Articles

Statement on Giving Respite to the Insolvent Person
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 03-07-2023

Statement on Giving Respite to the Insolvent Person

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

In the difficult circumstances that the world is experiencing, the conditions of those who live on a subsistence level are tightening as well as those who get their livelihood day by day. If their work is disrupted, they will not find what they can live on. However, the words of our Lord, the Most High, apply to them: " (Charity is) for those in need, who, in God’s cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured God knoweth it well." {Al-Baqarah, 273}. Therefore, it has become imperative upon every affluent person to check on the weak and poor individuals whom he knows and help alleviate their burdens and ensure them a minimum level of decent living. This is both a religious and social responsibility on the wealthy and affluent members of society towards their brothers for it raises the spirit of cooperation, love and solidarity between them. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever." {Transmitted by Muslim}. He (PBUH) also said: "A believer is like a brick for another believer, the one supporting the other." {Transmitted by Muslim}. Moreover, this is what the Messenger of Allah loves where he (PBUH) said: "When the Ash'ariyun run short of food in the Jihad or when they are at home in Al-Madinah, they collect all the provisions they have in a sheet and then divide it equally among themselves. They are of me and I am of them." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Helping and forgiving others as well as waiving some of the rights due on them, or postponing their collection or some of them, out of solidarity considering their difficult situation, is a sign of the mercy inherent in the heart. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) promised these merciful people to be shown the mercy of Allah, where he said: "The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth, and the One in the heavens will have mercy unto you." {Transmitted by Tirmidhi}. This is because when a believer forgives or fulfills the needs of the person who is going through difficult circumstances, Allah  the Almighty treats him in the same way, because of his mercy towards the servants of Allah, for rewards depend on the kind of deed.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has warned against harshness and cruelty of the heart and not helping others although one is able to. He (PBUH) said, "He who is not merciful to others, will not be treated mercifully." { Al-Bukhari and Muslim}. He (PBUH) added: "Mercy is not removed (from anyone) except from a wicked one." {Transmitted by Tirmithi}.

 

Not only commanded giving respite to the insolvent person, but Allah the Almighty has also encouraged remitting the debt by way of charity where He said {what means}: " If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time Till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew." {Al-Baqarah, 280}. This is also celebrated in the Sunnah. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "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 Allah may forbear our faults.' So when he met Allah (i.e., when he died), Allah forgave him."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

In conclusion, we call on all Muslims to show mercy and forgiveness to each other, make reconciliation, fulfill the needs of fellow Muslims, give respite to the insolvent person and even remit the debt by way of charity, if possible. And to Allah belongs every success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]

Read for Author




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

I am a disabled woman who has vaginal discharges and can`t control her urine. Therefore, I combine prayers. Is that permissible?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

According to the Hanbali doctrine, it is permissible for the sick to combine prayers. In your case (Asker), it is better that you delay the noon prayer until a few minutes before the afternoon prayer in order to minimize the time span between the two and perform each alone. In addition, you can do the same with sunset and evening prayers. Finally, we ask Allah to bless you with recovery. And Allah Knows Best.

I`m a married young man. I fell in love with a widow and proposed to her but her family refused because they feared that this would have an adverse impact on the future of her children. However, we entered into unregistered marriage and told my family and even my wife about it. I`m a person who fears Allah, The Almighty and want to clear myself from any liability before Him, The Exalted. What should I do?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It is imperative that you proclaim this marriage to preserve rights. Therefore, you must register it in an Islamic court. A second marriage isn`t forbidden, however, if the unregistered marriage had taken place without the consent of the woman`s guardian nor the presence of two honorable witnesses, then it is considered void and your relationship with this woman is forbidden. Therefore, you must conclude a new marriage contract with the approval of her guardian and the presence of two honorable witnesses. We advise you to fear Allah and adhere to the teachings of Sharia in this regard since sinful conduct is that which turns in your heart (making you feel uncomfortable) and you dislike that it would be disclosed to other people. And Allah The Almighy Knows Best.

Is it allowed to use ants as part of a prescription to remove extra hair?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
This isn`t allowed because animals shouldn`t be killed unless they are harmful or slaughtered to be eaten. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling of Sharia when husband kicks the wife out of his house without a lawful excuse? Moreover, in such case, when she stays at her parents's house for several months, is she allowed to claim maintenance through a Sharia court?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It isn`t permissible to kick wife out of house save for a valid reason since Almighty Allah Says (What means): "O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may Take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good." [An-Nisa`/19]. In addition, it is the duty of the husband to provide for his wife and children in kindness, and this includes food, garment and residence. Moreover, dialogue and supplication are the best means for solving marital problems; however, the wronged party may resort to court. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.