Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Monday, August 25, 2025

746. If You Genuinely Tried Your Best But Couldn’t Fast Due To Some Reason That Was Out Of Your Control

By Asma Bint Shameem

If you *genuinely* tried your best but couldn’t fast due to some reason that was *out of your control*, for example you intended to fast during Ayyaam al-Beedh but you got your menses, or you fell sick, etc., then Allaah will reward you for your good intentions and you may even attain even more. 

That’s because when a person forms a definite intention to do good deed, but something prevents him from doing that, he will still be rewarded for it. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“No (believing) person gets sick, but (his deeds) will be recorded for him in accordance with what he used to do when he was well.” (al-Bukhaari)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

 "Whoever goes to his bed intending to get up and pray at night, then his eyes overwhelm him and (he sleeps) until morning, *the (reward for) that which he intended will be written for him*, and his sleep is a *charity* for him given by his Lord, Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala.” 

(al-Nasaa’i, 1787; Ibn Maajah, 1344; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 601)

And the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam also said:

"Whoever sincerely asks Allaah for martyrdom will attain the status of the martyrs *even if he dies in his bed.”* (Muslim, 1909)

And Allaah knows best

Monday, August 18, 2025

745. WOMEN And Common Mistakes During Hajj And Umrah

By Asma bint Shameem

Mistake # 1:Thinking that their Ihraam is the 'cap' they wear over their head:

Some of my sisters get confused about what 'Ihraam' means and they think the word 'Ihraam' refers to the CAP that they put on over their hair.And they don't take this cap off, no matter what, thinking they will "break their Ihraam".   

My dear sisters, Ihraam is not a set of “clothes” that you put on.

And Ihraam is definitely not the cap you put on over your head.  

Rather it's a state that you enter into, with certain restrictions that come into play once you enter the state of Ihraam.   

Also, putting on any item of clothing after you enter into the state of Ihraam does not mean that you cannot take it off later. 

And taking it off does NOT mean that you ended your Ihraam. 

That's why the Ulama say we can change our Ihraam (meaning our clothes), and even wash it if it gets dirty.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

"It is permissible for the pilgrim in ihraam for Hajj or 'Umrah to change his ihraam clothes and put on another set of ihraam clothes, and that does not affect his ihraam for Hajj or 'Umrah." (Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, Fataawa al-Lajnah, 11/185)

Mistake #2. Excessive fear of breaking their hair.

Some sisters have excessive fear of breaking their hair. They are literally mortified if they see even one single hair on their clothes, pillow etc. 

This fear of their hair breaking is so bad that they don't want to take off their scarf/dupatta/hijaab, even when they're by themselves or among just women. 

That's because they think they will have to pay penalty for their hair breaking or that they will be sinful or that it might break their ihraam. They are so worried about their hair breaking, that they don't even take off their hijaab or headpiece for making wudhu

Dear sisters, first of all, realize that this is a trick of the Shaytaan. 

Think about it…

If you don't do wudhu properly, would your prayer be valid? Would your tawaaf be valid?

Secondly, do you really think Allaah would hold you accountable if you did something that was not in your control? 

No of course not. 

He is The Most Merciful. 

He is the Most Forgiving. 

Then, why would He would nullify your ihraam just because a few hair fell out on their own, something that was out of your control?!  

Yes, we are not supposed to cut our hair while in the state of ihraam, but the prohibition is for the hair to be cut, plucked, shaved, etc. ON PURPOSE. Not INvoluntarily. 

Mistake # 3: Thinking Nothing can touch your face.

Some sisters have this wrong notion that it is not allowed for anything to touch their face while in ihraam. 

So they don't wipe their faces with a towel, after doing wudhu and they don't let anything else touch their faces, either.  

And some of my niqaabi sisters put a cap on heir head and then drape a piece of cloth over the cap in such a way that the cloth does not touch their face. 

This has no basis in Islaam. 

Remember, there is nothing wrong with anything touching the face of the woman in ihraam. 

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said: 

"Many women wear a headband under the veil to keep it away from the face. This action has no basis." (Fataawa bin Baaz)

Some sisters might be doing this action, based on the hadeeth of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) when he said: 

"Women should not wear niqaab or gloves." (al-Bukhaari)

 Although this hadeeth is authentic, it does NOT mean that nothing can touch the face. It only means that the women should not wear 'niqab' (or veil) itself, the way it is stitched to be worn over the face. That's all.

