CHAPTER TWO: CONT'D
Neglecting
Prayers
Allah Most High says in Su’rat Al-Ma'un
(Chapter 107 Verses 4-5), "So woe unto those (hypocrites) performers of Sala’t )prayers) (4). Those (hypocrites) who delay
their Sala't (prayer from their stated fixed times) (5).“ (Study the Noble
Qur'an —Word-for-Word).
فَوَيۡلٌ۬
لِّلۡمُصَلِّينَ (4) ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَن صَلَاتِہِمۡ
سَاهُونَ (5)
The Prophet,
peace be upon him, said regarding prayers, "The first thing which will be
considered among a person's deeds on the Day of Judgement is the prayers. If
that is in good order, he will pass the test and prosper, and if that is
defective, he will fail the test and be a loser" (Narrated by Tirmidhi).
Umar ibn Khattab reported that a man asked
the Prophet, Messenger of Allah, what action is dearest to Allah, Most High?" The Prophet
replied, "Praying at the proper time. He who does not pray has no
religion. Prayer is the main pillar of the religion (of Islam)" (Bukhari).
It says in the Holy Qur'an Su'rat Al-Munafiqu'n
(Chapter 63 Verse 9), "O you who believe, let neither your wealth nor your
children distract you from the remembrance of Allah. And those who do so, they
will be the losers (9)." (Study the Noble Qur'an-Word-for-Word).
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُلۡهِكُمۡ أَمۡوَٲلُكُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُڪُمۡ عَن
ذِڪۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٲلِكَ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ (9)
The
commentators say: "The ‘remembrance of Allah' in this verse means the five
daily prayers. If someone is so busy in buying and selling, or with his daily
work of earning a livelihood, or with his children, that he cannot perform
prayers on time, he will be among the losers."
It should be remembered that God benefits
nothing by a prayer said by anyone; contrarily it is the person himself who performs
the prayer who will benefit from it. That benefit consists of piety which will
be a means to his success both in this world and the next.
Praying ought to be performed with total
submission of oneself to Allah. While performing a prayer, one must become submissive,
humble and most reverent. It does not benefit one to pray while one's thoughts
are engaged in other matters, or rushing through the prayer in order to attend
to something else.
No movements
other than those of a prayer are allowed while praying. Movements such as
scratching oneself or gazing here and there nullify one's prayer. Remember, when
praying, you pray to God the Almighty; you are standing there in front of Him meditating,
and nothing should abstract you from that meditation to Him. Your whole attention,
your body, your mind, must necessarily be addressed to Him, and to Him alone;
for it is while praying that you try to bring yourself very close to Allah. It
is said that a prayer without total submission and humbleness (Khushu'u),
is of no avail; and if a prayer is of no avail, it is not accepted, and without
a prayer there is no religion!
Repentance
of Neglecting Prayers
The Prophet, peace be upon him said,
"The first thing people will be asked about on the Day of Resurrection
will be their prayers. Our Lord will say to His angels (although He knows best), 'Look at My
servant's prayers: are they complete or is something missing?" If they are
complete, they will be recorded as such, but if something is lacking, He will
say: "Make up for his (missing) obligatory (fardh) prayers from his
voluntary (Nawafil) prayers."
Then the
rest of his deeds will be dealt with in the same manner."
(Jami'l Saheeh).
Some
scholars say that if anyone missed obligatory prayers because of neglect, one
must make up for all the prayers one missed. He or she must calculate the
number of prayers he or she missed and pray all of them, gradually, until all
missed prayers are covered. The missed prayers can be prayed at any time when praying
is allowed and in any number of prayers at a time. The earlier one finishes
one's outstanding prayers the better.
Voluntary
prayers (nawafil), no doubt, are of great benefit,
not only as
compensation for missed obligatory prayers, but also as a supplement to any
other shortcomings. Voluntary prayers,
besides,
will help to elevate one's rank on the Day of Judgement.
*** *** ***
Paying Alms
(Zaka't)
In Islam, Zaka't, or the giving of alms,
is the third of the five pillars of Islam. Various rules attach to the
practice, but in general terms, it is obligatory to give away 2.5% of one‘s
cash savings or gold which one has kept for one year without spending. Paying
of a Zaka't is also obligatory for a staple food crop-harvest at a rate of
5-10%. The recipients of zaka't include the poor (as well as those who work at
low wages), those who are not able to pay their own debts and stranded travellers.
