Quraanic Exegesis, Dought&clear, - * Tafseer of the verse “So on that Day no question will be asked of man or jinn as to his sin” [ar-Rahmaan 55:39]

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What is the meaning of the verse that says that man will not be questioned about his sin on the Day of Resurrection?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Perhaps the questioner is referring to the verse in which Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):“So on that Day no question will be asked of man or jinn as to his sin” [ar-Rahmaan 55:39].
This is one of the verses in Soorat ar-Rahmaan that speak of the terrors of the Day of Resurrection and explain that one aspect of the terror of that great Day is that no human or jinn will be questioned about his sin.
The scholars have given a number of interpretations for this verse:
1.
That humans and jinn will not be questioned on the Day of Resurrection by way of finding out about their sins, because Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, knows best about them. But He will question them by way of making a statement or a rebuke or telling off. This is more frightening and serves to emphasise the horror of what will happen on the Day of Resurrection.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“no question will be asked of man or jinn as to his sin” – why? Because everything is known. What is meant here is that there will be no questioning by way of finding out, because all things are known. As for the kind of asking that is intended as a stern rebuke, that will take place. Allah, may He be exalted, says:
“And (remember) the Day (Allah) will call to them, and say: What answer gave you to the Messengers?
Then the news of a good answer will be obscured to them on that day, and they will not be able to ask one another”
[al-Qasas 28:65]
“Except those on the Right, (i.e. the pious true believers of Islamic Monotheism);
In Gardens (Paradise) they will ask one another,
About Al-Mujrimoon (polytheists, criminals, disbelievers, etc.), (And they will say to them):
What has caused you to enter Hell?
They will say: We were not of those who used to offer their Salat (prayers)”
[al-Muddaththir 74:39-42].
And Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say to the people of Hell when they are thrown into it (interpretation of the meaning):
“Did there not come to you, your Messengers with (clear) evidences and signs? They will say: Yes”
[Ghaafir 40:50].
So they will not be asked about their sin by way of finding out; rather they will be asked by way of telling off and rebuking. What is mentioned about humans and jinn being asked about their sins (“Did you do it or not?”) is questioning that is aimed at rebuking and telling off. There is a difference between questioning that is aimed at finding out and questioning that is aimed as a rebuke, so there is no contradiction between the verses. The verses that speak of them being questioned refer to questioning by way of rebuke and the verses that say that they will not be questioned refer to questioning that is aimed at finding out, because everything is already known and recorded. End quote.
Tafseer al-Qur’aan(from al-Hujuraat to al-Hadeed), p. 317
2.
One of the frightening events that will take place on that Day is that Allah will place a seal on the hearts of the disbelievers and hypocrites, and their hands and feet will speak of what they used to do. They will not be questioned at that time; rather their bodies will be questioned and will bear witness against them, speaking of their sins.
3.
Because of the horror of what the disbelievers encounter on the Day of Resurrection, they will be recognised by the blackening of their faces and the bleariness of their eyes. So there will be no need to ask them about their sins when the signs of disgrace have already appeared on them. This is also a source of great terror and a difficult situation on the Day of Resurrection. This does not contradict the true questioning that will occur at another stage, because the Day of Resurrection will be a long day, with various stages.
Al-Haafiz Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The verse (interpretation of the meaning):“So on that Day no question will be asked of man or jinn as to his sin” [ar-Rahmaan 55:39]is similar to the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):“That will be a Day when they shall not speak (during some part of it), And they will not be permitted to put forth any excuse” [al-Mursalaat 77:35-36]. This is one stage. And there will be another stage during which people will be questioned about all their deeds. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):“So, by your Lord (O Muhammad SAW), We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do” [al-Hijr 15:92-93]. Hence Qataadah quoted the words“So on that Day no question will be asked of man or jinn as to his sin” [ar-Rahmaan 55:39]and said: The questioning will have occurred, then a seal will be placed over the people’s mouths, and their hands and feet will tell of what they used to do.
‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah said, quoting from Ibn ‘Abbaas: He will not ask them, Did you used to do such and such? Because He knows better than they do about that. Rather he will say: Why did you do such and such? This is another view.
Mujaahid said concerning the verse: The angels will not ask about the sinners, because they will be known by their marks (blackened faces – cf. ar-Rahmaan 55:41). This is a third view.
It seems that this will come when instructions have been issued to take them to Hell. At that time they will not be asked about their sins; rather they will be taken to it and thrown into it, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):“The Mujrimoon (polytheists, criminals, sinners, etc.) will be known by their marks” [ar-Rahmaan 55:41], i.e., by marks that will appear on them.
Al-Hasan and Qataadah said: They will recognise them by their blackened faces and the bleariness of their eyes. I say: Similarly, the believers will be recognised by the bright marks on their faces and limbs from the traces of wudoo’. End quote.
Tafseer al-Qur’aan al-‘Azeem, 7/499
Al-‘Allaamah al-Ameen ash-Shanqeeti (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):“Then surely, We shall question those (people) to whom it (the Book) was sent…” [al-A‘raaf 7:6]. This verse indicates that Allah will question all people on the Day of Resurrection. There are similar verses, such as the following:
“So, by your Lord (O Muhammad ), We shall certainly call all of them to account”
[al-Hijr 15:92]
“But stop them, verily they are to be questioned”
[as-Saaffaat37:24]
“And (remember) the Day (Allah) will call to them, and say: What answer gave you to the Messengers?”
[al-Qasas 28:65].
And there are other verses that indicate the opposite of that, such as the following:
“So on that Day no question will be asked of man or jinn as to his sin”
[ar-Rahmaan 55:39]
“But the Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) will not be questioned of their sins”
[al-Qasas 28:78].
The answer (to this apparent contradiction) consists of the following points:
1.
This is the best answer because it is what is indicated by the Qur’aan, which is that questioning is of two types: questioning by way of rebuke and telling off, which usually starts with the word “Lima(Why)…?”, and questioning that is aimed at finding out, which usually starts with the word “Hal…?” (an Arabic word which signals that what follows is a question). If the question starts with the wordLima, it is a question by way of rebuke; and if it starts with the wordHal, it is a question aimed at finding out.
We can see from the context of the Qur’aan that all questions that will be put to them, as stated in the Qur’aan, are questions that are intended as a rebuke, as in the verses in which Allah says:
“But stop them, verily they are to be questioned. ‘What is the matter with you? Why do you not help one another (as you used to do in the world)?’”
[as-Saaffaat 37:24-35]
“Is this magic, or do you not see?”
[at-Toor 52:14]
“Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves”
[az-Zumar 39:71]
“Did no warner come to you?”
[al-Mulk 67:8]
and there are other similar verses.
And Allah will ask the Messengers: What did you respond? – As a rebuke to those who disbelieved in them. This is similar to the questioning of the girl who was buried alive, for what sin she was killed? (cf. at-Takweer 81:9) – this is a rebuke to the one who killed her.
2.
On the Day of Resurrection there will be various stages, at some of which they will be questioned and at others they will not be questioned.
End quote.
Daf‘ Eehaam al-Idtiraab ‘an ‘Aayaat al-Kitaab, p. 15
And Allah knows best.

