221. Khatams: From A Sharee'ah Perspective

By Asma bint Shameem

Tuk....tuk....tuk....tuk.... 

That's the sound I heard of date seeds falling one on top of the other, as a young girl when I had to attend 'khatam' gatherings. 

I would watch fascinated, no....mesmerized, as the adults around me would repetitively pick up the date seeds, one after the other, read the dua of Yunus Alayhi Salaam on it and then drop the seed on the pile below. Tuk...tuk...tuk, one after the other.

And they did this so rhythmically and so quickly that I would wonder how they could read a whole dua, an entire ayah, in a flash of a second, before I could even open my mouth!

One after the other, tuk...tuk...tuk...

And if you didn't have date seeds to count on, it didn't matter. You could count on 'chanay' or chick peas, almonds, small sea shells, pebbles, you name it.

That's how it was in Pakistan. 

Every time someone had a problem, or if a family had a crisis or trouble of some sort, or they were afflicted with a trial or calamity, they had a 'khatam' of the dua of Yunus Alayhi salaam, aka. 'Ayat Kareema ka khatam' in which they would read this dua125,000 times, hoping that Allaah would relieve them from the problem just like He relieved Yunus Alayhi Salaam from the stomach of the fish.

That was back then. But the questions we need to ask ourselves now are.....

Are these khatams from the Sunnah of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam?

What does the Sharee'ah say about such gatherings?

Are we supposed to read this ayah from the Qur'aan multiple times like that?                                            

Apparently it seems like there should be no problem in doing so. 

After all, the dua of Yunus Alayhi salaam is proven from the Qur'aan and even the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam himself encouraged us to read it in times of trouble. 

Then....how can that be wrong?

However, if we look further into the matter and examine the Sharee'ah, we will realize quite the opposite.

1. There is NOT a single ayah in the Qur'aan, nor a single narration from the authentic hadeeth that tells us that holding khatam gatherings is allowed in Islaam. Not one single evidence.

2. The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam himself never held khatams of any sort to read this dua or any dua for that matter,or any ayah or any Surah of the Qur'aan. 

3. Even in times of greatest of problems, and the most difficult of times, such as at the time of Badr or Uhud, at the time of the Boycott when the Sahaabah faced extreme difficulties, in Makkah when they were being persecuted, when Sumaiyyah RA was being killed and even when they were plotting to kill the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam, he NEVER, EVER gathered his Sahaabah or family to read Ayat Kareema, the dua of Yunus Alayhi Salaam, not did he read it by himself 125,000 times, or 'x' number of times to be relieved of trouble or crisis.

BUT didn’t Yunus Alayhi Salaam read it?!

Yes, indeed Yunus Alayhi Salaam read it but we have to look at how he read it. He didn't gather all the people he knew to read with him, nor did he read it a fixed number of times. He read the dua but he read it with sincerity, coming right out of his heart, reflecting on the meanings, truly admitting the Glory and Might of Allaah while acknowledging His Oneness. He knew he had made a mistake and so he honestly admitted to it and realized his shortcomings. 

That's not what happens at khatams. Half the people don't even know what the dua means nor do they even pay attention to what they are saying. And even if they do know what the actual words literally mean, most don't understand what it implies nor what it means to apply this dua in their lives.

It's just words coming out of their mouth. 

BUT there's an authentic hadeeth about it!

Yes indeed, there is an authentic Hadeeth about it. The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:  
“Shall I not tell you of something that, if any worldly calamity or disaster befalls any man among you and he says these words, he will be relieved of it. (It is) the du’aa’ of Dhu’l-Noon:

لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين

(none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allaah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers).” (Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer wa Ziyaadatuhu) 

But he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam never mentions in the hadeeth to say it a certain number of times or to gather people to read it.

He just tells us to make the dua. 

That does not prove that it is ok to hold khatams for it.

You see, acts of Ibaadah are tauqeefi, that means that any act of Ibaadah has to have proof from the Qur'aan or Sunnah in order for us to follow it. 

And if there is no proof for a particular act, then we cannot do it. Whoever encourages or promotes an act of Ibaadah has to bring proof for it. The burden of proof lies on them. 

BUT what's wrong if I gathered my family and friends?

Holding khatams and reading this dua a specific number of times becomes wrong because there's no proof for it. If gathering people and reading duas or ayaat or surahs by gathering everyone together was good, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam would have done so. And so would the Sahaabah.

But they didn't.

We have no proof of them doing so.

No ayah, no hadeeth, nothing from the history of Islaam.

So if they didn't do it, we don't do it either. 

What about the other kinds of khatams?

Similarly, there's no evidence for all the other kinds of khatams that we have, whether it is khatam of Ya Salaamo when someone is seriously sick or a khatam of Surah Yaseen or Durood Shareef, sending peace and blessings on the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam a specific number of times for barakah, or a khatam of Surah Waqi'ah if someone is facing financial difficulties. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam did not ever read Surah Yaseen or Surah Waqi'ah or any other Surah of the Qur'aan multiple number of times in a gathering for any reason whatsoever, nor did he have a khatam for it, even though of course, reading the Qur'aan by itself is a great act of worship.

The Sahaabah had no food, they didn't cook for months, some of them would make their kids go to sleep hungry and themselves remained starving just because they had a guest and they had just enough food for the guest only. 

