Question

The following du’a has been mentioned to be recited at the time of distributing Zakah:

اللهم اجعلها مغنما، ولا تجعلها مغرما

O Allah! Make it a gain and do not make it a loss

 

Answer

Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) and other Muhaddithun have recorded this Hadith, which is declared unreliable.

The full narration is as follows:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “When discharging Zakah, do not forget its reward by saying, ‘Allahummaj ‘alha maghnamaw wa la taj’alha maghrama.’

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1797, Ad Da’awatul Kabir of Imam Bayhaqi, Hadith: 553, Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 22 pg. 10 and vol. 71 pg. 342)

 

The chain consists of a narrator who has been declared weak by some Muhaddithun and very weak according to others.

Imam Ibn ‘Adiy (rahimahullah) has stated, ‘Most of what he [the problematic narrator in question] reports from his father from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) are unreliable [manakir]’.

Imam Abu Nu’aym Al Asbahani (rahimahullah) has also declared these Hadiths unreliable.

The Hadith in question is reported with this very chain (from his father from Abu Hurayarah). Therefore it is considered unreliable.

(Tahdhibul Kamal, vol. 4 pg. 24-26, Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 1 pg. 284, number: 1075, Taqribut Tahdhib, 642. Also see: Zawaid Ibn Majah, Hadith: 606)

 

However, the meaning of the du’a is correct. Therefore to recite it [as some ‘Ulama have encouraged] without considering it a Sunnah du’a when discharging Zakah is fine.

‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) has suggested reciting the following du’a when discharging Zakah/Sadaqah:

رَبَّنا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إنَّكَ أنْتَ السَّمِيعُ العليم

Rabbana Taqabbal Minna Innaka Antas Sami’ul ‘Alim

(Translation: O our Rabb! Accept from us. You are the one who hears all and knows all)

(Al Adhkar, pg. 317)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar