Question

What is the explanation of the following words in Sahih Muslim?

‘Ma yanqimu Ibnu Jamilin illa annahu kana faqiran fa aghnahullah‘

 

Answer

This is part of a Hadith recorded by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (rahimahumallah). Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sent Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) to collect zakah. Some did not discharge their zakah, Ibn Jamil being one of them.

When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was informed that Ibn Jamil did not discharge his zakah, he said, “The reason he dislikes/refuses to discharge his zakah is because he was poor and Allah Ta’ala made him wealthy” [i.e. He does not have a valid reason. By mentioning Allah’s bounty upon him, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) implied that he is being ungrateful and repaying the good that Allah bestowed upon him with evil].

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1468, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 983. Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1468, vol. 3 pg. 333 and Fathul Mulhim, Hadith: 2252)

 

Some commentators have said that Ibn Jamil was a hypocrite (munafiq) who later repented.

(See: Fathul Bari and Al Isabah, vol. 6 pg. 71-72)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar