Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Humor of the Messenger of Allah
By Amatullah in Muslim Matters
Bismillah
If we were asked to name instances where the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam displayed bravery, shed tears or gave advice to his Companions, we would be able to do so easily. But how many of us can name at least three times where the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was seen laughing or making others laugh?
Muslims need to lighten up and embrace this sunnah of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Righteousness does not equate to frowning and looking scary—not only is it counterproductive, but it’s against the sunnah of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. The scholars and du’aat who truly follow this sunnah today are the ones who are loved by the people because their humor brings out their gentleness and approachability, such as Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen rahimahullah who gave some extraordinary answers during his classes that are still being shared by his students.
The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was complete in all aspects of his character and had a great sense of humor that even makes us laugh today.
From his life we also learn the etiquette of laughter and humor. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam did not normally laugh to a point where his molar teeth were seen (except for a few instances) or laugh so hard that he would shake. Furthermore, unlike nowadays, he did not seek humor in making fun of others or in a vulgar fashion regarding vulgar topics. He also narrated to us that we should not lie to make people laugh, “Woe to the one who tells lies to make people laugh, woe to him.” [Abu Dawood]. Read more on the conditions of permissible joking here.
We must also keep in mind that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was moderate in his laughter, just as he was moderate in all facets of his life. He sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam warned us against laughing too much, and told us of the danger it poses to the heart when he said: “Do not laugh too much, for laughing deadens the heart.” [Tirmidhi, ibn Maajah]
Let’s look to the life of the Messenger of Allah and share a few beautiful accounts that show his sense of humor.
A Smile
Jareer ibn Abdullah Al-Bajali radi Allahu anhu narrated, Allah's Apostle did not screen himself from me since my embracing Islam, and whenever he saw me he would receive me with a smile. Once I told him that I could not sit firm on horses. He stroked me on the chest with his hand and said, "O Allah! Make him firm and make him a guiding and a rightly-guided man." [ibn Maajah, Graded Saheeh by Shaykh Albaani in Saheeh ibn Maajah]
Points of benefit:
a) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam made each of his companions feel special. This is an attribute of a successful teacher, as each of his students will feel they have a special place with him.
b) Think about it: do you know anyone who smiles at you every time you see him/her? SubhanAllah, the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was a mercy for all of creation. Jareer radi Allahu anhu said that since he accepted Islam, the Prophet alayhi salaatu wa salaam would always smile at him. Try for one day to smile in the face of one person and see how it goes.
c) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was easily accessible to the people. It is hard for us nowadays to reach an influental person, yet the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was readily available for his followers. As teachers and Imams in our communities, we should reflect upon this nature of our Messenger alayhi salaatu wa salaam and intend to act upon it.
d) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam made duaa for Jareer, even for something as small as sitting firmly on his horse. This is a reminder for us to always turn to Allah in every situation, make duaa for ourselves and others, even if it's something that we feel is insignificant.
The She-Camel
Anas ibn Malik radi Allahu anhu narrated that a man came to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam and said, "O Messenger of Allah! I want you to give me a camel to ride upon." The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "All that I can find for you is a child of a she-camel." The man turned around and walked away, disappointed that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam wanted to give him a baby camel upon which to ride. The Prophet sal Alalhu alayhi wa sallam then called him back and said, 'And is not every camel (be it old or young) the child of a she-camel! [Abu Dawood, Graded Saheeh by Albani in Saheeh Abi Dawood]
Points of benefit:
a) The Companions regularly asked the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam for help/assistance, as they knew he would help them.
b) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam called him back to explain the joke. Imagine having the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam explain his joke to you!
