240. Women Visiting The Graves

By Asma Bint Shameem

There’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about women visiting graves. 

According to some of the ulama it's allowed for women to visit the graveyard because of the general meaning of the hadeeth in which the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  said:

 "I had forbid you from visiting the graveyards. As for now, visit them, for they remind you of death." (Muslim)

But some ulama forbade the women from going to graveyards because there's another hadeeth that says: 

"Allaah has cursed the Zawaaraat (Visitors-Feminine) of the graveyards, and those that build mosques and place lamps on them" (at-Tirmidhi and others)

And so in the opinion of the second group, it’s haraam for women to go to graves, no matter who the deceased might be. 

The first group consider the word Zawaaraat as something done repetitively on a regular basis. 

Therefore, in their opinion the prohibition for women ONLY applies IF they keep visiting the graves AGAIN and AGAIN and make it a habit that's done FREQUENTLY. 

So there are certain conditions that women have to keep in mind, if they want to follow the opinion that they can visit the graves. 

Those conditions are:

1. They are dressed Islaamically and covered properly 

2. No screaming, wailing and going hysterical 

3. They don't make it a frequent repetitive thing. 

If however someone wants to take the safest opinion then it's best to avoid going there. 

And Allaah knows best

239. Tawassul

By Asma bint Shameem

Making duaa by virtue of the status of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or by his ‘Waseelah’ or ‘Tufail’ or ‘sadaqah’ 

By Asma bint Shameem 

 Tawassul literally means “to draw close to something”.

In the Deen, asking Allaah for something by virtue of some one or some thing is called ‘Tawassul’. 

In other words, a person may hope to draw close to Allaah with certain things and hope that He will answer his duaa and fulfill his needs. 

TYPES of Tawassul 

Tawassul is a form of ‘duaa’ and since duaa is an act of ibaadah, it is ONLY allowed to be used in the form for which we have PROOF from the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah. 

Thus Tawassul is of two types:

1-Permissible Tawaasul 

This is the Tawassul that’s PROVEN from the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah. 

2-Impermissible Tawassul 

This is the Tawassul that’s NOT proven from the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah and is thus IMPERMISSIBLE. 

Some EXAMPLES of PERMISSIBLE Tawassul. 

1. Asking Allaah by His Beautiful Names and Perfect Attributes. 

Meaning you may make duaa to Allaah using His Names and Attributes and call upon Him hoping His Names and Attributes would be a means by which Allaah will answer you. 

Allaah says:

“And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them..” 

(Surah al-Aaraaf :180)

So for example, when someone is asking forgiveness from Allaah, they may say “Yaa Ghafoor, yaa Tawwaab, forgive me.”

Or if they’re asking for blessings in their rizq, they may call upon Allaah as “Yaa Razzaaq, Yaa Kareem, expand my provision for me” etc 

So in this form ofTawassul, you’re using Allaah’s NAMES  as a MEANS to have your duaa accepted. 

2. Tawassul by virtue of GOOD DEEDS. 

That is, a person may use his GOOD DEEDS as a means (Tawassul) to ask Allaah to fulfill his needs and take away his problems. 

Good deeds can be anything that’s pleasing to Allaah such as worshiping Allaah Alone, obeying Him sincerely, staying away from His prohibitions, being kind to parents, upholding the ties of kinship, spending in the path of Allaah, resisting temptation for Allaah’s sake, etc. in the hope that He will answer your duaa and fulfill your needs due to these good deeds. 

a) An example of using one’s good deeds as Tawassul is the story of the three men who got trapped in a cave during a storm and they couldn’t get out. 

So they each used the good deeds that they had done previously for the sake of Allaah, as a means to get out of the cave. 

Every time they mentioned some good deed they did for the sake of Allaah as Tawassul, to get out of the cave, the rock would move a little bit and the opening of the cave would widen, until eventually the cave opened wide and they escaped. 

This story is related in al-Bukhaari and Muslim. 

b) Or asking Allaah by virtue of admitting one’s sins and repenting to Him like Yunus Alaiyhis-Salaatu was-Salaam when he said:

“La ilaahaa illaa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu min adh-Dhaalimeen.”

“None has the right to be worshipped except You (O Allaah). Glorified (and exalted) are You. Truly I have been of the wrong-doers.”

(Surah al-Anbiya :87)

Here Yunus Alaiyhis-Salaatu was-Salaam used his sincere Taubah as tawassul to get out of the belly of the whale. 

3. Asking Allaah (tawassul) through the duaa of a righteous person. 

Meaning you may ask a righteous person that’s living (NOT a dead person) to make duaa for you hoping that Allaah may fulfill your need by accepting the duaa of that righteous person. 

These are the permissible means of Tawassul that are proven in the Sharee’ah. 

IMPERMISSIBLE Tawaasul

Tawassul is NOT allowed using the status and virtue of any one; not even the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

That’s because there’s NO PROOF of such an act in the Sharee’ah. 

