Making Up Missed Prayers, - Dought & clear, - * Is workone of the excuses for which it is permissible to delay prayer beyond its time?

Share

I work at a time when it is not possible for me to offer Fajr and Zuhr prayers. It is permissible for me to offer them at a time after work is over?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to delay his prayers beyond the time when they are due without a legitimate excuse. Legitimate excuses which allow a Muslim to delay his prayers until the time for them is over include sleeping and forgetting. Doing worldly work is not an excuse for not praying or for delaying a prayer until its time is over. Rather one of the characteristics of the sincere believers is that they do not let business or trade distract them from remembering Allaah and establishing regular prayer.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“In houses (mosques) which Allaah has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honoured), in them His Name is remembered [i.e. Adhaan, Iqaamah, Salaah (prayers), invocations, recitation of the Qur’aan]. Therein glorify Him (Allaah) in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings,
37. Men whom neither trade nor sale (business) diverts from the remembrance of Allaah (with heart and tongue) nor from performing As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah) nor from giving the Zakaah. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection).
38. That Allaah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allaah provides without measure to whom He wills”
[al-Noor 24:36-38]
Even though these men engaged in trade, buying and selling, that was no excuse and it did not distract them from giving precedence to “the remembrance of Allaah (with heart and tongue) nor from performing As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah) nor from giving the Zakaah.” Rather they made obedience to Allaah and worship of Him their ultimate goal and purpose, and whatever came between them and that goal, they rejected it.
Because giving up worldly interests is hard for most people, and earning and various kinds of trade are dear to them, and it is hard for them to give that up in most cases, and to give precedence to the rights of Allaah, Allaah mentions that which will motivate and encourage them, as He says: “They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection)” – because of the intensity of its horrors and suffering. Hence they will fear that Day, so it become easier for them to strive for the Hereafter and give up that which distracts them from it.
Tafseer al-Sa’di.
Concerning the obligation of offering prayers and the ruling on its timing, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, As-Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours”
[al-Nisa’ 4:103].
Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di said:
This means it is enjoined at its time, which indicates that it is obligatory and that it has a time (to be offered) and is not valid at any other time. These are the times that are well known among the Muslims, young and old, scholars and ignorant. They learned that from their Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) who said: “Pray as you have seen me praying.” The phrase “on the believers” indicates that prayer is the measure of faith, and a the quality of person’s prayers corresponds with his level of faith.
Tafseer al-Sa’di.
And Allaah says, warning those who delay their prayers until the time for them is over with no legitimate excuse (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salaat (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaat (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell.
60. Except those who repent and believe (in the Oneness of Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad), and work righteousness. Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in aught”
[Maryam 19:59-60]
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So woe unto those performers of Salaah (prayers) (hypocrites),
5. Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)”
[al-Maa’oon 107:4-5]
Ibn Katheer said:
It was narrated from Ibn Mas’ood that it was said to him that Allaah mentions prayer a great deal in the Qur’aan: “Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)” [al-Maa’oon 107:5] and “Those who remain constant in their Salaah (prayers)” [al-Ma’aarij 70:23] and “and they are constant in guarding their Salaah (prayers)” [al-An’aam 6:92]. Ibn Mas’ood said: (This means) offering prayers at the stated times. They said: We thought that these verses referred to not praying at all. He said: That is kufr.
Al-Awzaa’i said, quoting from Ibraaheem ibn Yazeed, that ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez recited: “Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salaat (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaat (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell” [Maryam 19:59]. Then he said: “Their giving up their prayers does not mean that they do not pray at all, rather it means that they have given up praying at the proper times.”
Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/128, 129.
So it is not permissible for you to delay your prayers from the proper time based on the excuse of work. If you cannot pray on time at work, then you should leave this job and look for another job which will not cause you to miss your prayers. The wise Muslim should not expose himself to the threat of his Lord and he should not sell his religious commitment for the sake of passing worldly interests.
And Allaah knows best.

Share

Womens Work, - Dought & clear, - * Ruling onMuslim womenworking as nurses and doctors

Share

My wife is studing to become a nurse at a University, is it lawful to: -examine patients(male or female) and give them baths which are apart of the class projects.
-examine men as a nurse in non-emergency situations at a non-muslim hospital.
-work at a home for the mentally ill where the co-workers are male and the patients are also.
Praise be to Allaah.
If a woman finds that she has to work because of necessity, she is permitted to work outside the home, as is indicated by the fact that the two daughters of Shu’ayb used to water the sheep, and the story of Asma’ bint Abi Bakr working outside the home. If a woman is widowed with children, and has no breadwinner and is receiving no money from theBayt al-Maal(treasury), it is permissible for her to earn a living. Although we say that a woman is permitted to work outside the home when it is necessary, she should nevertheless do only the work she needs to do in order to meet her needs. If a woman has professional skills which not every woman possesses, and which are needed by other woman and society as a whole, then it is permissible for her to practice her profession outside the home, so long as she adheres to the conditions prescribed by sharee’ah and has the permission of her legal (shar’i) guardian. The evidence that it is permissible for the woman to work outside the home in a field where there is a need for her work, as long as she adheres to the conditions prescribed by sharee’ah, is to be seen in the fact that at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), midwives used to attend women in labour, and skilled women used to practice circumcision, and he did not condemn them for doing so. It is also known that Rufaydah al-Ansaariyyah used to treat the wounded in her tent, which had been set up in the mosque for that purpose. She was very skilled in treating the sick, and her work was done with the knowledge and express permission of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Sa’d ibn Mu’aadh was transferred to her tent for treatment. This indicates that it is permissible for a woman to practice her profession outside the home, and by analogy we may deduce that it is permissible for a female doctor to open a clinic outside her home for the treatment of women and children. By doing this, she is fulfilling the duty of fard kifaayah (a duty falling on the entire community – if some people fulfil it, responsibility is lifted from the rest, otherwise all will be held accountable. Translator). Such clinics make it easy for sick women to come to a female doctor, hence they no longer have to uncover their ‘awrah before a male doctor when they need treatment.
But this permission is given on the condition that this work does not affect her duties towards her own home, husband and children, and that she has her husband’s permission, because these duties are her individual duties (fard ‘ayn), which take precedence over her responsibilities towards the community (fard kifaayah). When there is any conflict, her individual duties must come first. (Al-Mufassalby ‘Abd al-Kareem, 4/272).
Another hadeeth which describes Muslim women at the beginning of Islam practising a profession was narrated by Hafsah, concerning a woman who used to treat the wounded. Al-Bukhaari, may Allaah have mercy on him, reported in hisSaheehthat Hafsah said: “A woman came and stayed at the fort of Bani Khalaf, and told us about her sister. Her sister’s husband used to go out on military campaigns with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He had been on twelve campaigns, and she (his wife) had accompanied him on six. She said, ‘We used to treat the wounded and take care of the sick…’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, no. 313).
But a woman’s work as a nurse or doctor is regulated by the rules indicated in other Islamic texts. Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar, may Allaah have mercy on him, commenting on the above hadeeth, mentioned some of these conditions: “What we learn from this hadeeth is that a woman is allowed to offer medical treatment to a non-mahram man (one to whom she is not related), so long as this takes the form of bringing medicine to him, for example, or other forms of indirect treatment (i.e. with no touching or direct contact involved) – except in cases where it is necessary and there is no fear of temptation (such as in an emergency situation or in the event of a disaster).”
If a woman works in complete hijaab, without touching a male patient, or being alone with him in any way, and as long as there is no fear that she may be the cause of temptation or be tempted herself, and she is not neglecting a more essential duty such as taking care of her husband or children, and she has the permission of her guardian, then it is permissible for her to work. In principle, men should be treated by male doctors and nurses, and women by female doctors and nurses. There should be no mixing of the sexes in medical treatment, except when it is necessary and as long as there is no fear of temptation. And Allaah knows best.

