Truths that will change your life

SOMEONE CROSSING THE OCEAN IN A PLANE ACTUALLY DOES SO IN HIS MIND
Everyone lives inside his brain throughout his life, and can in no
way ever step out of it. Perceptions related to every illusion we
see, every sound we hear, every object we touch and everything we
taste are the perceptions that electrical signals form in our
brain. We can never make direct contact with the original of any
illusion we see, any sound we hear or the fruit we taste outside
our brains. Throughout our lives, we watch perceptions formed in
our brains.
For instance, someone who travels in a plane, crossing over oceans,
actually travels between images formed in his brain. The image and
noise of the airport, the announcements made to the passengers, the
noise of the engines, the sensation produced by a plane taxiing on a
runaway, clouds, the image of the city left behind, the oceans, the
sense of distance, the hardness of the seats, the texture of its
fabric.... All of these are perceived in the tiny visual center in
the brain.
The sense of distance formed in that center, which is only a few
inches in size, on the other hand, is a great miracle created by
God. Within such images created in such a small area, God also
creates a sense of distance, perceived as if one's destination were
miles away. Someone looking at the ocean from a plane window
actually watches it in his brain from the plane in his mind. The
distance between the two, on the other hand, is a perception God
creates in the human being who lives within his brain.
At this point, we encounter another important fact: The
consciousness that sees the ocean miles below, hears the noise of
the engine or feels the hardness of the seat does not consist of
the cells or nerves in the brain.
Who does perceive these sensations, then? The answer to this
question, which materialists cannot answer, is the soul God
creates. It is our soul that experiences all these sensations.
You must also have a better understanding of this glorious and
unprecedented artistry, this infinite wisdom in God's creation and
draw the appropriate conclusions from this miracle of creation.
Have they not reflected within themselves? God did not create the
heavens and the earth and everything between them except with truth
and for a fixed term. Yet many people reject the meeting with their
Lord. (Koran, 30:8)

Q&A on menstruation andpost partum bleeding -III

Ruling concerning a discharge of blood five days before giving birth
Question:A woman had bleeding during pregnancy five days before giving
birth, during the month of Ramadan. Should that blood be considered
menstruation or Istihaadhah ]prolonged flow of blood or menorrhagia[,
and what are the obligations upon her?
Response:If the matter is as mentioned, with her seeing blood five
days before giving birth, and she did not have any signs that labour
would occur soon, such as contractions, then in that case, the blood
is neither menstruation nor post-partum bleeding. It is simply
irregular blood. Therefore, she should not abandon the acts of worship
but must continue fasting and praying. If, along with the blood, she
has signs that her labour is near, such as contractions, then it is
considered post-partum bleeding and therefore she should abandon
praying and fasting due to it. Then, when she becomes pure after
giving birth, she must make up the days of fasting but not the
prayers.
The Standing Committee
The meaning of the word Quroo'
Question:Allaah says in the Quran )what means(:"Divorced women
remaining in waiting ]i.e., do not remarry[ for three Quroo'…'"]Quran:
2: 228[ What is the meaning here of the word Quroo'?
Response:Lexically, Quroo' can mean the time of purity and it can also
mean the menses itself. However, the correct meaning in the verse is
the menses as this is its most often usage by the Lawgiver )Allaah
Almighty( and is the opinion of the majority of the Companions.
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen
If the menses continue for more than their normal length
Question:If a woman normally has menses for seven or eight days but
once or twice has them for a longer period, what is the ruling
concerning that?
Response:If that woman normally has her menses for seven or eight days
and then they become longer, becoming nine, ten or eleven days, then
she must remain not praying until she becomes pure. This is because
the Prophetdid not set any specific limit for menstruation. Allaah
Says in the Quran )what means(:"…They ask you about menstruation. Say:
'It is harmful...'"]Quran 2: 222[
As long as that blood is flowing, the woman remains in her state of
menses until she becomes pure ]i.e., the blood stops[ and she then
makes Ghusl )ritual bathing( and prays. If, in the following month,
the blood comes for a shorter period of time, she makes Ghusl when the
blood stops, even if it was not as long as the previous period. The
important point is that as long as the woman is having menses and
bleeding, she remains in that state and she should not pray,
regardless of whether that amount of time is the same, longer or
shorter than her previous menses. When the blood stops, she should
pray.
Shaykh Ibn Al-'Uthaymeen
If a woman had a miscarriage in the third month of her pregnancy
Question:A year ago, I had a miscarriage in my third month of
pregnancy. I stopped praying until the blood stopped. It was said to
me that I should have prayed. What should I do now since I do not know
the exact number of days I did not pray?
Response:What is well-known and accepted among the scholars is that if
a woman has a miscarriage in the third month, she does not pray. This
is because when the woman has such a miscarriage, the foetus has
distinct human characteristics. Therefore, the blood that then flows
is considered post-partum bleeding and the woman does not therefore
pray. The scholars say that the foetus takes on the shape of a human
after eighty-one days, which is less than three months. If you are
certain that you had a miscarriage after three months, the blood that
came was post-partum bleeding. However, if it was before eighty days,
then the blood that came is irregular or abnormal blood and you should
not have left the prayer due to it. So, the dear inquirer must see if
the miscarriage was before eighty days, in which case she must make up
the prayers she missed. If she does not know how many days she missed,
she must estimate the matter and make up what she believes she has
missed.
Shaykh Ibn Al-'Uthaymeen
The prayer of a menstruating woman
Question:While I was praying, my menses began. What should I do? Do I
make up the prayers of the time of my menses?
Response:If the menses come after the beginning of a time for prayer,
for example, if you receive your menses half an hour after high noon,
then you must make up that prayer after your bleeding has ended since
when its time began you were in a state of purity. This is based on
Allaah's statement )which means(:"…Indeed, prayer has been decreed
upon the believers a decree of specified times."]Quran: 4: 103[
Do not make up the prayers you missed while menstruating. This is
based on the lengthy Hadeeth in which the Prophetsaid:"Is it not the
case that when you menstruate, you do not )are not obliged to( pray or
fast?"]Al-Bukhaari[
There is a consensus among the scholars that the prayers missed during
menstruation are not to be made up. However, if she becomes pure
)i.e., the bleeding stops( and she has enough time to pray one Rak'ah
)unit of prayer( or more of a prayer, then she must pray the prayer of
that time in which she became pure. This is based on the Hadeeth of
the Messenger of Allaah:"Whoever catches one Rak'ah of the 'Asr
)afternoon( Prayer before sunset has caught the 'Asr
Prayer."]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
If she becomes pure during the time of 'Asr or before sunrise and
there is enough time before sunset or sunrise to pray one Rak'ah, then
she should pray 'Asr in the former case and Fajr )dawn( in the latter
case.

