For children, - 10 brief points Christians should know about Jesus and MuslimsProphet Jesus (peace be upon him)

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1. Muslims love Prophet Jesus. We also love Prophet Abraham, Prophet Moses, and Prophet Noah, to name just a few other Prophets Muslims revere. May God's peace be upon all of these great messengers of God.
2. Muslims also love the mother of Prophet Jesus, the Virgin Mary. We believe she was a pious and noble woman chosen over all of the women of the world.
3. Muslims believe that Prophet Jesus was born miraculously of a virgin mother and no father. His birth is miraculous like the birth of Prophet Adam, the first human being, who was created with neither mother nor father.
4. Muslims do not believe that Prophet Jesus was the son of God. God is so powerful and self-sufficient that He does not need a son or any kind of partner.
5. In Arabic Bible the name for God is Allah. Therefore all Arab Christian call God Allah as Muslim do as well.
6. Prophet Jesus did not die on the cross. Rather, God saved him as his enemies were confused about him. Prophet Jesus was taken up by God to Heaven.
7. Prophet Jesus is called Isa (pronounced Eesa) in Arabic and the spirit of God (Roohullah) is his title.
8. Prophet Jesus performed miracles by the Will of God, like healing the blind and those with leprosy.
9. Prophet Jesus prayed to the same God as all Prophets and we Muslims pray to.
10. Prophet Jesus will return before the end of the world during the time of Imam al-Mahdi, the embodiment of the Messiah or the saviour.

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Taraaweeh prayers, - Dought&clear, - * Can wejoin ‘Isha and Taraaweeh together with Maghrib in Ramadaan if it is raining?

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If it is raining at the time of Maghrib in Ramadaan, should we not join Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’, or can we join Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ and delay Taraaweeh?
We put this question to Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), who replied:
The matter is flexible, in sha Allaah. Putting the prayers together (in this case) may make the people miss out on a lot of benefits.
And Allaah knows best.

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Taraaweeh prayers, - Dought&clear, - * Should children be stopped from coming to the mosque?

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Should children be stopped from coming to the mosque with their mothers for Taraaweeh, because they cause too much trouble and disruption?
I asked Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) this question, and he replied:
They should be allowed to come as it says in the ahaadeeth: “What is good for the earlier generation is good for the later generation.” And Allaah knows best.

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Taraaweeh prayers, - Dought&clear, - * Holding the Mus-haf for one who is following an imaam is contrary to theSunnah

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What is the ruling on holding the Mus-haf in the case of one who is following an imaam in praying Taraaweeh in Ramadan, on the grounds that he is following the imaam’s recitation?
Praise be to Allaah.
Holding the Mus-haf for this reason is contrary to the Sunnah, for several reasons:
1. It prevents a person from placing his right hand over his left when standing.
2. It leads to a lot of unnecessary movements, such as opening the Mus-haf, closing it, and placing it under one's arm.
3. These movements are very distracting to the worshipper.
4. It prevents the worshipper from looking at the place of sujood. Many scholars say that looking at the place of sujood is Sunnah and is better.
5. The one who does that may forget that he is in prayer, unless his heart is properly focused upon his being in prayer, unlike when he is standing in a humble and focused manner with his right hand upon his left, tilting his head towards the place of sujood. In this case he will be more likely to remember that he is praying and that he is behind the imaam.

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Taraaweeh prayers, - Dought&clear, - * Praying Taraaweeh at home/putting cream on the body when fasting

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Can a person pray Tharawih prayers at home ? if so please specify how many rakat's and if there are any special dua's to be recited. Can one apply any creams on the face or body while fasting ?
Praise be to Allaah.
Taraaweeh prayer is prescribed for men in congregation in the mosque at night in Ramadaan, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever stands with the imams until he finishes, it will be written for him as if he spent the whole night in prayer.”(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 806; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Nevertheless, if a man prays Taraaweeh at home, there is no sin on him and his prayer is valid. At times other than Ramadaan, it is prescribed for a man to prayqiyaam al-laylat home.
With regard to women, it is better for them to pray at home, but if a woman wants to pray in the mosque, she should not be prevented from doing so, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not prevent your women from coming to the mosques, but their houses are better for them.”(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 567; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani).
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not prevent to slave women of Allaah from coming to the mosques of Allaah.”(Agreed upon; al-Bukhaari, 900; Muslim, 442).
With regard to putting cream on the face and body, there is nothing wrong with that. And Allaah knows best.