Someone asked the scholars of the Standing Committee about making duaa by the status and virtue of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

They said:

“It is not permissible to make duaa to Allaah by virtue of the Messenger of Allaah or by virtue of any of the Sahaabah or anyone else, or by the life of anyone, because acts of worship are tawqeefi (i.e., we must adhere to what is prescribed in the Qur’aan and Sunnah and not worship Allaah in any way except that which has been prescribed). 

Beseeching Allaah in the manner described (in the question) has not been prescribed by Allaah, rather He has commanded His slaves to beseech Him by His names and attributes, by believing in His Oneness, by having faith in Him, and by virtue of one’s righteous deeds – not by virtue of the status of So and so or by his life. 

So we must limit ourselves to that which Allaah has prescribed. Hence it is known that beseeching Allaah by virtue of the status or life of So and so is an innovation that has been introduced into Islam.”

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (1/153)

So once this concept is clear, we can see that asking Allaah for something through the virtue of a righteous person, even if it’s the Most Honored, Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, is NOT allowed. 

However, it IS allowed to use our LOVE for the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam as Tawassul. 

Why is that?

That’s because LOVING the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam is counted  as a GOOD DEED and good deeds can be used as Tawassul. 

This is  one VERY IMPORTANT point that we must understand. 

Do make sure to understand CLEARLY in your mind that there’s a DIFFERENCE between making Tawassul through our LOVE for the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and making Tawassul through the STATUS of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

The first is ALLOWED but the second is HARAAM. 

Shaikh ibn Baaz said when explaining the permissible forms of Tawassul:

“That a person calls upon Allaah while making Tawassul by his love for Prophet Muhammad Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, his obedience to him, and his love for the righteous. Such type of Tawassul is also permissible. 

A person thus may say: "O Allaah! I ask you by virtue of my love for your Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, my obedience to him, and my love for His righteous slaves that you may grant me so and so." 

This is equivalent to supplicating to Allaah by virtue of a person's good deeds which is permissible as it is authentically reported that the three people were confined in the cave and made Tawassul by their good deeds.

Conversely, making Tawassul through asking dead prophets or righteous people to make Duaa' for a person is SHIRK. 

This is because a deceased person is not in a state to be asked to make Duaa' or anything else for anyone.

As for making Tawassul by honor of the prophets or righteous people or swearing oaths by them or by their merits in the sight of Allaah; all this is a sort of IMPERMISSIBLE Tawassul.

When the Sahabah radhi Allaahu anhum, faced drought after the death of the Prophet; they did not make Tawassul by virtue of the Prophet's honor. Instead, they made Tawassul by asking the Prophet's uncle i.e. Al-Abbas to make Duaa' for rain. 

The Sahabah did so, though the status of the Prophet is higher than the honor of all other people. 

Yet, no narration is available to the effect that the Sahabah - who belonged to the best generation and were the most loving to the Prophet and knowledgeable about his status - made Tawassul by the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam after his death.”

(Fataawa of the Permanent Committee-Fatwa # 1846 Part No. 1; Page No. 184)

And Allaah knows best

238. There’s nothing wrong with a wife taking her husband’s name

By Asma Bint Shameem

There’s nothing wrong with a wife taking her husband’s name. 

Even our Mother Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa used to take the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam’s name. 

She said:

Allaah’s Messenger said to her:

“I know when you are pleased with me or angry with me.” 

I said, “
When do you know that?” 

He said, 
“When you are pleased with me, you say, ‘No, by the Lord of Muhammad,’ but when you are angry with me, then you say, ‘No, by the Lord of Ibraheem.’ 

“Thereupon I said, 
“Yes (you are right), but by Allaah, O Allaah’s Messenger, I leave nothing but your name.”    

(al-Bukhari, vol. 7, 155)

So it’s permissible for a woman to call her husband by his name. 

But it’s good to take culture and customs also into consideration. 

And if taking your husband’s name is not the norm in your society or culture, and you’re supposed to call him by a nickname etc., then there’s nothing wrong with that either. 

And Allaah knows best

237. Is It Allowed To Learn Karate Or Martial Arts

By Asma Bint Shameem

It’s allowed to learn karate or martial arts as long as you can avoid certain practices like bowing the head.

That’s because it’s not allowed to bow to anyone except to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

Here’s what the scholars said about karate:

“The sport includes numerous physical, psychological and mental benefits, and it is in accordance with sharee’ah in some ways, and goes against it in others. 

Among the ways in which it is in accordance with Islam are:

The concealing garments which cover all the ‘awrah completely. 

The rules of this sport require wearing covering garments composed of a shirt of thick white cotton, and trousers made of the same material, which have to be wide to allow movement of the legs and feet.

Combatants are forbidden to direct blows that will cause harm to their opponents. 

The rules of the game dictate that attacks must be restrained, and must not cause harm to one's opponent, unlike the rules of boxing, for example.

But on the other hand this sport is not free of things that go against sharee’ah, such as allowing blows to the face.

In addition, it includes some religious rituals that are derived from local Indian religions, such as the exchange of greetings between the combatants, which take the form of bows that are similar to rukoo’ (the Muslim does not bow to anyone except Allaah), and the exercises such as keeping silent and focusing or meditating, which are derived from the religious rituals of Buddhism, etc. 

