Today's Reminder
April 26, 2025 | Shawwal 28, 1446
Living The Quran
Al-Tawbah (Repentance)
Chapter 9: Verse 60
Who to Give Zakah?
"As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara and Al-Masakin and those employed to collect the (funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause, and for the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise."
The Quran describes eight categories of people who are to receive Zakah. Ahmad Sakr elaborated on these categories:
1. The poor (Fuqara)-this refers to someone who has no income
2. The needy (Masakin)-this is someone who for instance, may have a job, a house and a car, but their income is below the minimum requirement.
3. Employees of the Zakah. This category is sub-divided into the following:
a. the group of people who are social services workers who go into the community to evaluate who is Faqeer and Miskeen.
b. those who collect the Zakah money
c. the accountant of the Zakah money
d. investors who increase the share of the Zakah
e. the clerical worker or secretary who puts the files in order
f. those who will deliver Zakah to the ones who need it
g. the outside auditor.
4. Sympathizers
These are those people who might enter or who have already entered Islam. Anyone we feel are good friends or ours (non-Muslim or new Muslims) we give them a gift from the Zakah money.
5. To free slaves
Riqab is the term used to describe the group of people who are slaves. The Zakah money is used to free the slaves. Sakr stresses that Islam did not invent slavery, but it gradually abolished it.
6. For the Gharimeen-those who are in debt
Zakah money is used to pay off debts but these people are not living in luxury, they are living a normal life. For example, someone who has gone bankrupt because of job loss and is overloaded with debt.
7. Fee Sabeelillah (for the Cause of Allah)
This can be anything for the love of Allah. Sakr gave the following examples:
a. for the employment of a Daiyah, Imam, or religious teachers to do Dawa
b. building Islamic schools
c. building Muslim clinics and hospitals
d. providing money to young men who want to marry but cannot afford Mahr
e. to assist poor travelers
f. to establish water springs on streets for those walking or travelers
(please note, these last three things were done by Khalifa Umar ibn Abdul Aziz)
g. to defend Muslims who are under attack
h. For television, radio or newspaper project aimed at doing Dawa
i. to help someone publish a book for Dawa
j. to pay for the studies of a student..
8. Ibn as Sabeel
This refers to a traveler, for instance who has lost his wallet and has to get back to his home.
Sakr stresses that this has to be verified to see if this person is really telling the truth, since there has been at least one case of a man claiming to be a lost traveler in North America who has stolen thousands from Muslims claiming to be a traveler of this type.
Compiled From:
"Frequently Asked Questions about Zakat" - SoundVision.com
From Issue: 545 [Read original issue]
Understanding The Prophet's Life
Fraud
All kinds of cheating are prohibited in Islam. Any form of unjust exchange in dealings or making profit by cheating others in business transactions is prohibited. As is stated in the following hadith, he who deceives is not of the believers: "Whoever defrauds us is not one of us." [Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud]
A seller must inform the buyer about all the characteristics of the thing they are selling and inform the buyer about the defects, if there are any. Such a conduct will not only secure trust, but also invoke God's abundance. Honest traders will be shaded under the shade of God's Throne and will be assembled for judgment together with the righteous and martyrs on the Doomsday.
In Islam, it is not permissible for the seller to refrain from mentioning the defects of a commodity. The following tradition shows the significance given to absolute justice and fair play in business dealings: Once, when passing by a grain merchant, the Prophet (peace be upon him) thrust his hand into the heap of grains and found it wet. "What is this, O merchant?" he asked. "It is because of rain," the man replied. The Prophet then said to him, "Why did you not put it on top so that the people could see it? He who deceives us is not of us." [Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud]
The Muslims of earlier times observed the practices of truthfulness in transactions and described the commodity they sold, exposing the defect in the commodity. Today, however, trade seems to be based on misleading people, often mentioning something that is not true about the commodity. In particular, TV commercials and advertisements claim the goods to be very different from what they actually are. They cheat large masses of people by making use of every trick to convince and deceive when promoting their commodity.
Compiled From:
"Cleanliness in Islam" - Remzi Kuscular
From Issue: 903 [Read original issue]
Cool Tips!
Understanding the Quran
Your understanding of the Qur'an may have various levels and take different forms.
Firstly, that you comprehend its simple, literal meaning, as when you read a book in a language you know, or as an Arabic-knowing person would understand the Qur'an.
Such comprehension must be the bare minimum requirement, the key to all other stages, but it is not enough.
Secondly, that you find out how the learned have understood it, either by hearing their expositions or reading their exegeses and other sources.
Thirdly, that you study and ponder, on your own, to discover and absorb its meaning.
Fourthly, that you discover its meaning by obeying its messages and by fulfilling the duties and mission that it entrusts to you.
Compiled From:
"Way To the Quran" - Khurram Murad
From Issue: 643 [Read original issue]