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Conditions for Zakaah Being Obligatory, - Dought & clear, - * Zakaahon money that is set aside for buying a house

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My husband and I are employed and since I started working, I started to save a small portion of my salary with the aim of buying a house. Up till now, fifteen years later, I have not been able to save half the amount of money needed to buy a house, because of the high cost of living and the high costs of real estate in major cities. My question is: how should I pay zakaah, even if that will affect the amount of money?.
Praise be to Allaah.
If a person owns the nisaab (minimum amount of wealth at which zakaah becomes due) and one full hijri year has passed since he acquired it, then he must pay zakaah on it, even if he has set that money aside to build a house or get married or go for Hajj and so on, because of the general meaning of the evidence which states that paying zakaah on wealth is obligatory.
The nisaab for cash is the equivalent of 597 grams of silver, and the rate that must be given is 2.5%, i.e., one quarter of one tenth.
Zakaah has been enjoined by Allaah in order to purify wealth, make it grow and bring blessing, and to help the poor and needy. It is a great obligation and it is not permissible to neglect it, for wealth belongs to Allaah and He is the One Who has enjoined zakaah and has warned against neglecting it. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and give Zakaah, and bow down (or submit yourselves with obedience to Allaah) along with Ar‑Raaki‘oon”
[al-Baqarah 2:43]
“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allaah for them. Verily, your invocations are a source of security for them; and Allaah is All-Hearer, All-Knower”
[al-Tawbah 9:103]
“And those who hoard up gold and silver (Al‑Kanz: the money, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) and spend them not in the way of Allaah, announce unto them a painful torment”
[al-Tawbah 9:34]
Kanz refers to all kinds of wealth that is subject to zakaah but on which zakaah has not been paid.
Muslim (987) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no owner of gold or silver who does not pay what is due on them, but when the Day of Resurrection comes, there will be beaten out for him plates of fire which will be heated in the Fire of Hell, and his sides, forehead and back will be branded with them. Every time they cool down they will be reheated for him, on a day the length of which is as fifty thousand years, until judgement is passed among the people. Then he will be shown his path, either to Paradise or to Hell.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that wealth does not in fact decrease because of zakaah, rather it is blessed and increases. He said: “Wealth does not decrease because of charity.” Narrated by Muslim, 2588.
Many people neglect the issue of blessing on wealth. A person may own huge amounts of wealth but it is not enough for him, and it does not bring him what he wants; he does not feel any sense of ease or happiness because of it. But someone else may own a small amount of wealth that has been blessed for him, so he is happy and content with it. This is something that is well known.
So do not hesitate to pay zakaah on your wealth, and do that willingly and cheerfully. Remember that the pleasure of Allaah is what we are seeking, and this world is transient and passing, and a pleasure that will soon fade.
“The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing)”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:185]
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: What the Muslim should do is pay his zakaah in full, in obedience to Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), fulfilling the pillars of Islam and protecting himself from punishment and protecting his wealth from loss and being deprived of blessing. Zakaah is a bounty, not a penalty. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allaah for them. Verily, your invocations are a source of security for them; and Allaah is All-Hearer, All-Knower”
[al-Tawbah 9:103]
The one to whom Allaah has given wealth must work out the zakaah precisely.
Wealth is of three kinds:
1 – Wealth on which zakaah is definitely due, such as cash in gold and silver or the notes and bills that have taken their place. Zakaah is due on this whether it is set aside for trade, spending, buying a house to live in or a dowry with which to get married, etc.
2 – Wealth on which zakaah is definitely not due, such as the house in which one lives, the car which one drives, the furnishings of one’s house, and so on.
These two matters are clear.
3 – Kinds of wealth concerning which there is some difference of opinion, such as debts that are still owed. What you should do is ask the scholars about this so that you will understand your religious duties and worship Allaah properly.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to be careless about the matter of zakaah, or to be lazy about giving it to those who are entitled to it, because of the stern warning concerning that which is mentioned in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
End quote fromMajmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 18/299
May Allaah help us and you to do that which He loves and which pleases him.
And Allaah knows best.

