Dought & clear, - Ruling on what is known as “khatam shifa”, and praying behind an innovator and calling him (to the right path)

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My bother just had an operation and his situation is critical. So, what my mom decided to do is perform khatam shifa which is basically saying ya salaamu 12500 times, reading some dua, reading Surah Yaseen and Surah Ar-Rahman 40 times each, feeding the poor and giving away goats. Is is something from our Rasul Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam.
Another question is regarding the mosques in Bangladesh. They do a lot of bidah that includes asking wasillah, teaching acts mentioned above, celebrate milad in nabi and I can keep going on for ages. Is it permissible to pray behind those imams who teaches such things?
Sometimes, when I try to talk to them, whether they get angry and they do not reason and give sahih daleel to their arguments. They always say that some alims taught them and they are better than us and we should follow them without question. We are facing this diellma to either be quiet and allow them to follow what they will.
Sometimes it ends in quarrel and at times ruins relationships/friendship.... because as much as we try they always say that the alim is far better and knows what he is preaching.
Finally, what should I do to explain my family and friends?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
With regard to what is called “khatam shifa”, it is an innovation (bid‘ah). The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The worst of matters are those which are newly invented (in religion). Every newly invented matter is an innovation, every innovation is a going astray, and every going astray is in the Fire.” With regard to these soorahs and adhkaar (dhikrs) that are mentioned in the question, this is something for which there is no evidence (daleel), and it is not permissible to do these things for which there is no evidence in the Book of our Lord or the Sunnah of our Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
What is prescribed in our religion is to offer supplication (du‘aa’) for the sick person and to ask Allah to heal him and purify him. That will have the greatest impact in taking away the disease and bringing about rapid healing. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever visits a sick person whose time (of death) has not yet come, and says to him seven times ‘As’al Allah al-‘Azeem Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘Azeem an yashfeeyaka(I ask Allah the Almighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to heal you)’, Allah will heal him of that sickness.”
Narrated by Ahmad (2137), Abu Dawood (3106) and at-Tirmidhi (2083); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.
So you should offer supplication (du‘aa’) for him in the wording mentioned in this hadeeth and other saheeh hadeeths.
The same applies to giving charity. There is no doubt that spending for the sake of Allah is something that brings good. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)said: “There is no day on which people wake up, but two angels come down and one of them says: ‘O Allaah, give more to the one who spends,’ and the other says, ‘O Allaah, send destruction upon the one who withholds.’”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1442) and Muslim (1010).
So spend and give charity, and be optimistic about compensation from Allah, may He be glorified.
Secondly:
With regard to praying behind an innovator, Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] said inMajmoo‘ al-Fataawa(23/355):
With regard to praying behind an innovator, this is a matter concerning which there is a difference of opinion and it is subject to further discussion. If you cannot find any other imam apart from him, such as in the case of Jumu‘ah prayer which is only held in one place, or Eid prayer, or prayers during Hajj behind the imam who is in charge of Hajj, these prayers are to be offered behind anyone, whether he is righteous or otherwise, according to the consensus of Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah. Rather the ones who refrain from offering these prayers behind the imams are the followers of innovations such as the Raafidis and others like them, who do not attend any Jumu‘ah prayer or prayer in congregation. If there is only one mosque in the village, then praying in congregation behind an immoral person is better than praying on one’s own at home, lest that lead to giving up prayer in congregation altogether. But if it is possible to pray behind someone other than the innovator, that is undoubtedly better and preferable. But if he prays behind him, there is a scholarly difference of opinion concerning his prayer. The view of ash-Shaafa‘i and Abu Haneefah is that his prayer is valid; however in the madhhabs of Maalik and Ahmad there is a dispute concerning this issue and it is subject to further discussion.
However this only applies to bid‘ah that is known to be contrary to the Qur’an and Sunnah, such as the innovations of the Raafidis, Jahamis and so on. People argue about many issue of religion in this country, and both parties to an argument may innovators, and both of them may be ignorant and misinterpreting things, so the refusal of one of them to pray behind the other is not better than if it is the other way round. But once the Sunnah is established and becomes known, and one person or group goes against it, this is the matter concerning which there is a difference of scholarly opinion. And Allah knows best. End quote.
InFataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah(7/364) there is the following question:
Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who is an innovator?
The committee replied:
Whoever can find an imam who is not an innovator should pray behind him and not behind the innovator. Whoever cannot find anyone except this innovator should advise him in the hope that he will give up his innovation. If he does not accept that advice, and his innovation involves shirk, such as those who seek the help of the dead or call upon them instead of Allah, or offer sacrifices to them, then he (the one who offered advice) should not pray behind him because he is a kaafir and his prayer is invalid, and it is not right to appoint him as an imam. If his innovation does not make him a kaafir, such as uttering the intention out loud, his prayer is valid as is the prayer of those who pray behind him. End quote.
With regard to calling these people (da‘wah) and advising them, seek the help of Allah first and foremost, make your intention sincere and intend to guide them to the right path, and Allah will help you in that.
You should explain to them that they are going against the teachings of Islam, with evidence and proof, and demonstrate that the specious argument they follow is wrong; you should also refer to scholars concerning issues that you are uncertain about, so that their specious arguments will not affect you and they will not defeat you in argument, lest the ignorant think that their view is correct. And you should pay attention to being kind and gentle in all of that.
And Allah knows best.