The Holy Qur'an says in Su'rat At-Tawbah (Chapter 9 verse 60), "As-Sadaqa't
(here it means Zaka’t) are only for the Fuqara'a (poor), and Al-Masa'kin
(the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts
of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and
for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who
is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower,
All-Wise"
(60). (Study the Noble Qur'an — Word-for-Word.(
إِنَّمَا
ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلۡعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيۡہَا
وَٱلۡمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُہُمۡ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلۡغَـٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ
ٱللَّهِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۖ فَرِيضَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ
حَڪِيمٌ۬ (60)
The principle is that the rich should pay
the poor. The Holy Qur'an also says in Su'rat Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2 Verse 271),
"If you disclose your Sadaqa't (almsgiving), it is well; but if you
conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allah) will expiate you some of your
sins. And Allah is Well-Acquainted
with what you do (271)." (Study the Noble Qur'an
—Word-for-Word).
إِن
تُبۡدُواْ ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِىَۖ وَإِن تُخۡفُوهَا وَتُؤۡتُوهَا
ٱلۡفُقَرَآءَ فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّڪُمۡۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنڪُم مِّن سَيِّـَٔاتِڪُمۡۗ
وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ۬ (271)
As charity, it does not befit one to pay
Zaka't and then follow it with boastfulness, pride or annoyance. Whoever does that
has to ask Allah for forgiveness. Allah tells us in Su'rat Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2 Verses 263-264),
"Kind words and forgiveness of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity)
followed by injury. And Allah is Rich (Free of all needs) and He is
Most-Forbearing (263). O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah
(charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his
wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allah, nor in the Last
Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a little dust;
on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bear.
They are not
able to do anything with what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the
disbelieving people (264). (Study the Noble Qur'an — Word-for-Word).
قَوۡلٌ۬
مَّعۡرُوفٌ۬ وَمَغۡفِرَةٌ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ۬ يَتۡبَعُهَآ أَذً۬ىۗ وَٱللَّهُ
غَنِىٌّ حَلِيمٌ۬ (263) يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُبۡطِلُواْ صَدَقَـٰتِكُم بِٱلۡمَنِّ وَٱلۡأَذَىٰ
كَٱلَّذِى يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ ۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ
وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِۖ فَمَثَلُهُ ۥ كَمَثَلِ صَفۡوَانٍ عَلَيۡهِ تُرَابٌ۬
فَأَصَابَهُ ۥ وَابِلٌ۬ فَتَرَڪَهُ ۥ صَلۡدً۬اۖ لَّا يَقۡدِرُونَ
عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ مِّمَّا ڪَسَبُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ
ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ (264)
Repentance
of Failing to Pay Zaka't
The only repentance for one who failed to
pay Zaka't is to calculate all the wealth (money, harvest or livestock) and
pay, in arrears. There is no escape! Sometimes this may not be possible due to
bankruptcy, for example. In my view, one is left with only one option; i.e. he
must ask for Allah's forgiveness, especially as this sin is directly between
him and his God —- for Allah is Most-Merciful,
Most—Forgiving - and God Knows best.
*** *** ***
Fasting the
Month of Ramadhan
The Holy Qur'an says in Su'rat AI-Baqarah
(Chapter 2 Verse183-184), "O you who believe! Observing As-Saum
(the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you,
that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious) (183). [Observing Saum
(fast)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey,
the same number (should be made up) from other days. And, as for those who can
fast with difficulty,
(e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin
(poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is
better for him. And that if you fast, it is better for you (184). "(Study
the Noble Qur’an — Word-for-Word).
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ
مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ (183) أَيَّامً۬ا مَّعۡدُودَٲتٍ۬ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا
أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ۬ فَعِدَّةٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ
يُطِيقُونَهُ ۥ فِدۡيَةٌ۬ طَعَامُ مِسۡكِينٍ۬ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرً۬ا
فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّهُ ۥۚ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّڪُمۡۖ إِن كُنتُمۡ
تَعۡلَمُونَ (184)
If we consider the wording of the
sentence: ‘as it was prescribed for those before you,‘ we can understand that
fasting has been an integral part of all major religions.
Ramadhan is a month when a Muslim should
intensify his observation of the following rules:-
·
Avoid what displeases Allah:
o
Jabir relates from Anas that
God's Messenger, on him be peace said, "Five things break a man's fast:
lying,
backbiting,
scandal-mongering, perjury and a lustful gaze." These are bad habits and
sins. They must be avoided all the time but even more so during Ramadhan.
·
Speak no evil:
o
The Prophet said, "Fasting
is a shield; so when one of you is fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk.
