Fathwa, - Can women uncover their neck?

Question:
Can women uncover their neck?
Answer:
Assalamu alaykum
A woman is obliged to cover everything but her face, hands and feet,
although it is more precautionary for her to cover her feet as well
due to the scholarly difference regarding the permissibility of
showing them. What is intended by �face� here is the same as is
intended by �face� in the ritual ablution. The face extends from the
normal hairline to the bottom of the chin and from earlobe to earlobe
in width. A woman is therefore not permitted to show her ears nor her
neck. [al-Hadiyya al-`Ala�iyya]

Fathwa, - Necessity of outer garment for females?

Question:
Is it necessary for females to wear an outer garment over their
clothes to cover themselves if their clothing is adequately covering
their body?
Answer:
Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah,
It is obligatory for both men and women to cover their �nakedness�
(awra), and to do so in a modest manner, such that the shape of their
limbs under this area is not defined.
An outer garment (jilbab) is one means for this for women; it is not
per se obligatory.
Wassalam.

The ideal Muslim in the community

The Muslim community is based on sincerity, purity of human feelings
and fulfillment of rights and needs to every member.
The Muslim has a mission in life. Within the community he calls the
people to Islam with good preaching and the best character. He teaches
from what he learns and deals with those whom he comes in contact with
based on Islamic values and morals. All this is done seeking the
pleasure of Allaah, the Exalted, while striving to attain the reward
of His Paradise.
Wherever the Muslim is, he should be a beacon of guidance and a
positive source of correction and education, through both his words
and deeds.
The true Muslim has a refined social personality of the highest
degree, which qualifies him to undertake his duty of calling others to
Islam. He demonstrates the true values of his religion and the
practical application of those values by attaining beautiful Islamic
attributes. His distinct social character represents a huge store of
Islamic values, which can be seen by the way in which he interacts
with the people around him.
The Muslim, as Islam meant him to be, is a unique and remarkable
person in his attitude, conduct and relationships with others at all
levels. He treats them well by being friendly with them, humble,
gentle of speech and avoiding offence. He likes others and is liked by
them. He tries to follow the example of the Prophetas he was the best
of people in his attitude towards others. Hesaid:"Nothing will weigh
more heavily in the Balance of the believing slave on the Day of
Resurrection than a good attitude towards others."]At-Tirmithi[
Because Islam is based on truthfulness, the Muslim is always truthful
with all people. Truthfulness leads to goodness and goodness leads
toParadise. Therefore the Muslim strives to be true in all his words
and deeds.
The Muslim never gives false statements, because this attitude is
forbidden in the Quran. Allaah, the Most Glorified, Says )what
means(:"…And shun the word that is false."]Quran 22: 30[
The Muslim seeks to offer sincere advice to everyone he comes in
contact with. It's not just the matter of volunteering to do good out
of generosity; it is a duty enjoined by Islam. The Prophetsaid") The
essence of( Religion is )offering sincere( advice."]Muslim[
By the favor of Allaah, the Muslim is a guide for others to righteous
deeds, whether by his actions or words. He never cheats, deceives or
stabs in the back. These shameful acts are beneath him, as they
contradict the values of truthfulness. The Prophetsaid:"…whoever
cheats is not one of us."]Muslim[
When the Muslim promises something, he means to keep his promise.This
attitude stems naturally from truthfulness, and indicates the high
level of civility attained by the one who exhibits it. Allaah Says
)what means(:"And fulfill every engagement, for ]every[ engagement
will be enquired into ]on the Day of Reckoning[."]Quran 17: 34[
One of the worst characteristics that Islam abhors is hypocrisy,
therefore the Muslim can never be a hypocrite; he is frank and open in
his words and opinions. The Prophetsaid:"One of the worst people is a
