Salaf-us-Saalih.com :: The Call of the Salaf is True Islam

Hardship and prosperity, obedience and sin

Posted: 23 Aug 2010 12:14 PM PDT

It is reported that Wuhayb b. Al-Ward – Allâh have mercy on him – said:

Verily, when Allâh the Exalted wants to honor a servant of His (for his righteousness), He afflicts him with a reduced means of living, illness in his body and a fearful life (all of which expiate his sins). Until death comes upon him, and he still has some sins, death is made hard upon him because of them, causing him to meet Allâh with no sins against him.

And when a person is of little value to Allâh (because of his disobedience), He makes his body healthy, broadens his means of living and makes him feel safe (the rewards for any good deeds he did are exhausted). Until death comes upon him, and he still has some good deeds, the experience of death is lightened for him because of them, and he meets Allâh with nothing.

Abu Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-’Ilm article 2865.

Related posts:

1. The Last Drops of this World
2. Fearing that Wealth is your only Reward
3. Death and budgeting; speaking and deeds
4. Relying on some deeds, forgetting others
5. The Provision of a Traveler [this world to the next]

Question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen:

Health care in the US where I live is very expensive, and if I do not have health insurance they will not treat me. If I want to pay for my own health care, I will go bankrupt and may even end up in prison. Is this considered to be a valid excuse for taking out health insurance, which is a form of gambling, given that there is no Islamically-acceptable form of insurance and I cannot afford to pay for health care for myself, my children and my wife in the way that is usual in some other countries?

The shaykh, may Allaah preserve him, answered as follows:

“So long as the man knows that this is a form of gambling, this is not permissible because it is of the works of the Shaytaan. He should rely on Allaah and put his trust in Him, because whoever puts his trust in Allaah, Allaah will suffice him, and whoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (of every difficulty). So it is not permissible for him to get involved in insurance.”

We have already explained that the reason why health insurance is like a form of gambling is that a person pays a sum of money which becomes the property of the insurance company; if he falls sick or has an accident he will benefit, otherwise his money is gone. Moreover, the benefits he gains may be equal to what he has paid, or they may be more, or less. This involves jahaalah (buying something sight unseen) and undue risk, or consuming wealth unlawfully. It also means that one of the two parties will suffer a loss. I wish that some of the Muslims or wise people would set up cooperative insurance institutions that are in accordance with Islamic sharee’ah, the basic idea of which would be for people to cooperate in making payments to a specific account (that is not owned by any third party), so that if any one of them falls sick or has an accident, he will be compensated, with the consent of his partners. There would be nothing wrong with paying a salary to those who take care of this account, or with investing the money in another company according to a certain level of profit. And Allaah is the source of strength.

Oh you of little resolve! Where do you stand upon this path? Aadam found it difficult and Nuh lamented because of it, while Allaah’s Khaleel Ibraaheem was thrown into a pit of fire due to it. Isma’eel was laid upon his side ready to be sacrificed for its sake, and while upon it Yusuf was sold for a cheap price and then falsely cast into prison for many years. Zakariyah was sawed in half, and Yahya was slaughtered due to it. Ayyub suffered great distress, while Dawood cried copiously, and ‘Isaa cured the wretched poor of their diseases and walked with wild beasts due to it. And how many, how many forms of difficulty and hardship did the Messenger Muhammad face while proceeding upon it – yet you live through amusements and distractions!

Shaykh al Islaam Ibn Qayyim in his work al-Fawaaid, page 41

Source : Taken from “A Warning from Wastefulness and Extravagance”  by Ibn Baaz

url source: http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=451433025643

He , the Sublime and Exalted, says:

“But spend not wastefully ( your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift”

He, the Sublime, warns from at-Tabdheer which is spending wealth on unlawful things.

For example, spending wealth to oppress people or harm them, or spending it on oppressing one’s self such as spending it on intoxicants, narcotics, cigarettes, fornication and adultery, and the rest of the acts of disobedience, such as gambling and games of chance and the likes.

Also is the ruling of destroying it wealth without right such as excessive spending and purchasing products of which you have no need . this is from wasting wealth and from at-Tabdheer, and the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) has forbade wasting money.

Thus, at-Tabdheer is spending wealth in its incorrect ways, either acts of disobedience or on that which contains no benefit, out of play or neglecting money.

As for al-Israaf then it is the excess, un-necessary spending.

For example: a person eats and drinks extra food and drinks without need, such as if a kilo of food or a kilo of meat is enough for him but he adds more food or meat that he is not in need of. Consequently, the leftover food is thrown in the dirt or in the garbage; this is called Israaf.

Destroying wealth without a just cause and wasting it is also called Tabdheer, He, the Sublime, has clarified that those who make Tabdheer are brothers of the devils because they inmate them in play, wasting and disobedience.

