Fathwa - The Ruling Concerning Posing Questions to the Fortune-tellers and Soothsayers.

Question:
My father suffered from a psychological disease. This disease stayed
with him for some time. Therewere visits to the hospital during that
time. Some of our relatives advised us to visit a specific women as
they said that she knew a cure for that kind of disease. They also
said all you need to do is giveher his name and she will tell you what
is afflicting him and will give you a cure. Is it allowed for us to
visit that women? Help us, may Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
It is not allowed to eitherput questions to or to believe in that
women orany other like her. This isbecause she is from the
fortune-tellers and soothsayers, who claim to have knowledge of the
unseen and who seek the help of the jinn for their cures and their
information about people. It has been authentically reported that the
Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi-wasallam) said,
"If a person goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about something,
his prayer will not be accepted for forty nights."
Muslim recorded this in hisSahih.It is authentically narrated that he said,
"Whoever goes to a fortune-teller or a soothsayer and believes in what
he says, he has then disbelieved in whathas been revealed to Muhammed
(sallallaahu 'alaihi-wasallam)."[1]
There are many Ahadith with that meaning. Therefore, it is a must to
stop such people and those who visit them. They should not be
questioned nor should they be believed. They should be taken to the
people in authority in order to receive the punishment they deserve.
Allowing them to be present and not taking them to the authorities
harms society as a whole. Leaving them would alsohelp them in
deceiving the ignorant people, who will ask them questions and believe
in them. [2]
The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi-wasallam) said,
"If anyone of you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand. If he
is not able to, then he should do so with his tongue. And if he still
not able to, then with his heart and that is the weakest of faith."
This was recorded by Muslim in hisSahih.There is no doubt that taking
them to the authorities, such as the mayor of the city, the people
whose job it is toenforce right and eradicate evil, and the courts, is
part of the general concept of removing them by one's tongue. It is
also part of helping another in righteousness and piety. May Allah
support all the Muslims in that which is best for them and protect
them from every evil.
________________________
[1] Recorded by Ahmed. It seems that the correct version inSahih
Muslimis without the words"and believes in what hesays."Allah Knows
Best.
[2] The ruling in this question also applies to all of the other forms
of predicting the future that have become commonplace in the West,
such as astrologersand psychic networks. Muslims must avoid
themcompletely and must notbelieve in their statements.

Fathwa - Ignore Shaytan's Whispers

Question:
Although I am a young practicing Muslim. I am often beset with doubts.
When i perform ablution, I doubt that I have performed it well, so I
perform it a second time. During prayer, I feel that I may have passed
wind, so I stop my prayer to perform ablution another time. When I go
out to eat, I avoid meat sometimes because I am afraid that the meat
was not slaughtered properly according to Islamic guidelines. I even
avoid eating cookies, for example, because I am afraid that some meat
substance may have been used from meat that was not
slaughteredaccording to Islamic guidelines. My brother - as he became
aware of this problem - advised me not to doubt so much. I have
another problem as well: When I sleep I am not mindful about waking up
to pray.
Answer:
Doubts - that beset the mind concerning worship or matters of belief,
even the essence of Allaah - are fromShaytaan. When the Prophet's
Companions complained to him aboutdoubts that sometimes entered their
hearts, doubts they thought too wicked to speak about, the
ProphetSalallaahu alayhi wasallam)told them that, that was because of
their faith, meaning its purity.
That is becauseShaytaanwhispers doubts about faith only in those
heartsthat are free from any doubt, hoping that thosehearts will obey
him. Meanwhile,Shaytaandoes not need to whisper into a heart thatis
already beset with doubts because he has already successfully
completed his work on that heart.
I advise you to seek refuge in Allaah Almighty fromShaytaan;ignore his
whispers, regardless whether they come to you during prayer, during
ablution, or at any other time. Although these doubts indicate a pure
faith, if they continue, they may also indicate weak willpower.
Try your utmost to ignore his whisperings. When you bring an item home
from the store, do you doubt that it is in your hands? The answer is
obviously no. This is because theShaytaandoes not whisper to manin
these kinds of affairs; he only whispers to him about his worship so
that he can ruin it for him. Also, when you have completed an act of
worship, don't have doubts about whether it was performed
correctly,unless you are sure that there was some defect.
You mentioned your doubts about food; the general ruling on food
isthat it is permissible, so your doubts are not valid. A jewish women
gave the ProphetSalallaahu alayhi wasallamsome lamb to eat at khaybar,
and he ate it. A jewish man invited him to eat and presented him with
barely bread and some other food and he ate it.
InSahih Al-Bukhariit is reported that some Muslims who had recently
accepted Islaam gave some meat as a giftto a group Muslims, who said,
"O Messenger of Allaah, some people brought us meat, and we do not
know whether they said Allaah's Name over it (when they slaughtered
it) or not?" The Messenger of AllaahSalallaahu alayhi wasallamsaid to
them,
"Say the Name of Allaah and eat."(Al-Bukhari no.5507)
Therefore, the general rule concerning meat slaughtered by people
whose slaughtered animals are lawful is thatit is lawful, unless there
is proof indicating the contrary. To forbid what Allaah Almighty has
made lawful is making restrictions over people without reason.
The last problem you mentioned is also fromShaytaan. In
aHadithrecorded inSahih Al-Bukhari, a man was described to the
Messenger of AllaahSalallaahu alayhi wasallam- a man who would not
wake up to pray on time. The Messenger of AllaahSalallaahu alayhi
wasallamsaid,
That is a man in whose ears the Shaytaan has urinated(Al-Bukhari
no.3270 and Muslim no.774)
Shaytaansometimes makes sleep very heavy for somebody, so that
hedoesn't wake up for the morning prayer. You canovercome this problem
by using an alarm clock or by asking somebody to wake you up.

