Womens Work, - Dought & clear, - * She works in a kindergarten where they serve pork once a month

Share

I work as a teacher in a kindergarten in Canada, where they offer food that contains pork once a month. Please note that I do not serve it to the children myself, but I do not feel comfortable about it.
I want to know the Islamic ruling on that and on the money I earn from my work.
Praise be to Allaah.
If there are Muslims among these children, then you should not approve of the kindergarten offering this haraam meat to them; you have to make sure that the administration knows that they should not give this food to the Muslim children.
But if these children are not Muslim, then they regard it as permissible to eat pork and the Muslims have no authority over them in their own country.
In this case, it is sufficient for you not to help with this haraam action or be present when this food is served. In that case it is permissible for you to remain in this job.
And Allah knows best.

Share

Womens Work, - Dought & clear, - * Rulings Pertaining to Woman TakingCare of Severely Mentally Challenged Man

Share

As a recent revert to islam i am always trying to gain extra knowledge and guidance, inshallah. My question relates to my current job. I work as a home carer, taking care of the needs of a severely handicapped person, who suffered brain damage during birth. This person is 42yrs old, although his brain activity and mental capabilities are that of a baby, he has no control what so ever over his body and is unable to do anything for himself i.e he can not wash dress or feed himself and wears pads for toileting, he is also unable to walk or talk at all and is confined to a wheel chair. I've already been told i am able to work with this person but now i'm wondering whether being in close contact with this person will break my wudoo, as i have to touch him on a daily basis. Inshallah you are able to answer my question.
Praise be to Allaah.
First:
We ask Allah, the Exalted, to keep you firm on His religion and we advise you to educate yourself regarding religious matters and work righteous deeds as much as possible as that will assist you in remaining steadfast and calling to Allah.
Second:
As for your work in taking care of the mentally challenged man, then it is in principle allowed and it would be appropriate for us to mention some rulings concerning it at this time.
1. The basic principle concerning the ‘awrah (generally the private regions which are not to be seen by others) of the handicapped is that it is impermissible to look at it or touch it without a barrier. Therefore, while cleaning his private parts, you should cover them and not look at them and clean them using something like gloves. A further benefit of the gloves would be that they protect the hands from becoming tainted with impurities.
The scholars of the Permanent Committee were asked: My father was granted three sons who were all handicapped and mentally challenged, and this is a favour Allah bestows upon His select believing slaves, and all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. These three are my brothers and I as I mentioned to you they are handicapped and incapable of taking care of themselves. Therefore, their mother looks after them and cares for them with regard to their food, drink and clothing. However, they have all matured, with the eldest being 25 years old, so is it permissible for my mother or myself to clean my elder brother and bathe him as he does not know how to clean his own body due to his handicap, keeping in mind that his ‘awrah may be exposed. They answered: It is permissible for you to clean these disabled individuals by bathing them and other means but while keeping the ‘awrah covered and cleaning it from behind a barrier like a cloth or something like it and while wearing something on the hand to avoid dirtying the hand with impurities. You should do everything you can to look after these challenged boys, and Allah does not allow the rewards of those who do well be squandered.” End quote
Sh. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz, Sh. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz aal ash-Sheikh, Sh. ‘Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan, Sh. Salih al-Fauzan and Sh. Bakr Abu Zayd. Verdicts of the Permanent Committee (4/425-426)
2. The mentally challenged who feel no lust towards women are included in the saying of Allah (which means): “or those male attendants having no physical desire”. The woman may reveal before them what she would normally reveal before her mahrams (close relatives whom she may not marry), which is what would normally be exposed such as the head, face, forearms and feet.
Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Men who have no physical desire due to old age, impotence, a terminal illness, castration…or a hermaphrodite with no desire for women: The ruling for them is the same as that of the mahram in terms of looking due to the saying of Allah, the Exalted (in meaning): “or those male attendants having no physical desire”. i.e. no desire for women. Ibn ‘Abbas said: He is the one who women are not shy in front of. And from him: He is the hermaphrodite who is incapable of an erection.” End quote from al-Mughni (7/462)
In al-Mawsoo’ah al Fiqhiyyah it states (3/8): “The Malikis, Shafi’ees and Hanbalis said (and it is one opinion of the Hanafis): The ruling of those men who has no desire for women is that of the mahrams in regard to looking at women; they see the places of beauty such as the hair and the forearms, and the rules for entering upon them is also like that of the mahrams due to the saying of Allah , the Exalted (in meaning): “or those male attendants having no physical desire”. End quote.
3. For your work, if you need to look at or touch his ‘awrah, then it is permissible since it is a dire need or necessity as is the case with a doctor if he needs to look at or touch the ‘awrah of a patient. In al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah it states (14/19): “There is no difference among the jurists that looking at the ‘awrah of another is impermissible with the exception of a married couple each looking at the other, so it is not permissible for anyone to look at another’s ‘awrah (besides them) as long as there is no need for it such as a doctor looking at the patient and a caregiver assisting a patient in wudhu (ablution), isntinjaa (cleansing after answering the call of nature), and such things or a midwife for they are permitted to look at that part of the ‘awrah which it is necessary to look at. When necessary for the purposes of treatment or care, it is permissible as necessity makes the warned against (forbidden) permissible and (dire) need is treated as necessity.
Looking is restricted to what is necessary because what is allowed due to necessity must be well assessed/evaluated.” End quote
4. If it happens that you touch the man for the purpose of cleaning and grooming him, then we differentiate between touching ‘awrah (private part) directly and the rest of the body; touching his private part directly (no barrier) nullifies the wudhu while touching the rest of his body does not. With regard to touching his private part, the scholars of the Permanent Committee said: “Touching the private part without a barrier nullifies the wudhu whether the one touches is big or small due to what is established from the saying of the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him): “Whoever touches his private part, let him take wudhu.” An-Nasai, Ibn Majah and authenticated by al-Albani. Touching the private part of another is like touching one’s own private part.
Sh. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz, Sh. ‘Abd ar-Razzaq ‘Afifi, Sh. ‘Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan, Sh. ‘Abdullah ibn Qu’ood. Verdicts of the Permanent Committee (5/265).
As for the issue of a woman touching the body of a man and it not nullifying the wudhu, then we have explained that in detail in the answer to question 76115.
5. Finally, we see that the woman should look after those of her gender and the man should look after men. Therefore, if you could find work taking care of a woman, that would be best without doubt.
And Allah knows best.