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Quraanic Exegesis, Dought&clear, - * Who are the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? Are the sinners included with them?

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I hope you can give the tafseer (commentary) on this passage:
“Say (O Muhammad SAW): Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds?
Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds!
They are those who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and the Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). So their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them any weight”
[al-Kahf 18:103-105].
What I am asking for is an explanation of who are the greatest losers in respect of their deeds among the Muslims? Is the one who does not follow the Messenger of Allah with regard to the command to let the beard grow one of the greatest losers in respect of their deeds, or is this not connected to what Allah says in this verse?
I also hope you will explain the du‘aa’ of the Prophet and Messenger of Allah for forgiveness for those who shave; are they the ones who shave their beards?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
This verse is from Soorat al-Kahf, which is a Makkan soorah (revealed in Makkah). It was revealed concerning the kuffaar idol-worshippers whose devils lead them astray and made their actions seem good to them, so they thought that they were guided and that the Muslims were misguided. Allah, may He be exalted, tells us about that in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):“And verily, they (Satans / devils) hinder them from the Path (of Allah), but they think that they are guided aright!” [az-Zukhruf 43:37]. And He, may He be exalted, said (interpretation of the meaning):“A group He has guided, and a group deserved to be in error; (because) surely they took the Shayatin (devils) as Awliya (protectors and helpers) instead of Allah, and consider that they are guided” [al-A‘raaf 7:30]. And Allah, may He be exalted, stated that they are disbelievers when He said in the same passage (that you asked about):“They are those who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and the Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter).” [al-Kahf 18:104].
The fact that these verses were revealed concerning the mushrikeen is something about which there can be no doubt, because this verse is Makkan (revealed in Makkah), as we stated above. This does not mean that it cannot include others; it also includes the Jews and Christians, according to the wording, the meaning and the ruling. And it includes the followers of innovation and misguidance, commensurate with what their beliefs and actions include of misguidance and things that are contrary to sharee‘ah. So the nullification of their good deeds – in these verses – is complete in the case of the kuffaar, mushrikeen and apostates; as for the followers of innovation and misguidance among the Muslims, their deeds are not nullified completely; rather those that are innovated and contrary to sharee‘ah are nullified.
Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said: al-Bukhaari narrated that Mus‘ab said: I asked my father – i.e., Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqaas – “Say (O Muhammad SAW): Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds?”: does this refer to the Harooris (Khaarijis)? He said: No; they are the Jews and the Christians. As for the Jews, they rejected Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him); as for the Christians, they disbelieved in Paradise and said that there is no food or drink in it. The Harooris are the one who broke Allah’s Covenant after ratifying it (cf. al-Baqarah 2:29). and Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) used to call them the evildoers (al-faasiqeen).
‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, ad-Dahhaak and others said: They are the Harooris, i.e., the Khaarijis.
What is meant by these words of ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) is that this verse includes the Harooris as well as the Jews, Christians and others; it does not mean that it was revealed specifically concerning the former and not the latter. In fact it is more general in meaning than this; this verse was revealed in Makkah, before the message was addressed to the Jews and Christians, and before the Khaarijis even existed. It is general in meaning and applies to everyone who worships Allah in any way that is not pleasing to Him, thinking that he has got it right and that his deeds are acceptable, when in fact he has got it wrong and his deeds are rejected, as Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Some faces, that Day, will be humiliated (in the Hell-fire, i.e. the faces of all disbelievers)
Labouring (hard in the worldly life by worshipping others besides Allah), weary (in the Hereafter with humility and disgrace).
They will enter in the hot blazing Fire”
[al-Ghaashiyah 88:2-4]
“And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust”
[al-Furqaan 25:23]
“As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing”
[an-Noor 24:39].
And in this verse, He says: “Say:Shall We tell you” i.e., shall We inform you
“the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds”. Then He explains who they are and says:
“Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life” i.e., they did invalid deeds that were not in accordance with sharee‘ah, and were not prescribed, pleasing to Allah or acceptable.
“while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds” i.e., they believed that they were doing something good, and that they were accepted and loved.
End quote fromTafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/201, 202
It is worth noting that Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) commented on the verses from al-Ghaashiyah – which are mentioned above in the quotation from Ibn Katheer – and said that they refer to the Day of Resurrection, and that the faces of the disbelievers on that day will be humiliated, that is disgraced. But that is not in this world. SeeMajmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 16/217-220
Thus it is known that the verse does not include the one who disobeys Allah, may He be exalted, and shaves his beard. Rather the verses speak about the worship of anything other than Allah, and it is known that the verse was originally revealed about the disbelievers, and the inclusion of the followers of innovation under that heading is done of the basis of analogy.
Secondly:
The hadeeth of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) – which states that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “O Allaah, have mercy on those who shaved their heads.” They said: And those who cut their hair, O Messenger of Allaah? He said: “May Allaah have mercy on those who shaved their heads.” They said: And those who cut their hair, O Messenger of Allaah? He said: “And those who cut their hair” (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1640; Muslim, 1301) – has nothing to do with shaving or cutting the beard; rather it undoubtedly has to do with exiting ihram following ‘Umrah or Hajj by shaving the hair of the head. We do not think that any Muslim would dare to say that shaving (when exiting ihram) includes shaving the beard. The one who says that is extremely ignorant and he should be taught and disciplined, because he has spoken about Allah, may He be exalted, without knowledge. If the one who said that is someone who claims to have knowledge, then undoubtedly his saying that is a mockery and is toying with the verses of Allah and distorting the words.
And Allah knows best.

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Commentary on Hadeeth, - Dought & clear, - * What is the meaning of the Prophet’s words, “I can see you behindmy back”?

