Etiquettes related to debt and loaning – II

Repaying in the best manner:
The debtor should repay in the best manner. Abu Hurayrahreported: "A
harsh Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allaahasking him to repay a
young camel hehad borrowed from this Bedouin. The Bedouin used harsh
words when he was demanding his money, so the companions were about to
strike him for doing so, but the Messenger of Allaahsaid:'Leave him!
Indeed a creditor has the right todemand it )i.e. his loan(.'The
companions could not find a young camel among the brought ones)from
Zakaah( to match the level of that which was borrowed, and informed
the Messenger of Allaahthat all the camels were of the best type. The
Prophetsaid:'Give it to him, for it is the best of all people who pays
back in the best manner.']Muslim[ In another narration narrated by Abu
Sa'eedthe Prophettold the companionswho were enraged with the
Bedouin:"Youshould side with the one who is demandinghis right."
Unfortunately, nowadays people hardly side with the one demanding his
right, and in some cases even judges deprive people from their rights,
and receive bribes to sidewith the debtor instead of siding with the
creditor … woe to them and what a severe punishment awaits them in
Hell on the Day of Judgment.
When the Bedouin saw the good manner in which the Prophetrepaid him,
he thanked him, and thereupon the Prophetsaid:"These are the best type
of people )i.e. who repay in the best manner(. There is no good in a
nation whose poor cannot take their rights from their rich without
being harassed."The Prophetsaid this because sometimes the poor might
get his right back but only after he suffers and is delayed and is put
in embarrassing situations.
Additionally, the debtor must rely on Allaah in his attempt to repay
the creditor. Abu Hurayrahreported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"A
man from the children of Israeli asked another to lend him one
thousand Deenaars. The second said, `I want a surety witness' the
former replied, `Allaah is sufficient as a surety witness' The second
said, you areright, and he lent him the money for an appointed time.
The debtor went across the sea, and when he finished his job, he
searched for a conveyance so thathe might reach in time for the
repayment of the debt, but he could not find any. So, he took a piece
of wood, made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Deenaars and a
letter to the lender and then closed )i.e. sealed( the hole tightly.
He took the piece of wood to the sea and said: "O Allaah! You know
very well that I took a loan of one thousand Deenaars from so-and-so.
He demanded a surety from me but I told him that Allaah's Guarantee
was sufficient, and he accepted Your Guarantee. He thenasked for a
witness and I told him that Allaah was sufficient as a witness, and he
accepted You as a witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance
so that I could pay his money but I could not find any, so I hand over
this money to You" Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the
sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile he
started searching for a conveyance in order to reach the creditor's
country.
"One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had
arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden he saw the piece of
wood )i.e. the one in which his money had been deposited(. He took it
home to use for fire. When he sawed it, hefound his money and the
letter inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one
thousand Deenaars to him and said, By Allaah, I had been trying hard
to get a boat so that I could bring you your money, but failed to get
one before the one I have come by. The lender asked, have you sent
something to me? The debtor replied, `I have told you I could not get
a boat other than the one I have come by. The lender said, `Allaah has
delivered on your behalf the money you sent in the piece of wood. So,
youmay keep your one thousand Deenaars so depart guided on theright
path."]Al-Bukhaari[
This is the consequence of relying on Allaah, and when one's intention
is sincere in repayment, then Allaah will assist himin his attempt.
The problem that faces many indebted people is that they are not truly
sincere in their intention to repay the debt to the creditor and thus
they become deprived of the assistance of Allaah.
Late salaries:
This is one type of debt which the employer owes the employee. Some
people might workfor a certain period and their contract is terminated
and they leave the country whilst the employer owes them part of their
salaries that he did not pay them. Undoubtedly, this is a debt on the
part of the employer and he must look for them if they leave before he
fulfilled their payments or salaries, even if he has to travel to
their countries in order to pay them off.
