SHAHADA (The Declaration of Faith) – Part -1 Oneness of Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful”

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

As salaam alaykum ramatullahi wa barakthu "May the peace of Allah be upon you, and His mercy and blessings"

Dear friends, 

Today I would like to introduce you about the first part of Shahadath Kalima. That is oneness of Allah. It is also called as Tawheed. The Arabic phrase, shahadtha kalima, is a simple statement; sincerely believing in the meanings of it and the faith behind it can change one's life forever.

It consists of two parts: first half is tawheed the unity and oneness of Allah. This fundamental concept of Islam is expressed by Allah himself in His book Qur'an: "He, Allah is one. Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten, And none is like Him."

The second part of kalima is risalah: the acceptance of Prophethood. Muslims accept that all Prophets were chosen by Allah to lead people in the right way, the basic message of His oneness to all nations and society, in their own languages, at different times. Adam was the first Prophet and Muhammed the final of all messengers to mankind. There were so many prophets were came for different community and different time but Muhammed is not for particular society or time. He is special and entrusted to all community & world till the dooms day

ONENESS OF GOD

Muslims believe in one God, Allah. None has the right to be worshiped but Allah; there is no partner unto Him. He has power over everything. Islam is based on this concept which Allah has expressed in The Qur'an.

Before Nuh Nabi (AS), there was no shirk and prophets were mainly sent to teach and give warning for their life style. They were wrong in the sense of doing sin and uncontrolled life method. But at the time of Nuh (AS), people were started to do worship to some great personalities of that time. They created the idol of those persons and they considered these idols represent those great personalities which can help them. They considered these idols are partners of Allah and it can bring goodness and badness to them. So Nuh (AS) gave them clear direction and warning to throw these idols and worship Allah only. Few of them believed him and others vanished by big flood which was the calamity from Allah on them. From Nuh(AS) era onwards shirk (worshiping others ) has started.

After that society, some kings also proclaimed that they are the representative of GOD or themselves as GOD like Farova at the time of Moosa (AS). But Allah gave right answer to them through Moosa (AS). Still Farova’s dead body has kept as the warning for all human being till doomsday.

Some society believed that Allah has kids like Christian believes, Isa (AS) is the son of Allah,the angels are the daughters of GOD or Uzar is the son of Allah like that. But Allah gave very clear answer to them by Surathul Ikhlas as  : "He, Allah is one. Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten, And none is like Him."

Allah is one:- He is the one and no partners or kids for HIM

Allah is He on Whom all depend:- Allah depends to none. But all others are depends to Him. He is the source of power and ability. Others are enjoying these ability as a blessings from Him. As other religion believes trinity of GOD and dependency of GOD is wrong. Our God Allah is independent to all.

He begets not, nor is He begotten: - He has no children and he is beyond the imagination of man. It is human thought that the god has organs like human and we human have a tendency to preview all according to our own wish. But Allah is not like anything which he has created.  

None is like Him: - He is the creator and we are created by him. It is a deficiency that the creator and created has same shape, dependency and ability. So Allah is free from all defects and he is the only one Perfect. None of created is same like him and He is not like any created one also.

He is Allah, besides whom there is no other God, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. Allah is the Most Benficent, the Most Merciful. He is Allah, the King, the Holy, the One, Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Guardian, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Exalted be Allah from all that they associate as partner with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator of all things, the Bestower of forms. His are the most Gracious Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty and the Wise One. 

Blessed be He in Whose hand is the sovereignty, and He has power over all things. Who has created life and death, that He may test you which of you is best in conduct; and He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving. 

There is no god but He. It is He Who gives life and causes death, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers. No, but they (unbelievers) divert themselves with doubts. 

Allah; there is no god but Allah, the Ever Living, the Eternal One. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. He is the Most Exalted, the Most Great. 

To Him belongs all what is in the heavens and the earth. And those (angels) who are near Him do not disdain to worship Him, nor they ever weary of His service. They glorify Him night and day, tirelessly never intermit. Have they (people) chosen earthly gods who (they think) can restore the dead (to life)? If there had been either in the heavens or the earth other gods than Allah, both (heaven and earth) would have been ruined. So glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, far above what they attribute to Him. He cannot be questioned as to what He does, but they shall be questioned.

