The caliphate of 'Uthmaan -IV

Edict of Uthmaan, 34 AH
On the occasion of Hajj, 'Uthmaanbin 'Affaanannounced his readiness to
listen to complaints among the governors. Thus, following his orders,
all the governors reached Makkah. In accordance with 'Abdullaah
binSaba's scheme, his followers too set out from every province and
center but arrived in Al-Madeenahinstead of Makkah. At this point
'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanaddressed them and said:"Trouble is bound to
appear in the near future, but I don't like tobe blamed for it, for
whatever I have done, it was solely for the welfare of the people."
This utterance of the Caliph silenced them all.
'Uthmaancame back to Al-Madeenah after performing the Hajj. He then
assembled thosefrom outside and also invited 'Ali,Talhah and
Az-Zubayr. 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan rose to address them and said: "Abu
Bakrand 'Umarafter becoming Caliph, practiced caution concerning their
relatives with aneye on accountability, although the Prophet,, took
care of hisrelatives and extended help to them. My relatives are poor
and so I do the needful for them. I amready to do away with my
practice if you prove it invalid andunlawful."
Objections:
'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanhad barely spoken this, when a man got up and
raised the objection:"You unlawfully gave away wealthand property to
your relatives; forinstance, you once gave the entire booty to
'Abdullaah bin Sa'd." 'Uthmaanreplied: "I have given him one-fifth
from theone-fifth of the booty. And we have such examples during the
Caliphates of Abu Bakr and 'Umar."
Another person said: "You have conferred power and rule on
yourrelatives; for instance, you have appointed Mu'aawiyah bin Abu
Sufyaan governor of the entireSyria. You made 'Abdullaah bin 'Amr
governor of Basrah by deposing Abu Moosaa Al-Ash'ari; you installed
Waleed bin 'Uqbah and then Sa'eed bin Al-'Aas governors of Koofah by
removingAl-Mugheerah bin Shu'bah." 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanreplied:"Those
governors are not my relatives and they have the abilityto manage the
affairs well. However, if they do not deserve the post, I am always
ready to change them for others. Thus I have already put Abu Moosaa
Al-Ash'ari as the governor of Koofah by removing Sa'eed bin Al-'Aas."
Yet another person got up and said: "You love your family members the
most and you give them extravagant gifts." 'Uthmaanreplied: "Love of
the family members is not a sin. And I give them gifts from my own
possessions, not from the public treasury. How can I give them
anything from the public treasury when I myself do not take a single
dirham from there? I am at liberty to give away anything to anybody
from my personal property."
In short, objections of this naturewere raised and 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaan answered them fully and thoroughly. At the end of the
assembly, the people left silently.
Events of 35 AH
The governors of various provinces began to leave Al-Madeenah. When
Mu'aawiyahthe governor ofSyriadecided to depart, he came to 'Uthmaan
bin 'Affaanand said: "I anticipate an attack on you and you may not be
able to resist it. Itis better for you to accompany me toSyria, for
the Syrians are loyal and lend their full support to me."
'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanreplied:"On no account shall I abandon the
proximity and neighborhood of the Prophet,." Having heard this
Mu'aawiyah said: "Let me send you an army fromSyriato guard you
against any eventuality." 'Uthmaan said: "I am not in favor of putting
my neighbors into trouble." Hearing this Mu'aawiyahsaid: "You are
bound to be deceived." In reply to this 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaansaid:
"Allaah is enough for me and what an Excellent Supporter He is." After
which he remained silent.
Mu'aawiyahthen left the place and came to 'Ali, Talhah and Az-Zubayr.
He asked them to provide protection to 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan, then he
setoff forSyria.
Conspiracy of 'Abdullaah binSaba
'Abdullaah bin Saba had already finalized his nefarious plan during
his stay inEgypt. He had won over Companions like 'Ammaar bin Yaasir
and Warqah bin Raafi'to his side. However, none besides the small
group of his followers were aware of his real game. His love for 'Ali
and the family of the Prophet,was nothing more than a maneuver for
inciting people against the Caliphate. A considerable number of Muslim
soldiers had joined his party. Gradually, 'Abdullaah binSabawon the
hearts of enough peopleto challenge the authority of 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaan and bring about his deposition or do away with him. However,
the issue of 'Uthmaan's successor was still the bone of contention.
