Dought & clear, - Friday khutbah in languages other than Arabic.

Could you kindly detail what should be done by the congregation for
Juma prayers? Basically, we listen to a speech in our language then
Adhan, then four sunna salaat. After this the Imam devlivers the
khutba in Arabic. During his khutbha how should we sit? Then there is
a pause in the khutbha, what should be recited here?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The fuqaha' are unanimously agreed that it is better for the khutbah
to be in Arabic, but they differed as to whether that is essential.
There are three points of view:
1-
That it is essential for it to be in Arabic for the one who is able to
do that, even if the listeners do not know Arabic.
This is the view of the Maalikis and it is the well-known view of the Hanbalis.
See:al-Fawaakih al-Diwaani(1/306) andKashshaaf al-Qinaa'(2/34).
2-
That it is essential for it to be in Arabic for the one who is able to
do that, unless none of the listeners know Arabic, in which case he
should give the khutbah in their language.
This is the correct view according to the Shaafa'is, and it is the
view of some of the Hanbalis.
See:al-Majmoo'by al-Nawawi (4/522).
3-
It is mustahabb for the khutbah to be in Arabic but it is not
essential, and the khateeb may deliver the khutbah in his own language
instead of Arabic. This is the view of Abu Haneefah and some of the
Shaafa'is.
See:Radd al-Muhtaar(1/543) andal-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah(19/180).
This third view is the correct one, and it is the view favoured by a
number of our contemporary scholars, because there is no clear
evidence to say that the khutbah must be in Arabic, and because the
purpose of the khutbah is to exhort, benefit and teach, which can only
be done by using the language of the people present.
It says in a statement of the Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League:
The fairest opinion is that using Arabic when giving the khutbah on
Friday and at Eid in countries where it is not spoken is not a
condition of it being valid, but it is better to say the preliminaries
of the khutbah and any Qur'aanic verses quoted in Arabic, so as to get
non-Arabs used to hearing Arabic and the Qur'aan, which will make it
easier to learn it and read the Qur'aan in the language in which it
was revealed. Then the khateeb can follow that with exhortation in
their language which they understand. End quote.
Qiraaraat al-Majma' al-Fiqhi(p. 99) (fifth session, fifth statement).
The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said:
There is no proof in the hadeeth to suggest that the Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) stipulated that the Friday khutbah
should be in Arabic, rather he delivered the khutbah in Arabic because
it was his language and the language of his people. So the one who
addressed them and guided them and reminded them spoke in their
language that they understood. But he sent letters in Arabic to the
kings and rulers of nations, and he knew that they spoke languages
other than Arabic, and he knew that they would have them translated
into their languages so that they would know what was in them.
Based on this, it is permissible for the khateeb to deliver the
khutbah in a language where the people or the vast majority of its
inhabitants do not know Arabic to deliver the khutbah in Arabic then
translate it into the local language, so that they will understand
what he is advising and reminding them of, and they will benefit from
his khutbah.
He may also deliver the khutbah in the language of his country, even
if it is not Arabic, and thus he will accomplish the guidance,
teaching, exhortation and reminder that are the purpose of the
khutbah.
But it is better to deliver the khutbah in Arabic and then translate
it to the listeners, so as to combine the guidance of the
Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his khutbahs and
his letters with achieving the aim of giving the khutbah, and so as to
avoid an area concerning which there is scholarly dispute. End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah(8/253).
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Perhaps it is better, and Allaah knows best, to discuss this matter in
detail and say:
If the majority of people in the mosque are non-Arabic speakers who do
not understand Arabic, then there is nothing wrong with giving the
khutbah in a language other than Arabic, or delivering it in Arabic
then translating it.
But if most of the people present know Arabic and understand it in
general, then it is better to stick to Arabic and not go against the
guidance of the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
especially since the salaf used to deliver khutbahs in mosques where
there were non-Arabs present, and it is not narrated that they used to
translate it, because Islam was prevalent and so was Arabic.
As for the evidence that it is permissible in cases of necessity;
there is some evidence to that effect in sharee'ah. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people,
in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them"
[Ibraaheem 14:4]
For example, when the Sahaabah invaded non-Arab lands such as Persia
and Byzantium, they did not fight them until they called them to Islam
via interpreters. End quote.
Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn Baaz(12/372).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The correct view with regard to this matter is that it is permissible
for the khateeb to deliver the khutbah in a language that the people
present understand, if the people present are not Arabs and do not
know Arabic. He may deliver the khutbah in their language, because
that is the means of explaining to them, and the purpose of the
khutbah is to explain the sacred limits of Allaah to His slaves, and
exhort them, and guide them. But the verses of Qur'aan should be
recited in Arabic, then explained in the language of the people.
The fact that he may give the khutbah in the language of the people is
indicated by the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people,
in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them"
[Ibraaheem 14:4].
Allaah stated that the means of conveying should be in the language
that the people addressed understand. Based on that, he may give the
khutbah in a language other than Arabic, but if he recites verses of
Qur'aan, they must be in Arabic, in which the Qur'aan was revealed,
then after that he may explain them to these people in their language.
End quote.
Fataawa Noor 'ala al-Darb.
See the answer to question no. 984.
Secondly:
The format of Jumu'ah prayer should not be changed to what is
mentioned in the question, whereby there are two khutbahs, one before
the adhaan in the people's language and another after the adhaan in
Arabic. Rather there should a khutbah either in the language of the
people or in Arabic then translated into the other language
straightaway whilst the khateeb is still on the minbar.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked
about translating the Friday khutbah into some other languages, after
Jumu'ah prayer in al-Masjid al-Haraam, so that those who do not know
Arabic could benefit from it. He replied:
We do not agree with what has been mentioned, and there is no
justification for delivering another khutbah on Friday before or after
the prayer.
If the aim is to translate the khutbah to those who do not understand
Arabic, then the khutbah etc can be translated via the radio at times
other than Jumu'ah prayer. End quote.
Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem(3/20).
We encourage all Muslims to learn Arabic, because it is the language
of the Qur'aan and through it they can understand Islam better, and
understand the meanings of the ahaadeeth of the Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Shaykh Rasheed Rida (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
We have stated more than once that knowledge of Arabic is obligatory
upon every Muslim, because understanding the religion, establishing
its rituals and fulfilling its obligations all depend on understanding
this language, and cannot be valid without it. Although the Friday
khutbah does not absolutely have to be in Arabic, this ritual is of
great importance.
The non-Arabs who entered Islam in the early period hastened to learn
Arabic in order to understand the Qur'aan and Sunnah and to form bonds
through the language without which the unity of the ummah cannot be
achieved. The Sahaabah used to address the people in Arabic in every
land that they conquered, and it was not long before the language of
the lands that they entered became Arabic, due to the influence of the
spirit of Islam, not for worldly gains or by force of compulsion. If
they had thought that it was acceptable to leave the non-Arab nations
who entered their religion with their own languages, they would have
hastened to learn the languages of those nations and established the
religious obligations and acts of worship for them in those languages,
and Greek would have remained Greek, Persian would have remained
Persian, and so on.
The difference in languages that we see today among Muslims is one of
the most serious bad effects of politics. If the Ottoman and Iranian
states do not try to spread Arabic in their realms, there will come a
day when they will regret that. We cannot rely on any religious reform
in India or elsewhere in the Muslim world, unless Arabic is taught
from the primary stage and is made the language of knowledge. End
quote.
Majallat al-Manaar(6/496).
Fourthly:
With regard to praying four Sunnah rak'ahs before Jumu'ah, there is no
Sunnah prayer before Jumu'ah. Rather it is prescribed to offer
voluntary prayers in general before it, without specifying any
particular number.
And Allaah knows best.

Meaning of True Love in Islam: Holy Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) love for his people

It is so common that the meaning of love has been restricted in the
modern age to the love relationship between a man and a woman. This is
a very narrow-minded view of love. Islam has is own comprehensive view
of love.
The fist type of love that Islam calls for is the Love of Allah (SWT),
praise be to Him. This love makes you avoid committing sins in order
not to make whom you love, Allah, get angry with you. This love also
urges you to contemplate all the different aspect of nature that
usually leads you to have a deeper faith in the Creator who created
all this beauty round us.
The second type of love is the love of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).
This love also makes you follow the example of Holy Prophet Muhammad
(saw)in all his dealings and manners. Also this love is an indication
of the love of Allah (SWT) as stated in the Noble Qur'an, "Say: 'If
you do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your
sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'" Say: "Obey Allah
and His Messenger: But if they turn back, Allah loves not those who
reject Faith." (Noble Qur'an, 3:31-32)
The third type of love is human love. It means that the Muslim has to
love his other fellow men regardless of their ethnic, linguistic or
cultural background. This includes love of neighbors, colleagues,
relatives and even strangers. This type of love persuades the Muslim
to help anybody whenever he can. There are numerous of Ahadith that
exhort Muslims to help anybody who really needs help because such an
altruistic act takes the Muslim one step closer to Allah (SWT).
