The Prophet SAW's Last Sermon & the Prohibition of Interest (Riba')

Prophet Muhammad’s SAW Farewell Sermon / خطبة الودا, Khutbatu l-Wada

9 DhulHijjah 10 AH (9 March 632) at Mount Arafat

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) undertook his farewell pilgrimage in the year 10 AH. This pilgrimage is a significant historical event for Muslims; it was both the first and last pilgrimage made by Prophet Muhammad SAW and it has become the model for performing the fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj.

The Prophet SAW delivered his final sermon during the Hajj of the year 632 C.E., on the most blessed day of the year: the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah and he did so at Arafat.

Many Muslims accompanied the Prophet SAW during his last pilgrimage and it was at Arafat that he delivered his last Sermon.

Even today the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad SAW is repeated by Muslims in every corner of the word through all possible means of communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in lectures. The sermon is astounding; it touches upon the most important rights Allah has over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet SAW’s soul has departed from this world, his words live in our hearts.

After praising and thanking Allah, Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.

The final sermon resonates in our hearts. For us at Ansar Finance, we are striving to implement the vision and the words of the Prophet SAW and rekindling the Sunnah.

credit: Hadith of the Day 

EVENT: Islamic heritage of the Balkans at The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC)

The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) is delivering an Islamic Heritage Course. The monthly event will be start on the 25th of January 2014 with the "Islamic heritage of the Balkans". The Balkans incorporate the Islamic Heritage in Romania, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslavia and Albania. The course will be delivered by Dr Stef Keris.

 
Each month, the Islamic Heritage Course will focus on the development and contribution of Islam in a different region, including:

• The Balkans.

• Greece, Cyprus and Turkey.

• Al Andalus (Spain).

• France, Malta and Sicily.

• Eastern Europe.

• Russia.

• The Americas and the Caribbean.

• Africa.

• Central Asia and India.

• China and South East Asia.

• Oceania.

• North and Central Europe.

• The British Isles and Ireland.

• The Ottomans and their history.

• National heroes of that region.

• The Islamic reminders and their history in that region.

• What can we learn from the Bosnian War and the breakup of Yugoslavia?

• Muslims under Communism.

• What can still be visited and where are the Muslims nowadays?

 Date: 25th of January 2014Time: 10:30am - 4:30pmVenue: BMHC, College Road, Manchester, M16 8BP.Cost: £25.00 - All course materials includedFor more information and to register: Tel: 0161 881 8062 
W: www.bmhc.org.uk

  
E: administrator@bmhc.org.uk

EVENT: Islamic Art Exhibition at The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC)

The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) is hosting an exclusive Calligraphy Exhibition; on exhibit will be 30 pieces of unique artwork by esteemed caligrapher, Ibraheem Zia Azeemi.

The Exhibition will be at the BMHC from Monday 16^th December 2013 to Sunday 19^th January 2013, every day between 2:00pm to 5:00pm. The exhibition will be free and open to the public. There will also be an opportunity to purchase original art pieces at the exhibition.

The Exhibition has curated the various styles of Quranic calligraphy accompanied with explanations on their origin and historic significance. Azeemi will also be holding live calligraphy demonstrations and calligraphy workshops on specific days during the period of the exhibition.
 
The Exhibition is a great opportunity to experience Quranic art with families, friends, work colleges and the community.

If you would like to attend, please email administrator@bmhc.org.uk with your name and the day you would like to attend.

The Importance of the Islamic Will

There are numerous references relating to Wills from the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Simply reflecting on just a few of these references ought to make one realise the importance of writing an Islamic Will.

Quran

It is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if he leave any goods, that he make a bequest to parents and near relatives, according to reasonable usage; this is due from the God-fearing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, v 180)

It is the duty of every Muslim who has anything to bequeath not to let two nights pass without writing a Will about it. (Sahih al Bukhari)

Can you afford to delay writing a Will any longer?

