Zakat and mortgages

Question:
On the matter of zakat she has a mortgage which she is currently
paying off, but is confused about how to deduct the amount she owes.
She follows the Hanafi madhab and asfar as we understand from previous
questions on Sunnipath it is preferable for her to take only into
consideration the debt which is immediately owed rather than the total
mortgage.
However she is confused as to what this immediate debt is and she does
not know if she needs to deduct what she owes over the year orfor a
lesser period. As we have never had a mortgage or loan we do not know
how repayments work so would be grateful if you could help us with
this insha'Allah. Would it make a difference if she had an interest
only mortgage or a repayment mortgage?
We have another question related to zakat which we would be grateful
to receive an answer to. If one delays their zakat and a few months
have passed beyond the zakat date, when one resolves to pay zakat,
should one evaluate their financial circumstances at the present time,
or at the time of the zakat date, months earlier?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, MostCompassionate, Most Merciful
1. On the day you are going to discharge your Zakat, deduct the amount
which is immediately owed which is the monthly instalment.
It would not make a difference if she had a interest-only mortgage or
repayment mortgage.
2. One will evaluate their financial circumstances at the time of the
Zakat designated date months earlier.

And Allah knows best

3a] The ahaadeeth about the Mahdi and the descent of the Messiah (peace be upon him) areno excuse not to strive and do good deeds

3a]
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
used to prepare for everything and draw up plans, as happened during
the Hijrah (migration to Madeenah). He prepared the mounts and a
guide, and he chose a travelling companion, and chose a place to hide
until the search for him had died down, and he protected all of that
with secrecy. This is how he conducted himself in all his battles and
military campaigns, and this is how he trainedhis companions. They
used to meet their enemies equipped with all kinds of weapons. The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
entered Makkah (at the conquest) with a helmet on his head, even
though Allaah said (interpretationof the meaning): "Allaah will
protect you from mankind"
[al-Maa'idah 5:67]
When he traveled for jihad or Hajj or 'Umrah, hetook his provisions
and more with him.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Strive
forthat which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not
feel helpless." Narrated by Muslim, 2664.
We can imagine the state in which the call and the ummah would have
ended up if the previous generations had responded to the calls to
give up until the Mahdi comes. Would they have been able to defeat the
Tatars and Crusaders, and conquer Constantinople?
This mistaken understanding of the shar'i texts that have been
narrated concerning the Mahdi and the Messiah (peace be upon him) has
been criticized by many scholars, daa'iyahs and writers.
Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
It is not permissible for the Muslims to give up working for Islam and
for the establishment of the Islamic state on earth because they are
waiting for the Mahdi and the descent of 'Eesa (peace be upon them
both), becausethey feel despair or they think that it is not possible
to achieve any such thing before they come. This is a false and
desperate notion. Neither Allaah nor His Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that Islam will not regain
power on earth before their time. It is possible that that may be
achieved before then if the Muslims avail themselves of the means that
lead to that, because Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning):
"If you help (in the cause of) Allaah, He will help you, and make your
foothold firm"
[Muhammad 47:7]
"Verily, Allaah will help those who help His (Cause)"
[al-Hajj 22:40]
We have to believe in the ahaadeeth which speak ofthe descent of Eesa
(peacebe upon him) etc, and reject the false notions of those who say
that we should not work and strive and prepare to do that which must
be done at all times and in all places. End quote.
Professor 'Abd al-'Azeez Mustafa said:
Jihaad against the kuffaar,no matter who they are, where they are or
in whattime they exist is obligatory according to sharee'ah; this
ruling has not been abrogated. This is an established truth of Islam.
This jihad is obligatory when its conditions are met and the relevant
rulings apply.It is not one of these conditions or rulings that jihad
should be delayed until what is promised comes to pass. This is not
the way in which the first Muslims understood it and how they acted.
Indeed, when they were told that Allaah would destroy the power of
Chosroes with their swords they did not stay in their houses waiting
forthe news to come true and for that event to happen without any
effort on their part. No, rather they prepared themselves for that and
made themselves ready until victory came and thus the promise
coincided with the decree of Allaah. But some of the Muslims nowadays
say no: jihad against the Jews must wait until the Dajjaal appears.
Perhaps this is part of the trial (fitnah) of the Dajjaal in this
world.
This negative talk has affected some of the Muslim youth, so they do
not feel any kind of responsibility towards al-Masjid al-Aqsa, the
environs of which Allaah has blessed. It has even led many of them to
believe more foolish ideas, namely that the Islamic state and the
caliphate will not be established until the Mahdi comes.
I wonder about those who propagate such ideas. It is as if they are
saying to the Jews: Be harsh towards your enemies… and to the
Christians: Carry on with your aggression… and to the Muslims: carry
on being fragmented and disputing and being useless until the Mahdi
comes to you. I do not know on what their argument is based, or how
they imagine that the Mahdi will come to people who are doing nothing
or will support people who are apathetic.