All of these are totally rejected by Islam.

But it is not forbidden to practise this sport once these issues have been eliminated. It is possible to eliminate them on an unofficial level, even if it is not possible to do so on an official and international level.  

It is not essential to learn these skills at the level of championships and clubs which adhere to these matters and view them as an essential part of the sport which everyone who practises it must adhere to.”

(Qadaayaa Al-Lahw Wa’l-Tarfeeh, P. 369)

And Allaah knows best

236. The Voice Of A Woman Is Not Awrah In And Of Itself

By Asma bint Shameem 

The voice of a woman is not awrah in and of itself. 

But if a woman softens her voice or beautifies it or makes it flirtatious, or laughs etc., that’s when it becomes awrah. 

So when a woman talks to a nonmahram, it’s allowed to do so. 

However, she should not do that unnecessarily; she should keep her voice straight and firm yet polite, and not laugh or make her voice soft.

Proof

Allaah says to the wives of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam:

“O wives of the Prophet! 

You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32]

Subhaan Allaah!

If that’s what Allaah says to the most  pious and righteous women, then what about ordinary people like me and you?!

Who could be more fearing of Allaah than the wives of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, the Mothers of the Believers?

They were the best, yet Allaah tells them not to soften their voices. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“The woman’s voice is not ‘awrah in principle, for women used to complain to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and ask him about Islaamic matters. 

They also did that with the Rightly-Guided Khaleefahs (may Allaah be pleased with them) and the rulers after them. 

And they would greet non-mahram men with salaams and return greetings, and none of the Imaams of Islaam denounced them for that. 

But it is not permissible for a woman to speak in a soft or alluring voice, because Allaah says:

“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32]because men may be tempted by that, as is indicated by this aayah. And Allaah is the source of strength.” 

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Iftaa, 6/83). 

The scholars said about the above Aayah:

“Every Muslim reads and hears in the Book of Allaah a verse in which Allaah warned the purest of women and the most chaste of wives, and urged them to adhere to virtue, proper etiquette and chastity, and He says, guiding them: 

“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allaah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner”

[al-Ahzaab 33:32]

Allaah wanted to teach them the means of removing impurity and the means of purification, even though they were members of the Prophet’s household and were the purest women ever known on earth. 

Other women are in greater need of these means than those who lived in the household of the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.

So He started by telling them of their high status and lofty position, and said “You are not like any other women”. 

This applies to every woman of honor and dignity who insists on (strives towards) reaching the status and position that was attained by the wives of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.

When she hears the prohibition of addressing strange men in a soft voice, she understands that Allaah has great wisdom in all that He commands and forbids, and that He is the One Who has created men and women and He knows that the soft voice of a woman may provoke desire and stir up fitnah. 

This is part of man’s nature and there is no way of attaining purity and modesty except by keeping away from means of provocation altogether. 

*Sharee’ah, which is based on wisdom, closes the door to all kinds of fitnah or temptation, even if that temptation may have little influence on the individual level, but its influence on the society on the whole and in the long term is apparent and clear. Although it may be hidden from some people, it is not hidden from Allaah, may He be glorified, the Lord of all people, and He is the one who has commanded Muslim women to speak in a serious manner.”*

(Islamqa Fatwa # 103439)

In order to avoid this ‘fitnah’, the scholars say that it’s much better for a woman to avoid even reciting the Qur’aan in front of nonmahrams because she beautifies her voice with the recitation if the Qur’aan.

 Kamaal al-Deen al-Siyoowaasi said:

“It is clearly stated in al-Nawaazil that the voice of a woman with a *“tune”*is ‘awrah. 

Based on that, for a woman to learn Qur’aan from a woman is better in my opinion than her learning Qur’aan from a BLIND man, because her voice with a tune is ‘awrah. 

Therefore the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“Tasbeeh is for men and clapping is for women.” It is not right for a man to hear her.” [Sharh Fath al-Qadeer (1/260)]

If this is the position for someone who’s reciting the Book of Allaah, then imagine how bad it is when women laugh out loud, joke and talk flirtatiously with the opposite gender!

But if she’s talking in a straight voice without any softness in it when she’s dealing with nonmahrams, there’s nothing wrong with that.

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said:

“If a woman speaks to the owner of the shop according to necessity and in a manner in which there is no fitnah, there is nothing wrong with that. 

Women used to speak to men about ordinary needs and matters in which there is no fitnah and within the bounds of necessity. 

But if it is accompanied by laughter or chitchat or an alluring tone, then this is haraam and is not permissible.” 

(Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh al-Fawzaan)

And Allaah knows best

235. It’s Hard To Take Off My Hijaab When I’M At Work/School?

By Asma Bint Shameem

QUESTION 1

It’s hard to take off my hijaab when I’m at work/school. Can I WIPE over it when making wudhu?

ANSWER

Although it’s BETTER that you take off your hijaab and do wudhu ‘properly’, sometimes in situations where it’s DIFFICULT to take the hijaab off to make wudhu, it’s ALLOWED to leave it on and just wipe over it. 