Share

Womens Work, - Dought & clear, - * Ruling on appointing women to positions of high public office

Share

Is it legal islamicly to acknowledge females as our leader?
Praise be to Allaah.
Positions of leadership and high public office means taking on the mission of establishing Islam by reviving religious knowledge and establishing its foundations, engaging in jihaad for the sake of Allaah – which includes preparing armies and distributing war booty – establishing the judicial system, carrying out judicial punishments (hudood), fighting oppression, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, acting as a deputy of the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
There is no dispute among the scholars that one of the conditions of the imaam or leader is that he should be male. Ibn Hazam reported in his bookMaraatib al-Ijmaa’that there was scholarly consensus on this point. In the section he says: “Out of all groups of the people of the Qiblah [i.e., all Muslim sects], there is not one that allows the leadership of women.” Al-Qurtubi reported something similar, and al-‘Allaamah al-Shanqeeti said, “There is no difference of opinion among the scholars on this point.”
The evidence for this is the general meaning of the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allaah has made one of them to excel the other…” [al-Nisa’ 4:34]. It is also clearly indicated by the hadeeth of Abu Bakrah who said that when the Prophet SAW?S (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) heard that the Persians had appointed the daughter of Chosroes as their queen, he said, “No people who appoint a woman as their leader will ever prosper.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 13/53).
This is because positions of leadership and government require a person to join men’s gatherings, which is not allowed for women according to sharee’ah because of the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance…” [al-Ahzaab 33:33]. These positions also require perfect wisdom, reason and alertness, and the testimony of a man has been made equal to that of two women, the reason for which Allaah has explained in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):“… so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her…” [al-Baqarah 2:282].
Imaam al-Muwaffaq Ibn Qudaamah said:
“For this reason the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his successors (khulafa’) and those who came after them never appointed a woman to be a judge or a governor of a province, as far as we know. If it were permissible, it should have happened.”
Imaam al-Ghazaali said:
“The position of leader (imaam) could never be given to a woman even if she possessed all the qualities of perfection and self-reliance. How could a woman take the position of leader when she did not have the right to be a judge or a witness under most of the historical governments?”
Imaam al-Baghawi said:
“The scholars agreed that women are not fit to be leaders or judges, because the leader needs to go out to organize jihaad and take care of the Muslims’ affairs, and the judge needs to go out to judge between people, but women are ‘awrah and it is not right for them to go out. Because of their weakness, women are not able to do many things. Women are imperfect, and the positions of leaders and judge are among the most perfect of positions for which only the most perfect of men are qualified.”
Undoubtedly this is proven by reality. People know from experience that only men are fit for leadership, because women by nature are more emotional and more easily swayed by their feelings and compassion. These qualities have been created in women to enable them to carry out their most important duty, which is that of motherhood and nurturing children. Men, on the other hand, are not usually swayed by their emotions as women are. Their way is usually one of logic and deliberation, which form the essence of responsibility and leadership.
With regard to the question of whether a woman may be appointed as a judge, the majority of Maaliki, Shaafa’i and Hanbali scholars say that a woman cannot be appointed as a judge, because of the general meaning of the hadeeth of Abu Bakrah quoted above.
Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said:
“Ibn al-Teen said: Those who say that a woman cannot be appointed as a judge use the hadeeth of Abu Bakrah as evidence, and this is the view of the majority.”
With regard to other administrative positions, there is no shar’i reason why women should not be appointed to run institutions where they will work with other women and not men, because in this case there are no shar’i reservations about their work.
There is no validity in what most modern writers say about how women have to go out and take part in parliaments and public councils, and that these are part of the rights granted to women by Islam. These writers have not examined the issue from the correct Islamic viewpoint. The truth is clear, but unfortunately they look at it with minds filled with the heretic trends of East and West. Therefore you see them weakened and defeated, dazzled by the false civilizations of those nations, then they come and misinterpret the texts and change the words from their right places until they agree with their whims. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound.

Share

Womens Work, - Dought & clear, - * Should she continue working in place where she mixes with men?

