He wants to organise a contest that involves guessing who will win ina football match

Is it permissible to organise a contest basedon guessing the outcome
of football matches, predicting whowill win and what the score will be
in return for prizes such as money,coupons or gifts? Participation in
the contest will be free and there will be no fees. Is this halaal or
haraam?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to organise contests for cash prizes or other
prizes in which the contestants guess who will win a football match,
and the prize is given to the one who guesses right. That is for a
number of reasons, including the following:
1.
This does not come under the heading of the kinds of contests that are
permitted in Islam; rather it comes under the heading of the kinds of
contests that are forbidden, because of the report narrated by Abu
Dawood(2574), at-Tirmidhi (1700) – and he classed itas hasan – and Ibn
Maajah (2878) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), that
the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "There
should be no (money) prizes for racing except races with camels and
horses, and archery contests." Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in
Saheeh Abi Dawood, andothers.
The "(money) prize" is a payment or prize that is given to the one who
wins the race or contest. Ibn al-Atheer said in an-Nihaayah (2/844):
It is money that is set asideas a pledge for the winner. End quote.
As-Sindi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Al-Khattaabi said: i.e., it is not permissible to accept money for
racing except in two cases: camel racing and horse racing. And added
to that are similar things such as use of weapons, because offering
prizes for these things is encouraging jihad.
End quote from Haashiyat as-Sindi 'ala Sunan Ibn Maajah, 2/206
So it is not permissible togive prizes for such contests, whether the
money comes from one of the two contestants or from another party.
2.
Predicting the outcome and saying that such-and-such team will win and
the score will be such-and-such is speculation that has no foundation.
How does one know that the score will be as he is predicting?
3.
Holding such contests is a kind of cooperating in sin and
transgression. In fact, competing in football itself only leads to
corruption and there is no benefit in it. What should be done is
prohibiting it, not organizing contests and offering prizes that
support it.
The scholars of the (Standing) Committee said:
Football matches for money or other prizes are haraam, because that is
gambling. It is notpermissible to receive prizes for anything except
that which is permitted in sharee'ah, which is horse and camel racing
and archery. Based on that, attending matches is also haraam, as is
watching them, for the one who knows that the match is being played
for money, because attending it is showing approval of it. But if the
match is not for prizes and it will not distract from what Allah has
enjoined of prayer and other duties, and it doesnot involve anything
haraam such as uncovering the 'awrah, or mixing of men and women, or
musical instruments, then there is nothing wrong with it or with
watching it.
End quote from Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah, 15/239
If this is the ruling on watching it, what wouldthe ruling be on
helping in it and allocating prizes for that?
Based on that, it is not permissible to organize the contest mentioned
in the question. The Muslim should keep himself busy with that which
concerns him of both worldly and spiritual matters.

The girl’s guardians are asking for advice: shouldthey agree to let her marry a European who has recently become Muslim?

My daughter is at university, in the seventh year of medicine, and she
is twenty-five years old. She has a friend who is married to an
Algerian in Germany; they are both Algerian. This couple met a German
businessman who said that he had become Muslim. He is fifty-one years
old, divorced with two children, and he is looking for a religiously
committed Muslim woman. He asked this couple for help and advice, and
my daughter's friend told him about my daughter. He contacted her via
the Internet and tempted her with the offer of everything she is
looking for, including completion of her specialised studies overseas.
My daughter was impressed with this idea, and hastened to suggest it
to the family. After studying the matter, we – her family –found the
following problems:
- We do not know anything about whetherhis Islam is genuine.
- We do not know anything about his character.
- We do not know anything about his true origins.
- We do not know anything about his true intentions.
- There is no compatibility in age.
- There is no compatibility in social environment.
- Our daughter's children will not be Arabs.
- He can find what he wants in Germany.
This is as far as he is concerned; as far as our daughter is
concerned, we can sum it up as follows:
- There is no worry about the girl's future, seeing that she is a doctor.
- Alternatives are available in her own country, as there are plenty
of young Algerianmen
- Preservation of Islamic and Arabic values is a religious obligation.
Hence our family decided to seek your advice so that you can give us
the shar'i opinion on this matter; perhaps we have neglected some
shar'i aspect of the matter.
Praise be to Allaah.
Although we appreciate your daughter telling her family about this
man's offer and what he has promised her, we donot approve of her
corresponding with and talking to a man who is not her mahram.
Although she may have been wise and mature – praise be to Allah –
thereare many other girls who have fallen victim to such
correspondence.
After thinking about what you have told us about your daughter and
about that German man, we strongly advise you not to accept him as a
husband for your daughter. The points you have listed are sufficient
for a ruling of this type. The shar'i prescription that the guardian
should play a fundamental role in the marriage contract is supremely
wise, lest the girl follow her whims and desires and accept any sweet
talk that may make her build up false hopes. The proof of that is that
you did not want to base your judgement solely on what you felt about
this man; rather you also hastened to submit a question to
thiswebsite. This indicates – in sha Allah – that you are a family
that is fit to be in this position of responsibility, as you aretrying
sincerely to protect your daughter.
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) advised
guardians to choose those who are good andrighteous to marry the
females under their guardianship, namely those who are pleasing in
terms of religious commitment and character. It was narrated that Abu
Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "If there comes to
you one with whose attitudeand religious commitment you are pleased,
then marry (your daughter or female relative under your care) to him,
for if you do not do that therewill be fitnah in the landand
widespread corruption."
Narrated by at-Tirmidhi, 1084; Ibn Maajah, 1967; classed as hasan by
al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi.
A man said to al-Hasan: I have a daughter; to whom do you think I
should give her in marriage? He said: Gave her in marriage to one who
fears Allah, may He be exalted, for if he loves her he will honour
her, and if he resents herhe will not mistreat her.
How can you find out this man who wants to marry your daughter? Here
we should point out that he may really bea Muslim, and he may be
sincere in his wishes, butyou do not know any of that, or anything
else, about him. If we assume that it has confirmed to you that he is
a sincere Muslim, the other things that you mention after his being
Muslim are alsosufficient to rule that he is not suitable to marry
your daughter. And among these things, it is sufficient that she
wouldbe living in a non-Muslim country, andshe would be studying and
working in their environment and in their country, which gives rise to
fear for her religious commitment and morals. Usually the differences
of environments, languages and natures has a negative impact, which
leads to failure of the marriage in many cases.
Hence we agree with you completely that you should reject this
marriage, and we adviseyour daughter to forget about accepting this
man as a husband. She should understand that the opinion of her
familyand those who have more knowledge than she does about men and
environments should, beyond any shadow of adoubt, take precedence over
her opinion. She should ask her Lord to choose for her the best of
righteous men to be her husband, so together they can establish a
family based on obedience to Allah and raise – in sha Allah
–righteous children.
We ask Allah, may He be exalted, to guide her to the best of words,
deeds and attitudes, and to bless her with a righteous husband and
righteous offspring.
And Allah knows best.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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THE QUESTION OF HIJAB: SUPPRESSION ORLIBERATION?

