209. Donating Organ

By  Asma Bint Shameem

Donating organs is allowed in Islam if certain conditions are met. 

The Islamic Fiqh Council issued a statement where these conditions were quoted. 

Some of these are:

1. It is permissible to transplant an organ from one place in a person’s body to another place in the same body, but attention must be paid to ensuring that the expected benefits outweigh any possible harm; that is subject to the condition that this is done to replace a lost organ or body part, or to restore its regular shape or function, or to correct a fault or remove a deformity that is causing the person psychological or physical harm. 

2. It is permissible to transplant an organ from the body of one person to another if it is an organ that renews itself automatically, such as blood and skin. But attention must be paid to the condition that the donor be fully qualified and fulfil the shar’i conditions. 

3. It is permissible to make use of organs that have been taken from the body of another person due to sickness, such as taking the cornea from the eye of a person whose eye has been removed due to sickness. 

4. It is haraam to transplant an organ on which life depends, such as transplanting the heart from a living person to another person. 

5. It is haraam to transplant an organ from a living person when its removal may cause an essential function to cease, even though his life does not depend on it, such as taking the corneas of both eyes. But if he will still have partial function after removing it, then the matter is subject to further discussion as we shall see below in section 8. 

6. It is permissible to transplant an organ from a dead person to a living person whose life or basic essential functions depend on that organ, subject to the condition that permission be given by the deceased before his death, or by his heirs after his death, or by the authorities in charge of the Muslims if the identity of the deceased is unknown or he has no heirs. 

7. It should be noted that the agreement on the permissibility of organ transplants explained above is subject to the condition that this is not done by selling the organs, because it is not permissible to subject human organs to sale under any circumstances. 

As for the beneficiary spending money in order to obtain the required organ where necessary or offering compensation or honouring the donor, this is subject to ijtihaad and further discussion. 

And there are others

And Allaah knows best

208. Don’t Leave Istighfar

Don’t leave Istighfar :) 

A man once came to al-Hasan al-Basri and complained to him: “The sky does not shower us with rain.” 

He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness (i.e. say أستغفر ألله).”

Then another person came to him and said, “I complain of poverty.” 

He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness.”

Then another person came to him and complained, “My wife is barren; she cannot bear children.” 

He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness.”

The people who were present, said to al-Hasan: “Everytime a person came to you complaining, you instructed them to seek Allah’s forgiveness?”

Al-Hasan al-Basri said, 
“Have you not read the statement of Allah? ‘I said “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving. He will send rain to you in abundance; increase you in wealth and children; grant you gardens and bestow on you rivers.”‘” [Nuh (71):10-12]

There are two things in the Earth that give a person safety and security from the punishment of Allah. The first has been removed, whilst the second still remains. 

As for the first, it was the Messenger of Allah (صلي ألله عليه و سلم).“Allah would not punish them while you were among them.” [al-Anfal (8):33] 

As for the second, it is istighfar. “Allah would not punish them as long as they sought forgiveness.” [al-Anfal (8):33]أستغفر ألله… أستغفر ألله… أستغفر ألله…

Do not ever leave istighfar!

Astaghfirullaaha wa 'atoobu 'ilayhi

I seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him. 

Recite 100 times in Arabic during the day. 

It is reported in Sahih Muslim that Prophet Muhammad  صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  said: “I seek forgiveness 100 times in a day.” 

[Muslim]

Please share and remember that you will receive the reward for all those who make istighfar, due to your reminder.

207. Dressing Of the Woman

By Asma Bint Shameem

A woman can wear jeans, T-shirts, etc and there’s no problem in that as long as she wears them in front of her mahrams and not out there in front of nonmahrams. 

That’s because jeans and 

T-shirts are tight and expose the shape of the body. 

And it’s against the principles of Hijaab that she goes out in front of nonmahrams exposing herself. 

That’s a major sin. 

In order for our Hijaab to count, we MUST cover hair COMPLETELY.

Just loosely placing a scarf on your head, with hair showing from the sides, is NOT hijaab.

We MUST cover our necks and chest.

Our sleeves should be LONG, ALL the way to the wrist; our
scarves and dupattas can NOT be see-through; Our clothes can NOT be tight. the shape of our thighs can NOT be seen because the of the long slits of our shirts.

Shaikh al-Albaani outlines the conditions of Hijaab. 

He said:

1. It should cover all the head and body, apart from whatever has been exempted (meaning face and hands).

2. It should not be an adornment in and of itself. 

3. The material should be thick and not transparent or "see-through"

4. It should be loose, not tight so that it describes any part of the body

5. It should not be perfumed with fragrance. 

6. It should not resemble the clothing of men. 

7. It should not resemble the dress of non-Muslim women.

8. It should not be a garment of fame and vanity.

And Allaah knows best.