Share

For children, - Easier to criticize rather than improve

Share

upon a time there was a young painter who had just completed his course under disciplehood of a great painter (Master). This young artist decided to assess his skills. He decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery.
He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.
He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read, "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I am new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."
While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.
Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with crosses and correction remarks.
This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying, "I am useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I am not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying."
Master smiled and suggested, "My Student, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting." Young disciple couldn't believe it and said, "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough. Don't make false hopes."
"Do as I say without questioning it. It will work." Master interrupted him.
Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.
They reached the same street-crossing early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read, "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I am new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it." Master and disciple walked back home.
They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!
It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve. If you want to help people improve their behavior it is worth investing your effort in learning how to help people change their behaviors, attitudes and skills. Also, always remember not to get carried away or judge yourself by someone else's criticism and feel depressed. Take criticism in your stride; consider that which are genuine and implement those which you think is the best to improve you as a person!

Share

Discover Islam, - * The 'sword' of Islam

Share

The first few people who embraced Islam at the hands of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, )may Allaah exalt his mention( were his wife Khadeejah, may Allaah be pleased with her, his adopted son Zayd, may Allaah be pleased with him, and his eleven-year-old cousin ‘Ali, may Allaah be pleased with him.
Among the ones who later joined this faith in Makkah were the honest merchant, Abu Bakr; the iron man ofArabia, ’Umar; the shy businessman, ‘Uthmaan; the Prophet's brave uncle Hamzah; and the slave of a pagan family, Bilaal, may Allaah be pleased with them. They simply could not resist the alleged ‘magic sword’ of a humble and lonely prophet! The negligible minority of the believers in the new faith were soon driven away from Makkah.
In the city of their migration, Al-Madeenah, people not only welcomed the Muslims, but the ‘sword’ with which it is alleged that people converted to Islam, as well. It did not cease to work even there and its magnetic force continued to "pull" people towards it until the whole ofArabiajoined the faith. Compared to the population of the rest of the world, at that time, the Arabs constituted a tiny minority. A fraction of this minority decided to take the sword beyond the boundaries of the Arabian desert to the mighty empires of Rome and Persia, the shores of the Mediterranean, the coast of Malabar and the far away East Indies Islands. All these people ostensibly went on surrendering to this ‘sword’ and joining the faith.
So sharp was the edge of the ‘sword’! It simply conquered the hearts, the bodies yielded automatically.
What is this ‘sword’ by which Islam spread?
It is the sword of truth, whose shine eliminates falsehood just like light wipes away darkness.
Has the sword gone blunt?
No, far from it.
It continues to pierce the heart of countless men and women even today -- in spite of the relentless efforts by people with vested interests, who would like darkness to prevail, instead of the light of Islam.
Given below are the impressions of some people who were recently conquered by the same sword. They are from different countries, speak different languages and have different backgrounds. Their present addresses are also given. Perhaps you may like to ask them how it feels to be struck by the sword of truth.
1- Leopold Weiss )Mohammed Asad(:
Austrian statesman, journalist and author; former foreign correspondent for the Frankfurter Zeitung; author of Islam at Cross Roads and Road to Makkah and translator of the Quran. )Embraced Islam in 1926(.
