Hajj & Umrah, - * Hajj: The Global Conference of the Ummah

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global summits and conferences during which presidents and other heads of state meet. Besides, foreign ministers, ministers of defense or others meet during other conferences. In the professional context, there are conferences for physicians, others for engineers and the same for other professions. For each of these conferences, there are authorities that organize them, call for them, determine their places and organize their programs.
Hajjis a great and unique conference for the Muslim nation, and if the nation of Islam realizes and benefits from its merits and goals, its state would be better than it is nowadays.
The invitation to this great conference came from Allaah The Almighty to His Prophet Ibraaheem, the intimate friend of Allaah. Allaah The Exalted Says )what means(:}And proclaim to the people the Hajj ]pilgrimage[; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.{]Quran 22:27[ It is a historic and genuine invitation that is not renewed or revoked. The permanent place of holding the conference that never changes is the Sacred House of Allaah and its holy environs that combine divine blessing, historic antiqueness and religious sanctity. The agenda with all the words and deeds contained therein is dictated by virtue of the Order of Allaah The Almighty to Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah,who said:"Learn your rituals from me )by seeing me performing them(."The people invited to this conference are Muslims, whether rulers or ruled, rich or poor, men or women, with no conditions or privileges other than Islam. The only qualification is to be a Muslim –and that is it.
As a result, this conference has been held periodically for thousands of years in the sacred sites. You can see the entire nation of Islam represented in it in various categories such as its rulers, scholars, common masses, leaders, soldiers, men, women, elderly and youth. Can a conference like this be without benefits or impact?
It is a question that should be on the mind of every Muslim and every pilgrim in order to meditate and reflect, then to benefit and work. The following are some reflections on the great conference ofHajj:
*.Every pilgrim travels long distances and crosses many borders. Some pilgrims come from the countries of disbelief or countries of oppression and suppression. All of them strive and suffer in order to reach the sacred sites and participate in the gathering. By crossing all the barriers and overcoming all the difficulties, they declare that the superiority of faith is greater, the caller towards Allaah The Almighty is worthier of being answered, the path of Islam is straighter and that the brothers of faith are nobler.
*.Its unique uniform distinguishes this conference, which is not a condition in other conferences. The pilgrim abandons his ordinary clothes and adornment and devotes himself to Allaah The Almighty. In this way, he declares that this world is not in his heart, that his value lies in the essence not the appearance. He testifies that if the caller to Allaah The Almighty calls and he hears the call to worship, the whole world with its adornments will never act as a barrier in his way; rather, he is ready to relinquish it for the Sake of Allaah The Almighty.
*.This conference reminds the nation to remove all the matters that divide it and to hold firm to the Islamic divine methodology and path. When they makeTawaafaround the honorableKa‘bah,they declare this important principle that makes humble submissive worship to Allaah The Almighty and a continuous relationship with Allaah The Almighty the center of their lives.
*.This conference is an opportunity for setting the general policies of the nation, discussing problems, guiding and instructing through sermons in the season ofHajj, just like the comprehensive and all-inclusive Prophetic sermon in the FarewellHajj.
Finally,Hajjis the season of practically demonstrating the unity of the Islamic nation where differences such as color, race and language dissolve. This unity is with respect to destination and intention, acts and deeds, dress and shape, and standing and movement. In addition, it unites the souls and strengthens ties along with the fulfilling a much greater purpose, which is linking the nation to its Creator, following HisSharee‘ah)Islamic law(, elevating the Islamic standards and abolishing worldly criteria.
Does the Muslim nation realize the importance of these meanings and others? Do individual Muslims know these landmarks? There should be an initiative by the responsible leaders, pious scholars and all Muslims to achieve, along with fulfilling the obligation, the major benefits for the nation that is now suffering woes, defeat and division. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And ]mention, O Muhammad[, when We Designated for Ibraaheem )Abraham( the site of the House, ]saying[, "Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who stand ]in prayer[ and those who bow and prostrate. And proclaim to the people the Hajj ]pilgrimage[; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass - That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known days.{]Quran

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Hajj & Umrah, - * The Merits of Hajj

