Mosques Around The Globe

Faisal Mosque construction:In 1969, an international competition was held in
which architects from 17 countries submitted 43 proposals. After four
days of deliberation, Turkish architect Vedat
Dalokay's design was chosen.

* * 27th of Rajab and 14th of Sha'baan

* * Question:
I have to question concerning the month of Rajab and Sha'ban.
Somepeople say that the 27th Rajab and 14th of Sha'ban nights of
worship. Please explain in detail, so I can help myPakistani community
to understand this, because in our country they said that it is a
special night and I don't see any evidence in the Hadeeth why they
said that also. Is there is a difference in belief?
Fatwa:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
is His slave and Messenger.
There are several kinds offasting. Among these kinds are:
1) Obligatory: observing the fast during the wholemonth of Ramadhaan
is an obligation for all Muslims.
2) Supererogatory: this category embraces fasts on particular
occasions such as the 9th and 10th days of Muharram, the day of
Arafah, fasting three days each month, fasting of Monday and Thursday
each week. It is Sunnah to observing fasting on those days.
As for fasting on the day of al-Israa and al-Mi'raaj, it is not proved
in the Sunnah of the Prophet . If it was recommendable, the Prophet
would have stated so as we have seen concerning supererogatory
fasting.
Thus, it is not correct to observe fasting on this specific day. Then,
there is difference among scholars concerning specifying the day of
al-Israa. Ibn Hajar in al-Fat'h mentioned that there are more than ten
opinions in this concern. This disagreement indicates that this day
has no special significance for fasting orspending its night in
performing prayers. If so, the Prophet and his companions would not
have missed it.
Basing on the above-mentioned, we state thatit is Bid'ah (innovation)
to fast this day as an observance since there is no correct Prophetic
narration in this concern. But, if fasting on this day coincides with
any supererogatory fasting orone's regular fasts (Monday or day after
day)then it is legal to fast thisday (the 27th Rajab).
As for spending the nightof 15th of Sha'baan in prayers and other
forms of worship, there are several Ahadeeth (Prophetic narrations) in
this concern, but there is disagreement among scholars concerning the
authenticity of these Ahadeeth. Some scholars consider those Ahadeeth
weak; other scholars consider them sound. Thus, according to some
Fuqahaa (jurists), it is desirable to spend this night in optional
forms ofworship such as prayer …
According to Ibn Taymiyyah some of as-Salaf (our righteous
predecessors) were used to spending this night (15th of Sha'baan) in
prayers and other forms of worship. But, some of as-Salaf disliked
gathering people at Mosque for this night andconsidered that as
Bid'ah(innovation). Nowadays, many Muslims perform a special prayer
with special recital on this night. This form certainly is Bid'ah.
Imaam al-Nawawi said: 'A prayer that is known asSalaat ar-Raghaa'ib,
which is of 12 Raka'hs, performed between al-Maghrib and al-Ishaa at
the 1st Friday night of Rajab and a prayer of the 15th of Sha'baan
(100 Raka'hs) are two forms of Bid'ah and are abominable actions. We
should not observe them... Then, their Hadeeth is false.'
The Hadeeth that indicated to by al-Nawawi in the above paragraph is
as follows: 'Whoever prays a 100 Raka'hs at the night of 15th of
Sha'baan, Allaah will send a hundred angels for him. Thirty ones give
him glad tidings concerning Paradise; thirty others give him more
confidencethat he will be safe from entering the Hell; thirty keep him
safe from the evils of this present life; the last ten ward the wiles
of the devil off.' This Hadeeth is invalid, al-Nawawi said.
Finally, a Muslim is required to adhere to obedience at this night
(15th of Sha'baan) and allother nights, to avoid all forms of
polytheism and to pardon his brothers sothat he may gain the
bestexcellence and favor. Then, he is required to avoid all forms of
Bid'ah, since good lies in following the Sunnah and evil lies in
innovations.
Allaah knows best./

