I am currently working on a project mining a number of minerals - (salt, limestone, gypsum and soda ash), gemstones (ruby, emerald etc.), and metals (

Answer

The answers to your queries are as follows:

Salt, limestone, gypsum, soda ash

Initially, that is when these products are extracted and taken into possession, there is no Zakaat payable. If the intention is to sell them (obviously this is your intention), then these products will be regarded as merchandise. The normal 2.5% Zakaat will become applicable on their value.

If any amount of these products are not for sale, but for any other use, then Zakaat is not payable since the rule of merchandise will not apply.

Gemstones (rubies, emeralds, etc.):

The same ruling as above.

Metals (gold, silver, copper, etc.)

One fifth (20%), called Khums, is Waajib. After the metals have been processed, 20% of the value has to be given to the poor and destitute.

it is Waajib to avoid absolute in certainty), death caused by starva- that is, death in its wake tion even if the food is is not an absolute certainharaam. ty, then it is not Waajib On the other hand, if a to adopt that measure. For circumstance is zanni (not

this reason, submitting to medical treatment is not incumbent.

The very same Fuqaha who say that it is Waajib to save one's life with haraam food when one is on the verge of death due to starvation, say that Tadaawi bil haraam (medication with haraam substances) is not Waajib. In the vast majority of cases, people are not cured by medicine and the treatment of doctors and hakeems. The acquisition of cure from medicine is not absolute.

Almost all the cancer, heart and other diseased patients we know of have not been cured by the most expensive medicines and medical treatment. On the contrary, experience has established that their health further deteriorates in the wake of these strong, harmful, poisonous drug medicines.

Since the Shariah does not impose medical treatment/medicine as a Waajib measure even if it is halaal medicine, it should not be difficult to understand why people of Taqwa abstain from haraam kinds of medicine. Once when Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) was extremely ill, some Sahaabah suggested that a hakeem be called. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: "If I know that the cure for my sickness is to only lift my hand and place it on my head, then too I shall not do so." He meant that he was pleased with Allah's decree which caused him to be so sick. There are no authorities of the Shariah who claim that saving life with even halaal medicine is Waajib, leave alone haraam medicine. The unanimous ruling is that if halaal medicine is not available, then a haraam medicine will be permissible, not waajib.

Your friend has misdirected his brains to hoist his personal opinion which is untenable in terms of the Shariah.

TAWAADHU' -

HUMILITY

Hadhrat Ibn Sammaak (Rahmatullah alayh) said: "The best Tawaadhu' is never to regard yourself better than another person. Whomever you see, believe him to be better than you. Believe that every one of your contemporaries is superior to you, and have hope of Allah's Rahmat. Request your contemporary to make dua for you, and believe that by his medium your dua will be accepted. This is Tawaadhu." According to the Mashaaikh, as long as a person believes that he is better than a dog, he should know that he suffers from the malady of pride which is the opposite of Tawaadhu'.