Fathwa - My Future sister-in-law has removed her Hijab

Question:
I am a practising muslimah who comes from a conservative and educated
practising sunni muslim family (Mashallah). My sisters and I all
observe hijaab and we all try tobetter ourselves as muslims each day.
Last year while at university my brother met a muslimah and they
developed an understanding - through this understanding this Muslimah
started to observe hijaab and also started to pray salah. By the tail
end oflast year they got engaged with my father's blessing.
Earlier this year I heard rumours that my brothers fiancee had removed
her hijaab. Naturally I didn't want to believe it because I hadn't
seen it for myself. Eventually I saw it for myself. As a result other
girls at university started to question myself and my sisters about
the actions of my brother'sfiancee. Given the situation, there is not
a lot we can say since she refuses to speak tous about it.
At this moment in time I am absolutely furious about what this girl
has done. She has not only hurt my brother's feelings but she didn't
stop to thinkwhat consequences her actions would have on others around
her (Firstly displeasingAllah (swt) by withdrawing from a compulsory
Fard and secondly hurting my family's feelings - especially my
parents).At this moment in time I have lost all respect for this girl.
I feel she is unsuitable for my brother and I feel that she would
never fit into our family. We are inclinedto believe that her decision
to wear hijaab in the first instance was to merelygain approval for
engagement, following which she removed it, hence deceiving us - may I
stress that we made absolutely no indication that we required her to
wear the hijaab in the first place but naturally we were very pleased
with her decision to do so and built respectfor her. For her to
voluntarily take on a fard and then withdraw from it is wrong.
The question I would like to raise is therefore - as future in-laws to
this muslimah, are my parents entitled to question her actions and
request that she re-adorn her hijaab before marriage?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
Dear Sister,
I pray this message finds you and your family well.
If your parents want to talk to your brother's fiancee about her
hijab, they need to do so with the utmost caution and discretion. I
can understand how everyone has been upsetby this, but there are
several points to keep in mind:
1. Your brother met this young woman and became attracted to her even
though she did not cover. It's possible that her motivation in
covering may have been to please your brother. The problem with
speculating about her motivation is, firstly, she is not here to tell
us. Secondly, only Allah Ta'ala knows what is in her heart. And,
thirdly, we need to learn to deal with people as we find them, and not
how we want them to be. If your brother wanted someone who was strong
about her hijab, then choosing this particular sister may not have
been ideal to beginwith.
2. The decision to wear hijab may be one of the most important
decisionsa woman ever makes. Consequently, this decision should come
about as a result of reflection, remembrance of Allah, and one's own
personal volition. Unfortunately, when sisters cover under pressure,
the desire to please Allah is submerged under the desire to make
everyone else happy. The bottom line is: we don't cover to please
people. We cover to please Allah.
3. Your parents can certainly discuss their expectations with this
young woman. But this brings me back to my original point: we don't
bring people into our lives, determined to change them. Change has to
be from within. It is very possible that this sister may decide to
wear hijab again. And it's also quite possible that she may never do
so. All you can do is pray for her, wish the best for her, and
continue to encourage her. Being judgmental or harsh will not help.
4. Finally, this is really a decision your brother will have to make.
Is he willing to have a wife that is uncovered? Men are responsible
for the wellbeing of their families, and part of this includes making
sure that everyone is carryingout his or her religious duty. This will
have to be approached with sensitivity.
I pray that Allah Ta'ala gives this young woman the conviction to do
what is most pleasing to Him.
And Allah knows best.

Fathwa - Non-muslim half brothers

Question:
I reverted a year ago, alhumdulillah, but am not sure as to what is
appropriate with my non muslim family members. Do I have to wear hijab
in front of my half brothers (my father's sons from his previous
marraige)? What about my non muslim uncles??
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
Dear Sister,
I pray this message reaches you in strong iman and good spirits.
Congratulations for entering Islam!
You are not required to wear hijab in front of your non-Muslim
relatives provided that:
1. They are unmarriageable kin, such as your father, grandfather,
brothers, half-brothers, nephews, and uncles (by blood).
2. And they are morally upright.
However, you are required to observe hijab around cousins, whether
they're related to you through blood or marriage. And hijab is also a
requirement around uncles who are related by marriage, ie, the
husbands of your aunts.
And Allah knows best.