double-faced man, who comes to one group with one face and to another
group with a totally different face."]Al-Bukhaari[
Islam does not approve of begging. It makes it a sin that a person
should beg when he has enough to satisfy his immediate
needs.Therefore, the Muslim does not beg. If he is faced with
difficulty and poverty, he seeks refuge in patience, whilst doubling
his effort to find a way out. The Prophetsaid:"Whoever refrains from
asking from people, Allaah will help him…"]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
A sign of one's excellence in Islam, is his ignoring what does not
concern him. The Muslim should only participate in what concerns him,
such as anything that is his property, right, obligation or under his
control. To be concerned with something entails preserving and taking
care of this thing that one is allowed to be concerned with. The
Prophetsaid:"A sign of a person's being a good Muslim is that he
should leave alone that which does not concern him."]At-Tirmithi[
The Muslim never searches for people's faults or slander their honor.
He doesn't slip into the error of pride, boasting and showing off. He
judges fairly, is never unjust )even to those whom he does not like(
or biased by his own whims, and avoids suspicion. He does not rejoice
in the misfortunes of anyone. He carefully avoids uttering any word of
slander, cursing, malicious gossip and foul language.
He does not make fun of people but is gentle, kind, compassionate and
merciful, strives for people's benefit and seeks to protect and help
them.
One of the virtues of such a great value and importance that Islam,
not only recommends, but also orders Muslims to characterize
themselves with, is generosity. Therefore, the Muslim is generous and
gives freely without waste to those who are in need. When he gives, he
does not remind people of his generosity. He is patient, tries hard to
control his anger and is forgiving. He does not bear grudges or
resentments, and is easy on people, not hard.
One of the worst diseases of the heart is envy, which leads to foul
conduct and bad behavior. Therefore the Muslim is not envious, because
he knows that the pleasures of this life are as nothing in comparison
to the reward that Allaah has prepared for the believers, and that
whatever happens in life happens according to the decree of Allaah.
The Muslim, who truly understands the teachings of his religion, is
gentle, friendly, cheerful and warm. He mixes with people and gets
along with them. He is humble and modest; and does not look down at
other people. He is lighthearted and has a sense of humor and does not
disdain others. His jokes are distinguished by their legitimate
Islamic nature. He is keen to bring happiness to people. It is an
effective means of conveying the message of truth to them, and
exposing them to its moral values, because people only listen to those
whom they like, trust and accept.
The Muslim keeps secrets; keeping secrets is a sign of maturity, moral
strength, wisdom and balanced personality. He is concerned about the
affairs of people in general. He is happy to welcome his guests and
hastens to honor them.
The Prophetsaid:"Everyreligion has a )distinct( characteristic and the
characteristic of Islam is modesty."]Ibn Maajah[ The Muslim adheres to
the principle of modesty in all things. He does not accept every
custom that is widely accepted by others, for there may be customs
which go against Islam.
The Muslim does not enter a house other than his own without seeking
permission and greeting people. He sits wherever he finds room when he
joins a gathering. He avoids whispering and conversing privately when
he is in a group of three. He gives due respect to elders and those
who deserve to be respected )like scholars etc.(.
Allaah Almighty Says )what means(:"Invite mankind to the way of your
Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways
that are best and most gracious."]Quran 16:125[ The Muslim is aware of
his duty to call others to Islam, and does not spare any effort to do
so. He enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil and mixes with
righteous people. He visits the sick cheerfully. He attends the
funeral of the Muslim and accompanies the body until it is buried.

