Islamic Exemplary Stories
Because it does not pay zakat
A group of tabiins (those who studied with the companions of the Prophet SAW) visited another tabiin named Abu Sinan. But Abu Sinan said, “Let's come with me to pay tribute to my neighbor whose brother died!!”
They immediately went to the neighboring house of Abu Sinan, and found the man weeping complaining about the condition of his brother who had died and was buried. The paratabiin tried to comfort and enlighten him by saying, ”Don't you know that death is an inevitable path and certainty???”
The man said, “It is true, but I weep for my brother who is now facing the torment of the grave!!”
They looked at each other for a moment, then said, “Did Allah show you the unseen news??”
He said, “No, but when he was finished burying him and the people left his grave, I sat alone flattening the grave ground while praying for him Suddenly a voice came from the ground :.aach, they left me alone in the face of this torment, when I had actually fasted, I had actually performed the prayer.
For a moment the man was silent trying to hold his sobs, then said again, “Hearing that word, I cried and dug out his grave again to see what he was facing. I saw a fire licking there, and around her neck was a necklace of fire. My affection and pity made me want to reduce the pain, so I reached out to remove the necklace of fire, but my hands and fingers were struck by the fire before I could touch it.!!”.
He showed his blackened hand, and said again, “I immediately closed his grave again, and continued to grieve, weep and regret his condition.!!”.
He said, “He did not issue his property zakat!!”
One of the tabiins named Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Qiryabi said, “It justifies the word of Allah SWT :
Let not those who are filial with the riches which Allah has given them of His bounty think that they are good for them. In fact, it is bad for them. The treasure which they consecrated shall be put in its neck on the Day of Resurrection. To Allah belongs all the inheritance (which is) in the heavens and the earth. And Allah knows what you do. (QS. Ali Imran 180). While your brother was hastened his torment in the grave until the day of doomsday arrived.”.
The tabiins said goodbye, and they visited the Prophet SAW's friend, Abu Dharr al Ghifari. They told the story of Abu Sinan's neighbor, and closed the story with the question, “…. We've seen many Jews, Nasranis and Magi die, but we've never heard a story like this!!”
Abu Dharr said, “They (the Jews, the Nazarenes and the Magi) are clear in hell, and Allah will show you the condition of the believers (who suffer the torment), so that you can take like (lesson). Has not Allah said: Verily, there has come from your Lord clear proofs; and whosoever sees (the truth), then (for his benefit) is for himself; and whosoever is blind (does not see the truth), his harm shall return to him. And I (Muhammad) am not your guardian. (QS al An’am 104)...!!”.
The punishment of Allah is severe. May we all be spared the torment of Allah SWT. Amyn....
