, ~

! In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful !

t t

! !

! Is Remuneration !

t t

t on Religious Work t

t Lawful? t

t! Ex-Captain Dr. M .. sood-ud.Din Usm .. ni (r. a.) t

M.B.B.S. (Lucknow) •

Fazil Uloom-e-Diniyah, Wifaqul Madaris, Multan •

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NOTE

This book is English version of the Urdu boo k "Kia De e~~i U ~~~o 0' pe1' tlj 1'at t.ai ~~a Jai z N'ai" wh i c h con t a ins n u mer 0 u s references and as it is quite difficult to find out th e irE n g lis h tra n s I at ion, the yare retained in this booklet as such. No right is res e rv e d . We n e i the r sell any of 0 u r pub lic at ion s no r proh ibit th ei r print ing and circulatio n. Write and have our other literature free of cost.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

FOREWORD

"And if the people of the townships had believed and kept from evil, surely We should have opened for them blessings from the sky and from the e arth, But (to every me s senger) they belie d and soW e seize d them on ac count of what they us e d to earn." (7:96)

When the Saracenic shepherds who used to graze sheep and goats in the deserts of Arabia answered the Call of Allah 1, professed the pure faith and adopted Taqva2, Allah succoured them hiddenly and sublimed them on all global nations, even the contemporary tvvo super powers of Roman Caesar and Persian Chosroes were subjugated by them and Allah made his promise good that:

"You will be the triumphant provide d you become true believer" (3: 139)

Allah bestowed Muslims the sovereignty from east to west and His land virtually became paradise for them.

The same land has turned today an ember for those who claim to be believers. Such faith claimants are downtrodden in all parts of the world and are being beaten by non-Muslims:

Jews are beating them in Palestine, honour of their mothers and sisters is deflowered at the hands of Hindus in Kashmir, Christianity has overthrown Iraq and Kuwait - nay the whole Arab territory. In short, there prevails destruction and devastation all around:

"And man gets only that for which he make s effort." (53:39)

Dear Brothers! We ourselves are responsible for all such failures, degeneration and degradation; that we have betrayed Allah's religion, His Prophet (s.a.w.)3 and His Holy Scripture AI-Koran about which it was enjoined that it may be recited, pondered over and acted upon, we made it a show-piece to decorate our cupboard, and handed over the religion of Islam to Molvis4 who negated its tenets and canons just for the sake of their temporal gains. Allah ordained:

"Hold fast, all you together, the cable (the Koran) of Allah and

do not s ep arate." (3: 1 03)

And that:

"B e not of Mus h:rik5, tho s e who split up the ir religion an d

became schismatics." (30:31-32)

Rebelling Allah, these Molvis disrupted Muslims and by shattering Islamic unity, segregated them into many sects Ii ke Shiite, Deobundi, Breilvi, Ahl-e-Hadith, etc. etc. and ultimately turned the entire Ummah6 as Mushrik; instead of causing true worship of Allah, they are making Taghoot7 to be adored; they have kept Muslims aloof from the Koran by contriving that "the Koran is not for you to follow" although this is Allah's Declaration that:

"Verily We have made the Koran easy to follow, is there any

who may follow it? (54:17)

• AIWt: .Al.WI. is the personal name of the SUperm.ost. DeitJ which is replaced by •• God" in Ehglish. BIn it. is a grunm.W.c;ll rule in e1J"'!r'j lJJrtgI.llge th.M. personal n'llIl.e~ (proper nouns) m ne1J" er chwged in =i dialect end m retained ~ such, 'Th.eruOre the word •• .Al.WI.' 'is not =l.1J1.ed in this book .

2

o slaves of Allah! Which irony can be more grievous than this that we recite Surah AI-F ateha (the first chapter of the Koran) about 32 times in five prayers daily but are ignorant of its me anings, we do not know what for stand, we cannot call Azan8 in ears of our new born child, we cannot lead funeral prayer. In short we have entrusted all religious duties to Molvis. These Molvis claim to be tru e followers and devotees of the Prophet (s.avv.) yet they charge money for calling Azan in baby's ear, fix remuneration on Nikah8 and leading funeral prayer. Who knows which type of devotees of the Prophet (s.a.w.) are they th at they don ot perform any re Ii gio us ritua I witho ut monetary gains! They have become professional and have fixed rates for every religious work; they impart heresies instead of the noble Sunnah10 of the Prophet (s.aw.); they have devised many means of money making; on the plea of Isal-e-Savab11, they extract life savings of people by urging them to celebrate Teejah, Daswan, Chaliswan 12. In short, right from birth to burial, they rob Allah's servants on one pretext or the other.

My Friends! On clear proofs from the Koran and Hadith13, we have testified earnings of Molvis to be wholly unlawful and absolutely impermissible. Therefore if you love religion, faith is dear to you, and you want to achieve everlasting blessings of paradise warding off infernal fire, th en come on! Step forward! Learn the Koran and Hadith on your own and act upon them, Allah will be pleased with all of us, will open doors of His benedictions from the earth and from the heavens and will bestow us salvation Here and Hereafter.

,. H~ re 11~ ,~,r"j)I~ w.:o~1 ·SIIrIi" I~. l))f{II~ ~m ~ m~~n <'11(1 lot 1I<tt or Elg I~ I ~I~ n ~ I~. II; (~r ~ ~ IIW M I~ irl~ I~. I)) IfIle IH. SII flo; m e~H 1Ie I erarlol~ p ractlc>1 or m ~llg 1:01 Hi or ,0.1 kii IV eq 1~lll:lIg 0 r emllalhg H I!; ~ ~~ D H In, ~cr hhg D tiem H I!; ~ttrhIE~ II <II'{ fli8f or Dm1, ~~ocl"lhg H 111 WoiI1l ImlH rs , ~ t. n I~ I~ 11 ~ most Ie 1101 ~ ~ 1(1 <'I1:Qn II ii'j) ~ ~ II, 1II:<iI Kb 1~1)le II ~I <'11(1 II ~H re I~ n.w I~~ee cllig ~.<II(I h' lot cOltrIE(I, 11ij)~ to ~e~ re plll~ Ime It I ~. 11<'1(111 ti:~ 1)1111{ or 1:<iI r<l:ll1 e <'11(1 11 raM11 £I liD 1Ie He II <1:1 Irl'tll~1I1:m.