The fourth type of love is the love between a man and a woman, but
Islam organizes and regulates these lofty feelings within the
framework of marriage because Islam views that marital love leads the
couple to have a peaceful and happy family life, which is the core of
the Muslim society.
In other words, this love is acceptable as long as it is within the
framework of marriage and this is encouraged in a number of verses in
the Noble Qur'an, "And one of His signs is that He created mates for
you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between
you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a
people who reflect." (Noble Qur'an, 30:21)
Holy Prophet Muhammad's (saw) love for his people: Something to think about ...
How can a father's love for his son be known? This love itself is not
something visible or tactual. It can be known only from his behavior,
attitude and words towards his son. If a wise and fair person pays due
attention to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) utterances and studies the
reports describing his efforts to guide men to the right course, his
strictness in protecting everybody's rights and his magnanimous and
compassionate efforts for the establishment of beautiful morals, he
will clearly see that his love for his Ummah (community) is much more
than that of a father for his son. A person who realizes his
astounding accomplishments, the astonishing reports in Noble Qur'an,
which were revealed through his tongue and his utterances foretelling
the bewildering events that will happen at the end of the world, will
certainly see that he attained high grades above the intellect's
capacity and comprehended facts beyond the intellect's limit of
comprehension and realization. Thus, it will be apparent to him that
his words are all true.
How would you feel if you found out that someone was thinking about
you more than 1400 years ago?
Once our holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was sitting with some of his
companion and suddenly he (SAW) said, "Alas! I wish I could meet my
brothers."
Abu Bakr and Umar, who were around him said, "Are we not your
brothers? We believe in you and we migrated with you."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) replied, "You are my companions. You
accepted Islam and migrated with me but "Alas I wish I could meet my
brothers...!"
Again they asked the same question, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)
replied the same answer. Then they asked "O, Prophet who are those
people?"
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) replied, "My brothers are those who are
during the Akhir uz Zaman. They will believe in me although they have
not seen me."
This shows a glimpse of our holy Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) love for us
and of course, we claim to love him as well. But when love becomes
limited to words, it becomes meaningless. And when the loved one's
advice is not taken seriously, it invalidates this love. Don't you
think?
Isn't it about time we follow our holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)? Isn't
it about time we reconsider our lives?
There is a well known tradition narrated by Holy Prophet Muhammad
(saw) which has been recorded by eminent Shia and Ahle Sunnah scholars
in their compilation thus: "One who dies without recognizing the Imam
of his age, has died the death of ignorance."
In other words his death shall be that of an infidel. Even the Noble
Qur'an declares in the 71st verse of Surah Bani Israel, "On the day
when every man shall be summoned along with their Imam." (17:71)
Salty coffee - What is the true meaning of Love and being in love
A boy met her girl friend in his friend's party. She was so
outstanding that many guys chasing after her, while he was so normal
that nobody paid attention to him.
At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him, she
was surprised, but due to being polite, she accepts the request. They
sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything, she
felt uncomfortable, she said, please; let me go home.
Suddenly the boy asked the waiter, "Would you please give me some
salt? I would like to put it in my coffee."
She stared at him, so strange! His face turned red, but still, he put
the salt in his coffee and drank it.
She asked him curiously; why you have this hobby?
He replied: "when I was a little boy, I was living near the sea, I
like playing in the sea, and I could feel the taste of the sea, just
like the taste of the salty coffee. Now every time I have the salty
coffee, I always think of my childhood, think of my hometown, I miss
my hometown so much, I miss my parents who are still living there"
while saying tears filled his eyes. She was deeply touched. That's his
true feeling, from the bottom of his heart.
A man, who can tell out his home sickness, He must be a man who loves
home, cares and has responsibility of home. Then she also started to
speak about her far away hometown, her childhood, family and all. That
was a really nice talk, and also a beautiful beginning of their love
story.
They continued to see eachother. She found that actually he was a man
who meets all her demands; he had tolerance, kind hearted, warm and
careful. He was such a good person but she almost missed him! Thanks
to his salty coffee!
Then the story begin just like every beautiful love story, the
princess married to the prince, and then they were living the happy
life and every time she made coffee for him, she put some salt in the
coffee, as she knew that's the way he liked it always.