Innovations during the Month of Rajab

Allaah Almighty bestows favors and grants bounties upon His slaves,
during all times, to help expiate their sins, elevate their ranks and
make up for their shortcomings. Allaah Almighty legislated for us a
month during which we observe fasting, another which we perform
pilgrimage in, and one or two extra days to fast during the remaining
months. He also legislated prayer during the night and the Witr
prayer, the Ud'hiyah ('Eed sacrifice), and the'Aqeeqah, (birth
sacrifice) and many other virtuous deeds. All of these are ways of
opening different channels for righteous deeds and methods to energize
us by shifting from one form of worship to another, and therefore, not
become weary, but continue to worship Allaah Almighty. This is indeed
a great favor from Allaah upon us.
Moreover, we find that any act of worship which causes the people to
come closer to Allaah Almighty is mentioned in His Book or in the
Sunnah of His Prophet . The problem is in those people who try to come
close to Allaah and gain His reward by looking outside these two
sources, and thus, divert from the right path.
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said during his farewell
pilgrimage, "I have left with you that, which if you adhere to, you
will never go astray, the Book of Allaah".
And Allaah Says (what means): "… And whatever the Messengerhas given
you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear
Allaah; indeed, Allaah is severe in penalty." [Quran: 59:7]
Allaah Almighty dispraised the Arabs during the pre-Islamic period
because they interfered in that which they had no right in, and
started changing what is lawful to unlawful, and what is unlawful to
lawful, and recommending that which Allaah Almighty did not. They used
to shift around the times ofthe sacred months and change the names of
the months because they did not want to wait for this long period to
finish.
Ibn Katheer said, "Dealing with the legislations of Allaah with one's
corrupt mind and reasoning, and changing the rulings of Allaah
according to their desires, and deeming lawful what is unlawful, were
some of the things for which Allaah dispraised the disbelievers."
The Arabs had also forbidden upon themselves slaughtering certain
animals, by setting somelaws which Allaah Almighty did not legislate,
so Allaah Almighty dispraised them for that. Thus we know that
worshipping Allaah Almighty is something which is not permitted except
through that which He The Most High has legislated Himself and through
His messenger . Anyone who wants to draw closer to Allaah and gain His
reward, love and pleasure through other channels, will get the
contrary result, because Allaah Almighty does not accept from people
except that which He legislated for them.
During the month of Rajab, which is one of the sacred months, some
Muslims make some wrong practices through which they intend to come
closer to Allaah Almighty and gain His forgiveness, love and pleasure.
But they seek that through acts of worship which He did not permit nor
legislate, and although they are seeking something good, they do not
achieve it.
The point is not only in having a sincere and good intention, but the
deed itself must be legitimate, or else it will be rejected. Who dare
say that a deed is rejected by Allaah Almighty? Who told him that
thedeed is rejected? The one who told us this is the truthful Prophet
Muhammad who said: "He who introduces any deed into our matter (Islam)
which is not from it then it is rejected." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
'Aa'ishah narrated that the Prophet said: "He who performs any deed
which is not according to what we are upon (i.e., the Prophet and his
Companions) then it is rejected." [Muslim] Therefore, any deed which
is not in accordance with what Islam has come with is rejected.
One of the practices during the month of Rajab which was done during
the pre-Islamic period, is to offer sacrifices and call it 'Far'a and
'Ateerah. The Muslimsscholars said Islam voided this practice. Abu
Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: "No Fara'. No 'Ateerah."
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Ar-Raghaa'ib prayer is another thing which people innovated which was
never legislated by Allaah nor His Messenger . The scholars said,
"There isno authentic Hadith regarding a special prayer during the
month of Rajab, and all the narrations concerning Ar-Raghaa'ib prayer
are fabricated lies." They also said, "This prayer was innovatedafter
the fourth century and wasnever known before that, and no one from the
scholars during the first virtuous generations ever mentioned it."

the Root of Evil and Sins

There is no doubt that a virtuousperson does not find it easy to utter
obscenities lest he or she expose him/herself to the Wrathof Allaah
The Almighty and disgrace in the eyes of people. Although vulgarity is
certainly dispraised and forbidden, foul words indeed abound.
Motives behind this behavior
Obscenity originates from wickedness and ignobility. It is either
motivated by the intention of harming others or isa habit acquired
from socializingwith evil and debauched people,who are accustomed to
insultingothers. Whatever the case, Allaah The Almighty has forbidden
crude language in the verse (which means): {Allaah does not like the
public mention of evil except by one who has been wronged. And ever is
Allaah Hearing and Knowing.} [Quran 4:148]
Moreover, in His Book, He illustrated obscenity as characteristic of
hypocrites, describing their conduct with believers, saying (what
means): {But when fear departs, they lash you with sharp tongues,
indisposed toward [any] good.} [Quran 33:19]
A believer does not imitate the insolent and crass people, preferring
to stick to chivalry for the sake of preserving his or her honor. It
was said in this regard,"Tolerating an abusive man is better than
being like him and forgiving the ignorant is better than copying him."
Examples of obscenity
There are many situations and times when people of weak faith and bad
manners resort to vulgarity. Imam Al-Ghazaali exemplified that by
saying: "Situations of obscenity are various. They can generally be
limited to any state that a person feels ashamed to overtly divulge.
In this case, explicit words are considered obscenity. Therefore, one
must discuss such issues in vague terminology." Most of the relevant
examples would be those concerning sexual intercourse and its related
matters. While wicked people employ graphic and crass words when
speaking about this, the righteous avoid such crude language and
express themselves with figurative speech. Are we not aware that even
Allaah The Almighty spoke indirectly about sexual intercourse,
mentioning instead,words like touching, entering with [women] and
companionship?
There is also obscenity in making remarks about women or defects in
men that they may be ashamed of, such as a limp orbaldness. Any such
comments, if necessary, should not be explicitly referred to.
The Prophet classified obscenity as a branch of hypocrisy and said,
"Indeed, Allaah hates the indecent and obscene person." Moreover, he
mentioned that vulgarity leads to Hell, when he said: "Modesty is from
faith, and faith is in Paradise; [whereas], obscenity is from
severity, and severity is in Hell."