A Remarkable Story

A Remarkable Story!

by Anonymous

The undermentioned incident is narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak

(RA). He was a man of great learning and he lived in the era of the

Abbasids. This incident reflects the love and attachment with the Noble

Quran. It also Manifestates the comprehensiveness of the Noble Quran.

An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to

Haj. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) happened to pass that way. He was

also heading for Baitullah, for Hajj, and to the Sacred tomb of the Holy

Prophet (Sallallaahu ?layhi Wasallam). Seeing this lady very disturbed

and in a state of despair, (distressed) he spoke to her. The discussion

is recorded as follows:

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah

The lady: "The word from a merciful Lord is Peace" (Surah 36 Aayat 58).

She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, Most High, Himself.

She said further: "Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide

for them." (Surah 7 Aayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Where are you coming from?

The lady: "Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the

Musjid-e-Aqsa (invioble place of worship) to the Musjid-e-Haraam" (Far

distant place of worship) (Surah17 Aayat1). She meant that she had come

from Musjid-e-Aqsa.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): How long are you in this place?

The lady: "For three nights" (Surah 19 Aayat10).

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What arrangements are made for your

food?

The lady: "And who (Allah) feedeth me and watereth me" (Surah 26 Aayat

79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her by

Allah.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Is there any water for Wudhu?

The lady: "And ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and (make

tayammum) rub your faces and hands." (therewith) (Surah 4 Aayat 43). She

meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Here is some food. Partake of it.

The lady: "Strictly observe the fast till nightfall" (Surah 2 Aayat

187). She indicated that she is fasting.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): This is not the month of Ramadaan.

The lady: "And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo! Allah is

responsive, aware". (Surah 2 Aayat158) meaning that I have observed an

optional (nafl) fast.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): It is permitted to break the fast

when in a journey.

The lady: "And that ye fast is better for you, if you did but know."

(Surah 2 Aayat 184)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Speak like how I speak.

The lady: "He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer

ready" (Surah 50 Aayat 18). She meant that since every word of a person

is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in

the words of the Holy Quran.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Which clan do you belong to?

The lady: "Follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge, lo! The

hearing and the sight and heart of each of these it will be asked"

(Surah 17 Aayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge

of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses) by

enquiring about them.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Forgive me. I have certainly made a

mistake.

The lady: "Have no fear this day. May Allah forgive you" (Surah 12 Aayat

92)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Would you like to travel on my camel

and meet your caravan?

The lady: "And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it" (Surah 2 Aayat

197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me, Allah will

recompense you for it.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Well, then you may mount it.

Saying this he made the camel to sit down.

The lady: "Tell the believing men (when confronted by women) to lower

their gaze". (Surah 24 Aayat 30). Hadhrat Abdullah understood and

(turned) looked away. While she was mounting, the camel jerked and her

clothes got estrangled in the saddle (dorsers) and she proclaimed:

"whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your hands have

earned." (Surah 42 Aayat 30). In other words she was drawing Hadhrat

Abdullah bin Mubarak's (RA) attention towards this mishap.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood and he tied the legs of the

camel and he straightened the straps of the saddle (or dorser). She

applauded him for his proficiency and capability by saying "And we made

Sulaiman to understand" (Surah 21 Aayat 79). When the journey was about

to begin, the lady recited the Aayats which are read when undertaking a

journey "Glorified be he who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not

capable (of subduing them). And lo, unto our Lord we are returning."

(Surah 43 Aayat 13).

Hadhrat Abdullh bin Mubarak (RA) held the bridle (or nose string) of the

camel. He began to hum the (Huddi) famous Arabic song for travelling,

and he started walking very fast.

The lady: "Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice" (Surah 31

Aayat 19). Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood. He began

walking slower and he lowered his voice.

The lady: "Recite of the Quran that which is easy for you." She meant

that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Holy

Quran.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) began reciting the Holy Quran.

The lady became very pleased and said "but none remember (accept advice)

except men of understanding" (Surah 2 Aayat 269).