Fathwa - Hijab: problems can you help me

Question:
I was happy to find outyour site because it's been 2 years that I have
a big problem. Indeed, two years ago I decided to wear the hidjab.
First, I have to explain you where I am from. I live in the North of
France, I am originally from Algeriaand I am a Sunni muslim. I'm 20
and I'ma student in university.When I left high school, I began
reading more and more about Islam, being regular about my prayers,
fearing Allah subhanu wata3ala and doing my best to get closer to HIM.
I made the decision to wear the hidjab. My parents pray. They don't
try to learn more science about Islam and they don't read the Quran.
My mother who is 59 doesn't wear al hidjab.When I wanted to put the
veil, they got furious, my father became high-boiling, he had a fit of
rage andthere wasn't any dialogue possible withhim. He told me if you
wear the veil you have to leave my home. First, I ignored their
remarks and I left the veil on my head and then he took it off from my
hair. I cried a lot, I keep on praying Allah subhanu wata3ala every
day during all the prayers. I study 30 minutes by train far from home.
I come back to home every day. During the last months, I began wearing
it in the train just after leaving home. I wear it during all the day
but my parents don't know anything about it. I want to know what
should I do about that?Because I'm fed up with having this double
life. Anyway al hamdulilah, I put my trust in Allah "Wa tawakal 3ala
Allah wa kafa billahi wa kilah" Sourate al ahzab
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
Dear Sister,
May Allah Ta'ala reward you for making this decision under very
challenging circumstances. Remember that when you take a step toward
Allah the Exalted, He reciprocates many times over.
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who
said that the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: Allah
theAlmighty said:
I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of
Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to
Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention
of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an
arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to
Me walking, I go to him at speed.
Hadith Qudsi 15. It was related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim,
at-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Majah).
Obedience to parents is not unconditional. Therefore, if our parents
ask us to do something that contravenes Sacred Law, then we are
obliged to disobey them.
Obedience to Allah Ta'ala, however, is unconditional. That is why we
are Muslims, thatis, we fully surrender to Allah the Exalted. As a
Muslim woman, one of your religious responsibilities is to wear hijab.
This is something between you and your Lord, and your parents cannot
interfere.Please remain true to your convictions, but also remain a
good daughter to your parentsby emphasizing your love and respect for
them. Try to respond positively when they raise objections.
I pray that Allah Ta'ala opens their hearts and brings them around.
And Allah knows best.

