The Difference between Economization and Stinginess

 

Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

The difference between economization and stinginess is that the former is a praiseworthy attribute, which originates from two characters: justice and wisdom. So as a result of justice, a person will be reasonable in withholding and spending; and because of wisdom, he will put each of them in its rightful place that suit it. Therefore, economization originates from both of them and it is the middle course between the two blameworthy extremes as stated by Allah: “And let not your hand be tie (like a miser) to your neck nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and in severe poverty.” [Soorah Al-Israa’: 29]

Allah the exalted also said: “And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” [Soorah Al-Furqaan: 67). Elsewhere, He said: “O the child of Aadam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes), while praying and eat and drink and waste not in extravagance.” [Soorah al-A‘raaf: 31]

Stinginess is a blameworthy character that results from evil thought and weakness of the soul, and the promise of Shaytaan reinforces them until he becomes restless, one with intense desire for something that contains evil. Therefore, it will result to withholding from expending it and discontent due to losing it as Allah said: “Verily, man was created very impatient; irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; and niggardly when good touches him.” [Soorah Al-Ma‘aarij: 19-21]

Source: Ar-Rooh by Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah; translated by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam.

The Supplication That Is Hardly Rejected

 

Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) stated:

If supplication is combined with presence of mind, assembled altogether for the entreaty and it coincides with one of the six periods of acceptance of supplication mentioned in the Sunnah. They are the last one third of the night, at the call to prayer, between the adhaan and iqaamah, at the end of the obligatory prayers, when the Imam ascends the pulpit on Friday until the prayer is over, the last hour after ‘Asr prayer on Friday. Moreover, if it happens together with devoutness of the heart, humility before Allah, submissiveness to Him, and imploring Him earnestly and gently with the supplicant facing the Qiblah while in a state of purity and raising his hands to Allah the most High.

He should commence the supplication with praises and exaltation of Allah then he should send peace and blessings upon Muhammad, His slave and Messenger. After that, he should give preference to asking for repentance and forgiveness before his needs. Thereafter he should enter upon Allah, urge Him concerning the request and show love to Him. He should invoke Him in fear and hope and seek nearness to Him with His Names, Attributes and Oneness. He should also offer charity before his supplication, for this supplication would hardly be rejected especially if it tallies with the supplications that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated that are more likely to be accepted or the ones that consist of Allah’s Greatest Names.

Source: Al-Jawaab al-Kaafee Liman Sa’ala ‘an ad-Dawaa’ ash-Shaafee by Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, translated by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam.

Saying Salaam before the Imaam Due To Pressing Need

 

Question: If a ma’moom has a pressing need to urinate or pass wind while in the last tashahhud, is his prayer valid if he says salaam before the Imaam, after discharging the pillars and obligations [of the prayer]?

Response: Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen: Yes, it is valid, because he is excused. And Allaah knows best.

Source: Fataawaa Mu’aasirah, p. 30, by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen; translated by Abdus-Samee’ Abdus-Salaam.