After reciting the Holy Quran for a while, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak

(RA) asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive) "O Aunt,

have have you a husband? (meaning is he living)

The lady: "O you who believe, ask not of things which if they were made

known unto you, would trouble you" (Surah 5 Aayat 101). She meant that

no questions should be asked regarding this matter which indicated that

her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught up) met

the caravan.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Do you have any son or relative

(friend) in this caravan who has connection (contact) with you?

The lady: "Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world"

(Surah 18 Aayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan and

he has provisions with him.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What work are your sons doing for the

caravan? (Hadhrat Abdullah's object for asking was to make it easy for

him to recognise her son).

The lady: "And landmarks, and by the star they find a way" (Surah 16

Aayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Can you tell me their name?

The lady: "Allah chose Ibrahim as (for) a friend" (Surah 4 Aayat 125).

And Allah spoke directly unto Moosa" (Surah 19 Aayat 12). By reciting

these Aayats the lady informed him that her sons names were Yahya,

Ibrahim and Moosa.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) called out these names in the caravan

and immediately three young people came forward.

The lady: (addressing her children) "Now send one of you with this your

silver coin unto the city. And let him see what food is purest there and

bring you a supply thereof" (Sura 18 Aayat 19) In other words she

instructed them to feed Hadhrat Abdullah (RA).

When the food was brought, she told Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA):

"Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the past

days." (Surah 69 Aayat 24), and with this Aayat she recited another

Aayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her gratefulness to him

for his good conduct and courtesy. The Aayat was: "Is the reward of

goodness aught save goodness?" (Surah 55 Aayat 60).

Their conversation terminated on this Aayat. The lady's son informed

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) that his mother has been speaking in

this manner, i.e. using only the Aayats of the Holy Quran in her speech,

for the last forty years.

5 Reasons On Why Does Allah Test Us.

Allah tests His believing servants with various types of crises and disasters in order to:

1) Reveal the Patient from the Impatient:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

أُولَـٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ

“And certainly, We shall test you with a bit of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits. But give glad tidings to the patient ones who, when afflicted with a calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They are those upon whom are the blessings, descend from their Lord, and they receive His Mercy, and it is they who are guided.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ حَرْفٍ ۖ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُ خَيْرٌ اطْمَأَنَّ بِهِ ۖ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ انْقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةَ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ

“And among mankind is he who worships Allah as if he were upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content with it;. But if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face. He loses both this World and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss.”(Surah al-Haj 22:11)

“So, it is a must for the souls to be nurtured by way of tests, and to be severely tested during the course of the battle between truth and falsehood with fear and hardship, and with hunger and decrease in wealth and life and fruits. This testing is a necessity so that the believer can give his share of what his belief requires; so that it becomes dear to him in accordance with that he gives for its sake of sacrifice and burden; so that it becomes dear to him in accordance with what he is willing to give for its sake! The bearers of worthless beliefs that do not require any type of sacrifice will not hesitate to abandon their beliefs at the first sign of hardship. So, the burden here is the personal price that one pays so that this belief becomes dear and valuable in the hearts of its bearers before it becomes dear to the hearts of anyone else. Whenever they experience pain for its sake, and every single time they are forced to give something up for its sake, it becomes even dearer and more valuable to them, and they become even more honored with it. With this, nobody else will realize its value until they see how its bearers are tested because of it and how patient they are upon such tests.”