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For children, - Importance of Salah in Islam: Sayings on Salah (Salat, Namaz)

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Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "Almighty Allah (SWT) has set the light of my eyes in Salah (Salat, Namaz) and made it the most desirable thing for me, like the food for the hungry and the water for the thirsty. The hungry is contented after the meal and the thirsty is satisfied after drinking water. But my thirst for Salah (Salat, Namaz) is never quenched."
Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "Everything has a face and the face of your religion is Salah (Salat, Namaz); none of you should stain the face of his religion."
Commander of the Believers Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (pbuh)said: "Almighty Allah (SWT) has ordained the obligation of faith for purification from polytheism and the obligation of Salah (Salat, Namaz) for refraining from pride and arrogance."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (pbuh)said: "The superiority of Salah (Salat, Namaz) performed in the earliest moments over the one offered in the last moments of its specified time is the same as the superiority of the Hereafter over this world."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (pbuh) said: "It is quite possible that a person lives for fifty years and not even a single prayer of his is accepted. Is there anything harder and more painful than this? There are some people ... whose prayers ... will not be accepted ... because they belittle Salah (Salat, Namaz), while nothing but good is admitted to Almighty Allah (SWT). How can Almighty Allah (SWT) accept that which is considered to be of little worth?"
Imam Ali bin Moosa Al Ridha (pbuh)said: "When it is time for Salah (Salat, Namaz), perform your prayers; you never know what will happen afterwards ... Nothing is dearer to Almighty Allah than Salah (Salat, Namaz). Worldly affairs must not detract you from the prayer timings. Do not delay your prayers (from the prescribed timings) for no reason. Always perform your Salah (Salat, Namaz) on its best time."
Imam Ali bin Moosa Al Ridha (pbuh) said: "When you are praying, avoid being drowsy, slumberous, playing and hastening. Pray with solemnity, gravity and soberness. It is up to you to remain attentive, humble and submissive in Almighty Allah's presence. Stand in front of your Lord as a slave appears before his master. Keep your feet in order and your stature firm. Do not look here and there. Be as if you could see Him; for, if you do not see Him, He sees you."

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Fathwa, - Distressed over poor parental relations