Yet, they never ever had khatam of Surah Waqi'ah to be relieved from hunger and poverty.

That's because it is not from the Sharee'ah to pick out these Surahs to read a certain multiple number of times, whether individually or in a gathering.

Besides, the hadeeth about reading Surah Waqi'ah in case of fear of poverty and financial need is weak.

Nor did the Sahaabah ever get together to send peace and blessings on the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam as a group a certain specific number of times, nor did they hold any khatams.

 They loved the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) more than their own selves. They died for him, they sacrificed every thing they had for him, their love for him had no match. 

Surely there's no denying that. YET, they never ever held khatams for sending salaams and peace on him, in his life or after he passed away. 

And yet again, never did the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam nor the Sahaabah gather and have khatam of Ya Salaamo or any other Name of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala for any reason, no matter what the circumstances. 

Their children died in front of their eyes. 

They themselves got sick. Their families suffered severely. At distressful times as these, what did they do? They prayed to Allaah. 

But never EVER did they have a khatam of "Ya Salaamo".

You see, it is NOT sanctioned in the Sharee'ah to read ANY of Allaah's Names by themselves, any number of times. 

In fact, saying the any of the Names of Allaah by themselves is incomplete in meaning and makes no sense.

Ibn Taimiyyah says:

"The Name of Allaah on its own, either as a noun (“Allaah”) or a pronoun (“Huwa”) is not a complete phrase or meaningful sentence. It has no implications to do with eemaan or kufr, commands or prohibitions. This was not mentioned by anyone from the early generations of this ummah, and it was not prescribed by the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alyh sallam). It does not bring any knowledge to the heart or bestow any kind of benefit upon it." (Majmoo Fataawa)

The Standing Committee was asked about someone who remembers Allaah by saying “Ya Lateef” repeatedly.

They replied: 
"That is not permissible because it was not narrated from the Prophet (Sal Alahu Alayhi wa sallam). Rather it was proven that he said: 
“Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected.” (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 2/379)

Also, someone asked about reading Surah Yaseen a cerain number of times in times of trouble to get relief. 

Here's what the Shuyookh said:

"What you have mentioned about reading Soorat Yaa-Seen a certain number of times, or reading other soorahs, or sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) a certain number of times, in a group or individually, with the aim of fulfilling one’s needs or attaining one's desires, has no basis in sharee’ah, and it is something innovated that has been introduced into Islaam." (Islamqa team) 

Our deen condemns such gatherings

In fact, there is specific evidence in the Sharee'ah that actually condemns such gatherings and khatams.

‘Amr ibn Salamah said: 
"We were sitting at the door of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood before Fajr prayer, when he came out. 
We walked with him to the mosque, then Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari came to us and said: Has Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan come out to you yet? 
We said: No. So he sat with us until he came out, and when he came out we all stood up. 
Abu Moosa said to him: O Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan, just now I saw something in the masjid that I have never seen before, but I do not think it was anything but good. 
He said: What was it? 
He said: If you live, you will see it. 
He said: In the masjid, I saw some people sitting in circles waiting for the prayer. 
In every circle there was a man, and in their hands they had pebbles. 
He would say: Say Allaahu akbar one hundred times, and they would say Allaahu akbar one hundred times. 
He would say: Say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah one hundred times, and they would say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah one hundred times. 
He would say: Say Subhaan-Allaah one hundred times, and they would say Subhaan-Allaah one hundred times. 

He said: What did you say to them? 
He said: I did not say anything to them; I was waiting to see what you think and I waited for your command. 
He said: Why did you not tell them to count their bad deeds and guarantee to them that their good deeds would not be wasted? 
Then he moved on and we moved on with him until he came to one of those circles, and he stood over them and said: What is this that I see you doing? 
They said: O Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan, these are stones with which we count the takbeers (‘Allaahu akbar’), tahleel (‘Laa ilaaha illa-Allaah’) and tasbeeh (‘Subhaan-Allaah’). 
He said: Count your bad deeds, for I guarantee to you that none of your good deeds will be lost. Woe to you, O ummah of Muhammad! 
How quickly you have become doomed! 
His companions are still alive and his cloak has not worn out, and his vessel is not yet broken. 
By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you are either following a way that is more guided that the way of Muhammad or you are opening the door to misguidance. 
They said: By Allaah, O Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan, we intended nothing but good. 
He said: How many of those who intended good did not achieve it. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that some people would recite the Qur’aan and it would not go any further than their collarbones. 
By Allaah, I do not know, perhaps most of them are from among you. 
Then he turned away from them and ‘Amr ibn Salamah said: I saw most of those circles on the side of the Khawaarij (those who fought Ali RA) fighting us on the day of al-Nahrawaan." [al-Daarimi (204)]

So what to do?

1. DO read the dua of Yunus Alayhi Salaam when you have a problem or crisis. But read it like he read it....by himself, thinking about the meanings, reflecting on his own actions and regretting his mistake, feeling sorry for what he did.

And don't fix a number to it. Read it whenever you think of your problem. Read it in sujud while you are praying. Read it at Tahajjud time when everyone else is asleep but you are awake...alone with your Rabb. Read it at all the different times of day and night and at times when dua is more likely to be answered. And surely, Allaah will relieve you of your difficulty.

2. Have patience and know that with the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said that with difficulty comes ease, with patience comes victory.