Old Women in Jannah
Hasan radi Allahu anhu narrated that an old woman went to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam and asked him to pray to Allah for her entry into Jannah. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "O mother of so-and-so, no old woman enters Paradise." On hearing this, the old woman returned weeping. The Prophet sal Alllahu alayhi wa sallam then called her back and said, Did you not hear the saying of Allah:
إنَّا أَنشَأْنَاهُنَّ إِنشَاءً
فَجَعَلْنَاهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا
عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًا
"Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation. And made them virgins. Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age." [56:35-37]
Points of benefit:
a) Women had access to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.
b) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam gave tafseer of the ayat from Surah Waqi'ah. Regardless of the age the believing woman died in, she will enter Jannah young.
c) Instead of giving her a straight answer, "yes you will enter Jannah", the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam made the answer special for her—telling her that she will not only enter Jannah but will enter it in a state of youth.
d) The old woman, radi Allahu anha, cried profusely when she thought she was denied entry into Jannah.
With Allah you are Expensive
Anas ibn Malik radi Allahu anhu narrated, A Bedouin called Zaahir was selling his commodities in the market. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam approached him from behind and, clasping his arms around Zaahir, challenged him to release himself from the grip. Then the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam called to those who passed by, 'Who wants to buy this slave?' Laughing and still in the Prophet's grip, Zaahir responded, 'There is no market for me. Nobody would want to buy me,' [due to his age and deformed body] The Prophet replied, 'But with Allah, you are priceless and invaluable.' [Narrated by Ahmad]
Points of benefit:
a) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam suprised his companion by coming from behind him, as if to wrestle him playfully.
b) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam took the time out to publically visit someone who was considered from the lower class (Bedouins). He visited Zaahir radi Allahu anhu while he was working in the market.
c) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam in a joking manner attempted to sell Zaahir, although he was not a slave. He showed the people who were around that he and this Bedouin were friends.
d) He comforted and raised the morale of Zaahir radi Allahu anhu by saying with Allah he is 'ghaalin' (expensive and invaluable) after he said no one would be interested in buying him.
The Race
A'ishah radi Allahu anha narrated, “I went out with the Prophet on a journey. At that time I was a young girl and was quite slender. The Prophet told the people, ‘Go on ahead,’ so they went ahead, then he said to me, ‘Come, let us have a race.’ So I raced with him, and I won. He let the matter rest until I had gained weight. Later, I accompanied him on another journey. He told the people, ‘Go on ahead,’ so they went ahead. He said to me, ‘Come, let us have a race.’ So I raced with him, and he won. He began to laugh, and said, ‘This is for that.” [Narrated by Ahmad]
Points of benefit:
a) The wives of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam would accompany him on journeys.
b) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam sent his army ahead so he and his wife could have some privacy.
c) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was romantic throughout his life. We see here that he not only raced with A'ishah during an early time in their marriage, but he remembered this game they had from the past, as if he was keeping score, and intiated it again.
d) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam did not tell A'ishah that she lost the race because she had gained weight, although she knew that was the reason.
e) Traveling causes fatigue, yet the Messenger of Allah alayhi salaatu wa salaam phsyically exerted himself to have some fun with his wife.
These few accounts show the loving nature and fun side of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. O Allah, send your peace and blessings upon our Prophet and Messenger and grant him al Fadeelah and al Waseelah.