Your Islamic Will

Your Islamic Will is likely to include some or all of the following provision relating to:

• Fulfilling the Rights of Allah (swt)

• Clearing your debts

• Protecting your immediate family

• Appointment of Guardians

• Benefiting extended family, orphans and the poor and needy

• Providing guidance to your family

• Choosing your Executors and Trustees

• Funeral Wishes

• Tax Planning

iWill Solicitors specialise in Wills, Inheritance Tax Planning, Trusts and Estate Administration (also known as Probate).

iWill Solicitors has proven track record of consistently meeting the demands of their clients by delivering bespoke, tailor-made solutions and offering advice that is both clear and comprehensive. As well as offering quality advice, they offer a friendly, approachable and, above all, reliable service to all their clients. For more information please visit www.iwillsolicitors.com

Virtues and Fasting of Ashura

The Day of `Ashura’, the tenth of Muḥarram, is a day of great historical significance to Muslims everywhere.

It has been narrated that the Day of `Ashura’ is the day on which Allah (SWT) forgave our father Adam (AS), the day on which the Ark of Nuḥ (AS) came to rest on the mountain known as Al-Jūdī and it was day on which Allah forgave the people of Yūnus (AS).

Ibn 'Abbas ( May Allah be pleased with him) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (SAW) arrived in Medina and found the Banee Israeel observing fast on the day of 'Ashura. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to them: What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Musa (AS) and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Musa observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it.Upon this the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Musa than you have; so Allah's Messenger (SAW) observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura), and gave orders that it should be observed. [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

In another hadith we are told that fasting the day of `Ashura' expiates the sins of the previous year.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, Fasting the day of `Ashura' (is of great merit), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year. [Sahih Muslim]

Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

We should fast on two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram to distinguish ourselves from the Jewish community. [Sahih At-Tirmidhi] 

We ask Allah (SWT) to accept our fast. Ameen

Islamic Finance: What's the fuss?

Islamic Finance is making headline news; from Boris Johnson to the Dubai royals, Islamic Finance is beginning to demand attention from businessmen, the banking sector and economic pundits all over.

But the question is WHY?

Islamic Finance is a relatively new concept to mainstream banking, despite its roots dating back 1400 years. But how do you go about understanding it? Well one way is to strip it to its bare essentials to understand the foundations on which Islamic Finance is based to make sense of the hubbub surrounding it.

The core values of Islamic Finance are:

•      The belief that humans are only the trustees of wealth; all things belong to Allah

•            Interest (Rib’a) is forbidden as it creates inequality in society
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•       Material pursuits (pursuing wealth) must be balanced with spiritual needs

•       Societal responsibilities and social justice must be considered i.e. ensure all economic transactions are fair and equal

•              Equal and a responsible free market is encouraged and strict regulations are placed to ultimately direct the market's functioning towards social responsibility. Monopolies are therefore outlawed.

•        The risk between investor and borrower must be shared

•        Uncertainty in transactions/contract is forbidden e.g. one party may not be as fully informed as the other, or neither party has full control over the outcome of the transaction e.g. insurance

•        Investing money into anything prohibited by Islam and is harmful to society e.g. gambling, pork, alcohol, tobacco

Islamic Finance essentially revolves around earning wealth through responsible, honest and equal means whilst consistently taking social responsibility into consideration. Compare this with today's financial system where its endemic risky nature, irresponsible lending and borrowing, the high interest rates have caused global recession.

Perhaps that's WHY Islamic Finance is coming into the spotlight. People are wondering if the word 'recession' would be familiar to us at all if Islamic finance was commonplace.  

Leaving interest - The classic argument

If you approached a financial expert and said, ‘Hello, lets ban usury’ you would likely get one of the following responses:

• Outright panic
• A fit of endless screaming
• Uncontrollable sobbing
• Hysterical ranting

OR

• If you like the metaphor of 'fat cats' - they would arch their backs and start hissing

Getting rid of interest seems preposterous to many, because it has become an integral part of our lives. The mere thought of separating interest from our finances is as alien as the idea that Britain could ever experience a heat wave – but wait, it did happen!

So IS the idea of not paying or receiving interest really all that hard to comprehend?

Well it certainly wasn’t for some of the greatest thinkers in human history.