3. Have tawakkul on Him and know that whatever Allaah does is for our best. 

4. DO send peace and blessings on the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) and do it as much as you can. It's one of the best acts of Ibaadah. But do it by yourself and don't fix a number, time or place or form to it. That's when it becomes wrong.

5. If someone you know is sick, know that healing and sickness is in Allaah's Hands. He will cure Him when it is written for him. Make dua in the meantime and ask Allaah directly for a cure, instead of gathering people and saying the name of Allaah by itself.

6. DO use Allaah's beautiful Names and perfect Attributes to seek what you want. Just don't do it in a gathering having a khatam and don't fix a number or form to it. And don't say the Name by itself. Instead make dua using the Beautiful Names and Perfect Attributes of Allaah. 

Ask as-Salaam to give you and your loved ones salaam. 

Ask ash-Shaafi to give the sick shifaa'. 

Ask al-Haadi to guide those who are astray. 

Ask at-Raaziq to increase your rizq, instead of holding khatams of Surah Waqi'ah.

Pick up your hands and ask.. He is not far away. In fact He is really close to you. All you need to do is ask and He will give you. All you need to do is pray and He will listen to you. 

You don't need to resort to khatams for Him to listen to you. 

Why do we need these khatams anyway? 

Half the people say it so fast, judging by the speed with which they are dropping the seeds in the pile below, I seriously wonder if they even read anything on it. It seems that they are just dropping them one after the other to 'appear,' to be reading while they are actually not. Wallaahu 'Alam.

Just remember....All goodness is in following those who came before us, and all evil is in the innovations of those who came later.

And Allaah knows best

220. Adhaan Timings

By Asma Bint Shameem

The time on the app is usually more accurate, while the adhaan may be delayed for some reason or the other. 

So you should go by the App in my opinion. 

Also the adhaan for Asr is delayed in the Subcontinent because they follow the hanafi time of Asr which is clearly wrong. 

The time the Asr prayer begins is very clearly defined in the following hadeeth:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The (time of)Dhuhr is when the sun has begun to decline, until one’s shadow is as long as his height, until the entrance of ‘Asr time.”(Saheeh Muslim)

So as the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam has explicitly mentioned in the above hadeeth, the time of Asr Prayer begins at a point between Dhuhr and Maghrib, when a person’s shadow is as long as his height.

However, Imaam Abu Haneefah had a different opinion from this hadeeth. 

And he was the ONLY one with that opinion. 

The REST of the ulama DISAGREED with him. 

In his opinion the time of Asr begins much later than the time mentioned in the hadeeth. 

Ibn Abdul-Barr said.  

“He (Imaam Abu Haneefah) has *opposed the narrations and the rest of the scholars*, and thus his own students opposed him in this,” (al-Mughnee (2/14)

In fact, Imaam Abu Haneefah’s own top two students OPPOSED several of Imaam Abu Haneefah’s opinions on various issues, *including* the opinion of the time of Asr, because they were NOT BLIND FOLLOWERS of Imaam Abu Haneefah. 

Rather they were followers of the TRUE SUNNAH of the PROPHET Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

And Imaam Abu Haneefah DID NOT tell his students or anyone else to blindly follow him, either. 

Rather he said:

"When a hadeeth is found to be saheeh, then that is my madhhab." 

[Ibn 'Aabideen in al-Haashiyah (1/63)

And he said:

"When I say something contradicting the Book of Allaah the Exalted or what is narrated from the Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam then ignore my saying." 

[Al-Fulaani in Eeqaaz al-Himam (p. 50)]

That was his Taqwa and his eagerness to follow the authentic hadeeth of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam 

So the CORRECT time that Asr starts is when the time for Dhuhr ends. 

And that is the ‘earlier’ time. 

Remember we are supposed to follow the PROPHET Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and no one else.

And Allaah knows best

219. Can I Point My Feet Towards The Ka’bah When I Sleep?

By Asma bint Shameem 

*Can I point my feet towards the Ka’bah when I sleep?*

*Or when I’m just sitting down?*

That’s a very common *misconception* that we have especially the people from Pakistan and India. 

They think it’s ‘disrespect’ to point the feet towards the Ka’bah.  

But the CORRECT understanding is that, there’s NOTHING WRONG with sleeping with the feet pointing towards the qiblah. 

You can sleep in WHICHEVER direction your feet point to. 

Similarly, there’s *nothing wrong* with stretching your legs towards the Ka’bah when sitting down. 

As long as you’re not doing it purposely, Aa’oodhu Billaah, as a disrespect, (and who would do that really?!), then there’s nothing wrong with that. 

In fact if someone is so sick that they can’t pray standing up, they are SUPPOSED to pray with their feet *TOWARDS* the qiblah. 

Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“There is no sin on a person if he sleeps with his feet towards the Ka’bah, rather 
the fuqaha’ said: 

“If a sick person cannot stand or sit, he should pray lying on his side with his face towards the qiblah, and if he cannot then he should pray on his back *with his feet towards the qiblah*.” 

(Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 2/976)

Another Important Point

The sad part is that we are SO worried about “disrespecting the Ka’bah” by pointing our feet towards it. 

But we DON’T THINK TWICE about disrespecting the LORD of the Ka’bah by disobeying Him.

Something we all need to think about!

218. Salaat at-Tasbeeh

By Asma bint Shameem 

There’s a difference of opinion among the ulama about Salaat at-Tasbeeh. 