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Hadith from Sahih Bukhari
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allahs Apostle said, "Do you consider or see that my face is towards the Qibla? By Allah, neither your submissiveness nor your bowing is hidden from me, surely I see you from my back."
Does this mean that Prophet could have seen at things behind him as well? Please clarify.
Praise be to Allah.
One of the miracles of which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told his Companions is that he could see them behind his back, as he could see them in front of him.
Al-Bukhaari (741) and Muslim (424) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do you think that I face the qiblah (and do not know what you are doing)? By Allah, your bowing and prostrating are not hidden from me; I can see you behind my back.”
Ahmad (9504) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) led us in praying Zuhr, and in the last row there was a man who prayed badly. When he said the salaam, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) called him and said: “O So and so, do you not fear Allah? Do you not see how you pray. You think that you could hide from me some of what you do, but by Allah I can see behind me as well as I can see in front of me.”
Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy on him) inMishkaat al-Masaabeeh(no. 811)
The word seeing mentioned in the hadeeths is to be understood as it appears to mean, i.e., that he could see them visually. This is indicated by the report narrated by Muslim (423) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed one day, then he finished and said: “O So and so, why don’t you pray well? Why doesn’t the worshipper look at how he is praying when he prays? He is only praying for himself. By Allah, I can see behind me as well as I can see in front of me.”
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said, commenting on this hadeeth: The scholars said: What this means is that Allah, may He be exalted, created for the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) the ability in the back of his head to see what was behind him, and he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was granted more extraordinary abilities than this. This is not contrary to reason or textual evidence; rather the texts confirm this, so we must believe in it. Al-Qaadi said: Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) and the majority of the scholars said that this seeing was in a literal and real sense.
End quote fromSharh Muslimby an-Nawawi (4/149)
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: There was a difference of scholarly opinion as to the meaning of this. It was said that what was meant is knowledge, either by means of Revelation so that he knew thereby how people really performed the prayer, or by means of inspiration. But this is subject to further discussion, because if what is meant is mere knowledge, he would not have specified by saying “behind my back.” And it was suggested that what is meant is that he could see whoever was on his right and on his left, of those on whom his gaze fell if he turned slightly sometimes, and he described those who were standing there as being behind his back. But this appears to be stretching the meaning and it is turning away from the apparent meaning when there is no need to do so.
The correct view is that it is to be interpreted as it appears to mean, and that this “seeing” was in a real and literal sense that was unique to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and was an extraordinary feat. Based on that, the author narrated this hadeeth under the heading of the signs of Prophethood; it was also narrated under a similar heading from Imam Ahmad and others.
End quote fromFath al-Baariby Ibn Hajar (1/514)
Does this miracle include times of prayer and other situations? The text refers to prayer; as for other situations, there is no text that speaks of them. According to some scholars that is possible, but according to others it applied only to the case of prayer.
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The apparent meaning of the hadeeth is that this was something limited to the case of prayer, but it may be that this happened in all situations. That was also narrated from Mujaahid.
End quote fromFath al-Baariby Ibn Hajar (1/515)
Mullah ‘Ali al-Qaari said: The words “I can see you behind my back” do not necessarily mean that this occurred all the time, because it is contrary to the report which says “I do not know what is behind my wall.” Hence this was unique to the case of prayer and his knowledge about the worshippers behind him. And Allah knows best.
End quote fromMirqaat al-Mafaateeh Sharh Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh(4/197)
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: He could see them behind his back, and this is something that was unique to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): in this particular situation (i.e., prayer) he could see the people behind his back. But in other situations, he could not see anything behind his back.
End quote fromSharh Riyaadh as-Saaliheen(5/113)
And Allah knows best.

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Commentary on Hadeeth, - Dought & clear, - * The hadeeth “whoever among you canafford it, let him get married” does not mean that one who is poor cannot get married