Q & A on menstruation and post-partum bleeding –II

Question:A woman had blood beginning to flow )i.e., her menses( while
she was in the Mosque of the Prophet. She stayed in the mosque for a
short while, until her husband had finished his prayer, so that she
could leave with him. Did she commit a sin?
Q & A on menstruation and post-partum bleeding –I
Response:If she was not able to depart from the mosque by herself,
then there is no harm in what she did. However, if she was able to
leave by herself, then it was obligatory upon her to exit as quickly
as possible. This is because the menstruating woman, the woman who has
post-partum bleeding and a sexually defiled person are not allowed to
sit in the mosques. This is based on Allaah's statement which forbids
certain categories of people from approaching the places of prayer,
one of which is )what means(:"…Nor while sexually defiled, except when
travelling on a road…"]Quran 4: 43[)1(
It is also narrated from the Prophetthat he said:"Ido not permit the
menstruating woman or the sexually defiled person to enter the
mosque."]Abu Daawood[
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Footnotes
1. Note that the verse is in reference only to those who are sexually
defiled. Obviously, the differences between a menstruating woman and a
sexually defiled person are very great. Hence, one cannot make an
analogy between the two. Furthermore, there is also a difference of
opinion concerning whether this verse implies anyone who becomes
sexually defiled or only the travellers who become sexually defiled.
Question:Is it allowed for a menstruating woman to read a book of
supplications on the Day of 'Arafah )i.e., the ninth of Thul-Hijjah(,
given the fact that the book contains Quranic verses?
Response:There is no harm in a menstruating or post-partum bleeding
woman reading the books of supplications that are written for the
rites of the pilgrimage. In fact, there is nothing wrong with her even
reciting the Quran, according to the correct opinion, as there is no
authentic, clear text prohibiting a menstruating or post-partum
bleeding woman from reciting the Quran. The narration that we do have
is concerned with the sexually defiled person only, which confirms
that such a person should not recite the Quran while he/she is
sexually defiled, and this was narrated by 'Ali. As for the
menstruating or post-partum bleeding woman, there is the Hadeeth that
was narrated by Ibn 'Umarwhich states: "Neither the menstruating woman
nor the sexually defiled person is to recite anything from the Quran."
]Abu Daawood, At-Tirmithi & Others[
However, this is weak. This is because it is from the narrations of
Ismaa'eel Ibn 'Ayyaash on the authority of people from the Hijaaz
)westernArabia(, and he is weak when he narrates from them. However,
the menstruating or post-partum bleeding woman may recite from her
memory without touching the Quran. As for the sexually defiled person,
he/she may not even recite the Quran from memory or touch the Mus-haf
)a copy of the Quran( until he/she makes Ghusl )ritual bathing(. The
difference between the two is that the amount of time one is sexually
defiled for is very short, as he may make Ghusl as soon as he has done
the act with his spouse. The amount of time is not long, and he is in
control of its duration as he may make Ghusl whenever he wishes. Even
if he cannot find water, he can make Tayammum )dry ablution using
soil( and can then pray or recite the Quran. However, the menstruating
or post-partum bleeding woman does not have control over its duration,
such control is in the hand of Allaah. Menstruation and post-partum
bleeding last for days. Therefore, it is allowed for them to recite
the Quran so that they do not forget what they have memorised and so
that they will not lose the merits of reciting it. They may also learn
the laws of the Sharee'ah )Islamic Law( from the Book of Allaah.
Therefore, it follows that it is certainly permissible for her to read
the books of supplications that have verses and Hadeeth intermixed
within them. This is the correct opinion of the scholarson that point.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Question:Some women have miscarriages - sometimes the foetus comes out
fully formed while at others it is only partially formed. I would like
you to make clear the ruling for prayer in both of those situations.
Response:If a woman has a miscarriage and the foetus has distinctly
human features, such as a head, limbs and so forth, then her bleeding
is post-natal bleeding. She should, therefore, follow the rulings of
one who has post-natal bleeding. She should not pray or fast and her
husband cannot have sexual intercourse with her until the bleeding
stops, or she completes forty days. If the bleeding stops before the
fortieth day, she must make Ghusl, pray, and fast if it is Ramadan,
and her husband may have sexual intercourse with her )if she is not
fasting and it is not Ramadan(.
There is no minimum length of time for post-natal bleeding. The
bleeding could stop after ten days, more or less, and she must then
make Ghusl, and all the laws of a ritually pure person will then apply
to her. If she sees any blood after the fortieth day, it is considered
bleeding from illness. She would then fast and pray with that bleeding
and it is permissible for her husband to have sexual intercourse with
her. She must make ablution for the time of every prayer, like for the
Mustahaadhah,)1(as the Prophettold Faatimah bint Abu Hubaysh: "Make
ablution for )the time of( every prayer.")2(
If the blood that flows from her after the forty-day period coincides
with the time of her menses, then it takes on the ruling of menses. It
is forbidden for her to pray or fast until she becomes pure. It is
also forbidden for her husband to have intercourse with her.
However, if the miscarried foetus does not resemble a human being,
such as when it is simply a smooth lump of flesh or clot of blood,
then she takes the ruling of Istihaadhah and not that of post-partum
bleeding. She should pray, fast during Ramadan and may have
intercourse with her husband. She should make ablution for every
prayer while keeping herself clean from the blood by using a panty
liner or something similar, as she would for the Mustahaadhah, until
the bleeding stops.
She may also combine the Thuhr )noon( and 'Asr )afternoon( prayers
together and the Maghrib )sunset( and 'Ishaa' )night( prayers. She may
also make a Ghusl for the combined prayers and a separate Ghusl for
the Fajr prayer, based on the confirmed Hadeeth of Hamnah bint Jahsh.
This is because she is to be treated as a Mustahaadhah, according to
the people of knowledge.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Footnotes
1. The Mustahaaadhah is the woman with Istihaadhah. Istihaadhah is
either a prolonged flow of blood )called menorrhagia in English( or
bleeding outside of the menses )called metrorrhagia in English(. Many
hospitals and medical clinics in theUnited Stateshave pamphlets
stating what women should do in such cases. In some cases, especially
when the bleeding is prolonged, it may be symptoms of some other
disorder.
2. This translator was not able to find this Hadeeth with this exact
wording. The authentic narrations in Al-Bukhaari and Muslim simply
state that she is to make ablution for every prayer.

