342. Is It Sunnah To Say Subhaan allah When You Come Down Stairs

By Asma bint Shameem 

*QUESTION*

*I’ve seen some people say Allaahu Akbar when they go up the stairs and Subhaan Allaah when they come down?* 

*Is this from the Sunnah?*

*ANSWER*

Although it’s true that when the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and the Sahaabah would go up a hill, they would say Allaahu Akbar and when they went down a hill, they would say Subhaan Allaah, HOWEVER that dhikr was limited to a specific situation of travel and it cannot be used *generally*. 

Sure we can ALWAYS say Subhaan Allaah or Alhamdulillaah or any other dhikr at ANY TIME. 

And that’s a great virtue. 

But that’s NOT the problem. 

The problem comes when we associate a certain act of ibaadah with a specific time, manner, place etc without any proof from the authentic Sunnah. 

So if we associate a certain specific dhikr when going to the stairs and a certain specific dhikr every time we go down the stairs and there’s NO PROOF, then that becomes *bid’ah*.

Here’s what Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen said about the same issue:

“During his journeys, when the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam climbed up a hill he would say takbeer, and when he went down into a valley he would say tasbeeh. 

That is because the one who is above a thing may feel proud and think that he is great, so it is appropriate for him to proclaim the greatness of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, by saying: Allahu akbar. 

And when he descends, he is going down to a lower level, so it is appropriate for him to glorify Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, when going down. 

This is the context of saying takbeer and tasbeeh. 

But there is no report in the Sunnah about doing that when not traveling. 

Acts of worship are based on tawqeef i.e., they are limited to what is narrated in sound reports. 

Based on that, when a person goes up the stairs in his house he does not have to say takbeer, and when he comes downstairs he does not have to say tasbeeh. 

*Rather that only applies in the case of traveling.”*

(Liqaa’aat al-Baab al-Maftooh)

And Allah knows best.

341. Sitting In One Place Since Fajr Until Ishraq

By Asma bint Shameem 

There’s nothing specifically narrated about “Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa” sitting in one the same place since Fajr until ishraaq, then praying salaat ad-Duhaa. 

But it’s naturally *expected* that the Sahaabah and Sahaabiyaat, especially our Ummaahaat, would practice what the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam taught to the best of their ability. 

They were the most eager to be foremost in doing good deeds and “practically living” what they learned. 

We do have a narration about Juwairiyah radhi Allaahu anhuaa, one of the wives of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

She reported that one day the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam left her apartment in the morning as she was busy observing her Fajr prayer in her place of worship. 

He came back in the forenoon and she was still sitting there. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to her, 

“You have been in the same place since I left you?” 

She said, “Yes.” 

Thereupon the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said, 

“I recited four words three times after I left you and if these were to be weighed against what you have recited since morning these would outweigh them, and these words are:

سُبْحـانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْـدِهِ عَدَدَ خَلْـقِه ، وَرِضـا نَفْسِـه ، وَزِنَـةَ عَـرْشِـه ، وَمِـدادَ كَلِمـاتِـه

Subhaanallaahi wa bihamdihi: ‘Adada khalqihi wa ridhaa nafsihi, wa zinata ‘arshihi wa midaada kalimaatihi.

Glory is to Allah and praise is to Him, by the multitude of his creation, by His Pleasure, by the weight of His Throne, and by the extent of His Words.” (Ibn Maajah - saheeh by al-Albaani) 

This hadeeth shows that she was sitting in her place since she prayed Fajr until later in the day when the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam came back. 

And even if we don’t have a specific narration about a good deed by a specific Sahaabi, the recommendation of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam is enough

340. Accidental Killing

By Asma Bint Shameem

In case of accidental killing,  two things are involved

1. The expiation or kaffaarah 

2. Blood money or ‘Diyah’ 

The Kaffaarah or expiation of accidental man slaughter is freeing a believing slave; 

If that’s not possible, then he has to fast for two consecutive months. 

Allaah says:

“It is not for a believer to kill a believer except (that it be) by mistake; and whosoever kills a believer by mistake, (it is ordained that) he must set free a believing slave and a compensation (blood money, i.e. Diya) be given to the deceased’s family unless they remit it. If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (is prescribed); and if he belonged to a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, compensation (blood money — Diya) must be paid to his family, and a believing slave must be freed. And whoso finds this (the penance of freeing a slave) beyond his means, he must fast for two consecutive months in order to seek repentance from Allaah. And Allaah is Ever All‑Knowing, All‑Wise”

[al-Nisa’ 4:92]

As for the blood money, that has to be paid by the “aaqilah” of the killer which is the male relatives from the father’s side. 