Share

I am a muslim woman raised with basic Islamic teachings but overall in a more Western way - educated abroad in a European university, and worked thereafter in a large multinational following what is traditionally known as the "career path". This way of life has been encouraged by the parents and the lifestyle under which I have been raised. Furtheremore as my parents are no longer working I have become the financial support for the family. I am currently living alone at 31 years in a Western country where there are no Arabs or Mulsims around. And due to my Islamic upbriging find myself islolated from my surroundings as I have no interest in going to parties, bars, dating etc....
My choices are 2. To return home under the parents umbrella and settle for any work to keep me busy and if lucky find a husband. This will however mean sacrificing income at least for the short term which will be difficult for the family as well as sacrificing a very good position at the company I am in. Or alternately continue in this career path hoping that someday I will meet a good muslim man who can help me live a more mulsim way of life.
What is the isalmic point of view in such instances.
Praise be to Allaah.
The choice facing our sister is a choice between what is right and what is wrong, between what is halaal and what is haraam.
Hence we can only advise our sister to protect the best thing that she possesses, which is her religion and chastity, and to stay with her family so as to protect herself and be among those who will protect her. Perhaps Allaah will make it easy for her to find work that is acceptable according to sharee’ah, and a righteous husband. We give her the glad tidings of the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than that.” (Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani – may Allaah have mercy on him – inHijaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah).
How many brothers and sisters have left their work– even when they were earning lots of money – leaving for the sake of Allaah after learning that the environment they were in went against Islamic rulings, then Allaah opened many ways for them and gave them a bountiful provision, and guided their hearts to something better than they had been following before.
We also want to remind our sister about her parents, and tell her that staying with them and taking care of them is much better than being apart from them. She should not pay attention to their wishes that she should do work that is not acceptable according to sharee’ah. Many people are keen for worldly things, and they do not pay attention to the forbidden and objectionable things that may surround the work their daughters and sons do.
Striving for the purpose of this transient world at the expense of one’s religion is not something that we accept for our sisters or daughters, or for the sister who is asking this question.
You should not pay any attention to the fact that this is an international company or that the salary is tempting. That does not mean anything if it also brings the wrath of Allaah. It is bad enough that you are with non-mahram men at work, let alone that you are in a country where there are no Muslims. Moreover, you may have to travel without a mahram to the kuffaar countries and stay among them. You may be living in a house on your own, which poses a danger to your religious commitment, your person and your honour, as is quite obvious. The Islamic texts indicate that it is haraam for women to mix with men, to travel without a mahram and to settle among the kuffaar.
Your idea of isolating yourself of which you speak may not last for long, because of the many temptations and the lack of help and support. The path of evil starts with one step, and if a person follows it, it may be difficult for him to think of himself and his Hereafter. By the Grace of Allaah towards you, you are seeking advice and knowledge of the Islamic rulings, so do not feel any regrets about this world. Simple things are sufficient for the one who is content with what Allaah gives him; it is greed that destroys taqwa and robs people of their common sense.
There is nothing to stop you from looking for work that is acceptable according to sharee’ah, especially since some companies now employ people at home, letting them do their work via the Internet. This may be a suitable alternative, especially for Muslim women.
We ask Allaah to guide you to that which will be beneficial for you, and to protect your religious commitment, for He is the One Who is the Guardian of that and is Able to do that. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
And Allaah knows best.

Share

Sacrifices, Dought & clear, - * Is it permissible to give meat fromthe udhiyah to a non-Muslim neighbour?

Share

Is it permissible to give meat from the udhiyah to our non-Muslim neighbours? I hope the brother can answer my question in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah, along with of the evidence. I have a Christian colleague who refuses to accept the udhiyah meat from me, and he says that is because the Bible that they have does not allow them to do that.
Praise be to Allah.
There is nothing wrong with giving meat from the udhiyah to a non-Muslim, especially if he is a relative or neighbour or is poor.
That is indicated by the verse in which Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity”
[al-Mumtahinah 60:8].
Giving him some meat from the udhiyah comes under the heading of dealing justly and kindly with them, which Allah has permitted to us.
It was narrated from Mujaahid that a sheep was slaughtered for ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr by a member of his family, and when he came, he said: Did you give some to our Jewish neighbour, did you give some to our Jewish neighbour? For I heard the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say: “Jibreel kept urging me to treat neighbours kindly until I thought that he would make neighbours heirs.” Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (1943); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.
Ibn Qudaamah said: It is permissible to give some of it to a disbeliever, because it is voluntary charity which may be given to non-Muslims living under Muslim rule and prisoners of war, like all other kinds of voluntary charity.
End quote fromal-Mughni(9/450)
InFataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah(11/424) it says: It is permissible for us to give meat from the udhiyah to non-Muslims who have a treaty with the Muslims and to prisoners of war, and it is permissible to give it to him on the basis that he is poor, or a relative, or a neighbour, or so as to soften his heart towards Islam, because of the general meaning of the verses in which Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity”
[al-Mumtahinah 60:8].
And because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed Asma’ bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) to uphold ties of kinship with her mother by giving her money when she was still a mushrik at the time of the truce. End quote.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: With regard to the disbeliever who is not in a state of war with us, such as one who has been granted protection by the Muslims or one who is living under Muslim rule, he may be given meat from the udhiyah, and other kinds of charity.
And Allah knows best.

Share

Sacrifices, Dought & clear, - * Guidelines on the definition of the household for which one udhiyah is sufficient

