Sunday, July 12, 2009

Performance of Prayer for the Woman who is Bedridden after Menstruation

A woman is sick in the hospital with a catheter: She was admitted into the hospital while menstruating due to an accident; she broke her pelvis and fractured her skull. How does she purify herself upon completion of menstruation if she is not able to use water and she is not able to perform prayer? In addition to this her bed does not face the Qiblah (direction of the Ka’bah in which to pray) and she cannot straighten herself up because her legs are connected together (medically like in a cast, etc.).

Answer: When her period ends and she cannot use water then she will need to make Tayammum using dust. It takes the place of water as the Most High says: {And if you are ill or upon a journey or if anyone of you relieve yourself or if you have had sexual relations and you do not find water then perform at-Tayammum.} an-Nisaa’a: 43

Therefore the one who is stricken with illness and cannot use water with a valid excuse can make at-Tayammum just like one who is traveling. So perform at-Tayammum and all praise is for Allah the impurity will be removed. Then she prays according to her ability as the Most High says: {Fear Allah as much as you are able.} at-Taghaabun: 16

But she should not leave off making prayer even if she is not facing the Qiblah or if her clothes need to be washed, she does not leave off the prayer. She prays to the best of her ability.

Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan (hafithahullah) Member of the Major Scholars and Permanent Committee for Religious Rulings
Translated by Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source: The Difference between Naseehah and Tajreeh pg. 38

Monday, July 6, 2009

Egypt mourns 'headscarf martyr'

The body of Muslim woman, killed in a German courtroom by a man convicted of insulting her religion, has been taken back to her native Egypt for burial.

Marwa Sherbini, 31, was stabbed 18 times by Axel W, who is now under arrest in Dresden for suspected murder. Husband Elwi Okaz is also in a critical condition in hospital, after being injured as he tried to save his wife.

Ms Sherbini had sued her killer after he called her a "terrorist" because of her headscarf.
The case has attracted much attention in Egypt and the Muslim world.

German prosecutors have said the 28-year-old attacker, identified only as Axel W, was driven by a deep hatred of foreigners and Muslims.

'Martyr'
Medics were unable to save Ms Sherbini who was three months pregnant with her second child. Her three-year-old son, was with the family in court when she was killed. Axel W and Ms Sherbini and family were in court for him to appeal against a fine of 750 euros ($1,050) for insulting her in 2008, apparently because she was wearing the Muslim headscarf or Hijab.

Newspapers in Egypt have expressed outrage at the case, asking how it was allowed to happen and dubbing Ms Sherbini "the martyr of the Hijab". Senior Egyptian officials and German diplomatic staff attended the funeral in Alexandria along with hundreds of mourners. Media reports say Mr Okaz was injured both by the attacker and when a policeman opened fire in the courtroom.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8136500.stm

Monday, June 1, 2009

Al-Birr (Observance of Piety) is from one of the Causes of living a Long Life filled with Blessing

Does being good to ones parents and doing good deeds cause one to live a long life?

Answer: Being good to one’s parents and doing good deeds is from the greatest means of getting closer to Allah. Al-Birr (observance of piety) is from one of the causes of living a long life and having it filled with blessing as it occurs in the prophetic narration:

((Nothing prolongs the life except for al-Birr (the observance of piety).))

Therefore al-Birr is from the causes of living a long life and having it filled with blessing. And in the authentic narration (we find):

(( Whoever wishes to expand his provisioning and defer the end of his life span then let him keep the ties of kinship.))

So being good to one’s parents (Birr-ul-Waalidayn) is from the greatest forms of keeping ties, actually from the greatest of keeping ties. Being good to one’s parents and keeping the ties of kinship are from the causes of prolonging one’s life and having it filled with blessings.

Ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source:
http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/9571

Monday, May 25, 2009

Concerning the Clarification that the one who practices her religion should never be embarrassed to ask about the Deen

From ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who said that Asmaa’ (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) about the method of bathing after menstruation?

He said: ((She should begin by taking water mixed with lotus leaves then she washes herself and attentively does the required acts of purification. Then she pours the water over herself. After this she takes cotton dabbled in Musk and purifies her private area with it.))

Asmaa’ (may Allah be pleased with her) then asked, “How does she purify her private part with it (the Musk)?” He (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him): ((Glorified is Allah, you cleanse yourself with it!))

‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said in a low tone that it should be applied to the traces of blood (the private part) so then she asked him about the method of bathing after having had sexual intercourse?”

He said (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him): ((You take water and attentively do all the required acts of purification. Complete the purification and then pour water over your head and rub it until all of the areas of the head have been washed. Then pour the water over it once more.))

‘Aaishah said, “How excellent are the Women of the Ansaar! They do not allow shyness or embarrassment prevent them from trying to understand the religion.”

Related by al-Bukhaaree, Muslim, Aboo Dawood, Ibn Maajah, an-Nisaa’ee, ad-Daarimee, and Ahmad.