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In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF ISLAMIC RELIGION

The Koranic verse:

"This Koran verily guide s to the way which is the straighte st'' (17:9)

And the verse of the last Revelation revealed at the field of Euphrates:

"This day I have p erfe cte d your religion for you and complete d My favour on you and have chosen Islam as the religion for you" (5:3)

And the sermon of the Prophet (s.aw.) at the Farewell Hajj

"0 people! I'm leaving amongst you two things i.e. Allah's Scripture and my Sunnah. You will never go astray until you hold them fast. Whatever Allah revealed, I've practised before you. There will come no apostle after me. My Shariah14 has been complete d henc e who says something from his own in a religious matter, he is b ewildere d" [S ahih Bukhari]

And that:

"If there come s Mo se s (a.s.) 15 amongst you, he too will follow Shariah"

Now take-in a little for Allah's sake that after such clear

" Hadith means the Tradition i.e. s<lyings, actions and permissions of the Prophet (:110) and his Companions (*).wherever the word Tradition is used in this book be construed <IS Hadith,

3

doctrines what authority today's Molvi or somebody else has to set an opinion in the religion of Allah.

"0 believers! Ob ey Allah and obey the Me s senger and render

not your actions vain." (47:33)

Now let us take-up the above issue in the light of the Koran, Hadith, practice of the Companions (r.a.)16, decree of Imam Abu Hanifa (r.a.) and the opinions of other Ulema17.

AI- Koran

"Those who hide aught of the Scripture which Allah has revealed, and purchase small gain therewith, they eat into their bellies nothing else than fire. Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Re surre ction, nor will He purge them. Theirs will be

a painful doom." (2:174)

"D 0 not sell My vers e s for a trifling pric e and ke ep your duty to Me." (2:41)

"F ollow thos e who ask of you no fee, and who are rightly

guided." (36:21)

PROPHETIC DOCTRINES

Noah (a.s.)'s address to his folk:

o my people! I ask of you no wealth therefor. My reward is the c onc em only of Allah." (11:29)

Declaration of Salih, Lot and Shueyb (a.s.) before their respective people:

"I ask of you no wage s for this (religious work); my wage s is the

concern only of the Lord of the worlds." (26:145,164,180)

Hud (a.s .)'s teachings:

"0 my people! I ask of you no reward for this (religion). My reward is the concern only of Him Who made me.(ll :51) "

Allah made also the Last Prophet (s.a.w.) to announce this very thing that:

"Say: Whatever reward I might have asked of you is yours. My reward is the affair of Allah only. He is Witness over all things." (35 :47)

"Say (0 Muhammad to the mankind): I ask of you no fee for this (K.oran). This is naught but a Reminder to (His) creatures." (6:90)

[It has been reported in the Koranic exegesis Tafseer-e-Majidi wlr Madarik that "This verse carries the reason of this conclusion that remuneration for teaching the Koran and Hadith is not permissible."]

The teaching of the Prophet (s.avv.)

The Prophet (s.aw.) said,

"There is no other food for a man better than that he may eat through labour of his hands. Allah's apostle David (a.s.) used to e at from labour of his hands." [Kitabul Buyu, S ahih Bukhari]

Ayesha (r.a.) reports that:

4

Companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) used to do labour to earn their livelihood which would stink their bodies so they

were asked that it would be better if they bathe. [Ibid.]

If we look over Khairul Ouroon18, we will see that all the teachers and Huffaz1 9 of Ashab-e-Suffa had not crippled themselves but they all used to labour: in the day they woul d collect woods from forest and by selling them would make their both ends meet, and at night they would teach the Koran and would themselves learn too.

When these religious professionals are asked to reason their receiving remuneration they evade that "we do not ask people for remuneration but they themselves give us gifts gladly". Remember, receipt of such gifts and presents is also impermissible:

One pupil of Ubada bin Samit (r.a.) to whom he had given the Koranic education, gifted him a bow. The Prophet (s.a.w.) told Ubadah, "(This bow is the collar of fire and) If you like to be collared with fire then accept it." [Abu Dawood,Pg .485]

Abdur Rehman bin Shibil Ansari (r.a.) reports:

"I've heard the Prophet (s.a.w.) saying that learn the Koran but don't make it a source of earning livelihood."

[Mo sn ad- e-Ah med ,Part.111 ,pg.444]

It is reported from Borida (r.a.) that the Prophet (s.a.w.) asserted:

"Vii'ho learnt the Koran so that earn money from people, he will come on the Day of Re surre ction in such a condition that there will be no flesh on his face except bones."

[N arrated by Baihiqui, wlr to Mishkat, Chapter: Difference in Recitation of the Koran]

Abu Hurairah (r.a.) reports that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

"Vii'ho acquired that knowledge, which earns Allah's favour, for this purp 0 s e that he would earn temp oral gains therewith, such a p ers on will fail to get even the smell of paradis e on the Doomsday."

[Abu Dawood, Ibne Maja, wlr to

Mishkat]

Imam Bukhari (r.a.) has captioned in Sahih-al-Bukhari the heading on the sin of making the Koran a source of earnings VIZ.

"The Chapter on the sin of that man who may recite the Koran ostensibly or may tum it into money make mean." [Bukhari, pg.756]

Uthman bin Abi A's (r.a.) relates:

requested the Prophet (s.a.w.) to appoint me

Imam of my folk". He said, "I destined you Imam for your folk. You follow weaker and decrepit [i .e . appreciate weakness of

1; It may be cleared in mind that it was not the demand of post but mere seeking permission to lead the people in prayers. enervates when leading them in congregational prayers) and appoint such Moazzin20 who may not demand wages on calling Azan."