Allaah says:

“It is not for a believer to kill a believer except (that it be) by mistake; *and whosoever kills a believer by mistake, (it is ordained that) he must set free a believing slave and a compensation (blood money, i.e. Diyah) be given to the deceased’s family unless they remit it”*

[al-Nisa’ 4:92]

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“The ‘aaqilah includes all male relatives on the father’s side, whether they are heirs or not. The husband, half-brother on the mother’s side and mother’s father are not part of the ‘aaqilah.

The judge should divide the shares of diyah to be paid among the male relatives according to the closeness of the relationship and how rich they are. 

The closer relatives should shoulder more of a burden than more distant relatives, and those who are richer should shoulder more of the burden, and those who are poor do not have to pay anything.”

[al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 11 77/80]

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“The ruling that the diyah must be paid by the family (‘aaqilah) applies only in cases of accidental killing or quasi-intentional killing. In cases of deliberate killing the diyah is not borne by the family, rather it is to be paid only by the killer. 

If the members of the ‘aaqilah agree to share the burden with him or to help him to pay the diyah, there is nothing wrong with that.”

[Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (21/238)]

And Allaah knows best

339. Is It True That Zakaat Cannot Be Given To Syed’s Or People Of The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam Family?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Generally speaking, the term “Syed” is used for someone who is from the family of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or Ahl al-Bayt.

Shaikh Salih al-Munajjid said:

“Ahl al-Bayt or the family of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam are: his wives, his children, and Banu Haashim, Banu ‘Abd al-Muttalib and their freed slaves.” 

And it’s true that anyone who’s from the lineage of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam should not be given zakaah. 

That’s because it’s the order of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam himself. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Zakaah should not be given to the family of Muhammad because *it is from the dirt of the people.*’” 

(Muslim  1784)

Zakaah is called the “dirt of the people” because Zakaah is the money that’s taken out of one’s wealth to PURIFY it, and given to the poor. 

Allaah says:

“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it”

[al-Tawbah 9:103] 

So it’s out of *respect* and *honor* for the family of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam that we don’t give them Zakaah. 

Rather, the people of “Aal al-Bayt” or the family of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam are supposed to be given from the war booty and taken care of by the Muslim Treasury.

Having said that, if the person is proven to be from the family of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and they’re poor, and there’s no war booty these days, so the scholars say that they may be given voluntary charity if it’s necessary. 

Ibn Qudaamah said: 

“It is permissible for the relatives of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam to take from voluntary charity.” 

Imaam al-Shaafa’i said: 

“Voluntary charity is not haraam for the family of Muhammad Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam; rather it is only obligatory zakaah that is forbidden for them. 

Ibraaheem ibn Muhammad told us, from Ja’far [al-Saadiq] ibn Muhammad [al-Baaqir] from his father that he used to drink of the water provided to people in Makkah and Madeenah and I said to him: 

“Are you drinking from the sadaqah (charity) when it is not permissible for you? 

He said: 

It is only the obligatory charity (i.e., zakaah) that is forbidden to us.”

And Imaam al-Shaafa’i alai said: 

“Ali and Faatimah radhi Allaahu anhumaa gave charity to Bani Haashim and Banu’l-Muttalib, and this was voluntary charity, and the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

accepted a gift from the charity that was given to Bareerah, because it was given voluntarily by Bareerah and not as zakaah.”

(Al-Umm (2/88)

And if there’s nothing else available and the person is in desperate need, the ulama say that they can even be given Zakaah if it comes to such dire situations. 

Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah said: 

“If Bani Haashim are deprived of one-fifth of the khums, it is permissible for them to receive zakaah....because this is a case of need and necessity.” (Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 5/374)

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“If they are deprived or there is no khums as is the case nowadays, then they may be given zakaah funds to meet their needs if they are poor and they have no work. This is the view of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah and it is the correct view.”

(Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 6/257)

So it’s “allowed” to help them out with sadaqah (voluntary charity) or even Zakaah if they are from the lineage of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

Although the above is true, let me ask you; can anyone from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc, really TRULY claim that they’re from the family of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam?

Just because someone’s name is ‘Syed’ or ‘Saiyed’ does not mean that they’re from the lineage of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam even if they claim so.

They must have proper *proof* and *documentation* for such a claim if they’re to be accepted as being from the family of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

I personally know of people who’ve *“named themselves”* as “Syed” although their name was something else a few years back!

