Author: Ismail ibn Nazir Satia

I'm for the truth no matter who tells it. I'm for justice no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being first and foremost and for whoever benefits humanity...

Categories
Poems

Six Years On…

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Three supplications are accepted, there is no doubt in them (about them being accepted): The supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveller, and the supplication of his father against his son.”

(Jami`at-Tirmidhi, Book 27, Hadith 11)

Six years on, how quickly time has gone.

Six years on, the knight that once shone,

Is resting in his grave, with the help of no one.

He is covered from head to toe in dust, every single bone,

We can no longer hear his voice, nor listen to his tone.

We are deprived of his beautiful countenance[IS1] , the crispy smile was always known,

A smile which could melt a heart, even if it was made out of stone.

You spread your warmth everywhere, your seeds of graciousness were planted like an acorn,

Today, we see those fruits and high they have grown.

Allah protected you yesterday and will protect you today from even the prick of a thorn,

Because you left this world with a clean heart, not owing a debt and not owing a loan.

Let this rhyme be a reminder, for each and every one of us that we too have a time,

Death hovers over all of us, just like a drone.

Death falls suddenly and takes your soul as fast as a cyclone,

Death doesn’t announce on a speaker system, nor uses a microphone.

Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)

Categories
Poems

An Ode to Hadhrat (Allah drench him in His mercy)

He was born in 1946 in Gujarat, Naroli,

His mother was spiritual and hailed from a pious family.

His father was devout and had a spiritual connection,

A friend of Allah, constantly in dhikr, remembrance and reflection.

He started Alim class (Randeyr) at the age of fifteen,

With a passion to learn and a zeal to increase his deen.

It was after this he met his spiritual mentor,

Shaykh Zakariyya RH, who nurtured him as a son, rather, even more.

In 1968, he came to the UK and his married life started,

He was a great husband, respectful and kind-hearted.

Handsome, generous, simple and sincere, his beauty shone through,

And so he opened the first seminary, in Bury, small and humble, which eventually grew.

 His students were many, leaders and giants, too many to name, but here are a few,

Mufti Abdus Samad, Mufti Ibrahim Raja, Mawlana Saleem Dhorat, Mawlana Fadhle Haq, Mawlana Abdul Raheem and many others too!

Darul Uloom Bury (aka Ummul Madaris of Europe) was just the start of his grand plan,

Many other institutes now opened and this is where his dream began.

He continued with Mawlana Qasim’s legacy,

Who started Deoband under the shade of a pomegranate tree.

Not just for boys, but he opened Madaris for girls,

So they could also derive benefit, succeed, prosper and shine like pearls.

His piety was known to all, his knowledge spread far and wide,

He was known for his resilience, principles, not to sway left or right,

He did what others could not do, he went against all odds, no matter how high the tide.

His humility, his patience, his wisdom and long silence,

We will remember his sweet, soft voice, gently advising – the epitome of his excellence.

He would never raise his voice, never speak out of turn,

Constantly remembering his Lord, it was His love he would yearn.

He was a lantern of knowledge, a lamp for guidance, in every matter he sought Allah as a friend.

He became a leader, a luminary and left as a legend.

May your soul rest in the Gardens of Paradise, where you have been laid,

May Allah recompense you for all your toils and sacrifice, we pray you are repaid.

We make Dua to Allah to grant you the company of his Nabi SAW,

“Sarkar dow Alam SAW” (as you would always refer to him) and his companions RA and family.

O Allah, he is now with You,

Forgive him and exalt him,

We pray for his success and elevation in Jannah too! Ameen.

Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure).

10 Muharram 1441

Categories
Dhulm/Oppression

A Clear and Open Message to Tablighis

Tabligh ya Tafreeq? Preaching or Parting?

The following is not intended to offend anyone; please read with an open heart and mind!

The word Da’wah means “to call” and Tabligh means “to convey/relay.” To call to Allah and relay Allah’s deen. The deen which Allah has sent we should pass it on to others in whatever way we can. A scholar of deen (an Alim) will do this in a different way to the layman, there are different methods, no doubt. Since the last 1,400 years, both Da’wah and Tabligh have been continuing with full force. For anyone to say the work stopped, it would be an insult to all those people who tirelessly sacrificed their time and energy to spread Allah’s religion in previous times. If the work of Da’wah had stopped, then how would Islam have reached us today?

It is a known fact that the methodology of Da’wah and Tabligh has changed somewhat over the last few centuries.

The Imam who stands on the mimbar on a Jumu’ah and gives a lecture to the community, IS DA’WAH.

The Shaykh who give a Dars on Qur’an after Salah IS DA’WAH.

The Mawlana who gives lessons on Hadith in a Madrasah IS DA’WAH.

The Ustadh who teaches students in Darul Ulooms IS DA’WAH.

The author who writes Islamic books to educate people IS DA’WAH.

The Mufti who authorises fatwas on Halal/Haram IS DA’WAH.

And… those who spend their time in the path of Allah, knocking on houses going door to door and invite people to Allah IS ALSO DA’WAH.

We cannot deny that any of these are all different forms of Da’wah, we should all work together and praise each other and complement one another for the work we do and others do. But what seems to be happening is the opposite, people are comparing and criticising each other. Some are saying, “Our work of deen is the only work of deen!” This may be classed as “tahreef” in deen. Tahreef is to change the deen of Allah SWT. I am not a great Alim, but we need to ask the Muftis, “What is the ruling on people who say, teaching Madrasah is not deen. Giving a bayan in the Masjid is not deen.” Is it Halal or Haram? Is it Kufr?