(‘Fi Dhilal al-Qur’an’; 1/145)

2) Remove Our Sins and Reward the Righteous:

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِي إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَفَلَمَّا أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُ لِلْجَبِينِ

وَنَادَيْنَاهُ أَنْ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُقَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا ۚ إِنَّا كَذَ‌ٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَإِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُوَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ

“And, when he was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you, so what do you think?” He said: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded, if Allah Wills, you will find me to be of the patient.” Then, when they had both submitted, and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead, and We called out to him: “O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the dream!” Verily! Such do We reward the good-doers.” (Surah as-Saffat :102-7)

Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas reported that he asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW): “Which of the people are tested most severely?” Rasulullah (SAW) replied: “The Prophets, then the righteous, then those who are most like them, then those who are most like them from the people. A man is tested according to his religious commitment. So, if his religious practice is sound, then his testing is increased, and if his religious practice is weak, then his testing is reduced. A servant continues to be tested until he walks the Earth without a single sin on him.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)

3) Purify the Ranks and Distinguish the Righteous from the Wicked:

مَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّىٰ يَمِيزَ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَجْتَبِي مِنْ رُسُلِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۚ وَإِنْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

“Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now until He distinguishes the wicked from the good.” (Surah Al ‘Imrân 3:179)

أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُمْ مِنْ نَاصِرِينَ

“And when the believers saw the Confederates, they said: “This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger had spoken the truth,” and it only added to their faith and submissiveness.” (Surah Ahzaab 33:22)

“Allah might make easy the affairs of the people of evil so that they may increase in sin and corruption, and so that they might increase in their buildup of sins and crimes. Then, he may deal with them in this World or the Hereafter – depending on His Wisdom and Decision – on account of this sinister buildup of deeds! On the other hand, He may also prevent them from ease so that they would increase in evil and sin and crimes and suffocation, eventually losing hope in the Mercy of Allah, resulting in an increase in their buildup of evil and misguidance. Likewise, Allah can make easy the affairs of the people of good so that they may become established in their righteous actions and carry out as much of them as they can while increasing in their sustenance, so that they may thank Him for these blessings with their hearts, tongues, and pleasant actions. With all of this, they increase in a buildup of good deeds that they rightfully deserve with Allah because of their righteousness and because of the good that Allah Knows is in their hearts. On the other hand, he may also prevent them from ease in order to observe their patience upon this state, as well as their confidence and hope in their Lord, their relaxation at the realization of His Power, their being pleased with Him as their only Lord – and He is better than all others – resulting in an increase in their buildup of good.”

(Fi Dhilal al-Qur’an)

4) Emphasize the Hardships of This World in Comparison to the Hereafter:

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌالَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

“Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the kingdom, and He is Able to do all things. The One Who has created death and life in order to test you and see which of you is best in deed, and He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.”(Surah al-Mulk 67:1-2)

5) Expose the Reality of the Human Being:

إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًاإِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا

“Verily, We have created man from drops of mixed semen in order to test him, so We made him hearer, seer. Verily, We showed him the way, so he is either grateful or ungrateful.” (Surah al-Insan 76: 2-3)

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

“Verily, We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it so that We may test them as to which of them are best in deeds.” (Surah al-Kahf 18:7)

وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ الْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

“And it is He Who has made you generations after generations, replacing each other on the earth. And He has raised you in ranks – some above others – that He may test you in that which He has bestowed on you. Surely, your Lord is Swift in retribution, and certainly He is Oft*-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah al-An’am 6:165)

“A human being is tested so that he may come to know the reality of himself and others. Life is consists of constant testing; testing with what is bad, or testing with what is good. However, what is best for the believer may be found in what he hates, and what is bad for him may be found in what he likes. The true believer is the one who loves that which Allah has chosen for him. So, if He tests him with something that he loves, he thanks Him, and if He tests him with that which he hates, he is patient and thanks Him in this case, as well. And Allah – the Glorified – gives the believer in accordance with what will lead to his happiness in either this World or the next. So, if it is better for him to have something, Allah gives it to him. If it is better for him not to have something, Allah prevents him from having that thing, just as one who is sick is prevented from too much food or water. Therefore, it is upon a person to completely submit to Allah – the Glorified – in regards to what He has chosen for him, and to be pleased with what Allah has given him, and to understand that if Allah prevents him from something, then it is because Allah wishes to save him from being tested with that thing.”

21 Common Misconceptions about Zakaah

Misconception # 1: I pray, dont I? Whats the big deal if I dont give Zakaah?

