Good people want to see good prevail. Among the many blessings that God gave us are those precious drops of water falling from the sky to breathe life into a dead land. But we should realize that it doesn’t rain just because we want it to and that there are reasons that make the gates of heaven open.
To enjoy rain Muslims should prove they are worthy of this blessing and this is done through the fulfillment of religious duties. It is no wonder to find a close link between rain and zakah (the 2.5 percent Muslims are required to pay from their savings). If zakah is withheld, people should not expect rain.
The country continues to experience severe and prolonged periods of drought. Successive poor rainy seasons and the rapid depletion of underground water have severely affected agriculture and grazing. There are reasons for this, and if we manage to diagnose the illness we can proceed to prescribe the medicine. The first thing people should do is seek forgiveness and atone for their sins.
It is these and other good acts that bring rain. In the Holy Qur’an we read of Prophet Hud admonishing his people “And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him (in repentance). He will send you the skies pouring abundant rain and add strength to your strength.”
No doubt failure to pay zakah on time as prescribed by Allah is one reason why rain stopped coming and the country is plagued with drought. In the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) it has been reported that when people stop paying zakah, God will deny them rain.
We read of how much money banks and companies operating in this country continue to make, as shown from their balance sheets published at the end of each fiscal year, not to mention the many wealthy who do not make public their businesses or profits. It is thus advisable for banks, companies and other businesses as well as individuals to pay zakah and spend the money in the country.
Arab News From the Local Press 10 May 2003