[A buD aw 00 d ,Vo 1.1, p g .79, N a sa i , vol.1 ,pg.69 ,Mosnad-e-Ahmed,vol.IV,pg.217]

Statement of an illustrious Sahabi (r.a.)

When the Koranic verse disallowing remuneration was recited before Huzaifa bin Yaman (r.a.), one man said that that verse was about Israelites. Huzaifa (r.a.) said,

5

"H OW rue e are your I sraelite brothers that all go 0 d for you and all b ad for them! No. Not on any ac count. By Allah! You will follow in theirfootsteps."

And Abul Munzir has reported from Abdullah bin Abbas (r.a .):

"What a rue e folk you are that whatever is swe et is for you and the bitt er on e is fo r Jews an d Chris tians ." [T afs e er - e- Minar, vo1.VI]

Today's Ulema also say that this Koranic ban was for Israelites only while they should know that the Koran is th e Direction for Faithful.

Saying of Hasan Basri (r.a.)

Hasan Basri (r.a.) says that:

"The wrestler showing feats on ropes is better than those Ulema who incline towards wealth because he earns world through world and they earn world through religion.

[Mishkat]

Decree of Imam Abu Hanifa (r.a.)

Imam Abu Hanifa has given decree in the light of the Koranic injunctions and the Prophetic teachings in Hadith that:

Receiving remuneration on calling Azan, leading prayers, Hajj, te ac hing the Ko ran, H adith and juris prud en c e isH aram (imp e r mi s si ble) and N aj a iz (unlawful). [H a day a in Arabic,p g.287]

How a rtfully it is stated tod ay to d efe nd th e ir nefarious business that the predecessors had declared remuneration on religious duties as impermissible but the successors have justified it. Now let us see what do the

successors say in this regard. Below is reproduced the opinio n of Ulema of different schools of thought:

ULEMA's OPINION

1 . Sheikh Muhammad Tahir Panj Piri:

He writes in his book Zia-un-Noor (pg.90-91) that:

"They charge remuneration on virtuous works and make

the Koran money making medium whereas it is

Allah's order:

"Do not take money on My verses."

"Charging remuneration on religion is more abhorrent than the income earned by beating drums and playing Rubab21 namely if at one hand is a domn who earns livelihood by beating drums, an don th e other hand is a Molvi who makes money by teaching

the Koran, then the man eating through the Koran is

much more offender than the man eating

through drum beat."

Shaikhul Hadith Naseeruddin Gharghashtvi is the

preceptor of Shaikh Panjpiri. Both preceptor and pupil have reproved each other. Reproducing in his book AI-Intesar at page 11 "The Decree of Maulana that: "Shaikh Panjpiri distorts the Koran" Shaikh replies at pg.13 that:

"Those people distort who have made religion a money making me dium and sell alle gianc e and worship."

And said that:

"Re c eiving remuneration on knowle dge is insult of the knowledge."

And that:

"Whosoever charges remuneration on religion, it is Makrooh (abhorrent) and H aram (imp ermi s sibl e) to follow prayer behind him."

2. Decree of Shaikhul Hadith Zakaria

6

Kandhalvi of Tableeghi Jamat

"The simile of the person who e arn s world through know1e dge is like that he may wip e out his sho e s by his fac e. No doubt, this will clean his shoe s but cle aning by fac e is extreme folly. Those are they who purchased error at the price of guidanc e" [F azail- e-Koran.p g.56]

3. Decree of Imam of Breilvi Cult Ahmed Raza Khan Saheb

"Giving or taking remuneration on recitation of the Koran 1S Haram. AndHaram deserves punishment and no he ward" [Ahkam- e-S ahriat, P art.I,p g.63]

4. Admission by Ahmed Saeed Kazmi Breilvi

"T aking remuneration on religious e duc ation in Khair- ul-Quro on is not proved." [A1-Haqqu1 Mubeen, published by M aktab ah- e-F aridia]

5. Decree of Deobundi A'lim Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi Saheb

"Whatever is given to Mullahs is remuneration of their recitatio n and the recitation did on remuneration amounts no reward to the reciter or the dead (for whom the recitation was arranged). Therefore, their such act is void and both taking and giving (of remuneration) is Haram and liable to sin, not to reward." [F atawa-e-Rasheedia, vol.ll]

6. The Decree by Molvi Abdur Rauf of Darul Uloom Karachi regarding those who charge wages on reciting or hearing the Koran

"Giving cash money or clothing to Hafiz or S amay23 as

remuneration in the name of pre sent, gift, sub scription, aid etc. for reciting or hearing the Koran during Taravih24 in Ramadan is harem, be c aus e re citing the Koran is a worship and earnings on worship is h ar am ." [M onth1y A1-Bi1agh, Karachi, N ovemb er 1973]

7. Hafiz Nazir Ahmed Sharifi

"The assistance given to Qari25 or Samay during Taravih namely cash money, presents, gifts orwhatever is given, its simile is like a drop of poison that envenoms the whole glass of drink and makes it fatal. It means that all the worship of the re citer and the listeners gets waste d. [D aily J ang Karachi, dated 31.3.91]

Different excuses of selling religion on the pretext of Imamat

It is worth astonishing that Imam (leader of prayer) takes remuneration from Muqtadin (followers of prayer). The question arises that he takes this remuneration for what? If for tutoring prayer then it is impermissible. This cannot be the matter that Imam knows prayer and Muqtadin not. If it is stated that Imam receives salary for teaching prayer to Muqtadin then this will be prayer of Muqtadin and what happened to that of the Imam? And if it is contrived that it was for leading the prayer then this too is a prayer because the prayer that Muqtadin offe r under leadership of Imam is the congregational prayer that is the combined prayer of Imam and Muqtadin. Thus both of them offered their prayer. Then Molvi received in a way remuneration on his own prayer.

Heed a little! Molvi called Azan, Muqtadi set forth his house, both made ablution, both said Sunnat (preliminary prayer), when the time reached to say Farz (obligatory prayer) then Imam led and Muqtadi followed him, after Salam (i.e. finishing the prayer) both are independent. When Muqtadi earns his livelihood by doing labour after finishing prayer then why does Molvi cripple himself after leading prayer and why he does not work for his bread?

7

It is al so fei gn ed that Imam is time-boun d so the salary is charged for punctuality and not for Imamat. But if it is deliberated then it will transpire that observation of punctuality for prayer is not necessary for Imam only but it is ordained for every believer that he be punctual for prayer. This is Allah's command that:

"Verily prayer at fixe d hours has been enj oine d on the believers." (4: 1 03)

After performing prayer every man is at liberty to look for his I ivel ihood, there is no re stricti on 0 r embargo from Almighty Lord. This all times binding is self-devised by this Mullah so that the process of selling religion may continue on the pretext of Imamat.

A drowning man catches at a straw

Wrong ratiocination from some circumstantial reports of Sahih Bukhari:

Just to validate their unlawful source of earnings, these religion trading Ulema and Mashaikh26 postulate some circu msta nti al re po rts of S ah ih Bu kh ari. It is pe rti ne nt th at bringing-in such reports before the people they may be argu ed a sam atter of p ri nc i pi e so th at the truth may be exposed and there may not remain even the baseless and unjustifi e d support set by Molvis on se If-devised wron g reasoning.

Dear Readers! It may be kept clear that it had been the principle of Sahaba, Tabaeen, Taba Tabaeen, learned 1m am sand Trad iti on a Ii sts that wh en th ere b rou ght-i n a

reason from the Koran in a specific issue, and authentic Traditions explained and expounded it then that issue became a postulate and if thereafter was put-in such a report which contrad icte d that a dm itte d is su e the n th at re po rt wou Id be thoroughly examined, scrutinized and correlated, because a verdict by the Koran can be revoked by the Koran itself only. F or example Allah enjoined in the Koran:

"Not to sell My verses for trifling temporal gains" and the Tradition of the Prophet (s.a.w.) elaborated:

"Recite the Koran but do not make it source of earnings"

thus the above verdict of the Koran and Hadith became irrevocable. Sahaba, Tabaeen, Taba Tabaeen, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Bukhari, in short all the Godly people acted upon it themselves and also forbade others to earn money through religion.

Now let us look for the truth of the reports which are put-in for repudiation of the above admitted issue. Religion traders reason the following report of Bukhari (voll ,pg. 786) in their defence:

Chapter: \Vhat was given on exorcism by Suralt Al-Fateha on an Arab Tribe

Abdullah bin Abbas (r.a.) reported from the Prophet (s.a.w.) that 'The most deserving to be remunerated is the Koran.' And Sha'bi said that the tutor might not fix any condition but if awarde d with something, he should ac c ept it. And H akam said that he heard nobody who held remuneration of teacher (of the Koran) as abhorrent. And Hasan gave ten Dirhams (as remuneration). And Ibne Sereen found no harm in the remuneration of tho s e who distribute and said, "It is s aid that Suhat [which Jewish scholars us ed to take (5 :42) and was unlawful] meant for the bribes money offered to change verdict and which the people us e d to offer in their dispute s."

Lo ok you! Only the underl ined wo rds in the above report are of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and the rest of it consists of personal opinions of Sha'bi, Hakam, Hasan and Ibne Seereen which cannot be a reason in religion. Moreover:

8

a) the above report has no Sanad27. Right from Ibne Abbas (r.a.) till Bukh ari all the repo rte rs are absent;

b) the underlined portion of the above report is the part of a long and famous story narrated in Sahih Bukhari (vol.ll,pg.854) with correct Sanad. Its summary is that some of the Companions (r.a.) of the Prophet (s.a .w.), during a long journey, reached a tribe which refused to host them. By Allah's will a snake or scorpion stung the chieftain of th at tribe. Tribesmen came to Sahaba (r.a.) enquiring if they had anyone who could exorcize. One Sahabi (r.a.) recited Surah AI-Fateha (the first chapter of the Koran) and spelled on him and received some goats as the right of their hospitality. Then Sahaba (ra) questioned the Prophet (s.a .w.) of those goats. He asked them to fix his share also. Sahaba (r.a.) distributed them among themselves including the Prophet (s.aw.):

c) that was a super-natural phenomenon: This is Allah's

edict that:

And We reveal of the Koran that which is a healing and a blessing for believers though it increases the evil doers In

naught save ruin. [17: 82]

Now it is worth considering that the Arab chief who got healed through exorcism of Surah AI-Fateha was a disbeliever while the Koran is no healing for disbelievers. Dear Brothers! Actually it was the special favour of Allah that He did not pocket high-handedness committed by those tribesmen on His righteous servants and as a punishment He caused their chief to be stung by the snake and made them helpless before Sahaba and then very graciously through exorcism of one of His devout bondmen healed a disbeliever and on the other hand made them hand over a herd of goats to Sahaba as indemnity.

d) Goat herd was the right of hospitality and not

remuneration of exorcism:

Hospitality among Arabs was famous but there also existed some unkind people who would refuse to entertain guests. The right of hospitality could be demanded from such inhospitable people as is evident from a Tradition in Sahih Bukhari that Uqbah Bin A'mir (r.a.) relates,

We asked th e Prop het (s. a .w.) th at you s end us towa rds different nations. If we reach to such a nation that does not entertain us then what do you say about that nation. He said, "If they do not entertain you as per usual practice then demand right of hospitality."

