Q 3: Could you please give me a Fatwa regarding the following Hadith: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When you enter into the `Inah transaction, hold the tails of oxen, are pleased with agriculture, and give up performing Jihad (fighting/striving in the cause of Allah), Allah (Exalted be He) will make disgrace prevail over you, and will not withdraw it until you return to your original religion.

A: This Hadith is related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud and the above mentioned wording is that of the latter. However, `Inah is selling and delivering something to another person in installments but repurchasing it with less immediate cash. 'Holding the tails of oxen and being pleased with agriculture' refers to being busy with (Part No. 13; Page No. 137) cultivation. This means being busy with cultivation at a time when jihad is an individual obligation. On the other hand, 'giving up performing jihad' refers to the obligatory jihad against the enemies of Islam. Moreover, 'disgrace' signifies indigence and lowness. Finally, 'until you return to your original religion' implies eloquent reproof and a strong threat for whoever busies themselves with cultivation so that they abandon jihad and the same applies to those who indulge in Haram (prohibited) transactions. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.