#49
Unread post
by ghulam muhammed » Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:29 pm
Excerpts from an earlier post :-
Off late more resentment in the community has taken place on many fold increased in Sabil. So let us understand the concept of Sabil.
SABIL: Sabil is not a part of Quranic injunctions or Islamic Shari’ah or Shia or Dawoodi Bohra faith. It is a very recent innovation introduced by Sayedna Taher Saifuddin since 1961.
In Dawoodi Bohra history during our 38th Dai Sayedna Ismailji Badruddin Saheb’s time his Mazoon, Sayedi Abdul Qadar Hakimuddin Ibne Mulla Khan Saheb who was born in Rampura (M.P.) but stationed at Burhanpur had introduced “Sabil” strictly for maintenance of old masjid in Burhanpur to be collected by the local Jamat and spend on masjid repairs. It was temporary measure just to serve a local purpose for a certain period. It was a very nominal (Re. 1 per family) voluntary donation.
Sabil literally means “way” or “offering help or drinking water to passerby” is derived from Quranic world “Fi sabilillah” (in the way or name of Allah).
Sayedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb organized a one-day Convention on 5th June 1961 at Saifee Masjid Bombay.
Then Yusuf Najmuddin raised a question “For materializing these welfare schemes through out the community ‘large fund’ will be required, who is going to foot the finance?” Then after some close consultation with Sayedna Saheb he after quoting from Quran at length he said “Allah helps those who help themselves” and with blessings and foresight of Aqa Maula he announced a new Tax “Sabil" saying that the quantum of the tax would be decided by our Bawa Shafeeq.
Initially Sabil was charged on the basis of individual’s income, with a condition that the defaulter/s would be severely penalised and the amount would be recovered with penalty at the time of death or marriage. Thus a voluntary donation was turned in to compulsory (Wajib) tax.
All the welfare scheme and economic upliftment was soon forgotten – but Sabil tax remained.
Now even the earlier basis decided by Sayedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb on which Sabil tax was to be calculated has been forgotten and Sabil is imposed most arbitrarily.
Now Sabil is imposed even on business establishment, shops and factories to extort as much money in the name of Sabil as possible.
The rate of Sabil is increased many fold years after year and it is collected most ruthlessly.
Again crores of rupees are separately collected in the name of renovation and maintenance of masjid through out the world.
Holy month of Ramazan is fast approaching. For Muslims in general it is a month of fasting, prayers and realizing the sufferings of other fellow beings. But for Sayedna Saheb’s establishment Ramazan is a month of extortion, exploitation and amassing maximum wealth.
It is therefore important to understand the taxes the establishment imposes on Bohras and extort under the threat of “Baraat” (excommunication) which is a new innovation. It is illegal, un-Islamic and inhuman. Today since a case against “Baraat” is pending in the Supreme Court of India with its forgone conclusion the Amils dare not excommunicate any one though they may threaten.
Dai ul asar Najwa