Ramadan Articles - A program for the Blessed Month of Ramadan

Question:
In the Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Ever Merciful
Praise be to Allaah and may His blessings and peace be upon His Messenger.
Dear brothers, I greet youwith the greeting of Islam: Assalaamu Alaykum,
Allaah The Almighty Says)what means(: }The month of Ramadan ]is that[
in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear
proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights ]the new moon of[
the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on ajourney - then
an equal number of other days. Allaah Intends for you ease and does
not intendfor you hardship and]wants[ for you to complete the period
and to glorify Allaah for that]to[ which He has guided you; and
perhaps you will be grateful.{ ]Quran 2: 185[
I am a member of a Da'wah committee at a Masjid. I have been entrusted
with setting a program for how to spend the last ten nights of Ramadan
in worship. The night starts from 11:00 pm to 4:00 am. I want my
Muslim brothersto benefit me with their suggestions and thus I
consulted this blessed website. I ask Allaah The Almighty to help us
devote all our deeds to His sake and to accept them.
I want to make two tables, one for the even-numbered days: 22,24, 26,
28 and another for the odd-numbered days: 21, 23, 25 and 29.
A question may arise: Why should there be twotables? The answer is
that the efforts in worship during the odd nights should be greater.It
was reported from the Messenger of Allaahthat the Night of Al-Qadr is
sought during the odd nights. Another question may arise: Why is the
27th night of Ramadan not included within the odd-numbered nights? The
answer is that we want a specific program for this night. It was
reported that it is most likely the Night of Al-Qadr.
Please advise and do not deprive yourselves of thisgreat reward,
especially during the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of mercy,
forgiveness, admittance to Paradise, and salvation from Hell.
May Allaah bless and reward you!
Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Ever Merciful
Dear brother, Assalaamu 'Alaykum,
For the righteous deeds to be accepted by Allaah The Almighty, the
most important two conditions are dedicating these deeds solely for
the sake of Allaah The Almighty and keenness to follow the example and
guidance ofthe Prophet. This means that the accepted righteous deed is
that which is dedicated to Allaah The Almighty and is done according
to the guidance of the Prophet. This is the way the righteous
predecessors understood the verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says
)what means(: }]He[ who created death and life to test you ]as to[
which of you is best in deed.{ ]Quran 67: 2[ Allaah The Almighty did
not say, "to test you ]as to[ which of you is more in deed." What
counts here is the quality of deeds. So, little deeds will be enough
for you provided that you offer them with full sincerity to Allaah The
Almighty. The best deed is that which is the most sincereand the
soundest. On the other hand, when one is able to do many righteous
deeds while fulfilling sincerity and compliance with the guidance of
the Prophetthis is actually a great and praiseworthy achievement.
There is no doubt that a person gets more active when he is with
others who are active. Therefore, the wise Sharee'ah )Islamic
legislation( made the religious obligations communal. When these
religious obligations are communal, they are performed easily. Prayer
is performed in congregation, one performs Hajj along with his Muslim
brothers, all the people fast together, one is strengthened by his
brothers when performing Jihaad, etc. Thus, we hope that your benefit
will be great through this congregation. You should focus on teaching
sincerity, being mindful of Allaah The Almighty as well as other
topics on self-purification.
We hope that the program dedicates some moments to seclusion when each
one stays alone in order to reckon himself and renew his repentance.
We also hope that you often repeat the Hadeeth)narration( in which the
Prophetsays:"Intentions are what count in deeds." This Hadeeth is a
criterion for the inner deeds. Also, there is the Hadeeth in which the
Prophetsaid: "Whoever does something )of worship( away from our
matter, it will be rejected." The lastHadeeth is a criterion for
apparent deeds.
We hope that the program includes the following:
1- Lessons and lecturesfor scholars. That is because knowledge
precedes action and one scholar is harder for the devil than a
thousand devoted worshippers.
2- Keenness to perform the obligatory acts of worship and taking
care of that. Allaah The Almighty does not accept the voluntary act of
worship unless the obligatory one is done.
3- Moderation in worship, for Allaah The Almighty never gets
tired)of giving reward( but you will get tired )of excessive worship(.
Thus, the Prophetadvised us: "Perform such acts that you are capable
of doing."
4- Keeping some acts of obedience hidden as asecret between the
slave and his Lord.
5- Intensifying the act of seeking forgiveness, especially after
performing the righteousdeed. This is to avoid self-conceit.
6- Diversifying the actsof obedience: It is not necessary to
spend the whole night in prayer. Rather, these nights are allocated
for different types of righteous deeds.
7- Being acquainted with the degrees of deeds. The best thing
theProphetas well as the former Prophets, may Allaah exalt their
mention, said is: "La Ilaaha Illa Allaah )there is no god worthy of
worship except Allaah(," and the most beloved speech to Allaah
is,"Subaan Allaah wa bihamdih, subhaan Allaah Al-'Atheem)glorified is
Allaah and praise is due to Him, glorified is Allaah The Great(".
8- Keeping away from sins and acts of disobedience as well as
lowering the gaze. Giving up sins is easier than repenting.
I cannot conceal my happiness at your keenness, care, organization and
order and would like to welcome you to our website. We ask Allaah The
Almighty to benefit Islam and Muslims with you. May Allaah accept our
fast and Qiyaam.
May Allaah grant us success.