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Mawlid: Revival of the Islamic Nation
Author : An Article by His Grace Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Date Added : 19-11-2018

 

Mawlid: Revival of the Islamic Nation

 

Upon the arrival of the month of Rabi Al-Awwal, Prophet Mohammad`s birth anniversary (Mawlid) arouses overwhelming emotions in the hearts of all Muslims reminding them of a history, a present reality and a future.

That history started before the Prophet (PBUH) was even born in the Arabian Peninsula. He (PBUH) is a descendent of the Prophet Ismail (PBUH) from Bani Kinana, from Quraish, from Bani Hashim; the best of the best and the noblest of tribes in respect to lineage. 

While the Arabian Peninsula was preoccupied with tribal warfare, the Persians and the Romans were in the vanguard of civilizational procession; followed by the Greeks and the Indians. Those civilizations had their share of scientific, cultural and philosophical products that had a significant impact on the making of a full-fledged human civilization.

The Prophet (PBUH) was born on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, in the 'Year of the Elephant'. Upon his delivery, his Mother Aminah saw a light that illuminated what`s between the east and the west. A light that had later infiltrated the illiterate nation of the Arabian Peninsula: a light of knowledge, civilization, mercy, good morality and justice. The first verse revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) was (What means): "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists)?" It gave life to the illiterate nation as well as the Arabian Peninsula announcing a turning point from illiteracy to knowledge, civilization, urbanization, good conduct and universal values. The Islamic civilization was so advanced that it overshined that of the Persians, Romans, Greeks and the Indians. It has established the general principles of human civilization, and liberated human beings from the yoke of slavery and despotism. This is reflected in the words of the Caliph Omar Bin Al-Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased with Him) that states: "Since when did you enslave the people though they were born from their mothers in freedom?"

Islam has also created a system for the family, and established, for humanity, the principles of fraternity, religious tolerance, equity and equality.

The contributions of the Islamic nation in the fields of science, arts, literature and philosophy have enriched the human civilization, and this was even recognized by non-Muslims. For example, The German historian Siegrid Honke wrote the book "The Sun of the Arabs Shines over the West." Will Durant has also written the book "The Story of Civilization."

In his book, "Arabs Civilization," Gustave Le Bon said: "If we take a closer look at the Arab and Muslim civilization, scientific books, inventions and arts, we arrive at the conclusion that they have the credit for the spread of knowledge in the middle ages. For over than five centuries, they were the sole source of scientific knowledge for the west. They have even civilized Europe materially, intellectually and morally, in addition to taking the lead in the field of artistic creativity."

The Islamic civilization, whose foundations were set by non-other than Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), has addressed the various intellectual, psychological, spiritual, physical and material needs of humanity.

His call to Allah was founded on the achievements of the elite Muslim scholars in different fields, such as Al-Khawarizmi, Ibn Al-Haytham, Al-Idrisi,  Al-Rāzī , Ibn Sina… and many others; where the Europeans have utilized the latter`s achievements in building their own civilization. 

The orientalist George Sarton in his book: "Introduction to the History of Science", also recognized their distinguished accomplishments. He said:  "The greater portions of the tasks of the human intellect were shouldered by the Muslims: Al-Farabi is the greatest of philosophers, Al-Masoodi is the greatest of Geographers and Al-Tabari is the greatest of historians."

Yes, on this occasion we remember a past glory of the Arabs and the Muslims and feel a sense of superiority, dignity and pride. However, a quick overview of our current situation would make us feel disappointed. At present, Muslims and Arabs are living a bitter reality as division, weakness and intra-conflicts dominate them.  They have become in the rear of human civilization although they are the nation of (Read) and the seal of Messengers and Prophets.

In light of this harsh reality, we remember the beautiful attributes of our beloved Prophet (PBUH), and his tremendous efforts in elevating and uniting the Islamic nation. He (PBUH) said, "I have left two matters with you. As long as you hold to them, you will not go the wrong way. They are the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet."

No matter what the case may be, The Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet (PBUH) are the one and only solution for all our problems and suffice to raise our morale. Allah, The Almighty, Said (What means): "And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves" [Al-Imran/103]. In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart." [Moslim]. Besides, Allah, The Almighty Said (What means): "Such days (of varying fortunes) We give to men and men by turns" [Al-Imran/140] and He Said (What means): "When will that be?" Say, "May be it will be quite soon!" [Al-Isra/`51].