By Ibn al-Jawzee (rahimahullah)
Taken from Ahkaam-un-Nisaa’a page 14-15
Translated by Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee – may Allah guide him

Press Release: Educating the Women and Nurturing Them

"Educating the Women and Nurturing Them"
Lectured by: Shaikh Muhammad Taqyyu Ad-Deen Al-Hilali

“Verily your prevention of woman from learning and restricting her to just learning how to read the letters of the Holy Qur’ân without comprehending its meaning is indeed far away from the propriety. It is un-Islâmic, irrational, and far away from the pure knowledge, though you have deemed that Islâm agrees with that and believed in it solely to the point that you have stated a flimsy weak hadeeth to prove your ideology, when this hadeeth has no manifestation in it according to the scholars of hadeeth. And this is with regard to its chain of narration.”

The Biography
Of the Prominent Scholar,
Muhammad Taqyyu Ad-Deen Al-Hilali

His Lineage:
He is the Great Scholar, the Muhaddith , the Famous Linguist, the Expert Writer, the Great Poet, the Moroccan Traveler, the Pathfinder, the Salafi Shaikh, Dr. Muhammad Taqiyyu who is known as Muhammad Taqiyyu Ad-Deen, His kunyah is Abu Shakeeb “whereas he named his first child after the name of his friend Ameer Shakeeb Arsalan” Ibn Abdul-Qadir, Ibn Tayyib, Ibn Ahmad, Ibn Abdul Qadir, Ibn Muhammad, Ibn Abdu-An-Nour, Ibn Abdu Al-Qadir, Ibn Hilal, Ibn Muhammad, Ibn Hilal, Ibn Idris, Ibn Ghalib, Ibn Muhammad Al-Makkiy, Ibn Ismael, Ibn Ahmad, Ibn Muhammad, Ibn Abil Qasim, Ibn Ali, Ibn Abdu Al-Qawwiy, Ibn Abdu Al-Rahman, Ibn Idris, Ibn Ismael, Ibn Suleiman, Ibn Musa Al-Kazwim, Ibn Ja'far Al-Sadiq Ibn Al-Baqir, Ibn Ali Zain Al-Abideen, Ibn Al-Hussein Ibn Ali and Fatimah the Daughter of the Prophet Muhammad r Sultan Hassan the first has approved this lineage on his arrival at Sajalmaasah in the year 1311 A.H.

His Upbringing:
The Shaikh was born in the year 1311 A.H. in a village called “Al-Farkh” als known as “Faidatu Al-Qadeemah” some miles away from Riyadh. It is one of the villages of Sajalmasah which is known today as Taafilaalit which is located at the southern part of the kingdom of Morocco he grew up in a knowledgeable and juristic family. His father and grandfather were one of the jurists of that town.

His Journey To Seeking Knowledge and His Service for the Dawah:
He studied the Holy Qur'ân and memorized it from his father when he was twelve, and then he perfected it with its rules of recitation under the Shaikh, the Qur’ân teacher, Ahmad Ibn Saalih and then he sat with Shaikh Muhammad Sayyid Ibn Habeebillah At-Tandaghi Ash-Shinqiti. So he first memorized “Mukhtasar Khalil” he studied Arabic lexicology and the Maaliki Jurisprudence on his hand and perfected it to the point that the Shaikh let him represent him in his absence. After the death of his Shaikh he took his path to seeking knowledge at the hands of the scholars of “Wajdah and Faas” during that time, until he attained a certificate from the university of Al-Qarwayain. Afterwards he traveled to Cairo to study the Sunnah of the Prophet (s).

There he met some scholars like Shaikh Abdu Ad-Dhaahir Abu As-Samh and Shaikh Rasheed Ridaa, Shaikh Muhammad Ar-Ramaali and more, likewise he attended the lectures in the department of high education in Al-Azhar, and he stayed in Egypt for a year calling to the creed of the Salaf and fighting against polytheism and atheism. After performing the pilgrimage, he traveled to India to attain his aspiration which is the knowledge of hadeeth.

However, he met major scholars there, so he had benefited the people and had gained a benefit from the scholars. And from among the major scholars he had met there were, the Muhaddith the Scholar, Shaikh Abdu-Ar-Rahman Ibn Abdu Ar-Raheem Al-Mubarakfuri, the author of “Tuhfatu Al-Ahwazi” and took from him the knowledge of hadeeth and the Shaikh gave him the authorization in teaching it. He extolled the Shaikh with a poem in which he pleaded the students of knowledge to hold fast to the knowledge of hadeeth and try to benefit from the aforementioned explanation “Tuhfatu Al-Ahwazi” this poem is printed in the forth edition of the Indian print.