Share

I have a job and am unmarried, and I do not live with my father. Is it permissible for me to buy an udhiyah for Eid on behalf of my father, or is it essential for my father to offer the sacrifice from his own money? What about giving some of the cost to my father to help him to buy the udhiyah? I am now – praise be to Allah – able to buy the udhiyah, so do I have to offer the udhiyah on my own behalf, noting that I am still single? These questions are interconnected. May Allah reward you with good and help you in your service to Islam and the Muslims.
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
The scholars – apart from the Hanafis – are agreed that a man’s udhiyah is acceptable on his own behalf and on behalf of the members of his household, as it is a communal Sunnah, because of the hadeeth of Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari (may Allah be pleased with him), who was asked: How was the udhiyah done at the time of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)? He said: A man would offer a sheep on his own behalf and on behalf of the members of his household, and they would eat from it and give some to others until the people began to compete and it became as you see it now.
Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (1505); he said: It is hasan saheeh.
We have previously stated this in a number of questions on our website, such as no. 45916and 96741
Secondly:
The scholars differed concerning the definition of the household for which one udhiyah is sufficient; there are four views:
1. Those concerning whom certain conditions are met: the one who is offering the sacrifice spends on their maintenance, they are related to him, and they live with him. This is the Maaliki view.
It says inat-Taaj wa’l-Ikleel(4/364), which is a Maaliki book:
If he lives with him, is related to him and he spends on him, even if it is voluntary, then that is permissible for three reasons: being related, living in the same accommodation and spending on him. End quote.
2. Those on whose maintenance one person spends. This is the view of some of the later Shaafa‘is.
3. All the relatives of the one who is offering the sacrifice, even if he does not spend on their maintenance
4. Those who live with the one who wants to offer the sacrifice, even if they are not his relatives. This was the view of al-Khateeb ash-Sharbeeni, ash-Shihaab ar-Ramli, and al-Tablaawi among the later Shaafa‘is, but this was regarded as unlikely to be correct by al-‘Allaamah Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (may Allah have mercy on him).
Ash-Shihaab ar-Ramli (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:
Can the Sunnah of offering the udhiyah be done on behalf of a group of people who live in one house, but they are not related to one another, if one of them offers an udhiyah?
He replied:
Yes it can. Some of the later scholars said that this is applicable if one of them is spending on the rest. End quote fromFataawa ar-Ramli(4/67)
Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
It may be that what is meant is his relatives, both men and women.
Or it may be that what is meant by members of a household here is those who maintenance is spent on by one person, even if that is voluntary.
The words of Abu Ayyoob, “A man would offer a sheep on his own behalf and on behalf of the members of his household” may be interpreted in both ways.
Or it may be that what is meant is the apparent meaning, which is that they live in one house and share the amenities, even if they are not related to one another. Some of the scholars stated this definitively, but it is far-fetched.
End quote fromTuhfat al-Muhtaaj(9/345)
To sum up, it is prescribed for the older son who lives in a house on his own, separate from his father, to offer a sacrifice on his own behalf, and his father’s sacrifice is not valid for him because the son – now – is not one of the members of his father’s household, rather he is the head of a separate household.
But if the son voluntarily helps his father with the price of the udhiyah, then he will attain the reward, in sha Allah, but it will be the reward of voluntary charity, not the reward of udhiyah.
And Allah knows best.

Share

Sacrifices, Dought & clear, - * Ruling on one who offers an udhiyah but does not pray

Share

What is the ruling on one who offers an udhiyah but does not pray; is that right?
Praise be to Allah.
In the answers to questions no. 5208 and 9400 we stated that not praying constitutes kufr that puts one beyond the pale of Islam. Based on that, any good deed done by one who does not pray will not benefit him and will not be accepted from him.
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) said:
With regard to fasting when one does not pray, it is of no value or benefit, and it is not valid if one does not pray. No matter what other acts of obedience a person may do, they will not benefit him so long as he does not pray, because the one who does not pray is a kaafir, and the good deeds of the kaafir are not accepted from him. So there is no benefit in fasting if one does not pray. End quote.
Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Fawzaan(39/16)
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
If a person fasts but does not pray, no fasting will be accepted from him, because he is a kaafir and an apostate, and no zakaah, charity or any other righteous deeds will be accepted from him, because Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And nothing prevents their contributions from being accepted from them except that they disbelieved in Allah and in His Messenger (Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)); and that they came not to As-Salat (the prayer) except in a lazy state; and that they offer not contributions but unwillingly”
[at-Tawbah 9:54].
If their contributions – which refers to benefitting others – are not accepted from the disbelievers, then it is more appropriate that acts of worship, the benefit which is limited only to the doer, should not be accepted either. Based on that, the one who fasts but does not pray is a kaafir, Allah forbid, and his fasting is invalid. Likewise, none of his righteous deeds will be accepted from him. End quote.
Fataawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darbby Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (124/32).
If the one who does not pray wants to offer an udhiyah, then he has to repent to Allah, first of all, for not praying. If he does not do that, and he persists in his ways, then he will not be rewarded for that sacrifice and it will not be accepted from him. If he does the slaughtering himself, then it comes under the heading of maytah (“dead meat”, from an animal that was found dead) and it is not permissible to eat from it, because meat slaughtered by an apostate comes under the heading of maytah and is haraam.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
If a man who does not pray slaughters an animal, that meat cannot be eaten. Why? Because it is haraam. But if a Jew or a Christian slaughters an animal, that meat is permissible for us to eat. So the meat slaughtered by (the one who does not pray) – Allah forbid – is more unclean than meat slaughtered by the Jews and Christians.
End quote fromMajmoo‘ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il Ibn ‘Uthaymeen(12/45)
And Allah knows best.

Share

Pilgrimage, & Dought & clear, - * ‘Umrah on the part of a child who has not reached the age of discernment

