ICICE AL-NOOR MASJID KHUTBAH FOR FRIDAY 27/12/2020

DO NOT CONSUME ONE ANOTHER’S WEALTH UNJUSTLY

All praise is due to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not placed therein any crookedness. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Him and Prophet Muhammad is His final messenger.

Servants of Allah fear Him.

Allah said: “And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].” (2:188) “O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” (4:29) Prophet Muhammad said: “Hell is more fitting for all flesh which has grown out of what is unlawful.” Narrated by Ahmad.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, blamed the Jews for their consumption of people’s money unlawfully. The Almighty said: “For the wrong-doing of the Jews, We made unlawful to them certain good foods which has been lawful to them, and for their hindering many from Allah’s Way. And [for] their taking of usury while they had been forbidden from it, and their consuming of the people’s wealth unjustly. And we have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.” (4:160 and 161)

Money is a very important in people’s lives. They can never do without it. Without it their lives will be greatly disturbed. Because of its great importance, Sharia prescribed preservation of money and taking care of it. Money is of two types: permissible and forbidden. Shari’ah has made for lawful money means and methods through which it is acquired. What was taken otherwise from deviant ways is not permissible. Because it is forbidden money, it is never permissible to be taken or to be eaten, and Shari’ah warns against this type of money with the strongest warning.

The prayers of a person who consumes Haram would not be approved by Allah even if that person attain all other conditions for his prayers to be approved by Allah. The Prophet mentioned a person on a lengthy journey, disheveled, dusty, stranded, raises his hands to the sky and calls, and says: “O Lord, Lord!” while he feed on forbidden and impermissible, likewise his drink, clothing and was fed on forbidden and impermissible. How could his prayers be accepted?

Non permissible money has different types. Such as:

1. Riba, interest and usury.
2. Sale of gold and silver on credit or delayed payment
3. Money earned from theft, bribery, usurpation
4. Money earned via deceit and deception
5. Selling what one does not own or possess and that of orphans.

Money and wealth of many people are being taken away unjustly through many dubious means such as network and multi-level marketing, Ponzi scheme in various names and formats. Others are Riba and Gharar based banking and insurance systems that are rampant.

Alternatives to the non-permissible schemes mentioned above are cooperative societies, portfolio management, investment portfolios and investment funds as well as the Islamic banks and Takaful outfits. But they all need regulations, licensing, check, balances Shari’ah compliance and auditing.

The purpose of money is to serve the members of society to facilitate the exchange of goods needed to live a virtuous life. Interest hinders this purpose by putting an unnecessary burden on the use of money. Interest is contrary to reason and justice.

Many previous leaders fought consumption of the people’s money unjustly, such as Julius Caesar of the Roman Empire, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King Charlz et c, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Otto Von Bismark.

Promoters of unjust consumption of people’s money fought all these leaders and any one who stands on their way. They impose all means, especially Riba and debt, to enslave people to continue consuming their money unjustly. Such system imposes on citizens payment of the compound interest through various taxation. Inflation, deflation, recession and depression are all results of there inhumane financial systems. It destroys the economy of nations.

Shari’ah has provided many legitimate ways for people earn money and wealth.  All we need is to learn and ask the learned.

This podium, previously, explained that human beings are instructed to do the needful but Allah is the Provider. Members of the society are encouraged to form MSMEs and access the intervention especially of FGN via CBN, SMEDAN et c which MUST be Riba free to improve the economy of the nation. The rate of financial exclusion in this country is very high and unmanageable.

Conclusion:

1. We must, individually and collectively, stop patronizing Riba and Gharar based financial institutions.
2. FGN must provide Riba free economic stimulus.
3. Ensure Halal consumption.
4. Peace and safety are necessary for agricultural production and doing business. Lack of them results in shortage of food supply and increase of prices as well as destruction of economy.