Gradually, his party was divided in three groups each supporting its
own candidate from among 'Ali, Talhah and Az-Zubayr. Since 'Abdullaah
binSabahad no interest in the unity and strengthof Islam, he held back
his supportfrom 'Aliand left the matter to the contenders. His main
issue was the liquidation of 'Uthmaan'sCaliphate.
Departure of the Caravan of Mischief-Mongers
At first, a group of 1000 people was sent in advance pretending to be
a Hajj mission. The party consisted of Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Udays,
Kinaanah bin Bishr Al-Laythi, andSudanbin Humraan and was headed by
Al-Ghaafiqi bin Harb. It was decided that the entire party should not
proceed at one time fromEgypt. The party was thus divided into four
groups to leaveEgyptseparately and then to meet after several stages.
Another party of 1000 men left Koofah and another of the same number
marched from Basrah. All these parties left their cities in the month
of Shawwaal 35 AH, under the pretext of goingto Hajj. However, their
goal was to get rid of the Caliph either by deposing or by killing
him. At the appointed time, the parties coming from different
directions joined one another and proceeded to Al-Madeenah.
Threestages from Al-Madeenah, the party divided itself into three
separate groups each supporting its own candidate for the Caliphate.
It is worth mentioning here that the followers of 'Abdullaah bin Saba
in Al-Madeenah had written forged letters in the names of 'Ali,
Talhah, Az-Zubayr, and the Mothers of the Believersto their followers
in Koofah, Basrah and Egypt who were against 'Abdullaah bin Saba and
his group. The letters emphasized that 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanwas no
longer able to shoulder the heavy burden of the Caliphate. Therefore
the matter should be brought to its end in the month of Thul-Hijjah.
Encouraged by these forged letters, the rioters found it easy to
indulge in acts of plunder and massacre in order to do away with the
Caliphate. Otherwise, they could not have mustered thecourage to plan
an invasion of Al-Madeenah, the city of the Prophet,where even a
strongarmy of the disbelievers failed to make inroads during
theBattleofthe Trench.
All the distinguished persons rejected their nefarious plan outright,
but they found no preparations of any kind whatsoever in Al-Madeenah.
They went back to the rioters and assembled their chiefs and
representatives for an emergencyconsultation. Allaying fears of
anydefensive preparations in Al-Madeenah from their minds, they placed
before them a suggestion that the parties belonging toEgypt, Basrah
and Koofah should contact 'Ali, Talhah and Az-Zubayrrespectively. They
should make an attempt during separate meetings to express to them
their viewpoint saying that at no cost did they like the Caliphate of
'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan.
Accordingly, they offered their allegiance to them. But each of them
rejected their offer. Thereupon the party fromEgyptsaid to 'Ali:
"Since 'Abdullaah bin Sa'd, the governor of our province is cruel, we
cannot leaveAl-Madeenah without getting himdeposed." With an eye on
their obstinacy and nerve, 'Ali and some other Companions called on
the Caliph and advised him to fulfill their demand to stop the trouble
and depose 'Abdullaah bin Sa'd as the governor ofEgypt. 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaan asked:"Who will then be appointed the governor ofEgypt?" .
Ali intercedes
'Aliand other Companions took the name of Muhammad binAbu Bakr who
happened to be the supporter of 'Ali. Therefore, the Caliph issued an
edict appointing Muhammad bin Abu Bakr, governor ofEgypt. After this
'Ali sent the rioters out. However, on the third or fourth day, all
the parties joined together and came into Al-Madeenah crying Takbeer
)i.e. uttering Allaahu Akbar( with the utmost fervor and cordoned off
the house of the Caliph. 'Alisaw them and said: "You had already left
this place, what madeyou come back?" They said: "The Caliph has sent a
letter to 'Abdullaah bin Sa'd through his slave to kill us as soon as
we reach there. We have seized the letter and have come here with
itand along with the parties fromEgyptand Koofah who want to share our
problem." 'Ali said: "By Allaah this is an act of conspiracy and you
are ill-intentioned." They replied: "Whatever be the case, we have
decided to kill the Caliph,and we seek your assistance in the task."