Did Imam Bukhari (Allah have mercy on him) not do Tabligh? Imam Bukhari (Allah have mercy on him) gathered 600,000 – 700,000 hadith, out of which 100,000 were sahih. He then compiled approximately 7,000 Hadith in his famous book. He had 90,000 students that he taught, these students weren’t part-timers like the students of today. They were all Muhaddiths and great scholars.

Did Imam Abu Hanifah (Allah have mercy on him) not do Tabligh?

Did Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Allah have mercy on him) not do Tabligh?

All of these pious individuals lived long before Mawlana Ilyas (Allah have mercy on him). Tablighi Jamat has only been around for 100 years.

We must understand everyone is spreading the deen of Allah in their own way, as long as their belief and aqeedah is correct. If we cannot understand this, then this is a sign of a lack of sincerity. Because you can’t see others doing the work of deen. This is all from Shaytan, because Shaytan knows if we are united and support each other in the work of deen, we will become strong like the Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them) and deen will flourish. In the time of the Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them), they carried out all the works of deen, hence you did not see different sects and groups. But nowadays, it is sad to see different groups of Muslims criticising and taunting each other, one is thinking they are better than the other. Some saying our work is the only work, then looking at Ulama and scholars of deen as inferior. La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billah!

The ‘Wah-dahu La Shareeka Laho’ Attitude – Being the Whole and Sole

It is sad and deploring that many of our Muslims brothers and sisters constantly mock the rest of us who don’t tread the path they take, who don’t go out for three days every month and forty days every year, I am talking about the brothers and sisters who participate in Tabligh and Jamat.

Let me start with my own experience, many years ago I used to deliver Jumu’ah talks in my local Masjid. I must have delivered around a dozen talks after I graduated from Darul Uloom – Alhumdu Lillah! One of those talks was titled, “Save Yourself and Your Family!” I think judging by the title it was self-explanatory. It is actually a verse of the Qur’an, where Allah tells us to worry about ourselves and our families and save ourselves from the fire of Hell. A few points I mentioned in my talk

Focus on your sins, not your neighbours or relatives e.g. His daughter is sleeping with a White boy. Her son is a drug dealer or alcoholic etc.

Allah will not ask you about Muslims in China or Brazil i.e. worry about your own Iman.

Make constant tawbah, learn to quit sins, do more and more good deeds – new deeds.

Anything wrong with the above? I swear by Allah in the heavens! I did not target any group or sect or any single person. It was a general Bayan… that evening I was approached by the sovereign and supreme committee, who said to me, I was no longer allowed to deliver talks in the Masjid.

Good grief! Had I uttered Kufr? Offended someone? Or instigated terrorism? No, it was far worse than any criminal offence, I had hurt the egos of the brothers of Tabligh Jamat. It transpired that many brothers had been approached by the Tjs, asking why I had done such a horrific talk, they had never heard such a talk. Maybe, that’s because they had never read the Qur’an? I wonder… Anyhow, I was banned, despite being told from senior Ulama in the Masjid, that I had said nothing wrong or incorrect Islamically. My lips were sealed. They stamped on my tongue. I was mute. The Tabligh brothers had gone to Her Majesty’s Committee (HMC) and complained and got me banned! They tried to wreck my Dunya, I will make them questionable in the hereafter. Not forgotten…

I wasn’t offended because I am Britain’s greatest orator. I was offended because I was doing good and khayr, but I was punished for a crime I hadn’t committed. I was banned for commentary on a verse of the Qur’an, I would love to know the ruling on such people. It was clearly the part about worrying about your own Iman and family, not being too concerned with the sins of others, that’s what offended them.

Till today, not a single Tablighi has approached me to clarify the matter, or even give me a chance to apologise (if I was wrong). Because they are cowards, shame on the mothers who gave birth to them. Alhumdu Lillah, I have the courage to address the issue and speak up.

But, that was only the tip of the iceberg. Since then things have turned for the worse. We have tried many times to work with these brothers as a community, as one Masjid. But it was like taking blood out of a stone, they would never compromise. It’s because they believe their work is the only way forward, “The work of the Prophets AS!”

Whose work are we doing as Ulama? Dajjal’s work? Shaytan’s work?

Those comments are the first signs of insincerity because you can’t see others do good.

Ayk Bano, Nayk Bano! Stay United, Stay Pious!

http://daruliftaa.com/blessed-effort-of-jamaah-al-tabligh

One of our respected Shaykhs, Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Usmani Saheb (may Allah preserve him), in a lecture, very passionately and sincerely highlighted the wrong practices adopted by some folks who participate in the organised effort of deen called, ‘Jama’ah Tabligh.’ He explained that there are many different efforts of serving the deen of Allah – such as teaching (ta’lim), conveying the message (da’wah & tabligh), reforming souls (tazkiyah), charity work, etc – and the objective of all such efforts is to please Allah Most High. They are all different forms of serving the deen of Allah. However, the problem arises when some people get involved in a particular type of effort, and then think that what they are involved in is the only ‘real’ effort; and all other efforts are either not the efforts of deen or even if they are, they don’t have much significance. This leads to deviation!