PROOF:

Al-Mughirah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Prophet wiped over his forehead, his turban, and his leather socks.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

And Bilal radhi Allaahu anhu said:

The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam wiped over leather socks and head coverings (in wudhu).” 

(Muslim)

The ulama say that the Hijaab is similar to the turban as both are head-coverings. So if the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam wiped over his turban in wudhu, similarly it’s allowed for women to wipe over their Hijaabs. 

Besides, we also know that “Umm Salamah and some other Sahaabiyaat used to wipe over their Hijaabs for wudhu.”

(Imaam Ahmad and Ibn al-Mundhir)

Ibn Taymiyyah said:

“Since it is permitted for men to wipe over clothing on the head, so is it permissible for women as it is for men. As it is permissible clothing for the head, which is usually difficult to remove, it is similar to the turban of men. Moreover, her hijaab covers more than the turban of men, it is more difficult to take off, and her need of (the concession) is greater than leather socks.” (Sharḥ ‘Umdat al-Fiqh 1/266)

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said regarding wiping over the Hijaab while making wudhu:

“Whatever the case, if there is some difficulty, either because the weather is cold or because it is difficult to take it off and put it on again, then there is nothing wrong with wiping (over the Hijaab) in such cases. 

*Otherwise it is better not to do that.”* 

(Fataawa al-Tahaarah, p. 171)

QUESTION #2

If I wipe over my Hijaab, do I have to stick my hand under the Hijaab and wipe the front of my head and my ears?

ANSWER

As long as the Hijaab covers the entire head and ears, you can just wipe over the Hijaab and you don’t *‘have’* to put your hands under the Hijaab to wipe these parts. 

However, if you do wipe the front of the head and ears, that’s *Sunnah and it’s better*. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“It is also Sunnah to wipe whatever part of the head is uncovered, such as the forelock, the sides of the head and the ears.”

(Fataawa al-Tahaarah, p. 170)

Reality check

Having said that, we also need to think about one thing:

Is it really that difficult, living in the US or anywhere else for that matter, to find an all women’s bathroom?

*No not at all!*

There are bathrooms _every_ where we go that are totally private and separate for the women. 

And we can easily, _easily_ take our Hijaab off and make proper wudhu and wipe over the head. 

So why be lazy?

Yes, the permissibility to wipe over the Hijaab is there. 

And it’s allowed IF there’s some difficulty in taking it off or if we’re in a big hurry, or it’s really cold, etc. 

But if there’s really no ‘reason’ to wipe over the Hijaab, then it’s *much better* that we do wudhu properly and wipe directly over the head. 

The ulama at Islamqa said:

“...Not every head covering may be wiped over; rather if the head is covered with something that might be problematic to take off, as in the case of a woman who fears that her hair may be seen, or she has covered her head to which she has applied henna, or it is very cold and she fears some harm (if she takes off her head cover), and other similar excuses.” 

Another point to note:

it’s not necessary that we have wudhu first before we put the Hijaab on, in order for us to wipe over it later, unlike the situation of socks that we have to put on, in a state of tahaarah in order to wipe over them later. 

And Allaah knows best

234. One Beautiful, Beloved Deed To Allaah

By Asma bint Shameem

Want to do a deed that’s beloved to Allaah?

Then fast every other day like the fast of Dawood Alaiyhis-Salaam. 

Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr radhi Allaahu anhu narrated that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The most beloved of fasting to Allaah is the fast of Dawood; he used to fast one day and not the next (i.e., fast alternate days).” 

[al-Bukhaari (1079) and Muslim (1159)]

Subhaan Allaah!

The act of Fasting is one of the most beloved deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Allaah said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it…’”  

[al-Bukhaari (1761) and Muslim (1946)]

And from the different voluntary fasts, the best and most beloved ways of fasting to Allaah is to  fast alternate days like the fasting of Dawood Alaiyhis-Salaam.  

So if you’re able to fast on alternate days, without any kind of weakness or harm to yourself, it’s recommended to fast that way. 

QUESTION

But if I fast on alternate days, one of the fasts is bound to fall on a Friday or a Saturday. 

And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam forbade singling out Friday or Saturday by itself for fasting. 

Then what?

ANSWER

Yea, it’s true that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam forbade fasting on Friday or Saturday by itself. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“No one of you should fast on Friday, unless he fasts (a day) before it or after it.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

And he also said:

“Do not fast on Saturdays apart from days when you are obliged to fast. 

If any one of you cannot find anything other than grape stalks or the twigs of a tree, let him chew it (to make sure that he is not fasting).”

(at-Tirmidhi - saheeh by al-Albaani)

But when fasting the way of Dawood Alaiyhis-Salaam, these ahaadeeth  do not apply.

That’s because the prohibition of fasting on Friday or Saturday by itself is *not absolute*. 

And if there’s a REASON to fast on a Friday or Saturday by itself, it’s allowed. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“The hadeeth of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr radhi Allaahu anhu indicates that if fasting on a Friday or Saturday coincides with a day one usually fasts, without intending to single that day out for fasting, then there is nothing wrong with it, because if he fasts alternate days, then that will coincide with some Fridays and Saturdays. 