We ask Allaah to bring theMuslims back to their religion.
And Allah knows the best.

3] The ahaadeeth about the Mahdi and the descent of the Messiah (peace be upon him) areno excuse not to strive and do good deeds

3]Some people understand from the ahaadeeth aboutthe Mahdi and the
descentof the Messiah 'Eesa ibn Maryam (Jesus the son of Mary, peace
be upon him) that these are an excuse not to strive for Islam, so they
should sit and wait until the Mahdi appears orthe Messiah descends for
the glory of Islam and theMuslims to be restored. What is your opinion
on this understanding?.
Praise be to Allaah.
This miserable state that the Muslim ummah is in nowadays is very
shameful. All the Muslims are responsible for settingthings straight,
but some Muslims fail to strive, relying on their hopes andavoiding
correcting the sorry state of the ummah on the grounds that this was
caused by those who came before us and will be set right by those who
come after us. So they do not strive to support the religion of
Allaah, on the grounds that the Mahdi is the one who will do that.
This is escaping into hopes whilst failing to putinto effect the means
prescribed in sharee'ah. Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning):
"It will not be in accordance with your desires (Muslims), nor those
of the people of theScripture (Jews and Christians), whosoever works
evil, will have the recompense thereof, and he will not find any
protector or helper besides Allaah"
[al-Nisa' 4:123]
This negativity which some of the Muslims are suffering from nowadays
can have no basis in the texts of sharee'ah; rather it is due to
misunderstanding, helplessness and laziness, and evasion of
responsibility.
Allaah has commanded the Muslims to strive and work for this religion,
to call people to Allaah, to debate with the kuffaar and call them
with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and to fight them until there
will no longer be any shirk on earth. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and
polytheism, i.e. worshipping others besides Allaah), and the religion
(worship) will all be for Allaah Alone [in thewhole of the world]. But
ifthey cease (worshipping others besides Allaah), then certainly,
Allaah is All-Seer of what they do"
[al-Anfaal 8:39]
Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Here Allaah commands us to fight the kuffaar until there is no more
fitnah i.e.shirk, and the religion (worship) is all for Allaah, i.e.,
until the religion of Allaah prevails over all other religions.
This command does not apply only to some times and not others, rather
the Muslims of all times and places are commanded to do this.
Undoubtedly working for Islam and to establish it on earth requires
the Muslims to strive hard andpursue the means that lead to that.
Some people misunderstand the ahaadeeth that have beennarrated about
the emergence of the Mahdi and the descent of the Messiah 'Eesa ibn
Maryam (peace be upon him), so they are passive and do not strive, and
they sit and wait for the Mahdi to appear or the Messiah to come down,
and they do not call people to Allaah or strive to make the word of
Allaah supreme. But Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) have commanded us to take the appropriate means
and strive hard on earth.
Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning):
"O you who believe! Take your precautions, and either go forth (on an
expedition) in parties, or go forth all together"
[al-Nisa' 4:71]
"And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds
ofwar (tanks, planes, missiles, artillery) to threaten the enemy of
Allaah and your enemy"
[al-Anfaal 8:60]
"He it is Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you
to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it); so walk in the path
thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection"
[al-Mulk 67:15]
"and for this let (all) thosestrive who want to strive"
[al-Mutaffifeen 83:26]
"For the like of this let theworkers work"
[al-Saaffaat 37:61]
"And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the
necessary effort due for it (i.e. does righteous deeds of Allaah's
obedience) while he is a believer (in the Oneness of Allaah Islamic
Monotheism) — then suchare the ones whose striving shall be
appreciated, (thanked andrewarded by Allaah)"
[al-Isra' 17:19]
"And take a provision (with you) for the journey,but the best
provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness)"
[al-Baqarah 2:197]
Allaah commanded Maryam to take the appropriate means when she was at
her weakest, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):
"And shake the trunk of date palm towards you, it will let fall fresh
ripe dates upon you"
[Maryam 19:25]
:->