So the goat herd received by Sahaba was the right of hospitality and due to that very reason it was distributed among them including the Prophet (s.a .w.). Moreover, it was the outcome of a super-natural phenomenon hence a blessed thing as well. Otherwise, had it been the remuneration of exorcism then the whole herd would have been gone to the share of that man who had spelled because remuneration is the right of that person only who did labour.

This is the unique event in the entire corpus of Traditions beyond which there finds not a single such instance anywhere through out the ages of the Prophet (s.aw.) and the Orthodox Caliphs. In short, reasoning religion trading on this event is unjustified.

Story of an extremely poor Sahabi (r.a.) and wrong reasoning for remuneration on teaching the Koran

Refe r ring the foil owin g re po rt of Bukhari a Iso, justifi cation for rem une ration on rei igio us service is foo lis hly attempted to be extracted that the Prophet (s.avv.) fixed dower in lieu of the Koran, therefore, taking remuneration on teaching

9

the Koran is lavvful. The report of Bukhari is as follows:

Sahal bin Sa'idi (r.a.) reports that one woman came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and said, "I've come to you to give myself under your control." He looked at her and bowed his head. When she saw that he gave no order about her, she sat down aside. Meanwhile, one of his Companions stood up and said, "0 Prophet (s.a.w.)! If you need not this woman then marry her to me." The Prophet (s.aw.) asked him if he had some money (for dower). He said, "0 Prophet (s.a.w.)! By Allah! I've nothing." The Prophet (s.a.vv.) asked him to go to his relatives might he find something there. He went and on return told, "0 Prophet! By Allah! I couldn't find anything." The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "See again and bring anything, even an iron ring." He went agai nan d returned em pty hand ed and said, "0 Prophet! By Allah! I couldn't even find an iron ring. However, here it is my loin cloth." (He was inasmuch as poor that) He did not even have a coverlet (to clad his body). He began saying that she could take (as dower) half of that loin cloth. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "Oh! What purpose this loin cloth can serve any? If you tie it then she cannot utilize it and if she takes it there rests nothing with you." Hearing this he sat down (in despair). He remained sitting as such for a considerabl e time then took leave. The Prophet (s.avv.) saw him leaving. Whether he ordered or the people themselves brought him back. When he came, the Prophet (s.a.w.) asked him as to which Surah (Chapter) of the Koran he remembered. He told such and such. He counted many Surah. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "Well! I married this woman to you through these Surah."

We ask those people who present the above

Tra diti on for ratio ci natin g remu ne ratio non re Ii gi ou s wo rk

that:

a) This Tradition is about such an extreme poor Sahabi (r.a.) who did not even have an iron ring. Have receivers of rem un eratio non rei ig io us wo rk be co me so po or, p au pe r, penurious, penniless, indigent and destitute that they do not

have even body covering and iron ring?

b) This was a particular event and exclusively of a marriage. Do these religion seller enter in matrimony every time that they have nothing for dower and only remember the Koran?

c) Can these religion seller prove that the Prophet (s.a.w.) married that Sahabi (r.a.) in lieu of preaching religion whe reas they are receiving salaries and remuneration on preaching religion also?

Likewise, it would be quite pertinent if the people who call themselves to be Hanafi, may go through the research of the compil er of Du rray Mukhtar (a fam 0 us com pilatio n of Hanafi cult):

"There was a very poor man. He learnt some chapters of the Koran by heart. The Prophet (s.a.w.) arranged his marriage with a women and said: 'I made you owner of this woman by means of what you have from the Koran.' This is not proved from this that the Koran was held as dower and for this very reason it is no condition to teach wife the Koran. Its meaning is that 'marrie d with you for the exc ellenc e of rememb ering the Koran.' And this is very likely that the Prophet (s.a.w.) himself would have given dower, for he used to support poor Muslims and sustain their exp enditure s"

[Ghayat-ul-Autar,translation of Durr-ul-Mukhtar, V o1.II, Part Matrimony, Chapter: D ower]

They are cheat who call for position in religion

Abu Musa Ash'ari (r.a.) relates: I waited upon the Prophet (s.aw.). Two other men were also in my company. I requested him to appoint them governors somewhere. I knew that they were desirous of thatthing. The Prophet (s.a .w.) sa id, "I will not at all appoint that man for my work who himself desires for that." [Bukhari, Kitabul Ijara] This is another report that

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"H e is a che at who demands any position, so rej e ct him."

Alas! Today's religion trader violates the canons enacted by Allah's Messenger (s.aw.) and after acquiring degrees from religious institutions, offer themselves for grades and positions in government and non-government mosques and exert undue influence through getting recommendations and sometimes they even win forged and fake certificates.

Notwithstanding the unequivocal and explicit evidences by the Koran and Hadith, it is the extent of stubbornness that finding no reply to give, it is asked that then where the Molvi may earn bread from? Its answer also comes clearly from the Koran and Hadith that Molvi may earn his bread from there wherefrom the Messengers of Allah used to earn, because Ulema are their inheritors. Allah's messengers do not inherit anybody coins and guineas to earn bread but they inherit Knowledge. The Prophet (s.a .w.) said:

"Verily Ulema inde e d are inheritors of ap 0 sUe s. A po sUe s do no t inherit money for heirs but their heritage is knowle dge. \i'i!ho acquiredknowledge, he got lion's share from religion."

[Ibne M aj a, Chapter: Exc ellenc e of A po sUe s]

Imputation on the First Caliph - Abu Bakar Siddique (r.a.)

