Topics

1

Islamic Duties / Giving Zakat to Relatives

« on: August 10, 2012, 01:49:32 AM »

Salamun Aleykum,
 
The Holy Quran states the following on giving Zakat:

"The alms are only for the Fuqara' (the poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise." [Al-Quran 9:60]

I am unclear about the validity of giving zakat to family members, for example to an uncle who I know is struggling to make ends meet and is in debt, or to a brother who is unemployed.  I read that if one's debts exceeds his assets and his net assets is below the Nisab limit, then one is eligible to receive zakat, but that it is conditional that the debts were not created for any un-Islamic or sinful purpose. I cannot ask my uncle to establish if he is eligible and how his debts came about, so if I am unsure if my zakat will be valid.

Your guidance would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Muslim Sister

2

Islamic Duties / Performing wudu

« on: August 03, 2012, 04:18:23 AM »

Salamu Aleykum

The holy Quran has the following verse regarding performing wudu before salat:

[5:6] "O ye who believe! When ye rise up for prayer, wash your face, and your hands up to the elbows, and lightly rub your heads and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. And if ye are unclean, purify yourselves. And if ye are sick or on a journey,or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have had contact with women, and ye find not water, then go to clean, high ground and rub your faces and your hands with some of it. Allah would not place a burden on you, but He would purify you and would perfect His grace upon you, that ye may give thanks." - Pickthall Translation.

In this verse, it seems that the washing of the face, hands etc is only done once each. Yet all internet sources on wudu state that one should wash the face three times, the hands three times, etc plus put water in the nostrils three times, wash behind the ears. Where does this method originate from? And is it ok to just wash only the face, hands to elbows, head, and feet to ankles, once each rather than three times each?

Thank you!