If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting!“
·
Hear no evil
o
One should close one's ears to
everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful
to listen to.
·
Do no evil
o
It is of no benefit to fast, to
abstain from lawful food,
only to
break one's fast on something or some action which is forbidden. The Prophet
said, "How many of those who fast, get nothing from it but hunger and thirst."
·
Look to Allah with fear and hope
o
After the fast, one should be
left in a kind of suspense between fear and hope - not knowing whether his fast
has been accepted or rejected. This situation, in fact, is true for any act of
worship.
Lailat al-Qadr (Night of
Power, Decrees or Destiny)
Lailat Al-Qadr is the most outstandingly
important night in the month of Ramadhan, if not in the whole year! This is the
night during which the first verse of the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
Su'rat Al-Qadr (Chapter 92 Verses 1-5) tells us the following with regard to Lailat
al-Qadr, "Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'an) in the night of Al-Qadr
(1). And what will make you know what the night of AI-Qadr is? (2).The night of
Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months (3). Therein descend the angels and
the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah's permission with all Decrees (4). Peace
until the appearance of dawn (5)." (Study the Noble Qur'an— Word-for-Word).
إِنَّآ
أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ فِى لَيۡلَةِ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (1) وَمَآ أَدۡرَٮٰكَ مَا لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (2) لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ
أَلۡفِ شَہۡرٍ۬ (3) تَنَزَّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ
وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيہَا بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّہِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمۡرٍ۬ (4) سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطۡلَعِ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ (5)
Seyyida Aisha
(Prophet's wife) related that the Prophet said, "Look for Lailat
al-Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten days of Ramadhan."
(Bukhari).
Anas ibn Malik related that the Prophet
said, "When Lailat al-Qadr comes, Gabriel descends with a company
of angels who ask for blessings on everyone who is remembering Allah, whether they
are sitting or standing".
The act of fasting teaches self-discipline
as it helps us to focus on self-reformation. By self-discipline I mean not only
to refrain from eating or drinking, but in addition, we should refrain from all
other worldly temptations, out of pure conviction, fear of God and fear of the
Day of Judgment.
During The month of Ramadhan one
establishes a closer link with God, the Almighty, by way of prayers, especially
at night,
supplication,
charity, performing good deeds of kindness in helping others.
Looking at the time-schedule of a believer
during this month we see him getting up early before dawn for a light meal,
entirely stopping eating and drinking all day, anxious to devote himself to prayers
and adoration of God, doing good and avoiding evil, and during the nights of
this month standing in prayers for longer periods of time, sacrificing sleep
and comfort, offering special extra prayers of obedience to God (nawa'fil).
The month of Ramadhan offers a unique
opportunity for a Muslim to develop piety or a fear of God (Taqwa). This
moral quality is nourished and can be developed only by controlling and keeping
in check one's evil desires, impulses and emotions. This is precisely what
fasting is prescribed to achieve.
It is good
to find that some people perform worship by doing extra righteous deeds during
Ramadhan. They guard strictly upon their five daily prayers, they recite Qur'an
a lot and give generously in charity from their wealth. Unfortunately, however, when Ramadhan comes to an end, they reduce
their performance in worship. Sometimes they even abandon prayers altogether. Such people would appear to have abandoned
sinning for the sake of Ramadhan, and not out of shear love and fear of Allah. May Allah help them to correct their
attitude and behaviour.
Repentance
of Not Fasting
We have seen that whoever was not able to
fast during Ramadhan for a genuine reason, such as sickness or travelling, must fast the number of days he missed at
another time or feed the poor in compensation of the days in case he is
incapable of fasting. The condition is that he ought to do it before the
following Ramadhan arrives. This is normally for Muslims who missed fasting the
month of Ramadhan for a genuine reason, and as such, their fasting is not regarded
as repentance but as a substitute of what they genuinely missed. There are, however, other Muslims who do
not fast simply because of neglect or a weak faith. These are transgressors and
ought to repent of their sin. They will be required to fast all the days they
did not fast, be it days or months. In addition, they are required to feed one
poor for every one day they did not fast. It is advised that, in addition to
this, they should try to fast as many days as they can during the year as
voluntary (Nafila) fasting.
Moreover, it
is also of great benefit to them if they help those in need, in the way of
charity, as much as they can. Since neglecting fasting is a sin which is purely
between one and one's God,
hopefully
they will be pardoned for their sin, because Allah is Oft-
Forgiving,
Most-Merciful.