We’ve lost the chance to see the smile of the blessed Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, so let’s not lose our chance in the aakhirah. May Allah ta’ala unite us with His Messenger in Firdaws al ‘Alaa, Ameen.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
15 Perkara Yang Mengundang Bala
Ali bin Abi Thalib r.a, meriwayatkan daripada Rasulullah SAW bahawa beliau bersabda; “Apabila umat ku telah membuat lima belas perkara, maka bala pasti akan turun kepada mereka, iaitu:
1.Apabila (Maghnam) harta milik umum atau negara hanya berkisar di kalangan elit tertentu
2. Apabila (aset) amanah dijadikan sebagai habuan diri (ghanimah)
3. Zakat dianggap sebagai beban hutang (diperniagakan)
4. (Kehendak) suami dikuasai oleh kehendak isteri
5. Anak menderhakai ibunya
6. Tapi ia berbaik-baik (patuh) dengan (kehendak) kawannya
7. Ayahnya (pula) disingkir jauh
8. Rioh rendah dan kecoh di dalam masjid (atas sebab dunia)
9. Yang menjadi ketua sesuatu bangsa adalah orang yang fasiq (jahat dan derhaka kepada Allah)
10. Seseorang dimuliakan kerana (hendak menghindari) kejahatannya
11. Arak menjadi minuman lumrah
12. Sutera menjadi pakaian (golongan lelaki)
13. Golongan artis (biduan) disanjung-sanjung
14. Manakala muzik menjadi budaya pujaan
15. Generasi akhir umat ini melaknat (menyalahkan) generasi pertama (sahabat dan Ulama)
Riwayat At-Tirmizi
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Discharging Annual Zakat on Gold Ornaments
Posted in Muslim Matters by Sadaf Farooqi
It is that time of the year again. Ramadan has begun to signal it’s imminent arrival. For most, that might imply a dread of fasting longer, hotter days. For others, it might mean saving more to stock up their freezers. For some lucky people, it might indicate the time to start making travel arrangements for performing umrah or itikaaf in Islam’s holy sites in Saudi Arabia. For most, however, including me, it implies preparing for project “Yearly Zakaah: Calculation and Discharge“.
The basic reasons why most Muslims discharge their yearly Zakaah during Ramadan are:
* It gains more rewards – multiplied by 70 times, at the very least. That is why it can be given in advance, during Ramadan. It is imperative, on the other hand, that if it has become due before Ramadan, it should be given at once, and not delayed in the hope for more reward.
* It is easier to keep track of Zakaah if one has the habit of discharging it in a prominent Muslim month, i.e. the latter’s arrival provides a convenient reminder to start planning how much and where, to pay off one’s Zakaah.
* It is the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] to become extra generous during this month, akin to a wind that brings much gain i.e. fruit/agricultural produce: Narrated Ibn Abbas [may Allah be pleased with him] who said: “The Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous during Ramadan when Jibreel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night in Ramadan until it was over and the Prophet would go through the Qur’an with him. The Messenger of Allah was more generous with good things than the blowing wind (which brings rain and welfare).” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
In the current scenario, when the economic crisis and global “credit crunch” has left many Muslims struggling financially, and like other people all over the world, striving to hold on to their jobs, save and scrimp any extra money they possibly can, look for alternative modes of earning and sources of income, and to spend very cautiously, generating enough liquidity to pay off one’s Zakaah becomes an added concern. All extravagant expenditures have started to be curtailed, or so we like to think, in such a scenario.
So the problem with giving Zakaah this coming Ramadan is, to a great extent, the challenge of generating enough extra cash to be able to pay off the due on our assets. People who nowadays own lavish homes, individual cars for members of the household, electricity-bill-thumping appliances such as washers, driers, air conditioners, microwave ovens, dishwashers, hair-irons, kettles, coffee-makers and heaters, and have their children enrolled in expensive private schools are, to put it mildly, in a fix. They can no longer afford their lavish lifestyle yet find it difficult to step down a few rungs on their social ladder in order to curtail their extravagant expenditure.
The simple solution to this problem lies as much with the Muslim women of the family as much as the men. Please let me explain: I have been teaching a short subject, “The Book of Zakaah“, based on the book “Kitab Al-Zakah” by Iqbal Kaylani, to adult women at Al-Huda International for several years, and each time I cover the subject, I am surprised and equally disappointed, to be asked the same questions over and over by them. One of the most oft-recurring question is,
“How do we pay the Zakaah on our gold jewelry when we do not earn money?”
Most women innocently assume that they are absolved from paying Zakaah on their gold because of this reason, or that it is primarily and completely their husbands’ responsibility, and not their concern at all. They assert that the husband should, therefore, always pay the Zakaah on their gold. Other women come up with certain ahadith as ‘proof’ that Zakaah is not to be paid on gold that is in regular use by them i.e. that which they wear. Others still, come up with other ‘ahadith‘ claiming that Zakaah is not due on gold at all. Others, still, – the rarer lot – suggest that women should save money from their household budget each month to pay off the yearly Zakaah on their gold. Not one – I repeat – not one woman student have I come across to this day, who would give the suggestion that women sell off some of their gold jewelry to generate the required amount of Zakaah on it.