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In UK there are several students who are with out jobs so to avoid haram they need to get married. I have come across two hadiths which seem to be contradicting. The 1st hadith states “O young men, whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so”. In the 2nd hadith The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) marries a woman to who seems to be a poor man so could you please elaborate on these 2 hadiths because it seems to be contradicting.
Just to clarify my question, to my understanding the 1st hadith is telling us that the man should be financially able to support a wife in order to get married but in the 2nd hadith the man is poor and he gets married. These 2 hadiths seem to contradict each other or have I misunderstood it.
Both hadiths are listed below
“O young men, whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, and whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for that will be a shield for him.” (Agreed upon, from the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him. Al-Bukhaari, 4778; Muslim, 1400).
No 4695 Narrated Sahl bin Sad:
A lady came to the Prophet and declared that she had decided to offer herself to Allah and His Apostle. The Prophet said, "I am not in need of women." A man said (to the Prophet) "Please marry her to me." The Prophet said (to him), "Give her a garment." The man said, "I cannot afford it." The Prophet said, "Give her anything, even if it were an iron ring." The man apologized again. The Prophet then asked him, "What do you know by heart of the Quran?" He replied, "I know such-and-such portion of the Qur'an (by heart)." The Prophet said, "Then I marry her to you for that much of the Qur'an which you know by heart."
Praise be to Allah.
The first hadeeth was narrated by al-Bukhaari (5066) and Muslim (1400) from Ibn Mas‘ood, who said: We were with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), young men who had nothing of wealth. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to us: “O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one’s chastity. And whoever cannot afford it should fast, for it will be a shield for him.”
The second hadeeth was narrated by al-Bukhaari (5030) and Muslim (1425) from Sahl ibn Sa‘d: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), I have come to give myself to you (in marriage). The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) looked her up and down, then the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) lowered his head. When the woman saw that he had not made any decision about her, she sat down. A man among his companions stood up and said: O Messenger of Allah, if you have no need of her then marry her to me. He said: “Do you have anything?” He said: No, by Allah, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “Go to your family and see if you can find something.” So he went, then he came back and said: No, by Allah, O Messenger of Allah, not even a ring of iron, only this izaar (lower garment) of mine – Sahl said: he did not have a rida’ (upper garment) – and she may have half of it. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “What will she do with your izaar? If you wear it she will not have anything of it and if she wears it you will not have anything of it. The man sat down, and after he had sat for a long time, he got up (to leave). The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) saw him turning away, and he ordered that he be called to him. When he came, he said: “What do you know of the Qur’aan?” He said: I know Soorah such and such and Soorah such and such – and he listed them. He said: “Do you recite them by heart?” He said: Yes. He said: “Go. You have been given her (in marriage) for what you know of the Qur’an.”
These two hadeeths do not contradict one another, praise be to Allah; rather each of them speaks of a specific situation. The hadeeth of Ibn Mas‘ood addresses young men and those who want to get married in general terms, to highlight the fact that marriage requires one to have sufficient resources so that the husband will be able to do what has been enjoined upon him of spending on his wife’s maintenance and providing her with clothing and accommodation.
The phrase translated here as “afford it” refers to the costs of marriage; the Lawgiver wanted to highlight this principle, which is that marriage is not merely a contract or fulfilling one’s desire in a permissible manner; rather it is responsibilities and duties, and it is the man who is responsible for his wife’s maintenance.
This also indicates that in the case of one who is unable to get married, it is prescribed for him to focus on fasting, because it weakens desire and reduces the influence of the Shaytaan, so it is one of the means of attaining chastity and lowering the gaze.
Majmoo‘ Fataawa Ibn Baaz(3/329)
The words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), “whoever among you can afford it, let him get married” also indicate that what is prescribed for the one who is able to afford the costs and responsibilities of marriage is to hasten to get married.
The scholars of the Standing Committee said: Hastening to get married, for a younger man, is the Sunnah for whoever can afford the expenses of marriage and fulfil the duties of marriage.”
End quote fromFataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah(18/6)
See also the answer to question no. 9262.
With regard to the second hadeeth, it refers to a specific case, and the issue is that of a poor person who wanted to get married and keep himself chaste, so the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) married him to that woman who came to offer herself in marriage to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). This indicates that poverty in and of itself is not an impediment to marriage if the husband is religiously committed and believes sincerely in his Lord, and the woman is likewise. Moreover, Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):“And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Salihoon (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty. And Allah is All-Sufficent for His creatures needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people)” [an-Noor 24:32]. If a person sincerely puts his trust in Allah, wants to keep himself chaste, and seeks that which is with Allah of bounty, there is the hope that Allah will help such a person and grant him provision from His bounty, as at-Tirmidhi (1655) narrated, in a report which he classed as hasan, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There are three whom Allah is bound to help: the mujaahid who strives (in jihad) for the sake of Allah, the mukaatib (a slave who has made a contract of manumission with his master) who wants to pay off his manumission, and a man who gets married, seeking to remain chaste.”. It was classed as hasan by al-Albaani inSaheeh at-Tirmidhi.
Imam al-Bukhaari (may Allah have mercy on him) included this hadeeth in a chapter entitled: “Chapter on marriage of one who is in financial difficulty, because Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):“If they be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty” [an-Noor 24:32]. Al-Haafiz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The words ‘because Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):‘If they be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty’ [an-Noor 24:32]” explain the reason why al-Bukhaari put this as the title of this chapter; what is meant is that current poverty is not an impediment to marriage, because of the possibility of acquiring wealth in the future.
‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah said, quoting Ibn ‘Abbaas: Allah encouraged them to get married and enjoined that upon free men and slaves, and promised to make them independent of means, as He said:“If they be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty” [an-Noor 24:32].
And it was narrated that Ibn Mas‘ood said: “Seek independence of means through marriage.”
Tafseer Ibn Katheer(6/51)
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
In this verse, Allah – may He be glorified – enjoined marriage of single and righteous people among slave men and women, and He said – and He speaks the truth – that this is one of the means of attaining bounty for those who are poor, so that husbands and women’s guardians may be reassured that poverty should not be an impediment to marriage; rather marriage is one of the means of attaining provision and independence of means.
End quote fromFataawa Islamiyyah(3/213)
The fact that the one who is able to afford it is encouraged to get married does not mean that one who cannot afford it is not allowed to get married, especially if he fears hardship for himself.
The one who cannot afford it is instructed to fast so as to suppress his desire, but that does not mean that he is not allowed to seek to get married. Perhaps he will find someone who will help him to get married, or perhaps he will find someone who will accept him in his current situation because of his religious commitment and righteousness. These are individual cases that vary according to people’s situations and customs. As for the meaning of the hadeeth of Ibn Mas‘ood, it is a general teaching and advice to those who are not able to get married, instructing them to protect themselves by fasting. If anyone among them finds a means to get married, there is nothing wrong with that; in fact he is encouraged and urged to do so. Hence when he said “and whoever cannot afford it”, he did not say “let him not get married”; rather he said “[he] should fast”, lest he fall into sin. But if he is able to get married with some difficulty, there is undoubtedly nothing wrong with that. Rather fasting is given as an alternative when one is not able to get married; if one is able to get married, even with some difficulty, then that is preferable.
And Allah knows best.

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Commentary on Hadeeth, - Dought & clear, - * “The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise”