Thus it becomes clear that fasting on these days is not haraam. 

Otherwise the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would have said: 

“Fast one day and not the next, so long as that (fasting) does not coincide with a Friday or Saturday.”

(Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 6/476)

And he said:

“When it happens to be a day when he habitually fasts, such as a person whose habit is to fast alternate days, and the day that he fasts happens to be a Saturday, then there is nothing wrong with it, as the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said when he forbade fasting one or two days before Ramadaan begins: “except a man who (habitually) observes a fast, in which case let him fast.” This is similar.”

[Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (20/57)]

So go ahead and take advantage of this beautiful act of ibaadah. 

You can fast on these alternate days and make up any days that you have left of your fardh fasts. 

Or if you’ve completed your fardh fasts, you can fast your voluntary (Nafl) fasts every other day, like Dawood Alaiyhis-Salaam 

Fast alternate days and earn the pleasure of your Rabb. 

233. Is It Permissible To Pray The Nawafil Or Sunnah In Sitting Position?

It is permissible to pray the nawaafil and Sunnah prayers sitting with no excuse, and the prayer is valid. 

But keep in mind that the reward for that is reduced to HALF the reward of one who stands. 

Proof:

Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I was told that the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“The prayer of a man who sits is half of the prayer of a man who stands.” 

I came to him and found him praying sitting. 

I put my hand on his head and he said, ‘What is the matter, O ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr?” 

I said, “I was told, O Messenger of Allaah that you said, ‘The prayer of a man who sits is half of the prayer of a man who stands,’ and you are praying sitting.” 

He said, 

“Yes, but I am not like one of you.” (Muslim)

Imaam an-Nawawi said: 

“This hadeeth is to be understood as referring to a naafil prayer offered sitting when one is able to stand. 

This brings half the reward of a prayer offered standing. 

But if a person offers a naafil prayer sitting down because he is unable to stand, then the reward is NOT reduced; 

rather it will be the SAME as one who stands. 

With regard to OBLIGATORY prayers, if a person prays sitting down when he is able to stand, his prayer is NOT VALID and he will not be rewarded, rather he is sinning.” (Sharh Muslim)

And Allaah knows best

232. Is It Allowed To Drink Or Eat In Gold Or Silver Utensils?

By Asma Bint Shameem

It’s not allowed to eat or drink from silver or gold utensils or use silver or gold cutlery. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Do not drink from vessels of gold and silver; do not eat from plates of gold and silver, because they are for them in this world and for you in the Hereafter.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

And he said;

“Whoever eats and drinks from vessels of gold and silver, is taking fire from Hell into his belly.”  

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

And Allaah knows best

231. Salaat Ad-Duhaa, Ishraaq, Chaasht And Awwaabeen.....Different Names Yet SAME Salah

By Asma bint Shameem

1. Salaat ad-Duhaa

-The Duhaa prayer is the prayer that is read any time, starting from 15-20 minutes after sunrise up until few mins before midday or zawaal.

- if you pray at its EARLY time, that is, 15-20 minutes after sunrise, it's called 

*'Salaat al-Ishraaq'.*

- if you read it at the LATER time towards the end of the time range time it's called *'Salaat al-Awwaabeen'.*

- if you read it any time during the time range, it's *generally* called 'Salaat ad-Duhaa'.

It is just as the night prayer is called Salaat al-Layl and can be read any time from the time of ishaa until fajr, and has different names depending on when it's read.

For example: if it's read after Isha late at night, it's called Tahajjud and if it's read in Ramadhaan it's called Taraaweeh. 

Similarly salaat ad-Duhaa is the morning prayer that is read anytime from about 15-20 mins after sunrise up to about 10-15 mins before zawaal.

And it too, has different names depending on the time it's read.

2. Salaat al-Awwaabeen or Chaasht prayer

Salaat al-Awwaabeen is ALSO a kind of Duhaa prayer. 

It's the same as what we call the *'Chaasht'* prayer in Urdu.

-'Chaasht' is an Urdu word, maybe from Persian but it's definitely not Arabic.

The Arabic word for it is 'Duhaa'.

PROOF

Zayd ibn Arqam radhi Allaahu anhu saw some people praying Duhaa early and said:

"Do they not know that praying at some other time than this is better? 

The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

said: 

'Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the HEAT of the sand).*'" (Muslim)

And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“It is preferable to offer Duhaa prayer when the sun’s heat has become so intense that even the young of the camels feel it.” (Muslim, 748)

Yes, I know.  All of us from the Indo-Pak region might get confused.

We think that Awwaabeen is the “six rakah prayer” that we read between maghrib and ishaa'.

But that's a *MISCONCEPTION*. 

That's not correct as you can see from the above hadeeth.

Also one time the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

saw some people praying some time after sunrise.

He  Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

"Salaat al-Duhaa should be prayed when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)." (Ahmad -Saheeh)

Also another proof that Awwaabeen is actually read a little BEFORE MIDDAY and it's NOT the prayer after maghrib is the explanation of Imam an-Nawawi.