206. Arrangement Of The Aayaat

 BY Asma Bint Shameem

The Qur’aan was revealed to the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam over 23 years starting right from the time Jibreel came to the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in the cave of Hira up to shortly before his death Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

It was the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam himself who arranged the order of the Aayaat In the Qur’aan. 

And there’s consensus among the ulama about this. 

It was upon the instructions of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam to the Sahaabah that the arrangement of the Aayaat within the Surahs was made. 

That was exactly how Jibreel Alaiyhis-Salaam told the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, upon the instructions of Allaah, to arrange the Aayaat of the Qur’aan, where to put them and in which order. 

This arrangement and order of the Aayaat was also well known among the Sahaabah because they used to pray behind the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam every single day and they used to hear him recite the Aayaat in this particular order. That’s how they they learnt it and that’s how they memorized it. 

Uthmaan radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

used to receive revelation of Surahs with many aayahs. When they were revealed, he would call his scribes and tell them, ‘Put these aayaat in the soorah where such-and-such is mentioned.’ (Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi and others)

Al-Baghawi said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to instruct his companions and teach them what was revealed to him of the Qur’aan in the order in which it appears in our Mus-hafs now, the order which Jibreel taught him. When each aayah was revealed, Jibreel would tell him, this aayah is to be written after such and such an aayah in Surah such and such. 

Thus it is clear that the efforts of the Sahaabah were limited solely to gathering the Qur’aan in one place, not to arranging its order. The Qur’aan is written on al-Lawh al-Mahfooz in this order, then Allaah sent it down in its entirety to the first heaven, whence it was revealed in stages as it was needed, and the order in which it was revealed is not the order in which it is recited.”  (Sharh al-Sunnah)

As far as the arrangement of the Surahs is concerned, there is a difference of opinion among the scholars about that. 

Some of them said that it was the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam himself who arranged the order of the Surahs upon the instructions of Allaah through Jibreel. 

But some of them said it was the Sahaabah who made ijtehaad and gathered the Surahs In this particular manner. 

And Allaah knows best about that. 

However we do know that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam used to review the Qur’aan with Jibreel Alaiyhis-Salaam every year in Ramadhaan and in the last year of his life, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam reviewed the Qur’aan with him twice. 

So this order of the Surahs was well known to him Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and he approved of it. 

And so that’s how we have the Surah arrangement in the Musaahif we have today since the time of Uthmaan radhi Allaahu anhu. 

And Allaah knows best

205. Which Surahs Of The Qur’aan Should I Read Daily/Weekly?

By Asma Bint Shameem

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam used to read certain specific Suwar (plural of Surah) and Aayaat of the Qur’aan on a regular basis at a specific time or day of the week and he encouraged us to do the same. 

But we can only read those Suwar on a regular basis for which there’s PROOF from the authentic ahaadeeth. 

If there’s no such proof, then reading any Surah of the Qur’aan on a specific day or a specific time or a specific number becomes an ADDITION to the Deen that was sent to the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

And that’s a big SIN. 

May Allaah protect us. 

So let’s see what some of those Suwar are that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam read on a regular basis, daily or weekly. 

1. Reciting Surah al-Kahf on Fridays:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.”

(al-Haakim, al-Bayhaqi- saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani)

2. Reciting Surah al-Mulk at Night

Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ud radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“Whoever reads 'al-Mulk’ every night, Allaah will protect him from the torment of the grave. 

At the time of the Messenger of Allaah sal Allaahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, we used to call it al-mani'ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allaah, there is a chapter [and] whoever recites it every night has done very well.”

(Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib, no. 1475)

3. Reading the last two Aayaat of al-Baqarah at bedtime:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever recites the last two verses of Soorat al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

4. Reciting Surah Bani Israa’eel and Surah az-Zumar at night:

Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said: 

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would not go to sleep until he had recited Bani Israa’eel (Soorat al-Isra’) and al-Zumar.”

(al-Tirmidhi -saheeh by al-Albaani)

5. Reading Surah al-Kaafiroon at bedtime:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Recite Qul yaa ayyuha’l-kaafiroon then go to sleep at the end of it, for it is a disavowal of shirk.” 

(Abu Dawood  and at-Tirmidhi-saheeh by al-Albaani)

6. Reading Aayatul Kursi at bedtime:

Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

appointed me to guard the zakaah of Ramadhaan, then someone came and started rummaging in the foodstuff … and at the end of the hadeeth he said: 

*“When you go to your bed, recite Aayat al-Kursiy, for there will remain with you a guardian from Allaah, and no devil will approach you, until morning comes.”*

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“He told you the truth although he is a liar. That was a devil.” (al-Bukhaari) 

7.  Reading the last three Suwar of the Qur’aan at bedtime:

Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:

“When the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam went to bed every night, he would hold his hands together and blow into them, and recite into them Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad, Qul a’oodhu bi rabb il-falaq and Qul a’oodhu bi rabb il-naas. Then he would wipe them over whatever he could of his body, starting with his head and face and the front of his body, and he would do that three times.”