'Aliangrily said:"How can I help you?" Hearing thisthey said: "Why had
you then written about this?" 'Ali firmly replied: "I have never
written youanything." Hearing this they looked towards each other with
amazement. 'Alithen left Al-Madeenah to stay in Ahjaar-uz-Zayt and the
rioters surrounded the house of 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan. Until then, they
had followed the Caliph in prayers, but now they gave it up and began
to hold others back from standing in prayer behind him.
Witnessing the lurking danger around him, the Caliph wrote letters to
various provinces and sought their help, and in some cases the news
reached those places on its own. However, virtuous men and the
Companions persuaded the people inEgypt,Syria, Koofah and Basrah to
rush to the help of the Caliph. The mosque was under siege and after
that, the rioters prevented 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanfrom coming out of his
home and cut off the supply of water too. Although 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaan persistently tried to convince the rioters that the letter was
not written by him and asked them to produce any witness, but they
ignored his plea.
Summarized from: The History of Islam, by: Akbar Shah Najeebadi
To Be concluded

The caliphate of 'Uthmaan -V

Abu 'Ayyoob Al-Ansaari leads the Prayer
In the wake of his inability to come to the mosque, the Caliph
appointed Abu 'Ayyoob Al-Ansaarito do the job. However, after a few
days, Al-Ghaafiqi bin Harb, the chief of the rioters, started leading
the prayers. Like Muhammad bin Abu Bakr, the governor ofEgypt,
Muhammad bin Huthayfah was also working against the Caliph. When
'Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Udays marched towards Al-Madeenah fromEgypt,
Muhammad bin Abu Bakr had also accompanied them to Al-Madeenah, but
Muhammad binHuthayfah had stayed back inEgypt.
When the rioters made a commotion, 'Alisent both hissons Al-Hasan and
Al-Husaynto stand at the door of 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanwith locked arms
to stop the entry of the rioters into his house. Talhah and
Az-Zubayralso sent their sonsand they stopped their movements. The
rioters knew well that any harm done to them meant bearing the brunt
of Banu Haashim's fury as a whole. However, the rioters were also in a
hurry, because the arrival of official forces from the provinces could
foil their plan. Thus, they broke into an adjoining house and entered
the Caliph's house byscaling its walls
Martyrdom of Uthmaan bin Affaan
When the rioters showed the letter written on his behalf, 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaandeclared it a forgery. 'Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Udays, the
ringleader of the rioters rejected it saying: "If you are a liar, you
are not fit to remain as a Caliph. In case you are true in your
claim,then such a weak Caliph should not be left to rule if he is not
ableto keep control over his administration and lets anybody write
anything on his behalf." At last, 'Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Udays asked
'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan to quit the Caliphate. However, he said: "I can't
put off the garment that Allaah has caused me to put on." That is, he
refused to give upthe post of the Caliph.
When the intensity of the siege increased and even the supply of water
was stopped, 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan went to the roof of his house and
reminded them of his sacrifices for Islam and the position he held
after embracing Islam. A section of the rioters seemed to forgive him
but Maalikbin Al-Ashtar intervened to keep them firm in their plan.
Moreover,when the rioters were convinced of the arrival of rescue
forces from the provinces, they determined to do away with the Caliph.
During these days, 'Aa'ishahdecided to go on Hajj. She sent for
Muhammad bin Abu Bakr to accompany her on the journey to Makkah. But
he refused to do so, because he was involved with therioters.
Hanthalahthe scribe of the Revelations, said to him:"You refuse to
accompany the Mother of the Believers and instead follow the fools
ofArabia." Muhammad bin Abu Bakr gave no reply. Talhah and
Az-Zubayrhad closed their doors and would neither go anywhere nor meet
anybody. Ibn 'Abbaasfaced the rioters at the door of 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaan and stopped them from drawing near. However, the Caliph
insistedthat he would lead the Hajj caravan, although he said that
waging Jihaad against the rioterswas to him better than performing the
Hajj. Al-Hasan bin 'Ali, 'Abdullaah bin Az-Zubayr, Muhammad bin Talhah
and Sa'eed bin Al-'Aasstopped the rioters from opening the door and
fought to push them back.