Have they chosen other gods besides Him? Say: “Bring forth your proof. This is the Message (the Quran) of those with me, and the Message (the previous Scriptures) of those before me.” But, most of them do not know the truth, and so they turn away. And We did not send any Messenger before you without inspiration to him: “There is no god but I; so worship Me (alone).” And yet they say, “The Compassionate God has begotten offspring.” Exalted is He! No, those (whom they so designate) are only His honoured servants. They do not speak before He speaks, and they only perform His commands. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede for none, except for those whom He approves, and they tremble in awe of Him. And if any of them declares: “I am a god beside Him,” We shall requite such a one with Hell. Thus do We requite the wrongdoers.

I hope you could understand the message furnished above and Insha Allah we can discuss the the Prophet hood of Muhammed (SAW) later. Please pray for me.

The Five Pillars of Islam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful”

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

As salaam alaykum ramatullahi wa barakthu "May the peace of Allah be upon you, and His mercy and blessings"

Dear friends, 

Today I would like to introduce you about five pillars of Islam. This is mainly functional pillars. We have already discussed the 6 pillars of faith in Islam separately in other post. Please have look at that after reading this post. I would like to give you more explanation about these five pillars separately later. Hope you will understand and enjoy this. Please include me in your prayer.

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:

• Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam- SAW)
• Establishment of the daily prayers (5 times compulsory prayer)
• Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
• Self-purification through fasting; and
• The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

1) Shahadah (Iman or Faith)

The first pillar of Islam is to believe and declare the oneness of Allah and prophethood of Muahmmed (SAW)

“Ash hadu anllahilaha illallahu wa ash hadu anna muhmmedarrasoolullah” (“There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God.") This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of this declaration is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Prophet, Muhammad.

Important thing here we have to consider that, firstly believe the above creed in your mind deeply and strongly and then secondly clearly say by your tongue.

It mainly involves mind and no need for health, wealth or sacrifice etc. This is the basic and most important pillar. One who dies with last word and believes as “Ash hadu anllahilaha illallahu wa ash hadu anna muhmmedarrasoolullah” (“There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God."), he/she will be in heaven. No question about that even if he/she did not do other pillars of Islam (but he has to believe correctly about other pillars of Islam). 

2) Salath or Prayer

Prayer is the second pillar. Salath is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. The world's Muslims turn individually and collectively to Kaaba, The first mosque of Allah on the earth, to offer five daily prayers at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. In addition, Friday congregational prayer (instead of noon prayer in Friday for men only) is also required. Although Salath can he performed alone, it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however it is recommended that Muslims Men perform prayer in a mosque. For women it is better to pray in their home in which room is more private for her. The main thing is that the place where we are doing prayer should be cleaned and free from dirty things.

It is compulsory to do prayer by all Muslims who are matured (achieved puberty), intellectually sound and free from all physical dirtiness (means free from menstruation etc).

There are some voluntary prayers which are called sunnath salath.

3) Zakath (The financial obligation upon Muslims.)

Almsgiving is the third pillar. An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakath means”purification". Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need which are clearly specified by Islam. So it is not the favour of any giver but it is the right of the needy people as per Islamic rule.

There are two Zakath. One is Zakath of Wealth and another one is Zakath of health or Zkathul fitr.  Zakath of Wealth has to be paid by those who has money or ornaments (which are not using) equivalent to 595 gram silver in a year. 2.5% is the rate applied for Zakath. Some food grains, resin and dates also we needto pay Zakath. (detailed description already in the blog)

Zakathul Fitr is another Zakath which is obligatory to most of the Muslims.  2800 kg food is the normal Zakath which has to provide after completing Ramadan fasting for Eid. (Detailed description already in the blog)

An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa-h, and does so preferably in secret.

 Although this word can be translated as "voluntary charity" it has a wider meaning. 
The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet  replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity." 

4) Sawm or Fasting

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sunset abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sex etc.

 Those who are sick, elderly, or on a long journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and  make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and able. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. God states in the Qur'an:  "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183)

5) Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makkah

The pilgrimage to Makkah (the hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to do so. Nevertheless, over two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another.