Zakaah is one of the PILLARS of Islam and NOT an option. It is just as important to ones faith as Salaah. In fact, anyone who denies it is a Kaafir and the Prophet (pbuh) and his Sahaba waged war against such persons even though they uttered the Shahadah and prayed Salaah.

About such people Abu Bakr said: “By God! I shall certainly wage war against the people who discriminate between Salaah and Zakaah.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Misconception # 2: But it will decrease my wealth!

Abu Hurayra said that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

“Whoever is given wealth by Allaah and does not pay the Zakaah due thereupon shall find that on the Day of Arising it is made to appear to him as a hairless snake with two black specks, which chains him, and then seizes him by his jaw and says, -I am your wealth! I am your treasure!’

Then he recited the verse, ‘Let not those who are miserly with what God has given them of His bounty think that this is good for them. Rather, it is bad for them. That which they withhold shall be hung around their necks on the Day of Arising. [3:180] (Bukhaari)

Misconception # 3: I dont have to pay Zakaah every year.

Zakaah is an obligation that must be paid each year.

The Prophet (pbuh) used to send the zakaah-collectors to the tribes and cities, and they did not differentiate between those who had paid their zakaah the previous year and those who had not, rather they used to take the zakaah that was due on all the “zakaatable” wealth that people possessed.

Misconception # 4: I never paid Zakaah before, I will just repent and that should be enough

The one who never paid Zakaah before should repent to Allaah first. Then he should estimate the amount of Zakaah that was due on him over the years as best he can, and pay it as soon as possible

Misconception # 5: I dont have to pay Zakaah if I owe a debt

The one who has any “zakatable” wealth must pay zakaah on it, when one year has passed since he acquired it, even if he has debts, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions. The Prophet (pbuh) used to command his agents to take zakaah from those who owed zakaah, and he did not tell them to ask them whether they had any debts or not. (Majmoo Fataawa -Abd al-Azeez ibn Baaz)

Misconception # 6: I will waive my debt and count that as Zakaah

The Prophet (pbuh) said to Muaadh ibn Jabal, when he sent him to Yemen :“Teach them that Allaah has enjoined upon them zakaah on their wealth, to be taken from their rich and given to their poor.”

He (pbuh) explained that zakaah is something which is to be taken and given, so on this basis it is not permissible to let off someone who owes you money and count that as zakaah, because letting someone off a debt does not involve taking and giving. (Fataawa Manaar al-Islam by Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen)

Shaykh al-Islam said: “letting someone off a debt does not relieve one of the obligation of zakaah, and there is no scholarly dispute on this matter. But you can give this needy person some of your zakaah and he can meet his needs using what you give him as zakaah; and Allaah will help him to pay off his debt in the future, inshaAllaah.”

Misconception # 7: I have lent someone some money. I dont have to pay Zakaah on it.

In this situation, there can be two scenarios;

1. If the borrower is rich and is known to repay debts promptly: The lender has to pay Zakaah annually on the money lent, because it is possible to recover the money readily and it is like money that is in ones possession.

2. If it is unlikely that the lender will get his money back or the borrower is known to delay repayment: Then the lender does not have to pay zakaah before he gets the money back, because it is not readily accessible and is not like money that is in ones possession.

Misconception # 8: I pay my taxes so I dont have to pay Zakaah!

The taxes we pay are to govt , not to Allah to Whom the Zakaah is due. And this Zakaah money is to be only spent according to the rules of Shareeah in certain specific ways. Thus, it is not permissible for the taxes we pay on our wealth to be counted as part of Zakaah. The obligatory Zakaah must be paid separately.

Misconception # 9: I will use the money that I receive from my bank as interest to pay off Zakaah

First of all, putting money in the bank in return for interest is a kind of riba which Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and it is a major sin.

The Prophet(pbuh) cursed the one who consumes riba and the one who pays it. (Muslim)
This money cannot be used to pay Zakaah or other kinds of charity since it is impure and a haraam form of wealth.

