Abu Hurairah {R.A} reports that Nabi {S.A.W} in a Hadith Qudsi narrated that Allah Ta’ala says: I treat My slave according to his expectations from Me. I am with him when he remembers Me; and if he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My Heart; and if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a better and nobler gathering [of Angels]. If he comes closer to Me by one span, I go closer to him an arm’s length; if he come towards Me an arm’s length; I go toward him two arm’s length; and if he come to Me walking I run to him.
{Bukhari}PHOTO CREDIT capturethespiritoframadan.org

The Prophet [S.A.W] said:

The tears that fall from the eyes of a truthful believer, out of the fear of Allah The Most Merciful, and then roll down his face, however little they are, even (though they be) of the size of the head of a fly, shall prevent the Fire of Hell from touching his face.” [Ibn Majah].

The Prophet (Sallallähu alaihi wa sallam) Said, “There are three solid truths:

1. If a person is wronged and he forbears it (without seeking revenge) just for the sake of Allah (SWT), Allah will honour him and give him the upper hand with His help;

2. If a person opens a door of giving gifts for cementing relationships with relatives, Allah will give him abundance;

3. If a person opens a door of seeking charity for himself to increase his wealth, Allah will further reduce his wealth.’

(Reported from Aboo Hurairah inMishkaah and Musnad Ahmad).

“Alms (Zakat) are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.” (Surah Al Tawbah 9:60)

One of the five pillars of Islam, Zakat is a purification for one’s wealth, freeing one from the love of possessions by encouraging humility and discipline. An essential principle of Islam is that everything belongs to Allah. We do not own our wealth, but have been entrusted with worldly possessions by Him.

Zakat means ‘purification’ and ‘growth’; possessions are purified by setting aside a portion for those in need, and like the pruning of plants, this cutting back encourages new growth.

The annual payment of zakat is different to any charitable gifts given out of kindness or generosity, otherwise known as sadaqah. Zakat is a mandatory religious obligation and forms the systematic giving of 2.5% of one’s net wealth each year, benefitting targeted recipients on a sustained basis.

From the Quranic verses ordaining zakat, eight classes of recipients have been identified by the scholars. As Ramadan approaches, we need to organise ourselves to reach out and distribute support to the eight beneficiaries of zakat.

• The Masakeen – translated as ‘the destitute’, these are people who do not have anything, and who are in need of asking others for food, clothing and shelter.

The Fuqaraa – translated as the ‘poor’ or ‘needy’.

• Fuqaraa – translated as the ‘poor’ or ‘needy’, these people have some money, but not sufficient for their everyday needs. The elderly are often amongst the ‘fuqaraa’. The Prophet Muhammad said “He is not one of us who does not show tenderness to the young and who does not show respect to the elder.” (At-Tirmidhi). It is a sad fact that the elderly tend to be neglected in today’s society. According to recent research, older people are among the most excluded and materially worse off.

• Amil’ Zakah – these are the alms collectors, people who the authority employs to collect zakat. The authority gives them a fee for their work, which includes collecting, recording, guarding, dividing and distributing zakat.

• Fi sabi ‘Lillah – this means ‘in the path of Allah’ and pertains to anyone struggling for a righteous cause, including expenditure towards the promotion of Islam and for all charitable purposes.

• Gharimun - these are the debtors, people burdened by debts because of personal needs or social necessity. These people should be given zakat if they do not have enough money beyond their basic needs to repay debts. Help should also provided to those who may have landed themselves in debt as a result of social obligations such as supporting an orphan or renovating a school.

• Ibn as’Sabil – traditionally, the wayfarers are travellers stranded in a foreign land in need of money. These people can receive zakat, if the purpose for travelling is lawful. Wayfarers can today be interpreted as refugees or displaced people.

• Riqab - the riqab are people in bondage or slavery. Zakat can be used to buy the freedom of such a person. Many people living in poor countries suffer from economic slavery at the hands of local landlords, rich industrialists, and multinational corporations that exploit natural and human resources.

• Mu’Allaf - translated as ‘those who have inclined towards Islam’.  Zakat can be used to attract the hearts of those who have inclined towards Islam. It includes those who have just become Muslim, or those whose circumstances are so desperate they fear turning to crime if they are not helped.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) disliked going to bed before the `Isha’ (night) prayer and indulging in conversation after it.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Narrated Humran:

I saw ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan asking (for a tumbler of water) to perform ablution (and when it was brought)
he poured water from it over his hands and washed them thrice and then put his right hand in the water container and rinsed his mouth and washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out.
Then he washed his face thrice and (then) forearms up to the elbows thrice, then passed his wet hands over his head and then washed each foot thrice.

After that ‘Uthman said,

“I saw the Prophet performing ablution like this of mine, and he said, ‘If anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-rak’at prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer) then his past sins will be forgiven. ‘

[Bukhari 0165]

PHOTO CREDIT : capturethespiritoframadan.org

Do they not reflect on themselves? Allah created the heavens and the earth and whatever lies between them in Truth and for an appointed term. Yet many people deny that they will meet their Lord. [30:8]