(al-Bukhaari)

8. Reading Surah as-Sajdah before sleeping:

Jaabir radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam never used to sleep until he had recited Alif-laam-meem tanzeel [al-Sajdah] and Tabaarak alladhi bi yadihi’l-mulk [al-Mulk].”

(al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad- saheeh by al-Albaani)

9. Reading Aayatul Kursi and the last three Suwar of the Qur’aan after Salaah. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever recites Aayat al-Kursiy immediately after each prescribed prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and his entering Paradise except death.” (al-Nasaa’i- saheeh by al-Albaani)

And Uqbah Bin Aamir radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu alaiyhi wa Sallam ordered him to recite the last three Surahs of the Qur'an after every prayer.” 

(Ahmad - saheeh by al-Albaani)

10. Reading Surah al-Aa’laa, Kaafiroon and Ikhlaas in Witr. 

Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abzaa radhi Allaahu anhu said that the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to recite Sabbih isma Rabbik al-Alaa (Surah al-Aa’laa), Qul yaa ayyuhaal-kaafiroon (Surah al-Kaafiroon) and Qul huwa Allaahu ahad (Surah al-Ikhlaas) in his witr prayer.” (al-Nisaai- saheeh by al-Albaani)

11. Reciting Surah al-Kaafiroon and Surah al-Ikhlaas in the Sunnah of Fajr and Sunnah of Maghrib:

Abu Huraira radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would recite in the prayer before dawn prayer the verses, ‘Say: O you unbelievers…’ (Surah al-Kaafiroon) and, ‘Say: He is Allah alone…’ (Surah al-Ikhlaas)” (Muslim)

And Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to recite in the two Rak’aat for Fajr, and two Rak’aat after Maghrib prayer: “Say: O you unbelievers…” (Surah al-Kaafiroon) and, “Say: He is Allah alone…” (Surah al-Ikhlaas)”

(at-Tabarani - Saheeh by al-Albaani)

12. Reciting Surah al-Ikhlaas 10 times:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever recites Qul huwa Allaahu ahad ten times, Allaah will build for him a house in Paradise.”

(Saheeh al-Jaami al-Sagheer, 6472)

13. Reciting the last 10 Aayaat of Surah Aal-Imraan on waking up:

Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam woke up and started wiping the sleep from his face with his hand. Then he recited the last ten verses of Surah Al ‘Imran, then he got up and went to a water skin that was hanging there, and did wudu (ablution) from it and did it well, then he stood and prayed.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

 Some WEAK/FABRICATED AHAADEETH 

Listed below are some ahaadeeth that are very ‘popular’ among the people although they are either WEAK or FABRICATED. 

We should NOT be reading these Suwar DAILY or on a REGULAR basis at a SPECIFIC time because it’s NOT PROVEN that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam read them regularly at specific times or days. 

There’s no need for any one of us to follow weak ahaadeeth because Alhamdulillaah we have plenty of SAHEEH ahaadeeth to work on. 

When a hadeeth is classified as ‘weak’, it means that it’s highly DOUBTFUL that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam ever said that or did that or approved of that. 

So why indulge in something that’s doubtful and unsure?

And of course, a fabricated hadeeth is a LIE on the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. And that is a very grave sin. 

May Allaah save us. 

1. The ‘hadeeth’ about Surah ar-Rahmaan is Munkar (ODD).

“For everything there is a bride and the bride of the Qur’an is Soorat ar-Rahmaan,” 

Shaikh al-Albaani said:

“This is an ODD (munkar) hadith.” (Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth ad-Da‘eefah by al-Albaani (1350).

2. The hadeeth about Surah al-Waaqi’ah is WEAK:

“Whoever recites Soorat al-Waaqi‘ah every night, poverty will never touch him,” 

Shaikh al-Albaani said this is da‘eef (WEAK). (ad-Da‘eefah (289)

3. The ahaadeeth about Surah Yaseen are either WEAK or FABRICATED. 

“Everything has a heart, and the heart of the Qur’aan is Ya-Seen; whoever reads it, it is as if he has read the Qur’aan ten times.”

“Whoever reads Soorat Ya-Seen in one night will be forgiven in the morning.” 

“Whoever continues to read it every night then dies, will die as a shaheed (martyr).”

“Whoever enters the graveyard and reads Soorat Ya-Seen, their (punishment) will be reduced that day, and he will have hasanaat (reward) equal to the number of people in the graveyard.” 

”All the above narrations about Surah Yaseen are either WEAK or FABRICATED”

(al-Mawdoo’aat by Ibn al-Jawzi (2/313); and Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Da’eefah wa’l-Mawdoo’ah by al-Albaani)

4. The hadeeth about Surah al-Faatihah and Surah al-Muzammil is FABRICATED. 

“Any Muslim who recites the Opening of the Book (al-Faatihah) will be given as much reward as if he recited two-thirds of the Qur’aan, and he will be given reward as if he had given charity to every believer, man and woman… and whoever recites Soorat al-Muzzammil will be relieved of hardship in this world and in the Hereafter.” 