 The annual hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

The rites of the hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going around the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Hajira, Abraham's wife) during her search for water. The pilgrims later stand together on the wide plains of 'Arafat (a large expanse of desert outside Makkah) and join in prayer for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought as a preview of the Day of Judgment.

The close of the hajj is marked by a festival, the 'Id al Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere.

Hajj involves mental, health, wealth and sacrifice. The total involvements of all other 4 pillars of Islam

Eid ul Fitr & 6 fasts

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful”  

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

As salaam alaykum ramatullahi wa barakthu "May the peace of Allah be upon you, and His mercy and blessings" 

Dear friends, 

Today I would like to introduce you about Eid ul Fitr and the 6 Fasts of Shawwal. One of the meritorious aspects of Shawwal is that it has been chosen by Allah Almighty for the celebration of “Eid-ul-Fitr”, one of the two main annual festivals recognised by the Islam. This happy day as a sign of gratefulness by the Muslims on the accomplishment of Ramadhan, and as an immediate reward by Allah for those who spent the month of Ramadhan in fasting and performing other forms of prayer. In prescribing the ways to celebrate the happy day, Islam has adopted another unique approach. The festivals of other religions or nations normally comprise of some acts of rejoicing and enjoyment. The whole happy day is normally spent in dancing, drinking singing and playing. Islam has, conversely, prescribed a very simple, prestigious and more humane way to observe and celebrate the happy day. First of all, it is mandatory on all the well-off Muslims to start their day by paying ‘Zakathul -ul-fitr' to the poor of their society, so that they too may enjoy the day along with others, and may not be worried for earning their livelihood at least in that day of happiness.

After paying the ‘Zakathul-ul-fitr', the Muslims (Men) are required to proceed to offer ‘Eid prayer collectively. In this way, they are supposed to present themselves before their Creator and offer two rak'ats of this special type of prayer, which makes them receive blessings from Allah and start their celebration by these divine blessings.

After the Eid prayer also, they are supposed to rejoice the day in a responsible manner, without violating the limits prescribed for them and never indulging in the acts prohibited by Allah.

Keeping this point in view, we will now discuss specific rules prescribed for celebrating the day of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Night preceding ‘Eid-ul-Fitr'

It had been the practice of the Holy Prophet (SAW) that he did not sleep in the night preceding the day of ‘Eid ul –fitr. This night has been named in a Hadith as, ‘THE NIGHT OF REWARD'. It means that Allah Almighty bestows his rewards to those who have spent the month of Ramadhan abiding by the dictates of Shari ‘ah, and all their prayers in this night are accepted. Therefore, it is desirable to perform nafl ( Sunnath prayer or voluntary prayer) prayers in this night. The Holy Prophet (SAW)  is reported to have said:

“Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die.

To benefit from this opportunity, one should perform as much worship in this night as he can, and should pray for all his needs and desires.

Before going to ‘Eid Prayer

The following acts are prescribed as Sunnah at the beginning of the day of Eid-ul-Fitr before proceeding to the ‘Eid prayer:

1. To wake up early in the morning.

2. To clean one's teeth with a Miswaak or a brush.

3. To have a bath.

4. To put on one's best available clothes.

5. To apply perfume.

6. To eat a sweet food, preferably dates (eat odd numbers like 3, 5, 7 etc), before the ‘Eid prayer.

7. To recite the following Takbir in the low voice while going to the ‘Eid prayer:

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La ilaha illallahu  allahu akbar, allahu akbar wa lilla hil hamd.”

Zakath-ul-Fithr

(Described in details in another post in this blog -http://alimkmuhammed.blogspot.ae/2013/08/zakat-ul-fitr.html )

The ‘Eid prayer

The second obligation on ‘Eid day is to perform the ‘Eid prayer. Some rules in this respect are mentioned hereunder:

1. The ‘Eid prayer is a special voluntary prayer on every male Muslim.

2. The ‘Eid prayer can be performed any time between the ishraq and zawal.

3. It is preferable that the ‘Eid prayer is performed in a big mosque and not in open field. However, if, it is difficult to perform it in a mosque, it can also be performed in an open field but that place should be clean and good enough to perform prayer by all means.