mulla nasurudin

Once Nasruddin took his students tohis house and insisted they should
have lunch with him. Moment later, he called his wife and ordered her
to cook Palaw for the guests as soon as possible. His wife said, "You
order so simply as ifyou have rice and ghee in the house."
Nasruddinbecame very angry and said: "Can't you at least bring empty
plates? His wife accepted and a few minutes later brought the plates
to Nasruddin. He took the empty platesand placed them in front of the
guests. "Friends!" he said, "If I had bought rice and ghee, I would
have brought you an oilyPalaw in these plates."
Nasruddin was looking at the image of the moon in a well. He thought
it was a recompense to take out the moon from the well. Therefore, he
threw a rope inside the well and swung it a few times. Incidentally,
the tip of the rope got caught to a big stone. Hetried to take the
rope out. Hence he pulled it with a lot of force. The rope tore off
and he fell on his back to the ground. When he looked at the sky, he
saw the moon and said, "Doesn't matter. My efforts were not wasted.
Though I faced a lot of difficulties, I finally succeeded to rescue
the moon."
Once Nasruddin went to a hair dresser to get his head shaved.
Incidentally, the barber was inexperienced. The moment he cut a part
of his scalp, he would put apiece of cotton on the wound. Finally
Nasruddin became angryand told the barber, "Youplanted cotton on half
of my head. I would like to grow flax in the remaimng half."

1b] Happiness?

1b]
is true. Islam encourages people to moderate in spending, being
neither excessive nor misers.
During times when a lot ofsocieties complain about cold heartedness,
materialism, selfishness and so on, we find that Islam has proven
remediesfor all of these problems.
This summarized introduction should make it clear that Islam is a
logical religion that can be easily understood by all people. The
doors to Islam are wide open and do not shut for anyone looking
toenter.
Understanding all of Islam's teachings in a shortarticle is
impossible. However, briefly discussingsome of its fundamental tenets
should assist in further clarifying the religion for those who are
interested.
All of Islam's regulations and teachings are important, but some have
precedence over others. There are six essential articles of faith that
one must believe in, and five pillars that one's faith must be built
upon./
Please remember us in your duas too.

1a] Happiness?