Ibn al-Jawzi said:

“This hadeeth about the virtues of the soorahs is undoubtedly FABRICATED.”

(Al-Mawdoo’aat, 1/391)

Alhamdulillaah, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala has preserved the Deen through the ulama who spent their entire lives researching and sorting through literally thousands of ahaadeeth and thus they clarified for us, which ones of these ahaadeeth are authentic and which ones are not. 

And therefore made it EASY for us to follow only the authentic ones. 

Alhamdulillaah!

That’s the promise of Allaah to preserve the TRUE Deen till the Day of Judgment. 

Of course, the whole of the Qur’aan is Noble and Blessed. 

And it’s virtuous to read ALL of it. 

Read such Surahs as they come along with your daily recitation of the Book of Allaah.

But to PICK OUT these specific Suwar and read them at certain times and days, although it’s not prescribed in the Sharee’ah to do so, is not correct. And falls under the category of bid’ah. 

May Allaah enable us to implement the true Sunnah of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and follow only the authentic ahaadeeth that are proven to be his practice. 

Ameen.

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

“And the first to embrace Islaam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirun) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allaah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.” (Surah at-Taubah:100)

204. Is There Any Special Virtue Or Reward Of Doing Ibaadah On The Night Between Thursday And Friday?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It is not allowed to *specifically* pick Thursday night for ibaadah and Qiyaam, etc. thinking that’s there’s any special virtue for doing so. 

You see, all acts of ibaadah are “tawqeefi”

That means that you have to have PROOF of that act of ibaadah from the Qur’aan and/or authentic ahaadeeth. 

When we look at these two sources of Sharee’ah, meaning the Qur’aan and Sunnah, we see NO PROOF of any *“special virtue”* or any *“special rewards”* to do ibaadah just because  it’s the night between Thursday and Friday. 

In fact, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam specifically *FORBADE* that.

 He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said

*“Do not single out the night of Friday for voluntary prayer to the exclusion of other nights. Do not single out the day of Friday for fasting to the exclusion of other days, UNLESS it is the ROUTINE of one of you.”* (Muslim 1144)

 Al-Nawawi said: 

“This hadeeth clearly indicates that it is *forbidden* to single out the night of Friday from other nights for praying, and to single out that day for fasting.“

(Sharh Muslim, 8/20)

Similarly, there is NO PROOF of any specific *duaas* to be recited or any special *prayers* to be read on this night.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam is our role model and teacher.

If he did any act of ibaadah or taught it, we should do it too. 

And if he didn’t do it, we should not do it either.

Remember... ALL goodness lies in following the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and his Sahaabah  

And all success and salvation comes ONLY by following them.

However, as per the above hadeeth, if you’re USED to praying tahajjud EVERY DAY, and it’s your ROUTINE, then you can continue with that, even if it’s a Friday.

Or if you’re specifically praying on the night between Thursday and Friday because it’s more *convenient* for you because you’re off on Fridays or because it just so happened coincidentally WITHOUT associating any special virtues to it or thinking that ibaadah on this night has special meaning, then in that situation, it is allowed to single out the night between Thursday and Friday for ibaaah and prayers. 

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said: 

“ The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: “Do not single out Friday for fasting, and do not single out the night of Friday for praying qiyaam.” So this hadeeth refers to singling it out, i.e., when a person does that JUST BECAUSE it is Friday or the night of Friday..”

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 15/414)

And Allaah knows best

203. There Is NO Such Thing As Two Rak’ah Of Shukr

By Asma Bint Shameem

NOTHING of this sort has been proven from the practice of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh said:

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would fall down in prostration to Allaah whenever he heard any good news. This indicates that Sujud-ul-Shukr is Mustahabb (desirable) when a person receives a blessing or is saved from evil. Sujud-ul-Shukr consists of one prostration only.

There is no basis in Sharee’ah for repeating Sujud-ul-Shukr every day.

It is prescribed to offer Sujud-ul-Shukr when a blessing is granted or an evil is warded off. 

It is also baseless in Sharee’ah to have the intention to offer two Rak’ah in thankfulness to Allaah every day. 

Likewise, there is no basis in Sharee’ah for continuously offering two Rak’ah in thankfulness to Allaah, and the same applies to offering Sujud-ul-Shukr continuously.” (aliftaa.net)

And Allaah knows best.

202. Should I Re-do My Wudhu If I Changes My Baby,s Diapers?

By Asma bint Shameem

I changed my baby's diaper, although I had wudhu. 

Do I have to re-do my wudhu?

The majority of the scholars said that changing the baby’s diaper does not invalidate wudhu. 

What else DOES NOT break wudhu?