However, 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanprevented them from doing so on oath and
called them in. When the rioters set fire to the doors, they fought
and drove them out once again. 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaan was then reciting
the Quran. When he reached the verse )which means(:"Those to whom
people )i.e. hypocrites( said: 'Indeed, the people have gathered
against you, so fear them.' But it )merely( increased them in faith,
and they said: ' Sufficient for us is Allaah, and )He is( the best
Disposer of affairs.'"]Quran 3:173[
Hesaid addressing those present: "The Messenger of Allaah,has taken a
pledge from me and I firmly keep it, so hold yourselves back from
fighting the rioters." He also asked Al-Hasan bin 'Alito go back to
his father, but he declined the advice and kept at the door.
Al-Mugheerah bin Al-Akhnascould not bear the situation, attacked the
rioters along with some of his companions and wasmartyred. In the same
way, Abu Hurayrahlaunched an assaulton the rioters reciting the
verse)which means(:"And O my people, how is it that I invite you to
salvation while you invite me to the Fire?"]Quran 40:41[
When 'Uthmaancame to know of it, he insistently called him back.
Meanwhile, 'Abdullaah bin Salaamcame and did all he could to pacify
the rioters, but in vain. Among those present with 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaan, some were upstairs watching the movements of the rioters
while others were at the gate stopping their entry. 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaan and his wife Naa'ilah, the daughter of Al-Furafisahwereinside.
The rioters scaled the walls, entered the house of 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaan, and made an assault on him. First of all Muhammad bin Abu
Bakr came near 'Uthmaan bin 'Affaanand said catching hold of his
beard:"O long-bearded one, may Allaah put you to disgrace."
'Uthmaanreplied: "I am not a long-bearded man, but 'Uthmaan, the Chief
of the Believers." Thereupon Muhammad bin Abu Bakr angrily said: "You
covet the Caliphate even in your old age." 'Uthmaansaid: "Had your
father been alive, he would have valued my old age." At this Muhammad
bin Abu Bakr got ashamed and left. Followed by his retreat a group of
criminals came down scaling the wall. The group included
'Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Udays, 'Amrbin Hamiq, 'Umayr binJannabi,Sudanbin
Humraan, Al-Ghaafiqi and Kinaanah bin Bishr, who first struck
'Uthmaanwith a sword. His wife Naa'ilah came forward and stretched her
hand to stop the stroke, with the result that her fingers were cut off
and thrown away. However, he struck 'Uthmaana second time, which led
to his martyrdom. It so happened when'Uthmaanwas reciting the Quran,
his blood dropped on the verse )which means(:"…. and Allaah will be
sufficient for you against them. And He is the Hearing, the
Knowing."]Quran 2:137[
'Amr bin Hamiq gave him nine wounds with his spear. 'Umayr bin Jannabi
moved forward and kicked him violently more than once, so that his
ribs were broken. At every kick he would say: "It was you who had
imprisoned my father and the poor man died in captivity." Naa'ilah
called out to those upstairs who were unaware of what was happening in
the house. The rioters had completedtheir evil act before those
upstairs arrived. The criminals fled and the slaves of 'Uthmaan killed
a few of them.
Nobody was needed now to guard the door. The rioters then made a
forced entry into the house and plundered all the articles that they
found. The news of this tragedy spread like lightning. This
soul-shattering incident came to pass on Friday, Thul-Hijjah 18, 35
AH. The dead body of 'Uthmaan laid unshrouded and unburied for three
days. At last Haakim bin Hizaam and Jubayr bin Mut'imwent to 'Aliand
he gave permission for him to be buried. The body was buried between
Maghrib and Isha' prayers. Az-Zubayr, Hasan, Abu Jahm bin Huthayfah,
and Marwaanaccompanied the bier. The rioterstried to obstruct the
burial service but held back on the intervention of 'Ali. Jubayr bin
Mut'im led the funeral prayers. Hewas then buried without bath and
coffin.