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Among the blessings of Allaah The Almighty upon His slaves is that He ordained for them acts of worship that can reform their souls, likeSalaah)prayer(,Zakaah)obligatory alms(, fasting,Hajj)major pilgrimage( and other such deeds which nurture and purify individuals in all aspects. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Allaah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful{]Quran, 5: 6[All these acts of worship are amongst the best deeds, and Allaah The Almighty honors His slaves by giving them opportunities to do those acts of worship. Allaah The Almighty also elevates the pious amongst His slaves when they perform those good deeds. Acts of worship illuminate hearts, refine souls, reform one’s manners and please Allaah The Almighty. They also elevate one’s rank in Paradise, expiate the sins and multiply one’s reward.
Hajjis one such act of worship. It is a pillar of Islam in which Allaah The Almighty has combined all types of ‘Ibaadah)worship(.Hajjcomprises the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah The Almighty and that Muhammad,, is His Messenger, as well as prayer, spending in the way of Allaah The Almighty, fasting )for those who cannot afford to pay for the sacrificial animal(,enjoining good and forbidding evil, patience, perseverance, mercy and abstention from forbidden things.
Hajjis one of the greatest signs of Allaah The Almighty that what Prophet Muhammad,, has come with is certainly the religion of truth. No human power can gather pilgrims every year from all parts of the world; pilgrims with hearts full of yearning and love, who experience difficulties yet rejoice even when it means leaving their homes and families. They feel that the hours of performingHajjare the greatest of one’s life and they spend generously for this purpose. Indeed, it is only Allaah The Almighty who can bring about such a situation. He Says )what means(:}And proclaim to the people the Hajj )pilgrimage(; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass – That they may witness )i.e., attend( benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known )i.e., specific( days over what He has provided for them of )sacrificial( animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.{]Quran, 22: 27-28[
The interpreter Ibn Jareer and others reported that Ibn ‘Abbaassaid,
“When Allaah The Almighty commanded Prophet Ibraaheemto proclaim Hajj among people, he said, ‘My Lord, how can I convey the message to the people as my voice cannot reach them?’ Allaah The Almighty Said: ‘You call; it is Our duty to make it reach )everyone(!’ So, he stood in his position and said, ‘O you people! Your Lord has chosen a House, so perform pilgrimage to it.’ It was said that the mountains became leveled and his voice reached all parts of the earth and all that was in the wombs and loins of men were made to hear the call and everything that heard it, responded. So those for whom Allaah The Almighty has decreed to perform Hajj till the Day of Judgment responded, saying, ‘Labbayka Allaahumma Labbayk )Here I am at your service, O Allaah, here I am(.’ ”
Moreover, it is from the favor of Allaah The Almighty upon us that He sent the best of His creation to us in order to explain to us sayings, deeds and beliefs that can make us win the pleasure of our Lord, and to warn us against all that can make Him displeased with us. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know. So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.{]Quran, 2: 151-152[
Therefore, during one’s pilgrimage, one has to hold fast onto the sublime Islamic manners and etiquettes. Let yourHajjbe an act of repentance from previous sins and a source of reform and piety for the rest of your life. Thank Allaah The Almighty and praise Him for His bountiful blessings of peace, faith and worldly commodities; and also for the opportunities He affords you to do righteous deeds and for the disasters He has averted from befalling you. Print

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Womens Work, - Dought & clear, - * Is it permissible fora woman to work selling products over the phone?

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There are foreign companies in Morocco which also own companies in the west. These companies that are in Morocco offer customer service for the companies that are in the west over the phone, whereby western customers contact the companies in Morocco to ask questions or the company contacts customers who are obviously in the west – Europe – to sell their products over the phone, and the employee attempts to convince the person to buy. The companies market various products and services such as mobile phones, internet, insurance, computers and so on.
These companies have started to increase rapidly, and young men – and even young women – are clamouring to join them as they pay a good salary. The government is also helping with that. Please note that fitnah is widespread in these companies, such as uncovering of women.
What is the ruling on working for them? Is it halaal or haraam?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible for a man or a woman to work in places where women mix with men. The evils of mixing are many. It is one of the most effective ways used by the shaytaan to make the Muslim fall into sin and immorality. Hence Islam blocks the ways that may cause a Muslim to fall into anything haraam.
We have discussed the prohibition on mixing in the answer to question no. 1200, where we mention incidents of female workers who have been exposed to annoyance and harassment. This confirms that the Islamic prohibition on mixing is what will protect a woman’s modesty and chastity, and it is what protects a man from allowing his gaze to wander, and protects him from bad consequences.
There is no reason why a woman should not work if she is with other women like her, or she is alone and answers calls from customers or calls them to offer the company’s products, so long as she observes proper etiquette when speaking and does not speak in an alluring tone to men, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner”
[al-Ahzaab 33:32]
And Allaah knows best.

