Articles

Qualities that Allah Loves
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 28-09-2022

Qualities that Allah Loves

 

Allah has shown us some qualities that He loves: Tawbah (Repentance, Taqwa (Piety), Ihsan (Goodness & Perfection), Taharah (Purification), and Jihad in the way of Allah.

What is the secret behind Allah`s love for these qualities?

Tawbah (Repentance) is returning to Allah, abandoning sins, showing deep sorrow and regret for committing them, and determining not to commit them again. Undoubtedly, choosing to abandon whatever distances one from the path of Allah indicates that one loves Allah and Allah loves them back. He The Almighty Says: "For God loves those who turn to Him constantly." [Al-Baqarah/222].

Taqwa (Piety) is when a person distances himself or herself from the punishment of Allah by eschewing sins because they incur His wrath. Undoubtedly, one who is keen on offering acts of obedience and avoiding acts of disobedience loves Allah and is loved by Him. He The Almighty Says (What means): "Nay.- Those that keep their plighted faith and act aright,-verily God loves those who act aright." [Al-Imran/76].

Ehsan (Goodness & Perfection) is to worship Allah as if you see Him and if you don`t achieve this state of devotion, then take it for granted Allah sees you. Someone of this state and rank must have the love of Allah settled in his/her heart and that Allah loves him/her back. Allah The Almighty (What means): "And spend of your substance in the cause of God, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for God loveth those who do good." [Al-Baqarah/195]. 

Taharah (Purification) is both external and internal; visible and invisible. External purity refers to removing filth and impurities. Internal purity refers to cleansing one`s heart from envy, hatred, and arrogance. Therefore, keenness on purifying one`s-self from these internal and external impurities indicates that such person loves Allah and is loved by Him. He The Almighty Says (What means): "He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean…." [Al-Baqarah, 222].

As for Jihad in the way of Allah, the person makes the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of Allah The Almighty. Moreover, preserving unity of the Muslim nation harnesses whims as well as prioritizes public interest. However, all of this stems from having the love of Allah in one`s heart and being loved by Him. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "Truly God loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure." [As-Saf/4].

Enjoying these qualities retains Allah`s love for his servants. However, it isn`t easy to reach this rank. Rather, one has to fight ego and exercise patience. One way to achieve this is by keeping the company of those who enjoy these qualities for one is known by the company he/she keeps. This is reflected in the verse, whereas Allah, The Most Exalted Says (What means): "And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.:" [Al-Kahf/28].

In conclusion, we Ask Allah for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the next.  

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on someone who possesses cash reaching the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah), and then uses part of it to purchase gold before the ḥawl (lunar year) is complete — must he pay zakāh on all of it [combined], or only on the remaining cash, excluding the gold?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Gold acquired for hoarding and saving is subject to zakāh once it reaches the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for Zakah) — when combined with any cash held — and once a full ḥawl (lunar year) has elapsed over it. The starting point for calculating this ḥawl is the ḥawl of the paper currency [used to purchase it], which had already reached the niṣāb and was then used to purchase the gold.
It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.2/p.78): "As for someone who sells silver in exchange for gold, or vice versa, zakāh remains obligatory upon it, since he builds [the calculation of] its ḥawl upon [the ḥawl established at the time of] the original transaction [i.e., when the wealth was first acquired]."
This has already been explained in detail in Fatwa No. 2670 — please refer to it.
And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

I bought an apartment, and I am saving money to pay the remaining balance of its price — is zakāh obligatory on this money?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Zakāh is obligatory on all saved/hoarded wealth. Once the total wealth reaches the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah— equivalent to the value of 85 grams of pure 24-karat gold) and a full ḥawl (lunar year) has elapsed over it, zakāh becomes obligatory at a rate of (2.5%) — even if the wealth is earmarked for basic future needs, and even if the wealth's owner is in debt. Debt does not prevent the obligation of zakāh, nor is it deducted when calculating the zakāh due, based on the general and unrestricted wording of all the Qur'anic verses commanding zakāh, which draw no distinction between someone in debt and anyone else.
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik, from the books of the Shāfi‘ī school: "If someone possesses exactly the niṣāb, and owes an equivalent amount in debt, zakāh remains obligatory on what is in his possession, and the debt does not prevent this obligation" — meaning, the obligation of zakāh on what is presently in his possession.
The ḥawl (annual cycle) recognized for zakāh, as well as for the other sharī‘ah obligations that Allah, the Exalted, has imposed upon Muslims, is the Hijrī (lunar) year. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on performing dry ablution (tayammum) on a wall or stone?

One of the conditions for tayammum is that it be with pure, clean dust (soil). It is not valid to perform tayammum by striking stones, a wall, sand that has no dust (i.e., that does not produce dust), pebbles alone, or clay, as these are not from the earth or its same category. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for someone who is unable to fast to pay the fidyah (ransom/compensation payment) to himself, due to his own poverty?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is not permissible, nor does it fulfill the obligation, for a sick person who is currently and permanently unable to fast to pay the fidyah (ransom/compensation payment) to himself, since it is a financial obligation owed by him, established as a standing debt upon him — much like any other debt he owes. If he were to pay it to himself, it would not thereby be discharged. So if he cannot find [anyone eligible to] pay it to, it remains a standing obligation upon him, and is not thereby waived. If Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, later grants him wealth, it becomes obligatory upon him to pay it out to the poor and needy.
Imam al-Khaṭīb ash-Shirbīnī (raḥimahullāh) said: "There is no difference in the obligation of the fidyah between the wealthy and the poor person; its benefit lies in its remaining established as a standing debt upon the poor person [until he is able to pay it] — and this is the more correct position (al-aṣaḥḥ), as indicated by the wording of ar-Rawḍah and its source text." [Mughnī al-Muḥtāj, Vol.2/P.174]
Accordingly: it is not permissible for a Muslim to pay the fidyah to himself while he remains poor. If the sick person is poor, he is not obligated to pay the fidyah immediately, and it remains a standing debt upon him until a time when he has sufficient means and wealth. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.