640. Is It Allowed To Read Ruqya And Blow On Oneself

By Asma bint Shameem

Yes it’s allowed to read ruqyah and blow on oneself or on water and drink that. 

A person can recite Qur’aanic verses into some water – then the sick person drinks from it and then pours the rest over himself whilst bathing just as the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did for Thaabit Ibn Qais Ibn Shammaas radhi Allaahu anhu. 

Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammaas said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam entered upon Thabit ibn Qays (when he was ill. 

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

“Remove the harm, O Lord of men, from Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammas.”

He then took some dust of Bathan, and put it in a bowel, and then *mixed it with water and blew in it, and poured it on him.*”

(Abu Dawood 3885; hasan by Shaikh Ibn Baaz in Majmoo’ Fatawa, 9/408, 409)

Although some of the scholars considered this hadeeth as “weak”, others considered it *hasan* or good. 

In any case, some of the Sahaabah practiced this method of Ruqyah and it brought healing by the Permission of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“If a person blows with saliva after reciting Qur’aan, such as al-Faatihah – which is a kind of ruqyah and is the greatest kind of ruqyah that may be recited over a sick person – so he recites al-Faatihah then *blows into the water – there is nothing wrong with this. *

Some of the salaf did this, and it is effective and beneficial by Allaah’s leave. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to blow into his hands when going to sleep, after reciting Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad, and Qul A’oodhu bi Rabbi’l-Falaq and Qul ‘A’oodhu bi Rabbi’l-Naas, then he would wipe his hands over his face and whatever he could of his body. 

And Allaah is the Source of strength.”

(Fataawa Al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 1/107)

Many scholars such as Wahb Ibn Al-Munabbih, Imaam Ahmad, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Al-Qayyim, Shaykh Ibn Baaz, Ibn 'Uthaymeen, and Shaykh Ibn Ibraaheem Aal Ash-Shaykh, ALL said that it is permissible to perform Ruqyah this way.

And Allaah knows best.

639. Can I Use Prayer Beads (Masbahah/Tasbeeh) To Do Dhikr Or Should I Count On My Fingers?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Even though it’s *permissible* to use prayer beads for doing Tasbeeh and dhikr, it’s much BETTER to count on the fingers. 

Why?

Because using the fingers to do Tasbeeh and Dhikr is the SUNNAH. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam only used his fingers to count and do all kinds of dhikr. 

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam encouraged his Ummah to do the same. 

He said:

“Count on your fingers, for they will be questioned and made to speak.”*

(Ahmad —hasan by al-Albaani)

So if it’s the Sunnah then why abandon that for something that’s NOT from the Sunnah and use prayer beads?

So is it “haraam” to use prayer beads or counters etc for dhikr and Tasbeeh?

No it’s not actually ‘haraam’ or ‘bid’ah’ to use counters, prayer beads, etc for dhikr but it’s much BETTER to use the fingers because that’s what the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did and encouraged. 

Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen said:

“Doing tasbeeh with the masbahah is not haraam or bid’ah, but it is better not to do it, because the one who does tasbeeh with the masbahah has *SHUNNED something better*.”

Shaikh al-Albaani said:

“If there is only one bad thing about the masbahah, which is that it takes the place of the Sunnah of counting on the fingers,....then that is bad enough. How rarely I see people counting their tasbeeh on their fingers!” (Al-Silsilat al-Da’eefah (1/117)

So it’s allowed to use the prayer beads if it serves a PURPOSE, like it helps you to stay focused on the dhikr or if it helps you to count, etc. 

But it would be more recommended and closer to the Sunnah to use the fingers. 

But whatever you use to make dhikr and Tasbeeh, make SURE your HEART is ATTACHED to the dhikr and you KNOW what you’re saying. 

That’s because HEEDLESS Dhikr, when there’s no focus of the heart or the tongue on the dhikr, is INVALID  and is of NO USE. 

Think about it. 

If there’s no connection of what’s on the tongue, with the heart, what good would that do?

What rewards would that bring?

That would then just be ‘lip service’, wouldn’t it? 

....irrespective of whether one uses the fingers or prayer beads or anything else. 

I’ve personally seen people holding prayer beads and *religiously* moving one bead after another, literally for hours, while their eyes are glued to the screen, watching Indian movies! 

Subhaan Allaah! 

What kind of ‘Dhikr’ is that?!!

Imaam Al-Mannaawi said: 

“As for what heedless people used to do, of holding a masbahah which is very ornate and costly, and carrying it without any presence of mind or thought, and talking or listening to people, or talking to them whilst moving its beads through his fingers, when his heart and tongue are distracted by worldly matters, this is *blameworthy* and is *makrooh*, and it *is one of the worst of reprehensible deeds*.”

(Fayd al-Qadeer, 4/468)

And Allaah knows best

637. 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.”

(Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb 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 the Musabbihaat before sleeping 

Irbaadh ibn Saariyah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not used to sleep until he recited the’Musabbihaat’ and he used to say ‘In them is an Ayah that is better than a thousand verses!’(at-Tirmidhi 3406; ‘Hasan’ by al Albaani)

The Musabbihaat refers to the surahs that begin with ‘Sabbaha lillah..’ or ‘Yusabihu Lillah..’ or ‘Subhaan..’ or ‘Sabihi…’ and they are seven surahs: 

Suratul Israa, 

Suratul Hadeed, 

Suratul Hashr,

Suratus Saff, 

Suratul Jumu’ah’, 

Suratut Taghaabun, 

Suratul Aa’laa 

6. 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)

7. 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) 

8. 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)

9. 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)

Someone asked Shaikh al-Albaani:

“Regarding the hadeeth that the Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would not sleep until he recited Soorah Mulk, al – Isra, Zumar, and Sajdah, is this when he lies down on his bed at night, or before he lies down?

The Shaykh said:

“What is important is that he recites before he falls asleep, whether it is whilst he is sitting or lying then it is up to him” (‘Silsilah Huda wa Noor’ tape No. 323 at 3:42mins)

10. 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’aan after every prayer.” 

(Ahmad - saheeh by al-Albaani)

11. 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)

12. 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 Allaah alone…” (Surah al-Ikhlaas)”

(at-Tabarani - Saheeh by al-Albaani)

13. 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)

14. 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. 

So 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.

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)

And Allaah knows best

636. Help! I Have Issues With My Mother-In-Law!

By Asma bint Shameem 

It’s sad that a lot of goodhearted sisters have issues with their mothers-in-law. 

This is a common problem among families, even though each of the families are educated, well mannered and god fearing. 

The root of the problem lies in the fact that the mother and the wife both feel that *their* rights over the man are *“more”* than the other’s rights. 

Or they feel “threatened” by the other’s presence. 

The mother feels she’s “lost” her son to “another” woman and on the other side, the wife feels that now that she’s his wife, she’s entitled to her husband’s sole attention and love, exclusive of anyone else.

But Alhamdulillaah, our Deen is balanced and tells us that each woman has her own place and her own rights. 

Do realize that the man you married is her son after all. 

And he must uphold his relationship with her. 

Just because he married you does not mean that he stopped being her son or that his duties towards her have stopped. No.

Rather, his responsibilities have increased because he must work hard to keep up his relationship with his mother, in addition to keeping good relationship with you. 

Both of you have rights over him. 

But also remember that HER rights take precedent over yours. 

It’s true that the wife has certain rights over her husband that he must uphold. 

So he must be kind and loving to his wife and provide for her and care for her. 

Allaah says:

“And live with them [wives] in kindness.”

[an-Nisaa’ 4:19].

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“I urge you to treat women well” [(al-Bukhaari (3331) and Muslim (1468)]

However, the rights of the mother (and father) are greater. 

The mother has the greatest rights of all people over her son.

And honoring, respecting and loving the parents is one of the most important duties of a  person. 

Allaah says:

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. 

And that you be dutiful to your parents. 

If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor”

[al-Isra’ 17:23]. 

And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Who among the people is most deserving of my good company?” 

He said, “Your mother.” 

He asked, “Then who?” 

He said, “Your mother.” 

He asked, “Then who?” 

He said, “Your mother.” …

(al-Bukhaari, 5514; Muslim, 4621).

That doesn’t mean that he neglects you. 

But you *must* understand that your husband has to be obedient and loving and kind to his mother. And take care of her, no matter what. 

Each of you has her own place in his life. 

You are not competing for the same spot in his heart.

Rather a mother’s love will remain in its place and a wife’s love will remain in its place. 

Each is separate from the other. 

It’s just like you love your husband. And you also love your father. 

And you love your son. 

Each love is separate and distinct from the other.

So don’t be jealous of her.

Don’t feel threatened by her and don’t worry about her. 

She can NEVER take your place. 

And you can never take HERS. 

My advice would be to develop a good relationship with your mother-in-law 

Treat her like your own mother. 

Or better yet, treat her like you would want “your” daughter-in-law to treat you. 

Even if she says something that you don’t like, ignore it. 

Let it go. 

And return her rudeness with gentleness, patience and kind behavior. 

Allaah says:

“The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. 

Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allaah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.” 

(Surah Fussilat: 34). 

If you treat her well, she will appreciate it and will respond with the same. 

Also don’t “expect” anything from her in return. 

Do it for the sake of Allaah. 

Do it because you know Allaah loves those who are kind to others and expect your rewards with “Him” and no one else.  

It’s true that a daughter-in-law is not obligated to serve her in-laws as an Islaamic ruling as such and there's no sin on her if she doesn’t. 

But if you treat your in-laws well, that's going to count as sadaqah or charity for you. 

It's something *mustahabb* or recommended and *liked* in Islaam. 

That's because if you treat your 

in-laws with respect and love, your husband will be pleased and will have love and respect for you in return.

And that will bring you two closer and elevate your status in his eyes. 

It is part of the good manners of a Muslim woman to consider the husband’s parents as hers so she thinks of them as family. 

And has love and sincerity for them. 

There IS definitely wisdom in this outlook that results in harmony and overall benefit in following the culture or times. 

If there’s any issue between the wife, and her in-laws, it should be resolved with forgiveness, love, kindness and understanding instead of keeping grudges and ill feelings. 

The KEY to a good relationship is to work things out amicably, with love, compassion and wisdom. 

And keep the best interest of the family at heart. 

And Allaah knows best