He particularly singled out those who become ‘extreme’ in the effort of Jamat Tabligh. Some of them – due to lack of knowledge – become so overzealous that they start disregarding all other efforts of deen such as teaching ilm, charity work, etc… If teachers and students of a Madrasah do not come out in their organised Tabligh effort, they think that they are not really doing the work of deen! He then cited an example where a Tablighi brother told his old mother and wife that, “I do not have time to earn and provide for you, you earn and feed the family; I need to go out for Tabligh!” This, he explained, is not what Allah wants from us. In Islam, our family also has a right over us, and one should do what is required at the given time. This is not what the ‘elders’ of Tabligh have taught, he explained.

He said that such people become so fanatical that if any scholar was to give them sincere advice (nasihah) out of love and genuine concern, they become extremely defensive and say things like, “You are anti-Tabligh” and “How dare you point out our mistake” and “The mistakes of one or two should not be taken to mean the whole effort is flawed” and “The Tablighis do great work” etc… but when did anyone say the whole work is flawed, and when did anyone deny the value of the effort?! It seems they just do not want to hear anyone correcting their mistakes!

Finally, he said, the effort of Jamat Tabligh is very beneficial, which has spread the message of Islam to far and distant lands. We encourage people, especially the general masses, to participate in this effort. However, the mistakes must be pointed out. If such extremism is not avoided, it may lead this whole effort into becoming some kind of a cult! Avoid such extremism, and save others from it!

[End of Shaykh al-Islam Mufti Taqi Usmani’s statement in my own words]

I would like to add that what the respected Shaykh has said was long overdue. In my limited experience, the amount (literally in the hundreds) of irresponsible and flawed statements made by ‘some’ of our Jamat Tabligh brothers is astonishing. For example, one brother said, “We are the only saved sect of the 73 mentioned by the Prophet!” Another said, “Seeking knowledge (ilm) is of no benefit if you don’t go out in Tabligh!” One friend said to me, “I was once in I’tikaf and a brother in the Jama’ah said in his talk that we were wasting our time and should be out there!” A sister narrated, her father got told, “You can only go Jannah through Tabligh!” (La hawla wa la quwwa…..] This is the type of extremism and sectarianism that people like Shaykh Taqi Usmani and others fear!

Da’wah or Division and Destruction?
It seems like the problem is not just within the brothers of Tabligh, many sisters complain about their husbands being forced to go Jamat. Tablighis pushing a father to go forty days even though they are aware the wife is due to give birth very soon, (heard this many times).

Forcing someone to go forty days despite being told wife was recovering from a tough birth and also had another small toddler. The annual forty days were not due for another 6 months, but still they were persuaded. If they say no, the elders of Tabligh say, we have six children and you only have two!

It is common in Tablighi circles for mothers to look down on other mothers whose children do not go to Islamic School/Darul Uooms. Ever thought they might be struggling with the fees?

Women/Alimahs teaching at home being told they need permission from headquarters/markaz. Men teaching madrasah were told leave maktab and go for forty days. The madrasah will run without you. Despite repeatedly being told the madrasah was short staffed.

Again, these are all signs of not understanding deen fully, but overzealous about Tabligh! Tabligh! Tabligh!

We need to realise that there are different methods of serving the deen of Allah. Some people are involved in teaching children Qur’an and basics of deen, some in teaching advanced sciences like tafsir, hadith and fiqh, others in doing charity work, some spending their night and day answering people’s questions and writing fatwas, some spending their whole time authoring beneficial books, and some in lecturing and advising people on how to reform their souls. These are all works of deen,

It is true that this type of extremist mentality is found in other groups too. However, it seems that it is more prevalent within the Tabligh Jamat. This is due to two reasons:

 1) Lack of knowledge

2) The excessive number of people participating in the effort. Whenever there are more people, the risk of making mistakes is greater.

The above is not to offend anyone. It is written out of genuine concern and sincerity, InshaAllah. People are encouraged to participate in this very beneficial and blessed work to rectify themselves and preach to others. The effort of Jamat at-Tabligh is a very blessed effort, full of Barakah and blessings; and very effective in bringing people to Islam. It has changed the lives of many, and scores of people have benefitted from going out in the path of Allah. No one is denying that, and no one is castigating the group as a whole! But for the sake of Allah, do not make this beautiful work into some kind of cult, where you think this is the only real effort of deen, and everyone else is wasting their time. Furthermore, this should not be used as an excuse to not participate in this effort or look down upon those who do participate. Those who make such mistakes should be explained in a loving manner, with lots of dua’ for them in sha Allah.

Allah protect us and give us the correct understanding of deen, Ameen.

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)

Categories
Ruqya

Why Ruqya?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

We will all be aware that every sect, race, and religion has corrupt and bad individuals. As Muslims, we believe Islam is perfect, but Muslims are not. In light of this, we will understand teachers are meant to educate our children but many abuse our children. Doctors are meant to cure the ill, there are doctors who have killed people. Police officers are meant to protect the people, we often hear of the police abusing their power and authority. This in no way or shape means we stop using the above services, which would be preposterous and outrageous for anyone to claim that. What we would advise is we be cautious and take preventive measures, as the rule is “prevention is better than cure.”

In recent times, there has been a lot of exposure to Black Magic, Taweez, Ruqya and Jinns etc. The aim of this article is to accurately, fairly and accurately clear some of the myths regarding this subject.

We will start by explaining and proving from Quran and Hadith whether or not Black Magic exists, as well as Jinns and Jinn possession. There are a lot of Muslims out there who deny one of these or ALL of these.