Share

I am intending to perform ‘Umrah, by Allah’s leave. My husband will be with me along with my three children, all of whom are below the age of four years. I hope that you can explain how they should enter ihram, perform the rituals and exit ihram. Is it preferable in their case to shave the head or to cut their hair?
Praise be to Allah.
Hajj and ‘Umrah are valid on the part of children who have reached the age of discernment and those who have not reached that age, according to the majority of scholars; in fact it was narrated that there was consensus on this point.
With regard to ‘Umrah on the part of a child who has not reached the age of discernment, i.e. a child who is below the age of seven, his guardian should form the intention on his part, after dressing him in ihram garments and keeping him away from things that are forbidden whilst in ihram. He should form the intention that the child has entered ihram.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
He should enter ihram on his behalf, i.e., form the intention that this child has entered the state of ihram. He should not form the intention that he has entered ihram on behalf of the child, because this is not correct. Rather he should form the intention that this child has entered the state of ihram. If he does that, the child has entered ihram.
End quote fromSharh al-Kaafiby Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him).
Similarly, he should also form the intention of tawaaf (circumambulation of the Ka ‘bah) and sa‘i (going between as-Safa and al-Marwah) on the child’s behalf. He may carry the child during these two rituals. If he does carry him, then it is preferable for him to do tawaaf on his own behalf and then on behalf of the child, but if he does one tawaaf it is sufficient for both of them, according to the correct scholarly view.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: if the one who is carrying another person intends tawaaf on his own behalf and on behalf of the one whom he is carrying, and if he intends sa‘i on his own behalf and on behalf of the one whom he is carrying, that is acceptable according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not instruct the woman who asked him about Hajj of a child to do tawaaf for him on his own. If that had been obligatory, he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) would have said so.
End quote fromMajmoo‘ Fataawa ash-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 5/257
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen was asked about that and he said: As ihram for a child is valid, the guardian is responsible for him. So he should dress him in the ihram garments, form the intention of ihram for him, form the intention of the rituals on his behalf, recite the Talbiyah on his behalf, and hold his hand during tawaaf and sa‘i. If the child is incapable, such as one who is very small or is still breastfeeding, there is nothing wrong with carrying him, and one tawaaf is sufficient for both the one who carries and the one who is carried, according to the correct opinion. If the child does anything that is forbidden whilst in ihram out of ignorance, such as wearing a fitted garment or covering his head, he does not have to offer any fidyah because he did not do it intentionally. If he did do it intentionally, such as needing to wear regular clothes because of being cold and so on, then his guardian should offer the fidyah on his behalf.
End quote fromFataawa Islamiyyah, 2/182
Once the child has done tawaaf and sa‘i, there remains the issue of shaving the head or cutting the hair. Shaving is preferable, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) offered supplication three times for those who shaved their heads and one for those who cut their hair. Narrated by Muslim, 1303. But if he is afraid that the child may be affected by cold and the like, then it is sufficient to cut the hair, but hair must be taken from all parts of the head, as is the view of Malik and Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on them both. And Allah knows best.

Share

Pilgrimage, & Dought & clear, - * The days of Tashreeq

Share

What are the days of Tashreeq? What is special about them and distinguishes them from other days?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The days of Tashreeq are the 11th, 12thand 13thof Dhu’l-Hijjah. There are several verses and ahaadeeth which speak of their virtue:
1 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And remember Allaah during the appointed Days”
[al-Baqarah 2:203]
These are the days of Tashreeq. This was the view of Ibn ‘Umar and most of the scholars.
2 – The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said concerning the days of Tashreeq: “They are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allaah.” Dhikr (remembering Allaah) is enjoined during the days of tashreeq in several ways:
- Remembering Allaah immediately after the prescribed prayers by reciting Takbeer. This is prescribed until the end of the days of Tashreeq according to the majority of scholars.
- Remembering Him by sayingBismillaahandAllaahu akbarwhen slaughtering the sacrificial animal. The time for slaughtering the hadiy and udhiyah lasts until the end of days of Tashreeq.
- Remembering Allaah when eating and drinking. It is prescribed when eating and drinking to sayBismillaahat the beginning, and to praise Him (sayAl-hamdu Lillaah) at the end. According to the hadeeth narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Allaah likes His slave when he eats something to praise Him for it, and when he drinks something to praise Him for it.” Narrated by Muslim, 2734.
- Remembering Him by saying Takbeer when stoning the Jamaraat on the days of Tashreeq. This applies only to the pilgrims on Hajj.
- Remembering Allaah in general. It is mustahabb to make a lot of dhikr during the days of Tashreeq. ‘Umar used to recite Takbeer in Mina in his tent, and when the people heard him they recited Takbeer too and Mina echoed with the sound of their Takbeer. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So when you have accomplished your Manaasik [rituals of Hajj], remember Allaah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance. But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us (Your Bounties) in this world!” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter.
201. And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!””
[al-Baqarah 2:200-201]
Many of the salaf regarded it as mustahabb to make a lot of du’aa’ during the days of tashreeq.
The words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “These are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allaah” indicate that eating and drinking during the days of Eid are means that help one to remember Allaah and obey Him; perfect gratitude for the blessing means using it to help one obey and worship Allaah,
In His Book Allaah commands us to eat of good things and thank Him for them. So whoever uses Allaah’s blessings to commit sin is showing ingratitude for the blessing of Allaah, so he deserves to have it taken away from him.
3 – The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade fasting on these days: “Do not fast on these days, for they are the days of eating, drinking and remembering Allaah.” Narrated by Ahmad, 10286; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani inal-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 3573.
See Lataa’if al-Ma’aarifby Ibn Rajab, p. 500.
O Allaah, help us to do righteous deeds and make us steadfast until death; have mercy on us, O Most Generous Giver. Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the World.

Share

Pilgrimage, & Dought & clear, - * Hajj does not waiveobligatory duties such as expiations and debts

