Zakat Issues, Concept of Barakah, Praying in Private, the Last Sermon of the Prophet (PBUH)
Q 1. Is it the responsibility of the person who gives Zakat to make sure that it is being used honestly by the institution that receives it? Can we be satisfied by just sending the money, that we did our duty?
A 1. It is the duty of the person who gives Zakat to make sure that his/her Zakat reaches to the deserving people according to the rules of the Shari’ah. If knowingly or due to negligence the Zakat is given to a person who does not deserve it, then the Zakat is not paid and one has to pay it again. However, if the mistake was not deliberate then the Zakat is paid. When paying Zakat through Zakat collecting agencies, relief organizations or Islamic centers, one should make sure that they disperse it according to Islamic principles. Once the Zakat is given through reliable and trustworthy institutions it is paid.
Q 2. Is there such a thing called ‘barakah’ in time - from Islamic point of view - just as there is ‘barakah’ in divine providence.
A 2. Barakah means “blessing, increase, comfort, happiness.” In the Qur’an this word is used in different forms in many places: Baraka, Tabaraka, Barakat, Mubarak etc. It is used for Allah, for His blessings upon certain people, places and times. The Night in which the Qur’an was revealed revealed is called “Laylatun Mabarakah” (a blessed night), the Qur’an is called “Kitabun Mubarak” (a blessed book), the Ka’bah and the land of Jerusalem and its surroundings are called “Mubarak or barakna hawlaha” etc.
All blessings are in Allah’s power. Nothing has blessing in itself unless Allah gives it. A Muslim always turns to Allah for blessings. Allah blesses places and He blesses times. We should ask Allah to bless our time, our life, our home, our places of work, each and every thing. Barakah in time comes when we use our time, our life in a right way. All of us have the same twenty four hours every day, but some people are more blessed and they accomplish a lot within the same time. There are people who take benefit from their time and give benefit to others. While there are those who waste their time or misuse it by harming others. Allah has mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah al-’Asr:
By (the Token of) Time (through the Ages), 2-Verily Man is in loss, 3-Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. (Surah 103) Surah Al-Asr is one of the shortest Surahs of the Qur’an, but it contains so much wisdom that Imam Shafi’i is reported to have said that if people would reflect on this Surah alone it would be sufficient for them. Asr means “time”. In this Surah, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala holds time as a witness to the fact that most human beings are losers. They do not use their time in the right way. But the successful are those who have faith, do righteous deeds and remind each other about what is right and about patience. Such people are not losers. They are successful in this life and in the life to come.
Q 3. My question is similar to the one printed recently in Pakistan Link. For Zuhr prayer, I have been praying sitting inside my car away from public eyes. I feel very bad in my heart, but I do not have the Iman yet, to pray at work place. I always think, what others will think of me. My feeling is when people see, they will think differently about me they may associate me with all the other bad things like he is very religious, fundamentalist, etc....
Sometimes I want to spread a sheet next to my car and then pray, but in the parking lot everyone sees. I am also not comfortable in asking the employer about prayer place. I am about 12 minutes from my residence, so sometimes I come home and pray and eat. But my lunchtime is spent driving almost 25 minutes. How can I still perform the duty while still at work. This also goes with the ‘Asr prayers, if I had to stay a little longer.
A 3. May Allah give you strength. We know that there is a lot of propaganda against Islam and Muslims in this country. Muslims are constantly targeted with ridicule, misrepresentation and abuses. Some Muslims are intimidated and are becoming afraid to say that they are Muslims. This is absolutely wrong. You should not be afraid and should not feel intimidated to hide yourself, hide your identity or not to worship and to practice your faith openly. The more you are afraid the more the enemies of Islam will frighten you and intimidate you.
You should inform you employer about your faith and ask for a place of worship. Be a good and courteous person and do your work with diligence, honesty and sincerity. They will then know the truth about Islam and Muslims. By hiding yourself you will continue in the state of fear and you will not be able to prove the falsehood of those who make propaganda against Muslims.
Q 4. Could you please give the source (Bukhari, Muslim etc.) to the Last Sermon of the Prophet -peace be upon him.
A 4. The Last Sermon of the Prophet -peace be upon him- is known as Khutbatul Wada’. It is mentioned in almost all books of Hadith. Following Ahadith in Sahih al-Bukhari refer to the Sermon and quote part of it. See Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361). Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this Sermon in Hadith no. 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this Sermon in Ahadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this Sermon in his Musnad, Hadith no. 19774.
This Khutbah of the Prophet -peace be upon him- was long and it contained much guidance and instructions on many issues. The Prophet -peace be upon him- gave this sermon in front a large gathering of people during the Hajj.
Whosoever heard whatever part of the Sermon reported it and later some scholars put it together. It is a great Khutbah and we should all pay attention to its message and guidance. Following are the basic points mentioned in this Khutbah:
“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.
Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas Ibn ‘Abd al Muttalib (the Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived.
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat.
Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white - except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur’an and my example, the Sunnah (Hadith), and if you follow these you will never go astray. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”