The Evidence

BLACK MAGIC: Even the Prophet ﷺ had Sihr (black magic). His enemies got the most powerful sorcerer. The effect of it was He kept thinking he needed to do a ghusl. It was done by a Jewish man Labeed ibn A’sam, who took hair from the comb of the Prophet ﷺ and date skin from a tree. Eventually, they found the well which had date palms like the devil’s horns. The Hadith is in Bukhari.

JINN: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “There are Jinn in Madinah who have become Muslim. When you see one of them, call out to it for three days. If it appears after that, then kill it, for it is a Shaytan.” (Imam Malik)

EVIL EYE: Ibn ‘Abbas RA reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “The influence of an evil eye is a fact; if anything would precede the destiny it would be the influence of an evil eye, and when you are asked to take bath (as a cure) from the influence of an evil eye, you should take bath.” (Muslim)

Corrupt Practices

Whether you do down the Taweez route or the Ruqya route or any other route. It is YOUR job to ensure the person treating you or your family member is treating you according to Quran and Hadith. Allah has blessed everyone with Aqal and intellect. You don’t need to be a Mufti to know the difference between right and wrong, a lot of these things are basic common sense. For example, the Mawlana giving Taweez or the Raqi should not touch women, there is no reason for him to do this. It is not permissible for a man who believes in Allah and His Messenger to put his hand in the hand of a woman who is not permissible for him or who is not one of his mahrams. Whoever does that has wronged himself (i.e., sinned). 

It was narrated that Ma’qil ibn Yassaar said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than that he should touch a woman who is not permissible for him.” 

Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, 486

Extortionate Prices

Why do some Raqis charge extraordinary prices? One must understand the field of dealing with Black Magic and Jinn is not an easy one. They are risking their own lives and their wife’s and children’s. Raqis face a lot of backlashes and even face illnesses because of the work they do, most people don’t understand this. Unlike a doctor or a dentist or any profession really, they treat the patient and go home and switch off. Whereas most Raqis if not all get severe backlash which affects them and their families. Hence, they must do a LOT of protection and adhkar themselves. So the prices are justified, but I will add those who work from home should reduce the costs as they don’t have much expenditure compared to someone working in a clinic. Clinics have to pay rent, £40-£50 an hour is justified for the risk-taking a job they are doing.

Now, there is a rumour going around and apparently is started from an Alim in Yorkshire who goes around telling the masses, “If someone charges you for Ruqya or Taweez their work is not effective.” Subhan Allah! I have had people ring me with the same information. There is nothing wrong with receiving payment for reciting ruqya for one who is sick because it is proven in al-Saheehayn that a group of the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set out on a journey and travelled until they made came near one of the Arab tribes. (These people were either kafirs or very stingy, (as Imam ibn al-Qayyim RH mentioned in al-Madaarij). They asked them for hospitality, but they refused to do so. Then the leader of that tribe was stung, and they tried everything but nothing helped him. Then some of them said, why don’t you go to those people who are staying (nearby)? Maybe some of them have something. So they went to them and said, O people, our leader has been stung and we have tried everything and nothing helped him. Do any of you have something? One of them said, yes, by Allah. I will perform ruqya for him, but by Allah, we asked you for hospitality and you did not give us anything, so we will not perform ruqya for you unless you give us something in return. So they agreed on a flock of sheep, then he started to blow on him and recite Al-hamdu Lillaahi Rabb il-‘Aalameen. Then he recovered quickly from his complaint and started walking, and there was nothing wrong with him. Then they have them what they had agreed to, and some of them (the Sahabah) said, Let us share it out. The one who had performed ruqya said, Do not do anything until we come to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and tell him what happened, and we will wait and see what he tells us to do. So they came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and told him what had happened. He said, “How did you know that it is a ruqya?” Then he said, “You did the right thing.”

Narrated by al-Bukhari (2115) and Muslim (4080).

Self-Ruqya

What is the need to go to these people when the Hadith talks about self-ruqya and praying on yourself or a family member can pray manzil on you? This is correct, you can perform on yourself. Like the Prophet, ﷺ recited Surah Falaq and Surah Naas, cup his hands and blow into them, then rub all over his blessed body. At other times He ﷺ would pray Ruqya over his family members. But this is a bit like home remedies, when you have the flu or cold you can treat yourself. So, for certain minor cases, you can do self-ruqya. But nobody would disagree that if you have a major illness you need to see a doctor or even go to the hospital to seek professional advice and help. Likewise with certain cases, especially Jinn possession a person needs to see a Raqi to gain professional advice. Because what happens is when the family recite Ruqya or play it on YouTube the patient will react and the family are unaware of how to deal with the situation or they are too scared. Hence some Imams and Mawlanas need to be careful on the Mimbar before giving wrong advice like, “don’t go to raqis” “it’s all money-making” “ruqya is just a fashion” AstaghfirUllah!!! Ruqya is an authentic Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, especially when these imams don’t do their homework.

Categories
Ramadhan

Ramadhan Is Over

Ramadhan is over
And we need to continue the spirituality,
But we all know the reality,
Just look at the Masjid in your nearest locality,
Ramadhan is over and so is its hospitality,

Did you change and improve your personality?
Is Islam in your blood, is it a practicality?
Will it remain another 11 months, what is the possibility?
Or have you already exhaled all your spiritual oxygen, is that a probability?
So before you return to normality,
Remember that in your grave only good deeds matter, not your wealth or financial stability.

Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)

1 Shawwal 1440

Categories
Ramadhan

9 Things to Consider Before You Give Charity

  1. The first and most important point is to make sure the charity is Shariah Compliant. Let us not be naïve and think everything that has the words “Islam” or “Islamic” before it, is according to Qur’an and Hadith. Many charities do activities which are violating the laws of Allah SWT, you do not need to be a Mufti/Scholar to know this. For example, mixed events, music in their videos, qawwali is becoming common, fashion shows and makeup tutorials… the list goes on. Every sane Muslim knows these things are totally wrong in the name of Islam.
  2. Make sure the charity is under the supervision of at least one Alim or a group of qualified scholars. We see charities opening on every street corner, many of these brothers and sisters do not have knowledge of the basics of Islam. They are collecting our Zakah and Sadaqah, how can we guarantee it will be distributed correctly and accurately?
  3. Give to needy charities and not the GREEDY ones! You should be giving your money to the neediest places and the neediest charities. Some charities accumulate 40-50 million pounds a year, others are very close. Check their annual reports or search on the Charity Commission Website. Check to see how much of that money is being spent, why give your Zakah to a charity that still hoards last year’s Zakah?
  4. Ask your charity if they take admin costs for Zakah and Sadaqah, some charities take astronomical amounts! Although it is permissible to take from Sadaqah, one must ask a local Mufti if it is permissible to take admin costs from Zakah: https://islamqa.org/hanafi/qibla-hanafi/37024
  5. Ask your charity how quickly they distribute Zakah. As mentioned in point 3, some charities get millions every year. A lot of this money is hoarded in their bank accounts as they are unable to spend this money instantly. Which could mean your charity still has last year’s Zakah gathered up! Do you really want to give them this year’s Zakah? Some charities have a 30-day policy i.e. they distribute your Zakah within 30 days, I personally think this is an excellent idea.
  6. Don’t be ashamed to ask how much they pay their employees, their PR managers and the CEO. We hear about charities taking ridiculous wages due to help from Gift Aid etc. Unfortunately, the concept of kindness and consideration is disappearing from some charitable people.
  7. “You donate for the sake of Allah!” I am sure you have all heard this one before? Some defensive charity workers reply with the above statement when questioned about their practises and money management. The statement is incompetent and uneducated. Just because we donate for Allah does NOT mean in any way, shape or form we cannot question people. It is our God-given right, we are living in 21st Century Britain.
  8. Now we come on to charities collecting door-to-door. Most of us, unfortunately, donate blindly, we do not ask for a receipt, nor a charity reg number. Some of these people are not even Muslim, they just grow a beard and wear a hat or hijab for women. We must follow protocol, and ask for a certificate where it applies. We need to get rid of our ignorance and stop saying, “We donate for Allah and it is all in his hands” Definitely, you donate for Allah, but does that mean you donate to thieves and crooks because of your sheer naivety? Learn to ask a few questions, ask for their website (give it a quick google search on the doorstep), their head office location, which countries they work in etc.
  9. Make an intention, The intention is important for Zakah. AS for Sadaqah/Lillah most of us give Ma Sha Allah, very generously. But we do not make an intention, for esale thawab, for Shifa, safety from calamities, multiple intentions can be made In Sha Allah. Allah accept from one and all. Ameen.

Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)

10 Ramadhan 1440

Categories
Ramadhan

A to Z-akah

Intro

Zakah is not just any form of voluntary charity, almsgiving, tax or tithe. Nor is it simply an expression of kindness or generosity. Zakah is all of these combined and much more, for it also includes Allah-consciousness as well as spiritual, moral and social objectives. Zakah is a Divine injunction and an ordinance from Allah Himself. It is not a personal matter or a voluntary contribution; rather, it is an obligation for which one will be called to account before Almighty Allah SWT. Zakah is indispensable as it helps achieve reform, both financially and spiritually. It eliminates misery and greed from hearts and consolidates the Islamic economy, leading to its stability and prosperity.

Virtues

The Qur’an describes Zakah as 1. The means by which to attain Allah’s mercy: “With My Punishment, I visit whom I will, but My Mercy extends to all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who have God-consciousness and give their Zakah and those who believe in Our Signs.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:156).

2. A precondition to achieve victory: “Allah will certainly aid those who aid His (cause); for verily Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (Able to enforce His Will). (They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give their Zakah, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the outcome of all affairs.” (Surah Al-Hajj 22:40-41).

3. A sign of brotherhood in religion: “But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and give their Zakah, they are your brethren in Faith.” (Surah Al-Taubah 9:11). 4. A distinctive feature of the faithful community: “The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, pay their Zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” (Surah Al-Taubah 9:71).

Definition

The word Zakah is the infinite form of the verb “zaka”, meaning to grow, to increase and to purify. When said about a person, it means to improve or to become better. Consequently, Zakah means, blessing, growth, cleanliness and betterment.

In the Shari’ah, the word Zakah refers to the determined share of wealth prescribed by Allah to be distributed among the deserving categories of those entitled to receive it. Zakah is a divinely ordained institution and is regarded both as a right of Allah as well as the right of the poor. In fact, an Islamic government can forcibly take Zakah from the rich if the rich withhold it.

Zakah in the Qur’an The word Zakah is mentioned thirty-two times in the Qur’an. In thirty from these thirty-two, Zakah is in its technical meaning of paying Zakah. From these thirty, Zakah has been interlinked with Salah, the obligatory prayer, twenty-eight times.