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on someone who possesses gold with the intention of saving/hoarding it, and owns nothing else — is he obligated to sell a portion of it in order to pay the zakāh due on it?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Zakāh becomes immediately obligatory on cash, and likewise on gold — that which is not designated for a woman's personal adornment— once both reach the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah) and a full ḥawl (lunar year) has passed over them. It is not permissible to delay payment when it is genuinely possible to pay — meaning, when the wealth and the eligible recipients are both available. It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.2/p.129): "Zakāh is obligatory immediately once it becomes feasible to pay it, meaning when the wealth and the eligible recipients are both present."
The one paying zakāh must discharge the obligatory zakāh due on saved (hoarded) gold either from the gold itself, or from its equivalent monetary value, in the event that no other funds are available — since paying from the gold itself is the original default (al-aṣl). It becomes permissible to pay from other funds instead only because zakāh is built upon the principle of ease and leniency, as stated in Asnā al-Maṭālib (Vol.1/p.366): "When a full ḥawl has elapsed on wealth other than trade goods... zakāh attaches to the actual asset itself (al-‘ayn), and the poor effectively become partners in it — even, for example, [becoming partners] in camels through the value of a sheep [owed as zakāh on them]... Paying from other wealth is permitted only because zakāh is built upon the principle of ease and leniency."
Accordingly: the one paying zakāh must discharge it either from the actual saved gold itself, or by selling a portion of the gold equal to the amount of zakāh owed. He may also borrow money to pay the zakāh, or pay the zakāh in installments before the ḥawl is complete [as an advance payment]. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on forgiving a tenant next month's rent, with the intention of counting it toward zakāh al-māl?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It does not fulfill the obligation to count the rent owed on a house, or a portion of it, in lieu of zakāh. Rather, it is necessary to first transfer ownership of the zakāh amount to the poor person directly; only afterward may he be asked to pay the rent [from that money].
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik (p. 112): "If someone gives [money] to a poor person, stipulating that the recipient return it to him in payment of a debt owed to him, or says, 'I am making what you owe me into zakāh, so take it [as such]' — this is not valid. But if he gives it to him with the [unstated] intention that the recipient will use it to repay him, or says, 'Repay what you owe me, so that I may [then separately] give it to you as zakāh,' or the debtor himself says, 'Give it to me, so that I may [then] repay you with it' — this is valid, and there is no binding obligation for the recipient to actually fulfill this [informal understanding]."
We would also remind [the reader] of the ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ: "The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim: he does not wrong him, nor does he abandon him [to harm]. Whoever attends to the needs of his brother, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will attend to his needs. Whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever conceals [the faults of] a Muslim, Allah will conceal him on the Day of Resurrection." (Agreed upon). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

My father has debts and asked me to repay them years ago, and I promised him I would do so upon his death — is it permissible for me to go back on my promise given that I am unable to repay them, especially since he refuses to contribute to repayment on the grounds that the debt has become my responsibility by virtue of my promise?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The established principle is that a father's debt is to be repaid from his own wealth, if he possesses sufficient means. As for the promise made by the son to repay it on his father's behalf, fulfilling such a promise is strongly recommended, and breaking it is considerably disliked. Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "Fulfilling a promise is emphatically recommended, and breaking it is severely disliked. The evidences for this from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah are well known." [Rawḍat al-Ṭālibīn,Vol. 2/P.278] Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, further states: "The reason fulfilling a promise is not obligatory and breaking it is not forbidden is that a promise is in the nature of a gift, and a gift does not become binding except upon receipt." [Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib,Vol. 2/P.487]
Given that the son does not possess the financial means to fulfil his promise to his father, breaking this promise falls beyond his capacity — and Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since the father himself possesses sufficient wealth to settle his own debt, repayment must be made from his own funds. Should he pass away before doing so, the debt is to be settled from his estate. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr?

It is enough to know its great status that Allah revealed an entire surah about it—Surah Al-Qadr. Moreover, the Quran was first revealed on this night.
Allah says {what means}:
"We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!... This until the rise of morn!" [Al-Qadr/1-5]
The Prophet ﷺ taught us to observe I‘tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan, seeking Laylat al-Qadr. Whoever worships Allah and revives this night will receive the reward of worshiping for a thousand months—excluding Laylat al-Qadr itself.

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