Even from ancient times, philosophers such as Aristotle, one of the most celebrated minds in history (Muslim intellectuals of his time called him ‘The First Teacher’), whose contribution to Western philosophy, mathematics, sciences and the arts is forever revered, disliked the idea of interest. He viewed interest as an unnatural and unjust trade.  Money to him was a sterile commodity and a product of law which was intended to be used for exchange not for growing or profiteering solely off of it.

However, Aristotle wasn’t the only philosopher to oppose usury.

Plato, known for his sophisticated writing, establishing the first institution for ‘higher education’ also denounced the practice of interest. To him, usury was the cause of many social problems and the opposite of what he called “virtuous citizenship”, that is a society with morals. He saw interest as pitting one class against another and predicted it would destroy the state. He wrote that an ideal society would be one where interest is never practised and saw it as a solution to containing the “evils of society” such as poverty, negligence and the lack of morality.

Cato the Young was a politician in Ancient Rome and famous for his incorruptible morality and charismatic speeches. He was very public about his contempt for usury. He was once asked “In terms of the best way of property management, what about usury?” Cato sharply replied “what about killing a man?” He viewed usury as a criminal practice and when acting as a magistrate on the Island of Sardinia he commanded for all usurers to be exiled from the island, a decision for which he was criticised as being ‘too harsh.’ In numerous speeches he compared usurers to thieves and on some occasions he said that usurers were far worse than thieves!

So – what does all of this mean?

It means that opposing interest isn't just some crazy idea cooked up by the religions. It has been put forward by classical thinkers as a sustainable idea to prevent social injustice, class division and overall destruction of society.

So one might ponder, if modern Western civilisation was inspired by the laws, philosophy and intellects of ancient Rome and Greek and Democracy was carved by the great minds of the ancient world, would then banning usury be all that alien to us?

Aristotle, Cato and Plato didn’t seem to think so, but then again what would the architects of Western civilisation, philosophy and culture know, right?

Eid Mubarak!

Eid ul-Fitr is almost upon us!

Every Muslim is looking forward to the highly anticipated celebration. We shall soon be enjoying sumptuous food in banquet-like dinner parties, spending time with family and friends - and giving and receiving gifts.

So, to ensure Eid goes smoothly we should start the day in accordance to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) who would:

•          Wake up early
•          Use miswaak
•          Perform ghusl
•          Wear his best clothes
•          Eat dates before leaving for Eid prayers (the Prophet (PBUH) used to eat odd numbers of dates)
•          To recite the following takbeer whilst on the way to Eid prayers:

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar, Allaah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd

(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is most Great, there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most great, Allaah is most great, and to Allaah be praise).

• Offer sadaqah-tul-fitr before observing the Eid prayer
• Perform the Eid prayers
•  Exchange congratulations and good wishes after the prayer has finished
• Go home a different route to the one he used to arrive at the prayers

InshaAllah by following these sunnah, our Eid day will increase in blessings and mercy! Ameen.

Ansar Finance would like to wish you and your family a happy Eid ul-Fitr!

How to live Riba' (interest) free in 3 easy steps

OK, so you've committed to leaving Riba' for good and you want to know how to do it. The problem is, you're already mired in interest, sinking in it.

So what do you do?

You've already done the most important thing. You've realised how dangerous and pernicious interest is. Hoorah!

That's the hardest thing of all.

Once you've realised this it's pretty straightforward. follow the next 3 steps!

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1. Eliminate the use of credit cards. Shred them if you have to.

2. Pay off any interest-based loans and avoid the enticing promotions about you that offer you wonderful items at shocking low rates. With even the offer of 0% for a limited period. They're a sneaky way of trapping you into future finance. Avoid like the plague.

3. Join our movement of educating and promoting absolute 0% interest rate on all loans! 

____________________   

The rest is easy.

Happy shredding.

Payday Loans vs Islamic Loan*

As the Credit Crunch burns a hole in the pockets of ordinary people more and more of us are turning to Payday Loans to fill the hole.

On the face of it the amount to be repaid looks negligible e.g. if you borrow £100 from Wonga.com you need only pay £137.50 after 30 days.What desperate people forget is that Wonga.com’s APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a mouth-watering 5,853%!

That's a kind of number that makes people break out in flames!

So, how does Islam deal with the thorny issue of Personal Loans ? Actually...