The following narration indicates the greatness ofthe right of the
employee; `Abdullaah bin`Umarnarrated that he heard Messenger of
Allaahas saying:"Three men, amongst those who came before you, set out
until night came and they reached a cave, so they entered it. A rock
fell down from the mountain and blocked the entrance of the cave. They
said: `Nothing will save you from this unless you supplicate to Allaah
by virtue of a righteous deed you have done.`"The Messenger of
Allaahmentioned what each of them said and one of them said:"`O
Allaah! I hired some laborers and paid them their wages except one of
them departed without taking his due. I invested his money in business
and the business prospered greatly. After a long time, he came to me
and said: O slave of Allaah! Pay me my dues. I said: Allthat you see
is yours - camels, cattle, goats and slaves. He said: O slave of
Allaah! Do not mock at me. I assured him that I was not joking. So he
took all the things and went awayhe spared nothing. O Allaah! If I did
so seeking Your Pleasure, then relieve us of our distress.` The rock
slipped aside and they got out walking freely."]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
Nowadays, employers oppress their employees and eat up their rights
and salaries … but the right of these employees will not be wasted
with Allaah, and their oppression will not be left unattended even if
they die before getting their rights, because there will come a Day
when everything will be accounted for and then repayment will be in a
different form … it will bein rewards from their records. Therefore,
employers are advised to rush and fulfill the payment for their
employees before that Day comes.
Procrastinating payment:
Some debtors delay and procrastinate for no needeven when they have
themoney to repay, but he acts so mean and low and pays back in
installments to the creditor. One might have a debt of fifty thousand
for example, and starts repaying five hundred every month, other
months he might pay only two hundred, and a third month he would pay a
thousand and so on, despite him having the entire amount, but he just
wants the creditorto give up on him and hisdebt, and this is extreme
stinginess.
Such people make the creditor appear like the poor person who is
chasing after money, whilst it is his right. He forces him in some
cases to beg him to repay, so that he )i.e. the creditor( can fulfill
his own obligations which he might have arranged their payment based
on the agreed upon promiseof repayment from the debtor.
Finally, it is recommended that the debtor says nice words ofgratitude
to the creditor upon repaying him as this softens the heart
andencourages the creditor to loan others in the future.

Etiquettes related to debtand loaning – I

Many social problems result from loans becausemany people overlook the
etiquettes which Islaam legislated for the debtor and the creditor,
and should the debtors and the creditors adhere to such etiquettes,
then many problems would besolved.
Some of these etiquettes regarding the creditor are to delay the
debtor who is unable to pay on due time and to drop the debt from the
needy. On the other hand, the debtor should rush and repay the loan as
soon as he is able to and not to procrastinate repayment.
Giving respite to the debtor:
When the time of repayment is due, then the one who was kind to his
brother and loaned him some money should remember the saying of Allaah
)which means(:"And if someone is in hardship, then ]let there be[
postponementuntil ]a time of[ ease. But if you give ]from your right
as[ charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew."]Quran 2:
280[ In this verse, Allaah enjoins patience and tolerance for the one
who is poor and cannot repay on time and that the creditor should
postpone the deadline. This command came to change the old practice
during pre-Islaamic era were the creditor used tosay to the debtor:
"Either you pay or I start calculating interest on the loan". Also,
the verse comes directly after the verses addressing the issue of
Ribaa )i.e. interest and usury( in which Allaah Says )what means(:"O
you who have believed, fear Allaah and give up what remains ]due to
you[ of Ribaa )i.e. interest and interest(, if you should be
believers. And if you do not, then be informed of awar ]against you[
from Allaah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your
principal-]thus[ you do no wrong,nor are you wronged."]Quran 2:
278-279[
It is a known fact that theworld's main economical problems resulted
from Ribaa )usury and interest( and dealing with it. This caused
hunger and poverty amongst people in countries which were )at a given
time( rich countries and its people were rich, but the promise of
Allaah came true in which he threatens those who dealwith Ribaa )which
means(:"And if you do not, then be informed of a war]against you[ from
Allaah and His Messenger."]Quran 2: 279[
Allaah did not specify the type of war He would wage against those who
deal with Ribaa; whetherit is in the form of afflicting them with
diseases, making them suffer famine and poverty or a military war.