Has your jaw dropped? Are you stunned? If so, why, may I ask? Sadly, this is the reaction of most Muslim women when I suggest this solution. However, I do not understand this reaction at all. Why is the idea of selling gold to generate money for sadaqah in the way of Allah so shocking or unthinkable?
Is it not what Allah has ordained?
لَن تَنَالُواْ الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ
“By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love.” [3: 92]
Was it not the suggestion of our Prophet Muhammad [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] directed specifically at Muslim women, to give a lot of sadaqah/charity from their ornaments?
Narrated Ibn Abbas: “I am a witness that Allah’s Apostle offered the ‘Eid prayer before delivering the sermon, and then he thought that the women would not be able to hear him (because of the distance), so he went to them along with Bilal, who was spreading his garment. The Prophet advised and ordered them to give in charity. So the women started giving their ornaments (in charity).” (The sub-narrator Ayub pointed towards his ears and neck meaning, that they gave ornaments from those places, such as ear-rings and necklaces.)
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, No. 529]
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: “On ‘Eid Al-Fitr or ‘Eid Al-Adha, Allah’s Apostle [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] went out to the Musallah. After finishing the prayer, he delivered the sermon and ordered the people to give alms. He said, “O people! Give alms.” Then he went towards the women and said.
“O women! Give alms, for I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-Fire were you (women).”
The women asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! What is the reason for it?”
He replied, “O women! You curse frequently, and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. O women, some of you can lead a cautious wise man astray.”
Then he left. And when he reached his house, Zainab, the wife of Ibn Masud, came and asked permission to enter. It was said, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is Zainab.” He asked, ‘Which Zainab?” The reply was that she was the wife of Ibn Masud. He said, “Yes, allow her to enter.” And she was admitted. Then she said,
“O Prophet of Allah! Today you ordered people to give alms and I had an ornament and intended to give it as alms, but Ibn Masud said that he and his children deserved it more than anybody else.”
The Prophet replied, “Ibn Masud had spoken the truth. Your husband and your children had more right to it than anybody else.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, No. 541]
Narrated ‘Amr bin Al-Harith: “Zainab, the wife of ‘Abdullah said, “I was in the Mosque and saw the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] saying,
تَصَدَّقنَ وَ لَو مِن حُلِىِّكُنَّ
“O women! Give alms, even from your ornaments.”
{*Excuse the Arabic typo in the last word; the Arabic editor didn’t connect the letters properly. It is meant to be “huliyyikunna” and means “your ornaments”}
…Zainab used to provide for ‘Abdullah and those orphans who were under her protection. So she said to ‘Abdullah,
“Will you ask Allah’s Apostle whether it will be sufficient for me to spend part of the Zakaah on you and the orphans who are under my protection?”
He replied “Will you yourself ask Allah’s Apostle?” (Zainab added): So I went to the Prophet and I saw there an Ansari woman who was standing at the door (of the Prophet) with a similar problem as mine. Bilal passed by us and we asked him,
‘Ask the Prophet whether it is permissible for me to spend (the Zakaah) on my husband and the orphans under my protection.’
And we requested Bilal not to inform the Prophet about us. So Bilal went inside and asked the Prophet regarding our problem. The Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] asked, “Who are those two?” Bilal replied that she was Zainab. The Prophet said, “Which Zainab?” Bilal said, “The wife of ‘Adullah (bin Masud).” The Prophet said,
“Yes, (it is sufficient for her) and she will receive a double reward (for that): One for helping relatives, and the other for giving Zakaah.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, No. 545]
The ahadith above give clear proof of that fact that women should donate their ornaments in charity, and particularly if their husbands are in need. In fact, women may give Zakaah, the obligatory charity, to their husbands first, if the latter are deserving of it.
Was it not the way of our mothers and aslaaf (pious predecessors) to give away gold or silver in sadaqah?