Fathwa - Proof of The Jinn Entering a Person's Body

Question:
Is there any proof that supports the claim that jinn can possess human beings?
Answer:
Yes, there is proof in the Book and the Sunnah that jinn enter humans.
In the Qur'aan, Allaah Almighty Says:
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Those who eat Riba (usury and interest) will not stand (on the Day of
Resurrection) except likethe standing of a person beaten by Shaytaan
leading him to insanity[Al-Baqarah 2:275]
Ibn Kathir, may Allaah have mercy upon him, commented: "They will rise
from their graves like a person rises who ispossessed by theShaytaan."
Regarding proof from the Sunnah, the Messenger of AllaahSalallaahu
alayhi wasallamsaid,"Indeed, Shaytaan flows through the son of Adam
like the flow of his blood."(Al-Bukhaari no.2039 and Muslim no.2175)
InManqalat Ahl As-Sunnah wal-Jamma'ah, Al-Ash'arisaid that they
-meaningAhl As-Sunnah- say that the jinn enter into the body of the
possessed asproven by the precedingverse.
'Abdullaah, Imaam Ahmad's son, said, "I saidto my father that a group
of people claimedthat jinn don't enter intothe bodies of human beings.
He said, 'O my son, they are lying; don'tyou see that it is they who
are speaking upon their tongues."
In a number ofHadithsfrom the Messenger of AllaahSalallaahu alayhi
wasallaam, recorded by Imaam Ahmad and Al-Bayhaqi, it is reportedthat
he met a boy who was possessed. So the ProphetSalallaahu alayhi
wasallaambegan saying,"Come out, O enemy of Allaah. Come out, O enemy
of Allaah."(Ibn Majah no.3548)
In some versions he said,Come out, O enemy of Allaah. Come out, O
enemy of Allaah."(Ahmad 4/171, 172)
Then the boy healed andbecame normal.
Here we have mentioned one proof from the Qur'aan and two from the
Sunnah; what people witness everyday serves as tangible evidence, not
tomention that this is the view ofAhl As-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
Nevertheless, we do not deny that some people are insane due to some
other defect in their mind.

