. J (cont.)

They cannot hear or possibly respond to the prayers of the people. Allah says in the Quran, ,,, ,J ,,,. ,,,. .J ::;; / ,.,, ,,.. , • U' _)..J • I ࡬ I-> , ,. .... ,... J /. .,. .... ,,. ,,,,. ,. .... / ,,, ··,.A QR ,i ..A.;' . _;_ am Ǟ¿i 1ਭ,,. U ··,.A 1V1W Ju ·.r U ··,.A Xl'..i Y u.... ...T " "'-> • ࡭ )J c...r--..- r,..,;,,, .... ....1 ,_,---..- u .... h . .. ,,, .. B B /. J ,,,. . ,,.. Gii ,,.. ,. ,,, ,,.. J ,,.. ,,.. ,,,. ,... ,,.. •. Xi- - Z [, 4..lt...:J1 $ am \J'')IJ ::..S¿i ࢝ tJ..A0 - •• \1 _ if ࢣ . . , - ?" . ,,ःif , '-$J "O Qabeesa, begging is not permissible but for one of three (classes) of persons: one who has incurred debt, for him begging is permissible until he pays that off, after which he must stop; a man whose property has been destroyed by a calamity which has smitten him, for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support life or will provide him reasonable subsistence; and a person who has been smitten by poverty, the genuineness of which is confirmed by three intelligent members of his people, for him begging is permissible until he gets what will support him, or will provide him subsistence. 0 Qabeesa, besides these three, [every other reason] for begging is forbidden, and one who engages in such consumes that which is forbidden." (Recorded by Muslim. 2) Instead of asking from others and relying upon others, a Muslim should much rather prefer to work for his own wealth, even if his work is of a very menial nature. In another hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, 1 Cf., al-Nawawi, Sharh Matin, p. 91. Al-Nawawi mentions a hadith wherein the Prophet (peace be upon him) heard Ali saying, "O Allah, make me not in need of any of Your creation." The Prophet (peace be upon him) then told him, "Do not say that for the creatures are in need of one another. Instead, you should say, 'O Allah, make me not in need of any of the evil creatures.'" Al-Nawawi does not ascribe this hadith to any source, nor do the editors of the work who sometimes add a hadith source. Another edition of this work has been published by Dar al­ Arqam. The work states that the hadith have been studied by a group of"students of knowledge", however, they offer no comment on this hadith either. Furthermore, this author has not been able to find this hadith in any of the hadith references available to him. Allah knows best. 2 This translation was taken from Siddiqi, vol. 2, p. 498. Hadith #19: "Young man, I shall teach you some words ... " "It is better for one of you to bring a load of firewood on his back and sell it, than to ask of another who might give him or refuse to give him." (Recorded by Muslim.1) Even in cases of need, if a person is able to be patient for the sake of Allah and satisfied with what he has, even if it be little, and refrains from begging, he will earn the pleasure of Allah. Paradoxically, this is the one who truly deserves to be given charity and helped for the sake of Allah. Allah says in the Quran, J. / , · G '/. : `;, /. -g .&\ ߙ · i ' , i १ .:JI T)'a11 u ._r-P -:..-JYr " " · ( Jࢡ · --:! &- .... / / ,,,. / ....__,; .. ,,,. ,,. / / ,, , J 1 / J >. , /" • . ࡩ! /: 1 ""1 / / r • t'1 ߚJ. I / B ""1 J J. J. / , / • , ;, i""1 :t ' ࢢ Q .. . ৽1 ..JLJ ࡧ ࢘ &- ࡦ _,..-+ '""" . ࡪJ :t I " . J - " • • " u· ,,. / / ,,.. / / / / .!!. , / lj 1 -:. /;.""1 ࡨ I/a ' -: , ·1 J" . J" I// 1-"a1 / ' I / 1b1""1 / .'t ࢟' /. ࢞ J..: - -:__)ৼ ,,. ,,,. ,,. ,,. / / i / / / "[Charity is] for the poor, who in Allah's cause are restricted [from travel], and cannot move about in the land [for trade or work]. The one who knows them not thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all" (al-Baqara 273). Allah Not Responding to One's Supplication Before ending this section, the author feels compelled to discuss a matter that many people seem to be confused about. This is where they are promised a "response" from Allah for their supplications and yet they feel that they do not get any such response.