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It was narrated from the noble Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that he said: “The area between my grave and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise.” Al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat by at-Tabaraani (vol. 2, p. 120). What is the meaning of this phrase? Is it, I wonder, that if a visitor merely sits in the Prophet’s mosque between his grave and the prayer hall or the minbar, he will enter one of the gardens of Paradise? Why is this garden limited to this short distance between the minbar and the grave only? In other words, why does this garden not include all of the Prophet’s Mosque? The entire mosque is regarded as noble and holy, in fact the entire city, is blessed because of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) migrating there, and because he settled and lived there. May Allah reward you with all good.
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
This hadeeth is one of the mutawaatir hadeeths that were narrated via many chains of narration, such as the report narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who said: “The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1196) and Muslim (1391).
With regard to the phrase “The area between my grave and my minbar”, this is mentioned in the report of Ibn ‘Asaakir that is attributed to al-Bukhaari, or the version ofSaheeh al-Bukhaaritransmitted by Ibn ‘Asaakir, and some of the scholars – such as Imam an-Nawawi – continued to quote this version of the hadeeth. Rather, al-Bukhaari himself, when he narrated the hadeeth in the chapter entitledKitaab Fadl as-Salaah fi Masjid Makkah wa al-Madinah(The virtue of prayer in the mosques of Makkah and Madinah), with the wording “my house and my minbar”, included it under a section heading “Fadl ma bayna al-qabr wa’l-minbar(Virtue of the area between the grave and the minbar)”. Moreover this wording is mentioned in some other hadeeths.
However, the scholars classed the wording “my grave” as da‘eef (weak), for two reasons:
1. It is contrary to the report of the majority of narrators, hence it seems most likely that those who said “my grave” were narrating the meaning but not the wording.
2. If this wording were correct, the Sahaabah would have known where to bury the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and they would not have disputed concerning it, or at least some of them would have quoted this as evidence for choosing that spot. But we have no report to indicate that such a thing happened. This indicates that the word “my grave” is an error on the part of some of the narrators of the hadeeth.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
What is proven from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is that he said: “The area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise.” This is what is proven inas-Saheeh, but some of them narrated the meaning and said “my grave” (instead of “my house”).
When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said these words, he had not yet been buried. Therefore none of the Sahaabah quoted this as evidence when they disputed as to where he should be buried. If they had known that, then this would have served as proof to settle the dispute. End quote.
Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa(1/236)
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The chapter heading mentions the grave, but the two hadeeths mention the house, because the grave was dug inside the house; in versions of the hadeeth the word “grave” is mentioned. Al-Qurtubi said: The saheeh report mentions “my house”; in the case of those reports which mention “my grave”, it is as if what is being narrated is the meaning, because he was buried in the house where he had dwelt. End quote.
Fath al-Baari(3/70)
He also (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The words “The area between my house and my minbar” appear as such in the majority of reports. In the report of Ibn ‘Asaakir alone it says “my grave” instead of “my house”, which is an error. This hadeeth appears earlier inKitaab as-Salaah, just before (the chapter on) funerals with this isnaad, saying “my house.” It also appears thus inMusnad Musaddad, the book of the shaykh of al-Bukhaari.
Yes, in the hadeeth of Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqaas that is narrated in (the book of) al-Bazzaar, with an isnaad whose men are thiqaat (trustworthy), and it narrated by at-Tabaraani from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar, it mentions the grave. Based on that, what is meant by the house in the phrase “my house” is one of his houses, not all of them, meaning the house of ‘Aa’ishah in which his grave is. The hadeeth was also narrated in the words “The area between the minbar and the house of ‘Aa’ishah is one of the gardens of Paradise.” Narrated by at-Tabaraani inal-Awsat. End quote.
Fath al-Baari(4/100)
Secondly:
With regard to the meaning of this hadeeth, the scholars noted three points:
1. This place is likened to one of the gardens of Paradise in that the one who sits there attains tranquillity and peace.
2. Worship in this place is a means of attaining admittance to Paradise. This view was favoured by Ibn Hazm inal-Muhalla(7/284). It was narrated by Ibn Taymiyah from Imam Ahmad that he preferred to pray in the Rawdah.
3. The area between the minbar and the house of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) will itself be one of the gardens of Paradise in the Hereafter.
Al-Qaadi ‘Iyaad (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The words “one of the gardens of Paradise” may be understood in two ways:
1. That worshipping there will be rewarded with Paradise, and that du‘aa’ (supplication) and prayer in this place deserve that reward, as it is also said that Paradise lies in the shade of the swords.
2. That Allah will move that spot and it will actually be part of Paradise. This was the view of ad-Dawoodi. End quote.
Ash-Shifa(2/92)
Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Some said that what is meant is that this spot will be taken up on the Day of Resurrection and will become a garden in Paradise.
Others said that this is by way of a metaphor. It is as if they mean that when he (the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) sat there and the people sat with him to learn the Qur’an and matters of faith and religion, that spot became like a garden, because of the noble harvest of knowledge that they attained there, and it was connected to Paradise because these things lead to Paradise. That is similar to what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Paradise lies in the shade of the swords” meaning that it (jihad) is an action that leads to Paradise. And it is similar to the idea that the mother is one of the gates of Paradise, meaning that honouring her will lead the Muslim to Paradise if he fulfils the obligatory duties. This is possible and is in accordance with Arabic usage. And Allah knows best what he meant by that. End quote.
At-Tamheed(2/287)
Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
They mentioned two views as to its meaning:
1. That that place itself will be moved to Paradise
2. That worship in that place leads to Paradise.
At-Tabari said: With regard to what is meant by “my house” here, there are two views: one view is that it refers to the grave, which was the view of Zayd ibn Aslam, as was narrated in a version that explained what was meant by “my house”, “between my grave and my minbar”; the second view is that what is meant is the house in which he dwelt, as is the apparent meaning.
Another version says “between my chamber and my minbar”.
At-Tabari said: The two views are close in meaning, because his grave in his apartment, which is his house. End quote.
Sharh Muslim(9/161-162)
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The words “one of the gardens of Paradise” mean: it is like one of the gardens of Paradise with regard to the descent of mercy and attainment of tranquillity that results from attending gatherings of dhikr, especially at the time of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). So it is likening it to a garden of Paradise.
Or it may mean that worship in that place leads to Paradise, so it is a metaphor.
Or it may be taken as it appears to mean, and that what is meant is that it is indeed a garden in a real sense, and that that place will itself be moved in the Hereafter to Paradise.
This is a summary of the ways in which the scholars interpreted this hadeeth, and they are given in order of strength. End quote.
Fath al-Baari(4/100)
To sum up:
That place has an evident virtue, which dictates that the Muslim should be keen to sit in that place and pray there. However what matters more is to fear Allah, may He be exalted, for that is the means of entering Paradise, not merely sitting in the Rawdah or any other place.
As it is a matter of worship, we cannot explain the reason why this place has been singled out and not others. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, singles out whatever He will of times, places and individuals for particular virtues, and there is great divine wisdom in that, of which we may be unaware.
And Allah knows best.

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Pilgrimage, & Dought & clear, - * If he does Hajj on behalf of his deceased brother, will that be expiation for him?

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If Hajj is expiation for all the pilgrim’s sins, can we say by analogy with that that it will, by Allah’s leave, be an expiation for my brother (may Allah have mercy on him)? I am intending to do Hajj on his behalf, in sha Allah, and to give the reward of that to him, sincerely for the sake of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. Please note that I have done Hajj previously on my own behalf, praise be to Allah.
Praise be to Allah.
The saheeh evidence indicates that Hajj is very important and that it expiates sins, and that the one who does it goes back (free of sin) as on the day his mother bore him. But does that include both major and minor sins, or only minor sins? There is a difference of scholarly opinion concerning that; the majority of scholars are of the view that Hajj only expiates minor sins and that in the case of major sins, it is essential to repent from them specifically. Please see the answer to question no. 34359
Secondly:
It is permissible for an individual to perform Hajj on behalf of his brother who has died and did not perform the obligatory Hajj for himself, and the reward for the Hajj will go to the one on whose behalf it was performed. The one who performs the Hajj will have a similar reward, according to some scholars, such as the one who said that he will have a great reward, but it will not be like the reward of the one on whose behalf Hajj was performed. See the answer to question no. 111407and 111794
Undoubtedly Hajj on behalf of another is regarded as an act of kindness and upholding ties of kinship, hence it is hoped that the one who does it will have a great reward.“Is there any reward for good other than good?” [ar-Rahmaan 55:60].
As the reward of the Hajj will go to the deceased, there is the hope that it will be expiation for his sins, for Allah’s grace is immense and His mercy encompasses all things.
We ask Allah to help and guide you.
And Allah knows best.