There’s mainly one hadeeth of Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu that’s related to the subject but the ulama differed about the authenticity of this hadeeth. 

Some considered it acceptable while others considered the hadeeth as “weak” and even “fabricated” and thus the difference of opinion. 

Here are some of the statements about Salaat at-Tasbeeh according to Ulama such as Ibn Taymiyah, ibn al-Qayyim, al-Nawawi, ibn Qudamah, Shaikh ibn Fawzaan, Ibn Uthaaymeen, etc.

Ibn Taymiyah said:  

“The best of the reports narrated about these prayers is the narration about Salat al-Tasbeeh, which was narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi, but *nevertheless none of the four imams spoke of it;*

*in fact, Ahmad regarded the narration as da‘eef (weak), and these prayers are not mustahabb (recommended).”*

[Majmoo‘ al-Fatawa (11/579)]

Imam ibn Qudamah said: 

“With regard to Salat al-Tasbeeh, Ahmad said: I do not like it. 

It was said to him: Why? 

He said: There is nothing Saheeh about it, and he waved his hand as if dismissing it.”

[Al-Mughni (1/438)]

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said: 

"Salaat al-Tasbeeh is not prescribed, because the hadeeth is da'eef (weak).

Imaam Ahmad said there is no sound evidence for it.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said it is a fabrication, and he said that none of the Imaams recommended it."

Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Marzouq At-Tarefe said:

“Salah At-Tasbeeh is not authentically established, the narration was rejected by Imams like Imam Ahmad, Imam Abu Haatim and Shaykhul Islam ibn Taymiyyah. 

There many defects in the text. 

This prayer was never performed by the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam nor is it reported that any of his companions or the Tabi'een (in general) performed it.

It was mentioned by some Imams like that which is reported about ibn Mubarak that he done it.“

But other ulama considered the hadeeth authentic and said it’s allowed to read Salaat at-Tasbeeh. 

And Allaah knows best about that. 

So at best, it may be considered ‘doubtful’. 

In other words, it’s not sure whether the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam ever SAID these words to Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu or not. 

And if it is something that is doubtful and may not even be from the Sunnah, then why do it?

And even if some of the Ulama did regard it as something that can be done, realize that others considered it as something doubtful and even fabricated!

The question that really one needs to ask is:

Did the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam ever read this Prayer?

The answer is NO. NEVER. 

NO EVIDENCE of that. 

And did the Sahaabah besides ibn Abbaas read this prayer ?

Again the answer is NO. NEVER. 

NO EVIDENCE of that. 

The ONLY evidence is according to this hadeeth of ibn Abbaas, which is considered WEAK by some scholars and FABRICATED by others. 

The Standing Committee was asked about Salaat al-Tasaabeeh, and they answered:  

“Salaat al-Tasaabeeh is a bid'ah (innovation) and the hadeeth concerning it is not proven, rather it is munkar. Some of the scholars mentioned it among the fabricated ahaadeeth.”

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daaýimah, vol. 8, p. 163)

Shaykh Ibn ýUthaymeen said: 

“Salaat al-Tasaabeeh is not prescribed, because the hadeeth is da’eef (weak). 

Imaam Ahmad said there is no sound evidence for it. 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said it is a fabrication, and he said that none of the imaams recommended it. 

He spoke the truth, because whoever examines this prayer will find that it is odd in the way it is performed.

Moreover, if it were prescribed, it would have been something that was reported in many reports because of its great virtue and reward. 

Since there are no such reports and none of the imaams described it as being recommended, we know that it is not proven. 

The oddness in the way in which it is performed is as described in the hadeeth narrated concerning it, which says that it is to be performed once every day, or once every week, or once every month, or once every year, or once in a lifetime. 

This indicates that these reports are not sound; if it were prescribed, it would be something to be done on a regular basis, and one would not be given such a variety of options. 

On this basis, people should not do this prayer. And Allaah knows best.”

(Fataawa Manaar al-Islam, 1/203)

Now, for something that is doubtful, wouldn't you want to leave it and worship Allaah in a way that is for sure prescribed in the Sharee'ah?

Isn’t the reason WHY we want to read Salaat at-Tasbeeh anyway?

So that we want to earn rewards, come closer to Allaah and please Him? Correct?

Then why spend our time doing something ‘doubtful’ when we could be worshiping Allaah through those means that are definitely prescribed in the Sharee’ah and not dubious.

Why would we want to risk our ibaadah ?

Didn't the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say? 

 "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt." (al-Tirmidhi--Saheeh by al-Albaani)

We can use  the time we would have spent reading Salaat at-Tasbeeh, more efficiently by reading Qur’aan, memorizing it, gaining authentic knowledge or spreading it, giving charity, helping others, reading general nawaafil, engaging in dua, dhikr, etc... anything that is confirmed from teachings of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

There are so many prescribed ways to come closer to Allaah and earn rewards Alhamdulillaah. 

Why do we need to resort to any ibaadah that’s ‘doubtful’?

I myself “used” to read this Salaat Tasbeeh when I was younger, every single Friday no matter what!

Come rain or shine, I would read it since I was 15. 

I even read it when I was in medical school and had my exams the next day!

Subhaan Allaah. 

But when I found out that the hadeeth is doubtful and there is no evidence that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam himself read it or even the Sahaabah ever read it, I stopped. 

