Dought & clear, - Is it permissible to put on a “magic show” and is it permissible to attend it?

What is your opinion onchildren watching shows for children which
include "magic" and the like? Some of the brothers in our mosque put
on a show that included "magic tricks", and I did not want my children
to go, so I did not let them. What is your opinion?
Praise be to Allah.
What we understand from the question is thata show was put on in the
mosque by children, in which there was whatis called "leger de main
(sleight of hand)" or "magic tricks". If this is what happened, then
you did well by not letting your children attend that show, in which
this evil action was done. The ones whoapproved of that and helped to
make it happen have done something wrong, and this is exacerbated if
the show was in the mosqueand if it was done by children. We hope that
they will not do this again. What they should be doing is raising
Muslim children with decent morals and manners, teaching them
beneficial knowledge and instilling in them the beliefs of Ahl
as-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, without any contamination or confusion. If
you want toadvise them and denounce what was done, then you should do
so in a gentle and kind manner.
It should be noted that the magic which Allah, may He be exalted,
condemns and against which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him) warned is that which may be called "the magicof
illusion". Allah, may He be exalted, mentioned it in His Holy Book,
when He said (interpretation of the meaning):"Then behold,their ropes
and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved
fast" [Ta-Ha 20:66]. Allah, may He be exalted, called this action of
theirs magic, and He called them magicians. Moreover, such shows may
give the impression that magic and magicians are harmless. This was an
error on the part of those who put onthese shows in the context of
educating children, in addition to the fact that it is a sin in and of
itself.
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) was asked:
What is the ruling on watching the "magic of illusion", whether that
isin real life or on television?
He replied:
It is not permissible to watch magic, whether it is real or is just
illusions. It is not permissible because it is falsehood, and it is
not permissible to witness or watch falsehood, because by watching it
one has approved of it, unless heis watching it in order todenounce it
and strive toput an end to it. In that case there is nothing wrong
with it. But if he watches it and says nothing, or he tells others
about it, this is haraam because it is idleentertainment.
End quote from the shaykh's website: http://www.alfawzan.ws /node/4827
The shaykh (may Allah preserve him) was also asked:
Often during the summer vacation there are festivals that are held for
leisure purposes, in which thereare circuses, and they bring people
who do things like tightrope walking or pulling cars along with their
hair or eating live coals, and other such things. Some of them appear
to be righteous. What is the ruling on these actions of theirs?
He replied: This comes from the Shaytaan, and these actions are from
the Shaytaan; no one can eat live coals, or drink boiling water. How
can he eat live coals? He is lying; it appears to the people asif he
is eating live coals, but in fact the coal does not reach him and does
not even come near his body. The same applies to the car that he pulls
along (with his hair). It isnot permissible for the Muslims to approve
of these things, even if theycall it illusion or artistry, or whatever
they call it. We should not open the door to magic, witchcraft, and
trickery. This is something that is not permissible and the
authorities should prevent it. It is obligatory for them to prevent it
right now andnot to approve of it. None of the seekers of knowledge
should keep quiet about this matter.
End quote from the shaykh's website: :
http://www.alfawzan.ws /node/48273
If your question is about something other than what we have mentioned,
then we hope that you will get intouch with us again and explain
further what is meant. We appreciate your efforts to take care of your
children and give them a sound Islamic upbringing.
And Allah knows best.

Dought & clear, - What is the ruling on eating beef that the country imports via smuggling and bribery?

