Fi sabilillah: Difference between revisions
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The phrase '''''fi sabilillah''''' ({{lang|ar|فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّٰهِ|rtl=yes}}, {{transl|ar|fī sabīli llāh{{smallsup|i}}}}) is an [[Arabic]] expression meaning "in the cause of [[God in Islam|God]]", or more befittingly, "for the sake of God".<ref>[http://www.tyndalearchive.com/TABS/Lane/ Lane], p. 1301, s.v. سبل: |
The phrase '''''fi sabilillah''''' ({{lang|ar|فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّٰهِ|rtl=yes}}, {{transl|ar|fī sabīli llāh{{smallsup|i}}}}) is an [[Arabic]] expression meaning "in the cause of [[God in Islam|God]]", or more befittingly, "for the sake of God".<ref>[http://www.tyndalearchive.com/TABS/Lane/ Lane], p. 1301, s.v. سبل: |
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"''in the way'' meaning ''cause, of God,'' or ''religion;'' or ''in the doing of anything |
"''in the way'' meaning ''cause, of God,'' or ''religion;'' or ''in the doing of anything, '' or ''all, that God has commanded,'' or ''of the works whereby one pursues the way that leads to advancement in the favour of God'' "</ref> Alternative spellings for ''fi sabilillah'' include ''fisabilillah'' and ''fisabillillah'' |
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The phrase - which relates the distribution of [[zakat]] - is found frequently in the [[Quran]], e.g. in [[surah 9]], verse 60: |
The phrase - which relates the distribution of [[zakat]] - is found frequently in the [[Quran]], e.g. in [[surah 9]], verse 60: |
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{{Blockquote|[[Zakat|As-Sadaqat]] (zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (the poor), and Al-Masākīn (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Fi sabilillah (Allah's cause), and for Ibn As-Sabil a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.<ref name = "Quran 4 U">{{cite web|url=http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir/009%20Taubah.htm |title=Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Surah Al Tawbah |work=Quran 4 U |author=Ibn Kathir |author-link=Ibn Kathir |publisher=[[Tafsir]]|access-date=27 December 2019}}</ref>}} |
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From the above context it is closely associated with alms-giving or charity, meaning "he dedicated the revenue or profit to be used in the cause of God", i.e. "he gave to charity". A classical example discussed by Lane in his ''[[Arabic-English Lexicon]]'' of 1863 is that of [[Umar]] who decided to give the revenue of a palm grove of his to charitable use. Because of these connotations, the phrase is closely associated with the concept of [[zakah]] in [[fiqh]] (Islamic jurisprudence).{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} |
From the above context it is closely associated with alms-giving or charity, meaning "he dedicated the revenue or profit to be used in the cause of God", i.e. "he gave to charity". A classical example discussed by Lane in his ''[[Arabic-English Lexicon]]'' of 1863 is that of [[Umar]] who decided to give the revenue of a palm grove of his to charitable use. Because of these connotations, the phrase is closely associated with the concept of [[zakah]] in [[fiqh]] (Islamic jurisprudence).{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} |
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Latest revision as of 14:47, 14 December 2024
The phrase fi sabilillah (فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّٰهِ, fī sabīli llāhi) is an Arabic expression meaning "in the cause of God", or more befittingly, "for the sake of God".[1] Alternative spellings for fi sabilillah include fisabilillah and fisabillillah
The phrase - which relates the distribution of zakat - is found frequently in the Quran, e.g. in surah 9, verse 60:
As-Sadaqat (zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (the poor), and Al-Masākīn (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Fi sabilillah (Allah's cause), and for Ibn As-Sabil a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.[2]
From the above context it is closely associated with alms-giving or charity, meaning "he dedicated the revenue or profit to be used in the cause of God", i.e. "he gave to charity". A classical example discussed by Lane in his Arabic-English Lexicon of 1863 is that of Umar who decided to give the revenue of a palm grove of his to charitable use. Because of these connotations, the phrase is closely associated with the concept of zakah in fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence).[citation needed]
With regards to this phrase's use in Qur'an 9:60 above, according to Maududi majority of earliest Muslim scholars opined fi-sabilillah to mean Jihad,[3] for example, the 14th century scholar Ibn Kathir explained it as: "In the cause of Allah is exclusive for the benefit of the fighters in jihad, who do not receive compensation from the Muslim Treasury."[4] However, Maududi also points out that early scholars were mistaken in limiting Jihad here only to fighting as its peaceful, non-militaristic connotation is also relevant and applicable here.[3] Shafi Usmani interprets it as a religious cause which can include military Jihad or performing some other personal religious duty, such as the Hajj.[5] The progressive scholar, Ghamidi, interprets it broadly as "works in the service of religion".[6]
See also
[edit]- Jihad – which contains further explanations and applications for the term 'Fi sabilillah'
- Zakat – which contains information relating to the distribution to 'Fi sabilillah' recipients
- Kiddush Hashem - a similar term in Judaism
- Brahmacharya - a term for religious self conduct in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism
References
[edit]- ^ Lane, p. 1301, s.v. سبل: "in the way meaning cause, of God, or religion; or in the doing of anything, or all, that God has commanded, or of the works whereby one pursues the way that leads to advancement in the favour of God "
- ^ Ibn Kathir. "Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Surah Al Tawbah". Quran 4 U. Tafsir. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
- ^ a b Maududi, Syed Abul Ala. Tafhim al-Qur'an.
- ^ Tafsīr Ibn Kathir, Surah Tawba.
- ^ Shafi, Muhammad. Ma'ariful Qur'an. p. 413.
- ^ Ghamidi, Javed Ahmed. Al-Bayan.