These callous people also impute one devoted Companion of the Prophet (s.a.w.) viz. Abu Bakar Siddique (ra) with the blame that he used to receive salary (for religious affairs) from public exchequer albeit the Truth is absolutely paradox to it. How an Abu Bakar Siddique (r.a.) like illustrious Sahabi could circumvent the Koran? Although he received stipend from the treasury but not for religious affairs i.e prayer, Azan, teaching the Koran and preaching the religion but for administrative affairs such as whole-time occupation in disposing matters of Muslim subject, etc. On account of this very reason Bukhari has reported that Ayesha (r.a.) related that when Abu Bakar Siddique (r.a.) ascended

the caliphate, he began saying, "My nation knows that I was able to earn livelihood for my family very easily through my profession. Now, when I'll remain busy, Abu Bakar's family will be subsisted from public treasury and Abu Bakar will be increasing Muslim's wealth through trading" [Bukhari, Kitabul Buyu]

Also go through the following passages of Tabqat Ibne Sa'd in this context:

Abu Bakar (r.a.l's belongings:

It is reported from Ayesha (r.a.) that when the last time of Abu Bakar (r.a.) reached (i.e he was about to die), he said, "I know nothing aught with me from the exchequer except this dromedary and burnishing slave who used to burnish swords of Muslims and serve us. After my death give them to Omer (r.a.)." When she gave them to Omer (r.a.) he said, "May Allah bless Abu Bakar! He put in trouble his successor." [Tabaqat Ibne Sa'd, Vol.lll, pg.35]

Direction for transferring assets to the Second Caliph:

Anas (ra.) reports that we reached near the window of Abu Bakar (r.a.) when he was suffering from the ailment wherein he died. We asked a s to how did th e succe ss or of the Prop h et (s.aw.) do. He came out before us and asked, "Aren't you in approval with what I do?" We said that we approved it undoubtedly. Just Ayesha (r.a.) was looking after him too [as she nursed the Prophet (s.a.w.) in his death bed]. He said, "How avid I was on enhancing spoils for Muslims though I got less meat and milk. You all see that when you turn out (after my demise) carry to Omer whatever I have" That was the statement with which people had made out that he had made Omer (r.a.) his successor. He (Abu Bakar) had no gold or silver coin, he had only one slave, one milch dromedary and one milking pot. When Omer (r.a.) saw these things being

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brought to him, he said, "May Allah bless Abu Bakar! He put in trouble his successor" [Ibid])

Return of exchequer goods:

It has been reported by Muhammad that when Abu Bakar (r.a.) passed away, he owed six thousand Dirhams which he had taken from the treasury as his alimony [probably through out his entire tenure of two and half years]. On the eve of his death he said, "Omer did not let me off (i.e. living without any stipend) and so I drew six thousand Dirhams from the exchequer. I abdicate my that wall which is situated at such and such place in defrayal of these Dirhams." When this was disclosed to Omer (r.a.), he said, "Allah may bless Abu Bakar! He didn't want to spare any opportunity of being criticized after him. I'm the custodian of affairs after him although I've refused it before you" [Ibid]

Alleging the Second Caliph Omer F arooq (r.a.)

Religion sellers level allegation, in their defence, on the Se co nd Ca Ii ph th at du rin g his c ali ph ate he h ad fixe d the salaries for Imams of mosques whereas it is an outright slander. He had fixed such salaries for governors which were given to them in compensation of managing state affairs and no salary or stipend was ever fixed for mosque Imams. Moreover, during Omer (r.a.)'s time stipends and pension were also given to destitute, poor, widows and orphans. Do they all then used to lead prayer?

Answer to the question of religion traders that where the Prophet(s.a.w.) usedto earn his bread from?

Were the questioner study the Koran and Hadith! Had he don e soh e wou Id have neve r tho ug ht so ab out the de ar Messenger of Allah.

"(0 Prophet!) He found you destitute and then enriched you" (93:8)

Many of the Koranic verses testify that the Prophet (s.a.w.) never made religion as money making medium.

Biographical books of the Prophet (s.a.w.) also denote this very thing:

1. Abu Hurairah (r.a.) reports that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said that all the Messengers sent by Allah grazed goats. Sahaba (r.a.) asked whether he too. He replied, "Yes. I used to graze goats of the people of Makkah for few carats" [Bukhari, vol.l] 2. It is established by the Traditions that he also did porterly labour;

3. He had been in the business of commerce. Also his marriage with Khadija (r.a.) was the result of that occupation. Before prophethood, he had earned sufficient wealth which was later utilized in the way of Allah;

4. He possessed land also:

a) Jew Makhriq had bequeathed his land to the

Prophet (s.a.w.) at the time of embracing

Islam on Uhad day;

b) some land was given to him by Ansar28;

c) when the Jewish tribe Banu Nadhir was

banished (from Madina), he got its land

also as Fai29 as Muslims had not had

to fight;

5. He was in receipt of Khums30:

"And know that whatever you take as sp oils of war, a fifth there of is for Allah and for the Me s senger and for the kins man (who has nee d) and orphans and the nee dy and the way

farer" (2 :41)

A LESSON GIVING KORANIC STORY

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Allah Almighty has related in the second section of thirty sixth chapter (Yaseen) of the Koran a story of the township whose inhabitants had gone astray (i.e. they committed treachery with Allah, proved to be ungrateful and disloyal, ascribed associates and peers of Allah from His creature). Allah sent two prophets to them for their guidance. These two prophets called the people of the township towards the Lord [that 0 people! Avow One Allah as your IIah31 i.e Data32, Dastagir33, Mushkil Kusha34, Hajat Rawa36; thank Him One Alone; sacrifice oblation in His name only Who created you; forsake your self-invented Hajat Rawa for they created naught in the universe but were themselves created and now they have died, they have no spark of life; those to whom you invoke leaving one Allah, they created not a single fly in the universe, and fly is a far cry, if it took something from the sweets oblated on their tombs, these dead so-called Data and Dastagir cannot even take that back; therefore invoke that Lord only Who is Ever living, Looking and Hearing, nearer than the juggler vein and has paramount power - The Omnipotent]. When the Messengers of Allah called people of the township to this True Call, they became their arch enemies and rejected their Call. Then Allah sent the third apostle for other two's verification. Those cruel people declin ed to profess Call of all the three apostles (a.s.) and threatened them, "If you desist not, we shall surely stone you." In the meantime, there came from the uttermost part of the city a man running and asked his people:

"0 my propel! Follow those who have been sent. Follow those who ask of you no fe e, and who are rightly guide d" [36:20-21]

But the city people killed that righteous servant of Allah In presence of the three prophets (a.s.).

Where Almighty Lord has described at one hand the

principle that His prophets do not take any remuneration or tem po ra I gain on religious service, He has als 0 advised His slaves on the other to follow those people who do not make religion money making mode, who earn their livelihood through sweat of their eye-brow just like His prophets and who perform religious duties free of cost.

This story of the Koran is very much thought provoking for religion trading Ulema.

Allah does not accept prayer and worship of Haram eater

Abu Hurairah (r.a) reports that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "Allah is pure and ac c epts none but pure only and enj oins the believers with what He enjoined His Messengers i.e. '0 Me s s engersl Eat of that which is lawful and pure, and do go 0 d' and said, '0 Believers! Eat of the pure things wherewith We have provided you' Then he spoke of the man who came from a long journey, who se hair were disheve1e d and dusty, he prayed the Lord by spreading his hands toward sky while his eating, drinking, clothing all was haram and his body was also brought up on h ar am then how his prayer would be

ac c epte d. [S ahih Muslim]

The following is brought-out from the above Tradition:

That charity, alms and spending from lawful earnings accepted by Allah;

Allah has enjoined all His servants, may they whatever status and position, to earn

a) only IS

b) That

belong to

lawful bread; and c) That earning and eating lawful bread is the part and parcel of attaining excellence and exaltation in position (near Allah) and bliss an d beatitude in

worship and acceptance and recognition of prayer.

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Dear Brothers! The living example is before you that every year during Haj, millions of pilgrims of this Ummah wearing Ahram36 pray at the field of Euphrates for the success of Muslims and liberation of Palestine and Kashmir, and besides this, Mosque Imam in each and every country of Islamic world also pray the same but not a single of their prayers is accepted by Allah. It is because of the reason that besides flawy faith, eating and clothing of their majority is haram. Even the Imam of Ka'ba is no exception, he too is eating through religion.

The void way of earning of the so-called Ulema and Mashaikh

This is the misfortune of this Ummah that most of its Ulema and Mashaikh sell the Koranic verses for few farthings in the form of phylactery although the Last Messenger of Alia h - Muhammad (s.avv.) had declared as Mushrik to those who hang amulets:

"H e committe d shirk who hung amulets ." [Abu D awo 0 d]

The wife of Abdullah bin Masood (r.a.) relates that when her husb and saw a talismanic thre ad in her fie ck he aske d as to what was that. She told him that it was an exorcized thread and was hung on account of illness. He broke it out and said, "House of Abdullah bin Mas 0 0 d is fre e from shirk, for I have he ard the Prophet s.a.w.) that spell, amulets and tiwala (talisman for love), all are shirk." [Mishkat, Kitab-ut-Tib-war-Ruqa,pg.389]

But alas! Allah's Scripture is profaned and Holy Verses are sold of few rupees and the persons who do so deceive that it will benefit, it will cure illness. But when they themselves fall sick they rush to the finest hospital of the city for they know that:

The Prop het (s.a .w.) sai d, "Whic hever a ilm ent Alia h has se nt

down, its cure has also been sent." [Bukhari]

And that:

"For every illness, there is a cure. But do not say upon healing that such and such me dicine he ale d me but say that Allah he ale d me." [Muslim, wlr to Mishkat, Kitab-ut- Tib-war-Ruqa,pg.387]

NOTE

The tenets of the Koran and Hadith are enough for a faithful but very unfortunately most of the people do not value co mmandments of Allah and th e teachings of th e Pro ph et Muhammad (s.a.vv.) and have divinized their Ulema and Pir. They do not obey Allah but their Pir and Murshid only. This is Allah's Declaration about such people that:

"They have taken as lords beside Allah their prie sts and monks." (9:31)

"0 believers! Verily many of priests and monks devour the wealth of mankind wantonly and debar from the way of Allah." (9:34)

Come on! Let's pray that may Allah save Muslim Ummah from the mischief of these so-called Ulema and confer the opportunity of professing the Pure Faith! Amen.

"Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after You have guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Your Presence. Verily! You only are the Bestower." (3:8) - Amen.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

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1. Allah:

Allah is the personal name of the Supermost Deity which is replaced by "God" in English. But it is a grammatical rule in every language that personal names (proper nouns) are never changed in any dialect and retained as such. Therefore the word "Allah" is not translated in this booklet.

2.Taqva:

Taqva is that state in which one always fears Allah, death and the proceeding thereafter remain ripe in his view, fulfils all religious obligations honestly, performs rituals regularly an d willingly, keeps from all evils, vices and displeasure of Allah; and exerts to win His favour through pious deeds so that Alia h may ward him off Hell and enter the Paradise.

3.(s.a.w.):

Abbreviation of the prayer in Arabic 'Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam' means May Allah accord him His peace and blessings!

4. Molvis:

The clergymen in Islam. The derogative word for Islamic priests. The scholars who possesses Islamic knowledge and turning religion into a profession amasses money. Another deprecative form is Mullah. Its decent form is called to be Maulana but it is wrong and in view of the Koranic averments it stands for Allah only.

5. Mushrik:

A polytheist, the committer of 'shirk' i.e. polytheism. Here the Arabic word 'shirk' is meant and not that of English spelt alike. Shirk means the practice of making peers of Allah by equalizing or emulating His slaves to Him, ascribing them His partners, etc. This is the most heinous and abominable sin, unpardonable until and unless repented beseechingly, and if not contrited, liable to severe punishment i.e inadmissibility of Paradise and throwing into the Hell for good.

6. Ummah: The general Muslim masses.

7. Taghoot:

Literally Taghoot means the rebel, refractory etc. Whoever transgresses the Truth, rises in revolt, checks and debars from the Truth and hinders between the Creator and the created, Allah and His slaves; is Taghoot which can be the Devil, chiefs, rulers, magnates, great guns and big shots, men of means and money, influential persons, false gods, seducing literature, misleading monks or priests, leaders - religious or political, etc. They all are Allah's enemies and it is super-essential of Faith to repudiate them in toto.