*** *** ***
Pilgrimage
to Mecca
The location of Al-Kaabah or The
House at Mecca was established as a sacred place long before Prophet Muhammad was
born. Some theories say that this particular location had been sacred ever
since Adam was sent down to Earth. No doubt, it was already sacred when Prophet
Abraham travelled all the way from his home in Iraq to Mecca, accompanied by
his wife Haajir and his baby son, Ismail. The Holy Qur'an says in Su'r0t Al-Baqarah
(Chapter 2 Verse 127), "And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) and (his
son) Ismail (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'abah at
Mecca), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the
All-Hearer, the All-Knower"
(127).
(Study the Noble Qur'an — Word-for-Word).
وَإِذۡ
يَرۡفَعُ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمُ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ وَإِسۡمَـٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا
تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ (127)
Prophet Abraham made several journeys to
Mecca, visiting his wife and son whom he had left behind. It was in one of
these trips, that he erected the Al-Kaabah, together with his son, Ismail. Although Hajj or Pilgrimage to Mecca is
one of the five pillars of Islam, the requirement for its performance is
mandatory only to those Muslims who are financially, physically and mentally capable.
Besides, a Muslim is asked to make only one main Hajj in his or her life.
Prophet Muhammad himself performed Hajj only once. However one can perform as
many minor Hajj (Umrah) as he likes. In fact, Umrah is good because, every time
one performs Umrah (correctly), all one's minor sins are cancelled. The reward one achieves for performing
Hajj or Umra is explicitly explained in the following Sayings of Prophet Muhammad:-
·
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased
with him) narrates that Muhammad, peace be on him, said, "Allah Ta'ala
accepts the dua (prayer) of one that performs Hajj and Umrah and if he seeks
forgiveness, Allah forgives him."
·
Again, lbn Mas'oud (Allah be pleased
with him) narrates that Muhammad said, ("Unite Hajj and Umrah (during Hajj
period). Both acts of Ibaadah or worship wash away sins in a similar way in
which impurities of gold, silver and iron are cleared. The reward of Hajj which
was performed correctly is nothing other than Jannah (Paradise)".
Allah, Most High, says in Su‘rat AI-lmra'n
(Chapter 3 Verse 97), " ----- And Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) to the House (Ka'bah)
is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's
conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies Hajj,
then he is a disbeliever of Allah), then Allah stands not in need of any of the'AIami'n (97)."
(Study the Noble Qur'an - Word-for-Word).
.....وَلِلَّهِ
عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَاعَ إِلَيۡهِ سَبِيلاً۬ۚ وَمَن
كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (97)
Repentance
of Not Performing Hajj
Like the
other four Pillars of Islam, failure to perform Hajj for those who are capable
is a sin. If they die without performing this important pillar, especially if
they did not have any intention of doing so during their life-time, they would
die as sinners and they would be liable to Allah's punishment. Some scholars, however, say that if
someone is dead and has left a legacy and enough wealth with which to perform
the pilgrimage, then a Hajj on his behalf is acceptable. As far as those people
who are still living and capable are concerned, any Hajj on their behalf may be
of no avail.
*** *** ***
SUMMARY OF
MAJOR SINS
As we said
earlier, the number of major sins is rather controversial; Some say they are seven
while others believe they are in the region of seventy. Taking into account all
these differences and the fact that knowledge of the major sins is crucial to
the spiritual well-being of every Muslim, some scholars have decided to
classify them into seventeen groups as follows:-
·
Four of the heart:
o Persistent
transgression (israr)
o Idolatry (shirk)
o Losing hope
in the Mercy of Allah
o To feel
secure from the divine plot (amn min makr Allah)
·
Four of the tongue:
o Bearing
false witness (shahadah al-zur)
o Defaming a
woman of good repute (qadhf al muhsan)
o Oaths that
obstruct justice (al-yamin al-ghamus)
o Sorcery and
black magic (sihr)
·
Three of the stomach:
o Drinking of
wine and all kinds of intoxicants
o Unjustly eating
the property of orphans
o Consuming
usury or the so-called interest (riba)
·
Two of the private parts:
o Fornication
and adultery (zina)
o Homosexuality
·
Two sins of the hands:
o Murder
o Stealing
·
One of the feet:
o Running away
from the battlefield when confronted by the enemy of the Muslims
·
One of the entire body:
o Disrespect
for one's parents.
Reference:
Major
Sins & Sincere Repentance, by Abdullah Amor Al-Marhuby, pg: 148-165.
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