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The Culture of Building
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 03-02-2019

The Culture of Building 

 

Work, building, and development are key features of civilized countries as it is highly unlikely for one to find an civilized country whose progress rests on the ignorance or laziness of its citizens. Actually, countries are built through quality education and hard work, and this is Allah`s Law in the universe. Further, Allah has combined means to results and ordered us to make use of all available means and to do whatever is possible in order to get the result that we aspire to. At the same time, we should believe, deep down, that Allah will help us when using those means. However, belief alone isn`t sufficient; rather, it must be accompanied with actual work where available means are taken advantage of, as enjoined by our Islamic creed. 

 

If we ponder on the biography of our role model, Prophet Mohammad (Blessings and peace be upon him), we can`t help but to notice that it is replete with lessons urging us to building and development. When the Prophet (PBUH) entered Medina and wanted to build a mosque, he helped his companions in moving stones and this is a practical example of how the role model should be. After a while, it was brought to his attention that one of the companions was very good in mixing and preparing mud, so he made him in charge of that task. Actually, many benefits can be derived from this narration: A leader should be familiar with every skill that his followers have, appoint the right person in the right position, and choose individuals according to their skill and knowledge, and not according to the degree of kinship or love. 

 

This is how the Prophet (PBUH) taught us to explore and invest other`s capacities. Therefore, if a person is good at particular thing, then he should be set apart on that basis. This reflected in the following narration: In which Anas Ibn Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The most merciful of my nation to my nation is Abu Bakr, and the most severe of them concerning the order of Allah is 'Umar and the most truly modest of them is 'Othman bin 'Affan. The best reciter (of the Qur'an) among them is Ubayy bin Ka'b, the most knowledgeable of them concerning (the laws of) inheritance is Zaid bin Thabit, the most knowledgeable of them concerning the lawful and the unlawful is Mu'adh Bin Jabal. Truly, every nation has a trustworthy one, and the trustworthy one of this nation is "Abu 'Ubaidah Bin Al-Jarrah."  Therefore, as mentioned above, a leader should discover the skills of his followers and choose them accordingly.

 

Further, he (PBUH) taught us how to make use of other nations' experiences, and never criticize any unfamiliar or weird experience based on its source. This is because, during Al-Ahzab battle, Salman Al-Farisi (May Allah be pleased with him), suggested digging a ditch as a defensive line for Al-Medina since the Persians have used this strategy in warfare, so the Prophet (PBUH) approved of that. Furthermore, a wise word is the lost property of the believer, so wherever he finds it, he has more right to it, therefore, making use from other nations experiences and developing them, is one of a successful leader's aspects.

 

Moreover, he (PBUH) is our role model when it comes to consulting others and not listening only to one`s-self, although none will blame him for that, since he is Allah's Messenger and many of his acts and words are divinely inspired. Nevertheless, he used to consult his companions and listen to what they have to say in almost every matter. This is reflected in the following examples:

 

The Prophet (PBUH) Took Al-Habab Ibn Al-Monther's opinion regarding the spot that the Muslim army should be stationed at in the battle of Bader, gave the companions the permission to negotiate with the disbelievers regarding the prisoners, consulted them in the battle of Ohoud and took Salman's opinion as mentioned earlier. Thus, a good leader should be keen on consulting his followers and listening to what they have to say, and this can only be achieved in an atmosphere full of freedom and respect, and finding such an atmosphere is a leader`s prime responsibility..

 

In conclusion, every person is a leader in his position-capable of changing and developing- and all we need to do is to take the initiative towards that end [Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.] So is it time for hard work? 

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on obtaining financing from Islamic banks by bringing invoices in prior arrangement with the seller, then taking the cash after the financing is approved — with the purpose of settling debts and buying a car?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It appears from the transaction described that its underlying purpose is to obtain cash through resorting to a legal artifice (ḥīlah/tawarruq-style trick), and it is not permissible to engage in such trickery or to coordinate with the various parties merely to obtain liquidity. This is because such artifices bring the sale closer in reality to a ribā-based (usurious) transaction, even if it outwardly appears otherwise.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not commit what the Jews committed, thereby making lawful what Allah has made unlawful through the flimsiest of tricks." This was related by Ibn Baṭṭah in his book Ibṭāl al-Ḥiyal (p. 47), and many scholars have graded it as ḥasan (sound/acceptable).
We have already explained the impermissibility of engaging in such deceptive dealings with Islamic banks in Fatwa No. 516, so please refer to it. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

My father has debts and asked me to repay them years ago, and I promised him I would do so upon his death — is it permissible for me to go back on my promise given that I am unable to repay them, especially since he refuses to contribute to repayment on the grounds that the debt has become my responsibility by virtue of my promise?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The established principle is that a father's debt is to be repaid from his own wealth, if he possesses sufficient means. As for the promise made by the son to repay it on his father's behalf, fulfilling such a promise is strongly recommended, and breaking it is considerably disliked. Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "Fulfilling a promise is emphatically recommended, and breaking it is severely disliked. The evidences for this from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah are well known." [Rawḍat al-Ṭālibīn,Vol. 2/P.278] Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, further states: "The reason fulfilling a promise is not obligatory and breaking it is not forbidden is that a promise is in the nature of a gift, and a gift does not become binding except upon receipt." [Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib,Vol. 2/P.487]
Given that the son does not possess the financial means to fulfil his promise to his father, breaking this promise falls beyond his capacity — and Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since the father himself possesses sufficient wealth to settle his own debt, repayment must be made from his own funds. Should he pass away before doing so, the debt is to be settled from his estate. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is a person rewarded for refraining from all that breaks their fast when required to do so, and is it considered a valid fast?

If a person eats or drinks thinking that Fajr has not yet arrived, but then someone informs them that Fajr had already begun, they must refrain from eating for the rest of the day and make up the fast later.
If they observe the required restraint (imsak), they will be rewarded for obeying the command because fulfilling an obligation brings reward.
However, this is not considered a valid fast in terms of rulings. For example:
● It is not disliked (makruh) for them to use a miswak after noon.
● They are not encouraged to hasten the breaking of the fast at sunset.
● Other fasting-related rulings do not apply to them.

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

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