Imaam an-Nawawi said:

"The phrase 'Salaat al-Awwaabeen is when the young camels lift up their feet (because of the heat of the sand)' refers to when the sand becomes unbearably HOT from the sun's heat, and burns the soles of the young camels' feet, so they alternately raise and lower their feet in response to the heat of the sand.

 'Al-Awwaab' means one who is obedient, or one who turns to obedience. 

The hadeeth also refers to the best time to offer this prayer, although it is permissible to pray it any time after the sun has risen and before it reaches its zenith."

So what about the nawaafil between Maghrib and Ishaa'?

As for the nawaafil  between maghrib and Ishaa, it's PROVEN that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah used to pray *general* nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa.

Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said:

"I came to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and prayed Maghrib with him. 

When he had finished the prayer, he stood and prayed, and he kept praying until he prayed 'Ishaa'. 

(Ahmad--saheeh by al-Albaani)

So this tells us that:

-you can read nawaafil between maghrib and Ishaa but that's GENERAL nawaafil. 

And it's NOT limited to SIX. 

You can read from 2 to as many as you like.

- these nawaafil are not called anything specific and don't have a specific name or a specific number.

And Allaah knows best

230. To Celebrate Or NOT To Celebrate....Eid E milad That’s The Question

By Asma bint Shameem

Some of us celebrate it with great devotion and diligence, while some of us are against it with an equally great vengeance. 

Some say it is our religious duty while others say it is nothing but bid'ah.

People argue about it. 

Families split up, friends forsake each other. 

And sometimes people literally fight over it and hurt one another.

So what is it that I am talking about? 

 

I am talking about celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, the Mawlid or Milad, as some of us say. 

Yes, the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal is what I'm talking about. 

But, ever wondered..... what is the reality regarding the celebration of the birth of our beloved Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam anyway?

Let's examine the facts.

1. First of all, it is not even sure if the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  was even born on the 12th of Rabi'ul Awwal! 

Yes, the date of his birth is NOT CONFIRMED, although it IS confirmed that he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam passed away on the 12th of this month. 

2. Whenever a Muslim is faced with a problem or confusing situation, what is he/she supposed to do? 

Allaah tells us:

 "O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves,refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination" [Nisaa':59]

 

Referring it to Allaah and His Messenger means to turn to Allaah's Book and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

So, according to Allaah's Command, let's see that the Qur'aan and AUTHENTIC Sunnah say about this matter.

ANY EVIDENCE FROM THE QUR'AAN

What does Allaah tell us in the Qur'aan about celebrating the Mawlid?

*Nothing*.

Yes that's right.....*NOTHING*.

There is absolutely nothing in the Qur'aan that tells us to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

Not one single ayah.

 

You see, all acts of worship are 'tawqeefi', which means that all acts of worship have to have PROOF from the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah. They are not subject to personal opinion and it is not permissible to do any acts of worship except those which are approved by Sharee'ah. 

So, for example, I cannot pick a special day or time, say the 22nd of every month, and start celebrating that day as a form of worship. 

Why? 

Because there is nothing in the Sharee'ah that permits me to do that. 

 

By the same token, I cannot start praying three raka'ah for Fajr from tomorrow, even if I want to worship Allaah more, because Fajr Salah is only two rakaat as commanded upon us by the Shari'ah.

And similarly, if there is no order for us to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam , then we don't. 

 

In fact, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

"Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islaam), that is not part of it, will have it rejected." (Bukhaari).

QUESTION 

*Did the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam celebrate his birthday?*

 

Again, there is nothing in the Sunnah of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam that shows us that he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam EVER celebrated his own birthday. EVER. 

Nor did he celebrate the birthday of his wives, children, or his Sahaabah. 

And there is not one single hadeeth that tells us that he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam thought this day was significant enough to celebrate it. 

Nor did he encourage the Sahaabah to venerate this day for him or celebrate in in any way, shape or form.

 

Just think about it...

If there was any good in doing so, wouldn't he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam have done so himself and wouldn't he have ordered the Sahaabah to do so? 

 

And obviously, it is not possible that he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  forgot to tell us about it, Aoodhu billaah!

QUESTION 

*Did the Sahaabah celebrate the Mawlid/Milad?*

 

The Sahaabah were witnesses to the revelation of the Qur'aan. 

They had the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam right in front of their eyes. 

They saw the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam actually and practically LIVE Islaam.

They ate, drank, sat, slept, talked, walked, lived with him. 

Whatever they saw him do, they did it. 

Whatever they saw him avoid, they avoided it. 

If they had questions about something, they asked him and he explained. 

If they misunderstood anything or were mistaken, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam

immediately corrected them. 

And thus, their understanding and practice of Islaam was 

THE BEST. 

 

Yet, when we look at the lives and practice of the Sahaabah, we find that NONE of them EVER celebrated the birth of their beloved Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, whether during his life or even after he passed away. 

Not Abubakr, not Umar, not Uthman, not Ali, nor Aaishah, Abu Hurairah, Ibn Umar, Ibn Masud, Talha, Az-Zubair, Bilal, Radhi Allaahu Anhum Ajma'een. 