  1. It is important to have a fixed date (in the Islamic calendar) when you pay your Zakah annually to avoid late payment. If you cannot remember the date you first became the owner of the Nisab, then the date should be estimated. If this is not possible, then a specific Islamic date should be selected arbitrarily and adhered to annually.
  2. Zakah is not due on children who are minor and prepubescent in the Hanafi school. However, according to the Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali schools, Zakah is obligatory on the wealth of minor children also.
  3. Zakah on buy-to-let property Zakah is not due on the market value of one’s buy-to-let property. It is only payable on the net rental income on one’s Zakah anniversary.
  4. If you have borrowed money, you can deduct the forthcoming 12 months’ worth of repayments from your total balance of Zakatable assets, the same applies for a mortgage. The reason for this is to ensure a Zakah payment doesn’t impact your ability to repay the debt owed to others.
  5. Zakah on money lent to others. Money lent to others is still Zakatable. Zakah is due on it yearly whilst lent. However, you can pay yearly for it, or pay for all previous years once you get money back.
  6. Zakah on home businesses & home catering. If you run a catering business from home or even sell small items such as cakes and biscuits, Zakah is payable on the price you sell these items.
  7. Zakah on a joint account. If the share of one partner can be determined in a joint account, they will be liable to pay that amount. Otherwise, a couple can treat their joint account as 50:50 and pay accordingly.
  8. Liability deductions for Zakah. If you’ve booked to go for Hajj and owe the travel agent, you can deduct the amount owed from your Zakah calculation. Zakah is not payable on that amount – it is as if it doesn’t exist as it is engaged with a current expense.
  9. Zakah is not due on personal belongings regardless of their value such as one’s house, car, clothes, phones, laptops, appliances and furniture.
  10. The Hanafi School treats all gold and silver jewellery as Zakatable, regardless of whether it is worn or stored. However, the other schools of Fiqh treat gold and silver for personal use as exempt from Zakah.
  11. Zakah for gold stores: Have you ever wondered how much Zakah is due on a gold store?? Every gold/silver item in the store is Zakatable at their retail price. A goldsmith may give the gold in Zakah if he does not have that sufficient cash flow.
  12. Zakah is not payable on unlawful earnings from non-Shariah compliant avenues. 100% of the earnings must be dispensed in charity as a relinquishment of unlawful wealth & not as a rewarding act.
  13. Zakah can be paid in advance of one’s Zakah anniversary. Once, Al-Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked if he could pay Zakah in advance. The Prophet ﷺ permitted paying in advance. Al-Tirmidhi) A business may set up a monthly direct debit of Zakah to spread their Zakah payments across the year. However, these instalments should be in advance for the following year & not in arrears.
  14. If Zakah has not been given for several years, then it still must be given. The person must think carefully about how much money the person had every year and then give Zakah accordingly. It is better to give a little extra as a precaution.
  15. Zakah is not payable on the value of diamonds, other precious stones in one’s ownerships and in jewellery.
  16. It is an obligation to pay Zakat on one’s business stock. Samurah bin Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ‘’The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us to give Sadaqah (Zakah) on what we intended to trade.’’ (Abu Dawud)
  17. One month’s worth of council tax can also be deducted and if your phone bill falls within your Zakah anniversary date you can deduct one month’s bill.
  18. It is wrong to estimate Zakah e.g. Last year I gave £200, so this year it must be the same. As you may have cash in the house which is extra and sometimes a person has £200-£300 in his/her house including their wallet and purse. This must be added to the Zakah assets.
  19. Interest money must ALL be given to the charity without hope for reward/.
  20. Zakat al-Fitr/Sadaqah al-Fitr has the following benefits: 1) It’s an atonement for any shortfall in Ramadhan of the payer 2) it’s a means of happiness & a provision for the recipient on Eid day.

Approved by Mufti Ibrahim Saheb Raja (Ustadh of Hadith at Bury Darul Uloom)

Without Zakah, there can never be profit in business. Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: “Sadaqah (Zakat) is never intermingled with any amount of wealth without destroying and rotting it.” (Al-Bayhaqi)

Zakah payments preserve your wealth, they do not destroy nor deplete your wealth. Interest income depletes your wealth. “Allah destroys interest and increases charity. And Allah does not like every sinning disbeliever.” (Quran 2:276)

Give Zakah & Sadaqah to help the needy people & the suffering Ummah with a firm conviction of the promises of Allah for you in this world & Hereafter for spending your wealth.

When Zakah is not paid, a business portfolio is exposed to loss of blessings & the displeasure of Allah. Therefore, despite an annual turnover of millions & a high-profit margin, a business person is exposed to loss in this world and the Hereafter.

Imam al-Sarakhsi states that a Zakah payer receives more reward in giving Zakah to his needy, eligible relatives in another town as it entails maintaining family ties together with discharging their obligation.-(Mabsut)

Ibn RH said, “The best of charity [and zakah] is that which the greatest need, or is a means to the greatest benefit.” [Hashiya Ibn Abidin] Make your Zakah revive & resuscitate the Ummah.