May Allaah guide us. Ameen. 

And Allaah knows best.

338. Summary Of Marriage And Divorce Rulings

By Asma bint Shameem 

Summary of Marriage and Divorce Rulings....in the light of Surah Al-Baqarah Ayaat 228 – 242]

These are instructions derived from the ayaat of the Qur’an that every woman must know. Please share it with others, so that we stop playing with Allah’s ayaat and learn what it means to be a Muslim

Nikkah is a contract between a woman and a man about which each of them will be answerable. Tying this knot means abiding by the rulings of this contract.

*Therefore, the first step to take before entering this contract is the choice of partner*

Allah commands us to give preference to one’s Deen over their worldly status and glamour. It does not mean that the person should be a Hafidh Qur’an or an ‘Aalim, but at least they should be regular with their obligatory duties particularly the five daily prayers. 

This is the "only act of worship that appears between the ayaat of divorce". 

It teaches us that prayer is the most important things. Do not fall for someone’s Islamic name, beard or religious talk, see if they also honor the Rights of Allah

Because he who honors the Rights of the Creator will not oppress the creation.

For a nikkah to be valid, there should a wali [guardian] of the woman, mahr [dowry], witnesses and ejaab and qabool.

If the mahr is not decided and there is no intention to pay it either, then this is not nikkah but zina [adultery].

Any marriage contract entered with deception will be void of any kind of khair [blessing]. 

Marrying in the month of Shawwal [the month after Ramadan] is mustahab [preferred], however, this is not a condition. 

Also remember that in Islam we do not believe in bad omens. There is no prohibition in marrying in Muharram or Safr.

The nikkah should be announced; eloping or marrying in court without the permission of the wali is not allowed. This means having secret lovers is also prohibited. 

A Muslim woman cannot be married to a non-Muslim man (including men from the People of the Book).  Do not congratulate someone if they get married to a Hindu, a Buddhist, an atheist, or a Christian and a Jew. Do not participate in their sin.

There are three ways through which a marriage contract can be terminated: talaq, khula and fasq. 

*Talaq* can only be given by the husband. It has two types: revocable and irrevocable. 

The Sunnah way is to divorce the wife only once and let the waiting period expire. 

The wife should then be sent to her parents’ homes with mata’ [material gifts]. 

Giving three divorces at one time is reprehensible and an innovation. The Companions radhi Allahu ‘anhum would not divorce their wives in such a manner.

In revocable divorce (first divorce), wife will complete her ‘Iddah [waiting period] in her husband’s home and also adorn herself. If she is pregnant she will inform the husband. 

During this waiting period, no other man can send her marriage proposal. 

At the end of this term, the husband has a choice either to take back his wife or to let the waiting period expire and set her free. 

If he retains her then this should be done with kindness. She should not be retained to be harmed and humiliated. 

*The words used in these ayaat are ma’aroof and ehsaan and there is also a constant reminder of taqwa [Allah consciousness]*

*In khula*, the wife can return the dowry and ransom herself. 

It is taken when a woman dislikes her husband to the intensity that she cannot fulfill his conjugal rights. Taking khula without a valid reason is a sinful act.

*A hadeeth recorded by Imam Bukhari narrates: “Any woman who seeks a divorce [khula] without a legitimate reason, she will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.”*_

*The waiting period* for divorce taken through khula is one month. There can be no reconciliation 

*Fasq* is only given by the judge when husband refuses to divorce the wife.  

*The ‘Iddah for divorce* is up to three menstrual cycles (calculated as per lunar calendar) whereas for khula it is only one menstrual cycle. 

 In khula, the woman has to complete her ‘Iddah at a place other than husband’s house. Same is the case with irrevocable divorce. 

Once the waiting term comes to an end, the woman can marry anywhere she desires in an acceptable way and her guardians cannot stop her 

▪︎ ‘Iddah is a woman’s healing period during which she must not be harmed, insulted or abused in any way. 

She must stay in her home and not step out unless there is a genuine need such as doctor’s visit. It is not appropriate to take her out for picnic or to restaurants to distract her mind. 

A widow is permitted by Allah  to mourn her husband’s death up to four months and ten days. For all others, it is only three days then everyone should return to their routine lives_

 During the ‘Iddah, a woman must not adorn herself (for irrevocable divorce and widows), apply perfume or wear attractive clothes. This does not mean she will not take bath or wear tatters but she will remain simple.