 In fact, the niqaabi sisters

should definitely try and cover their faces with something else other than the niqaab, when they fear that there will be men around. And when the men are gone, they can uncover their faces.

This is how our Mother Aaishah Radhi Allaahu anha covered herself when she was in ihraam.  

She said: "The riders used to pass by us when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) in ihraam. When they came alongside us we would lower our jilbaabs from our heads over our faces, and when they had passed by we would uncover them."  ( Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani) 

Shaikh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:  

"It is not narrated that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) forbade the woman in ihraam to cover her face; rather he forbade the niqaab only because it is worn on the face. 

He differentiated between the niqaab and covering the face. Based on this, if a woman in ihraam covers her face, we say there is nothing wrong with that, but it is better for her to uncover it so long as there are no non-mahram men around her, in which case she should cover her face from them." (Al-Sharh al-Mumti', 7/153) 

Mistake # 4: Getting their hair cut ONLY by someone who has exited ihram 

This is also a very common misconception. 

The sisters think that  ONLY the one who is NOT in ihraam, can cut their hair, once they've finished with their rituals. 

And they refuse to cut their own hair to exit ihraam nor do they allow another sister who has not yet exited ihraam to cut it for them, thinking that she is not allowed to do that for them. 

This is a WRONG notion.   

Actually, if you think about it, you are supposed to cut your hair when you finish with all the rituals. 

The way to get out of ihraam IS to cut your hair once you're done with your Sa'i, right?  

So you're not doing anything wrong if you cut your own hair, or ask some other sister, who is still in ihraam, to cut it for you.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) commanded his companions, duringthe Farewell Pilgrimage:

"LET HIM CUT (meaning, HIS OWN) hair then exit ihraam." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said: 

"He may shave his own head, or he may ask someone else to do it, which is different from the view of some scholars who said that if he shaves his own head he is doing something that he should not do. We say that he is not doing something that he should not do, rather he is shaving his head as part of the ritual."

(al-Sharh al-Mumti' (7/328). 

And the Shaikh was asked: 

If a woman cuts her own hair, does she owe any penalty? 

He replied: 

"No. If a woman cuts her own hair, or a man shaves his own head, or he has it shaved by someone who is in ihraam, or by someone who is not in ihraam, all of that is permissible." (Liqa' al-Baab il-Maftooh (224/42).

Mistake  # 4: Not going to the Jamaraat or Muzdalifah

Some of my sisters delegate someone else to go throw the pebbles on their behalf for no valid reason. 

They just get scared of the crowd or sometimes, they get plain old lazy, not understanding the importance of doing it themselves, even if they are able.

I say to my sisters; Masha Allaah, Allaah has blessed us with health. Alhamdulillaah, we are young, energetic, confident, and capable. 

 We are able to do anything and everything when we are back home and yet, when it comes to Hajj and the Jamaraat, all of a sudden we become "frail, little, weak 'women' who cannot go throw the pebbles". 

Don't be lazy about the rituals of Hajj. 

Realize the significance of doing everything yourself if you have the ability.

KNOW that even throwing the pebbles is an act of ibaadah!

So there's no need to be scared at all.

Yes, many years ago, we heard horror stories of stampedes, and people suffocating or hurting themselves. 

But now, no more. Alhamdulillaah, the Saudi government has renovated the whole Jamaraat complex a few years ago and it is the easiest thing inthe world. I have seen old people  in wheelchairs, people on crutches, and kids as little as 3 and 4 years old, throwing the pebbles themselves.

So don't get scared and do it yourself. Think of all the reward you will get and all the sins that will be forgiven for you.

Yes, indeed, if there is a lot of crowd or your safety is an issue, we as women, are allowed to go later than the rest of the crowd and we can delay the stoning until the evening or the night.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

"It is permissible to delay their (meaning women) stoning of the Jamrah until the crowding is less or has stopped, and there is nothing wrong with them doing that." (Fatawa shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen)

Similarly, for staying in Muzdalifah, it is better for you, if you are able, to stay the whole night in Muzdalfah. 

Yes, it is allowed for women to leave after half the night has passed, if there is an excuse such as sickness, weakness, or just because we are women. 

BUT, it is better if you do stay the whole night following the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam).