The four mainstream schools of Islamic jurisprudence all agree that Zakah is due immediately. Zakah is an immediate obligation as Allah has instructed us to pay immediately in the following verse: “And give its due on the day of its harvest.” (Qur’an, 6:141)

Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)

1 Ramadhan 1440

Categories
Poems

Some People…

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Some people are genuine, some people are fakes,
They slither and slide like poisonous snakes. ?
Someone is bitter and can give you a shake,
Someone is sweet, as sweet as a cupcake.
Some people are sensitive and can easily break,
Some people melt just like a snowflake ❄️
Some people are harsh and can give you heartache,
Some have hard hearts, they can even make the ground shake.
Some people are sincere, they do it for His sake,
Throughout the night they will stay awake,
They pass every trial and great patience they will undertake,
They attain a great status and palaces in Jannah they will make.
So dear brother, don’t you ever make this mistake,
Don’t ever hurt a soul nor let it ache.
That person may be a sinner or maybe a Shaykh,
But even Allah may not want that heart to break. ?
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Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure).
15 Shaban 1440
Categories
Muslim men Muslim women

I Want My Child to be a Hafidh – Book

“The book is profound and relevant.” Shaykh Sulaiman Moola.
Foreword by Mufti Faruq Saheb and Mufti Ibrahim Saheb Raja.
An excellent guide for parents and teachers who are struggling with hifdh kids.
Please contact me to purchase: ismailsatia@yahoo.co.uk