Jaabirreported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"May Allaah show mercy
to a man who adopts a kind attitude when he sells, buys and demands
for the repayment of loans."]Al-Bukhaari[ Thisperson deserved the
mercy of Allaah because he dealt with people kindly and postponed
theone who could not repay him and whenever askedfor his money, he
demanded it gently with kind words as not to heart the feelings of the
debtor.
These prophetic narrations deeply affected the companionsand they
acted upon them. 'Abdullaah the son of Abu Qataadahreported: "My
father )i.e. Abu Qataadah( went to a man who was indebted to him, so
the debtor hid from Abu Qataadah. LaterAbu Qataadah saw the debtor and
requested hismoney but the later informed him that he could not repay
him because he did not possess the money and that his financial
situation was very tight. Upon hearing this, Abu Qataadah, asked the
mansaying; `Are you really in a tight situation?` the man responded
with the affirmative. Thereupon my father said: I heard the Messenger
of Allaahsaying:"He who likes Allaahto deliver him from the calamities
of the Day of Resurrection, let him either give respite to a debtor or
grant him remission )of loans( in straitened circumstances."Then he
cried."]Muslim[
In another narration hesaid:"He who gives respite to someone who is in
straitened circumstances, or grants him remission, Allaah will shelter
him in the shade of His Throne, on theDay of Resurrection, when there
will be no shade except its shade."]At-Tirmithi[
Abu Qataadahwas notthe only one who behaved in such a manner. Rather,
this was the way the entire community of the companionsdealt with each
other.
Many of the Companionsdelayed the debtors who could not pay on time
for long periods, and in many cases they even dropped and waived the
entire debt altogether.
This was so because they lived the prophetic narrations practically in
their lives. Some of them used to lend others just to get the reward
mentioned in some narrations like the sayingof the Messenger of
Allaah:"Any Muslim who lends another Muslim twice will get a reward as
if he has spent this money in charity."Anothernarration that was an
encouraging factor is thesaying of the Messenger of Allaah:"He who
gives respite to someone who is in straitened circumstances, will geta
reward as if he has spent this amount in charity for every day he
delays him until its due date, and after it becomes due he will get
double such reward."
Giving respite and delaying those in tough situations can be the
reason of rescuing oneself from Hell. Abu Hurayrahreported that the
Messenger of Allaahsaid:"There was a person who used to loan money to
the people and he used to say to his servant: `When an insolvent
person comes to you, show him leniency so that Allaah may forbear our
faults.' So when he met Allaah )i.e., when he died(, Allaah forgave
him."]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
Abu Mas`ood Al-Badrireported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"A
person from amongst the people who lived before you was called to
account by Allaah on the Day of Resurrection. No good deeds were found
in his credit except that he being a rich man had )financial( dealings
withpeople and had commanded his servants to show leniency to those
who were in straitened circumstances. Upon this Allaah, the Exalted,
and Majestic said: `I am more entitled to this attribute, so waive
)his faults(.`"]Muslim[
The abovementioned narrations and verses area great encouragement for
the creditor to postpone and give respite to the debtors who can not
repay on time due to their strenuous situations. They are messages to
the rich who lend others and embarrass them and humiliate them, and
may even be the cause for their imprisonment. Indeed, the creditor has
the right to do so, but Allaah Says )what means(:"… But whoever
pardons and makes reconciliation his reward is ]due[ from Allaah
…"]Quran 26: 40[ Undoubtedly, the reward from Allaah is far better
than money whichis an interim pleasure.