In addition, he sat with Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Hussein Ibn Muhsin, Al-Hadeedi An-Ansaari, and Al-Yemani, who was dwelling in India during that era. He read on him the “Kutubu As-Sittah” the six books of the tradition of the Prophet r and he also gave him the authorization in teaching them. From India, he traveled to Az-Zubair (Al-Basra) in Iraq where he met the Salafi Mauritanian scholar, the Researcher, Shaikh Muhammad Al-Ameen Al-Shinqiti, the one who established (Al-Najatil Ahliyyah school in Az-Zubair, and he is different from the prominent scholar, the interpreter, the author of “Adwaail Bayan”. He benefited from his knowledge. He stayed in Iraq for almost three years and then traveled to Saudi via Egypt where he received a recommendation letter from Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida to King Abdul Aziz Aali Su'ud. He said in that letter, “Verily Muhammad Taqiyyu Ad-Deen Al-Hilali Al-Maghribi is the best scholar ever from the scholars of the horizon who has come to you, therefore I hope that you will benefit from his knowledge” as a result, he remained under the accommodation and hospitality of King Abdul Aziz for some months till he was appointed as a supervisor for teaching in the Prophet mosque. He remained in Al-Medina for two years and then he was transferred to the sacred mosque in Mecca and the Scientific Institute of Saudi in Mecca. He stayed there for a year.

After that he received letters from Indonesia and from India demanding from him to come and teach in their schools. So he preferred to accept the invitation of Shaikh Suleiman Al-Nadawi hoping that he would get the chance of studying in the university in India. So he became the head of the professors of Arabic literature in the college of scholars' symposium in the city of Lakanhu in India at which he remained for three years and learned the English language, but had never got the chance to study in the university. He emanated Ad-Diyaa magazine “The Magazine of Light” by the suggestion of Shaikh Suleiman An-Nadawi and with the help of his student Mas'ud Alim An-Nadawi. From there he returned back to Al-Basra and he stayed there for three years teaching in “An-Najati Al-Ahliyyah School” which was mentioned earlier. After that He traveled to Janif in Swiss and stayed with his friend Ameer Al-Bayan “the leader of clarification” Shakeeb Arsalan. He had wanted to study in one of the universities in Britain, but he had never got the chance to.

However, Ameer Shakeeb wrote a letter to one of his friends in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs in which he stated “I have with me a literate Moroccan youth, the like of him has never entered Germany, and he is willing to study in one of the universities, I suggest you help him find a position to teach Arabic literature with a salary that will help him to study in the university”. It was not long until he received an admission letter, whereas he traveled to Germany as a lecturer in the University of Bowen. He then started to study German and had obtained a diploma after a year of studying the language. And then he became a student in that University even though he was teaching there. And within this period he had translated a lot from German and to German.

And after spending three years in Bowen, he moved to the University of Berlin as a student and a teacher and a director of the Arabic Radio. In 1940 he wrote his doctorate dissertation in which he refuted the false allegations of the Orientalists like “Martin Hartman and Carl Brakeman” And the topic of his doctorate essay was the “Interpretation of the Introduction to the book of the Republic from the Eessential Nature” with a commentary on it, there were ten scholars who were examining him at the seminar and all of them had agreed upon giving him a doctorate certificate in Arabic literature. During the Second World War, the Shaikh traveled to Maghrib. And in the year 1947 A.D., he traveled to Iraq and carried out teaching in the collage of “Queen Alyaa” in Baghdad till the occurrence of the militant revolution in Iraq. Due to that, he left to Maghrib, his motherland, in the year 1959 A.D. and started his call to singling out Allâh alone in worship and abstaining from polytheism and to following the methodology of the best generation ever. And in that same year, he was appointed as a professor in the University of Muhammad the Fifth in Rabat and its branch at Fas.

In the year 1968 A.D. he received an invitation from the Prominent Shaikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz the Head of the Islâmic University in Al-Medina Al-Munawwarah in that era to work as a professor in the University and a Moroccan delegate to the University. However, Shaikh Al-Hilali has accepted the invitation and remained in Media working till the year 1974 A.D. whereof he left the university and returned back to the city of Miknas in Maghrib and dedicated his life in calling to Allâh the Most High. He started to give classes in the mosques and travel all over Morocco spreading the methodology of the pious predecessors.

He was one of those who used to write articles in Al-Fat'h magazine which is owned by Muhibbu Ad-Deen Al-Khateeb and Al-Manar magazine which is owned by Muhammad Rasheed Rida may Allâh have mercy on all of them

His Shuyuukh (his teachers):
From among his teachers may Allâh have mercy on him is:
*Shaikh Muhammad Sayyidi Ibn Habeebillah Ash-Shinqiti
*Shaikh Abdul-Rahman Ibn Abdul-Raheem Al-Mubarakfuri
*Shaikh Muhammad Al-Arabiy Al-Alawi
*Shaikh Al-Fatimi Ash-Sharawi
*Shaikh Ahmad As-Sukirij
*Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Hussein Ibn Muhsin Al-Hadeedi Al-Ansari Al-Yemeni
*Shaikh Muhammad Al-Ameen Ash-Shinqiti the author of “Adwail Bayan”
*Shaikh Rasheed Rida
*Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Ibrahim
*Some scholars of Qarawiyyeen
*Some scholars of Al-Azhar