'Uthmaan bin 'Affaandied at the age of 82 after passing 12 years as a
Caliph. He was buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi' leaving behind eleven sons
and six daughters.
Rioter's Rule in Al-Madeenah
From the day the rioters put a ban on the exit of 'Uthmaan bin
'Affaanfrom his house and his attendance at the mosque, Al-Madeenah
had virtually come under their rule. After 'Uthmaan'smartyrdom,
Al-Ghaafiqi bin Harb, the chief of the rioters, held the powers of the
Caliphate for abouta week and set about issuing all orders, including
the appointment of someone to lead the prayers.
However, the wiser section of them wanted to put a respectable man as
Caliph. They argued that in the absence of a reputable man as Caliph,
their successful efforts would be takenas a mere uprising and rioting.
Thus they decided not to leave Al-Madeenah without electing a Caliph.
'Abdullaah binSabarushed to Al-Madeenah in disguise and joined his
party. He also favored the election of a Caliph. Thus theymet 'Ali,
Talhah and Az-Zubayrseparately and requested each of them to accept
the responsibility of the Caliphate. However, each of them refused the
offer point-blank and they had to return empty-handed and frustrated.
At last, 'Abdullaah binSabainstilled in their mind a workable plan
according to which it was announced throughout Al-Madeenah: "It is the
people of Al-Madeenah who have always played the pivotal role of
electinga Caliph, and the Muslim Ummah accepted it wholeheartedly. Now
we give them just two days to elect a Caliph, if they fail to elect
aCaliph, we will kill 'Ali, Talhah andAz-Zubayr."
This announcement sent terror into the hearts of the people of
Al-Madeenah who came out of their houses and hurried to 'Ali and the
other two. While Talhah and Az-Zubayrflatly refused to shoulder the
burden of the Caliphate, 'Ali agreed to it after initially refusing.
Following his consent, the people came in large numbers to take
Bay'ah)oath of allegiance( at his hand.

Dought & clear - Employee compensating his company for what is owed to it by waiving some of his dues

I was working for a foreign company via theInternet. I did marketing
for this company and brought regular customers to it, and I receive
commission so long as the customers continue to buy from this company.
The problem began when I brought two customers in a way that is not
Islamically acceptable, and I continued to receive commission for
several months. After that I repented to Allah, praisebe to Allah, and
I wanted to set things straight. So I started to bring new customers
but did not register them under my name, so that the matter between me
and the company would be settled.
Is this regarded as an Islamically acceptable solution? I brought new
customers to the company to compensate for the two customers for whom
I had receivedcommission. Can I continue to receive this payment in
return for working with the company, or do I have toleave it? Please
note that I have put a great deal of effort into correcting my
mistake. In fact I am confused about my situation and I cannot tell
the people in charge because I will be dismissed.
What more can I do in order to compensate for what has passed? Is this
regarded as sufficient?
Praise be to Allah.
The money that is acquired as a result of deceit, lying or forgery
isharaam wealth, and it is not permissible to consume it or benefit
from it; rather what you must do is return it to its owner and ask for
forgiveness from him, sothat you will have discharged your duty
forsure. (This applies) whether its owner is a Muslim or not, because
the sanctity of the wealth of a non-Muslim (dhimmi or mu'aahid, i.e.,
non-Muslims living under Muslim rule, or who have a treaty with the
Muslims) is the same as the sanctity of a Muslim's wealth. Our Prophet
Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) disavowed those
who transgressed against the wealth of non-Muslims and said: "As for
the wealth… [that was seized unlawfully from a non-Muslim), I want
nothing to do with it." Narrated by al-Bukhaari (no. 2731). Al-Haafiz
ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: From this (hadeeth) we
learn that it is not permissible to take the wealth of the kuffaar by
treachery when they have been granted security.