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Womens Work, - Dought & clear, - * Ruling on appointing a woman as a judge

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Is it permissible for a woman to be a judge?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The majority of scholars are of the view that it is not permissible for a woman to be appointed as a judge, and if she is appointed, the one who appointed her is sinning, and her appointment is invalid, and her judgements carry no weight, no matter what ruling she passes. This is the view of the Maalikis, Shaafa’is and Hanbalis, and of some of the Hanafis.
See:Bidaayat al-Mujtahid(2/531);al-Majmoo’(20/127);al-Mughni(11/350).
They quoted a number of texts as evidence for that:
1 –Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allaah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means”
[al-Nisa’ 4:34]
So the men are the protectors and maintainers of women, in the sense that they are in charge of them. So the verse may be understood as meaning that women cannot be appointed in charge, otherwise women would be the protectors and maintainers of men, which is the opposite of what the verse says.
2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them”
[al-Baqarah 2:228]
Allaah has granted men a degree over women ,and if a woman were to be appointed as judge that would contradict the degree that Allaah has given men in this verse, because in order for a judge to judge between two disputants, he must have a degree over them.
3 – It was narrated that Abu Bakrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) heard that the people of Persia had appointed the daughter of Chosroes as their ruler, he said: “No people will ever prosper who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (4425).
The fuqaha’ quoted this verse as evidence that it is not permissible to appoint a woman as a judge, because lack of prospering is a kind of harm, the causes of which must be avoided. The hadeeth is general in meaning and applies to all positions of public authority. So it is not permissible to appoint a woman, because the word “affairs” is general in meaning and includes all the public affairs of the Muslims.
Al-Shawkaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
There is no stern warning greater than stating that they will never prosper, and the most important issue is to rule according to the rulings of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, and therefore this warning applies more emphatically to women. End quote.
Al-Sayl al-Jaraar(4/273)
The Fatwa Committee of al-Azhar said:
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not intend by this hadeeth only to state that the people who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs will not prosper, because his task was to explain everything that is permissible for his ummah, so that they may succeed and prosper, and everything that is not permissible for them so that they may be safe from evil and loss. Rather he intended to forbid his ummah from imitating those people (the Persians) by delegating any of their public affairs to a woman, and he used this incident to convey this message to the people who were keen to be prosperous so that they would comply with this advice. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used definitive language to state that lack of prosperity is inevitable when a woman is appointed in charge of any affairs. Undoubtedly the prohibition that is derived from this hadeeth applies to any woman in any era; women are not to be appointed to positions of public authority. This general meaning is understood from the wording of the hadeeth. End quote.
4 – Moreover, the nature of woman means that a woman should not be appointed to a position of public authority.
The Fatwa Committee of al-Azhar said, after mentioning the arguments based on the hadeeth:
This ruling is based on this hadeeth, which is that the ruling that women should not be appointed to positions of public authority is not a ruling which is to be followed as a religious ritual without necessarily understanding the wisdom behind it, rather it is one of the rulings that are based on reasons which are obvious to those who understand the differences between the two types of human beings, men and women. This ruling is not connected to anything other than the femininity which is indicated by the word “woman” in the hadeeth. So femininity alone is the reason. … Because of her nature, woman is designed to fulfil the mission for which she was created, which is the role of mother and caring for and raising children. This means that she is likely to be affected by emotion. In addition to that she is faced with natural events that happen repeatedly over the months and years, which may weaken her strength and resolve in forming opinions and adhering to them and in fighting for them. This is something which women themselves cannot deny, and we do not need to quote examples and evidence to prove the emotional nature of woman throughout the ages. End quote.
5 – Practical experience in some countries indicates that women are not fit to play the role of judge. When Islam forbade women to be appointed to positions of public authority, it brought something that would protect people’s rights and ward off corruption, which is something that is not understood by those who are short-sighted.
In one of the Muslim countries the Ministry of Justice opened the door for talented women to become judges, but after five years they dismissed all of these female judges and banned women from entering the graduate school for judges because of their failure despite the opportunities they had for learning and training, and despite the fact that they got higher grades than the men in the theoretical field.
In another Muslim country women were given the opportunity to become judges, but after they failed the state had to remove them from the courts to the technical and research fields.
This indicates that women are not qualified to be judges.
6 – The judge is required to be present among men’s gatherings and to mix with disputants and witnesses, and may need to be alone with them. Islam seeks to protect women and preserve their honour and dignity, and protect them from those who would toy with them. So Islam tells women to stay in their homes and not go out except in cases of necessity. And it forbids them from mixing with men and being alone with them, because that poses a threat to women and their honour.
7 – The position of judge requires a high level of intelligence, insight and reason, and women have less of these qualities than men, and they have little experience in the affairs of life and disputes.
In addition to that, women are faced with natural phenomena during certain days, months and years, namely menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding etc, which weakens their bodies and affects their understanding of things, which is incompatible with the position and status of a judge.

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