4. The ‘Eid prayer has neither Azaan nor iqamah.

5.  It has two rakaath (one prayer unit). The first raka'h is initiated with Takbeer al-ihram, followed by the opening supplication. Then followed by seven Takbeers in the first raka'h and five more in the second rak'ah. Between each Takbeer pray dikr “subhanaallah val hamdulillah valahilaha illallahu allahu akbar” Then surathul fathiha and other one surath. Rest all like other normal prayer.

Khutbah: The address of ‘Eid-ul-fitr

In this Prayer, Khutbah is a Sunnah and is delivered after the Eid prayer. Listening to the Khutbah of ‘Eid prayer is necessary and must be heard in perfect peace and silence.

Six Fasts in the Month of Shawwal

It is commendable to keep six fasts in the month of Shawwal. The Holy Prophet (SAW) has said:

“Whoever completes the fasts of Ramadhan then adds to them the fasts of six days in the month of Shawwal, it will carry the reward of fasting for the whole year.” (Sahih Muslim)

This Hadith had described the great reward of six fasts of this month. The scholars have interpreted this Hadith by saying that according to the recognised rules of Islam, every good deed is rewarded ten times more reward of its origin, therefore, the reward of 30 days of Ramadhan amounts to the reward for 300 days. If the fasts of Ramadhan are followed by six more fasts, they carry the reward of 60 days more, raising the aggregate reward to 360 which is the number of dais in one year according to the Islamic calendar. Therefore, the Muslims should take this opportunity of acquiring such an enormous reward from Allah. It is more preferable to start these fasts from the 2 nd of Shawwal and keep fasting up to the 7 th of Shawwal. However, if they are kept in other days of shawwal (like Monday and Thursday which has special sunnath fasting), it is hoped that the requirement of the above Hadith may also be fulfilled.

Please include me in your prayer

Repenting to Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful”

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

As salaam alaykum ramatullahi wa barakthu "May the peace of Allah be upon you, and His mercy and blessings"

Dear friends, 

Today I would like to introduce you about Tawbah (Repentance). The holy Ramadan for this year is almost finished. We have achieved some purity for our mind and soul. We have tried to avoid many desires of our body and we did submit everything to the path of Allah. Here important point is that Allah is not only exists in Ramadan He exists beyond time. So we should not lose our purity and we have to keep this until our death. How happy we are in Ramadan like that we must be happy in other months also by doing prayer to Allah. It is should be a starting for our new life without doing any sin and control our emotions. So as a first step we have to ask for forgiveness from those whom we blamed, cheated, put in trouble or any kind of disturbance we made to them. If you cannot ask them directly then ask Allah to forgive for them. complete your debt and obligations as you can.  Then we have to do Tawbah (Repentance) to Allah. The word Tawbah (Repentance) in Arabic literally means 'to return'. In an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Allaah has prohibited and returning to what He has commanded.

The subject of repentance is one which concerns all people who believe in God, and is vital one for the Muslims to understand because our salvation in the hereafter is dependent on our repentance to Allaah, as is shown by Allaah's order: "AND TURN YOU ALL TOGETHER IN REPENTANCE TO ALLAAH O BELIEVERS, THAT YOU MAY BE SUCCESSFUL" [An-Noor (24):31]

In Soorah al-Baqarah, Allaah tells us: "SURELY ALLAAH LOVES THOSE WHO TURN UNTO HIM IN REPENTANCE AND LOVES THOSE WHO PURIFY THEMSELVES." [2:222]

This shows how pleasing our repenting is to Allaah. Also, the Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam gave us an example of just how pleasing to Allaah our repenting is an authentic hadeeth in which he,Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Allaah is more delighted with the repentance of His servant than one of you would be, who suddenly finds his camel laden with supplies after 22losing it in a barren land" (Narrated by Anas and collected in the hadeeth collection of al-Bukhaaree)