1a]
life - attaining prestigious ranks/positions and achieving the highest
academic degrees.
4. Among the merits of Islam is that it is a comprehensive religion.
Every aspect of a person's life is managed by Islam. There is not a
problem except that a solution for it lies in Islam, which makes it
possible to embrace and practice in every time and place. How can this
not be the case in such a well organized religion that has guidelines
and positive instruction for every aspect of life including: conflict
resolution, buying and selling, social and marital relations,
greetings, public etiquettes, and even how a person eats, sleeps and
dresses. These practices have not been addressed generally, but rather
in precise detail, causing the mind to wonder in amazement. Know that
Islam even provides direction on how to wear and remove footwear. It
encourages people to use their right hand when eating, drinking,
shaking hands, and when giving and receiving items. As for disliked
affairs such as using the bathroom, the left hand is to be used.
Islam also has wonderful instructions regarding going to sleep and
wakingup. When two Muslims meet, Islam directs them on how they should
greet each other; a rider should initiate greeting the pedestrian, the
youth should initiate greeting the elderly, and a small group should
initiate greeting a larger group. These are but a few of Islam's many
comprehensive guidelines for all aspects of life.
5. Another of Islam's meritsis that it establishes good for mankind in
all its regulations and safeguardsthem from evil. It is man himself
who benefits from these regulations. Islam's prohibition of alcohol
and drugs for example is only because of the great harm they cause to
a person's physical and mental health. You can witness the state of a
drunken man, no longer human except in appearance. A lotof murders,
disputes, traffic accidents and rapes would not have taken place were
it not for consuming these mind-altering products.
Islam's prohibition of premarital sex relieves societies of
destructive diseases (such as AIDS and other STDs), immoral behavior,
and the existence of a generation of illegitimate children. This
generation is often deprived of a mother's love and a father's
upbringing which can lead them to become burdensome on society. Islam
prohibits women from displaying themselves publicly. This isbecause
Islam considers women to be valued, preserved pearls; not somecheap
merchandise to be displayed for all to see. It does so to protect them
from the wolves of mankind - those who are only concerned with
satisfying their lusts, even if it is at the cost of a woman's honor,
nobility, status, and purity.
On the other hand, Islam permits all harmless and beneficial drinks.
It also permits married couples toenjoy one another within a happy
home.
In summary, Islam has not eliminated freedoms and desires. Rather, it
regulatesthem for the benefit of mankind and the society at large.
6. A radiant aspect of Islamis that it pays a great deal of attention
to values, character, and praiseworthy manners, while prohibiting
mankindfrom oppression, transgression and bad character. Islam is a
religion of love, unity and mercy. It defines an individual's
relationship with his parents, relatives, neighbors, friends and all
people. Islam embeds the best of manners in those who embrace it and
prevents them from living selfishly. It encourages its followers to
help others and take others' feelings into consideration - especially
the poor, orphans, elderly and widows. They all have rights in Islam
that must not be taken lightly by Muslims. Muslims shouldn'tfeel like
they are bestowing favors upon others when giving them their due
rights, rather these rights are obligations upon Muslims. It is
considered to be a great sin in Islam for one to go to sleep with a
full stomach knowing that his neighbor is hungry.
Islam even prohibits two people from whispering toeach other in the
presence of a third, taking his feelings into consideration.Islam goes
even further than that, obligating kind treatment to animals and
prohibiting harming them.More specifically, Islam prohibits
slaughtering an animal while another watches, or sharpening a knife
while it is watching, so that it is not tormented along with being
slaughtered.
Truthfulness, trustworthiness, bravery, generosity, humility, abiding
by promises, visiting the sick, attending funerals, being dutiful to
parents, visiting relatives and neighbors, and striving to help others
are all etiquettes that are encouraged by Islam.
On the other hand, Islam strictly prohibits oppression, lying,
conceitedness, envy, and insulting or betraying others. It is
impermissible in Islam to speak ill of a person in his absence, even
if what is being said is true.
:->

1] Happiness?