NOT. ONE. SINGLE. SAHAABI.

 

Doesn't that prove anything?

 

*What about the Four Imaams and other Ulama?*

 

Did any of the Imaams or scholars - Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi'i, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Mujaahid, you name them, do this or command others to do it or say that it was good? 

NO.

In fact, they didn't even acknowledge the Mawlid, let alone celebrate it! 

And it was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries. 

 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

"The best of mankind are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them." (Bukhaari, Muslim). 

 

And if the 'best of mankind' didn't celebrate his birth, then we shouldn't either.

 

Actually, the celebration of the Prophet's birthday appeared many centuries later. By this time, people had forgotten many of the features of the true, pure teachings of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

and bid'ah had become widespread.

Think about it!

Can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the Imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of the importance of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam or that they were lacking in their love for him, and it was only those who came later who were aware of it or loved him more?!!! 

How can that be?!!

Is that even possible??

*COMMON ARGUMENTS* 

‼️Argument # 1. 

But the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to FAST on Mondays to celebrate his birthday!

Yes, there is an authentic hadeeth where the Prophet was asked about fasting on Mondays and he said: "On (that day) I was born", but the reason he fasted Mondays was NOT because he was born that day. 

The reason for his fasting Mondays is the following hadeeth:

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

"Deeds are presented (to Allaah) on Monday and Thursday and I like my deeds to be presented when I am fasting." (Tirmidhi--saheeh by al-Albaani)

So the *reason* for his fasting on Mondays was because he wanted to be in the state of fasting when his deeds are presented to Allaah and NOT because he was born on a Monday.

Besides, if his fasting was due to his birthday, then he would have only fasted on the 12th of Rabi'ul Awwal and not every single Monday of his life!

‼️Argument # 2. 

I'm not doing this as an act of worship.

Dear brother/sister, we have to realize that 'worship' is ANY act or deed that is done with the intention of coming close to Allaah Sunhaanahu wa Ta'ala and earning rewards from Him.

Aren't we celebrating the Mawlid to come close to Allaah? Don't we think we are doing something good that will please Allaah and earn His rewards?

And any act of worship that’s not proven from the Sharee’ah is wrong and has to be given up, no matter how good the intention.

‼️Argument # 3. 

But I LOVE the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam!

Think about the following:

Didn’t the Sahaabah absolutely LOVE the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam?

They gave up their homes, families, young babies, money, property, lives... for his sake, in the blink of an eye. History is replete with their stories of sincerest admiration, adoration and ultimate love.

They sacrificed EVERYTHING for him, yet this love did NOT promote them to celebrate his birth.  

This love translated into the PRACTICAL APPLICATION of his TEACHINGS and NOT picking the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal to celebrate his birthday. 

‼️Argument # 4. 

What's the harm in it? I don't do anything WRONG in it. All I do is remember the Prophet and send blessings on him

First of all, why don't you remember the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam all year long, every single day? 

Why pick just this day? 

Isn't the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam supposed to be loved, and remembered and followed every single day of our lives? 

Aren't we supposed to send peace and blessings on him every day, as many times as we can? 

Then why pick this ONE day?

Secondly, even if you don't do any of the reprehensible things that people do nowadays in the name of the Mawlid, like those 'naats' (poetry praising him) full of shirk, or singing with musical instruments, or women with full make-up and no hijab on TV etc, even then the Ulama say that it is not allowed to celebrate this particular day because that was not the way of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, the Sahaabah, Taabi'een or any of the great ulama of the past.

Imam Abu Hafs Taaj ad-Deen al-Faakihaani said, discussing different types of Mawlids: 

"When a man organises it at his on expense for his family, friends and children, and in that gathering they do not do any more than eat food; they do not commit any sins. THIS IS what we have described as an abhorrent and reprehensible innovation, because it was not done by any of the early righteous people, who are the fuqaha' and leading scholars of Islam." (Al-Mawrid fi 'Aml al-Mawlid, p. 5)

‼️Argument # 5. 

But every one is doing it. Are they all wrong or crazy?!

Just because every one is doing something does NOT mean it's correct. 

Allaah says:

"And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from Allaah's way; they follow but conjecture and they only lie." (al-An'aam:116)

 CONCLUSION: 

Follow and do not Innovate

Actually, dear brother/sister in Islaam, TRUE love of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam is shown and proven by following the guidance that he brought. 

So follow his Sunnah to the best of your ability and don't fall into innovated forms of worship. 

It is nothing but a trap of the Shaytaan.

 

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

"Say (O Muhammad): 'If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Aal 'Imraan 3:31)

And remember the words of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  when he said:

"The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. 

The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation (bid'ah) is a going astray." (Muslim).

And Allaah knows best.

QUESTION

*Should we do something ‘SPECIAL’ on the 12th of Rabi’ al -Awwal, like congratulate each other,*

*or bake a cake*

*or distribute sweets among neighbors, etc?*

*How about making this day a “mercy day”?*

*Or “help the poor” day?*

*Is there a special ‘wazeefah’ or dhikr to be read this day?*

Note that I’m aware that celebrating the Mawlid of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam is not from the Sunnah. 