Q & A on menstruation and post-partum bleeding –I

Using pills that prevent menstruation

Question:There are pills that prevent menses or delay their
occurrence. Is it allowed for a woman to use such pills during the
time of Hajj )pilgrimage to Makkah( only out of fear of her menses
arriving?
Response:It is allowed for a woman to use pills that prevent her
menses during the time of Hajj out of fear that her menses may come.
But this should only be done after she has consulted with a )health(
specialist who can ensure that her health will be fine. Similarly, she
may do the same during Ramadan if she desires to fast with the
people.)1(
The Standing Committee
Footnotes
)1( There seems to be no need for women to go to such lengths. This
could probably be considered a kind of overzealousness. There is no
real certainty as to the health risks of such pills as well as birth
control pills. Furthermore, the menses are a natural matter that
Allaah has ordained for women and there is no need to flee from them.
Hence, it must be considered best for women to abstain from such pills
since there is no necessity for them and they )women( cannot be
certain of their side effects. Allaah knows best
Discontinuation of bleeding during menses
Question:Sometimes, during my menses, I have blood for four days and
then the bleeding stops for three days. Then, on the seventh day the
bleeding returns, but with less intensity. Then, the bleeding turns to
a brown colour until the twelfth day. I hope you will guide me to what
is correct in this matter.
Response:The days that you mentioned, the four and the six day periods
)i.e., the first to the fourth day, and then the seventh to twelfth
day(, are days of menstruation. You should not pray or fast during
those days. It is not allowed for your husband to have sexual
intercourse with you during those days either. You should make Ghusl
)ritual bathing( after the first four days and then pray, and your
husband may have intercourse with you during the period between the
fourth and the sixth days. Also, there is no prohibition upon your
fasting during these days.
If that occurs during Ramadan, it is obligatory upon you to fast on
the days that you are not on your menses. When you become pure after
the second six days )i.e., the seventh to twelfth days(, you must make
Ghusl, pray and fast like any other time of purity. This is because
the monthly menses can increase or decrease. Its days are sometimes
together and sometimes separated. May Allaah guide us all to what
pleases Him. May He provide us, you and all the Muslims with
understanding and steadfastness in the religion.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Footnotes
)1(In response to this question, the Shaykh has basically given the
Hanbali view of the question. There are some other views which may be
more significant that state the entire period is that of menstruation
)i.e., the full 12 days in this case(. Allaah knows best
Drops of blood after making Ghusl
Question:I notice that sometimes after making the Ghusl that follows
my monthly menses, after having had my period for the normal five
days, I have a very small number of drops )of blood( emerging. This
occurs immediately after I make Ghusl. After that, nothing else
emerges. I do not know what to do. Should I follow my normal five-day
period and simply ignore what occurs after that and continue to pray
and fast? Or should I consider that day also as part of my period and
not pray or fast during it? Note that such a thing does not always
occur to me, but only occurs every two or three monthly cycles. I hope
you will benefit me on this matter.
Response:If what emerges after your washing is either yellow or brown,
then it is not to be taken into consideration )as menses( and it takes
the same ruling as urine.)1(
However, if it is clearly blood, it will then be considered part of
the menses and you must repeat the Ghusl due to what is confirmed from
Umm 'Atiyyahwho was a female companion of the Messenger of Allaahwho
stated: "We would not consider yellowish or brownish discharge as
anything)2(after we had been purified ]from menses[.")3(
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Footnotes
1. Meaning, it must be washed off the clothing and the person must
make ablution from such a discharge.
2. That is: "We would not consider it as menses."
3. Recorded by Al-Bukhaari
If a woman ends her menses before sunset, she must perform the Thuhr
and 'Asr Prayers
Question:When a menstruating woman becomes pure before sunrise, is it
obligatory upon her to perform the Maghrib and 'Ishaa' prayers?
Similarly, if she becomes pure before sunset, is it obligatory upon
her to perform the Thuhr and 'Asr prayers?
Response:If a menstruating or post-partum bleeding woman becomes pure
before sunset, it is obligatory upon her to perform both the Thuhr and
'Asr prayers, according to the strongest opinion among the scholars.
Similar is the case if she becomes pure before dawn. In that case, she
must perform the Maghrib and 'Ishaa' prayers. This has been narrated
from Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn 'Awf and 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Abbaas. This is the
opinion of the majority of the scholars. Similarly, if a menstruating
or post-partum bleeding woman becomes pure before sunrise, it is
obligatory upon her to perform the Fajr )dawn( prayer. And from Allaah
is guidance.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
The menstruating woman keeping herself clean from urine
Question:When I am menstruating, I do not clean myself of urine with
water because I fear that the water may harm me. What is the ruling
concerning that?
Response:It suffices, in place of water, to clean yourself with clean
tissue paper or any other pure solid object that will remove the
impure substance, such as a large stone, a piece of wood, or similar
objects. This wiping should be done three times or more, until the
impure substance is removed. This ruling is not just for you or anyone
in a case like yours; rather, it is for all Muslim men and women under
all circumstances. This is based on what has been confirmed from
'Aa'ishahthat the Prophetsaid:"When one of you goes to relieve
himself, he should clean himself with three stones, and that will be
sufficient for him."]Ahmad & Others[
It is also confirmed from Salmaan Al-Faarisithat it was said to him:
"Your Prophet teaches you everything, even how to go to the lavatory."
Salmaanreplied: "Certainly! He prohibited us from facing the Qiblah
)direction of the Ka'bah( while defecating or urinating, from cleaning
our genitals with our right hand, from cleaning ourselves with less
than three stones and from cleaning ourselves with dung or bone."
]Muslim, Abu Daawood & At-Tirmithi