Repaying the creditor on time:
The debtor should take initiative to repay the creditor as soon as the
loan is due. If the debtor is financially unable to repay it all, then
at least he should start paying in installments if he possesses the
money to do so. One should rush in repayment, because loans will be a
hard thingon him in his gave.

Praising Allaah – I

Many texts in the Quran and the Sunnah indicate the virtue of praising
Allaah and that it is whatthe dwellers of Paradise will say upon
enteringParadise.
The Prophetused to praise Allaah during all times. Furthermore,
supplications - which included the praise of Allaah - before and after
many actions have been reported on his behalf. Heused to praise Allaah
after eating, drinking, wearing a new garmentand returning from a
journey. He also would praise Allaah during pilgrimage and upon
receiving good news or sad news. Thus weMuslims must praise Allaah
during all situations in order to attain the great reward of praising
Him.
The virtue of praising Allaah as mentioned in the Quran:
There are many acts of worship which people fail to perform despite
the great reward they yield and despite them being veryeasy to
perform. Allaah rewards for some simple acts abundantly, because He is
The Most Generous and The Beneficent, and regardless how much Allaah
gives, what He possesses will never decrease.
We must perform as many deeds as possible in order to be rescuedon the
Day of Judgment and reach our destination safely. One of the greatest
deeds to perform is mentioning Allaah, and it has many types, the best
of which is that done with the tongue and is connected to the heart.
This is when a person mentions Allaah and ponders upon what he is
saying, and praising Allaah is one such form of mention. Allaah is to
be praised in all situations as He is the only One worthy of praise.
Allaah praised Himself in many places in the Quran and He commanded us
to praise Him. The dwellers ofParadisewill praise Allaah as Allaah
informs ussaying )what means(:"…And the last of their call will be,
`Praise to Allaah, Lord of the worlds!`"]Quran 10: 10[
And also )what means(:"…Praise to Allaah, Who has fulfilled for us His
promise."]Quran 39: 74[
And also )what means(:"…Praise to Allaah, Who has removed fromus ]all[
sorrow."]Quran 35: 34[
Praising Allaah is a great act of worship that reflects the slave's
contentment and submission to the Decrees of Allaah.
Praising Allaah is a phrase which will fill the slave's scale on the
Day of Judgment. The Prophetsaid:"The best type of supplication is
)saying(: `Al-Hamdulillaah` )All Perfect praise be to Allaah(".
'Aa'ishahsaid: "The Messenger of Allaahrecited frequently in bowing
and prostration:"Subhaanaka Rabbanaa wa bihamdika, Allaahumaghfir
lee.)Far removedYou are from every imperfection, our Lord, and all
praise is for You,forgive me, O Allaah(".Heelucidated that it has been
commanded in the Noble Quran to recite )what means(:"So glorify the
Praises of your Lord, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily,He is the
One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives."]Quran 110: 3[ And he
)i.e. the Messenger of Allaah( acted upon it." ]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
Allaah commanded us not to forget this mention, namely praising Him.
The greatest chapter in the entireQuran is Al-Faatihah, and it starts
with the praise of Allaah. The Messenger of Allaahsaid to Abu Sa`eed
Ibn Al-Mu`allaa:"Shall I teach you the greatest Chapter in the Quran
before you leave the mosque? … It is `Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen
)i.e., Chapter Al-Faatihah(."]Al-Bukhaari[
The virtue of praising Allaah as mentioned in the Sunnah:
Many texts mentioned this issue to highlight its importance. The
Messenger of Allaahsaid:"Protect yourselves from Hellfire; say:
`Subhaanallaah, Al-Hamdulillaah, Laa Ilaaha Ilallaah, Allaahu Akbar
)Allaah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allaah; None is worthy
of being worshipped except Allaah; and Allaah is The Greatest(.` These
)words( will come on the Day of Judgment preceding the person )who
uttered them in life( and will be behind him, and to his
sides."Meaning they will surround him from all directions as a way of
honoring the person who used to utter them in the worldly life.