His Books:
The books of Shaikh Taqiyyu-Deen Al-Hilali (May Allâh have mercy on him) are many and are difficult to be compiled, because they were authored in different time and at different places. From among them is:

*The Hidden Wrist and the Moving Moon in Explanation of Saheeh Al-Bukhãri (one volume)
*An Inspiration and a Favor in the Explanation of Soorat-Al-An'am
*A Summary of the Guidance of Al-Khalil in Creeds and in the Worship of the Majesty.
*A Guiding Gift to the Sect of At-Tijaniyyah
*The Just Judge Regarding the Ruling of Building on Graves
*The Chosen and Famous Knowledge and the Stretched Banner Regarding the Innovations of the Graves.
*The Household of the Prophet (s) What is for them and what is on them?
*Margins on Kitaab At-Tawheed by Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab.
*The Terminating Sword against every Polytheist and the Hypocrite.
*A Medicine for those who are Doubtful and a Suppressor for those who create doubts in Refuting the Atheist.
*Biblical proofs on the Slave hood of Jesus and that he is free from being a God
*Freeing the Captive who suffers from the Shackle of At-Tijaniyyah
*The Favor of the Great the Most High
*The Beautiful Names of Allâh “a poem”
*The Glaring Morning Regarding the Rules of the Traveler in Salat
*A Precious Covenant in Prohibiting Birth Restraining
*The Kind of Civilization we need
*Teaching the Women and Nurturing Them
*The Foreign Languages that Exist in the Holy Qur’ân
*The Manners of the Muslim Youth.
*From the Inspiration of Spain

His Death:
On Monday 25 Shawwal 1407 A.H. equivalent to 22 June 1987 A.D. the Islâmic Ummah is tested with a big catastrophe which is hard upon the pen to describe; it is the catastrophe of the death of the Shaikh Taqiyyu Ad-Deen Al-Hilali may Allâh have mercy on him and this happened in his house in the city of Daar Al-Baeda in Morocco. A big crowd accompanied his funeral including the scholars, the intellects and the politicians who were leading the funeral.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Women’s Involvement in giving Da’wah

Some of the sisters refuse to involve themselves in giving Da’wah to women using evidence that they fear falling into speaking without knowledge and by doing so they will bear the sin of that and the sin of others (whom they misinform). Is there any insight that (you can give regarding) this?

Answer: The obligation is to give Da’wah, calling to Allah and teaching when the woman has knowledge. But when she does not have knowledge then it is not permissible for her to speak (about it). That is due to the statement of Allah the Glorified, the Elevated:

{Say; This is my path, invite to Allah using insight.} Soorah Yoosuf: 108

And the Glorified and Elevated says: {Say; Rather my Lord has prohibited all forms of evil talk and illegal sexual intercourse whether it be out in the open or done in secret. And He has prohibited all sin and injustice done without right and that you associate partners with Allah without any authority from what has not been revealed. And that you say about Allah what you do not know.} Soorat-ul-A’raaf:33

It is not for just anyone to speak about Allah without knowledge whether he is a man or she is a woman. Unless the woman has knowledge then it is obligatory on her to transmit the knowledge to her sisters in Islaam from amongst her neighbors in the gatherings of the people when in their homes. She instructs the people and teaches them just as the companions of the Prophet (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) would do whether they were men or women. They would instruct and teach.

Ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him

Source: http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/18298

The Conversion of Salmaan al-Faarisee (may Allah be pleased with him)

The Conversion of Salmaan al-Faarisee
Taken from the Musnad of Imam Ahmad Vol. 5, 441 - 444
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee-may Allah guide him


It was narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, “I was informed by the very mouth of Salmaan al-Faarisee (may Allah be pleased with him) of how he converted to Islam.”

In Isfahan

“I was born a Persian from the people of Isfahan from the tribe known as Jiyye. My father was the tribal leader of his village and I was the most beloved of Allah’s creation to him. His love for me increased to the extent that he secluded me in the house like the teenage girl would be secluded to watch over the fire. I excelled in the religion of the Magians until I became the caretaker of the fire that is kept kindled; it is not to die out, not even for one hour.

My father had a large estate so one day while he was preoccupied in a building he owned he said to me, “My son, today I am busy in this building away from my estate, go to it and watch over it.” He ordered me to take care of it and to do some other things that he wished that I complete for him. As I went out to his estate I passed by a church from the many churches belonging to the Christians of that area. I could hear their voices from within while they were praying. I had no idea what they were doing since I had been secluded in the home of my father (for many years). When I passed by them hearing their voices I went in to see what was going on. Their prayer amazed me so much that I wanted to partake in it. I said to myself, ‘By Allah, this is better than the religion that we (the Magians) are upon.’ By Allah, I did not leave them until the sun had set. I did not go to the estate of my father to tend to it. I asked them where their religion had originally come from and they informed me that it came from Syria.