End quote fromFath al-Baari, 5/341
Sincere repentance requires you to speak frankly to your company,if
that is possible, or at least to stop that haraamincome that is coming
toyou, and do not continue to take it from the company unlawfully.The
first condition of sincere repentance is giving up the sin
immediately. So long as you still receiving that haraam wealth, we
fear that you may come under the ruling on one who persists in his
sin.
With regard to what yousaid about compensating the company by bringing
some new customers and not taking the commission to which you are
entitled in return, that is appropriate if you are unable to return
the money that you had taken unlawfully to the company or tell them
what really happened sothat they can decide as they see fit.
If you cannot do that, then we hope that what you have mentioned
willcompensate for what you did of trickery to take what you are not
entitled to, and that this will be an expiation for the haraam wealth
that you took from them, by means of which you will compensate the
company and restore people's dues, on condition that the money that
which you had taken unlawfully will be equaled by the money that you
are entitled to for the customers you brought but did not register
under your name. If what you took is more than that, then you haveto
strive to return the additional amount in an acceptable manner, or by
bringing more customers for it, until the two amounts are equal and
you know that you have restored people's rights or the equivalent.
The fuqaha' (may Allah have mercy on them) have outlined numerous ways
that make it easier for the one who wants to get rid of haraam wealth
to do so. For example, Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him)
said: This is based on an important Islamic principle having to do
with the one who has taken something to which he is not entitled
according to sharee'ah, then decides to get rid of it: if the item in
question was taken without the consent of its owner and he did notgive
him something to compensate him, then he must return it to him. If he
is not able to returnit to him, then he should pay off a debt that the
person owes on his behalf. If that is not possible, then he must
return it to his heirs. If that is not possible, then he must give it
in charityon his behalf. If the rightful owner chooses to take the
reward for that charity on the Day of Resurrection, then he may do so,
but if he insists on taking from the good deeds of the one who took it
unlawfully, he will be able to do so in return for the wealth (that
was taken), and the reward for the charity will go to the one who gave
it, as was proven from the Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them).
If the money was paid with the consent of the giver in return for
something haraam, such as one who paid for alcohol or pork, or for
adultery or immoral deeds, in that case the money is not to be
returned to the one whopaid it, because he paid it willingly and took
something haraam in return for it. So it is not permissible for him to
have both the money and the thing he paid for, because that is helping
in sin and transgression, and making it easy for sinners to commit
sin.
What else could the adulterer or the one who commits immoral actions
want, if he knows that he will get what he wants and havehis money
back?! Sharee'ah is far above prescribing such a thing,and it makes no
sense. But the one who receives the money should not consume it;
rather it is evil and impure, as ruled by the Messenger of Allah
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). But it is evil and impure
because of the way in which it was acquired, not because of wrongdoing
to the one from whom it was taken.The way to get rid of it and
complete one's repentance is to give it in charity. If he is in need
of it, he may take as much as he needs andgive the rest in charity.
This is the ruling on all impure earnings that areimpure because of
the way in which they are acquired, whether that was in return for
something that is haraam, whether it was an item or a service. The
fact that it is deemed to be impure does not mean that it must be
returned to the one whogave it, because the Prophet (blessings and
peace of Allah be upon him) ruled that the earnings of a cupper
areimpure, but it is not obligatory to return them to the one who paid
them.
End quote fromZaad al-Ma'aad, 5/690-691
On our website, in a number of questions, wehave previously discussed
these matters. See, for example, questions no. 98723, 178442and 179432
However, what we advise you to do is follow the path of piety and
admit to the company what has reallyhappened, or, at the very least,
ask them to stop giving you this haraam commission
You should understand that honesty is the best policy. If we assume
thatwhat you fear of being dismissed happens, it may be that Allah
will replace it with something better than that for you. Allah, may He
be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
"O Prophet! Say to the captives that are in your hands: 'If Allah
knows any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than
what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you, and Allah is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'
But if they intend to betray you (O Muhammad SAW), they have already
betrayed Allah before. So He gave (you) power over them. And Allah is
All-Knower, All-Wise"
[al-Anfaal 7:70-71]
"And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a
way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine"
[al-Talaaq 65:2-3].
And Allah knows best.

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.