When our mother, Umm Habibah [may Allah be pleased with her], received the glad tidings of Prophet Muhammad’s [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] marriage proposal for her in Abyssinia, she gave the ornaments she was wearing, then and there, to the slave-girl who had brought her this good news.
Then why do we Muslim women feel so reluctant to convert our gold ornaments to liquid cash in order to discharge an obligation of Islam that is one of its most fundamental pillars?
Simple answer: We love gold. Oh boy, do we love it! We love to wear it, flaunt it, and store it for our sons’ and daughters’ marriages. We pass down cherished heirlooms in order to maintain familial traditions. The more antique the jewelry is, the more we hold it close to our hearts.
Most women are in the habit of gradually collecting ornaments over the years. The reason why jewelers’ shops do roaring business worldwide is the symbol of this attachment of the female hearts to anything that twinkles, shines and is worth millions. I admit I was very surprised on visiting Madinah for the first time, to see that even the majority of shops outside Masjid-e-Nabawi were those selling gold jewelry.
So how can Muslim women help their husbands and/or brothers and sons out this year, in paying off their Zakaah?
Simply, convert some of your trinkets and/or rings, bangles, bracelets or earrings to liquid cash, and use that cash to give off Zakaah. I wouldn’t be preaching this had I not done it myself. I can promise you that you’ll feel tremendous closeness to Allah and serene joy of faith as a result, as long as you do not brag about your sadaqah to anyone; that is, you do not waste what you’ve done.
I also happen to know of other women who have similarly donated their jewelry, wedding clothes or other precious possessions; they do not, in any way, feel guilty or regretful for having done so. Life is short; so many chances of doing sadaqah pass us by, yet we continue to hold on to our clothes and jewelry as if they’ll stay with us forever. Wake up, O Muslimah! Remember that your permanent abode is the Hereafter, with the only permanent joys and blessings being those given to the dwellers of Paradise; therefore, strive to attain that long-lasting abode by letting go of just a wee bit of the things you love in this passing, worldly life, and then taste the sweetness of faith, and the high levels of taqwa that Allah will bless you with, as a consequence.
Evidence that Muslim women are permitted to wear gold
Details of the difference of opinion regarding zakaah on gold and silver intended for use
Zakaah has to be paid on gold inherited, by its owner
Allah knows best and is the Source of strength.
It is that time of the year again. Ramadan has begun to signal it’s imminent arrival. For most, that might imply a dread of fasting longer, hotter days. For others, it might mean saving more to stock up their freezers. For some lucky people, it might indicate the time to start making travel arrangements for performing umrah or itikaaf in Islam’s holy sites in Saudi Arabia. For most, however, including me, it implies preparing for project “Yearly Zakaah: Calculation and Discharge“.
The basic reasons why most Muslims discharge their yearly Zakaah during Ramadan are:
* It gains more rewards – multiplied by 70 times, at the very least. That is why it can be given in advance, during Ramadan. It is imperative, on the other hand, that if it has become due before Ramadan, it should be given at once, and not delayed in the hope for more reward.
* It is easier to keep track of Zakaah if one has the habit of discharging it in a prominent Muslim month, i.e. the latter’s arrival provides a convenient reminder to start planning how much and where, to pay off one’s Zakaah.
* It is the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] to become extra generous during this month, akin to a wind that brings much gain i.e. fruit/agricultural produce: Narrated Ibn Abbas [may Allah be pleased with him] who said: “The Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous during Ramadan when Jibreel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night in Ramadan until it was over and the Prophet would go through the Qur’an with him. The Messenger of Allah was more generous with good things than the blowing wind (which brings rain and welfare).” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
In the current scenario, when the economic crisis and global “credit crunch” has left many Muslims struggling financially, and like other people all over the world, striving to hold on to their jobs, save and scrimp any extra money they possibly can, look for alternative modes of earning and sources of income, and to spend very cautiously, generating enough liquidity to pay off one’s Zakaah becomes an added concern. All extravagant expenditures have started to be curtailed, or so we like to think, in such a scenario.