Misconception # 10: I will pay Zakaah on whatever is OVER the Nisaab

If ones wealth surpasses the amount of nisaab, then Zakaah is due upon it ALL, and not upon the surplus only.

Misconception # 11: Zakaah is due on precious gems, stones and diamonds

No zakaah is due on gems, precious stones, diamonds, etc. unless they are prepared for trade, in which case they come under the same ruling as all other trade goods

Misconception # 12: I will buy diamonds so that I dont have to pay Zakaah

Some people try to get out of Zakaah by investing in diamonds, since no Zakaah is due on them, and think they can outsmart Allah. Doesnt Allaah know whats in our hearts and minds?
They forget that Zakaah is due on them if they are prepared for trade.

“They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive none except themselves, though they do not sense it.“ (Surah al-Baqarah: 9)

Misconception # 13: The husband HAS to pay Zakaah on the wifes jewelry and wealth!

It is NOT the husbands duty to pay Zakaah on his wifes jewelry, wealth, etc. Rather, it is her responsibility, since she is the possessor of the wealth. If her husband or someone else pays zakaah on her behalf with her permission, that is o.k., and he will be rewarded for this voluntary action.

Misconception # 14: I only have gold, but I do not have any money. So, I dont have to pay Zakaah….

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: “Zakaah must be paid on jewelry if it reaches the nisaab (minimum threshold), which is 85 grams. If it reaches this amount, zakaah must be paid on it. If she has other wealth and pays from that, there is nothing wrong with it. If her husband or one of her relatives pays it on her behalf, there is nothing wrong with that. If neither of these options is available to her, then she should sell some of it and pay zakaah with that money.”
Misconception # 15: I will use my Zakaah money on my immediate family

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said: “The Muslim cannot give his zakaah to his parents or to his wife and children; rather he is obliged to spend on them from his wealth if they need that and he is able to spend on them.”

Misconception # 16: I cannot give Zakaah to my poor relatives

It is actually preferable for a person to give their zakaah to a brother, sister, paternal uncle, paternal aunt or to any other relative, if they are poor. This is because, giving zakaah to them is both an act of charity and upholding family ties.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Charity given to the poor is charity and charity given to a relative is charity and upholding of family ties.” (Ahmad, al-Nasaa’i)

Misconception # 17: A woman cannot give Zakaah to her Husband

It is okay for a woman to give zakaah to her husband, if he is qualified to receive zakaah, because she is not obliged to spend on him. Also, the Prophet (pbuh) gave permission to the wife of Abd-Allaah ibn Masood to give her zakaah to her husband. However a wife is not qualified to receive zakaah from her husband because he obliged to spend on her from his wealth.

Misconception # 18: Zakaah can be given to Non-Muslims if they are poor

It is not permissible to give Zakaah to non-muslims except the one who is inclined towards Islam, in the hope that he will become Muslim if you give him zakaah (al-Tawbah:60) . However paying sadaqaa and charity to them are permissible.
Misconception # 19: I will use Zakaah to build hospitals, masjid and orphanages

That is not permissible, because this is not included in the eight categories on which zakaah may be spent.

Allaah tells us that Zakaah may be spent on the following:

“As-Sadaqaat (Zakaah) are only
for the Fuqaraa (poor),
and Al-Masaakeen (the poor & needy, who prefer to hide their poverty from public)
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 Allaah’s Cause (Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle),
and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything)” [al-Tawbah:60]

But if the intention in giving the money to an orphanage is so that this money will be spent on the poor orphans, then this is permissible, if the orphans are poor.
Similarly, Zakaah cannot be used to print Quraans and other Dawah material.
Misconception # 20: Zakaah is the same as Zakaat ul-Fitr

Zakaat al-Fitr is NOT the same as obligatory Zakaah. These are two separate entities and whoever paid Zakaah is NOT relieved of paying Zakaat al-Fitr and vice-versa.
Misconception # 21: I have to inform the one I am giving, that it is Zakaah

You do not have to tell the recipient that it is zakaah.