Try to imagine your joy if you were to suddenly retrieve everything you ever possessed after losing all hope of recovering what you had lost. Then think that Allaah's delight is even greater than this when His slave repents to Him. So much so, that if man stopped repenting to Allaah, He would replace us with another creation that would turn to Him for forgiveness. The Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "If you did not commit sins, Allaah would sweep you out of existence and replace you by another people who would commit sins, ask for Allaah's forgiveness and He would forgive them." (Narrated by Aboo Ayyoob & Aboo Hurayrah & collected by Muslim)

The problem with many of us today, is that we don't fear Allaah, which means that we don't think twice about disobeying Him and therefore falling into sin, which we give no real tought to. So perhaps we should think about the statement which Ibn Mas'ood radi Allaahu 'anhu, made: "A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which he is affraid may fall on him, whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away like this (and he moved his hand over his nose in illustration)." (Bukhaaree)

NEVER DESPAIR Someone might say, 'I want to repent but my sins are too many.' But Allaah says: "SAY: O MY SLAVES WHO HAVE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THEMSELVES! DESPAIR NOT FOR THE MERCY OF ALLAAH, VERILY ALLAAH FORGIVES ALL SINS. TRULY HE IS OFT FORGIVING, MOST MERCIFUL." [Az-Zumar (39):53]

Therefore, we should never lose hope or stop asking for Allaah's forgiveness. Its importance is shown to us in a hadeeth in which the Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "O people! Turn to Allaah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for surely I make repentance a hundred times every day." (Reported by al-Aghaar ibn Yasaar & collected in Saheeh Muslim)

Repentance is such a great act of worship that doing it can totally erase our sins altoghether, as the Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "One who repents from sin is like one without sin." (HASAN - Reported by Abu 'Ubaidah ibn 'Abdullaah & collected by Ibn Majah Authenticated by al-Albaanee)

ONLY ALLAAH CAN FORGIVE SINS Forgiveness for our sins is not something that comes automatically, it is something that must be sought sincerely and with consciousness. Also we should remember that it is only through Allaah's Mercy that anyone will ever enter Paradise. The Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam advised: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and rejoice, for no one's good deeds will put him in Paradise." The Companions asked, "Not even you O Messenger of Allaah?" He replied. "Not even me unless Allaah bestows His pardon and mercy on me." (Reported by Aboo Hurayrah & 'Aa'ishah & collected by al-Bukhaaree) Therefore in Islaam, salvation rests on faith (which includes), good actions and hope in Allaah's mercy, all combined in truly unique manner which is not found in any other religion or system. Furthermore, it is only Allaah who can forgive our sins and He is not in need of any intercessor. The proof for this is in a du'aa (supplication) which the Prophet Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam taught his closest Companion Abu Bakr: "O Allaah, truly I have wronged myself and none can forgive sins except you."  Therefore it is a complete waste of time asking forgiveness from the people such as "saints", pious people or even the Prophet Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Allaah say in reply to people who do such things: "VERILY, THOSE YOU CALL UPON BESIDES ALLAAH, ARE ONLY SLAVES LIKE YOURSELVES." [a;-A'raaf (7):194]

It is important that we never despair of Allaah's Mercy - no sin is too great to repent for... or too little for that matter. As one of the salaf (Pious predecessors) said: "Do not look at the insignifance of your sins, but consider the greatness of The One you are disobeying."

We can not give better advice than the Proof of Islam, Imam Ghazali (Allah be pleased with him) who said: "If you repent then break your repentance by returning to sin, then rush back to repentance. Say to yourself, 'Perhaps I will die before returning to sin this time.' Similarly, do this a third and fourth time. Just as you have made sin and returning to it a profession, make repentance and returning to it a profession. Do not be more incapable of repentance than you are of sin, nor lose hope, and do not let the Shaytan use this to prevent you from repenting. For indeed it is a sign of good.

Did you not hear his [the Prophet's] (Allah bless and grant him peace) saying, 'The best of you are every one who is often tried and often penitent.' Which means they are often tried by sin and repent much and return to Allah (Transcendent and Exalted is He) with remorse and seeking forgiveness. Remember the saying of Allah (Most high): 'And he who does evil or wrongs himself, then seeks forgiveness from Allah, he will find Allah Very Forgiving, Merciful.'[4:110]" [1] And Allah knows best and He alone gives success (tawfiq).

