictatesof reason, things that our rational faculties clearly show us to be impossible or wrong.

Reason does not deny the existence of the Unseen. To the contrary, reason acknowledges thatnecessity of the Unseen for human life in this world and for the concerns of the Hereafter.



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ALLAH promises of Rizq

First off all let¶s agree on the meaning of Rizq by the help of what Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmed(damat barkatuhum) mentioned in one of his lectures:

³All aspects of a person¶s subsistence and livelihood fall under the definition of rizq, including

but not restricted to wealth, status, business and children.´

We see in this capitalist scoiety, everyone will do anything that is possible to gain their

Rizq. People think they are expanding their rizq by doing haram, opening liquor shops, but theyaren¶t. Islam tells us the rizq is assigned at our birth and on top of that Allah Subhanahu Wa

Ta¶ala made five promises of Rizq. Exactly on these I¶ll try to shed some light on in this topic.

INFAAQ FISABILILLAH

It¶s no secret that when spending or giving charity in the path of Allah, Allah Ta¶ala according to

His boundless mercy gives back much times more. There are many Ahadith regarding this, but tospare you time I¶ll just type the incident of Hadhrat Sayyidina Ali (karamallahu wajuhu) and a

beggar which will make you understand this concept very easily.

Hadhrat Ubaydullah bin Muhammad bin Aisha narrates that when a beggar came to the AmeerulMu¶mineen Hahdrat Ali (radhiallahu ano), he said to (his son) Hadhrat Hasan (radhiallahu anho)

or Hadhrat Husayn (radhiallahu anho), ³Go to your mother and tell her to give one of the sixDirhams that I had left with her.´ His son went and later returned with the message that she said,

³You had left the six Dirhams to purchase flour.´ Hadhrar Ali (radhiallahu anho) said, ³TheIman of a person cannot be true until he has more trust in that which is in Allah¶s hands than that

which is in his hands.´ He then sent a message to her to send all six Dirhams. When she did so,he gave it all to the beggar.

Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anho) had not yet even changed his posture when a man arrived selling

a camel. ³How much for the camel?´ Hahdrat Ali (radhiallahu anho) asked. ³A hundred andforty Dirhams,´ the man replied. Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anho) told the man to tie the camel by

him with the understanding that he would pay for it after a while. The man tied the camel thereand then left. Another man then passed by and asked who the camel belonged to. When Hadhrat

Ali (radhiallahu anho) informed him that the camel was his, the man asked him whether hewould sell it. ³Certainly,´ replied Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anho). ³How much?´, he asked. ³For

two hundred Dirhams,´ was the reply. The man agreed to buy it, handed over the two hundredDirhams and then took the camel.

Hadhrat Ali (karamallahu wajuhu) then paid a hundred and forty Dirhams to the man whom hehad promised to pay and then returned with sixty Dirhams to (his wife) Hadhrat Fatima

(radhiallahu anha). Seeing the money she asked, ³What is this?´ Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anho)replied, ³This is what Allah promised us on the lips of His Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam):



³Whoever brings (carries out) a good act will recieve ten times as much.´ (Surah An¶aam:160)´

Subhan¶Allah, do I need to say anything more except that this is no fairy tale but a true

incident?! The Ulema-i-Kiram have explained many more halal ways of increasing the

barakah in your Rizq, but these are the five big points I¶ve been taught:

Taqwa, Namaz, Istighf ar, Tawakkul and Inf aq Fisabilillah.

Oh yeah, and I almost forgot Asbab. T here are no promises of Allah attached to Asbab, but our Yaqeen nowadays is made on them. May Allah forgive us and bring all these attributes into our

life. Ameen!

importance of salah in islam (1)

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