Thereafter I returned to my father’s home when he requested me to go and see him. When I went to him he said to me, “My son, where have you been? Didn’t I entrust you with a task to complete for me?” I told him, ‘My father, I passed by a people engaged in prayer within their church and I liked what I saw from the good things of their religion. By Allah, I stayed with them until the sun set.’ He said, “My son, there is nothing from that religion that is good. Your religion and the religion of your forefathers is much better.” I responded, “No, not at all, by Allah, it (Christianity) is better than our religion.”

Fearing for me he put a lock around my foot and had me sequestered in his home. I sent a message to the Christians telling them..."

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Regarding the Father Viewing the ‘Awrah of his Young Daughter

I go into the restroom with my younger daughters, one is five years old and the other is seven years old to help them wash their hair. Is it objectionable if I view their ‘Awrah in this state?

Answer: There is no harm in this since before reaching the age of seven there is no necessity of ‘Awrah for them whether boy or girl. There is no harm in washing them up or helping them. However when they reach seven years of age then no, she covers her ‘Awrah and she is not touched except out of necessity. Her mother touches her to wash her up or a female servant can touch her in order to wash her, there is no harm in this if the child does not know how to clean himself or herself.

Ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source:
http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/18215

Monday, March 30, 2009

The Monthly Cycle that Consists of more Days than Usual

When the woman’s monthly cycle is usually eight or seven days then all of a sudden one cycle is one day, or two days, or even more days than usual, what is the ruling?

Answer: If the woman’s monthly cycle is usually six or seven days then it is prolonged to eight, nine, ten, or eleven days then she continues not to pray until she is purified (from her menses). That is because the Prophet (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) did not define menstruation with a certain time frame. Allah the Most High says:
{And they ask you about the menses, say: It is harmful.}

So when this presence of blood remains the woman stays in this condition until she is purified and she bathes then she prays. If it is less days the following month then she bathes when purified even if it is not like her previous menses. The important thing is that when the woman is menstruating then she does not pray whether the menses corresponds to the amount of days as her last cycle or if it is more or less…then when she is purified she prays.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullah)
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source: Risaalah fee ad-Dimaa’a at-Tab’eeyah lil-Nisaa’a page 66-67

Saturday, February 28, 2009

The Obligation of the Woman to Seek Knowledge

The woman is a person who holds a moral responsibility just as the man does. It is obligatory for her to seek knowledge of the obligations that have been placed upon her. This is so that she will perform these obligations with the utmost certainty. If she has a father or a brother or a husband or a male who is her Mahram who can teach her these obligations and show her how to perform them then that will suffice her. If not then she can ask questions and learn. If she is able she can also seek a woman to teach her and familiarize her with her obligations. If not then she can learn from the scholars and people of the Sunnah as long as she is not alone. And when something happens to her regarding her religion then she can ask them about it. She should not be shy for indeed Allah is not shy regarding the truth.

By Ibn al-Jawzee (rahimahullah)
Taken from Ahkaam-un-Nisaa’a page 14
Translated by Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee – may Allah guide him

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Using Topical Medication that contains Pig Fat

The questioner has a big problem which she hopes that maybe we can summarize a ruling for her. She says that her mother used some medications and remedies for her hair that caused most of it to fall out. She says that she is embarrassed or something to this effect whenever she sits with the other women. She mentioned that a person was afflicted with what she was where most of his hair fell out and he used a remedy that cured him and caused his hair to grow back thicker. She said that he was cured and the hair grew back in thicker amounts. She wanted to get the remedy from him but he told her that after he had been cured he was told by those who could read English that the remedy contained pig fat and some of its blood. She wants to know if it is still permissible for her to use this medication since she is against using hair braids since she holds that it is impermissible for the Muslim woman. She hopes to benefit from his eminence.

Answer: All praise is for Allah, honestly this question contains two issues. The first is the use of hair braids for this type of condition which you have described that the hair has fallen out and there is no hope that it will grow back. Regarding this issue then we say that there is no harm in using hair braids for this type of condition since realistically this adding to the hair is not for the purpose of beautification. Rather it is to remove a deficiency so based on this reason it is not considered from the braiding where the Prophet (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) had cursed the one who braids the hair “he cursed the female who braided the hair and the female who sought for it to be done”.

The Waasilah is the female who braids fake hair into real hair. However this woman in reality does not resemble the Waasilah since she did not add the fake hair for the purpose of beautification or for adding hair which Allah the Blessed, the Most High has created. She wanted to remove a deficiency that occurred so there is no problem with this since it is to remove a deficiency not to add for the purpose of beautification which there is a difference between the two.

As for using this medicine that has pig fat in it, if it is confirmed that there is in fact pig fat in it then there is nothing wrong with that when done out of necessity since the only thing that is actually prohibited is eating it. Allah says: {Rather you have been forbidden cadaver, blood, or flesh of the swine}. And Allah Most High says commanding his Messenger (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him): {Say; I find no impermissibility in what has been revealed to me for the person who gives others food to eat to do so, so long as it is not cadaver meat, spilled blood, or flesh of the swine}.