- touching the private parts of a young child to wash them

- touching (or stepping on) najaasah itself

- touching clothes soiled with najaasah  

- coming in contact with vomit

The only thing we have to do is to wash our hands or that part which came in contact with the najaasah, of course. . 

Sheikh Abdullah ibn Jibreen said:

“If someone touches somebody else’s private parts with lust, then that invalidates his wudhu. 

However, there is a difference of opinion when such touching is not accompanied with lust. 

The *strongest* opinion is that touching the private parts of a baby in order to clean the baby does *not* nullify wudu because such is not a cause of sexual desire.

Furthermore, it is something that almost all people have to go through and if it were to nullify wudu, it would cause great hardship. 

And, if it did nullify ablution, this would have been well-known among the Companions and those who came afterwards.” 

And Shaikh Saleh al-Munajjid said:

“As for changing a baby’s diaper, if you mean the act of changing itself, this does not affect the validity of one’s wudhu.

If you mean that it involves touching something that is impure, i.e., the baby’s urine and stools, this does not affect your wudhu either, because there is no connection between touching something impure and the validity of one’s wudhu. 

It has been reported that there is scholarly consensus on this point, as stated in the book Al-Awsat by ibn Al-Mundhir (1/203). 

All one has to do is to wash his hands to get rid of any impure material.”

Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen said:

"If a woman washes her child, boy or girl, and touches the child’s private part, she does not have to do wudoo’, rather she only has to wash her hand, because touching the private part without desire does not necessitate wudoo’. It is known that when a woman washes her children, desire does not even enter her mind, so if she washes her child she only needs to wash her hands to get rid of any najaasah that has got onto them, and she does not have to do wudoo’." 

(Majmoo’Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen(11/203).

So all you have to do is just wash your hands. 

And Allaah knows best

201. Tahiyyatul Wudhu

By Asma bint Shameem 

Tahiyyatul Wudhu is the two units of prayer that we can pray after completing our Wudhu. 

One day the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam was dreaming and he heard the footsteps of Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu In Jannah with him In his dream. So when he woke up, he asked Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu about it. 

“Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allaah) you  have done since your acceptance of Islaam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” 

Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu said : 

“I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make wudhu at any time of night or day, I offer salah for as long as was destined for me to offer.” (Al-bukhari and Muslim)

And Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu also said: 

“I never gave the adhaan but I prayed two rak‘ahs, and I never invalidated my Wudhu but I did Wudhu immediately and thought that I owed it to Allaah to pray two rak‘ahs.”

(at-Tirmidhi— saheeh by al-Albaani)

Tahiyyatul Wudhu is a Sunnah prayer; something the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam approved of. 

Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu prayed these rak’aat whenever he made wudhu. And that earned him the pleasure of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

We should also try and pray these rak’aat whenever we can. And hopefully we too, can earn the pleasure of our Rabb. 

Can I pray Tahiyyatul wudhu even during the prohibited time of prayer?

Yes, it’s true that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam has prohibited praying nawaafil after Fajr until sunrise and after Asr until Maghrib. 

However, this is a *GENERAL* prohibition and NOT something *absolute*. 

Therefore, it is ALLOWED to pray Tahiyyatul Wudhu even during these prohibited times because there is a SPECIFIC REASON for this prayer.

The prohibition to pray at these specific times applies to GENERAL VOLUNTARY prayers, which the scholars call al-nafl al-mutlaq (general nafl prayer). 

But IF there’s a NEED and a REASON to pray, it’s ALLOWED EVEN at the prohibited times. 

So if you want to pray Tahiyyatul wudhu, or Tahiyyatul Masjid, or the two rak’ah after Tawaaf, or you have to pray the  istikhaarah Prayer, or you missed the Sunnah associated with the obligatory Salaah, and other scenarios, then it’s allowed to pray such prayers even at the prohibited times because there’s a REASON why these prayers are being done. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said about the hadeeth regarding prayer during the prohibited times:

“To sum up, this hadeeth is specific; if a person offers a prayer for which there is a *reason*, then it is not prohibited. 

*If a person does wudhu’, it is permissible for him to pray two rak’ahs at a time when prayer is otherwise forbidden, because there is a reason for this prayer.*

What I have mentioned....is the correct view, because there is no prohibition on the prayers for which there is a reason.”

[Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (14/344)]

Can I combine Tahiyyatul Wudhu with other prayers? 

Yes. 

Since Tahiyyatul wudhu is any two rak’ah prayer done after completing the wudhu, we can COMBINE the intention of praying Tahiyyatul wudhu with other prayers, even the FARDH prayer and thus get DOUBLE rewards In Shaa’ Allaah. 

And Allaah knows best.

200. How To Be TRULY Thankful To Allaah

By Asma bint Shameem 

Thankfulness to Allaah is not just to say ‘Alhamdulillaah’ absentmindedly with the tongue. 