After 40 year of married life, suddenly the boy had passed away, and
left her a letter, in which he said: "My dearest wife, please forgive
me, forgive my whole life lie which I told you. This was the only lie
I said to you - "the salty coffee."
Remember the first time we met? I was so nervous at that time,
actually I wanted some Sugar, but I said salt. It was hard for me to
change, so I just went ahead. I never thought that could be the
beginning of our love story! I tried to tell you the truth many times
in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I have promised not to
lie to you for anything in my married life.
Now I'm dying, I m afraid of nothing, so I tell you the truth: I don't
like the salty coffee, what a strange and bad taste. But I had the
salty coffee for my whole life! Since I Love you, I never feel sorry
for anything I do for you.
"Having you with me is my biggest happiness for my whole life." If I
can live for the second time, I still want to know you and have you
only in my life, even though I have to drink the salty coffee for my
whole life."
Her tears made the letter totally wet.
Someday, someone asked her: "what's the taste of salty coffee?"
"It's very sweet". She replied
True Love or what?
An elderly gent was invited to an old friends' home for dinner one
evening. He was impressed by the way his buddy preceded every request
to his wife with endearing terms such as: Honey, My Love, Darling,
Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc. The couple had been married almost 70 years
and, clearly, they were still very much in love.
While the wife was in the kitchen, the man leaned over and said to his
host, "I think it's wonderful that, after all these years, you still
call your wife those loving pet names." The old man hung his head. "I
have to tell you the truth," he said, "Her name slipped my mind about
10 years ago and I'm scared to death to ask her what it is!"

Fathwa, - Polyandry in Islam

Question
According to Islam women cannot marry more than one male as then we
will not know who the father is. But today we can know who the father
is by DNA testing. So how can we answer this question if posed by a
non-Muslim?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that
Muhammadis His slave and Messenger.
You have to know that Islam prohibits a woman to marry more than one
man, this is not just to protect the progeny, but for many other
wisdoms. These wisdoms are known by some people and not known by
others. Therefore even if it is confirmed that the father of the child
can be determined by DNA testing, still this does not change the
ruling due to several reasons. If the woman is busy taking care of
more than one husband, which one would she obey, taking into
consideration that people differ in their nature and character? One
wants to travel and the other wants to stay where he resides, one
wants to have sexual intercourse with her at a specific hour, and the
other wants the same at the same time. One wants hot food and the
other wants it cold, and other unlimited matters. So how can life be
acceptable with the above conditions? In addition to this, she has to
fulfill the need of her husbands whether in relation to sexual
intercourse or else. If we assume that their needs are at the same
time, how can she fulfill them? If she is impregnated by one husband
and then others have sexual intercourse with her, then they have
committed the prohibition, from which the Prophetwarned saying: "It is
not allowed for a man who believes in Allaah and the Last Day, to have
an intercourse with a woman who is pregnant from another man." ]Ahmad
and Abu-Daawood[
In addition to the above, if the woman has many husbands, it is not
safe for fatal disease to spread, like AIDS and other diseases.
Allaah knows best.

Fathwa, - Misconceptions about marital rights in Islam

Question
I have been reading about the marital rights in Islam and I am
confused. Please answer my question as its taking me away from
religion and bringing evil thoughts about Islam. I understand man has
more rights over his wife but if someone is given power there should
be severe punishment if he abuses that power but it seems that if
women makes a mistake her punishment is much severe than when the man
abuses his power for instance if she refuses an intercourse without
any valid reason which from what I read are being sick, menses and
mandatory fast. But it doesn't take into consideration her emotional
circumstances.
The Prophet,said: "When a man calls his wife to his bed and she
refuses, and he went to sleep angry with her, the angels will curse
her until morning." ]Al-Bukhaari[
Where the husband beats his wife the matter is not so serious. Many
women have come to the family of Muhammad, complaining about their
husbands. Those )husbands( are not the best among you. ]Abu Daawood[
The Prophet,recommended Faatimah Bint Qays not to marry Abu Jaham
because he beat women )as for Abu Jaham, his stick never leaves his
shoulder(.
In both cases being violent to wife is not liked but not considered a
major sin but refusing intercourse is a major sin. I have also read if
wife refuses to obey the husband or have intercourse, man can stop
paying the maintenance but if the husband doesn't fulfil his
obligations like maintenance or kind treatment wife still has to obey
him and cannot refuse intercourse with him.
Similarly woman who asks for divorce without a valid reason is kind of cursed.