It has been established from the Prophet (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) that he forbade eating the meat of the cadaver but allowed that benefit be derived from its skin after it was tanned. It has also been established from him that he forbade drinking alcohol, eating meat of the cadaver, flesh of the swine, and worshipping idols.

It was said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, what do you say about the fat of the cadaver which is used to paint the boats with and is rubbed on the skin by the people?” The Messenger of Allah (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No it is not permissible”…here he meant selling it since it is the topic of the narration and the companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) relayed this not for the sake of them knowing the ruling of these issues but for the sake of justifying its sale. They said that these benefits that the people derive from using it does not justify that it can be sold. The Prophet (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) said that it was impermissible so based on this using medication of this type to rub into the head if it is proven to be beneficial then the need is applicable and if she uses it then she must wash it off before prayer since pig fat is impure, and that is only if the medication is proven to contain this ingredient.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullah)
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source:
http://www.ibnothaimeen.com/all/noor/article_4629.shtml

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Ruling on Beautifying Oneself with Henna

What is the ruling concerning beautifying oneself with Henna and when the woman who is menstruating does it?

Answer: There is no harm in beautifying oneself with Henna, in particular the married woman who beautifies herself for her husband. As for the single woman then what is correct is that it is permissible for her with the exception that she does not display herself to the people because it is a form of beautification.

There is no harm in applying Henna during menstruation. Many questions have emerged about this from the women asking if it is permissible for a woman to apply Henna to her head, hands or feet while she is menstruating. The answer is that there is no harm in doing this because with Henna, as we known, the traces of the design remain with regard to where it is applied. This coloring does not prevent water from reaching the skin as some allege. Therefore, when the woman washes it off for the first time the bulk of it is removed and its traces of color remain so there is no harm in this.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullah)
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source: Majmoo’u Fataawaa wa Rasaail Fadheelat-ish-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen [4/288]

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Sisters Hadeeth Studies: Hadeeth One


عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا أنَّهَا قَالَتْ : قُلْتُ : يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ! عَلَى النِّسَاءِ جِهَادٌ ؟ قَالَ : نَعَمْ جِهَادٌ لاَ قِتَالَ فِيهِ هُوَ الحَجُّ وَ العُمْرَةُ رَوَاهُ ابْنُ مَاجَه وَ أصْلُهُ في البُخَارِيِّ

English Translation:
It is narrated from ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said, “I said O Messenger of Allah! Is Jihaad obligatory upon the women?” He said: Yes, a Jihaad that involves no fighting, it is al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah. Related by Ibn Maajah and its source is in al-Bukhaaree.

Literal Translation:
From ‘Aaishah Allah He is pleased with her that she, she said: I said, O Messenger of Allah! Upon the women Jihaad? He said: Yes, a Jihaad no fighting in it, it is al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah. Related it Ibn Maajah and its source is in al-Bukhaaree.

All nouns listed in the text:
عَائِشَةَ - This is the name the Mother of the Believers ‘Aaishah.
اللهُ - This is the Divine Name of Allah.

هَا - This is the abbreviation for “her” which is attached to a particle. It is considered a noun in the Arabic language.

رَسُولَ اللهِ - This is two nouns connected together which means “Messenger of Allah”. The first word means “Messenger”. This is an Idhaafah construction.

النِّسَاءِ - This means “women”.

جِهَادٌ - This is a verbal noun that means “Fighting, Striving, and Exertion”. In this narration it is talking about fighting the enemies of Islaam physically in the path of Allah under the Muslim ruler. It is not to be confused with “terrorism, suicide bombings, kidnappings, demonstrations, or the overthrowing of Muslim governments”.

قِتَالَ - This is a verbal noun for “fighting, combat, physical warfare”. It denotes that there will be loss of life and bloodshed.

هُوَ - This is the personal pronoun for “he” but in this case “it”.

الحَجُّ - This is the pilgrimage to the House of Allah; al-Masjid-ul-Haraam in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, may Allah bless it, its people, its Ruler, its government, and protect it from every disliked thing and evil.

العُمْرَةُ - This is the short form of pilgrimage that doesn’t require all of the steps of the main pilgrimage. If time permits I will translate how to perform it on the Qawl Sadeed blog inshaAllah.
ابْنُ مَاجَه - This is the name of the scholar who collected this narration Ibn Maajah. His biography can be found online at many sites.

أصْلُهُ - This has two words attached to it. The first word means “source, foundation, origin, basis, etc”. The Haa at the end is the abbreviated form of the personal pronoun “Huwa” that we mentioned above. The scholars of Arabic grammar have stated that this is an Idhaafah construction. To see more on the Idhaafah construction then visit the Aajurroomiyyah blog for more details.

البُخَارِيِّ - This is the name of the great scholar of Hadeeth Imaam al-Bukhaaree. Here the text is referring to his Saheeh as a reference.

All verbs listed in the text:
رَضِيَ - This verb is written in past tense but conveys the meaning of present since it is a supplication. It means “he was pleased, it pleased him”.