1]Happiness is a common goal that everyone strives to attain.
Philosophers, intellectuals, doctors and artists alike have all
strived in search of the causes of happiness and ways to escape
anxiety.
The reality is, however, that the proposed solutions achieve only
partial or superficial happiness. They are more or less like drugs
which only provide temporary relief; when their effect wares off,
anxieties return two fold.
The following words inviteyou to ultimate happiness and will lead you
to true success. But before you begin reading, I hope that you take a
moment to try to open your heart and mind - as the intelligent one is
he who searches for the truth no matter where it lies.
An undeniable reality is that permanent happiness cannot be achieved
except by believing in God - The Creator - and following Hisguidance.
Since it is He who created mankind, He is the one who knows what
pleases and benefits them, just as he knows what saddens and harms
them. A number of psychologists have affirmed that only a religious
person lives with true content and serenity. So if believing in God
leadsto ultimate happiness, then how can this be achieved?
There are numerous religions and a variety of creeds. However, their
critical differences in core issues make it impossible for all of them
to be correct. So which is the correct religion? What is the correct
creed that God requires us to believe in and in the end pleases Him?
And which one of these creeds guarantees ushappiness in this life and
in the hereafter?
Before answering these questions, a criterion must first be
established to be used as a basis for correctly determining the true
religion. I firmly believe that all sensible people will agree that a
religion is not deemed correct simply due to the fact that one was
raised in that religion, had parents that adhered to it, or lived in a
society that practiced it. Rather a religion's accuracy and
authenticity are based upon substantialevidence and firm intellectual
proofs. Intellect, the distinguishing factor between mankind and
animals, must be applied when studying the issue ofreligion, which is
undeniably the most important and gravest of all matters.
A short journey into the world of religions and sifting through
various creeds could prove to be a good method in arriving atthe
desired conclusion. In order to save you the timeand effort, I say
with full conviction and confidence that no matter how much you
investigate this issue, you will only arrive at one reality: that the
true and correct religion is Islam and that true happiness and content
lies within it.
Before you hastily rebut this statement and stop reading, please
realize thatcompleting the rest would not harm you at all, and it may
in fact benefit you. Also, remember that you have an intellect by
which you can distinguish things and determine truth from falsehood.
Why Islam?
This is an important question, indicating that the questioner is
mature and enlightened. In response I say:
Islam is a religion that includes a number of merits and
characteristics that are absent from otherreligions. These
characteristics, alone, serveas convincing evidence that Islam is the
true religion of God. You can determine the authenticityof this
statement by contemplating them.
Islam's many merits and characteristics make it impossible to
elaborate onall of them. However, some of the most important can be
summarized as follows:
1. Amongst the greatest merits of Islam is that it fulfills the
spiritual aspects of the human being and enables those who embrace it
to have an ongoing connection with God. This makes it possiblefor them
to be at ease spiritually. It shields them from chaos, being lost or
feeling (spiritually) empty, and protects from mental instability.
2. Another of Islam's meritsis that it coincides totally with common
sense. All of the Islamic legislation and its rulings are acceptable
intellectually and are never contradictory. One man who embraced Islam
was asked why he did so and replied, "Islam never ordered me to do
anythingthat I later wished wasn't obligated, and it never forbade me
from anything that I later wished wasn't forbidden."
Much of what is readily accepted in other religions causes great
confusion. This confusion makes it difficult to believe many ofthe
fundamental tenets/doctrines that thesereligions are based upon. On
the other hand, we findthat Islam respects the intellect, prohibits
ignorance, and condemns blind following.
3. Islam is an all-inclusive way of life attending to both spiritual
and physical needs. Practicing Islam does not mean that one has to be
secluded or that he is prohibited from the finer things in life.
Rather, according to Islam, a person can be religious and still enjoy
a normal life -
:->

Fight Laziness

Early to bed and early to rise are habits taught by the Messenger pbuh.
Those who unnecessarily or habitually delay going to bed may not
realise the harm to their mental, physical, spiritual & social well
being.
Similarly those who get upvery late each day, allowing laziness to
overpower them would have their share of obstacles & negativities as a
result.
Once this becomes a habit, it can lead to the break up of marriages,
feuds within the families, flaring of tempers, loss of income, failure
at school or work, loss of concentration, a constant lathargic feeling
and becoming an irritationto those we live with.
It can also cause deep unexplained discontentment, sadness or even put
us into a depressive mode. We MUST fight laziness to succeed!
Mufti Ismail Menk

On Friday…

On one Friday, Rasulullah ( Allah bless him & give him peace) said: "O
Muslims! Allah Ta'ala has made this day a day of eid . So have a bath
on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswaak.
" ( Ibn Majah )