Ibn Mas`oodreported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"I met
Ibraaheemon the Night of Ascension )Al-Israa'(, andhe said to me: `O
Muhammad, convey my greetings to your nation, and tell them that
Paradise has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain
leveled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhaanallaah,
Al-Hamdulillaah, Laa Ilaaha Illallaah and Allaahu Akbar )Allaahis free
from imperfection; praise be to Allaah; there is no true god except
Allaah; and Allaah is The Greatest(."]At-Tirmithi[
The Messenger of Allaahonce said to the companions:"Allaah chose four
phrases for you to utter: `Subhaanallaah, Al-Hamdulillaah, Laa Ilaaha
Ilallaah, Allaahu Akbar )Allaah is free from imperfection; praise be
to Allaah; none is worthy of beingworshipped except Allaah; and Allaah
is The Greatest(` Whoever says 'Subhaanallaah )Allaah is freefrom
imperfection(' will receive twenty rewards and twenty sins will be
expiated from his record. Whoever says 'Allaahu Akbar)Allaah is The
Greatest(' will receive twenty rewards and twenty sins will be
expiated fromhis record. Whoever says 'Laa ilaaha illallaah )None is
worthy of being worshipped except Allaah('will receive twenty rewards
and twenty sins will be expiated fromhis record. Whoever says
'Al-Hamdulillaah )praise be to Allaah(' will receive thirty rewards
and thirty sins will be expiated from his record."]Ahmad[
We must utilize our time in the mention of Allaah as much as we can,
because it is the easiest thing to do while its outcome is great, it
is the plants ofParadise. It is a very easy profit and an effortless
gain ... but where are those who strive to get it?
Whenever a new bounty is bestowed upon the slave from Allaah, he
should utter the praise of Allaah. The Messenger of Allaahsaid:"Allaah
never bestows a bounty upon a slave and he praises Allaah, but the
utterance of praise was better for the slavethan the bounty itself."
Allaah Says )what means(:"And if you should count the favor ]i.e.
blessings[ of Allaah, you could not enumerate them."]Quran 14: 34[
Praising Allaah leads to His pleasures, as in the narration of Anaswho
reported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"Allaah will be pleased with
His slave who praises Him )i.e., says Al-Hamdulillaah( when he eats
and praises Him when he drinks."]Muslim[
A true believer praises Allaah in all situations even as his soul is
departing, as the Messenger of Allaahsaid to Umm Ayman. Why would a
believer praiseAllaah upon his death? This is because he is being
freed from the prison of this worldly life and heading towards the
hoped eternal joyful life inParadise. One's death is a decree of
Allaah, so a true believer praises Allaah for any Decree that befalls
him. Additionally, a true believer praises Allaah for having enabled
him to utilize this life in His pleasure.
There are many times during which the praise of Allaah is recommended,
and the followingare some examples:
Upon waking up, whilst rising from bowing, during prayer and upon sneezing:
One is amazed when he ponders on the cases were the praise is
recommended. The Prophettaught us that when a person wakes up, he is
encouraged to utter:"Al-Hamdulillaahi Al-Lathee 'Aafaanee Fee Jasadee
Waradda 'Aalayya Roohee )All praise is for Allaah who restored to me
my health and returned my soul(."The Prophetalso taught us that when
an Imaam rises from the position of bowing, he should say:"Sami`a
Allaahu limanhamidah )Allaah listened to the one who praised Him("and
that people should say:"Rabbanaa Walakal-hamdu )Our Lord, for Youis
all praise("When the Prophetheard a man saying upon rising from
bowing in prayer: "Rabbanaa Walakal-hamdu Hamdan Katheeran Tayyiban
Mubarakan Feeh )Our Lord, for You is all praise, an abundant beautiful
blessed praise(" hesaid:"The angels were amazed upon hearing this
phrase".Furthermore, when one sneezes, he should praise Allaah saying:
"Al-Hamdulillaah )All praise is for Allaah(."
