Conveying Reward on Other Than the Anniversary of Passing

Questions and Answers from the Madani Muzakaras

1. Does all the wealth of a person not offering zakat become unlawful ?

Q: Does all the wealth of a person not offering zakat become unlawful? If this is the case, is eating and drinking with such a person lawful?

A: Even though a person who does not offer zakat after it has become obligatory upon him is a severely sinful, neither is his wealth unlawful nor is it unlawful to sit and eat and drink with him.[1]

2. Conveying reward on other than the anniversary of passing

Q: 21^st Ramadan al-Mubārak is the day of the passing of the fourth Caliph of the Muslims, Sayyidunā ꜤAlī رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ. Is it necessary to only convey reward on this day or can it be done on any other day as well?

A: One may convey reward the whole year. However, it is the practice of the Muslims to commemorate the day of martyrdom or passing (ꜤUrs), arranging conveyance of reward in particular on that day which us perfectly permissible and a source of reward. Therefore, one should particularly convey reward on this day.[2]

3. Do Jinn  if a person goes to the masjid at 12 o’clock?

Q: Some people believer that one should not writing something, read or going to the masjid at 12 o’clock during the day or night, other the jinn   .Is this true?

A: In Ramadan al-Mubārak, those observing iꜤtikāf remain daily in the masjid and 12 o’clock passes twice each day. Until now, I have not heard of anyone performing iꜤtikāf writing or reading at that time and being   by jinn. These are just baseless tales people have circulated. People say whatever comes to their mind.[3]

4. From what should ṣadaqah for a life be given?

Q: How should ṣadaqah be performed for the removal of an illness?

A: In al-Fatāwā al-Riḍawiyyah it is stated:

Something sweet or food fed to the poor is ṣadaqah and if it is given to relatives it is good conduct with next of kin and to friends it is hospitality. These three matters (feeding the poor, feeding relatives, and feeding friends) bring about the descent of divine mercy and the repulsion of calamities and difficulties. This is the same case in slaughtering a goat and feeding it to others. However, it is established from experience that the sacrifice of a life is most beneficial (i.e., slaughtering a goat and feeding it is more beneficial and calamities are removed quicker).[4]

However, it is not necessary that the ailing person sacrifice it himself. He can ask the person he gives it to perform the slaughter as well.[5]

5. Reducing the electricity meter reading

Q:  When the electricity meter reader comes every month, some people give him a monthly sum to have their meter reading reduced. Is this correct?

A: Both the person who has it reduced and the one who reduces it are sinful. The amount taken by the reader is unlawful. Therefore, he should repent and return it to the one who gave it. He should also arrange for the correction of the bill to the amount it should be, with honesty, including that which he has reduced in the past. Furthermore, the person who has given money for the reading to be reduced should also repent and pay the money that he owes according to the correct past readings to the place where it should be paid, so that there is no misappropriation.[6]

6. Following Satan

Q: What is meant by following Satan?

A: Following Satan means acting upon satanic whisperings, i.e., doing that which Satan whisper. Just like it is said, “following in the footsteps”. When we place our feet on soil, an imprint is left, however it is not intended by the statement that one walks placing his foot on the imprint, rather it is a figure of speech which means acting the way so and so does.[7]

7. Placing shoes on a bed

Q: Does placing new shoes on a bed result in the occurrence of argumentation in the home?

A: Whether old or new, placing shoes on a bed does not bring about argumentation in a home.[8]

8. Prayer beads and ostentation

Q: Is keeping prayer beads in one’s hand a form of ostentation?

A: Keeping prayer beads in one’s hands is not ostentation. However, if one has the intention of wanting people to deem him pious and his status to grow in their hearts, even moving one’s lips without sound is ostentation.[9]

9. Paying in advance and interest

Q: If some money is paid in advance when having some work done and the remainder once it has been completed, will this advance payment fall in the scope of usury?

A: This is not interest. Usury occurs when benefit is derived from a loan given to someone. In this scenario, this is not happening. The advance payment you make will be returned upon the work not being completed. Neither the one taking the advance be sinful nor the one giving it. However, some people do not return the advance despite not fulfilling the work, they usurp it; this is impermissible.[10]

10. Using disposable table mats

Q: How is it to use disposable dining mats and throw them away after use? Furthermore when folding away the dining mat, it is said, “Increase the dining mat,” what is the wisdom of this?

A: Disposable dining mats, tableware, cups, etc., are thrown away after use. There is no harm in this. The scholars have permitted this. “Increase the dining mat,” is said as a good omen as there is a perspective of blessing in this and taking good omens is wholesome.[11]