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Pilgrimage, & Dought & clear, - * He came from Egypt to Jeddah for work during Hajj season, then he was given permission to do Hajj, so he entered ihram from Jeddah

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I am from Egypt, and I went to Jeddah for work during Hajj season. After spending twenty days in Jeddah my work ended, and I was given permission to do Hajj, so I intended to do Hajj from that time, and I entered ihram for ‘Umrah from Jeddah, intending to do Hajj tamattu‘ (in which one enters ihram for ‘Umrah, exits ihram after ‘Umrah, then enters ihram again for Hajj on 8th Dhu’l-Hijjah). Is this correct, or do I have to go back to the miqaat of the people of Egypt?
Praise be to Allah.
If a person wants to do Hajj or ‘Umrah, and he is outside the miqaat boundary, he has to enter ihram from the miqaat. However, if his place of residence is within the miqaat boundary, such as the people of Jedah, then he may enter ihram from his place of residence, because of the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (1524) and Muslim (1181) from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) defined the miqaat of the people of Madinah as Dhu’l-Hulayfah; that of the people of Shaam (Syria) as al-Juhfah; that of the people of Najd as Qarn al-Manaazil; and that of the people of Yemen as Yalamlam. They are for them and for others who come through them with the intention of performing Hajj and 'Umrah; and whoever is living within these boundaries (can enter ihram) from the place where he starts, and the people of Makkah can enter ihram from Makkah.
The words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), “and whoever is living within those boundaries (can enter ihram) from the place he starts” mean: he can enter ihram from the place where he is. As you did not form the intention to do Hajj until after you finished your work, at which time you were in Jeddah, then you may enter ihram from the place where you are, and you do not have to go to the miqaat.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: I was sent (to Makkah) by my company during Hajj season and I travelled with the group as far as Mina, then I decided to ask my work for permission to perform Hajj. Should I go to the miqaat and enter ihram from there, or can I enter ihram from the place where I am?
He replied: You can enter ihram for Hajj from the place where you are, because when you passed the miqaat, you did not know whether you would be given permission or not, so you had not decided to do Hajj. So for example, if they gave you permission in Mina, then enter ihram from Mina; if they gave you permission in ‘Arafah, enter ihram from ‘Arafah.
End quote fromLiqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, 89/20
He was also asked: In sha Allah, I am intending to do ‘umrah on the day of Hajj, and I am assigned to do some tasks during Hajj season. He said: If my work allows me, and it is most likely that work will not say no. But we say there is a 10% chance that they may say no, as a precaution. He has passed the miqaat now; does he have to go back in order to enter ihram from the miqaat?
He replied: No. If the man has been given some tasks to do and does not know whether he will be given permission or not, he does not have to enter ihram from the miqaat. Then if he is given permission, he may enter ihram from the place in which he was given permission.
End quote fromLiqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, 178/18.
And Allah knows best.

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Pilgrimage, & Dought & clear, - * He is asking about the cost of the fidyah for removing hair

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What is the cost, in riyals, of the fidyah for removing hair or clipping the nails (when in ihram)?
Praise be to Allah.
Things that are forbidden when in ihram include removing hair from the head or body and clipping the nails. For each of these a fidyah must be offered. The individual has the choice between sacrificing a sheep; feeding six poor persons, giving each poor person half a saa‘; or fasting for three days. That is because Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice. And whosoever of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating shaving), he must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either observing Saum (fasts) (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity - feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep)”
[al-Baqarah 2:196].
And because of the hadeeth of Ka‘b ibn ‘Ajrah (may Allah be pleased with him). When he needed to shave his head whilst in ihram, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to him: “Shave your head, and fast for three days, or feed six poor persons, or offer a sacrifice.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4190; Muslim, 1201
It is not permissible to offer the fidyah in the form of cash, and it is not valid to do so, because that is not mentioned in the texts. Rather it must be given in the form of food, as enjoined by the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
If the question is about removing something from the hair or nails after the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah has begun, in the case of one who wants to offer a sacrifice but is not in a state of ihram for Hajj or ‘Umrah, in this case even though it is haraam, no fidyah is required; rather he has to pray for forgiveness and repent.

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Menstruation and Post-Natal bleeding, - Dought& clear, - * She was not certain that her period hadended, and sheprayed and fasted

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I did ghusl at night, at the time of sahoor, because I knew that my period would end that day, and I ate sahoor and I fasted and prayed as well. Nothing came out of me during the time from Fajr until the adhaan of Maghrib, and when I wanted to go and pray, I discovered that the period had ended. Are my fasting and prayers valid?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to hasten to do ghusl and pray and fast until she is certain that her period has ended.
A woman may know that her period has ended from the emission of a white discharge which is known to women. Some women know that their period has ended when the blood stops.
So a woman should not do ghusl until she is certain that the menses has stopped.
Imam al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
“Chapter on the beginning and end of menses; the women used to send to ‘Aa’ishah pieces of cloth on which were traces of yellow, and she would say: ‘Do not hasten until you see the white discharge,’ meaning thereby purification from menses. Bint Zayd ibn Thaabit heard that the women were calling for lamps in the middle of the night to see whether their periods had ended, and she said: ‘Women never used to do that,’ and she criticized them.” End quote.
Pieces of cotton refers to pieces of cloth which the women would use to check whether the period had ended. The white discharge refers to if they used the piece of cotton and it came away clean with no trace of yellow.
Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said:
The scholars are agreed that the onset of menses is known from the emission of blood at the time when menstruation is possible, but they differed with regard to the end of menses. It was said that it is known by the cessation of bleeding, which is when something inserted into the vagina comes out dry; or it was said that it is when the white discharge appears – this was the view favoured by al-Bukhaari.
This also indicates that the white discharge is a sign of the end of the menses and the onset of the period of purity (tahaarah). The view that it is known from the cessation of bleeding is countered by the fact that a cloth may come out dry during the period and that does not mean that the menses is over. This is unlike the white discharge which is emitted by the uterus when the menses stops. Maalik said: I asked women about that and it is something that is known to them, which they recognize at the end of the menses.
Fath al-Baari, 1/420
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: If a woman’s period ends before Fajr and she does ghusl after, what is the ruling?
He replied:
Her fast is valid if she was certain that her period had ended before dawn came. What matters is that the woman is certain that she has become pure (i.e., that her period has ended). Because some women think that they have become pure when they have not. Hence the women used to bring their cotton pads to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) and ask them whether the sign of purity was there, and she would say to them: “Do not be hasty until you see the white discharge.”
Women have to wait until they are certain that the menses has ended. If a woman has become pure, then she should form the intention to fast even if she does not do ghusl until after dawn comes. But she should also pay attention to the prayer and hasten to do ghusl so that she can pray Fajr on time.
Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 17/question no. 53
The questioner did ghusl at a time when she was not certain that her period had ended, and she discovered later on that she was in fact pure, after sunset according to her own account.
Based on this, what she did was not correct, and her fast on that day was not valid, so she has to make up that day.
We ask Allaah to grant her beneficial knowledge and enable her to do righteous deeds.
And Allaah knows best.

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Menstruation and Post-Natal bleeding, - Dought& clear, - * She saw the tuhr then she had some discharge – what should she do?

