THE VALUE OF THE FUQARA (THE POOR) AND THEIR TASBEEH

Hadhrat Anas Bin Maalik (radhiallahu anhu) narrates that once the Fuqaraa sent a representative to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He said to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): “I am the delegate of the fuqaraa.” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “I regard as my friends those whose delegate you are.”

The delegate said: “The fuqaraa say that all goodness has been acquisitioned by the wealthy, while we are deprived. In fact, the wealthy have gained Jannat. They perform Hajj while we lack the means for it. They give Sadaqah, while we are unable. They free slaves while we lack this ability. When they are sick, they transform their wealth into a treasure (by means of charity).”

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Inform them that those among you who are patient and have the niyyat of attaining thawaab, for them are three such ranks which are not for the wealthy.

The First Rank: In Jannat will be some mansions of red Yaqoot (a precious stone of Jannat) which will be situated at extremely lofty heights. The people of Jannat will look at these mansions in the same way as the people of the earth look at the stars. Besides a Nabi; a Shaheed and a Mu`min Faqeer, no one will enter.

The Second Rank: The fuqaraa will enter Jannat 500 years before the wealthy.

The Third Rank: When a faqeer recites with sincerity: he gains such thawaab which the wealthy will not acquire even if they spend 10 000 Dirhams (in the Path of Allah). This is the superiority of the faqeer over the wealthy in all deeds of virtue.” When the delegate informed the fuqaraa of this message, they exclaimed in ecstasy: “O Allah! We are pleased! We are pleased!”

HONOUR THE FUQARA

According to Hasan Basri (rahmatullah alayh), Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Have a greater awareness of the fuqaraa and be kind to them because there is a great treasure for them.” When the Sahaabah asked about their treasure, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “On the Day of Qiyaamah it will be said to them; search for those who had given you a piece of bread or who had given you a garment or who had given you water to drink, and take them into Jannat.”

Hasan Basri (rahmatullah alayh) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “On the Day of Qiyaamah, the faqeer will be ushered into Allah’s presence. He will plead with Allah as a person pleads with another person. Allah Ta`ala will say: ‘By My Splendour and Grandeur! I did not keep the world away from you because you were contemptible to Me. I did so because I had treasured wonderful bounties for you. These rows (of people) who are in front of you – go into them and take hold of anyone’s hand who had given you something to eat or drink or wear. Then do with them as you wish.’ At that time the condition of the people will be such that they will be immersed in perspiration until their mouths. The faqeer, on hearing this command will enter into the rows and search for the people (who had fed him). He will hold them by the hand and take them into Jannat.”

AWAKE RAMADHAAN 1435