Said Imaam ‘Abdul-’Azeez Ibn ‘Abillah Ibn Baaz :

”Allah, the sublime and exalted, has sent down in His Grand Book many aayaat where wasting and extravagance is mentioned along with the prohibition of both, and the praise of those who adopt the middle course, and are moderate and Upright in their actions, eating, drinking and the rest of their spending. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any wastefulness, extravagance, miserliness, niggardliness, extremism, or negligence.”

Thusly Allah has ordained for the middle course to be adopted in all affairs oand from this is the prohibition of extremism.

The Perfect Investment

We go through our entire lives looking for that perfect investment; whether it be our education, our jobs or our wealth. We put in so much time to gather information and to make sure that our investment will yield a satisfying return. In the end though, there is no certainty of the return on investment that we will gain, it could be 5%, 10%, or even -10%. We never know whether we will gain or lose from the investment that we make.

However, there is an alternative. The alternative is investing in the deen of Allah In this investment, you will never lose, and that is the promise of Allah . As we all know, Allah is the one who never breaks any promise and He is The One and Only that we can count on. So, when He promises something, you can consider it a done deal.

"Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan, which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply many times? It is Allah that gives (you) Want or plenty, and to Him shall be your return". – [Surah Baqarah, 2:245]

Tafsir Ibn Kathir on the above ayah:

Allah said:
(Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan so that He may multiply it to him many times)

In this Ayah, Allah encourages His servants to spend in His cause. Allah mentioned this same Ayah in several other parts of His Glorious Qur’an. The Hadith that mentions that Allah descends (every night down on the nearest heaven to us when the last third of the night remains) states that Allah says:

(Who would give a loan to He Who is neither poor nor unjust.)

Allah’s statement:
(He may multiply it to him many times), is similar to His statement:

(The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills.) (2:261)

We will mention this Ayah later on. Allah then said:

(And it is Allah that decreases or increases (your provisions), ) meaning, `Spend (in Allah’s cause) and do not be anxious.’ Certainly, Allah is the Sustainer Who increases or decreases the provisions to whomever He wills among His servants. Allah’s wisdom is perfect, and,

(and unto Him you shall return.) on the Day of Resurrection.

Related Links:

• Means of Sustenance – Transcribed Lecture – Listen to the audio @ troid.org – new !!
  By al-’Allaamah Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab al-Wassaabee
  Transcribed by : Umm Hasna Firdous Bint Jabir
• Craving For Wealth – Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali

Taking Loan from a bank that deals with interest to buy a house?

Question:

Is it allowed for me to take out a loan (Mortgage) from a bank that deals with interest to buy a house? Benefit us may Allaah reward you with good.

Answer:

Even if you were in dire need of eating a piece of bread to save yourself from death still don’t borrow anything from the bank whatsoever, let alone buying a house or a car. When one is in a adverse situation forced by circumstance (severe hunger) Allaah has made lawful for you al-Maitah (dead animals), and the flesh of swine, and that which has been killed by a violent blow or by a headlong fall; yet ar-Ribaa (interest) has not been allowed for you, interest is very dangerous, very dangerous. So don’t deal with interest and be patient; since Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:

And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)

So dealing with interest is a grave sin, a dangerous matter and the one who makes it allowable has disbelieved. Therefore if you are in need of a house then be patient until Allaah provides it for you, seek refuge in Allaah and utilise the necessary means until Allaah paves the way for you to obtain a house. Either that or you die being free from waging war against Allaah. Since the Muraabi (the one who deals with interest) is warring with Allaah – and Allaahs refuge is sought – as Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:

And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allaah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums). (Surah al-Baqarah 2:279)

He (Allaah) declares war upon the people of ar-Ribaa (interest) and “the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) cursed the usurper of interest, the one who pays it, the one who records it and the two witnesses to it.”

[Reported by Muslim in his Sahih (11/36 no.1598 - Nawawi) from the Hadith of Jaabir radiallaahu 'anhu]

What do you want after the curse?! Will the house benefit you when you are in front of the Hellfire?! So the believer should fear Allaah and should have patience upon his destitution and his need; for indeed Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:

And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. (Surah al-Baqarah 2:155)

Be patient and Allaah will give you this mighty reward instead of exposing yourself to His curse, His anger, His wrath and His punishment. Bear this severity in the world for it is nothing in comparison to the anger of Allaah and His punishment.

We ask Allaah that He protects us by His grace and favour from everything that incurs His anger and wrath. Indeed our Lord is All-Hearing of our supplications. And may the blessings of Allaah and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and upon his companions.

Shaykh Rabee` bin Haadee
Ad-durar an-Nadheed min Muhaadharaatil-’Aqeedah wat- Tawheed : Tafseer Kalimati-Tawheed, Questions & Answers, page 118-119.
Translated by Abu ‘Abdillaah al-Kashmiree
http://www.fatwaislam.com/fis/index.cfm?scn=fd&ID=915

Related Links:

• Buying shares in companies which deals with riba
• Regarding the HSBC-Amanah/Kuwaiti bank type transaction
• How to earn more Rizq (sustenance)!!!
• The Perfect Investment

They mentioned the story of two men among the Children of Israel who were partners and who are included in the meaning of this Ayah. Abu Ja`far bin Jarir recorded that Furat bin Tha`labah Al-Bahrani said concerning the Ayah,

(Verily, I had a companion) [ 37. As-Saffaat verse 51]

“There were two men who were partners and had collected eight thousand Dinars. One of them had a craft and the other did not. The one who had a craft said to the other, `You do not have a craft, so I think I will divide the money with you and leave you.’ So he left him.