Hope you may enjoyed this writing and please keep me in your prayer 

Zakat-ul-Fitr

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful”  

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

As salaam alaykum ramatullahi wa barakthu "May the peace of Allah be upon you, and His mercy and blessings" 

Dear friends, 

Today I would like to introduce you about some important points about Zakat-ul-Fitr.

Every Muslim is required to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr at the conclusion of the month of Ramadan as a token of thankfulness to God for having enabled him to observe fasts. Its purpose is to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.

This is a broad subject but normally below details will be enough. If anybody has any doubt please comment or inform me by E-mail.

 Who must pay Zakat-ul-Fitr

 Zakat-ul-Fitr is incumbent on every free Muslim who possesses one Sa` of dates or barley which is not needed as basic food for himself or his family for the duration of one day and night. Every free Muslim must pay Zakat-ul-Fitr for himself and to whom those who are in his obligation to feed and take care.

When Zakat-ul-Fitr is due

The jurists agree that Zakat-ul-Fitrr is due at the end of Ramadan. It is due at the sunset of the night of breaking the fast, for this is when the fast of Ramadan ends.

If a baby is born after sunset then Zakat-ul-Fitr is not obligatory for the baby. If someone married a lady after sunset then it is not the obligation of that husband to pay Zakath on her. If one convert Islam after sunset also not obligatory to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr. No obligation to pay Zakath by owner on a servant who is receiving salary or wage. Baby born before sunset of Ramadan by prostitution it is mother’s responsibility to pay Zakath for that baby.

Time of payment

It is better to give after dawn of Eid day and before Eid prayer. It is not permissible to delay giving Zakat-ul-Fitr after the day of `Eid (i.e. one may give it up to the time of the `Eid prayer). However, there are some jurists who think that it is permissible to delay giving it even after the `Eid prayer but any delay is a sin.

Anyway, the founders of the four accepted Islamic legal schools agree that Zakat-ul-Fitr is not nullified simply by failure to pay it on its due time. If it is not paid before `Eid prayer, one is not exempt from it. It becomes a debt payable even after death. The heirs must not distribute the deceased’s legacy before payment of the deceased’s unpaid Zakat-ul-Fitr.

Most scholars believe that it is permissible to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr a day or two before `Eid. Ibn `Umar reported that the Messenger, upon whom be peace, ordered them to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before the people went out to perform the `Eid prayer. Nafi‘ reported that `Umar used to pay it a day or two before the end of Ramadan

What type of food can be given and permissible substitutes

It is permissible to give any kind of food as long as it is the main staple in that particular region or the main food of the receiving person.

The calculation of Zakat-ul-Fitr

The amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr is one Sa` of main food of the receiving person.

The amount of Sa`

Sa` is a certain measure which equals 4 mudds (a mudd equals a handful of an average man). The contemporary equivalent weights of Sa` differs according to the stuff which is weighted. For example a Sa` of wheat equals 2176 grams, a Sa` of rice is 2520 grams, a Sa` of beans equals 2250 grams etc.

So approximately 3.2liter or 2.800 Kg can be used as a measure for paying Zakat-ul-Fitr .

 Payment in money

The Hanafis permitted the payment of Zakat-ul-Fitr in money. However, the other three schools (Maliki, Shafiyi and Hambali) did not permit this. Their argument is that the Prophet did not do so and hence its payment in money contradicts the Sunnah of the Prophet.

So better is not to pay money as Zakat-ul-Fitr and pay only in the form of food.

To whom it has to pay

1) The poor & the needy – these people may have some wealth, but not enough to make up the nisab.

2) The destitute – such people have nothing other than the very basic necessities; they are worse off than the poor

3) Those employed to collect the Zakath – this refers to those that collect as well as distribute the Zakath appointed by Islamic government.

4) Muslim converts who are needy and poor

5) Those who are indebted, but unable to settle their debt.

6) Travelers who have run out of money and would therefore have no way of reaching their final destination without help.

(Slaves on whom release letter wrote and Muslim fighters in the path of Allahu are not prevailing now so that is not considered. No Zakath can be given to non muslim or Ahlubaith)

Where has to pay

Where he/she is staying when he/she knew it is Eid

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