Secularism and its dangers -I

Allaah, the Most Exalted, sent down The Book )the Noble Quran( to
clarify all things and to give Guidance and Mercy to people who
believe.
He sent His Messenger, Muhammadwith guidance and the true religion
with which He opened blinded eyes, deaf ears, and sealed hearts. With
it, He eliminated the darkness of ignorance and stupidity and released
the chains of polytheism such that misguidance became a legend of the
past and worshipping idols became an old myth.
A Muslim wonders at the stupidity of the polytheists. Allaah Says
)what means(:"He whom Allaah guides is rightly guided but he whom He
leads astray never will you find for him a protective guide."]Quran
18: 17[
We must always remember though, that trials are continuous and the
substance of evil remains till today. Devils among humankind and Jinns
continue to spread misguidance, and to make it seem attractive and
spread it by means of all tongues. Allaah Says )what means(:"And thus
we have made for every Prophet an enemy, devils from mankind and Jinn,
inspiring to one another decorated speech and delusion."]Quran 6:112[
It is mandatory upon us to know the ways of misguidance, warn people
of it, expose it, expose its objectives and block the way for those
who call to it. By doing this, Muslims can be aware of what their Lord
wants of them and have proper insight so as not to be harmed by the
plotting and planning of the misguided ones.
Today, in the Muslim world, many different philosophies and ideologies
are propagated…ones that deceive numerous people with its superficial
sparkle and glory. Many slogans and terms have captured the minds of
people and control their way of thinking.
These false beliefs are like a disease and are of the fire. If it has
been decreed for these false beliefs to be disseminated, they will not
overcome anyone but will turn him into disintegrated ruins.
One of these ideologies is secularism, which has infiltrated into the
Muslim communities. Perhaps one of the most serious challenges that
face the people of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa'ah )the true Islamic
methodology( at this time is to overthrow these false beliefs, clarify
their vague statements and expose the reality of the obscure slogans
behind which secularism hides and spreads its poison in the minds and
hearts of the people of this nation.
For this reason, it is necessary to unmask the true face of this
ideology which is misguided and misguiding at the same time.
Secularism, in its correct definition, is the belief that religion
should not enter into the affairs of the state; it denies any form of
religious faith and worship. Thus, secularism is the antithesis of
Islamic monotheism, which, from the perspective of Islam, is the
greatest reality and truth.
Ibn Taimiyyahsaid in his book 'Al-Uboodiyyah' )Servitude(: "Mankind is
at the crossroad that has two roads, no third to it. It is either that
he chooses servitude to Allaah or he rejects the servitude to Him. To
fully believe in the servitude to Allaah, excluding all others,
knowing that servitude to anyone else but Allaah, great or small, is
the worshiping of Satan."
Allaah Says )what means(:"Did I not enjoin upon you O Children of
Aadam that you not worship Satan for indeed he is to you a clear enemy
and that you worship only me. This is the straight path."]Quran
36:60-61[ This includes the Arabs about whom Allaah Said )what
means(:"They call upon- instead of Him- none but female deities and
they actually call upon none but rebellious Satan."]Quran 4:117[ This
also includes all acts of worship performed toanyone else but Allaah
throughout history.
Some of the acts of worship have changed. The Arabs no longer worship
the idols of the past. However, worship of Satan in itself did not
change. The old idols are replaced with new idols: like the
partisanship, nationalism, secularism, personal freedom, sex and
others.
There are many new idols today. It is indeed the worship of Satan and
Taghoot )anything adorned besides Allaah, be it material idol or
ideology(, which negate the testimony that there is no one worthy of
worship but Allaah. For the meaning of "La ilaaha illa Allaah" )the
first part of the testimony of faith( is to disbelieve in Taghoot and
to believe in Allaah Alone.
Based on this, we can know the ruling of Islam concerning secularism.
Secularism is disbelief and is of the pre-Islamic Taghoot concept
which negates and contradicts "La ilaaha illa Allaah".
Two points which are basic and paired are that firstly, it is ruling
with something other than the rulings of Allaah or what Allaah has
revealed, and secondly, it is associating others in the worship of
Allaah.
Secularism simply means ruling with laws other than the laws of
Allaah; something other than what Allaah has revealed. It is ruling
with a constitution or legislation other than what Allaah has
legislated. The acceptance to be governed by and follow Taghoot
instead of Allaah is the essence of establishing life with no faith
and religion.
Allaah Says )what means(:"And he who does not rule with what Allaah
revealed, indeed, those are the disbelievers."]Quran 5: 44[
Disbelief is of different kinds, of which we must be aware. One aspect
of Jaahiliyyah- pre-Islamic paganism- was the rejection of Allaah. The
rejection of His existence is related to faith and the way life is
perceived, which corresponds to theJaahiliyyah of Communists.
Another aspect is acknowledging the existence of Allaah but in a
perverted way, and deviation in acts of worship. This kind of
Jaahiliyyah is synonymous with the Jaahiliyyah oftheJewsand
Christians.
Another aspect is accepting the existence of Allaah and performing
acts of worship but with a serious deviation in the understanding,
implication and the implementation of "La ilaaha illa Allaah,
Muhammad-ur Rasool-Allaah", which results in a comprehensive
association in the issue of obedience and partnership with Allaah.
This Jaahiliyyah is of those who call themselves Muslims but are
secularists. They think that they are within the fold of Islam and
have all the rights of Muslims by merely uttering the Shahaadah
)saying: "La ilaaha illa Allaah, Muhammad-ur Rasool-Allaah". They
perform these acts of worship in an un-Islamic fashion.