Watching Indian movies, we have adopted a trend where we make divorced women or widows wear plain white clothes, break their bangles and utter heart-wrenching, pitiful statements. This is not the Islamic way.

Divorced parents should not harm one another or their children after parting their ways.

*Rulings regarding payment of mahr:*

The most preferred way is to pay the mahr right with the rukhsati [when the bride leaves her parents’ home for her husband’s home after nikkah], there should be no delay in it because this is a debt on the husband. 

_If the husband dies, then this dowry will be paid first (similar to debt) and then the inheritance shares will be distributed among the heirs._

*If nikkah has taken place but mahr has not been decided and neither has the rukhsati taken place and the woman is divorced*, then she will be given mut’ah talaq according to husband’s financial standing.

*If nikkah has taken place and mahr too has been decided, however rukhsati didn’t take place and the woman is divorced* she will receive half of her mahr amount. 

In this situation, both the woman and the husband have been commanded by Allah to forgive and forego their due right. It means that the girl should forego her entire dowry and not even take the half amount whereas the husband should be generous and pay the entire amount of dowry.

*If rukhsati took place with mahr being decided*, then mahr mithal must be paid. It means paying an amount equivalent to the dowry of other women in the girl’s family.

337. A Duaa To Protect Yourself From ALL Kinds Of Harm

By Asma bint Shameem 

Want to come under the protection of Allaah so that nothing harms you from the morning till the evening and from the evening until the morning?

Then read on:

Abaan ibn ‘Uthmaan radhi Allaahu anhu said, narrating from ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan who said: 

“I heard the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say: 

“Whoever says:

 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ 

‘Bismillah illadhi la yadurru ma’a ismihi shay’un fi’l-ard wa la fi’l-sama’ wa huwa al-Samee’ ul-‘Aleem’ 

(In the name of Allaah with Whose name nothing can harm on earth or in heaven, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing)’, 

[اللہ کے نام سے(میں صبح یا شام اسی کی پناہ میں آتا ہوں)، اس کے  نام سے زمین و آسمان میں کوئی چیز بھی نقصان نہیں دیتی، اور وہ خوب سننے والا اور جاننے والا ہے]

THREE times, will not be stricken with a sudden affliction until morning comes, and whoever says them when morning comes will not be stricken with a sudden affliction until evening comes.” 

(Abu Dawood -Saheeh by al-Albaani)

The person narrating the above hadeeth was Abaan ibn ‘Uthmaan radhi Allaahu anhu and he was afflicted with *paralysis*. 

So a man who was listening to him narrating this hadeeth, started *staring* at him and his *paralysis*. 

Abaan said to him: 

“Why are you staring at me? 

By Allaah, I did not tell a lie about ‘Uthmaan and ‘Uthmaan did not tell a lie about the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

*But the day which that (paralysis) befell me, I got angry and FORGOT to say it (meaning the above duaa)”!*

Subhaan Allaah!

Abaan got ‘paralyzed’ the ‘very’ day he *’forgot’* to say this duaa!

Just goes to show the *power* of these beautiful words!

Alhamdulillaah, what a wonderful protection with the Will of Allaah. 

And how important this duaa is to keep oneself from all kinds of harm!

Al-Qurtubi said:

“This is a saheeh report and true words that have been proven to us by experience. 

Ever since I heard it I acted upon it, and NOTHING harmed me until I omitted to do it. 

A scorpion stung me in Madinah one night, and when I thought about it I realised that I had forgotten to seek refuge with Allaah by reciting these words.” 

[al-Futoohaat ar-Rabbaanyyah by Ibn ‘Allaan (3/100)]

Dr ‘Abd ar-Razzaaq al-Badr said: 

“This is one of the great adhkaar that the Muslim should recite every morning and evening, so that he may be protected thereby, by Allaah’s leave, against being struck by a sudden calamity or disastrous harm or the like.”

Actually, this beautiful Duaa is part of our *daily adhkaar* that we read every morning and evening, three times each. 

Make this beautiful Duaa a part of your daily life and come into the *Protection of Allaah, al-Hafeedh*. 

Side note:

You can find ALL the morning and evening adhkaar in a beautiful book of authentic adhkaar called “Hisnul Muslim”. 

It’s available online for purchase as well as a free ebook. 

And Allaah knows best.

336. Qunoot An-Naazilah

By Asma bint Shameem

Qunoot means duaa and an-Naazilah means calamity.

And as the name suggests, ‘Qunoot an-Naazilah’ is read when a CALAMITY falls the Muslim Ummah.

