ACJU/NGS/2022/077
2022.03.31 (1443.08.27)
The cost of living is on the rise in our country, and we are facing a massive economic crisis. And it is evident that the people are facing difficulties in purchasing essentials.
During such critical trials, as servants of Allah, we should turn towards Him. In order to be relieved from these trials, we should engage in good deeds such as prayers, fasting, Sadaqa (charity), Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), Isthighfar (seeking forgiveness), Du’a (suplications).
Thus, the guidance offered by Islam is very helpful in facing the economic challenges presently faced by everyone. These guidelines shall be greatly helpful to overcome a crisis situation and to strengthen the economy.
- Every Mu’min (Believer) should believe that everything in this world happens as per Allah’s discretion, and should turn towards Him.
قُلْ لَّنْ يُّصِيْبَـنَاۤ اِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللّٰهُ لَـنَا هُوَ مَوْلٰٮنَا وَعَلَى اللّٰهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ (9:51)
“Say, Nothing can ever reach us except what Allah has destined for us. He is our Master. And in Allah alone the believers must place their trust.” (Sura 09 Verse 51)
- Placing our trust upon Allah regarding all our affairs.
وَمَنْ يَّتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّٰهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهٗؕ
“And whoever places his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him”. (Sura 65 Verse 03)
- Everyone should fear Allah in all circumstances, follow His commands and completely abstain from all that is prohibited by Him.
وَلَوْ اَنَّ اَهْلَ الْقُرٰٓى اٰمَنُوْا وَاتَّقَوْا لَـفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَرَكاٰتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالْاَرْضِ
“If the people of the towns believed and feared Allah, We would have opened for them blessings from the heavens and the earth,” (Sura 07 Verse 96)
وَمَنْ يَّـتَّـقِ اللّٰهَ يَجْعَلْ لَّهٗ مَخْرَجًا (65:2) وَّيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ) 65:3(
“Whoever fears Allah, He brings forth a way out for him. And provides him (with what he needs) from where he does not even imagine,” (Sura 65 Verse 2-3)
- Relieving from sins and performing Tauba (repentance) and Isthighfar (seeking forgiveness).
اسْتَغْفِرُوْا رَبَّكُمْ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ غَفَّارًا (71:10) يُّرْسِلِ السَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّدْرَارًا (71:11) وَّيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِاَمْوَالٍ وَّبَنِيْنَ وَيَجْعَلْ لَّـكُمْ جَنّٰتٍ وَّيَجْعَلْ لَّـكُمْ اَنْهٰرًا (71:12)
“So I said, ‘Pray to your Lord for your forgiveness, Indeed He is Very-Forgiving. And He will cause the heavens to rain upon you in abundance. And will help you with wealth and children, and will cause gardens to grow for you, and cause rivers to flow for you. (Sura 71: Verse 10-12)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said: Seeking forgiveness from Allah, shall grant relief for a life full of difficulties.
عن عبد الله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما قَال : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : “مَنْ لَزِمَ الِاسْتِغْفَارَ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ ضِيقٍ مَخْرَجًا ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ هَمٍّ فَرَجًا ، وَرَزَقَهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ” رواه أبو داود ، وابن ماجه ، وأحمد
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (RadhiyAllahu Anhum) has narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.” (Abu Dawood, Ibnu Maajah, Ahmadh)
- Seeking help from Allah through patience and worship.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
O you who believe, seek help through patience and prayer. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient. (Sura 02 Verse 153)
- The wealthy and social welfare activists should work towards assisting those who are affected and distressed and support them in this critical situation.
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard-pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter.” (Sahih Muslim: 2699)
- Abstaining from spending excessively during this period, and limiting the spending for essential food and clothing, as much as possible.
وَّكُلُوْا وَاشْرَبُوْا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوْا ۚ اِنَّهٗ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِيْن
“O children of ’Ādam, take on your adornment at every mosque. Eat and drink and do not be extravagant. Surely, He does not like the extravagant.” (Surah 07 Verse 31)
- Abstaining from unnecessary travels and hobbies
- Business community should ensure to uphold honesty and trustworthiness while engaging in their trades and should strictly avoid from evil activities such as defrauding, false promises, deceiving, concealing damages while trading, adulteration etc.
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ رضي الله عنه عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: التَّاجِرُ الصَّدُوقُ الأَمِينُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّينَ، وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ، وَالشُّهَدَاءِ. (سنن الترمذي : 1209)
Hazrat Abu Sa’eed (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: The truthful, trustworthy merchant is with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs. (Sunan At-Tirmidi 1209)
Accordingly, we kindly request the public to abide by the above mentioned guidelines.
May the Almighty Allah relieve us from this crisis situation, Aameen!
Ash-Shaikh M. Arkam Nooramith
General Secretary
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
Ash-Shaikh M. L. M. Ilyas
Secretary – Fatwa Committee
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