I am from Bangladesh and the state cannot provide beef for its
inhabitants who number one hundred and forty million. On theother side
of the border,India is a huge country and they do not eat beef and
some states in India do not allow the Muslims to eat beef. Hence the
demand for cattle in Bangladesh hasled to a huge trade in smuggling
the animals, because India does not sell cattle legally. Hence some
people smuggle thousands of cattle to Bangladesh every day, and they
pay bribes at the Indian border and at the Bangladeshi border for the
purpose of smuggling.
My question is: 99% of the meat that is available – and the cows that
are slaughtered on Eid – are smuggled illegally from India.
Is it permissible for us to eat the meat of cattle that come to us by
means of bribery and smuggling?
Praise be to Allah.
There is no sin on you for buying beef in your country and eating it,
even if smuggling is widespread, for the following reasons:
Firstly:
The basic principle is that it is permissible to eat meat that is sold
in Muslim markets without asking or enquiring into its origin and
source, on the grounds that what appears to be the case is that the
meat is being sold in a permissible manner in a legitimate
marketplace; so the Muslim should not concern himself with asking
questions or examining details. The Mother of the Believers 'Aa'ishah
(may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that some people said: O
Messengerof Allah, some people bring meat to us and we do not know
whether they mentioned the name of Allah over it or not. The Messenger
of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Say the
nameof Allah over it and eat it."
Narrated by Muslim in hisSaheeh(2057).
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
We learn from this that everything that is found in the markets of the
Muslims may be taken as legitimate.
End quote fromFath al-Baari(9/635).
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
(The scholars) were unanimously agreed that it is permissible to buy
meat without askingfor proof that it is halaal,being content with the
word of the slaughterer and the seller.
End quote fromI'laam al-Muwaqqi'een(2/181)
Secondly:
If we assume that there is something wrong, it only affects the one
whois doing the smuggling and breaking the law. Asfor the buyer
himself, heis not committing any sin or doing anything wrong, and he
is not helping in any sin or transgression. Allah, mayHe be glorified
and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
"No person earns any (sin) except against himself (only), and no
bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another. Then unto your
Lord is your return, so Hewill tell you that wherein you have been
differing"
[al-An'aam 6:164].
Thirdly:
Beef that has been slaughtered properly is halaal meat according tothe
consensus of the fuqaha', and it does not become haraam if it reaches
the country by illegal means. The prohibition [on smuggling] does not
apply to the meat itself, contrary to the case if the cow is
slaughtered in a way that is not prescribed in Islam, such as if the
name of Allah is not mentioned over it orit is slaughtered in a manner
other than that used by the Muslims. In that case its meat is haraam.
As for smuggling, the prohibition does not make the meat haraam;
rather the wrongdoing in this case is limited to breaking the law of
the land.
Fourthly:
The fact that the people would suffer a great deal of hardship if a
fatwa were to be issued forbidding them to buy this meat is sufficient
evidence that it is permissible. According to what is mentioned in the
question, the vast majority of the meat that is sold in the
marketplaces comes from the smuggling mentioned. Moreover, there would
be a huge rise in prices if this source of meat was banned. The basic
shar'i principle on which thereis scholarly consensus says that
hardship makesit permissible to be lax inimplementing shar'i rules.
To sum up:
Regardless of the laws ofthese countries and whether they allow the
importing of cattle or not, and regardless of the extent to which that
serves the interests of the people or not, none of that has any impact
on the meat of these cattle, even if the consumer is certain that it
comes from smuggled cattle.
And Allah knows best.