Share

Praise be to Allah, last year I had the opportunity to perform the obligation of Hajj. As you know, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said in the hadeeth: “An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise.” When the Muslim performs the obligatory Hajj, all the sins that he had committed are forgiven and he goes back from Hajj (free of sin) as on the day his mother bore him, and he goes back to the fitrah (sound human nature). My question is: I have some days to make up from Ramadan from two years ago. After performing Hajj, do I still need to make these days up, or will Allah forgive me for what is past because of the Hajj that I did?.
Praise be to Allah
There are many hadeeths about the virtues of Hajj which indicate that it erases sins and expiates for bad deeds, and the individual returns from it (free of sin) as on the day his mother bore him.
See the answer to question no. 34359
But this virtue and reward does not mean that obligatory duties are waived, whether they are duties owed to Allah, may He be exalted, such as expiations and fulfilment of vows, or duties that he has not yet fulfilled, such as zakaah that he has not paid or fasts that he has to make up, or duties owed to other people, such as debts and the like. Hajj brings forgiveness of sins, but it does not mean that these duties are waived, according to scholarly consensus.
If a person delays making up Ramadan fasts, for example, and that is without an excuse, then he does Hajj and it is accepted, his Hajj brings forgiveness for the sin of delaying, but the obligation to make up those days is not waived.
It says inKashshaaf al-Qinaa‘(2/522): ad-Dumayri said: In the saheeh hadeeth it says: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not utter obscenities or commit sin, will emerge from his sins as on the day his mother bore him.” This has to do specifically with sins that are connected to the rights of Allah, may He be exalted, in particular, and not the rights of other people. The duties themselves are not waived. So if a person owes prayer, expiations and other rights of Allah, may He be exalted, they are not waived, because they are duties, not sins; rather the sin is delaying them. So the delay is waived by Hajj, but the duty itself is not. If he delays it after that, the sin is renewed. So an accepted Hajj brings forgiveness for the sin of non-compliance, but does not waive the duties themselves. This was stated inal-Mawaahib. End quote.
Ibn Nujaym (may Allah have mercy on him) said inal-Bahr ar-Raa’iq(2:364), after mentioning the difference of opinion about Hajj being expiation for major sins: To sum up: the matter is controversial and there is no c rtainty that Hajj expiates major sins involving the rights of Allah, may He be exalted, let alone the rights of people. If we say that it expiates everything, that does not mean, as many people think, that debts are waived thereby. The same applies to making up prayers, fasts and zakaah because no one says that. Rather what is meant is that the sin of delaying payment of the debt is waived, but if after standing in ‘Arafah he delays paying it, he is sinning now. The same applies to delaying prayers until after the time for them has ended. The sin is erased by means of Hajj but the duty to make them up is not waived. Moreover, after standing in ‘Arafah, he is still required to make them up, and if he does not do so, he is now a sinner according to the view of those who say that he should make them up immediately. And the same applies to other actions by analogy. To sum up, no one suggested that the hadeeths which speak of the expiation of sin by virtue of Hajj are general in meaning, as is clear. End quote.
To conclude: you still have to make up the days that you owe of Ramadaan, and your duties cannot be discharged except by doing that.
And Allah knows best.

Share

Welcome to Islam, - * From Kabul to the ultimate truth

Share

This is the story of Yvonne Ridley's journey that started in a Kabul prison and put her on a quest to discover the truth.
Islam is by far the most misunderstood religion in the world today thanks to centuries of medieval-style propaganda successfully peddled by bigots and religious zealots. So I should not have been entirely surprised by the almost hysterical reaction in the mainstream media to news that I am considering becoming a Muslim. Some of the comments were )nasty( and snide, other journalists asked me stupid questions showing a distinct lack of research or understanding. One even accused me of suffering from Stockholm Syndrome as a result of spending ten days in the hands of the Taliban!
My spiritual journey, like that for many reverts, was meant to be a personal affair between myself and God. Sadly it has now become a very public issue and so I have decided to share with readers my feelings and thoughts on Islam to prevent any more misunderstandings or misconceptions.
Yes, my journey did begin in the unlikely surrounds of an Afghan prison where I was being held by the Taliban facing charges of entering their country illegally, disguised in the all-enveloping burqa. One day, during my captivity, I was visited by a religious scholar who asked me what I thought of Islam and if I would like to revert. I was terrified. For five days I had managed to avoid the subject of religion in a country led by Islamic extremists. If I gave the wrong response, I had convinced myself I would be stoned to death.
After careful thought I thanked the scholar for his generous offer and said it was difficult for me to make such a life-changing decision while I was in prison. However, I did make a promise that if I was released I would study Islam on my return to London. My reward for such a reply was being sent to a ghastly jail in Kabul where I was locked up with six Christian fanatics who faced charges of trying to convert Muslims to their faith. )After being bombarded with their bible readings, happy-clappy Christian songs and prayers twice a day, I think we can discount the accusations of Stockholm Syndrome(.
Several days later I was released unharmed on humanitarian grounds on the orders of Mullah Omar, the Taliban's one-eyed spiritual leader. My captors had treated me with courtesy and respect, and so in turn, I kept my word and set out to study their religion. It was supposed to be an academic study, but as I became more engrossed with each page I turned I became more impressed with what I read.
I turned to several eminent Islamic academics, including Dr. Zaki Badawi, for advice and instruction. I was even given several books by the notorious Sheikh Abu Hamza AI-Masri whom I spoke to after sharing a platform at an Oxford Union debate. This latter snippet was seized upon by some sections of the media in such a ridiculous fashion that outsiders might have thought I was going to open a madrassa )school( for AI-Qaeda recruits from my flat in Soho!
Thankfully the support and understanding I have been given from my brothers and sisters )for I regard them as that( has been unstinting and comforting. Not one of them has put pressure on me to become a Muslim, and every revert I've spoken to has told me to take my time. One of the big turning points for me happened earlier this year when the Israelis began shelling The Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, one of the most precious monuments for Christians.
Every year thousands of school children re-enact the Nativity at Christmas time, a potent symbol of Christianity. Yet, not one Church of England leader publicly denounced the Israelis for their attack. Our Prime Minister Tony Blair, who loves to be pictured coming out of church surrounded by his family, espousing Christian values, was silent. Only the Pope had the guts to condemn this atrocity. I was shocked and saddened and felt there was no backbone in my religious leaders. At least with Islam I need no mediator or conduit to rely upon, I can have a direct line with God anytime I want.
While I feel under no pressure to revert by Muslims, the real pressure to walk away from Islam has come from some friends and journalists who like to think they're cynical, hard-bitten, hard-drinking, observers of the world. Religion of any form makes them feel uneasy, but Islam, well that's something even worse. You'd think I had made a pact with the devil or wanted to become a grand wizard in the Ku Klux Klan.
Others feared I was being brainwashed and that I would soon be back in my burqa, silenced forever like all Muslim women. This, of course, is nonsense. I have never met so many well-educated, opinionated, outspoken, intelligent, politically aware women in the Muslim groups I have visited throughout the UK. Feminism pales into insignificance when it comes to the sisterhood, which has a strong identity and a loud voice in this country. Yes, it is true that many Muslim women around the world are subjugated, but this has only come about through other cultures hijacking and misinterpreting the Qur’an.
I wish I had this knowledge )and I'm still very much a novice( when I was captured by the Taliban, because I would have asked them why they treated their own women so badly. The Qur’an makes it crystal clear that all Muslims, men and women are entirely equal in worth, spirituality and responsibility.