So the problem with giving Zakaah this coming Ramadan is, to a great extent, the challenge of generating enough extra cash to be able to pay off the due on our assets. People who nowadays own lavish homes, individual cars for members of the household, electricity-bill-thumping appliances such as washers, driers, air conditioners, microwave ovens, dishwashers, hair-irons, kettles, coffee-makers and heaters, and have their children enrolled in expensive private schools are, to put it mildly, in a fix. They can no longer afford their lavish lifestyle yet find it difficult to step down a few rungs on their social ladder in order to curtail their extravagant expenditure.
The simple solution to this problem lies as much with the Muslim women of the family as much as the men. Please let me explain: I have been teaching a short subject, “The Book of Zakaah“, based on the book “Kitab Al-Zakah” by Iqbal Kaylani, to adult women at Al-Huda International for several years, and each time I cover the subject, I am surprised and equally disappointed, to be asked the same questions over and over by them. One of the most oft-recurring question is,
“How do we pay the Zakaah on our gold jewelry when we do not earn money?”
Most women innocently assume that they are absolved from paying Zakaah on their gold because of this reason, or that it is primarily and completely their husbands’ responsibility, and not their concern at all. They assert that the husband should, therefore, always pay the Zakaah on their gold. Other women come up with certain ahadith as ‘proof’ that Zakaah is not to be paid on gold that is in regular use by them i.e. that which they wear. Others still, come up with other ‘ahadith‘ claiming that Zakaah is not due on gold at all. Others, still, – the rarer lot – suggest that women should save money from their household budget each month to pay off the yearly Zakaah on their gold. Not one – I repeat – not one woman student have I come across to this day, who would give the suggestion that women sell off some of their gold jewelry to generate the required amount of Zakaah on it.
Has your jaw dropped? Are you stunned? If so, why, may I ask? Sadly, this is the reaction of most Muslim women when I suggest this solution. However, I do not understand this reaction at all. Why is the idea of selling gold to generate money for sadaqah in the way of Allah so shocking or unthinkable?
Is it not what Allah has ordained?
لَن تَنَالُواْ الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ
“By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love.” [3: 92]
Was it not the suggestion of our Prophet Muhammad [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] directed specifically at Muslim women, to give a lot of sadaqah/charity from their ornaments?
Narrated Ibn Abbas: “I am a witness that Allah’s Apostle offered the ‘Eid prayer before delivering the sermon, and then he thought that the women would not be able to hear him (because of the distance), so he went to them along with Bilal, who was spreading his garment. The Prophet advised and ordered them to give in charity. So the women started giving their ornaments (in charity).” (The sub-narrator Ayub pointed towards his ears and neck meaning, that they gave ornaments from those places, such as ear-rings and necklaces.)
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, No. 529]
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: “On ‘Eid Al-Fitr or ‘Eid Al-Adha, Allah’s Apostle [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] went out to the Musallah. After finishing the prayer, he delivered the sermon and ordered the people to give alms. He said, “O people! Give alms.” Then he went towards the women and said.
“O women! Give alms, for I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-Fire were you (women).”
The women asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! What is the reason for it?”
He replied, “O women! You curse frequently, and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. O women, some of you can lead a cautious wise man astray.”
Then he left. And when he reached his house, Zainab, the wife of Ibn Masud, came and asked permission to enter. It was said, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is Zainab.” He asked, ‘Which Zainab?” The reply was that she was the wife of Ibn Masud. He said, “Yes, allow her to enter.” And she was admitted. Then she said,
“O Prophet of Allah! Today you ordered people to give alms and I had an ornament and intended to give it as alms, but Ibn Masud said that he and his children deserved it more than anybody else.”
The Prophet replied, “Ibn Masud had spoken the truth. Your husband and your children had more right to it than anybody else.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, No. 541]
Narrated ‘Amr bin Al-Harith: “Zainab, the wife of ‘Abdullah said, “I was in the Mosque and saw the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] saying,
تَصَدَّقنَ وَ لَو مِن حُلِىِّكُنَّ
“O women! Give alms, even from your ornaments.”
