Articles

The Culture of Building
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 03-02-2019

The Culture of Building 

 

Work, building, and development are key features of civilized countries as it is highly unlikely for one to find an civilized country whose progress rests on the ignorance or laziness of its citizens. Actually, countries are built through quality education and hard work, and this is Allah`s Law in the universe. Further, Allah has combined means to results and ordered us to make use of all available means and to do whatever is possible in order to get the result that we aspire to. At the same time, we should believe, deep down, that Allah will help us when using those means. However, belief alone isn`t sufficient; rather, it must be accompanied with actual work where available means are taken advantage of, as enjoined by our Islamic creed. 

 

If we ponder on the biography of our role model, Prophet Mohammad (Blessings and peace be upon him), we can`t help but to notice that it is replete with lessons urging us to building and development. When the Prophet (PBUH) entered Medina and wanted to build a mosque, he helped his companions in moving stones and this is a practical example of how the role model should be. After a while, it was brought to his attention that one of the companions was very good in mixing and preparing mud, so he made him in charge of that task. Actually, many benefits can be derived from this narration: A leader should be familiar with every skill that his followers have, appoint the right person in the right position, and choose individuals according to their skill and knowledge, and not according to the degree of kinship or love. 

 

This is how the Prophet (PBUH) taught us to explore and invest other`s capacities. Therefore, if a person is good at particular thing, then he should be set apart on that basis. This reflected in the following narration: In which Anas Ibn Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The most merciful of my nation to my nation is Abu Bakr, and the most severe of them concerning the order of Allah is 'Umar and the most truly modest of them is 'Othman bin 'Affan. The best reciter (of the Qur'an) among them is Ubayy bin Ka'b, the most knowledgeable of them concerning (the laws of) inheritance is Zaid bin Thabit, the most knowledgeable of them concerning the lawful and the unlawful is Mu'adh Bin Jabal. Truly, every nation has a trustworthy one, and the trustworthy one of this nation is "Abu 'Ubaidah Bin Al-Jarrah."  Therefore, as mentioned above, a leader should discover the skills of his followers and choose them accordingly.

 

Further, he (PBUH) taught us how to make use of other nations' experiences, and never criticize any unfamiliar or weird experience based on its source. This is because, during Al-Ahzab battle, Salman Al-Farisi (May Allah be pleased with him), suggested digging a ditch as a defensive line for Al-Medina since the Persians have used this strategy in warfare, so the Prophet (PBUH) approved of that. Furthermore, a wise word is the lost property of the believer, so wherever he finds it, he has more right to it, therefore, making use from other nations experiences and developing them, is one of a successful leader's aspects.

 

Moreover, he (PBUH) is our role model when it comes to consulting others and not listening only to one`s-self, although none will blame him for that, since he is Allah's Messenger and many of his acts and words are divinely inspired. Nevertheless, he used to consult his companions and listen to what they have to say in almost every matter. This is reflected in the following examples:

 

The Prophet (PBUH) Took Al-Habab Ibn Al-Monther's opinion regarding the spot that the Muslim army should be stationed at in the battle of Bader, gave the companions the permission to negotiate with the disbelievers regarding the prisoners, consulted them in the battle of Ohoud and took Salman's opinion as mentioned earlier. Thus, a good leader should be keen on consulting his followers and listening to what they have to say, and this can only be achieved in an atmosphere full of freedom and respect, and finding such an atmosphere is a leader`s prime responsibility..

 

In conclusion, every person is a leader in his position-capable of changing and developing- and all we need to do is to take the initiative towards that end [Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.] So is it time for hard work? 

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

The imam recited a verse containing a prostration of recitation (*sajdat al-tilāwah*) but did not prostrate. After the imam's *salām*, a follower (*maʾmūm*) performed a prostration of forgetfulness (*sujūd al-sahw*) because the imam had not performed the prostration of recitation. Is it permissible to go against the imam in this way?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
There is no sin on the imam if he omits the prostration of recitation (sujūd al-tilāwah), even deliberately. The maʾmūm (the one following the imam) is obliged to follow the imam in the prayer, so if the imam does not perform the prostration of recitation, it is not permissible for the follower to prostrate, because the imam is appointed only to be followed.
If the follower introduces a prostration after the imam’s salām but before his own salām, in a case where there is no prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw), his prayer is invalidated if he knew it to be prohibited. Otherwise, he is excused on account of his ignorance and his prayer is not invalidated.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Imām al-Jamal ʿalā Fatḥ al-Wahhāb: “His statement: ‘So the omission of the hayʾāt (the non-essential sunnahs of the prayer) is not compensated for by prostration; if one prostrates for any of them deliberately, his prayer is invalidated, unless he is excused due to his ignorance.’”
Since this issue is one that is hidden from the laymen, as it is among the subtleties of knowledge, and the laymen are excused for ignorance of whatever is of such a nature, and their act of obedience is not invalidated because of it, it may be said that the prayer of one who has not acquired knowledge of this issue is not invalidated, with the necessity of learning the rulings remaining. As for after knowing it, the prayer is invalidated. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on wearing energy stones?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
There is no objection to a woman adorning herself with precious and semi-precious stones — such as ruby, carnelian, or the like — so long as these are stones that women customarily wear as adornment.
As for what are known as "energy stones," if they are used with the intention of seeking remedy and healing, then such matters are governed by experimentation and scientific study — which either establishes that they have a tangible effect or does not — and all of this operates by the permission and will of Allah, Glorified and Exalted. If studies or practical experience do establish that such stones carry a beneficial effect upon human health, then there is no objection to using them. They are, after all, part of Allah's creation, much like medicinal substances extracted from plants or derived from other created things — provided that the Muslim does not believe that the stone itself is the source of benefit or harm. It is nothing more than a means among the many means that Allah has placed in this world, and the reality of all affairs belongs to Allah alone. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

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 best manner in distributing the meat of the Aqeeqah?

It is better to divide all of it as cooked meat amongst the poor and the needy. Dividing it into three portions is a Sunnah, but it is permissible to keep all of it provided that a portion, even a small one, is given to the poor and needy (one kilo for example).