So don't chicken out.

Mistake # 5: Crowding with the men

In trying to touch the Black Stone, I've seen some of my sisters, being pushed and shoved (unintentionally) by men all around, totally squished in between them, their hijaab half way or even totally off of their heads, sweating profusely, red in the face and having difficulty breathing, some getting hurt, falling or even collapsing because of the pressure of the crowds.

Trying to get in that Hajj crowd to kiss the Black Stone is next to impossible for a woman without experiencing all of the above.

Think about it sisters. Touching the Black Stone is a beautiful Sunnah. But it is a “Sunnah”. 

And protecting yourself and your hayaa from coming  in contact with all the strange men is a “FARDH”.

So beware, my sisters, of crowding with men inall the rituals of Hajj, especially during tawaaf and at the Black Stone, during Sa'i and when stoning the Jamaraat. Choose times when there is less crowding.

Umm al-Mu'mineen Aaishah used to do tawaaf in an area away from the men, and she did not touch the Black Stone or the Yemeni Corner if there was crowding.

"Aaishah Radhi Allaahu anhaa used to do tawaaf far away from the men, not mixing with them." 

A woman said: "O Mother of the Believers, let us go and touch the Black Stone!" 

She said: "Go yourself," and she refused to go."

 In my opinion, the best place for us women to do tawaaf is up on the roof of the Masjid. 

 Now it may seem like a big distance from far, but I promise you, all it takes is an hour and 10 minutes, total, to be precise, to complete the seven rounds of a tawaaf, walking at an average pace.

An hour and ten minutes!!! 

The Shaytaan may play with your mind and make it seem like a lot. But then ask yourself this...don't you easily, easily, walk an hour ten minutes in the mall? Well then.....?

And you know what? 

 It takes the same amount of time to do tawaaf downstairs as well!

How's that..you ask?

Because of the large amount of people, you are moving at a  much slower pace downstairs (actually, barely moving) and it just takes longer because of that.

As compared to that, it's much easier and sooo much better on the roof; you are moving at a faster pace, it is cooler up there and you can make a lot of dua and have much more khushoo' and concentration  in your dua because you will not be worried about bumping into or coming in contact with other strange men.

Mistake # 6: Rushing through Ibaadah.

Some sisters rush through their Ibaadaat, whether it is their Salah, dua, Tawaaf or any other Ibaadah, wanting to do it quickly, focusing on the quantity of their Ibaadah rather than the quality.

Remember, dear sisters, that Allaah will look at the  quality of your worship, NOT your quantity. And that's why our deeds will be weighed on the Day of Judgment and not  counted. If you do pray two rakah with khushoo', concentrating on what you are saying, beseeching Allaah with humility, wouldn't that be better and more acceptable to Allaah than even 50 or even a 100 rakah quickly pecking the ground, without knowing a word of what you are saying?

Every time you do any Ibaadah, check to see whether you have khushoo or not? Are you focused in what you are doing? Do you know the meaning of what you are saying or asking? Are you moving at a slow, measured pace or are you rushing through it?

Remember what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:

"The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer!" The Companions asked, "Oh Messenger of Allah! How does one steal from his prayers?" The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) responded, "He does not complete his bowing, nor his prostrations." Or he said "He does not straighten his backbone while bowing and prostrating." (Ahmed, al-Tabarani, others: saheeh by al-Albaani) 

And that's also why one Tawaaf upstairs with Khushoo' is better than 3 downstairs in which there is no khushoo'. Remember it's about quality, NOT quantity

Mistake # 7: Misbehaving in the Masjid of the Prophet Sal Allaau Alayhi wa sallam

One of the worst mistakes that I see the sisters making is at the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam)'s Masjid.

When the doors are opened  in the morning and evening, for the sisters so that they can visit the Raudah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam), they totally lose all sense of who they are, where they are and what they are doing. They run like a wild animal let loose, shouting and screaming in ignorance, pushing each other, trampling anyone and everyone that comes in their way, be it a small child or an old woman, their mother's age!

Subhaan Allaah sisters!

Is this what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) taught us?! Is this the way you behave in a Masjid, let alone the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam)'s Masjid?! 

Is this the respect he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) deserves from you?!