That’s DIFFERENT from Qunoot al-witr.

This Qunoot is done in the *last rak’ah of ALL the fardh prayers.*

That’s proven from the Sunnah of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and the Sahaabah.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam used to recite Qunoot Naazilah when any calamity hit the Muslim Ummah.

He made this duaa when some Arab tribes lied to him, tricked the Sahaabah and killed them.

And so he prayed against them and made duaa for the weak and oppressed believers in Makkah, that Allaah would save them.

Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam prayed Qunoot for a month in Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha’ and Fajr prayer, when he said: Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah in the last rak’ah, praying against some tribes of Banu Sulaym, and against Ri’l, Dhakwaan and ‘Usayyah, and those who were behind him said Ameen.”
(Abu Dawood- hasan by al-Albaani)

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“It is proven that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam
used to say Qunoot at times of calamity, praying against the aggressors among the disbelievers, and praying for the week and oppressed Muslims to be saved from the plots and captivity of the kaafirs.” [Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (22/271)]

How to pray Qunoot an-Naazilah?

Qunoot an-Nazilah is read in congregation.

The Imaams in the Masjid lead the other Muslims in prayer and they read Qunoot an-Naazilah in the LAST rak’ah of ALL the fardh prayers.

They pray for the Ummah and may add words against the transgressors in the duaa.

Raising the hands

“The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam used to raise his hands in his qunoot an-Naazilah, supplicating against people.” (Ahmad -saheeh by al-Albaani)

Shaikh al-Albaani said:

“Raising of the hands in the Qunoot for a problem afflicting the Muslims is established from the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam when he made duaa against the Mushrikeen, those who killed seventy of the recitors of the Qur'aan.

This was narrated by Imam Ahmad (3/137) and by Tabraani in 'as-Sagheer' (p.111) from the hadeeth of Anas with an authentic chain, and it is also established from Umar and others in the Qunoot of al-Witr.”
['Irwaa al-Ghaleel' (2/181)]

What words to say?

ANY words that are appropriate to the situation may be used to make duaa in Qunoot.

Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“The correct view which was stated definitively by the majority of scholars is that there are no specific words, rather any du’aa’ may be said.”
[al-Majmoo’ (3/497)]

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam made Qunoot using the following words:

اَللَّهُمَّ إنا نَسْتَعِينُكَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِكَ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَنُثْنِئْ عَلَيْكَ الخَيْرَ وَنَشْكُرُكَ وَلَا نَكْفُرُكَ وَنَخْلَعُ وَنَتْرُكُ مَنْ ئَّفْجُرُكَ اَللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَلَكَ نُصَلِّي وَنَسْجُدُ وَإِلَيْكَ نسعىٰ وَنَحْفِدُ نَرْجُو رَحْمَتَكَ وَنَخْشىٰ عَذَابَكَ إِنَّ عَذَابَكَ الجد بِالكُفَّارِ مُلْحَقٌ

“Allaahumma inna nasta’eenuka wa nastaghfiruka nu’minu bika, wa natawakkalu ‘alayka wa nuthni ‘alayka al-khayr, wanashkuruka wa laa nakfuruka wa nakhla’u wa natruku man yafjuruka
Allaahumma iyyaaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjudu, wa ilayka nas’aa wa nahfid. Narju rahmataka wa nakhsha ‘adhaabaka, inna ‘adhaabaka al-jadd bil kuffaari mulhaq.

“O Allaah, verily we seek Your help, we believe in You, we put our trust in You and we praise You and we are not ungrateful to You. O Allaah, You alone we worship and to You we pray and prostrate, for Your sake we strive. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment, for Your punishment will certainly reach the disbelievers.”
(al-Bayhaqi - saheeh by al-Albaani)

And Umar radhi Allaahu anhu used to make the following duaa In Qunoot an-Naazilah.