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My period lasted six days and on the sixth day the bleeding stopped. I used a piece of tissue to make sure, and a little bit of white discharge was coming out. So I did ghusl and my husband had intercourse with me that night, then I did ghusl and fasted (as it was Ramadaan). Then at Zuhr time I noticed some discharge in which there was a slight amount of red or yellow. I do not know what the ruling is. Do I have to make up that day or not?.
Praise be to Allaah.
We do not know what you mean by “a little bit of white discharge was coming out.” If what you mean is that you saw the white discharge which is the sign of purity (tuhr), then whatever yellowish or reddish discharge comes out after that is not regarded as menses, because Umm ‘Atiyyah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “We did not regard the brownish or yellowish discharge after the tuhr as being anything that mattered.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 307; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani inSaheeh Abi Dawood.
Based on this, your prayer is valid, and there is nothing wrong with your having had intercourse, because you were not menstruating.
But if what you mean is that you saw that the discharge was still yellowish or reddish, this means that the menses had not yet ended. A woman should not be hasty in deciding that the period has ended when she sees yellowish or reddish discharge, no matter how little it is. The women used to send pieces of cloth to ‘Aa’ishah with yellowish discharge on them, and she would say, “Do not be hasty until you see the white discharge.” Narrated by Maalik, 130.
Pieces of cloth refers to what women use to check whether there is any trace of menses left or not.
See also question no. 66062.
Based on this, then you have to make up that day, because it is not correct to fast when one is menstruating.
With regard to intercourse, there is no sin on you in sha Allaah, because you thought that your period had ended, and you did not deliberately commit a haraam action. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend”
[al-Ahzaab 33:5].

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Menstruation and Post-Natal bleeding, - Dought& clear, - * Menstruating woman entering the mosque to attend a class or a halaqah for memorizing Qur’aan

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A menstruating woman wants to enter the mosque to attend a class or a halaqah for memorizing Qur’aan. Please note that she regularly attends and that if she stays away because of her period, she will miss some things that she will not be able to catch up on afterwards. Is it permissible for her to attend subject to certain conditions? What is the most correct scholarly view on this matter?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The majority of fuqaha’ of the four madhhabs are of the view that it is not permissible for a menstruating women to stay in the mosque. They quoted as evidence for that the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (974) and Muslim (890) from Umm ‘Atiyyah who said: “He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) commanded us on the two Eids to bring out the virgins and those who usually stayed in seclusion, but he told the menstruating women to keep away from the prayer-place of the Muslims.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told menstruating women to stay away from the Eid prayer-place, because it comes under the same ruling as a mosque. This indicates that menstruating women are not allowed to enter the mosque.
They also quoted other ahaadeeth as evidence, but they are da’eef (weak) and are not valid to be quoted as evidence, such as the hadeeth in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is reported to have said, “The mosque is not permitted for menstruating women or anyone who is junub.” This hadeeth was classed as da’eef by al-Albaani inDa’eef Abi Dawood, 232.
The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked (6/272):
What is the ruling on a woman who enters the mosque when she is menstruating to listen to the khutbah only?
They relied: It is not permissible for a woman to enter the mosque when she is menstruating or bleeding following childbirth… as for passing through, there is nothing wrong with that if it is necessary and there is no risk of her contaminating the mosque, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“nor when you are in a state of Janaaba (i.e. in a state of sexual impurity and have not yet taken a bath), except when travelling on the road (without enough water, or just passing through a mosque), till you wash your whole body”
[al-Nisa’ 4:43]
A menstruating woman is similar to one who is in a state of janaabah. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told ‘Aa’ishah to fetch him something from the mosque when she was menstruating.
End quote fromFataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 6/272
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to attend halaqahs in the mosque? He replied: It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to stay in the mosque. As for passing through the mosque, there is nothing wrong with that, subject to the condition that there is no risk of the mosque being contaminated with the blood that is coming out of her. If it is not permissible for her to stay in the mosque, it is not permissible for her to go there to listen to halaqahs and recitation of Qur’aan, unless there is a place outside the mosque where the sound can reach via loudspeakers, in which case there is nothing wrong with her sitting there to listen to the dhikr. There is nothing wrong with a woman listening to dhikr and recitation of Qur’aan, as it is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to lay his head in ‘Aa’ishah’s lap and recite Qur'aan when she was menstruating. But it is not permissible for a menstruating woman to go to the mosque and stay there to listen to dhikr or Qur’aan recitation. Hence when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) heard, during the Farewell Pilgrimage, that Safiyyah was menstruating, he said: “Has she detained us?” because he thought that she had not done tawaaf al-ifaadah, but they said that she had already done it. This indicates that it is not permissible to stay in the mosque even for acts of worship. And it is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told women to go out to the Eid prayer-place to pray and remember Allaah (dhikr), but he told the menstruating women to keep away from the prayer-place itself.
End quote fromFataawa al-Tahaarah, p. 273.
See the views of the fuqaha’ inal-Mabsoot, 3/153;Haashiyat al-Dasooqi, 1/173;al-Majmoo’, 2/388;al-Mughni, 1/195
Secondly:
A menstruating woman may read Qur’aan without touching the Mus-haf, as we explained in the answer to question no. 2564.
She may read a Mus-haf that is printed with the tafseer (commentary). Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: As for the books of tafseer, it is permissible (for a menstruating woman) to touch them, because they are regarded as tafseer, and the verses that are in them are less than the tafseer that is in them.
They quoted as evidence for this the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wrote letters to the kuffaar containing verses from the Qur’aan, which indicates that the ruling depends on what constitutes the majority of the letter, which was not the word of Allaah.
But if the Qur’aan and tasfeer are of equal amounts, this comes under the rule that when the reasons for regarding something as permissible are equal to the reasons for making it forbidden, and there is no way of distinguishing which outweighs the other, then the reasons for forbidding it take precedence, so it comes under the same rulings as Qur’aan.
If the tafseer is more, even if it is only slightly more, then it comes under the same rulings as tafseer.
End quote fromal-Sharh al-Mumti’, 1/267
Thirdly:
What is mentioned in the question about the menstruating woman being afraid of missing some topics or lessons if she cannot enter the mosque can be dealt with by recording those lessons, or by her listening from outside the mosque, if that is possible. Some mosques have additional rooms that do not come under the same rulings as mosques, such as a library or rooms for memorizing Qur’aan, so women who are not allowed to sit in the mosque should be able to sit there.
And Allaah knows best.