Share

Welcome to Islam, - * Experience of a Canadian woman

Share

Many may ask why a young, Canadian-born, Caucasian woman would embrace a religion that not only supposedly oppresses women, but takes all her freedom and independence and treats her as a second class citizen.
I reject such accusations and pose to them the following question. "Why is it that so many women who have been born and brought up in the so-called 'civilized' societies of Canada, USA, and Europe are willing to reject their liberty, and independence, to embrace a religion that supposedly oppresses them and is widely assumed to be prejudicial to them?"
As a Canadian revert to Islam, I can only present my personal experience and reasons for rejecting the freedom, that women claim to have in this society, in favor of the only religion that truly liberates women by giving us a status and position which is completely unique when compared to non-Muslim counterparts.
As a child growing up in a non-religious home, I often asked my parents if there was a God, who is He, and where did He come from? Their response was always, believe in what you want to believe. This confused me, because many of my friends had religions, and I never understood why I didn't.
I remember when I was six or seven years old, I attended Sunday School, at a Church with a friend a couple of times. I found it very boring. I didn't feel comfortable around the other children, and felt pressured by the instructor and other children because I didn't know anything about Jesus Christ, may Allaah exalt his mention. Feeling this way I stopped going to the Sunday school, and continued growing up without a religion, with no knowledge of God, which made me feel very lonely.
It wasn't until I was in high school when I learned about religion in my social studies class, and remember vividly how my teacher told us women in Islam have no rights, women are denied education, must be circumcised, and how women must obey men, otherwise, the men can beat them.
This made me think
No matter what this teacher said, something in my mind kept telling me this couldn't be true. Ironically, around the same time I was learning this, I met a Muslim, named Khaled )who is now my husband( at the place where I worked and asked him about what my teacher said. He was shocked to hear the school boards were teaching this about Islam and told me they were all untrue. When discussing this with my teacher in front of my fellow students, the teacher told me that my source is wrong, and he has the information in his books, otherwise he wouldn't be teaching us this stuff.
My teacher pretty much made me look stupid; however some of my friends believed me. I continued talking to Khaled at work about Muslim women and was very curious about the role of Muslim women. I have to admit that I never agreed all the time with what Khaled said, but I was also a non-believer at that time, and never understood fully what Islam was. I was )and still I am( always fascinated with how the Muslim women would cover themselves, they always seemed to have the look of peace on their faces. I would never have guessed that I would one day be one of those ladies who is fully covered.
Two years later, Khaled and I were married and had our first child, Al-Hamdulillah. It wasn't until one year after my second child was born, Al-Hamdulillah, when I began to feel depressed and adrift, feeling a large spirituality void. I felt there was a big chunk of my life still missing. This was when I began to read about various religions, and it wasn't until I bought a translation of the Holy Quran when I finally understood the true meaning of life, and that there is none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah(. The Quran answered all the questions I was looking for, and some that I never even thought of.
One week before the holy month of Ramadan, I taught myself to pray, memorized two suras )Quranic Chapters(, and said my Shahadah )Testimony of faith(. I no longer felt adrift and I believed in Allaah. It was like having the feeling and guidance from Allaah.
Wearing the scarf for the first time made me feel as though I had more peace, I was someone, not only a someone, but a Muslim. I was )and am( protecting myself from all evil. I felt a lot more close to Allaah, because He has ordained women in the Noble Quran to cover themselves.
I know in my heart that it bothered my husband a lot to have a wife who did not only embrace Islam, but to see her practicing it when he wasn't. My husband and I have no differences anymore in terms of raising our children )as Muslims(, and have never been so happy since he and I started practicing Islam.
My life has changed a lot since I embraced Islam )all for the best(, and I'm loving every minute of it! I recommend it to everyone out there, whether a Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, to pick up a copy of the Noble Quran and to read not just some of it, but all of it. May Allaah give everyone the strength and courage that He has given me during the past year.

Share

Menstruation and Post-Natal bleeding, - Dought& clear, - * Can a woman who is experiencing non-menstrual vaginal bleeding (istihaadah) fast?

Share

Can a woman who is experiencing non-menstrual vaginal bleeding (istihaadah) fast?.
Praise be to Allaah.
During the time when the woman who is experiencing istihaadah believes that the blood is menstrual blood, then she is menstruating and the rulings on menses apply to her. When the menses ends, then she is taahir (pure) and she should do ghusl, fast and pray and her husband may have intercourse with her, even if she is still bleeding.
It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: Faatimah bint Abi Hubaysh came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, I am a woman who experiences istihaadah and I do not become pure. Should I give up praying?” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No. That is just a vein, and it is not menses. When your menses comes, then stop praying, and when it ends, then wash the blood from yourself and pray.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 226; Muslim, 333.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, explaining the phrase “that is just a vein”:
This indicates that if the blood which is flowing is blood from a vein – which includes bleeding that results from surgery – then that is not regarded as menses, so the things that become haraam in the case of menses are not haraam in this case, and a woman has to pray and to fast if that happens during the day in Ramadaan. End quote.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 11/question no. 226.
It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) observed i’tikaaf with him, and she was experiencing istihaadah and could see the blood. Sometimes she would place a basin beneath her to catch the blood. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 303. And Allaah knows best.