Rather, TRUE Thankfulness has three parts:

1. It’s SAYING it with the *tongue*.  

2. And being CONTENT in the *heart*.  

3.And SHOWING it in your ACTIONS by USING your *limbs* and *faculties* in OBEYING Allaah and keeping them away from all that’s displeasing to Him. 

THAT’S true Thankfulness 

THAT’s real Shukr. 

Shukr is a whole ATTITUDE 

It’s a WAY OF LIFE. 

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“Gratitude should be:

in the heart, in submission and humility; 

on the tongue, in praise and acknowledgement; 

and in the physical faculties, by means of obedience and submission.”

(Madaarij al-Saalikeen (2/246)

Abu Hazim al-Zahid said:

“As for the one who gives thanks with his tongue but does not give thanks with all of his physical faculties, his likeness is that of a man who has a cloak; he takes hold of the edge of it, but does not put it on, so it is of no benefit to him against cold or heat or snow or rain.” 

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said: 

“Gratitude is of two degrees: 

1. One of which is OBLIGATORY, which is doing obligatory actions and avoiding haram (unlawful) things. 

This is essential and is sufficient as gratitude for these blessings. 

Hence one of the salaf said: 

“Gratitude means giving up sin”.  

And one of them said: 

“Gratitude means not using any blessing to help one to disobey Him.”

2. The second degree of gratitude is that which is RECOMMENDED, which is when, after doing obligatory actions and avoiding haraam things, a person does supererogatory acts of worship. 

This is the level of those who have gone ahead and are closer to Allaah.”

(Jaami’ al-‘Uloom wa’l-Hukam (p. 245, 246) 

*HOW to thank Allaah* 

*a) With the HEART* 

Thanking Allaah with the heart means you ACKNOWLEDGE that in your heart. 

KNOW and BELIEVE that the Giver of ALL the innumerable blessings and the Bestower of EACH and EVERY bounty is no one but Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, al-Kareem, the Most Generous. 

Everything IN you, ON you and AROUND you is from Allaah Alone. 

So VENERATE Him, ATTRIBUTE it to Him Alone, and GLORIFY Him. 

For it is HE Alone Who blessed you. 

It is He Alone Who gave you. 

And if He had withheld it from you, NO ONE could EVER give it to you. 

Giving thanks with the heart also means to be HUMBLE and MODEST. 

Because you KNOW and acknowledge that all blessings are a GIFT to you from Him. 

It’s HIS Credit. 

HIS Virtue. 

HIS Praise. 

And NOTHING to do with you. 

*b) With the TONGUE* 

Thanking Allaah with the tongue means that you ACKNOWLEDGE that on your lips. 

So give thanks to Him when you sit down to eat. 

And give thanks to Him when you wake up in the morning for giving you new life...

And give thanks to Him when you put on your clothes, and when you relieve yourself and when you go to bed. 

Give thanks to Him for EVERY Blessing you see in your life. 

SAY Alhamdulillaah. 

And MEAN it. 

*c) With the LIMBS* 

Giving thanks to Allaah with the limbs means to use your eyes and ears and hands and feet in goodness and obedience; 

Don’t use them for evil and transgression. 

Don’t use your hands to inflict harm or commit evil. 

Don’t walk with your feet to haraam places. 

Lower that gaze and don’t let it fall on the forbidden. 

Don’t listen to music. 

Don’t hear any gossip. 

Don’t use your tongue in cursing, or lying or backbiting. 

No hurtful words. 

No snide remarks. 

Instead; say a kind word, a sincere advice, a beautiful encouragement.

Use your eyes to SEE nothing but good. 

Use your ears to HEAR nothing but good. 

 Abu Haroon said: 

“I entered upon Abu Hazim, and said to him: 

“May Allah have mercy on you, what is the gratitude of the eyes? 

He said: 

“If you see something good with them, you mention it, and if you see something bad with them, you conceal it.”

I said: 

“What is the gratitude of the ears?”

He said:

“If you hear something good with them, you remember it, and if you hear something bad with them, you forget it.”

What a beautiful way to thank Allaah for these precious and irreplaceable blessings of the eyes and ears!

Remember that gratitude for blessings is a blessing in itself, which needs to be given thanks for!

So we even need to thank Allaah for enabling us to thank Him!

Subhaan Allaah!

Alhamdulillaah!

Al-Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyadh said: 

“Whoever *recognises* the bounties of Allaah from His *heart*, and thereupon thanks Allaah with his *tongue*, he would not finish thanking Allaah, except that he sees MORE (of Allaah’s bounties), for Allaah Ta’ala said: 

“If you be thankful, We will increase you (in bounty)” (Surah Ibrahim: 7)

May Allaah enable us to truly appreciate His Blessings upon us and make us amongst the grateful. Ameen.

199. Eclipse....Yet Another Sign Of Allaah’s Power

By Asma bint Shameem 

People living in Europe, Asia, Australia or Africa are expected to see an “spectacular solar eclipse”. 