"Islam appears to me like a perfect work of architecture. All its parts are harmoniously conceived to complement and support each other. Nothing is superfluous and nothing lacking, with the result of an absolute balance and solid composure."
Present address: Dar Al-Andalus, 3 Library Ramp,Gibraltar,Morocco.
2- Ahmad Holt: British civil contractor
Traveled extensively in search of the Divine truth. Spent much time in search and comparative study of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
)Embraced Islam in 1975(.
"The sword of Islam is not the sword of steel. I know this by experience, because the sword of Islam struck deep into my own heart. It didn't bring death, but it brought a new life; it brought an awareness and it brought an awakening as to who am I and what am I and for what am I here?"
Present address: 23, Welland Garden Perivale, Middlesex UB6 8SZ, UK.
3- Bogdan Kopanksi )now Bogdan Ataullah Kopanski(:
Originally Polish, now American. Ph.D. in History and Politics. Had a very interesting journey to Islam and faced severe hardship; was imprisoned twice by the Polish Communist regime )1968, 1981-82(.
)Embraced Islam in 1974(
"When I was 12 years old I rejected the illogical and contradictory faith of the Church. Two years later in 1962, I was fascinated by the victorious struggle of the Algerian Muslim Mujaahideen against French colonialism. It was the first ' arrow' of Islam... in high school and the earliest days of my education in the university, I was a typical example of the 'rebel generation' of reds...My way to the truth of al-Quran was slow and unpaved...in 1974 I visited Turkey, I wrote my M.A. dissertation about Sultan and Caliph Suleiman Kanuni’s policy towards Polish Kingdom. There, I was hit by the most beautiful voice of mankind: Athaan, the call to prayer. My hair stood up. An unknown powerful force led me to an old masjid inIstanbul. There, old smiling Turkish, bearded men taught me wudhoo, )ablution(, I confessed to tears the shahaadah )testimonies of faith( and I prayed my first salaah )prayer( at Maghrib...I swept out the rubbish ideologies ...for the first time in my life, my mind was relaxed and I felt the pleasure of Allaah's love in my heart, I was a Muslim...”.
Present address : 3013, Harrel, Drive 203 Grand Prairie Tx 75051 USA
4- Vengatachalam Adiyar )Now ‘Abdullaah Adiyar( :
Indian, noted Tamil writer and journalist; worked as a News Editor in Dr. M. Karunanidhi's daily Murasoli for 17 years. Worked with three former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. Received Kalimamani Award from T.N Government in 1982.
)Embraced Islam in 1987(.
"In Islam I found suitable replies to nagging queries arising in my mind with regard to the theory of creation, status of women, creation of the universe etc. The life history of the Holy Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, attracted me very much and made easy for me to compare with other world leaders and their philosophies."
Present address:1 Ashok Avenue, Rangarajapuram, Kodambakkam,Madras,India.
5- Herbert Hobohm: ) Now Aman Hobohm(
German diplomat, missionary and social worker. An intellectual, who has been serving the German Diplomatic Mission in various parts of the world. Presently working as Cultural attache in German Embassy inRiyadh.
)Embraced Islam in 1941(.
"I have lived under different systems of life and have had the opportunity of studying various ideologies, but have come to the conclusion that none is as perfect as Islam. None of the systems has got a complete code of a noble life. Only Islam has it; and that is why good men embrace it. Islam is not theoretical; it is practical. It means complete submission to the will of God.'
Present address: Cultural Attaché, German Embassy,PO Box 74,Riyadh-11492,Saudi Arabia.
6- Cat Stevens: )Now Yousuf Islam(.
British, formerly Christian, world famous pop singer.
)Embraced Islam in 1973(.
"It will be wrong to judge Islam in the light of the behavior of some bad Muslims who are always shown on the media. It is like judging a car as a bad one if the driver of the car is drunk.”
Present address: Chairman, Muslim Aid,3 Furiong Road,London, N7.UK
7- Ms. Margaret Marcus )Now Maryam Jamilah(:
American, formerly Jewish. Essayist and journalist. Author of many books.
)Embraced Islam in 1962(.