Share

Menstruation and Post-Natal bleeding, - Dought& clear, - * Her period comes regularly but the bleeding stops for half a day or a day at the beginning and end

Share

My wife gets her period regularly, but it starts with a little bleeding, which then stops for half a day or a full day. The same thing happens at the end of her period. When should she stop fasting and praying and when should she resume?.
Praise be to Allaah.
If a woman sees menstrual blood she must stop praying and fasting, and if the bleeding stops during the period it depends:
1 – If traces of blood remain, such that if she inserts a piece of cloth or whatever it comes out with traces of blood, then the period is not regarded as having ended, and she should still refrain from praying and fasting, whether that happens at the beginning of the period or at the end.
2 – If the bleeding stops altogether, such that if she inserts a piece of cloth it comes out clean with no traces of blood, then this is the sign that her period has ended, so she is taahir (pure). She should do ghusl and pray and fast and do all that women who are taahir do. Then if the bleeding resumes she should stop again.
The ruling that being free of any trace of blood during the time of menses is regarded as tuhr (purity) is the view of the Maalikis and Hanbalis.
SeeMataalib Ooli al-‘Nuha, 1/260.
In the answer to question no. 37839we have mentioned the view of the scholars of the Standing Committee:
If the menses stops for one day or one night during the time of menses, then she should do ghusl and pray whatever prayers come when she is taahir, because Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “If she sees blood that is heavy or copious, she should not pray, and if she sees the tuhr for a while, she should do ghusl. End quote.
Majallat al-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah(12/102)
And Allaah knows best.

Share

Menstruation and Post-Natal bleeding, - Dought& clear, - * She had an operation on her uterus

Share

If a woman has an operation on her uterus and bleeds as a result, is that blood regarded as menses?.
Praise be to Allaah.
A woman may experience something that causes her to bleed from her vagina, such as an operation on the uterus or close to it. This falls into two categories:
1 – If she knows that it is not possible for her to menstruate after the surgery, such as if she has an operation to remove the uterus altogether (hysterectomy) or blocking it so that no blood can come from it. This woman does not come under the rulings on istihaadah (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding); rather she comes under the rulings on one who sees some yellowish or brownish discharge or some wetness after her period ends. So she should not stop praying and fasting, or refuse to let her husband have intercourse with her, and she does not have to do ghusl in this case. But when she wants to pray she should wash the blood from herself and put a piece of cloth or something similar over her private part to prevent the blood coming out, then she should do wudoo’ and pray. She should only do wudoo’ after the time for the prayer has begun, if there is a specific time for the prayer such as the five daily prayers, or when she wants to offer a naafil prayer.
2 – If she knows that there is no reason why she should not menstruate after the operation and it is possible that she may menstruate. This comes under the ruling of istihaadah and is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to Faatimah bint Hubaysh: “That is a vein and is not menses. When the time of menses comes, then stop praying.” The words “when the time of menses comes” indicate that the ruling on istihaadah may apply to one who has a period that comes and goes. If a woman does not have a period then her bleeding is regarded as coming from a vein in all cases. End quote.
Risaalah fi’l-Dima’ al-Tabee’iyyah li’l-Nisa’ by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him).

Share

For children, - Holy ProphetMuhammad (Peace be Upon him) in dream

Share

A man from a respectable background came to Balkh which is situated in the south of Iran, accompanied by his wife and daughters. Shortly after their arrival the man fell ill and later died, leaving his wife and daughters. Without his support they became poor and suffered. So fearing the mockery of enemies, she fled Balkh with her daughters to Samarkand.
On the day she arrived the weather was very cold, so she left her daughters in a mosque and went out in search of food. She passed by two groups of people. One was gathered around a Muslim who was the Sheikh and the other group around a Zoroastrian (Majusi) who was the security officer of the city.
She first went to the Muslim Sheikh and described her situation saying, "I am a woman of a respectable family, with daughters whom I have left in the local mosque and I have come in search of food." He asked her, "Bring me proof that you are from a respectable family." She replied, "I am a stranger in this town and therefore do not know anyone to testify for me." She departed from him brokenhearted. She then went to the Zoroastrian and explained her situation to him, telling him about her noble background and her orphaned daughters who were, waiting her return in the local mosque. She also mentioned to him how the Muslim Sheikh had treated her. The Zoroastrian stood up and sent some womenfolk to bring her daughters and took all of them to his house. There he showered them with honour and generosity. He fed them fine food and clothed them in rich garments.
That night the Muslim Sheikh saw in a dream the Day of Resurrectionand the banners were unfurled around Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him). Ahead of him, was a green palace made of emeralds, its balconies of pearls and rubies and domes of pearls and corals. He asked Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him), "Messenger of Allah, for whom is this palace?" Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) replied, "For a Muslim." The Muslim Sheikh replied, "I am a Muslim!" Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) said, "Prove to me that you are a Muslim?" At that, the Muslim Sheikh was dumbstruck. Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) then said, "You asked a woman to produce proof of her respectability and therefore my question to you is, can you produce proof that you are a Muslim?" At this point the Muslim Sheikh felt remorse about his treatment towards the woman and her orphaned daughters.
In the morning, he immediately set out to find the woman. He learnt she was staying with the Zoroastrian and so called for him. When the Zoroastrian arrived, the Muslim Sheikh requested that he sends the woman and her daughters to him. The Zoroastrian replied, "Under no circumstance! I have received great blessings from her." The Muslim Sheikh said, "Take a thousand dinars from me and bring them to me." Zoroastrian shouted, "Impossible! The one who showed you the palace in your dream has made it (the palace) for me. Are you surprised because I am not a Muslim? By Allah (SWT), I did not sleep last night, before I and my family accepted Islam at that noble woman's hand and I dreamt something similar to what you dreamt; Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) asked me, "Is that noble woman and her daughters with you?" I replied: "Yes, Messenger of Allah." Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) said, "This palace is for you and your family. Allah (SWT) created you a believer in eternity." At that the Muslim Sheikh remained sorrowful and grieved for the missed opportunity of earning a lofty position in Paradise, due to his neglect of the widowed woman and her daughters.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) has said, "The one who strives on behalf of the widow and the needy is like a warrior in the path of Allah". (Bukhari and Muslim) May Allah guide us to what is right for indeed, He is Generous, the most Kind, and the most Merciful!

Share

Womens Work, - Dought & clear, - * Ruling on women selling their goods in the market

Share

I have a wife who wants to go and buy and sell on Thursdays in a market where men and women come together. She is very modest and covers herself.
Please advise us.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is permissible for her to go to the market to buy and sell, if she needs to do that and if she covers all of her body in clothes that do not describe its shape, and she does not mix with men in any way that would give rise to suspicion. If she does not need to go and buy and sell, then it is better for her not to do so.
Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 13/17

Share