Big Ship that Landed on an Island: Life of this World and Hereafter in Islam

There was once a big ship that landed on an Island. The Captain said
to the people: "Dear passengers, we will anchor here for you to gather
provision and admire the nature and we shall move on with our journey
in a few hours time".
All passengers got off androamed around the island in groups.
Some 'Wise' gentlemen and ladies walked peacefully, collected some
souvenirs and food for the journey and returned quickly to the ship.
Since they were the first ones back, they got the best and comfortable
places on the ship.
The second group of 'Forgetful' people walked, played and enjoyed
their time. They admired the island and explored its nature. But soon
they remembered the ship, so they ran back, without any food and
souvenirs. Coming onboard, they were tired, but alas the best seats
were taken, so they had to do with the less comfortable ones.
The third group of ' Greedyand Lustful' people got amazed by the
wonders of this island and they began to collect its plants and
precious stones. After a while, having heard the call of their
captain, they started to head back to the ship, carrying plants,
stones and jewelry of all colors and value. However, the heaviness of
the treasure they eagerly wanted to bring back slowed their return,and
by the time they reached the shore, the boat had already left.
And finally, some 'Aimlessand Narrow-Minded' people, convinced
themselves that the island was all there is andthe ship was just
something they had imagined. They thus explored the island and built
for themselves houses. The boat, of course left them to perishon the
island and to be forgotten by everyone.
Similarly, on our journey to Allah (SWT), The Creator, we have landed
on this island, called the World (Dunya).
Some 'Wise' gentlemen and ladies will walk around and collect good
deeds, love and knowledge of Allah (SWT)and quickly return to
TheCreator. They of course will be handed paradise, the best of it!
The second group of 'Forgetful' people will getdistracted by the world
(Dunya) until their last moment. They will then repent at the last
minute.Perhaps they will make it and get the lowest levels of paradise
(Jannah).
The third group of 'Greedy and Lustful' people will be amazed bythe
world, and get attracted by its temporary and fake beauty. They will
indulge in desire and food and be illusion by it. Perhaps, a call will
bring them back to realization, but alas, the attraction will be too
much to leave behind and they will missthe ship of salvation.
And finally, some 'Aimlessand Narrow-Minded' people will just ignore
the journey to Allah (SWT) and pretend that this world is all there
is. They will take their houses as their homes and their desires as
god. Indeed history as seen many people as such, but no one remembers
them. They have been left in hell.
So, my friend... The ship is waiting, please jump on board! Your
Creator Allah (SWT) is calling you: Oh man! Surely you must strive to
your Lord, a hard striving, until you meet Him. Noble Qur'an (84:6)
Imam Ali Naqi (as)said: The world is a market in which one group makes
profit and another groupincurs loss.
Imam Mohammad Bagher(as) said: The one that sincerity of truth and
faith took place in his heart, will turn his face from decorations and
ornaments of the world.
Moral of the Story: Those who spend their lives devoted blindly to
worldly goods will realizethat they consumed all their lives chasing
illusions. They will realizetheir ridiculous situation after they die.
Only then will the ultimate purpose of life, to be a sincere servant
of Allah (SWT), beclear to them.

No Escape From Death: A Real Life Story of ProphetSolomon / Sulaiman (as)

Almighty Allah (SWT) made Prophet Solomon / Sulaiman (as)King of a
vast kingdom, which included His entire creation. The Jinn and men
obeyed his will and even the birds adhered to his commands, to the
extent of using their wings to provide shelter for him. He was also
given many other powerssuch as being able to talkto animals and
control the wind so that it could carry him wherever he wished to go.
Prophet Solomon (as) was blessedwith an extraordinary power of
perception and intelligence.
It is narrated that one day, a man entered the court of Prophet
Solomon (as), looked around at all the people and went out again. When
the court adjourned, one of the people present approached Prophet
Sulaiman (as) and asked him whether he knew this strange man.
"The person you saw wasthe angel of death (Izrael)" replied Prophet
Solomon (as). The man was taken aback and looked worried.
"Why was he staring at me as though he wanted to take my soul?" he asked.
"What do you want me todo?" enquired Prophet Sulaiman (as).
"O Solomon!" exclaimed the man. "You have power over the wind. Command
it to transport me to the land of Hind (India)."
As the man was a believer, Prophet Solomon (as) agreed and granted his wish.
A few days later, Prophet Solomon (as) saw the angel of death again.
He asked him why he had been staring at the man so intently on that
particular day.
"O Solomon!" replied the angel of death. "Allah (SWT) commanded me to
take the soul of that man on the soil of Hind. When I saw him sitting
in your court, I could not understand how I could carry out Allah's
order. Nevertheless, as it was a divine command, I left for Hind and
fortunately found the man there. I took his soul as Allah (SWT) had
commanded."
There is nothing more certain than death. It is a reality, which
nobody can escape from. Allah (SWT), the Almighty says:"Wherever you
may be, death shall overtake you, even if you were in fortified
towers". Noble Qur'an (4:78)
Imam Ali (as)said: Any breath that a man breathes is a step towards death.
Imam Ali (as) said: You are the game that death hunts. If you stand
still it will seize (catch) you. If you ran (flee) away it
willovertake you.