اللهم إنا نستعينك ونؤمن بك ، ونتوكل عليك ونثني عليك الخير ولا نكفرك ، اللهم إياك نعبد ، ولك نصلي ونسجد ، وإليك نسعى ونحفد ، نرجو رحمتك ونخشى عذابك ، إن عذابك الجدَّ بالكفار مُلحق ، اللهم عذِّب الكفرة أهل الكتاب الذين يصدون عن سبيلك

“Allaahumma inna nasta’eenuka wa nu’minu bika, wa natawakkalu ‘alayka wa nuthni ‘alayka al-khayr, wa laa nakfuruka. Allaahumma iyyaaka na’budu wa laka nusalli wa nasjudu, wa ilayka nas’aa wa nahfid. Narju rahmataka wa nakhsha ‘adhaabaka, inna ‘adhaabaka al-jadd bil kuffaari mulhaq. Allaahumma ‘adhdhib il-kafarata ahl al-kitaab alladheena yasuddoona ‘an sabeelika

“O Allaah, verily we seek Your help, we believe in You, we put our trust in You and we praise You and we are not ungrateful to You. O Allaah, You alone we worship and to You we pray and prostrate, for Your sake we strive. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment, for Your punishment will certainly reach the disbelievers. O Allaah, punish the infidels of the People of the Book who are preventing others from following Your way.”
(al-Bayhaqi- saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Irwa’)

Shaikh al-Albaani said:
“This was reported from ‘Umar radhi Allaahu anhu concerning Qunoot in Fajr, and it seems that this Qunoot is Qunoot al-Naazilah, as is indicated by his praying against the kuffaar.”

Can I read the duaa that I read in Qunoot al-Witr?

No. That duaa is not appropriate for this situation.

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“He should say Qunoot with a supplication that is *appropriate* to the calamity that has come.
Hence the Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to say Qunoot with words that were appropriate to the calamity, and he did NOT say “Allaahumma ihdini fiman hadayta/O Allaah, guide me among those whom You have guided…” as some of the common folk do.

It is not narrated in any hadeeth, saheeh or da’eef, that the Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam ever used to say “Allaahumma ihdini fiman hadayta/O Allaah, guide me among those whom You have guided…”) in obligatory prayers;
rather he would offer a supplication that was appropriate to that calamity.

On one occasion, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam prayed for some of the weak and oppressed people, asking Allaah to save them, until they came (to him in Madeenah).”
[al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (4/45)]

And Allaah knows best

335. FEAR Allaah Before Your Forward That Message!

By Asma bint Shameem

This is a VERY IMPORTANT message to all those who have WhatsApp or other social media.

We MUST VERIFY what we say or teach or forward to others

That’s the DUTY that *Allaah Himself* has placed on us.

Allaah says:

“O you who believe! If a Faasiq (evil person) comes to you with any news, *verify* it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done”
[al-Hujuraat 49:6]

Here Allaah is telling us that we should VERIFY any news before accepting it and spreading it.

Otherwise we’re GUILTY of promoting LIES and FALSEHOOD.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“It is enough LYING for a man to speak of everything that he hears.” (Muslim)

And he said:

"How BAD it is for a man to keep saying, *‘They say…’. ”* (al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 866)

 Al-‘Azeemabaadi said:

"Saying *‘they say…’* is akin to conjecture, i.e., the WORST HABIT of a man is to use the phrase ‘they say’ to serve his purposes.So he tells of something, merely repeating what others have said without verifying it, and thus *he transmits lies …*".

 Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“Usually a person hears truth and lies, so if he speaks of everything that he hears, he is *lying* by telling of things that did not happen, and lying by speaking of something other than the way it happened….”

*Talking about the Deen of Allaah without verification is a very SERIOUS SIN*

Allaah says:

"Who is GREATER IN EVIL than he, who, without knowledge, invents a lie about Allaah to mislead people?
Allaah does not guide the evildoers." (Surah An'aam: 144)

Just look at the words Allaah uses!*“Who is greater in evil...!”*

Yaa Allaah!

Do we even understand these words?!

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Verily, the WORST of LIES are for a man to claim... that *he saw a dream he did not see, or to say the Messenger of Allaah said what he did not.*” (al-Bukhaari)

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Whoever attributes words to me that I did not say, let him take his place in HELL.”
(Muslim)

Such messages are also counted as spreading corruption

Allaah says about such people:

“ and (those who) spread corruption in the land, on them is the CURSE of Allaah (i.e. they will be far away from Allah's Mercy); And for them is the unhappy (evil) home (i.e. Hell).” (Surah ar-Ra’d :25)

The CURSE of Allaah!
For forwarding everything I receive on WhatsApp and social media without verifying?!

*Is that really worth it?!*

*SIN upon SIN*

If people follow whatever false information YOU have spread, then *you will get the SIN of EVERY SINGLE PERSON who does that wrong thing*, without taking away from the sin that’s upon you as well.

*And you will carry this burden on the Day of Judgment!*
Astaghfirullaah!