In the opening of lectures and sermons and after concluding prayers:
Whenever the Prophetused address the people with any issue, hewould
open his speech with the praise of Allaah and His glorification.
Likewise, after concluding his prayers, hewould praise Allaah thirty
three times.

Praising Allaah – II

When wearing a new garment:
Whenever the Prophetused wear a new garment, hewould say:"Allaahumma
lakal-hamdu Anta kasawtaneeh, as'aluka min khayrihi wa khayri maa
suni'a lah, wa a'oothu bika min sharrihi wa sharri maa suni'alah )O
Allaah, for You is all praise, You have clothed me with it )i.e. the
garment(, I ask You for the good of it and the good for which it was
made, and I seek refuge with You from the evil of it and the evil for
which it was made.("This is said because each garment could be worn
for something good or something evil. For example, one could wearit to
show off, and a woman could wear a garment to expose her beauty, both
of which cases are evil. On the other hand, one could wear it to adorn
himself before going to the mosque as a Muslim is commanded to do, in
such case one's garment is a source of goodness for him.
After eating or drinking:
The Prophetused different wordings and phrases to praise Allaah after
eating or drinking, asin the following narrations: Mu`aath ibn
Anasreported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"He who has taken food
andsays at the end: `Alhamdu lillaahi al-lathi at`amani haathaa, wa
razaqaneehi min ghayri hawlin minni wa laa quwwah )All praise is due
to Allaah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any
endeavor on my partor any power(, all his past sins will be
forgiven."]At-Tirmithi[. Abu Umaamahreported:"Whenever the
Prophetfinished a meal, hewould say:"Al-hamdulillaah hamdan katheeran
taiyyiban mubaarakan feehi, ghayra makffiyyin wa laa muwadda`in, wa
laa mustaghnan`anhu, rabbuna. )All praise is due to Allaah, praise
which is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, which is indispensable
and to which one cannot be indifferent(."]Al-Bukhaari[
Upon going to bed:
Whenever the Prophetwould go to bed, he used to remember the bounties
of Allaah upon him)which is something that most people are heedless of
nowadays( and then praise Allaah. Anasreported: "Whenever the
Prophetwent to his bed, he would say:"Al-hamdulillaah al-lathi
at`amanaa wa saqaanaa, wa kafaanaa wa aawaanaa, fakam mimman laa
kaafiya lahu wa laa mu'wiya )Praise is due to Allaah Who has fed us,
provided us drink, satisfied us and gave us protection. Many are those
who have no one to provide for them, or give them shelter(."]Muslim[.
Upon returning from Hajj or 'Umrah:
During his journeys henever forgot to praise Allaah. Ibn
`Umarreported: "During the return journey of the Prophetfrom Hajj or
`Umrah whenever heascended a height or hill, he would recite thrice:
"Allaahu Akbar )Allaah is The Greatest(" Then hewould say:"Laa ilaaha
illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa
Huwa `alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. Aayiboona taa'iboona `aabidoona li
rabbinaahaamidoon. Sadaq-Allaahu wa`dahu, wa nasara `abdahu, wa
hazamal-ahzaaba wahdahu )Nonehas the right to be worshipped except
Allaah, Who has no partner, to Whom the sovereignty belongs, to Whom
allpraise is due, and Who is Able to do all things. We are those who
return )in safety(, feel penitence, worship Allaah, prostrate before
our Lord and praise Him. Allaah has fulfilled His Promise, helped His
slave )i.e., Muhammad( and He Alone vanquished the
Clans(."]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[.
During the Talbiyah for Hajj:
It is the Sunnah that one utters Talbiyah whilst in the state of
Ihraam for Hajj, saying: "Labbaykallaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa
shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wanni'mata laka wal-mulk, laa
shareeka lak. )Here I am O Allaah,)in response to Your call(, here I
am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise,
grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.("
During the imploration for rain:
One of the great prayers to perform is when imploring for rain.