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Conditions for Zakaah Being Obligatory, - Dought & clear, - * Zakaahon money in the bank

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One full year has passed for some of the money that is in the bank that is not in a savings account. Some of it is deducted monthly to pay bank charges, as well as bills for water, electricity and household insurance. Is it permissible to pay zakaah on it or not?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Saving money in riba-based banks is helping them to commit riba (usury) on which these banks are based, so it is not permissible for a Muslim to put his money in them, unless he cannot find an Islamic bank that does not deal in riba.
See the answer to question no. 22392.
We have also explained that commercial insurance in all forms is haraam, and that it is a modern form of gambling which is forbidden in Islam. See the answer to question no. 36955.
Secondly:
It is obligatory to pay zakaah on cash if it reaches the nisaab, which is the equivalent of 597 grams of silver, and one full year has passed since acquiring it, even if it is kept for household expenses and other essentials, because of the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “If you have twenty dinars and one full year has passed (since acquiring them), then half a dinar is due on them, and whatever is more than that is to be calculated on that basis.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (1573) and classed as saheeh by al-Bukhaari; al-Tirmidhi narrated it from him in hisSunan(3/16) and it was classed as saeeh by al-Albaani inSaheeh Abi Dawood.
It is not a condition of zakaah being obligatory that the money be surplus to one's needs, rather it is due from every nisaab when one full year has passed.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked, as it says inMajmoo’ al-Fataawa(18/177):
Is zakaah due on money saved from one's monthly salary when one full year has passed, despite the fact that it is not invested? Please note that I am saving it to cover my and my family’s living expenses. Is zakaah due in this case?
He replied:
Yes, zakaah is due on it if one full year has passed, because it is something that is subject to zakaah regardless of the use for which it is intended, and regardless of whether it is intended for trade or not. Hence zakaah is due on crops and grains even if a person does not intend to sell them, and even if a person has, for example, palm trees in his home and their yield reaches the nisaab and he has prepared them for his own use, zakaah is due from the crop of these palm trees. We say likewise about any crops etc on which zakaah is due. The same applies to livestock and flocks that graze in open land – zakaah is due on them, even if a person does not intend to sell them. The same applies to cash on which zakaah is due even if a person does not intend to use them for trade. The salary that you have set aside for expenses is subject to zakaah if one full year has passed and it reaches the nisaab. End quote.
And Allaah knows best.

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Conditions for Zakaah Being Obligatory, - Dought & clear, - * What isthe ruling on zakaah on saved money?

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I bought an apartment to live in, and it is being sold by instalments until the building is completed. I made the down payment and put the rest of the cost of the apartment in the bank. Is zakaah due on the saved money or not? What about the amount that I gave as a down payment?.
Praise be to Allaah.
If the conditions of zakaah being due are met with regard to this money, such as it reaching the nisaab and one full (hijri) year having passed since it was acquired, then zakaah must be paid on it, even if this money is being saved to meet a specific need such as accommodation, education or maintenance.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked inMajmoo’al-Fataawa(14/130):
I am saving money from my salary each month. Do I have to pay zakaah on this money, knowing that I am saving this money to build myself a house and to pay the dowry for my marriage soon, in sha Allaah, and I have been saving this money for several years in the bank because I have nowhere else to keep this money?
He replied:
Wealth that is being saved to get married, to build a home or for other purposes is subject to zakaah if it reaches the nisaab and one full year has passed, whether it is gold, silver or cash, because of the general meaning of the evidence which indicates that zakaah is obligatory on that which reaches the nisaab and one full year has passed, with no exceptions.
As for putting the money in riba-based banks, that is not permissible, because that is helping them in sin and transgression. But if that is done out of necessity, then it is permissible, but it should be without interest. End quote.
He was also asked inMajmoo’ al-Fataawa(14/126)
If a person is saving money with the aim of getting married, is it exempt from zakaah?
He replied (may Allaah have mercy on him):
Zakaah is not waived if one has the intention of getting married; the same applies to one who is collecting money to pay off a debt or to buy real estate to set up as a waqf or to buy a slave in order to set him free. Rather zakaah must be paid in all cases, if one year has passed since the money was collected, because Allaah, may He be glorified, has enjoined zakaah on the accumulated amount, and He has not stated that such purposes could mean that it is waived. Zakaah increases wealth and does not decrease it; it purifies it and purifies its owner, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it”
[al-Tawbah 9:103]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Wealth does not decrease because of charity.” Narrated by Muslim (2588). End quote.
InFataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah(9/381) it says:
Zakaah is due on money that has been saved for building if one full year has passed and it reaches the nisaab by itself or when added to other wealth that is subject to zakaah, such as cash or trade goods. End quote.
This was stated by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) in his fatwas, and we have quoted his fatwa in the answer to question no. 41805.
The most correct of the scholarly views is that zakaah must be paid on the wealth of one who owes a debt, and the one who is paying a debt in instalments, because a debt for which payment has been deferred does not mean that zakaah is waived on the wealth that is being saved if it reaches the nisaab, because zakaah is an act of worship that is required of the one who has wealth, based on the general meaning of the verses and ahaadeeth which enjoin paying zakaah. This has been discussed in detail in the answer to question no. 22426.
Based on this, you have to pay zakaah on the money that has been saved. As for the money which you gave as a down payment to buy the house, you do not have to pay zakaah on it because it is no longer in your possession since you gave it to the seller.
And Allaah knows best.