قَالَتْ - This verb is past tense feminine and means “she said”.

قُلْتُ - This is the same verb but past tense masculine or feminine singular that means “I said”.

قَالَ - This is also the same verb but past tense masculine meaning “he said”.

نَعَمْ - The scholars of Arabic grammar call this Fi’l-ul-Jawaab or the verb of response. It is translated generically as “yes” but has a deeper meaning to it. For example when someone asks you something you use this as a response (hence why it is call the verb of response) and it denotes saying “with pleasure I respond to your request” or “with delight”, etc. It is as if you are pleased to respond to the questioner.

رَوَاهُ - This means “he related it” and the root is Raa, Waa, and Yaa. When you connect the verb to the abbreviated pronoun the Yaa is dropped.

All particles listed in the text:
عَنْ - This is a particle that is Harf Jarr (or Harf Makhfoodh) that conveys the meaning of “from”.

أنَّ -This particle means “that”.

يَا - This is a particle that is used to call on some one. It is translated as “O” but colloquially it’s like the attention grabber “hey Fulaanah!”

عَلَى - This is another Harf Jarr that means “on, upon, on top of” but here it conveys the meaning of “obligation”.

لاَ - This is a particle of negation meaning “no”.

وَ - This particle is a conjunction that means “and”.

في - This particle is Harf Jarr and means “in”.

If you benefit from this then please make Duaa’ for me.

Friday, January 16, 2009

The Ruling on using Kohl

What is the ruling on using Kohl?

Answer: Applying Kohl consists of two categories:

The first is using Kohl to strengthen the eyesight, clear the eyes of any encrustation, and to clean and purify them without it being a form of beautification. There is no harm in this. Rather it is from what is befitting since the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to apply Kohl to his eyes with pure Uthmud [a powdered substance].

The second is for the purpose of beautification and adornment. This is specifically desired for the women, since it is commendable for the woman to beautify herself for her husband.

As for the men, there is a point of view and I am undecided concerning it. It is divided between the young men who fears applying Kohl as a form of hardship so he abstains from it and between the older men who does not fear applying Kohl so does not abstain from using it.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullah)
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source: Majmoo’u Fataawaa wa Rasaail Fadheelat-ish-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen [4/116]

Thursday, January 8, 2009

The Ruling on Kissing One’s Sister

Is it permissible for me to kiss my sister or for her to kiss me?

Answer: There is nothing wrong with kissing your sister or her kissing you. Likewise all of your relatives that are not permissible to marry such as your paternal and maternal aunt, your son’s wife, your mother, and your niece can be kissed on the cheek, nose, forehead, or head if they are older. The Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, used to kiss Fatimah whenever she would enter his home or vice versa and hold her hand. And as-Sadeeq Aboo Bakr, peace be upon him, when he entered the home of his daughter ‘Aaishah and she was ill he kissed her cheek.

Ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source:
http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/188

The Obligation of being Just amongst the Wives

One’s husband married another wife and he is not just and fair between her and the new wife whenever he visits her he refrains from being with her so she hopes for your advice.

Answer: It is obligatory for him to be just and fair with her. He must also repent to Allah for oppressing her.

And If he returns to being just and establishing his responsibility, then it is a must on you that you do not 'prevent him from yourself' [meaning doesn’t refuse to have intercourse with you], and also that you return to the truth and to what is correct. But if he does not act fairly then you have the right to request a divorce and refrain from being with him until he acts fairly or divorces you.

By ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Translated by Aboo Imraan al-Mekseekee – may Allah guide him

& Aboo Waheedah as-Salafee –may Allah bless him
Source:
http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/12469

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The ‘Aqeeqah for the Miscarried Fetus

A woman is asking your Eminence if the ‘Aqeeqah is performed for the miscarried fetus or not? She also mentions that the miscarriage occurred in the fourth to fifth month or in the third.

Answer: If the miscarriage was in the fifth month or after that then a soul was blown into the womb. Therefore it is given a name and an ‘Aqeeqah is performed for it and this is preferable. It is not obligatory but it is preferable to perform the ‘Aqeeqah and to name it. If the miscarriage was in the fourth month or before that then there is no name given, nor is it called a child, and no prayer is held over it. It is buried in any spot and no ‘Aqeeqah is performed since it did not completely form nor was a soul blown into it.
There is no prevalence for grief, the prevalence for grief is the one born in the fifth month or afterwards, after the soul has been blown into it. So this is preferred to give a name and to perform the ‘Aqeeqah. If it was a boy then two animals are slaughtered and if it was a girl then one sheep. This is an established Sunnah of the Prophet may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him.

By ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Translated by Aboo Imraan al-Mekseekee – may Allah guide him
Source:
http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/11638

Monday, January 5, 2009

The Marriage of a Woman to a Man who has some Deficiencies in His Religion

I heard that it is obligatory for the young woman not to marry anyone unless he has an Islamic appearance. I am a strict woman praise be to Allah but all of those whom have been presented to me are not strict in their practice, should I agree (to marry such a person) or not?