{*Excuse the Arabic typo in the last word; the Arabic editor didn’t connect the letters properly. It is meant to be “huliyyikunna” and means “your ornaments”}
…Zainab used to provide for ‘Abdullah and those orphans who were under her protection. So she said to ‘Abdullah,
“Will you ask Allah’s Apostle whether it will be sufficient for me to spend part of the Zakaah on you and the orphans who are under my protection?”
He replied “Will you yourself ask Allah’s Apostle?” (Zainab added): So I went to the Prophet and I saw there an Ansari woman who was standing at the door (of the Prophet) with a similar problem as mine. Bilal passed by us and we asked him,
‘Ask the Prophet whether it is permissible for me to spend (the Zakaah) on my husband and the orphans under my protection.’
And we requested Bilal not to inform the Prophet about us. So Bilal went inside and asked the Prophet regarding our problem. The Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] asked, “Who are those two?” Bilal replied that she was Zainab. The Prophet said, “Which Zainab?” Bilal said, “The wife of ‘Adullah (bin Masud).” The Prophet said,
“Yes, (it is sufficient for her) and she will receive a double reward (for that): One for helping relatives, and the other for giving Zakaah.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, No. 545]
The ahadith above give clear proof of that fact that women should donate their ornaments in charity, and particularly if their husbands are in need. In fact, women may give Zakaah, the obligatory charity, to their husbands first, if the latter are deserving of it.
Was it not the way of our mothers and aslaaf (pious predecessors) to give away gold or silver in sadaqah?
When our mother, Umm Habibah [may Allah be pleased with her], received the glad tidings of Prophet Muhammad’s [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] marriage proposal for her in Abyssinia, she gave the ornaments she was wearing, then and there, to the slave-girl who had brought her this good news.
Then why do we Muslim women feel so reluctant to convert our gold ornaments to liquid cash in order to discharge an obligation of Islam that is one of its most fundamental pillars?
Simple answer: We love gold. Oh boy, do we love it! We love to wear it, flaunt it, and store it for our sons’ and daughters’ marriages. We pass down cherished heirlooms in order to maintain familial traditions. The more antique the jewelry is, the more we hold it close to our hearts.
Most women are in the habit of gradually collecting ornaments over the years. The reason why jewelers’ shops do roaring business worldwide is the symbol of this attachment of the female hearts to anything that twinkles, shines and is worth millions. I admit I was very surprised on visiting Madinah for the first time, to see that even the majority of shops outside Masjid-e-Nabawi were those selling gold jewelry.
So how can Muslim women help their husbands and/or brothers and sons out this year, in paying off their Zakaah?
Simply, convert some of your trinkets and/or rings, bangles, bracelets or earrings to liquid cash, and use that cash to give off Zakaah. I wouldn’t be preaching this had I not done it myself. I can promise you that you’ll feel tremendous closeness to Allah and serene joy of faith as a result, as long as you do not brag about your sadaqah to anyone; that is, you do not waste what you’ve done.
I also happen to know of other women who have similarly donated their jewelry, wedding clothes or other precious possessions; they do not, in any way, feel guilty or regretful for having done so. Life is short; so many chances of doing sadaqah pass us by, yet we continue to hold on to our clothes and jewelry as if they’ll stay with us forever. Wake up, O Muslimah! Remember that your permanent abode is the Hereafter, with the only permanent joys and blessings being those given to the dwellers of Paradise; therefore, strive to attain that long-lasting abode by letting go of just a wee bit of the things you love in this passing, worldly life, and then taste the sweetness of faith, and the high levels of taqwa that Allah will bless you with, as a consequence.
Evidence that Muslim women are permitted to wear gold
Details of the difference of opinion regarding zakaah on gold and silver intended for use
Zakaah has to be paid on gold inherited, by its owner
Allah knows best and is the Source of strength.
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