Allaah says:

*“They will BEAR their own BURDENS* in FULL on the Day of Resurrection, and *ALSO of the BURDENS* of those whom they *misled without knowledge*.Evil indeed is that which they shall bear!”
(Surah an-Nahl: 25)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"Whoever starts a bad thing in Islaam, and others do likewise after him, there will be written for him a burden of sin like that of those who followed him, without it detracting in the least from their burden.'" (Muslim)

So please VERIFY the news, before forwarding it; whether it’s related to the Deen or dunya; whether its to do with religious knowledge or medical information or to do with public interest or ANY THING ELSE.

ASK the people of knowledge if you want to confirm something.

And if you are not sure about it’s authenticity, DO NOT forward it.

It is an OBLIGATION placed on you as a *responsible* Muslim.

YOU will be asked about it.

May Allaah guide us and enable us to say only that which is true and proven Ameen.

And Allaah knows best.

334. Muslim Girls Marrying Non-Muslim Men.. A CALAMITY Of Unimaginable Proportions

By Asma bint Shameem

A new kind of calamity has hit the muslim world especially those living in non-Muslim lands.

Our muslim girls are marrying non-Muslim men and nobody seems to care!

This is happening left and right...in families that are practicing muslims and in families that are not so practicing.

Is that really allowed?

What does Islaam say about that?

Let's take a look.

Allaah says:

وَلَا تُنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنُوا

"And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikoon till they believe (in Allaah Alone)" (Surah al-Baqarah :221)

Here Allaah is telling us directly...clear and straight.
"Do not give your daughters to non Muslim men."

Simple as that. 

The Order couldn't be more straightforward or clearer.

In the tafseer of this aayah, at-Tabari said:

"What Allaah, Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala means in this verse is that He has forbidden believing women to marry a mushrik (polytheist) of any type. So do not, O Muslim men, give them (Muslim women) in marriage to them (mushrikeen), for that is forbidden to you."
(Tafseer at-Tabari, 4/370)

And Al-Qurtubi said:

"And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikoon" means do not give a Muslim woman in marriage to a mushrik. The ummah is unanimously agreed that a mushrik should not marry a believing woman under any circumstances, because that undermines Islam." (Tafseer al-Qurtubi (3/72)

Al-Baghawi said:

"And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikoon till they believe (in Allah Alone)" - there is consensus on this point: it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a mushrik man."

In another aayah, Allaah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا جَاءَكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ مُهَاجِرَاتٍ فَامْتَحِنُوهُنَّ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِهِنَّ فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ وَآتُوهُم مَّا أَنفَقُوا

"O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them, Allaah knows best as to their Faith. Then if you ascertain that they are true believers, send them not back to the disbelievers, they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them." (Surah al-Mumtahinah :10)

Here Allaah is directly addressing us as believers.
"O you who believe..."

Isn't that you and me?

Yes, it is.

WE claim to believe.

*So pay attention*.

Our Rabb is calling out to you and me and telling us straight up that disbelieving men are NOT LAWFUL for believing women.

Regarding this aayah, Ibn Katheer said:

"Allaah says: 
"they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them". This verse is the one which prohibited Muslim women to mushrik men."
(Tafseer al-Qur'an al-'Azeem, 13/521)

It's as simple as that. No ifs and buts about it.

Such a marriage is NOT valid!

That's because one of the conditions of a valid Islaamic marriage is that the man should be Muslim.\

If a muslim woman marries a non-Muslim man, this marriage is NOT A marriage in the eyes of the Shari'ah.

This woman is making a grave error and is guilty of committing zina!

May Allaah protect us.

Statement of the Islamic Fiqh Council regarding this matter:

"Marriage of a kaafir to a Muslim woman is haraam and is not permissible, according to scholarly consensus, and there is no doubt about that because of what is stated in the shar'i texts." (Fataawa Islamiyyah (3/231)

Just look at the rulings on such a woman!

"If a Muslim woman marries a non-Muslim man, knowing the ruling thereon, then she is a zaaniyah and is subject to the hadd punishment for zina.(Ya Allaah!!!)If she was unaware of the ruling, then she is excused, but they must be separated, with no need for talaaq (divorce), because the marriage is invalid in the first place."
(Islamqa)

Astaghfirullaah!

Do we need any more proof than this?!

Should I go to such a wedding if I'm invited?

NO we should not be going to such a wedding that's not valid in the sight of Allaah.
If we take part in something that's haraam, then we're indirectly condoning that haraam.

In fact this is cooperating in sin and transgression, which itself is a sin.