Everyone is so excited!

They've been talking about it for days. 

They “can’t wait” to witness this spectacular phenomenon, something Space watchers have called a “Ring of Fire”

It’s the ‘talk’ of the social media, some are making special plans for an ‘eclipse party’, some are gathering with family and friends so that they can watch and 'enjoy' these few moments together, to be 'entertained' by the night sky, laughing, joking, having a good time.

Now let's rewind and go back to another time, another place. 

1400 years ago. 

The desert sun was shining brightly when all of a sudden, darkness gathered in the middle of the day. 

The sun could no longer be seen. 

It was also a solar eclipse. 

At that moment, what did the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) do? 

What did the Sahaabah do?

Did they all gather together to ' witness this spectacular phenomenon'?... so that they can 'enjoy' these few moments together?..... to be 'entertained' by the afternoon sky, laughing, joking, having a good time?

NO. Not at all.

Rather, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) rushed to the Masjid, gathered all the Sahaabah and *prayed*. 

They *humbled* themselves to the Lord of the worlds and prayed a special prayer called Salaat al-Kusoof. 

They were bowing and prostrating, beseeching Allaah to forgive them, asking for His Mercy, hoping for His forgiveness. 

They gave in charity and rushed to do other good deeds.

WHY? 

Weren't they impressed by this awesome phenomenon?

They were....but in a *different* way.

The eclipse was a sign, among the signs of Allaah, that reminded them of the Greatness, the Supremacy, the Ultimate POWER of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala over all things.

 "And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate yourselves to Allaah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him" 

(Surah Fussilat: 37)

 And the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death of someone from the people but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them, stand up and pray." (al-Bukhaari)

The eclipse was a *reminder* for them of a day not so far away.....a day that mankind would have to face when the sun would really lose its light and the moon would be eclipsed, the stars would fall and there will be no place to flee.

Abu Musa radhi Allaahu anhu said:

"The sun eclipsed and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) got up, being afraid that it might be the Hour (Day of Judgment). He went to the Masjid and offered a prayer with the longest Qiyaam, bowing and prostration that I had ever seen him doing. 

Then he said, "These signs which Allaah sends do not occur because of the life or death of somebody, but Allaah makes His worshippers afraid by them. 

So when you see anything thereof, proceed to remember Allaah, invoke Him and ask for His forgiveness."  

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

They were afraid that the eclipse might be a WARNING from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala, a precursor to an affliction, such as famine, disease, etc., by means of which Allaah makes His slaves afraid. 

So they turned to Allaah at this time of fear, making du’aa’ and seeking His forgiveness, hoping it will remove the cause of His Wrath. 

They remembered what Allaah said in His Book:

“And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction)” 

( Surah al-Israa’ :39)

Eclipses may be a natural phenomenon but the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) and the Sahaabah  understood the seriousness of the issue of eclipses. 

They knew its no time for fun and games.

After the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) finished praying, and the eclipse was over he addressed the people, then he said: 

“O Ummah of Muhammad, by Allaah there is no one more jealous than Allaah when His slave, male or female, commits zina. O Ummah of Muhammad, if you knew what I know you would laugh little and weep much.’” (al-Bukhaari)

Remember, a lunar or solar eclipse is not a time to be 'entertained' by the moon or the sun, nor is it a time to gather and have a 'good time' or ‘party’. 

Nor is it a time to be *superstitious*. 

Rather it is a time be solemn and grave, to pray to Allaah and turn to Him for forgiveness and Mercy.

Sure, we can look at the eclipse, but look at it to REMIND yourself.

REFLECT on the eclipse. 

Surely, it is a superb phenomenon indeed. 

But it only serves to increase the Imaan of the believer.......How Powerful is the One who can subjugate His creation, such as the moon and the sun to serve Him and obey Him!

Subhaan Allaah!

How Mighty is the one who controls these humongous creations of His and how Great is His Command!

Remember the Day when the sun will be extinguished and the moon will be eclipsed.....just like its supposed to tonight. 

The only difference is....

THIS time it will END in a few hours. 

And at THAT time.....it won't.

"When will the Day of Resurrection be?' he asks.

But, when the sight shall be dazed, 

And the moon will be eclipsed, 

And the sun and moon are gathered together (folded up, deprived of their light) 

On that Day the human will ask: 'To (which place) shall I flee?

No, there shall be no (place of) refuge.

For on that Day the refuge shall be to your Lord (alone).

On that Day the human shall be informed of his former and latter deeds.

He shall be a clear proof against himself,

even though he offers his excuses." (Surah Qiyaamah: 6-15)

What to do?

So turn to Allaah at times like these and others, remembering Him, 

- seek His forgiveness. 

- Make a lot of duaa, 

- give sadaqah, 

- read Qur’aan, 

- do good deeds and 

- pray the Eclipse prayer. 