"The authority of Islamic morals and laws proceeds from Almighty God. Pleasure and happiness in Islam are but the natural by products of emotional satisfaction in one's duties conscientiously performed for the pleasure of God to achieve salvation. In Islam duties are always stressed above rights. Only in Islam was my quest for absolute values satisfied. Only in Islam did I at last find all that was true, good, beautiful and which gives meaning and directions to human life and death."
Present address: c/o Mr. Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Sant Nagar,Lahore,Pakistan.
8- Wilfried Hofman: )Now Murad Hofman(.
Ph.D )law( Harvard, German social scientist and diplomat. Presently German ambassador in Algiers.
)Embraced in Islam in 1980(
"For some time now, striving for more and more precision and brevity, I have tried to put on paper, in a systemic way, all philosophical truths, which, in my view, can be ascertained beyond reasonable doubt. In the course of this effort it dawned on me that the typical attitude of an agnostic is not an intelligent one; that man simply cannot escape a decision to believe; that the createdness of what exists around us is obvious; that Islam undoubtedly finds itself in the greatest harmony with overall reality. Thus I realize, not without shock, that step by step, in spite of myself and almost unconsciously, in feelings and thinking I have grown into a Muslim. Only one last step remained to be taken; to formalize my conversation. As of today I am a Muslim. I have arrived."
Present address: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, BP 664,Alger-gare,Algeria.
9- Cassius Clay )Now Mohamed Ali Clay(:
American boxer )three times world heavyweight champion(. Formerly Christian.
)Embraced Islam in 1965(.
"I have had nice moments in my life. But the feeling I had while standing on Mount ‘Arafaat on the day of 'Hajj' )pilgrimage(, was the most unique. I felt exalted by the indescribable spiritual atmosphere there, as over a million and a half pilgrims invoked God to forgive them of their sins and bestow on them His choicest blessings. It was an exhilarating experience to see people belonging to different colors, races and nationalities, kings, heads of states and ordinary men from very poor countries all clad in two simple white sheets praying to God without any sense of either pride or inferiority. It was a practical manifestation of the concept of equality in Islam."
)Speaking to the daily "Al-Madinah" Jeddah, 15, July 1989(.
Present address: 1200 E, 49 St.,Chicago,Ill60615.
These were the impressions of a few persons who had been struck by the sword of truth themselves.
As for the propaganda that it was the sword of steel )i.e. the force ( which was instrumental in the universal expansion of Islam, we give below remarks of some prominent non-Muslims refuting this baseless claim:
1- M K Gandhi:
".......I become more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and his own mission. These, and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every trouble."
YoungIndia, 1924.
2- Edward Gibbon:
"The greatest success of Mohammed's life was effected by sheer moral force without the stroke of a sword."
History of the Saracen Empire,London, 1870.
3- A S Tritton:
"The picture of the Muslim soldier advancing with a sword in one hand and the Quran in the other quite false."
Islam, London, 1951-page 21.
4- De Lacy O'Leary:
" History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims, sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated."
Islam at Crossroads,London. 1923-page 8.
5- KS Ramakrishna Rao:
"My problem to write this monograph is easier because we are not generally fed now on that )distorted( kind of history and much time need not to be spent on pointing out our misrepresentations of Islam. The theory of Islam and sword, for instance, is not heard now in any quarter worth its name. The principle of Islam that: ' there is no compulsion in religion' is well known".
Mohammed the Prophet of Islam,Riyadh1989-page 4.
6- James A. Michener:
"No other religion in history spread so rapidly as Islam...The West has widely believed that this surge of religion was made possible by the sword. But no modern scholar accepts that idea, and the Quran is explicit in support of the freedom of conscience".
Islam- The Misunderstood Religion, Readers' Digest )American Edition ( May 1955.
7-LawrenceE Browne:
"Incidentally these well-established facts dispose off the ideas so widely fostered in Christian writings that wherever the Muslims went, they forced people to accept Islam at the point of the sword."

Share