Lesson No 101

TAKING VOWS

17. How is it to take vows?

Ans. Taking vows is allowed and fulfilling such vows after the prayers have been answered, is compulsory.

17. Is it ordained to fulfil every vows?

Ans. A vow which is not for things against religion and are in keeping with the stipulated conditions must be fulfilled. But fulfilling a vow which goes against the tenets of religion is forbidden.

17. What are the conditions precedent for a vow?

Ans. Preconditions for a vow are as follow ;

The vow should not be beyond the power or jurisdiction of the person concerned, otherwise the vow shall not be in order. For example, this is no way to vow that should such and such prayer be answered "X" shall give the entire merchandise in the shop of "Y" for alms. Such a vow will not be valid because property belonging to "Y" is not the possessions of "X" and hence beyond his jurisdiction and control. Besides, there are other preconditions which cannot be accommodated within the limited space of this book.

17. How is it to ask some prayer from a saint or the chosen one of Al-lah and have a vow on the basis of the outcome of such a prayer?

Ans. It is forbidden to ask prayers from any one except Al-lah and have a vow for them, because such a vow would be a form of worship which only Al-lah deserves.

17. What to we mean by Zakat (alms)?

Ans. Zakat is the name given in Islam to that portion of money or wealth which as per Al-lah’s command is given to the poor and the needy so that they become the owners of it. In other words, fasting and prayers are forms of bodily worship while Zakat is form of worship which is pecuniary in nature.

17. Is the giving of alms a commanded (Fard) or an ordained (wajib) act?

Ans. Giving alms is a commanded act. The commanded nature of Zakat is evident from the verses of the Qur’an as well as from the sayings (Hadith) of the holy Prophet. Anyone denying the commanded nature of Zakat is an unbeliever.

17. Under what conditions does "alms-giving" become a command for a person?

Ans. ‘Almsgiving is a command for a person who combines in himself the following conditions:

1. he is a Muslim;
2. he is a free person:
3. he is a major;
4. he is the owner of Nisab (the minimum required capital free from all encumbrances and needs);
5. one full year has passed since he came to exclusively possess the above said capital.

Zakat will become a command and an obligation if all the above conditions combine in a person. Naturally, therefore, an unbeliever, a slave, a lunatic or a minor are not duty bound to pay Zakat.

Similarly, if a person has less capital with him than the minimum prescribed for Nisab, or he is under dept or else one full year has not elpased since he came to possess so much wealth, Zakat is not a command for him.

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