- And clarify in your mind all superstitions associated with eclipses such as shutting yourself inside the home, or that eclipses may cause birth defects in babies, or that it will cause harm to pregnant women, etc.

In congregation or alone

Shaikh Salih al-Munajjid said:

“It is sunnah to pray the Eclipse prayer (Salaat al-Kusoof) in congregation, 

because this is what the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did. 

But if someone wants to pray it on their own at home, that’s also allowed. 

However, praying it in congregation is better.” 

How to pray the Eclipse prayer

The Eclipse prayer is Sunnah Mu’akkadah and is a two Rak’ah prayer. 

But it has two rukoo in EACH rak’ah. 

How to pray this prayer step by step :

- say Allaahu Akbar and enter into the prayer 

- Read the opening duaa, and al-Faatihah as you would for any prayer. 

- then after al-Faatihah, read Qur’aan making the recitation LONG.

(If you’re praying by yourself, you may look into the 

Mus-haf and read directly)

- go into rukoo, making it lengthy

- rise from rukoo saying the dhikr as you would for any other prayer. (“Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa laka al-hamd”)

- Then instead of going into sajdah, you will start reading al-Faatihah AGAIN, followed by another lengthy recitation of the Qur’aan. 

But this time, don’t make it as long as the first recitation.

- then go into rukoo again, making it lengthy but not as long as the first time.

- rise from rukoo as usual saying “Sami‘a Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa laka al-hamd”

and stand for a long time making duaa. 

- go into sajdah twice (as usual), making each sajdah lengthy. 

- Then get up for the second rak‘ah, and do the same as you did in the first rak‘ah, bowing twice and so on, but each action is not as long as in the first. 

- Then sit for tashahhud and say the tasleem as you would for any other prayer. 

So all together, there are FOUR rukoo and FOUR sujood. 

Important points

- *only those people who can SEE the eclipse, or are in the region where the eclipse is happening, will read this prayer.*

*Just because you “know” that an eclipse is happening somewhere in this world does not count.*

That’s because the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“When you SEE that, then pray.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“ It should also be noted that it is not prescribed for the people who live in a country where the eclipse is not happening to offer the prayer, because the Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam connected the command to pray etc to actual sighting of the eclipse, not to news from astronomers that an eclipse was going to happen, or to its happening in another country. Allaah says: 

“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)” [al-Hashr 59:7] 

If it was prescribed to offer the eclipse prayer on the basis of astronomers’ reports, or when an eclipse occurs in another region that is only seen by the local inhabitants, then he would have said so and would have guided his ummah to do that. Since he did not say that, rather he said the opposite, and he told his ummah to base their actions on actual sighting of the eclipse, we know from that that this prayer is only prescribed for those who see the eclipse and in whose land it occurs.” (Kitaab Majmoo’ Fataawa Wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah Li Samaahat , 13/30)

*So for Sunday’s eclipse, people in North America will not pray this prayer*, because this eclipse can only be seen  in Asia, Europe and Africa and Australia. 

According to the experts:

“Regions seeing, at least, a partial eclipse: South/East Europe, Much of Asia, North in Australia, Much of Africa, Pacific, Indian Ocean.”

- pray this prayer at the TIME of the eclipse, AS it is happening, and try and pray as long as the eclipse lasts. 

- if you’re done early before the eclipse ends, keep yourself busy with dhikr, Istighfaar etc 

And Allaah knows best.

198. You Cannot Use Artificial Nails

By Asma Bint Shameem

They prevent water from reaching underneath and therefore the wudhu would not be valid. 

In any case we’re supposed to cut our nails and not let them grow long. 

It’s part of the fitrah to cut nails. 

And growing long nails is *against* the fitrah or natural disposition of man. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The fitrah is five things: circumcision, removing the pubic hair, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails, and plucking the armpit hairs.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

And Anas radhi Allaahu anhu  said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam set a time limit for us to cut our moustaches, cut our nails, pluck our armpit hairs and shave our pubic hairs: we were not to leave it any longer than FORTY DAYS.” (Muslim)

Shaikh Abdur Rahman ibn Nasr Al-Barrak was asked:

What is the verdict on wearing artificial fingernails and 

eyelashes? 

Is this act considered among the acts of joining false hair with real hair? 

He said;

“Adding synthetic fingernails disagrees with the sunnah and (fitrah) natural disposition. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

There are five things among the Fitrah:

Following these words, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam mentioned  clipping the fingernails. 

Also Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  mentioned when the nails must be clipped; and that they shouldn’t grow unclipped beyond forty days. Intentionally extending the fingernails causes a person to resemble an animal or disbeliever. 

This act is disfeaturing for a woman and not beauty. 

When a woman adds fake nails this shows she has a  corrupt fitrah and decreased intellect. 

Similarly, adding synthetic eyelashes resembles the disbelievers and is  among the acts of joining false hair with real hair.

 I consider both of these actions to be impermissible.”

And Allah knows best.