Allaah says:

"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression" (Surah al-Maa'idah :2)

What should I do?

Part of our being a Muslim is to enjoin the good and forbid the evil.

So here's what we can do depending on the situation.

1. If it's possible, go talk to the parties involved and help the man to understand and accept Islaam and say the Shahadah. That is the best scenario.

2. If he does not want to become Muslim, then explain to them how this marriage would not be valid and try to talk them out of it.

3. If they don't listen and still want to carry on with this adulterous relationship then simply DO NOT attend this so-called 'wedding' and be devastated about it in your heart. But at least you did your job.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart [by at least hating it and believing that it is wrong], and that is the weakest of faith." (Muslim)

But I love the man!

Many sisters 'think' they 'love' the non-Muslim man and they can't live without them.

Dear sister, this just a trick of the Shaytaan.

This so-called 'Love' for a non-Muslim man will destroy your dunya and Aakhirah, UNLESS he accepts Islaam and sincerely becomes Muslim.

Just think about it!

If the marriage is against the orders of Allaah, how can their be Khair in it?!

How can their be peace, love and happiness in it?!

How can there be ANY Barakah in it if you'll displease Allaah?!

Actually, it's better for you to marry a SLAVE who's Muslim rather than marry a free man who's not a Muslim.

Allaah says:

And verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater), even though he pleases you. Those (Al-Mushrikoon) invite you to the Fire, but Allaah invites (you) to Paradise and forgiveness by His Leave"
(Surah al-Baqarah :221)

Imam al-Tabari said:

What is said concerning the interpretation of the words "And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikoon till they believe (in Allaah Alone) and verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater), even though he pleases you" is that what Allaah meant by that is that Allaah has forbidden the believing women from marrying to a mushrik, no matter what kind of shirk he believes in. So, O believers, do not give your daughters in marriage to them, for that is forbidden to you. For you to give them in marriage to a believing slave who believes in Allaah and His Messenger and that which he brought from Allaah is better for you than to give them in marriage to a free mushrik even if he is of noble descent and honourable origins, even if you like his descent and background...

But then, why are Muslim MEN allowed to marry a woman of the People of the Book?

First of all, when Allaah and His Messenger have ordered us something there's no arguing about it or any other way around it.

Allaah says:

"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error" (Surah al-Ahzaab :36)

So if we are believers, we obey.That's what BELIEVERS do.
....even if they don't understand it.

Just obey.

No questions asked.

THAT is true submission to Allaah.

THAT is Islaam.

Allaah says:

"The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allaah (His Words, His Orders) and His Messenger to judge between them, is that they say: 'We hear and we obey.' And such are the prosperous ones (who will live forever in Paradise).And whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger, fears Allaah, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful ones"
(Surah an-Noor :51-52)

Even if there were no other reasons, and no other explanations except this one, that would be ENOUGH for us as Muslims to obey Allaah's Command.

But for those who want further explanation:

As Muslims we believe Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa is al-Hakeem, al-'Aleem, the Most-Wise, the Most-Knowledgable.
There is a reason for everything He does. And He knows better.

Allaah has allowed the Muslim man to marry a woman who's a Christian or a Jew and NOT ALLOWED a Muslim woman to marry a nom-Muslim man because of several reasons:

A) The man is in a position of leadership over the woman, and it is not allowed for a non-Muslim to be in a position of leadership over a Muslim woman

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"Islam prevails and is not prevailed over." (al-Daaraqutni and others -hasan by al-Albaani)

Allaah tells us in the Qur'aan that men are 'qawwaam' over their wives, meaning they're in charge.

The husband is the leader or head of the household and his status within the family is higher than that of his wife.
Because of this higher position, if a muslim woman were to marry a non-Muslim man, the husband would influence his wife in a negative way and make her leave her Deen or at least be very lax about it.

He would not be helping her to obey Allaah and in fact he would be an impediment in doing that. And would be an obstruction between her and Jannah.

C) The higher status of the husband will also influence the children to follow their father's religion, which would be nothing short of a DISASTER for the family, if these children grow up to be non-Muslim.

Conclusion*

Faith is not just words, my sister, unless it's accompanied by ACTIONS.

If Allaah has prohibited Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men, even if they're from the People of the Book, then we have to submit to that order and accept it without any qualms about it.

Allaah's Guidance is the best guidance and His Way is the best way.

Alhamdulillaah.

رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا ، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا ، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا

"I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) as my Prophet"

And Allaah knows best.