Answer: There is no problem in agreeing if he is Muslim. If he has some issues in doing some acts of disobedience then do not be hindered by that. Thoroughly searching for someone perfect these days is very difficult. If it is possible to find one who is known for performing the prayers and having good manners even if he has some deficiencies then there is no problem for you to marry him and that you protect your modesty then all praise is for Allah. But if it is possible to find a man known for being upright and not falling into any of the acts of disobedience then this is better and of more good.

From the examples of some of the acts of disobedience is smoking, wearing the clothes below the ankles, shaving the beard or the like then this is a deficiency and an act of disobedience. However if it is possible to find another and he is what you are looking for in a husband then it is better. But if it is not possible to find one except for this kind of person from amongst the people then there is no harm in marrying such a person for the sake of modesty, protecting one’s religion, and preserving one’s honor. Perhaps Allah will guide him because of you.

The one presenting the question asks: The Islamic appearance how is this Shaykh?

The Islamic appearance is based on the way of Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) according to the appearance of the divine legislation in his clothes, in his walking in all of his affairs he is known not to wear the clothing below the ankles, known for not shaving his beard or trimming it, known for not being arrogant. One who makes his prayers with the congregation and other such issues from the outward appearances of Islaam.

By ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Translated by Aboo Imraan al-Mekseekee – may Allah guide him

Source: http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/12340

The Ruling concerning the Muslim woman who prays and fasts but does not wear the Hijaab

What is the Ruling in Islaam concerning the Muslim woman who prays and fasts but does not wear the Hijaab (head cover)?

Answer: Her fast and her prayer are correct and all praise is for Allah. But she must repent for abandoning the wearing of the Hijaab. Disobedience does not invalidate her prayer or her fasting. Not wearing the Hijaab, speaking in a way that is not good like backbiting or slandering then this does not invalidate her prayer but it does decrease her Imaan (faith) and weakens it. She must repent to Allah for that. Likewise the wearing of the Hijaab, not wearing it in front of men is disobedience but her fast is not invalidated nor her prayer. Rather she must repent for it. Not wearing the Hijaab is considered a weakness in Imaan.

Likewise other things such as backbiting the people or doing something from the acts of disobedience, etc all of this is a deficiency and weakness in Imaan. When she performs the prayer with its conditions and obligations on time then her prayer is correct. Likewise her fasting when she fasts from what is forbidden to her and performs it the way it should be then her fast is valid. When she performs the obligations but then she does some forms of disobedience there is deficiency in her act of fasting such as backbiting, lying and the like. It is a deficiency in her fasting and weakness in her religion.

Questioner: Does his eminence want to present an explanation of the ruling of the Hijaab during the performance of the prayer in relation to the woman?

Yes, it is obligatory for her to conceal every part of her body except for the face and palms. The obligation upon her is that the woman covers all of her body in the state of prayer even the legs and even the feet. It must be clothing that will cover her feet or she must wear leather or cotton socks. As for the face then she does not have to cover it based on the consensus of the Muslim scholars, rather it is better to be uncovered. The face is uncovered in prayer. If she is alone and there is no man there present she should uncover her face. She prays with the face uncovered. This is better and it is the Sunnah unless there is a man present who is not her Mahram (male relative that the woman cannot marry such as the father, brother, uncle, etc.) then she covers her face from him. As for the palms then it is better to cover them but if she uncovers them then there is no harm Allah willing.

By ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Translated by Aboo Imraan al-Mekseekee – may Allah guide him
Source:
http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/11091

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Benefit of being good to one’s daughters

I request from his eminence to present some advice for the one who is being tested by way of one’s daughters and the benefit in raising them and in dealing with them in a good manner.

Response: It is necessary that those who provide for their daughters that they be good to them and raise them while observing good manners. The Prophet, the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

{Whoever is tested with something due to one’s daughters and remains good to them (during this trial) then he will have a cover that will protect him from the hellfire (on the Day of Judgment).}*

The Sunnah is to raise them while observing good manners, and to invite them to righteousness. As well as being gentle with them as there is glad tidings in being good to one’s daughters or sisters. And they should invite them to Allah by finding them righteous husbands who will excel in protecting them and enjoin them to fulfill the commands of Allah.

ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Arabic Source:
http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/1649
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee-may Allah guide him

* Related by at-Tirmidhee in Kitaab-ul-Birr was-Silah (the Book of Piety and Relations with the Relatives) under the chapter “What has been revealed regarding one’s spending on the daughters and sisters” with the wording: {Whoever is tested with something due to one’s daughters and he is patient with it then he will have a cover that will protect him from the hellfire (on the Day of Judgment).} And he also said in a narration graded as Hasan that was related by Ibn Maajah in Kitaab-ul-Adab (the Book of Manners) in the chapter “Serving the parents and being good to one’s daughters” with the wording: {Whoever has three daughters and is patient with them and feeds them, gives them drink, and clothes them from his provisioning, he will have a cover that will protect him from the hellfire on the Day of Judgment.}