The ideal Muslim in the community

The Muslim community is based on sincerity, purity of human feelings
and fulfillment of rights and needs to every member.
The Muslim has a mission in life. Within the community he calls the
people to Islam with good preaching and the best character. He teaches
from what he learns and deals with those whom he comes in contact with
based on Islamic values and morals. All this is done seeking the
pleasure of Allaah, the Exalted, while striving to attain the reward
of His Paradise.
Wherever the Muslim is, he should be a beacon of guidance and a
positive source of correction and education, through both his words
and deeds.
The true Muslim has a refined social personalityof the highest degree,
which qualifies him to undertake his duty of calling others to Islam.
Hedemonstrates the true values of his religion and the practical
application of those values by attaining beautiful Islamic attributes.
His distinct social character represents a huge store of Islamic
values, which can be seen by the way in which he interacts with the
people around him.
The Muslim, as Islam meant him to be, is a unique and remarkable
person in his attitude, conduct and relationships with others at all
levels. He treats them well by being friendly with them, humble,
gentle of speech and avoiding offence. He likes others and is liked by
them. He tries to follow the example of theProphetas he was the best
of people in his attitude towards others. Hesaid:"Nothing will weigh
more heavily in the Balance of the believing slave on the Day of
Resurrection than a good attitude towards others."]At-Tirmithi[
Because Islam is based ontruthfulness, the Muslim is always truthful
with all people. Truthfulness leads to goodness and goodness leads
toParadise. Therefore the Muslim strives to be true in all his words
and deeds.
The Muslim never gives false statements, becausethis attitude is
forbidden in the Quran. Allaah, the Most Glorified, Says
)whatmeans(:"…And shun the word that is false."]Quran 22: 30[
The Muslim seeks to offer sincere advice to everyone he comes in
contact with. It's not just the matter of volunteering to do good out
of generosity; it is a duty enjoined by Islam. The Prophetsaid") The
essence of( Religion is )offering sincere( advice."]Muslim[
By the favor of Allaah, theMuslim is a guide for others to righteous
deeds, whether by his actions or words. He never cheats, deceives or
stabs in the back. These shameful acts are beneath him, as they
contradict the values of truthfulness. The Prophetsaid:"…whoever
cheats is not one of us."]Muslim[
When the Muslim promises something, he means to keep his promise.This
attitude stems naturally from truthfulness, and indicates the high
level of civility attained by the one who exhibits it. Allaah Says
)what means(:"And fulfill every engagement, for ]every[ engagement
will be enquired into ]on the Day of Reckoning[."]Quran 17: 34[
One of the worst characteristics that Islam abhors is hypocrisy,
therefore the Muslim can never be a hypocrite; he is frank and open in
his words and opinions. The Prophetsaid:"One of the worst people is a
double-faced man, who comes to one group with one face and to another
group with a totally different face."]Al-Bukhaari[
Islam does not approve of begging. It makes it a sin that a person
should beg when he has enoughto satisfy his immediate needs.Therefore,
the Muslim does not beg. If he is faced with difficultyand poverty, he
seeks refuge in patience, whilstdoubling his effort to find a way out.
The Prophetsaid:"Whoever refrains from asking from people,Allaah will
help him…"]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
A sign of one's excellencein Islam, is his ignoring what does not
concern him. The Muslim should only participate in what concerns him,
such as anything that is his property, right, obligation or under his
control. To be concerned with something entails preserving and taking
care of this thing that one is allowed to be concerned with. The
Prophetsaid:"A sign of a person's being a good Muslim is that he
should leave alone that which does not concern him."]At-Tirmithi[
The Muslim never searches for people's faults or slander their honor.
He doesn't slip into the error of pride, boasting and showing off. He
judges fairly, is never unjust )even to those whom he does not like(
or biased by his ownwhims, and avoids suspicion. He does not rejoice
in the misfortunesof anyone. He carefully avoids uttering any wordof
slander, cursing, malicious gossip and foullanguage.
He does not make fun of people but is gentle, kind, compassionate and
merciful, strives for people's benefit and seeks to protect and help
them.
One of the virtues of sucha great value and importance that Islam, not
only recommends, but also orders Muslims to characterize themselves
with, is generosity. Therefore, the Muslim is generous and gives
freely without waste to those who are in need. When he gives, he does
not remind people of his generosity. He is patient, tries hard to
control his anger and is forgiving. He does not bear grudges or
resentments, and is easy on people, not hard.
One of the worst diseasesof the heart is envy, which leads to foul
conduct and bad behavior. Therefore the Muslim is not envious, because
he knows that the pleasures of this life are as nothing in comparison
to the reward that Allaah has prepared for the believers, and that
whatever happens in life happens according to thedecree of Allaah.
The Muslim, who truly understands the teachings of his religion, is
gentle, friendly, cheerful and warm. He mixes with people and gets
along with them. He is humble and modest; and does not look down at
other people. He is lighthearted and has a sense of humor and does not
disdain others. His jokes are distinguished by their legitimate
Islamic nature. He is keento bring happiness to people. It is an
effective means of conveying the message of truth to them,and exposing
them to its moral values, because people only listen to those whom
they like, trust and accept.
The Muslim keeps secrets;keeping secrets is a sign of maturity, moral
strength, wisdom and balanced personality. He is concerned about the
affairs of people in general. He is happy to welcome his guests and
hastens to honor them.
The Prophetsaid:"Everyreligion has a )distinct( characteristic and the
characteristic of Islam is modesty."]Ibn Maajah[ The Muslim adheres to
the principle of modesty in all things. He does not accept every
custom that is widely accepted by others, for there may be customs
which go against Islam.
The Muslim does not enter a house other than his own without seeking
permission and greeting people. He sits wherever he finds room when he
joins a gathering. He avoids whispering and conversing privately when
he is in a group of three. He gives due respect to elders and those
who deserve to be respected )like scholars etc.(.
Allaah Almighty Says)what means(:"Invite mankind to the way of your
Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways
that are best and most gracious."]Quran 16:125[ The Muslim is aware of
his duty to call others to Islam, and does not spareany effort to do
so. He enjoins what is good andforbids what is evil and mixes with
righteous people. He visits the sick cheerfully. He attends thefuneral
of the Muslim andaccompanies the body until it is buried.