"Any woman who asked for a divorce for no reason, the fragrance of
Paradise is forbidden to her." ]Narrated by At-Tirmithi[
I haven't read anything which is as strict as the above regarding man.
Isn't harm caused by man divorcing wife without a reason the same as
woman asking for divorce without a reason.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that
Muhammadis His slave and Messenger.
First of all, you have to know that this religion is sent down by
Allaah, the Most-Wise, the All-Knower. He is the One Who knows what is
beneficial for His Slaves in this world and in the Hereafter. The
Words of Allaah are the Truth and All that Allaah has Legislated is
just. Allaah Says )which means(: }And the Word of your Lord has been
fulfilled in truth and in justice.{]Quran 6:115[, i.e. true in
information and just in rulings, free from all kinds of lies or
injustice. The belief of a Muslim requires that he submits himself to
Allaah's Decree. The Muslim's belief that Allaah is Perfect in his
Names and Attributes, and that he is the All-Knower, the All-Wise, the
All-Aware, and belief in His other Names and Attributes, all this
requires from him to firmly believe that Allaah does not legislate
except that which is beneficial for His Slaves, and that He does not
wrong anyone in His Rulings. It is He Who forbade injustice on Him and
made it forbidden among the people. A Muslim may not know the wisdom
and the secrets of legislation, so it is not permissible for him to
condition his belief on perceiving the wisdom, to an extent that if he
knows the wisdom, he believes and if he does not know it, he does not
believe. Therefore, you should be careful, and your slogan should be
the Saying of Allaah ]when speaking about the believers[ )which
means(: }And they say, ''We hear and we obey. ]We seek[ Your
forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the ]final[ destination."{]Quran
2:285[. This is just an introductive answer to your misconceptions
before we proceed to answer your questions.
As regards your questions, the answer would be as follows:
1( It is not correct to say that the punishment for the woman in
most cases is more severe than that of a man. It is related that the
man is cursed and there are severe warnings against him in relation to
some of his conducts with his wife. For instance the Prophetsaid:
"Allaah cursed the husband who has sex with his wife in her anus."
]Abu Daawood[ The Prophetfurther said: "Whoever has sex with a woman
in menstruation, or has sex with his wife in her anus, or had been to
see a magician, he had indeed disbelieved in what was revealed upon
the Prophet Muhammad the Prophet." ]At-Tirmithi[ In another narration
the Prophetsaid: "When a husband has two wives and does not act justly
between them, he will come on the Day of Judgment with a side of his
body hanging down )as a form of punishment(." ]Abu Daawood[
2( It is not possible to be certain that the punishment of a
disobedient woman is less than that of a husband who hits his wife
without any religious reason. Allaah Says )which means(: }…But if they
obey you ]once more[, seek no means against them. Indeed, Allaah is
ever Exalted and Grand.{]Quran 4:34[. ImaamIbn Katheersaid in relation
to the interpretation of the above verse:'This is a threat to the
husbands if they are unjust to their wives without any valid religious
reason, as it is Allaah Who is their ]wives[ guardian and He will
avenge those who are unjust to them.' Even if we assume that the
punishment of a disobedient woman or the woman who refuses to share
the bed with her husband is more severe than the punishment of a man
hitting his wife, the harm that results from a woman who refuses to
share the bed with her husband is greater than the harm which results
from him hitting her, as the husband may resort to adultery because of
his wife refusing him to enjoy her, and other harms could result due
to her refusal. Moreover, the Prophetclarified the issue of men
hitting their wives that it is not a simple matter as he said:"The men
who beat their wives are not the best of you.",so how could it be
deduced that this is an easy matter, rather this is a severe threat.
3( It is true that Islam legislated that a husband has the right
of not spending on his wife if she is disobedient to him, but it is
not correct to say that the wife has no right if the husband does not
fulfil her rights, as in such a case Islam has given the right for the
woman to take the matter to the court in order to remove the harm off
her.
4( It is known that in general women are controlled by their
emotion, that is why Islam did not put divorce in her hand and
prohibited her to ask for divorce without a sound religious reason so
that she will not resort to divorce for trivial reasons. It is for
this reason that the stance against her is more firm than in relation
to the husband. Finally, it should be noted that Islam legislated
divorce as the last solution to clarify that it is disliked to resort
to it as a means of solving the problems. The Prophetsaid: "Divorce is
the most hated lawful act to Allaah."]Abu Daawood[ Although some
scholarsconsidered the chain of narrators of this Prophetic narration
as weak, yet its meaning is correct.
Allaah Knows best.