*ANSWER*

There’s no need to cook anything ‘special’ or congratulate one another or do anything ‘*out of the ordinary’* on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal. 

Similarly there’s NO need to designate this day as *“mercy day”* or *“help the poor”* day or *“ANY”* kind of day. 

And there are no special duaas or ‘wazeefahs’ to be read on this day either. 

ANY thing ‘*special*’ or ‘*different*’ that we will do on this day that is OUT OF THE ORDINARY, is included in *‘celebrating’* the day. 

And baking ‘cakes’, distributing sweets, or making a specific dhikr this day would be considered as ‘celebrating’ it. 

And picking out specifically this day to “help the poor” or “give sadaqah” or “show compassion” is also counted as ‘celebrating’ this day. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam himself, NOR the Sahaabah, NOR the Tabi’een, NOR the four Imaams, NOR any of the ulama EVER “picked out” the day of the birth of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam for ANY thing “special” or “out of the ordinary”. 

The 12th of Rabi al-Awwal was a REGULAR, NORMAL day in the lives of the Sahaabah. 

Our best role models are the Sahaabah. 

And their actions are our guide. 

Ask yourself this:

Did the Sahaabah make the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal a “compassion” day?

Or a “mercy” day?

Or a “help the poor” day after the death of the Prophet ﷺ ?

No!

They didn’t treat this day any differently than the day before or the day after. 

NO ‘extra’ ibaadaat or special ‘dhikr’ was done. 

NO ‘special’ foods were prepared. 

No sweets were distributed. 

NO specific gatherings were held. 

And no one congratulated each other. 

What the Sahaabah DID on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal was something they did EVERY SINGLE DAY of their lives. 

And that was to OBEY the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and IMPLEMENT his teachings, WHEREVER they went, in WHATEVER they did. 

They LIVED their ENTIRE LIVES according to the Sunnah. 

And NOT just ONE day. 

They FOLLOWED his teachings the WHOLE YEAR AROUND. 

They OBEYED him and *DID NOT INNOVATE* NEW WAYS of ibaadah. 

They TRULY LOVED the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

He was their BELOVED. 

And they PROVED it with their ACTIONS and not just by lip service. 

Their AKHLAAQ reflected the Akhlaaq of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in ALL their dealings, and with EVERYONE. 

They helped the poor and gave sadaqah all throughout the year.

They studied his Seerah and taught their families ALL YEAR LONG, and not just one day of the year.

They praised him, honored and served him, sent peace and blessings on him ALL of their lives. 

THAT is TRUE LOVE. . 

THAT is TRUE HONORING. 

So come on! 

Let us ‘celebrate’ our beloved Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in the REAL SENSE of the word. 

Let us praise him and honor him and respect him, by FOLLOWING his teachings and STAYING AWAY from that which he did NOT practice, *“EVERY SINGLE DAY” of our lives.*

*And NOT just in the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal or on the 12th.*

Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam

229. All About Dream

By Asma bint Shameem 

Dreams can be of three kinds 

1. The good dream- that’s from Allaah 

2. The bad dream - the nightmares, the ones you worry about- that’s from the Shaytaan 

3. The thoughts that we’ve been thinking about - that’s from the person’s own subconscious mind. 

So for example, if we’ve been cooking all day and preparing for a special dinner, we might dream about it too 

Or a student studying hard might dream of himself taking an exam etc. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Good dreams come from Allaah and bad dreams come from the Shaytaan.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

What to do when you see bad dreams?

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

A)”If any one of you sees a bad dream which makes him afraid, let him spit drily to his left and seek refuge with Allaah from its evil, then it will not harm him.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

B) “If any one of you sees a dream that he dislikes, let him spit drily to his left three time, and seek refuge with Allaah from the Shaytaan three times, and change the side on which he was sleeping.” (Muslim)

C) “If any one of you sees something that he dislikes (in a dream), let him get up and pray, and not tell people about it.’” (Muslim)

So if you see a bad dream, you should do the following:

1. Know that this dream is from the Shaytaan, so don’t pay any attention to it. 

2. Spit directly to your left side three times. 

3. Say Aa’oodhu Billaahi min ash-Shaytaanir-Rajeem 

or you can say

أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ وَعِقَابِهِ، وَشَرِّ عِبَادِهِ، وَمِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ

 ‘A’oothu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaati min ghadhabihi wa ‘iqaabihi, wa sharri ‘ibaadihi, wa min hamazaatish-shayaateeni wa ‘an yahdhuroon.

“I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from His anger and His punishment, from the evil of His slaves and from the taunts of devils and from their presence.” (at-Tirmidhi -hasan by al-Albaani)

4. Ask Allaah to protect you from the evil of this dream.

5. Don’t tell anyone about it.

6. Turn over from the side on which you were sleeping.

7. If you can, then get up and pray. 

If you do this then In shaa’ Allaah this bad dream will not harm you or affect you in any way. 

And Allaah knows best.