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Prayers on various occasions, - Dought & clear, - * A mistake in the direction of the qiblah

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One of my neighbours told me that the qiblah towards which I was praying was wrong and was not in accordance with the qiblah of the neighbouring mosque. Based on this, I changed the direction for a few months, including last Ramadaan. Then I found out that the first qiblah had been correct. What is the ruling on prayers that I did facing the incorrect qiblah? I hope you can answer me because I am confused. Thank you very much.
Praise be to Allaah.
Facing the qiblah is one of the conditions of prayer being valid. Every worshipper has to make sure he faces the qiblah in his prayer, and strive to make sure he is facing in the right direction, whether by means of natural signs or using a compass, if he is able to do that, or by asking trustworthy people in that place who know in which direction the qiblah is.
It seems most likely in the case that you describe that the deviation from the qiblah was very slight. This slight deviation is something that can happen when a person who lives in that area is a little confused and people do not pay attention to this slight difference in direction. If that is the case, i.e., if the deviation from the qiblah was slight, then it does not matter and it does not invalidate the prayer, because those who are far away from the Ka’bah have to face in its general direction; they do not have to face precisely in that direction, because al-Tirmidhi (342) and Ibn Maajah (1011) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whatever is between the east and the west is the qiblah.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani inal-Irwa’.
Al-San’aani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said inSubul al-Salaam(1/260). This hadeeth indicates that what is required is to face in that direction, and not towards the precise location of the Ka’bah when one cannot see it.
Further evidence to this effect is to be seen in the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (144) and Muslim (264) from Abu Ayyoob (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If you need to relieve yourself, then do not face the qiblah or turn your back towards it, whether you are urinating or defecating, rather face to the east or to the west.”
Shaykh al-Islam (may Allaah have mercy on him) said inSharh al-‘Umdah: This is stating that facing any direction other than the east or the west means that one is either facing the qiblah or turning one’s back towards it. This was addressed to the people of Madeenah and everyone who was in the same direction (in relation to Makkah), because this was the consensus of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them). ‘Umar said: Whatever is between the east and the west is the qiblah except at the House. And it was narrated that ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: How can a man make a mistake in his prayer when whatever is between the east and the west is the qiblah, so long he does not turn towards the east deliberately.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Thus we know that the matter is broad in scope. So if we see a person praying in a direction that is slightly off from the qiblah, that does not matter, because he is facing in its general direction, and this is what he is obliged to do.
Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 2/273
But if the deviation from the direction of the qiblah was very great, so that you were not praying in the direction of the qiblah at all, such as if you were praying towards the east when the qiblah is towards the west or the north, for example, so long as you based your action on the words of someone who you know attaches great importance to the prayer and you thought that they knew better about the direction of the qiblah, then you do not have to do anything, and the prayers which you offered are still valid, even if you faced the wrong direction when you prayed, because if a person tries his best to get it right, he has done what is required of him, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can”
[al-Taghaabun 64:16]
It says inFataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah(6/314): If a worshipper does his best to figure out the direction of the qiblah and prays, then he finds out that he was mistaken, his prayer is still valid.
InFataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz(may Allaah have mercy on him) (10/421) it says: If a believer does his best to figure out the direction of the qiblah, when he is in the desert or is in a city in which he is not sure where the qiblah is, and he prays on that basis, then he finds out that he prayed in a direction other than the qiblah, then he should continue to pray according to his latest estimate, if he believes that it is more correct than his first estimate. His first prayer is still valid because he did his best to work out the qiblah.

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Prayers on various occasions, - Dought & clear, - * Ruling on one who catches up with the tashahhud with the imam in Eid prayer orprayers for rain

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What is the ruling on one who catches up with the tashahhud with the worshippers in Eid prayer or prayers for rain? Does he have to pray two rak’ahs as the imam did or what should he do?.
Praise be to Allaah.
If a person catches up with the tashahhud only with the imam in Eid prayer or prayer for rain, he should pray two rak’ahs after the imam says the salaam, doing in them as the imam did of takbeer, recitation, bowing and prostrating.
And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and Companions.

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Prayers on various occasions, - Dought & clear, - * Defining the time for salaat al-istisqaa’ (prayer for rain)

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Is there any report from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which defines the time for going out to pray Salaat al-Istisqaa’ (prayer for rain)?
Praise be to Allaah.
There is a hadeeth inSunan Abi Dawoodwith an acceptable isnaad from ‘Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) which states that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set a day when the people should go out. ‘Aa’ishah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out when the rim of the sun appeared…” The hadeeth clearly indicates that a day was set when the people were to go out to pray Salaat al-Istisqa’, even though it does not name this day. More than one of the scholars have stated that it is mustahabb to choose Mondays and Thursdays, because deeds are shown to Allaah on those days, and because these are good days for fasting. So if the Muslims combine fasting and praying for rain, their du’aa’s in this case are more likely to be accepted.
It may be said that it is not prescribed to single out these two days rather than others, because that was not proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from any of the Sahaabah, and this is the correct view. So it is not prescribed to choose one day rather than another without there being any text to prove that. What is prescribed is to choose a day on which the people should go out, which may happen to be a Monday or any other day, according to what is in the people’s best interests and according to what is convenient for them.

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Hajj, - Hukm al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (rulings on Hajjand ‘Umrah), Dought & clear, - * He is travelling for Hajj and business

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Is it permissible to travel for Hajj and to buy some goods from Makkah and sell them in my country to make a profit from them?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is permissible to engage in trade during the Hajj season. Al-Tabari narrated in hisTafseerwith his isnaad that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said concerning the verse (interpretation of the meaning),“There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage by trading)” [al-Baqarah 2:198]:
There is no sin on you if you buy and sell before and after ihraam.
And Allaah is the Source of strength.

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Hajj, - Hukm al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (rulings on Hajjand ‘Umrah), Dought & clear, - * Hajj is obligatory even in the company of innovators

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We are Sunnis and we live in a Shi’ah state. We want to perform the duty of Hajj but we cannot travel with the people of this country because they are Shi’ah, and we want to avoid having trouble on the way.
Praise be to Allaah.
You have to do Hajj even if you go with the Shi’ah, if you are able to do Hajj. At the same time you have to beware of the specious arguments of the Shi’ah and their false way. If you can advise them and call them to embrace the way of Ahl al-Sunnah, then you have to do that, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’aan) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better”
[al-Nahl 16:125]
And there are other verses which indicate that it is obligatory to call people to Allaah, and to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. May Allaah set all our affairs straight.
See al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’, 11/18.

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Hajj, - Hukm al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah (rulings on Hajjand ‘Umrah), Dought & clear, - * Repeating Hajj

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Is it good to repeat Hajj every year for the one who wants to do that and for whom it is not difficult, or is it better to do it every three years or every two years?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah has enjoined Hajj upon every adult accountable Muslim who is able to do it once in a lifetime. Anything more than that is voluntary and is an act of worship by means of which he may draw closer to Allaah. There is no report that specifies a particular number for voluntary Hajj, rather the number of times it is repeated depends on the person’s financial situation, his health and the circumstances of other around him such as his relatives and the poor, and other interests of the ummah, how much of his time and money he devotes to supporting the ummah, on his position within the ummah and whether it is of more benefit for the ummah for him to stay or to travel for Hajj etc.. So each person should look at his own circumstances and what is better for him and the ummah, and give precedence to that.
And Allaah is the Source of strength.

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