A common cause of poverty is evil and suffering. Both evil and suffering are closely linked together because people believe evil is wrong and many also believe that when somebody suffers it is wrong. As Muslims we believe that when we suffer our sins are being taken away. Evil and suffering can be divided into two categories:
1. Moral evil, which is evil caused by humans i.e., bombing another country.
2. Non-moral evil suffering caused naturally i.e., droughts and floods.
However, evil and suffering not only causes problems for those involved it causes problems for religious believers because people say:
1.If God is good, he wants to get rid of suffering
2.If God is all knowing, he must know what suffering would result from creating the world.
3.If God is all-powerful, he must be able to prevent or get rid of all suffering in the world.
As Muslims we believe that evil and suffering is a test from Allah (swt) and Allah (swt) is testing us to see whether we obey him and do what we can to relieve the suffering of others. Actually, the biggest test of all is the test of patience and your ongoing belief in Allah (swt). It will be these actions and beliefs that can take us to Jannah Inshallah. As it was said by Luqman the wise to his son, as mentioned in the Quran in Surah 3, verse 17:
Sabar (patience) is a gift from Allah (swt). Allah (swt) is testing us to see just how patient we are. The poor are tested to see whether they are patient and put their Imaan (belief) in Allah (swt) and rely on him and believe that he will help them, give them money, if not in this life then in the hereafter. Poverty for instance has been created from Allah (swt) as a test to see how patient the poor are and to see how generous the rich are.
Poverty, Homelessness and Our Duty!
"Have you ever seen a human being who contradicts the (essence of) faith (in Allah and His Judgment)? That is the person who pushes the orphan aside and does not promote feeding the needy.
Woe, then, unto those who pray, but their hearts and minds are remote from (the essence and message of) their prayers, those who (want but) to be seen and praised, whereas they refuse to help others (who need help)." (Quran 107)
Concern for the poor is a basic Islamic tenet. We hope this page will become an important resource for improving our individual and community response to those who need our support.
Narrated Hakim bin Hizam that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient. (Bukhari)
Clothing
Ibn Abbas related that the Prophet said: Any Muslim who gives a Muslim a garment to wear will be in Allah's safekeeping as long as a shred of it remains on him. (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)
Debt Relieving the person in debt
Abu Qatadah related that the Prophet said: If anyone would like Allah to save him from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection, he should give more time to his debtor who is short of money, or remit his debt altogether. (Muslim)
Zakah
Zakah (welfare contribution) is obligatory on every Muslim who is sahib-e-nisab. That is, wealth equivalent to the value of three ounces of gold or 21 ounces of silver - at present this value in the UK equals £700. It is a pillar of Islam and the Quran has emphasised it equally as Salah (prayer).
Zakah should be paid at the rate of 2.5% on any wealth (cash, savings, investments, gold and silver, etc) remaining after meeting the expenses for such necessities as food, clothes, housing, vehicles and craft machines, which has been held for over 13 months. The family home is not Zakatable. Mortgage is not classed as debt. (Resale will pay it off) According to the Quran, Zakah is only for the poor and needy, and those who collects it, for those whose hearts are to be reconciled, for the freedom of those who are captives, and in debt, for the cause of Allah and for the wayfarers. As Zakah is compulsory on those who can pay, it is important that it is calculated accurately.
How much Zakah do we give?
The amounts are the following:
2.5 percent-on annual savings that are Zakatable, 5 percent-on agriculture being taken care of by a farmer who is planting and irrigating from his own money. During harvest time, he pays five percent from the total crop. 10 percent-on a farmer's product if it is being irrigated by rain. 20 percent-on resources like oil or precious metals (i.e. gold, silver), which you find on a piece of land that you own.
Should Zakah be paid only once a year?
The early Muslims actually paid Zakah everyday instead of paying in a large bulk once a year.
Some scholars have advised that we plan in advance for our Zakah because we might die and our inheritors may not pay the Zakah we owe.
Another group of scholars say for businesses, you should pay in advance. The way you would do this is by estimating how much business you will make and pay 2.5 percent.
What is Zakah-ul-Fitr?
Zakah -ul-Fitr is for fasting Muslims to give food or money on behalf of fasting people. The food or money is equal to one day's meals for one person. The head of the family pays this amount on behalf of each person in the family. If he is responsible for his mother and father, then he has to pay Zakah ul Fitr for them too.
If a person cannot fast permanently in the month of Ramadan (for instance, because of illness) they have to pay Fitra for each fasting day.
What is Waqf?
Waqf is an example of the Prophet (saas). He was the first person to make Waqf in Islam and the first to instruct those who gave charity to convert their donations into Waqf.
Waqf refers to giving property or items to charity.
Waqf is a form of continuous charity; the Prophet (saas) said Waqf is one of the best forms of charity.