Then the first man bought a house, belonging to a king who had died, for the price of one thousand Dinars. He called his companion and showed him the house, saying, `What do you think of this house I bought it for one thousand Dinars.’ He said, `How beautiful it is.’ When he went out he said, `O Allah, this companion of mine has bought this house for one thousand Dinars; I ask You for one of the houses of Paradise — and he gave one thousand Dinars in charity.’ Then as much time passed as Allah willed should pass.

The first man married a woman with a dowry of one thousand Dinars, and invited his companion and made food for him. When he came, he said, `I have married this woman with a dowry of one thousand Dinars.’ He replied; `How beautiful this is.’ And when he left, he said, `O Lord, my companion has married a woman with a dowry of one thousand Dinars; I ask you for a wife from among Al-Hur Al-`Iyn’ — and he gave one thousand Dinars in charity. Then as much time passed as Allah willed should pass.

Then the first man bought two gardens for two thousand Dinars, then he called his companion and showed them to him. He said, `I have bought these two gardens for two thousand Dinars.’ He replied, `How beautiful this is.’ When he came out, he said, `O Lord, my companion has bought two gardens for two thousand Dinars; I ask you for two gardens in Paradise’ — and he gave two thousand Dinars in charity.

Then the angel came to them and took their souls in death. He took the one who had given his money in charity and put him in a house that he liked. There, there was a woman who was so beautiful that the ground shinned under her, then he (the angel) took him to two gardens and gave him other things which are known only to Allah. The man said, `This is like a man who has such and such.’ The angel said, `That is exactly what it is; this house, these gardens and this wife are all for you.’ The man said, `I had a companion who used to say: Are you among those who believe’ It was said to him, `He is in Hell.’ He said, `Will you look down’ So he looked down and saw him in the midst of Hell. At this, he said: (By Allah! You have nearly ruined me. Had it not been for the grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought forth (to Hell).)”

source:Tafseer Ibn Katheer Online

Related Links:

• [Blog] Parable of Spending in Allah’s Cause – Tafseer IbnKathir
• Excellence of Generosity and Spending in a Good cause with Reliance on Allah – from Riyad ul Saliheen
• Prohibition of Miserliness – from Imam Nawawi’s Riyad ul Saliheen
• Excellence of a Grateful Rich Man – from Imam Nawawi’s Riyad ul Saliheen

As Long as one is Living Sustenance is Guaranteed

Concern yourself with that which you were ordered to take care of, and do not be concerned with something that was not guaranteed for you.

Sustenance and the matter of death are two matters whereof there is no doubt.

As long as one is living sustenance is guaranteed. And if Allah, according to His wisdom, closed the way to some means, He will, according to His mercy, open another means for you, which will be more useful. Let us consider the state of the embryo. It receives its nourishment, which is blood from one means which is the naval, and when it comes out of its motherýs womb and this only means is closed, another two means are opened to it, which are better and sweeter than the first!

The second means is pure and nourishing milk.

When he finished his suckling period and these two means are closed because of weaning, Allah opens four more perfect means; two kinds of foods and two kinds of drinks.

The two foods are from animals and plants and the two drinks are from water and milk, as well as whatever he likes from among other pleasures.

When he passes away, his four means are closed but Allah, the Exalted will open to him, if he was pious, eight doors of Paradise in order to enter Paradise from anyone of them, according to his wish.

So we notice that whenever Allah, the Exalted prevents His believing servant from something during this worldly life, He will bestow upon him something which is better and more useful to him. It should be noted that this is only granted to the believers. Allah preserves His servant from low and mean misfortunes and is not pleased when such fortunes comes to him, as He gives him a better and more valuable one.

The servant does not always recognize the generosity of Allah, His wisdom and kindness, nor does he always know the significant difference between what he was granted and what he was protected from. He is fond of matters being decided immediately even if they are mean, and refuses the latter ones even if they are better. If the servant could just treat Allah justly he would have known that the pleasures of this world that Allah has protected him from are better for him than those things which Allah may have granted him from these pleasures.

Allah prevented him from some of them in order to bestow upon him something that is better. He, the Almighty may have allowed him to be afflicted in order to protect him, tested to absolve him from sins, put him to death to resurrect him, and took him out of this world so as to stand in front of Him and follow the path that will bring him to Allah.

From Al-Fuwaid, A Collection of wise sayings, Ibn Al-Qayyim p.88

(from the English Translation of the book)

Taken from http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=11&Topic=10286