'Aai'shahreported: "Thepeople complained to the Messenger of Allaahof
the lack of rain, so hegave an order for a pulpit. It was then setup
for him in the place of prayer. Hefixed a day for the people on which
they should come out. When the rim of the sun appeared, the Messenger
of Allaahsat down on the pulpit, and having pronounced the greatness
of Allaah and expressed His praise, hesaid:"You have complained of
drought in your homes, and of the delay in receiving rain at the
beginning of its season. Allaah has ordered you to supplicate Him and
promised that He will answer your prayer."Then hesaid:"Praise be to
Allaah, the Lord of the Universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the
Master of the Day of Judgment. There is none worthy of worship but
Allaah Who does what He wishes. O Allaah! You are Allaah, there is no
deity but You, the Rich, while we are the poor. Senddown the rain upon
us and make what You send down a strength and satisfaction for a
time."He, then raised his hands, and kept raising them till the
whiteness under his armpits was visible. Hethen turned his back to the
people and inverted or turned round his cloak while keeping his hands
aloft. He then faced the people, descended and prayed two Rak'ahs.
Allaah then produced a cloud, and the storm of thunder and lightning
came on. Then the rain fell by Allaah's permission, and before
hereached his mosque, streams were flowing. When hesaw the speed with
which the people were seeking shelter, helaughed till his back teeth
were visible. Then hesaid:"I testify that Allaah is Omnipotent and
that I am Allaah's servant and apostle."]Abu Daawood[.
Encouraging the Praise of Allaah and thanking Him during all times:
Do not be heedless of the praise of Allaah and mention Him frequently,
and remember that one should praise Allaah and thank Him during all
situations. Abu Hurayrahnarrated that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"A
man )from amongst the people before you( said: `Indeed! I will give in
charity.' So he took his charity out and placed it in a thief's hand.
In the morning the people were talking )about this incident( and
saying: `Charity wasgiven to a thief last night.' The man said: `O
Allaah! Praise be to You. I have given charity to a thief. Indeed, I
will give in charity!` So he took his charity out and he placed it in
a prostitute's hand. In the morningthe people were talking )about this
incident( and saying: `Charity was given to a prostitute last night.'
On hearing this, the man said: `Praise be to You, O Allaah! I gave
charity to a prostitute. Indeed, I will give in charity!` So he took
his charity out and placed it in a rich man's hand. In the morning the
people were talking )about this incident( and saying: `Charity was
given to a rich man last night.' The man said: `O Allaah! Praise be to
You)for helping me( give charity to a thief, a prostitute and a rich
man.` Then he had a dream in which he was told that his charity to the
thief might result in his refraining from his theft, his charity to
the prostitute might help her abstain from her immorality, and his
charity to therich man might help him pay heed and spend from what
Allaahhad bestowed upon him."]Al-Bukhaari[
When this man from the children ofIsraelaccepted the decree of Allaah
and was content with it and praised Allaah in all situations and
thanked Him, Allaah rewarded him abundantly for these three charities
he spent out. This is because we should deal with people according to
what appears from their conditions and leave their intentions to
Allaah for judgment.
Furthermore, Allaah rewards the one who is content with great rewards.
Abu Moosaa Al-Ash`arireported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"When a
man's child dies, Allaah, the Exalted, asks His angels: `Have you
taken out the life of the child of My slave?` and they reply in the
affirmative. He )Exalted be He( then asks: `Have you taken the fruit
of his heart?` and they reply in the affirmative. Thereupon He asks:
`What did my slave say?` They say: `He praised You and said: Innaa
Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji'oon )We belong to Allaah and to Him we
shall return(.` Allaah says: `Build a house for my slave inParadiseand
name it Baytul-Hamd )the House of Praise(.`"]At-Tirmithi[.