Friday Nasiha

Al-Tawba (Repentance)
Chapter 9: Verse 18

Attending the Mosque
"The mosque of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance."

It is expected and required of those of true faith that they attend the mosques. This important act has a number of beneficial facets to it, in particular for those who are living in non-Muslim environments. One may note the following:

1. There are greater rewards and blessings in the prayer that is said in congregation. This great disparity between the virtues of a prayer said outside of the mosque and one said in congregation has been explained by the Prophet, peace be upon him, when he said, "Prayer of a man said in congregation is twenty-seven times better than his prayer in his house or his market."

2. Upon attending the mosques, one gets into contact with other active and dedicated Muslims, people who sacrifice their time to come to the mosque to get closer to Allah.

3. By attending the mosque and becoming a true member of the Muslim community, one increases the feeling of brotherhood and support that are essential components of a true Muslim Community.

4. Attending the mosque can also be quite helpful for solving the questions, doubts and confusions that may come to one's mind and cause some unrest or uncertainty in one's soul.

5. By attending the mosque, one also sets a good example for others, especially but not exclusively the other members of one's family.

6. In general, the quality of the prayers said in the mosque is much greater than the quality of the prayers said in the homes. If a mosque has a pious Imam who understands the requirements of the prayer, he will perform the prayer in a manner that will encourage the worshippers to concentrate on their prayers.

Source:
"Purification of the Soul" - By Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 367-371

Duties of the Poor

In the framework of an Islamic theory of public expenditure the problem is handled at two levels: motivating the needy individual to work in order to fulfil his own needs and desist from seeking charity as well as motivating the rich individual willingly to give away (as tax and charity) part of his earned income. It is an individual duty of those poor who can work to do so and not to seek charity, whereas it is a collective duty of the rich to give away part of their income to provide for the needy.

Several traditions from the Prophet, peace be upon him, underline these duties as noted below.

"Charity is not permissible to a rich person or to one who is able bodied."
"One who asks for charity without being poor is going to eat fire."
"Trying to earn a lawful livelihood is an obligatory duty in addition to the duties which are obligatory".

Source:
"Role of the State in the Economy" - By Nejatullah Siddiqi, pp. 66-67