Remember when visiting the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam)'s Masjid, to behave with honor and dignity, with the hayaa' that Allaah has adorned you with, as a believing Muslim woman would. Remember to keep your voice soft and your walk paced. Don't shove, push, harm or hurt your fellow Muslim sisters. Even if you didn't get a chance to pray in that area, if you let your sister pray there for the sake of Allaah just because she is your Muslim sister, Allaah will reward you, and He knows best, perhaps even  more than He would have, had you yourself had a chance to pray there!

Mistake # 8: Wasting precious time in Mina  

I see SO many sisters wasting their time talking with each other, about nothing specific, mingling and socializing with the other Hajjis, while they are staying in Mina and even on the day of Arafah, which is the most important day of Hajj!

They forget that these are the most blessed days in which Ibaadah is dearest to Allaah. They forget that Mina is not a place to socialize; rather it is a place foribaadah and dhikr and istighfaar and dua. They forget that Day of Arafah is THE DAY for Hajj. That's what this whole journey is all about. Instead of remembering Allaah, they busy themselves with idle talk, laughing, joking, even gheebah and gossip.

Now, there's nothing wrong with talking for a little bit and to enquire about each other's well being, etc. In fact, it becomes an act of Ibaadah if you talk with that niyyah of being kind and polite to your fellow Muslim or for taking a little rest inbetween your ibadah to refresh yourself.

But when this talking takes over one's time and this is what a person is doing the majority of the time in Mina, then it becomes an a serious issue of wasting precious time. And in the end, no one loses but you.

Sisters, don't you want to utilize this beautiful blessed time to make dua and maximize your chance of acceptance with Allaah? Don't you want to spend these blessed days in the dhikr of Allaah and asking Him to forgive you? After all, this is a chance that may never come back. You can always talk later, but these days inMina once gone will be gone.

So remember this and don't get pulled in when others are doing it and remind them gently. It will be written as good deeds for you, bi idhnillaah.

May Allaah enable us to perform Hajj according to the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam), in a manner that is most pleasing to Him. May Allaah accept this Hajj and make it Mabroor for all of us. Ameen.

 And Allaah knows best.

Monday, August 11, 2025

744. Conveying Salaams To The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam

 By Asma bint Shameem 

"Please convey my salaams to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) when you go and visit Madeenah." 

That's what people say to those leaving for Hajj or Umrah. 

Some even say, "Take my name personally and say so-and-so has sent you the salaams, O Prophet of Allaah."

And it’s not just a few who request this. 

Many, many people I know ask to do so. 

I also know that it’s out of sheer love and utmost respect for the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) that they say this.

But my dear brother/sister in Islaam, I have to tell you that this is an action that is NOT prescribed in the Sharee'ah.  

 Now, I am not saying that sending blessings and salaams on the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) *itself* is bad. 

 Surely it is one of the BEST and MOST VIRTUOUS of deeds and one of the most BELOVED of deeds to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala 

 And of course, we should send salaams on the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) ALL the time, as much as we can. 

 And Allaah will send blessings on you in return tenfold. That is surely good. 

 What is wrong is *telling a person traveling to Madeenah to convey your salaams to him* (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam). 

 Did you know that your salaams will reach him (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) no matter where you are, whether you are standing in front of his grave in Madeenah or you are thousands of miles away on the other side of the world?

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"Send blessings upon me for your greeting will reach me no matter where you are.” (Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani) 

 And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

“Allaah has angels who go around on earth, conveying to me the salaam of my ummah.” (al-Nasaa’i--saheeh by al-Albaani)

 So, it doesn't really matter whether you are in the privacy of your home or in the midst of the market place, or if you are a bedouin living in Madeenah or an astronaut flying in space. 

 If you send salaams on the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam), he will receive them.

 Besides, wouldn't you like to send your salaams personally to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) instead of sending it through somebody who may forget? 

 Or he may not convey the salaams with that love and respect you would like him to? 

Think about it.  

When someone really special is coming, you would surely want to go meet him personally rather than just sending somebody else on your behalf, right? 

Then, wouldn't YOU want the angels to convey YOUR special and personal salaams to him? 

And who is a better and more trustworthy carrier than the angels?

How do we know  it is wrong?

We know it is wrong because it was not the practice of the Sahaabah or the righteous people after them to convey the salaams of each other at the grave of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) every time one of them visited Madeenah. 

If it was something good, surely, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)would have taught the Sahaabah to do that or he would have given us instructions to do so. 