Alhamdulillaah. 

I know that it's hard to break built-in, hardened habits.  

But if our goal is to follow Islaam the way it was revealed to the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, then we should push hard to overcome those ingrained habits and thus aim to attain  the pleasure of Allaah rather than 'pleasing ourselves'. 

May Allaah guide us always and forgive our mistakes past, present and future ones. And enable us to practice this Deen in a manner that's pleasing to Him. Ameen.

217. Shaheed

By Asma Bint Shameem

In our Deen, “shaheed” are of two types.

1. The one who fights in the path of Allaah. He’s the “best” shaheed and the “true” shaheed. 

2. The second kind of shaheed is the one who gets the “rewards” of a shaheed according to the hadeeth of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“The martyrs are five: the one who dies of the plague, the one who dies of a stomach disease, the one who drowns, the one who is crushed beneath a falling wall, and the martyr who is killed for the sake of Allaah.”  (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

And the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam asked the Sahaabah:
“Who is counted as a shaheed among you?” 
They said,
“The one who fights and is killed for the sake of Allaah.” 

The Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 
“Then the shaheeds among my ummah would be few. The one who is killed for the sake of Allaah is a shaheed; the one who dies of plague is a shaheed; the one who dies of a stomach disease is a shaheed; the woman who dies with a child in her womb is a shaheed.” (Ahmad, 5/315; saheeh isnad)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said to ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit when he was sick: 
“Do you know who is a shaheed (martyr) in my ummah?”
The people remained silent, then ‘Ubaadah radhi Allaahu anhu said, “Help me to sit up.” 
They helped him to sit up, then he said, 
“O Messenger of Allaah, (is it) the patient one who seeks reward from Allaah for his patience?” 
The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said, 
“Then the martyrs among my ummah would be very few. Being killed for the sake of Allaah is martyrdom, the plague is martyrdom, drowning is martyrdom, stomach disease is martyrdom, and if a woman dies during the post-partum period, her child will drag her to Paradise by his umbilical cord.”[al-Musnad, 3/489; saheeh isnaad]

But *this* kind of shaheed is NOT of the same level as the Shaheed that loses his life in battle for the sake of Allaah. That’s the highest level of shaheed. 

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:
“It is proven in a number of hadeeths that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said that the one who dies by drowning, or because of the plague or a stomach disease (diarrhoea) is a martyr. So the one who dies of the plague is a martyr, 
the one who dies of a stomach disease is a martyr, 
the one who drowns is a martyr, 
the one who is crushed by a falling wall is a martyr,
the one who is killed for the sake of Allah is a martyr, the one who dies for the sake of Allah is a martyr, and there are a number of others who are martyrs. 

This is by the grace of Allaah, so that this ummah will have an advantage in terms of great reward, but the best of them are those who are martyred for the sake of Allah, who are killed for the sake of Allah. 

They are the best, and they are not to be washed (ghusl), and the funeral prayer is not to be offered for them, for they are alive with their Lord and given provision. 

Martyrs other than those who were martyred for the sake of Allah, such as those who died of a stomach disease or the plague, or those who were killed by falling walls or drowned, are to be washed and the funeral prayer is to be offered for them.

Included with them are those who die in vehicle rollovers and car crashes; they are likened to the one who is crushed beneath a falling wall, and there is the hope that they will have the status of martyrdom, but they are to be washed and the funeral prayer is to offered for them, as is done for those who die of stomach diseases or drowning.”(Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb, 3/1426)

So if the person is a Muslim, he’s patient and dies due to any of the above reasons, he will be counted as a shaheed out of the Mercy of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

The scholars at AMJA said:
“In Shaa’ Allaah whoever dies from the COVID-19 coronavirus will receive the reward of a martyr in the Hereafter. 

This is based on two considerations. 
The first is their inclusion in the Prophet’s statement, “the plague-stricken is a martyr,” based on the declaration of those scholars who said that the reward of the plague includes all fatal epidemics. 

The second is their inclusion in the Prophet’s statement Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam: 
“The one who dies due to pleurisy is a martyr,” based on the declaration of those scholars who said that anyone who dies with pain in their lungs is included in the category of death due to pleurisy. 

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, in Zād al-Ma’ād, stated, 
“It has been said that its intent is everyone who has pain in their side or their lung.”(AMJA Fatwa #87743)

And Allaah knows best

216. When You Enter Your Home

By Asma bint Shameem 

Allaah says:

“But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allaah (i.e. say: As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum — peace be on you), blessed and good” (Surah an-Noor:61)

From this ayah we know when we enter our homes, it's good if we say Assalaamu Alaikum. 

But do we say that even when there's nobody home?

‘Abdullah bin Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“If one enters a house while it is empty, then let him say: 

السَّلامُ عَلَينا وَعَلىٰ عِبادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِين

[as-Salaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaadillaah as-saalihin]

‘Peace be upon us, and upon Allah’s righteous slaves.'” 

[‘Saheeh al-Adab al-Mufrad’ 806]

Ibn Hajar said:

“The command to spread greetings of peace includes greetings one’s own self when one enters a place in which there is nobody else present, for Allaah said:

{“But when you enter the houses, greet one another (literally, greet yourselves)..”} [an-Nur; 61].”