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Categories
Marriage

Successful Parenting in the West – Dr Yasir Qadhi

Successful Parenting in the West – Shaykh Yasir Qadhi
4th April 2019 – Manchester, Read Foundation Dinner (Paraphrased)
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Family, family, family. The family is one of the greatest blessings given to humanity, if Allah didn’t want to give this gift He wouldn’t have. When Allah told the angels that humans will be created, he used the word Khalifa which is often mistaken for meaning vice-regent, but its technical definition means a generation that will keep on replicating, the regeneration of families, because the angels don’t have to have these, the angels don’t have families they don’t marry other angels and have children. The same angel that was created millions of years ago is the same angel that will exist till the end of times. But humans recreate a generation that regrows and looks after each other we are created differently from the angels. We are a nation of families, we are species that Allah has created in a different manner to angels, that why Allah mentions the word Khalifah. The talk today is short and significant about raising children in the west, I’m going to share some benefits that I have myself learnt and acquired from the experience I have.  I have 4 kids and three are teenagers so I want to share with you 7 rules from my own reading and research. Anything good I share is from Allah(SWT) and anything else is from Shaytaan and me.
First Rule – There are no rules.
Anybody that tells you they have the magic solution on how to be a better parent is lying, simple as that. Anybody that promises you that if you follow this piece of advice and I can guarantee that your children will come out like this, that advice is lying, miskeen. One famous child psychologist wrote a famous book about this, and that he had a PhD from Harvard etc. that before I had any children I had 6 theories about how to raise kids, now I have 6 kids and 0 theories. There are no rules to, nobody can guarantee or promise you that this technique will make your kids better, or more Islamic there is more educated. This also explains why the Quran and Sunnah don’t come with detailed manuals on parenting; there is more in our books about fiqh of wudu and Salah than about how to be a parent. That is not because astaghfirullah Allah intentionally left it out, it is because parenting is something you learn as you go along. It is child-sensitive and parent sensitive. It’s unique. How you raise one child will not necessarily be the same as how you raise the second child. It is something you learn on the job, and the training is your own life. So even the shariah does not have specific guidelines.
There is no massive book that can be written but because advice has not been recorded in prophetic traditions, also they are culture sensitive what works in one culture might not work in another culture, and what works in one neighbourhood might not even work in the house. So there cant be no manual, It’s just general generic advice, that can be universal, that you have to think about contemplate and adapt too, that’s the first rule.
2.        The second rule is responsibility begets actions and knowledge begets responsibility.
The goal is to be a better parent that’s conscious that you are responsible in eyes of Allah, every parent should want to study and learn. Knowledge of the deen and Dunya. Benefit from Islamic advice when your education will raise awareness that will raise responsibility that will create better parenting. Some parents spend time in one thing but neglect other duties fathers concerned about one aspect like making sure they work all hours and have money for their children which is important, and mothers are always worried about whether you are fed or warm and have a jumper on. Both are concerned about something else, who is concerned with the spirituality of their children most parents only realise when it’s too late then go to the mosque to the Imam asking what went wrong, the answer is what did you do for the last 15 years both parents mothers and fathers are responsible for the spiritual welfare of your child.
You need to have fear of God in your hearts that Allah will ask me and you about our children
If we don’t have love and fear in our hearts of Allah, If you truly love your children you would provide for their spiritual wellbeing
What did you do to uplift their spirituality? Our ancestors came from another country even if parents weren’t religious the society and culture forced you to practice Islam and go to jummah and there were safety mechanisms place, to ensure your child was looked after.
In this country, there are no safety mechanisms. We are so concerned about their physical upbringing but are we not concerned about their akhirah.
Rule 3 – Actions speak louder than words
Lead by example not by words. By helping your children you need to help yourself first. Exemplifying the values of our faith you need to embody them in yourself. Your actions have to be consistent in your whole life.  If there were to be a secret to who I am today, it’s my parents people want the kids to be like. Me I’m a nobody.
When I think of my parents I always see my mums face in the Quran, I remember her always reading the Quran as we were growing up. My dad always in the community, he built the first mosque in Houston in the 60s. I subconsciously grew up with this and took it in with me. They didn’t have to tell me to do this and that, I saw them doing it, I have the love of the Quran in my heart because I saw my parents with the Quran. It came with the home ambience that Allah blessed me with a child
When I was growing up sometimes, we lived where there was no mosque nearby. Typically one salah Maghrib my dad would lead in salah as a family.  10 years Mecca and Madinah I read maghrib and isha In the harams. But when I came back there were no mosques nearby.  Subconsciously, I started replicating with my kids with toddlers behind me what I saw my dad doing as I grew up, I started leading the Salah at home with my toddlers behind me. I realised then, this act came from what upbringing my dad gave me.
You need to show your kids what you want them to be in yourself. You need to change your life if you expect your kids to change. For the sake of your children lead a better life. Contemplate if you are truly a role model.  We are all sinners but we have to strive.
4.        Rule 4 – Your family generally needs your time. More than your money
I say this especially to those that work so hard and we leave the house for so long that we think in our promotions and paycheck that’s what my kids need, which is in important too but there has to be a balance, they need that but taking time out for their children is what they need the most.
Taking time out for your family, don’t trivialise spending time with your children. A book by Gary Chapman 5 languages of love for children. Strongly encourage you to get this book.
The child to be healthy and loved, that the physical touch of human nature is important. There is a hadith of the Bedouin seeing the prophet with his grandsons kissing and picking one and playing with them, and the Bedouin is shocked  because in culture you seem more macho and manly if you don’t show affection to your children,  and he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about this, and the prophet said:  ‘what can I do if Allah has taken mercy and tenderness from your heart.’
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) played with the kids several times. Even in Salah with the prophet, the Prophet made the sajood longer because a baby was on his back. The prophet Led in salah with a baby in hand and delivered the khutbah imagine your local imam or sheikh doing that.
Secondly, he says in the book to use words of affirmations we love putting our kids down, especially in some cultures. Words of encouragement are good, we should criticise our kids at home in private.
Don’t belittle. Also, they will be the actions of acts of service you show them and rewards them with gifts.
Rule 5 – Be careful who your friends are.
Your friends will influence your children. They will influence your children and their children will influence your children. Birds of a feather flock together. Islam isn’t just road, you don’t just memorise Islam, and it is a lived experience. What do you do in your spare time, connect with a community and mosque community.  Once a week twice a week they should know the mosque, they should know the mosque community. It should be the ambience of the home.
Rule 6 – Pray WITH and FOR your family.
Pray with your family as jamaah at least once a day, make a salah, you lead it doesn’t matter how bad your tajweed, or how you say waladhaleen. Allah will still reward you and give barakah to your family.
And pray for your family ask yourself when the last time you prayed for your children was that Allah guides them
The Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) made so many duas from their tongues for the children, if they as Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) had to make dua for their children, then who are you and me.
It should be the regular and number one dua on your list. If you don’t make dua for your children, who else will. All these prophetic duas from Ibrahim etc are for you, that is Allah giving you the duas to make for your children.
Rule 7-  Do the best you can and leave the rest to Allah.
It’s Allah’s qadr look at Prophet Nuh (peace and blessings be upon him) was he a bad father no but look at his son, and look at Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) and his father was Azhar but he had a son like Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him).
There are cases where kids are so away from Islam, for example, a family friend of ours, his son left Islam, which broke his dad’s heart, then after his father death then he repented and took the shahdah again because of the upbringing he remembered. That fathers dua was answered after he died.
The result is Allahs not yours.
Here we are talking about tarbiyyah of children and some parents don’t have the luxury to provide tarbiyyah of children in developiung countries, then someone has to or something has to take its place.CLoud
Question and Answers
1.      What do you do if your local mosque does not have a facility for women?
Not only having a section in the mosque a part of Sunnah, in this day and age, in this society not having it is problematic.
How do you expect women to prepare the next generation, if you take away the umbilical cords of community and Islam from them. Our women should be welcomed in the mosque, they are the future mothers of our next generation
Our women are going everywhere, shopping centres, university etc but the one place they need to be they aren’t allowed.  People quote hadith etc about them not being allowed in the mosque which is of opinion too but times have changed.  People should put positive pressure on mosques. Positive pressure is not negative. A number of the masjid in America have 4 halls, one major for brothers, one for sisters, one connected to the sisters’ soundproof room for women and children,  and one with brothers with children.
2.      My child suffers with anxiety and depression, what can I do?
Listen carefully, everyone has their speciality and people who study Islam, are not equipped to deal with anxiety, give everyone their right and haq of knowledge and only ask Imam and Sheikhs questions to do with their expertise
Go to a trained therapist, Imams will make matters worse, linking it to a child’s Iman, and this can lead to depression and suicide, which we know is increasing.  I speak as someone who trained for ten years at one of the best institutes in the world on Shariah and did not do one course on psychiatry.
3.    What is your advice on LGBT provision expected?
This is a deep and sensitive question that requires a lot of time that I don’t have.  As Muslims we are dealing with a crisis the like of which we have not dealt with before especially this issue.  As Muslims we lash with our internal and moral and external compasses
Outsiders of our faith accuse us of double standards when we want to we invoke the principle of mutual respect and tolerance but when it goes against we don’t like it.
There was a Christain mother in Alabama who didn’t want her child to study one chapter about Islam about the 5 pillars, we as muslims react with outrage what’s wrong with knowing about Islam and not reacting.  We always say live and let live.
Likewise, when our children are studying something we are critical of it.  Your child will live in a society where in order to live, it should have general knowledge of what’s going on. We are only reactionary we are not visionary, we only react. When emotions are so high intellect ceases to exist.  Our logic is integrally flawed. Our mosques and madrasah need to step up.  It’s not as though our children don’t need to learn about Sex Education. What provision are we providing them in this society and if we don’t agree with it, we need to think about where we are living and our surroundings.
We should engage and challenge things in an intellectual professional way and if not learn from those not of our religion but with similar backgrounds and beliefs on how to tackle these issues.