"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one
which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women itis the
truest test of being a Muslim.
The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB
(covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters andthe believing women to
draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among
men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims)
and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)
Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both
men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills
instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as
saying, "We want to stop men from treating us likesex objects, as they
have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be
attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us
seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our
bodies and physical looks." A Muslim woman who covers her head is
making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her willknow
that she is a Muslimand has a good moral character. Many Muslim women
who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to
be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she
does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the
smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her
sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.
The question of hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for
centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned
people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider
that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the
opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by
somewho claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual
discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (S)
were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them
in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but
this requirement was not extended to other women.
The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide
from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijabis the
modest covering ofa Muslim woman. The question now is what is the
extent of the covering? The Qur'an says:
"Say to the believing manthat they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah
is wellacquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing
women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and
that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what
must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over
their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..."
(Qur'an 24:30-31)
These verses from the Qur'an contain two main injunctions:
1. A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what
appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes,
and
2. the head covers should be drawn so as to coverthe hair, the neck
and the bosom.
Islam has no fixed standard as to the style ofdress or type of
clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be
met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which
must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidanceand rulings: first,
the Qur'an, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the
traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (S) who was chosen by Allah to be
the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the
Prophet:
"Ayesha (R) reported thatAsmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to
the Messenger of Allah (S) while wearing thin clothing. He approached
her and said: 'O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is
not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this.
He pointed to the face and hands." (Abu Dawood)
The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough
so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way
to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes.
However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outergarment is not
necessary.Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be
thick enough so as not to showthe color of the skin it covers or the
shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (S) stated that in later
generations of his ummah there would be "women who would be dressed
but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps.
Curse them for they are truly cursed." (Muslim) Anotherrequirement is
an over-all dignified appearance. The clothingshould not attract men's
attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that
everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other
requirements:
1. Women must not dress so as to appear as men.
"Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet (S) cursed the men who appear like
women and the women who appear like men.'" (Bukhari)
2. Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
3. The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not
excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.
Often forgotten is the fact that modern Westerndress is a new
invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy
years ago, we see clothing similar to hijab. These active and
hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing
which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head
covering. Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or
interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life.
Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is
behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one
facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's
dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being
mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and
the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The
clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it
be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as
a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are
allowed for women.
For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a
restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a
proper, Islamic manner.

The Virtues of Hijab

1.An act of obedience.
The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and tohis prophet (pbuh),
Allah says in the Qur'an: `It is not for a believer, man orwoman, when
Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an
option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His
Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (S33:36).
Allah also said: 'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze
(from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts
(from illegalsexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment
except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw
their veils over their Juyubihinna.'(S24:31).
Juyubihinna: The respected scholars from As-Salaf As-Saleh (righteous
predecessors) differed whether the veil cover of the body must include
the hands and face or not. Today, respected scholars say that the
hands and face must be covered. Other respected scholars say it is
preferable for women to cover their whole bodies.
2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).
Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a
manifestationfor chastity and modesty. Allah says: 'O Prophet!
Tellyour wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to
draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is
most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (S33:59).
In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the
apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her.When the cause of
attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in
the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of
attraction. Allah(swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their
outer garments andexpose their faces and hands reminding, however,
that is still better for them to keep their modesty.
3.The hijab is Tahara (Purity)
Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of
the hijab: `And when youask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything
you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts
andtheir hearts.' (S33:53).
The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and
women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the
hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more
pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of
fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the
ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:
`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of
hypocrisy orevil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with
desire, but speak in an honorable manner.' (S33:32)
4.The hijab is a Shield
The prophet (pbuh) said:"Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii
(Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr
(Shielding; Covering)." The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Any woman who
takes off her clothes in other than her husband'shouse (to show off
for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "The
hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kindof action committed
there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).
5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)
Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an: `O children of Adam! We have bestowed
raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc)
and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness,that is
better.'(S7:26). Thewidespread forms of dresses in the world today are
mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the
woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to
safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a
manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah
(righteousness).
6.The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)
Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the
believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers
to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet
(pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to
visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly
dressed:"If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the
dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then
enjoy it."
7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)
There are two authentic hadith which state: "Eachreligion has a
morality and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND"Bashfulness is from
belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the
natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.
8.The hijab is Gheerah
The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in
the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or
daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man
to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight
MUSLIM man has Gheerahfor ALL MUSLIM women Inresponse to lust and
desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind
that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of
sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheerain men. Islam considers
Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter
or any other Muslim womanmust be highly respected and defended.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
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