[‘Fath al-Bari’; 11/22]

Al-Qurtubi said

"If there is a Muslim person in the house he should say 

اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكاتًُه 

“As-salaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu 

(peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allaah, and His blessings).” 

If there is no one there, he should say, 

السَّلامُ عَلَينا وَعَلىٰ عِبادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِين

“Al-salaamu 'Alaynaa wa 'alaa ‘ibaad-Illaahis-saaliheen 

(peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allaah).”

Mujaahid said: 

"When you enter the *masjid*, say, 

اَلسَّلامُ عَلىٰ رَسُولِ الله 

“Al-salaam ‘ala Rasool-Illaah 

(Peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah),” 

and when you enter upon your family, greet them with salaam, 

and when you enter a house in which there is no one, say 

السَّلامُ عَلَينا وَعَلىٰ عِبادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِين

“As-salaamu ‘Alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaad-Illaahis-saaliheen 

(peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allaah).” 

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/306)

Let's keep up this practice and earn easy rewards.

215. Doing Chelum, Daswa For The Dead

BY Asma Bint Shameem

None of these celebrations are proven from the authentic practice or teachings of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

One of the basic principles of our Deen is that 

“All acts of ibaadah are HARAAM, EXCEPT those that have PROOF from the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah. 

In other words, no one can just “come up” with an act of ibaadah and claim it to be part of the Sharee’ah. 

They have to bring PROOF for it. 

Based on the above legal maxim, we will do only those acts of ibaadah that are PROVEN from the Qur’aan or from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

So when we look for PROOFS from the authentic sources for holding soyum, chehlam, teeja, barsi, etc. for the deceased, we find NO  SUCH PROOF. 

NOTHING from the Qur’aan. 

NOTHING from the practice of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or his Noble Sahaabah. 

There’s NO PROOF of ANY of this for the deceased. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam never held any such occasions for his deceased loved ones. And neither did the Sahaabah. 

There were many deaths in the lifetime of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam from his loved ones. 

His own sons and daughters passed away in front of him. 

His beloved wife Khadijah radhi Allaahu anhaa passed away in front of him. 

His beloved uncle, Hamza radhi Allaahu anhu was martyred in front of him. 

But did he EVER hold a soyum, or chehlam, or barsi, etc for them?

No NEVER. 

If it was good, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would have done so and encouraged us to do it too. 

But he didn’t 

So we shouldn’t do it either.

Remember, all goodness lies in following the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and his Sahaabah. 

And all evil lies in straying away from them. 

And Allaah knows best

214. Transgender

BY Asma Bint Shameem

A transgender is a person who “thinks” that he or she does not belong to the gender that he or she was born with. 

That is totally haraam and a very serious major sin. 

It’s a waswasah from the Shaytaan like all other kinds of Faahishah such as homosexuality, pedophilia, etc. 

It’s a psychological and mental problem that needs treatment.

Those who are transgenders  are cursed by Allaah and His Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said that the Prophet radhi Allaahu anhu  CURSED men who imitate women and women who imitate men, and he said: 
“Throw them out of your houses.” (al-BukhaarI)

Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

cursed the man who wears women’s clothing and the woman who wears men’s clothing. (Abu Dawood- saheeh by al-Albaani)

‘Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said: 

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

cursed masculinized women.”

(Abu Dawood - saheeh by al-Albaani)

A person who has these evil thoughts should fight these thoughts, ask Allaah’s protection against the Shaytaan, make lots of duaa, keep busy with the Qur’aan and other good things and seek treatment with Ruqyah as well as therapy. 

Remember only THAT is allowed what Allaah has allowed. 

And what Allaah has made haraam, NOTHING can justify it or make it halaal. 

Also these transgenders CANNOT harm us in any way. 

Believing that some thing or person has the power to harm me, is actually superstition and believing in BAD OMENS. And that’s forbidden. 

Just because someone ‘curses’ and uses bad language does not mean it will come true. 

In fact, it’s quite the opposite. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Verily, when a servant curses something, the curse rises to the heaven and the gates of heaven close upon it. 

It turns right and left and if it does not find a place to go, it will return to that which was cursed only if it deserved to be curse; *otherwise the curse will return upon the one who made it.”*

(Abu Dawood- Hasan by al-Albaani )

And Ali ibn Abi Talib radhi Allaahu anhu said:

‏“Those who curse others are themselves cursed.” (Al-Adab Al-
Mufrad- hasan)

May Allaah protect us and our families from all Faahishah. 

Ameen. 

And Allaah knows best

213. Is It Necessary To Sit In Your Place After Fajr Salaah In Order To pray Salaatul Ishraaq

By Asma Bint Shameem

No it’s not necessary to sit in your place after Fajr Salaah in order for you to pray Salaatul Ishraaq. 

Rather the hadeeth that mentions that, is talking about a *specific reward* that a person receives when he or she prays Fajr in congregation then remains sitting until after sunrise. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

 “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation then sits remembering Allaah until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and ‘Umrah, complete, complete, complete.” 

[al-Tirmidhi (586) ; hasan by Al-Albaani]

So a person can still read Salaatul Ishraaq even if he doesn’t sit in his place from Fajr till sunrise. 

Rather this particular reward of Hajj and Umrah is achieved if a person remains sitting from Fajr till sunrise. 