8. Azan:

A loud call made for aggregating the Muslim Mass to say joint prayer. It is also uttered slowly in ears of newly born Muslim children.

9. Nikah: Recitation of few verses from the Koran and

arranging matrimonial alliance.

10. Sunnah: The traditions, sayings, actions, ways, practices, permissions of the Prophet(s.a.w.).

11. Isal-e-Savab:

Its literal meaning is to transmit the requital. The wrong concept that reward of virtuous works viz. prayer, fasting, alms, etc. can be conveyed to any person who may have passed away. Such a spurious notion has no room in Islam and is grossly and wholly repugnant to it.

12. Teeja, Daswan, Chaliswan:

These are post funeral heretic ceremonies. Third, tenth and fortieth day celebration of any dead held for transmission of virtues to the deceased. They are also contrary to Islam.

13. Hadith:

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The Tradition i.e. sayings, actions and permissions of the Prophet (s.aw.) and his Companions (r.a.). Wherever the word Tradition is used in this book be construed as Hadith. Another name for Hadith is Sunnah.

14. Shariah:

The combination of Islamic laws, tenets, taboos, dogmas, doctrines, cults, creeds as enjoined by Allah in the Koran an d interpreted by the Prophet (s.a .w.) in Hadith i.e his sayings. Its obedience is the raison d'etre of every Muslim and is th e real intention of Islam in which lies the salvation.

15.(a.s.):

The short form of the Arabic prayer 'Alai-his-Salam' means May peace be upon him! This is suffixed as the symbol of respect and esteem with the names of prophets and angels.

16. (r.a.):

Abbreviation of the Arabic words 'Razi-Allah-o-Anho' means Allah was pleased with him. This is suffixed with the names of the noble Companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) who are called Sahaba ( sing .Sahabi ) in Arabic. The same short form also comes after the name of the writer of this book which stands for 'Rehmat-u-Allah-alaih' means May Allah's blessings be on him! This prayer is made and written for all deceased pious Muslims.

17. Ulema:

(sing. A'lim means knowing) The Muslim savants, scholars, the persons who possess abundant knowledge of religion and are not professional.

18. Khairul Ouroon:

Means the best times. According to the Traditions, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said that the best time was his age, then the age thereafter, then the age thereafter. The believers of his time who saw him were called Sahaba (sing. Sahabi) and those who saw Sahaba were Tabaeen (singTabaee) and who saw Tabaeen

were called Taba Tabaeen (sing. Taba Tabaee). The times of these three kinds of persons were the best times.

1 g. Huffaz: (sing. Hafiz)

The persons who committed the entire Koran to their memory and can read by heart.

20. Moazzin:

One who calls Azan in a prescribed manner for congregation of salat i.e. prayer.

21 . Rubab: A musical instrument.

22. Dom:

A low born man who belongs to some lower caste and singing and music playing is his profession by caste. He is not regard ed re sp e eta bl e.

23. Samay:

He is also knower of the Koran by heart and rectifies mistakes of Hafiz during recitation of the Koran.

24. Taravih:

A special worship of the holy month of Ramadan (9th month of Muslim calendar) in which complete Koran is recited and listened at night in prayer through out the month. At the end of the month or in its proximity the Koran is completed.

25. Oari: The reciter of the Koran.

26. Mashaikh:

(sin g. Shaikh) Th e spiritual lea d ers, heads of mystic Ii ne ag e s, an offic e invente d in utte r rep ug n an ce to the Islamic tenets. Other synonyms are Murshid, Pir, etc.

27. Sanad:

A rivayat (i.e. Traditional Report) consists of two parts: Sanad

16

and Matan. The part that comprises the full chain of reporters is called Sanad. For judging authenticity of any rivayat its Sanad is first examined i.e the antecedents of th e reporters upon whose soundness depends the soundness of the report.

28. Ansar:

Means helpers. The Madinite Muslims who helped the Prophet (s.aw.) and his Companions (r.a.) when they migrated to Madina from Makkah. They shared them in their property and production.

28. Fai:

The land and wealth units that come into possession of Musl im s without war, were declared as state prop erty - the crown estate.

30. Khums:

One fifth of spoils of war which was given to the Prophet (s.a .w.) as per Allah's order in the Koran.

31.llah:

Ilah is translated in English as god i.e the worshipped. But in accordance with the Koranic interpretation it occupies greater and wider meaning in Islam. Ilah is the Supreme Being, Sole, Lone and the Only Creator and Master of the entire universe and of all animates, Who Alone runs their business in His Sole and Absolute Discretion, Who Alone feeds them by growing foods in multi-varieties, Who Alone fulfils their wants and necessities, Who Alone helps them out their suffering, Who Alone expires them, Who Alone deserves all kinds and forms of worship, Who is Unique and Matchless in His Attributes, Who has no peers and compeers and is free from fancy. (27: 60-64) Nobody can be occupant of such divine and deific qualities except Allah only.

32. Data:

This is the Sanskrit word, means The Giver. that can be none but Allah Only but a mystic - Ali Hajveri is polytheisti cally regarded as Data.

33. Dastagir:

The wrong appellation of another mystic - Abdul Oadir Jilani which is a Persian word and means The Helper, that can be none but Allah Only.

34. Mushkil Kusha:

The Persian phrase which means The Trouble Remover i.e. Allah Only, but the appellation has wrongly been given to Ali (r.a.) .

35. Hajat Rawa:

Who fulfils one's wants in a supernatural and transcendent way i.e. by Allah only.

36. Ahram:

A state and garb in which one is prohibited to practise certain lawful deeds. Ahram is assumed during Hajj and Umrah i.e pilgrimage to Ka'ba.

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