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Conditions for Zakaah Being Obligatory, - Dought & clear, - * He has some money for university expenses and one full hijri year has passed – does he have to pay zakaah on it?

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I am a Master’s student and I am paying for my studies from my own pocket. My father gave me some money to use for my studies, and I am living on it, and my studies will take approximately two years. My question is about the money that my father gave me: when one year has passed on what is left of it, do I have to pay zakaah on it? Please note that this money is not enough for me to complete my studies and I am going to ask my father for more money.
Praise be to Allaah.
If the money that you have left reaches the nisaab, and one year has passed, then it is subject to zakaah, even if it is being kept for your living expenses or study fees, because of the general meaning of the evidence that indicates that zakaah becomes obligatory when the conditions for it are met.
The nisaab is the equivalent of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver, and the rate that must be paid is 2.5%, which is a small amount, praise be to Allaah, in addition to the blessing and growth that it brings to the one who pays zakaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allaah for them. Verily, your invocations are a source of security for them; and Allaah is All-Hearer, All-Knower”
[al-Tawbah 9:103]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.” Narrated by Muslim (2588).
And Allaah knows best.

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Fasting, - Doupht&clear, - * She did not fast because she was worried about her nursing baby

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A woman gave birth in Ramadaan and did not make up her missed fasts after Ramadaan because she was worried about her nursing baby. Then she got pregnant and gave birth in the following Ramadaan. Is it permissible for her to give charity instead of fasting?
Praise be to Allaah.
What this woman has to do is to fast and make up the days she has missed, even if it is after the second Ramadaan, because she had an excuse not to make up the days she had missed between the first Ramadaan and the second. I wonder whether it will be too difficult for her to fast day after day in the winter even though she is still breastfeeding, but probably Allaah will give her the strength to make up the second Ramadaan. If she is not able to do that then it is OK for her to delay making it up until the second Ramadaan.
Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn U'themeen

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Fasting, - Doupht&clear, - * Ruling on breaking fast because ofintense heat and to treat the injured

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I work in civil defence. When it is Ramadaan, is it permissible for a person to break his fast if he feels intensely thirsty whilst treating the injured?
Praise be to Allaah.
That is OK, but it is preferable not to break the fast, except in cases of necessity, and you should make up that day. But so long as a person is able to complete his fast, it is not permissible for him to break it. But if an accident happens far away, for example, and the sun is burning down in the summertime, and you go there to rescue the injured or put out a fire, and you feel thirsty and are afraid that your thirst will affect you adversely, then in sha Allaah it is OK to break your fast. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can” [al-Taghaabun 64:16]
“Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope” [al-Baqarah 2:286]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“If I command you to do a thing, do as much of it as you can.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 1337; al-Nasaa’i, 5/110).
This applies so long as no travel is involved; if the matter involves travelling, then it is unconditionally permitted to break the fast. And Allaah knows best.

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Fasting, - Doupht&clear, - * Can a menstruating woman fast?

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When a woman gets her period can she stop fasting during Ramadaan, and fast other days in place of the days when she did not fast?
Praise be to Allaah.
The fast of a menstruating woman is not valid, and it is not permissible for her to fast. When she has her period she should stop fasting, and after her period is over she can fast other days in place of the days that she missed.

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Fasting, - Doupht&clear, - * Makingup Ramadaan fasts missed because of childbirth

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How do I go about repaying my fast as I had just given birth during the month of Ramadan ? What is the intention that I should recite before fasting ?
Praise be to Allaah.
If a Muslim does not fast in Ramadaan for a shar’i reason, he has to make up that fast after the reason no longer applies. He must hasten to do this as soon as possible. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“…but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days…”
[al-Baqarah 2:184]
The intention of fasting should be made from the night before. The site of the intention is the heart, and it means wanting to do that action and resolving to do it. Thus the intention is achieved. There is no need to utter any words; the intention should be in the heart. The intention should be to do that deed for the sake of Allaah, so that the action will be sincere. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Actions are but by intentions…”

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