And Allaah knows best

212. Tell Them Daddy’s Not Home

By Asma Bint Shameem

"So you see, my son," said Hamza's father as he finished reading the storybook, "A Muslim never lies and he always tells the truth. That's what Islaam teaches us."

Just then, the telephone bell rang sharply in the house. As little Hamza ran to answer it, his father called out, "If it is for me, tell them Daddy’s not home!!"

Subhaan Allaah!

What a contradiction between what he just SAID and what he DID!

This is just one of the scenarios in our everyday lives. 

We claim to be Muslims and unhesitatingly say that we are proud to follow it, but when it comes to putting our words into actions, unfortunately, we are far from it. 

We teach our children one thing but we do another. 

We preach piety but we ourselves don't practice it.

We LIE in our everyday lives and in our dealings with everyone yet we are totally unaware of it. 

There are many of us who pray and fast, and go through all the ‘rituals’ and even criticize others who don’t. 

But our practical lives are full of all forms of lying, fraud and dishonesty, when we deal with others day in and day out.

And lying doesn't just mean outrightly telling untruths to someone on their face. 

Lying includes all kinds of 'little white lies', deceit, deceptions and forgery. 

So, telling your kid to say "Daddy's not home' when, in fact you are right there, is absolutely, definitely a form of lying.

And not fulfilling your promises deliberately, although you had the power to do so, is a form of lying. 

And cheating in the exams is a form of lying.

Exaggerating in any form or shape is considered lying. 

Hiding, omitting or deleting certain 'things' or events when someone asks you to tell the truth, is exactly the same as lying about it. 

Just because you 'omitted' certain things does not mean you told the truth. 

Your friend marking you 'present' in class, although you were absent, is another form of lying.

Faking a 'doctor's note' when in reality, you were not sick, you just overslept or were too lazy to go to work or school is also lying.

Telling the cop that your wife is having surgery or your kid is sick, (or whatever else excuses one can think of) when he pulls you over for speeding is also lying.

Dishonesty in your business dealings as well as in your interaction with others is lying.

Giving false witness is one of the gravest forms of lying.

Making a false claim that your injury happened at work, although it didn't, so that you could get compensation is lying.

Pretending to be of low income and applying for government aid, although you are NOT in need of it, is another form of lying and deception.

And hiding your income so you can evade taxes is lying.

Forging or altering university certificates to get a job or visa, is also just plain and simple, lying and fraud.

Paper marriages to get a green card, altering a bill to 'save' some money or for insurance purposes or some other kind of personal gain is also trickery and deceit. 

And the list goes on and on.......

We forget that Ibaadah doesn't mean just PRAYING and FASTING.

TRUE Ibaadah includes our 'Mu'amalaat', how we deal with others, Muslims as well as non-Muslims, our manners and our behavior. 

We forget that lying is one of the MAJOR SINS.

 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"Shall I not tell you of the greatest of major sins?" 

They said: Yes, O Messenger of Allaah. 

He said: "Association of others with Allaah,  disobedience towards one's parents" - and he was reclining, but he SAT UP and said: "And FALSE SPEECH and FALSE WITNESS." 

(al-Bukhaari, 5631; Muslim, 87)

Subhaan Allaah!

One of the greatest of major sins! 

We forget that lying is one of the signs of the HYPOCRITES.

 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is entrusted with something he breaks that trust." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

We also forget that any apparent 'gain' that we get from all these forms of lying is not actually any gain at all.

Actually, any money that we earn or save is all haraam because we didn't earn it lawfully. 

And it is one of the reasons why duaa is rejected by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala.

Remember the Hadeeth of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam):

"Then he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) mentioned a man who had been traveling for a long time and was disheveled and dusty; he stretches out his hands towards the heavens and says, 'O Lord, O Lord', but his food is haraam, his drink is haraam, his clothing is haraam. He is nourished by haraam, so how can his du'aa' be accepted?" (Muslim)

And one of the biggest harms of lying is that it is the KEY to the door of HELLFIRE!

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allaah as a liar." (Muslim)

Aa'ishah (Radhi Allaahu anha) said:

"No characteristic was more hateful to the Messenger of Allah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) than LYING. 

If a man told a lie in the presence of the Prophet ()Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) he would continue to feel some unrest in his heart until he knew that the man had repented." (saheeh by al-Albaani) 

 We are not supposed to lie even if we are joking!

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"Woe be on one who speaks and lies in order to make people laugh, woe to him, woe to him." (at-Tirmidhi--hasan by al-Albaani) 

Subhaan Allaah! 

Even in joke! 

And yet, how many times do we say things and do things which may fall in this category and we say, "It's fine. We are only joking!"

If we give up all sorts of lying, even the lying in 'fun' and 'jokes', the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) guarantees, yes GUARANTEES us JANNAH. 

He said:

"I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a house in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even when joking / for the sake of fun; 

and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners." (Abu Dawood--Saheeh)

Abu Bakr (Radhi Allah anhu) said: 

"O people, beware of lying, for lying is contrary to faith" (Ahmed--saheeh by al-Albaani)

And Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqaas (Radhi Allaahu anhu) said:

"The Muslim could develop all sorts of characteristics EXCEPT TREACHERY and LYING". 

Situations when 'lying' is allowed:

We as Muslims can never lie unless under very specific situations such as:

- when we want to reconcile among people, 

- during war and 

- when a husband or wife want to please each other.