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Question
I would like to start off by saying how wonderful it is to have a site like this to turn to in times of distress. May Allaah bestow his blessing upon whom has created it.
I am 25-years and have recently become well acquainted with my religion. I love it. Who could ever deny such purity? However, for years I have been living in the depths of a broken home due to alcohol and neglect by my father. My mother has been abused verbally and physically left to right and so has my brother and I. We grew up seeing nothing but fighting, the police and having to bail my father out of jail )Islam has never been a real factor in our lives(. Ever since I could remember it's been this way. In the past I have broken down weeping asking my father "where have we gone wrong, can we please fix this so we can live happily. My fathers always brakes down in front of me vowing to change his life around. Recently I approached him differently, this time armed with some Islamic books I had been reading quoting some verses from the Qur'aan. He yet again broke down in tears vowing to change. This Ramadhaan he swore he would fast and keep his covenant to Allaah. I should have known it would be an empty promise like all the rest. My father is neglectful to his wife and children. He is a liar, a coward and a trader. I pray that Allaah would change him from the ignorant person that he is to a humble, understanding person. But I have come to read that the ones Allaah chooses to guide cannot be misguided and the ones he misguides cannot be guided and I am content with that. But, he is my father and I love him and I am so hurt for him and I know that it is so wrong to speak ill about my father in this way, it is against Islam. "Cherish thy mother and thy father" it says, but how can I cherish him if cares nothing for me? I have started my quest to find who I am. I know now that I am a Muslim. And no matter what, I have to keep my composure which I tent to lose easily when fights brake out, only because I am so tired of the same issue rotating year after year. It seems so played out. My mother wants to leave him. I asked her why she stayed all these years, she replied "because of you and your brother". My brother and I are now old enough to see what's been happening and we are disgusted by it. I mean I don't want to be married and living with my husband and then hearing that there has been a disaster between the two, having to drop everything in my life like I always had in the past. They are 50 and 47 years old. They fight like children using the worse language. It's just not right. I am fed up! I pray and ask Allaah to guide me in what to say. And it seems as though my words are getting to be much wiser and more profound but his heart remains still and untouched. He brings me down to my last nerves testing my tolerance with his taunting ways questioning my faith in Islam. He brings his friends over and parties in the backyard and in the house with beer and music, disrespecting any one who performs Salat in this house. How do I pray in a home where there is alcohol and filthy magazines and DVD's? My mother and I make a fuse but our arguments remain babble to him. Yet, when he sees me practising Islam he thinks he is so knowledgeable about the matter and tries to teach me a thing or two. Ya-Allaah! Won't somebody help me? I feel trapped, I feel like running away, and many times I could have but only one thing keeps me, my loving mother who has fulfilled her Deen as a mother and as a wife. I know Allaah says to have patience and Perseverance but this is just unbearable. My worse fear has eventually come true, my brother is turning into him. My brother drinks everyday to sleep and has turned into someone I don't even know anymore. My mother is always in distress and i am always crying for her. I feel so alone. When ever my mother would but up a fuse about these issues my father would empty bank accounts a take off with all the funds, leaving us high and dry. I am tired of all of this. This is just but the tip of the iceberg. I wish I could continue, but it would take days to tell it all. Please tell me what to do. I feel like there is no hope. Allaah has given us everything, a big house to live in, comfortable beds to sleep in, food and clothing, jobs, money so that we could buy whatever we desire. What else could we need? Can he not see? Even the money he uses to buy his beer. Everything is from Allaah. Can he not see? Surely there are signs for those who are wise.
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 this life is a test for us, but a Muslim should be patient about the problems that he encounters as this is the best remedy. Among the things that will help you to be patient is to remember the good outcome of patience. The Prophetsaid: "The case of a believer is wonderful; there is good for him in everything and every affair of his, and this characteristic is exclusively for a Muslim. If he comes across something pleasant, he is grateful to Allaah and that is good for him, and if he experiences some troubles and adversity, he is patient and submissive, that is also good for him."]Muslim[ Therefore, we advise you to be patient and continue to advise your father and use all permissible means in order to turn him into a righteous man. First and foremost you have to seek the Help of Allaah then the help of whomever you think could influence him especially the righteous people. If he repents, then all perfect praise be to Allaah, otherwise his sons and daughters have still to be kind to him. It is also incumbent on your mother to obey him in what is permissible. The fact that he is committing those sins is not an excuse to be undutiful to him, and you have to be polite in the way you talk about him.
It is permissible, however, for your mother to ask for a divorce if he insists on committing those sins that you have mentioned but she has to balance between the benefit of staying with him and benefit of divorcing him, as divorce could lead to a greater harm like the breaking up of the family and the like.
We advise you not to take into consideration the thoughts that come to your mind like running away from home or being unwilling to get married as this is of a greater danger for you. It could be that getting married is one of the best ways to get away from these problems.
Finally, we would like to draw your attention to two matters:
Firstly, the existence of alcohol or other prohibitions in the house does not affect the validity of your acts of worship. It is more appropriate, however, to perform your prayer in a room that is free from these prohibitions.
Secondly, it is an obligation on you and your mother to wear the Hijaab in front of the friends of your father who are marriageable men to you.
Allaah knows best.

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Fathwa, - How to deal with one's mother

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Question
I currently live in theUnited Statesand I m a Arab American Muslim who is devoted totally to Islam spiritually and politically. I am the few who desires the political and “struggles” that the Muslims face today. My anger fuels off the occupation and torture of Muslims around the world especially the mistreatment of Muslim women. With today’s current issues of Americas so called “war on terror” and the confusion events in the Middle East, there is a big gap within my family that has distinguish "who supports what and who". My brother who in the high ranks in theU.S.military and who proudly and knowingly continues to participate in the war against Islam has made me to cause separation amongst the family. I have a cousin on my mother’s side of the family who has proudly participated in theIraqwar, but he is not Muslim. With the two actively in the military the family supports their causes. As a young college student I have my views and I try actively in spreading the concept of Muslims needing protection and the need for security in this Ummah. I fight and defend not only for Muslims rights throughout the whole would but anyone who is being oppressed or who is weak. And as for this, I'm rejected from the family and tag as a "terrorist". But my worry is my mother who has openly chosen to side with my brother and my cousin only because of ignorance and afraid of being disowned and left out by her side family. Plus also her pride in being a American. I also have an older sister who openly converted to Christianity and has married to a Christian man with the help of my mother's sister )the gay between my sister and brother is 19 years(. As for my father, I have successfully changed his view about Islam and the way it should be and Al-Hamdu Lillaah, he is my closes companion. I always gave Da'wa to my brother and especially to my mother. But none seem to accept the principles of Islam. They are the types who are only Muslims during the two Muslims holidays and the rest of the days it seems as if they are Christians. The weird thing is that they know Islam but they just don’t want to adopt it. Currently my father and I don’t speak to my brother and as for my mother, I only make some effort in talking to her but I don’t disregard her, only because she is my mother. As for my father and mother, they are separated. My question is with this situation as a Muslim how should I approach my mother and my brother?
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.
Dear brother, We supplicate Allaah to pour His blessings upon you, us and all Muslims and make us steadfast on His true religion. We advise you to be in the company of religious scholars to get more knowledge and to increase your adherence to Islam.
Parents have great rights on their children, especially the mother. So, you have to be obedient and compliant with them asking Allaah to show you the right path and bless you to follow it. Allaah knows best.

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