But the fact of the matter is that he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) instructed us to do quite the opposite.

He (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"Do NOT take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly). Send blessings upon me for your greeting will reach me no matter where you are.” (Abu Dawood- saheeh by al-Albaani)

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:  

"If you send salaam upon him (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) from the farthest ends of the earth, your salaam will reach him, because Allaah has appointed angels who travel about the earth, and if anyone sends salaams upon the Messenger  (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam), they convey that salaam to the Messenger  (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam). 

So if we say now, “O Allaah, send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allaah,” our salaam will be transmitted to him. In prayer we say, “Al-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuha’l-nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu (Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings),” and the salaam is transmitted to him… " 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Naasir al-Barraak, a member of faculty in the Imam Muhammad ibn Sa’ood Islamic University, said: 

"There is no basis for sending salaams to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) with one who is traveling to Madeenah. It was not the habit of the righteous salaf of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), Taabi’een or scholars to send salaams in this manner, and no such thing has been narrated...."

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said: 

"Based on this, sending salaams to the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) as an act or worship is an innovation (bid’ah). 

In fact it is not prescribed to send salaam to anyone who is deceased, rather salaams are to be said to the dead by one who visits him (his grave)..." (Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 23/416, 417) 

Conclusion 

We need to realize, my dear brother/sister, that sending blessings and peace upon our Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam is one of the noblest acts of worship and obedience, yet out of His Great Mercy and Immense Bounties, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala has made it so easyfor us to do so, whenever we want, and to do that a great deal, from any spot on earth. 

So take advantage of that blessing and make the most of this Mercy.

And so next time, when you want to send your salaams and blessings on your beloved Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam), don't wait for anyone going to Madeenah.

 Just say Allaahumma Salli 'ala Muhammad from the bottom of your heart.....with utter love and devotion....and the angels will be honored to carry this piece of love to him and convey your salaams to him and he will surely receive it. Guaranteed.

And Allaah knows best.

Monday, August 4, 2025

743. The Issue Of Wearing Niqaab In Ihraam

 By Asma bint Shameem 

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood issues regarding women and their ihraam. 

 Yes it’s true that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam said:

“Women should not wear niqaab or gloves.” (al-Bukhaari)

 BUT, this hadeeth does NOT mean that women who usually cover their faces with niqaab, should UNCOVER the face. 

 It only means that the women should not wear 'niqaab' itself, the ‘piece of cloth’ that’s STITCHED specifically to be worn over the face. 

That's all. 

 In fact, the niqaabi sisters should definitely try and cover their faces with something else other than the niqaab, when they fear that there will be men around. 

And when the men are gone, they can uncover their faces.

This is how our Mother Aaishah Radhi Allaahu anhaa covered herself when she was in ihraam.  

 She said: 

“The riders used to pass by us when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) in ihraam. When they came alongside us we would lower our jilbaabs from our heads over our faces, and when they had passed by we would uncover them.”  

(Abu Dawood--saheeh by al-Albaani)  

 Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:  

"It is not narrated that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) forbade the woman in ihraam to cover her face. Rather he forbade the NIQAAB only because it is worn on the face. He *differentiated* between the niqaab and covering the face. Based on this, if a woman in ihraam covers her face, we say there is *nothing wrong with that*, but it is better for her to uncover it so long as there are no non-mahram men around her, in which case she should cover her face from them." 

(Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 7/153) 

 Another *MISCONCEPTION* among women is that NOTHING can TOUCH their FACE. 

 And because of this, some niqaabi sisters put a cap on their head and then drape a piece of cloth over the cap in such a way that the cloth stays away from their face and does not touch it. 

 There is NO PROOF of this in the Sharee’ah. 

 There’s *nothing wrong* with anything touching the face of the woman in ihraam. 

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said: 

"Many women wear a headband under the veil to keep it away from the face. *This action has NO BASIS*." (Fataawa bin Baaz)

 *So What to Do*

 Simply take off your ‘niqaab’ and instead, DRAPE a large scarf over your head and let it hang below in front of your face. 

 When the non mahram men are around, cover your face with it. 

 And when they are not around, simply pick it up and let your face show in front of your mahrams and women. 

 This way you follow the instructions of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam AND follow the way our Mothers practiced it. 

Alhamdulillaah 

 And Allaah knows best