 Umm Kalthoom (Radhi Allah anha) said that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"He is not a liar who reconciles between people, conveying good messages and saying good things." 

She said: I did not hear him grant any concession concerning anything that the people say of lies except in three cases: reconciling between people, war, and what a man says to his wife, or a woman says to her husband. (Muslim)

Conclusion

We as Muslims, must learn to RECOGNIZE the different forms of lying as we come across them. 

We must realize what being truthful REALLY means. 

It means *speaking the truth and saying and doing things that reflect reality*. 

We have to remember the gravity of sin involved in lying and strive to the best of our ability to tell the truth under ALL circumstances, *no matter what the outcome.*  

If you fear Allaah, He will find ways out of all difficulties for you and provide for you from means you never even imagined.

 Allaah says:

"And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). 

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. 

Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. 

Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things." (Surah Talaaq:2-3) 

Isn't the above ayah enough reminder for us?

O my Muslim brother and sister out there...

'LEAVE that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt, for truthfulness is certainty and tranquillity, whilst LYING is DOUBT and CONFUSION." (Saheeh- al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa'i, and Ahmad)

*"O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah, and be with those who are TRUE (in word and deeds)." [al-Tawbah:119]*

May Allaah enable us to always 
SPEAK the TRUTH, 

STAND UP for the TRUTH 

LIVE for the TRUTH and
 DIE for the TRUTH. 

Ameen 

And Allaah knows best

211. Spot Of Blood In The Eggs

By Asma Bint Shameem

The little spots of blood are of no significance and you can disregard them. 

If the spot is small, there’s no harm in eating the egg. 

The egg itself is halal. That’s because it’s only the blood that is “shed” or “poured forth” that is prohibited. 

But if you want to remove the spot, it can easily be done with a sharp knife. 

The USDA says “eggs with blood spots are totally safe to eat. 

The blood spot is “caused by a rupture of one or more small blood vessels in the yolk at the time of ovulation” and in no way indicates the egg is unsafe or fertilized.”

Ibn Taimiyyah said:

“It is only the blood that is shed or poured forth that is prohibited. 

It is proven that the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to put the meat in the vessel and streaks of blood would be seen in the water, but I do not know of anyone among the scholars who differed with the view that this is overlooked and is not regarded as impure, according to scholarly consensus.”

And Allaah knows best

210. Is It Forbidden For Us To Face The Qiblah When Relieving Ourselves?

By Asma bint Shameem

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam forbade us to face the qiblah when answering the call of nature, or to turn our back to it. 

That much is true. 

But how does it apply to us, *nowadays*?

Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu narrated that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“When one of you sits to relieve himself, let him not face towards the qiblah or turn his back towards it.”

[Muslim]

And Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari narrated that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“When you go to defecate, do not face towards the qiblah or turn your back towards it, rather face towards the east or the west.” (al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

But the scholars say that’s applicable if someone relieves themselves *outside*, like in an open field, jungle, desert, park, etc. 

It does NOT apply when one answers the call of nature INDOORS inside a bathroom.  

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“The correct scholarly view is that it is haraam to face towards the qiblah (the Ka’bah) or turn one's back towards it when relieving oneself *out in the open*, either urinating or defecating, but that is *PERMISSIBLE INSIDE buildings or where there is a screen between oneself and the Ka’bah, close in front if one is facing towards the qiblah and close behind if one has one's back to it, such as a saddle, a tree, a mountain and so on*. 

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/97) 

Proof

Ibn ‘Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“One day I climbed up on the roof of the house of Hafsah and the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam was relieving himself, facing towards Syria, with his back towards the Ka’bah.”(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

And Marwaan al-Asfar said: 

“I saw Ibn ‘Umar radhi Allaahu anhu 

making his camel kneel facing towards the qiblah and urinating in that direction. 

I said, 
“O Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan, is that not forbidden? 

He said, 
“It is only forbidden to do that out in the open, but *if there is something between you and the qiblah that conceals you, there is nothing wrong with it.”* 
(Abu Dawood and al-Haakim; hasan by Ibn Hajar in al-Fath)

Also Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam forbade us to face towards the qiblah when urinating, then I saw him one year before he died, facing towards it.”  (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah)

The scholars reconciled between the ahaadeeth, and said that it’s forbidden to face the qiblah or turn the back to it when relieving oneself outside. But it does not apply when we’re sitting inside a bathroom within a building. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“This was also the view of a number of scholars who sought to reconcile the evidence by interpreting the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah and similar reports as referring to cases of relieving oneself out in the open without any screen, and the hadeeth of Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah and Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them) as referring to cases when one is *inside a building* or there is a *screen between oneself and the qiblah*. 

*From this it is known that it is PERMISSIBLE to face towards the qiblah or turn one’s back towards it when relieving oneself in any kind of building*.” (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/97) 

That ruling applies if a building is already in place.

But if a building is under construction and it’s possible to build the bathroom facing away from the qiblah to the side, then that would be better. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“If the plans for the building have not yet been put into effect, and the toilets in the plan are facing towards the qiblah or have their backs towards it, then it is more on the safe side to alter them so that when relieving oneself one is not facing towards the qiblah or turning one’s back towards it, so as to avoid an area of scholarly dispute. But if they cannot be altered there is no sin involved because of the ahaadeeth quoted above.” 

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/97) 

And Allaah knows best.