663. Pray As You Are Commanded

By Asma bint Shameem

If there’s *no possibility* of you praying with proper standing, rukoo and sujood, and you’ve tried your best then there’s no sin on you and you can pray sitting. 

And the prayer would be valid. 

But one *must* do all he can to pray in the proper standing posture. 

Allaah says:

“So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can” [al-Taghaabun 64:16]

And He said:

“Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope”[al-Baqarah 2:286]

And Allaah says:

“… while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity.”[al-An’aam 6:119]

The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“If I command you to do a thing, then do as much of it as you can.” (al-Bukhaari) 

And Allaah knows best

662. What If A Person Sneezes In The Bathroom?

By Asma Bint Shameem

When a person sneezes while using the bathroom, he cannot say ‘Alhamdulillaah’ aloud because it’s not allowed to use the Name of Allaah In the bathroom. 

So we should. ‘say’ ‘Alhamdulillaah’ in the HEART, WITHOUT moving the lips and tongue.  

Imaam Ahmad said: 

“If a man sneezes (in the bathroom) he should praise Allaah in his *heart*.”

This shows that saying something in the *heart* does not count as actually ‘saying’ the words and thus it’s allowed to say Alhamdulillaah in the bathroom without moving the lips and tongue. 

And Allaah knows best

661. What Happens If A Sister Voluntarily Gives Her Shares?

By Asma Bint Shameem

1. If the sisters *voluntarily* give up their share without any pressures, especially if the brother is not well off, then  that would be an act of charity on the part of the sisters and they will be rewarded for their generosity. 

And in that case, the brother does not have to do anything regarding the property. 

2. If the sisters want their share, which is their right, they can  sell the house and divide the inheritance according to the Sharee’ah, with the male getting twice that of the female. 

3. If they can’t agree on anything they should take it to a judge and work something out. 

Someone asked the scholars of the Standing Committee:

“How should inherited houses and movable possessions such as cars, tools and so on be divided, when there is mutual consent and when there is no mutual consent among the heirs?”

The scholars replied: 

“It should be divided among them according to the shares of inheritance prescribed in Islaam, with the help of experts in evaluation of the estate. 

If they agree amongst themselves to this division and they are mature adults, there is nothing wrong with that. 

But if they disagree, then the dispute should be referred to the *sharee‘ah court.* “

(Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, 16/459)

And the scholars said:

“The partners all want to divide the shared wealth, or some of them want to do that and the others have agreed to the division and the manner of implementing it, so they do not have any need to go to the judge. 

In that case the division is called “division by mutual consent”.

One or more may want to do that but others may refuse. 

If the one who wants to do it refers the matter to the court, and the judge takes charge of dividing the wealth in accordance with Islamic principles, in this case the division is called “compulsory division”.

Division by mutual consent is that which is done with the approval of all partners. 

Compulsory division is that which is done through the court because there is no agreement among the partners.”

(al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah 33/215)

And Allaah knows best

660. How to deal with sinful relatives?

By Asma bint Shameem 

We must do our best to call our family members and loved ones to the Deen of Allaah. 

Allaah says:

“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) …”

[al-Tahreem 66:6]. 

It is part of our duty as a Muslim to advise each other, enjoin good and forbid evil. 

Allaah says:

“The believers, men and women, are Awliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they *enjoin* (on the people) Al-Maroof (i.e. Islaamic Monotheism and all that Islaam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islaam has forbidden)”

[at-Tawbah 9:71]

And the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

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

The ultimate goal is to bring them to Allaah. 

*How* to do that is the challenge. 

But the scholars say that we must do that with a mixture of patience, encouragement and warning depending on who the person is, his relationship to you and his level of transgression.

Do your best to remind them of Allaah, His rewards for those who obey Him and His punishment and wrath  for those who disobey Him.  

Be a good example to them and show them what a true Muslim really is with your good manners and practice of the Deen. 

Be on the lookout and if they ever need help in ANY way, be the first one to help them out. 

Give them sincere advice if they ask you. 

But at the same time, you don’t want to ‘encourage’ their bad behavior by “not saying anything” or “ignoring” it as if it’s nothing wrong. 

So admonish them but be very “wise” and “tactful” when forbidding their evil actions and exercise a lot of patience with them. 

Try to win over their heart “gradually” and tactfully, giving them time for the sake of calling them to Allaah. 

Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Baaz:

“What should a believing woman do when she sees one of her relatives committing evil acts?”

The Shaikh said:

“She should forbid the wrong gently in an amiable way using kind words. Perhaps, the wrongdoer is ignorant, or savage and he may increase his evil when he is harshly forbidden. 

Thus, a Muslim should forbid the evil in a good manner and kindly while showing the wrongdoer the clear evidence from the Qur’aan and Sunnah along with supplicating to Allaah for his guidance. 

In doing so, the wrongdoer will not turn in aversion. 

The Muslim who enjoins right and forbids wrong should have knowledge, insight, gentleness and endurance that force the wrongdoer to accept instruction without aversion or stubbornness. 

Let the Muslim who enjoins right and forbids wrong try his best to use kind words whereby the truth is more probable to be accepted.” 

[Majmoo ’al-Fataawa Ibn Baaz, Vol.: 4; pg. 233]

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen advised someone similarly and said: 

“One who’s involved in the prohibition of evils is like a doctor. Were a doctor to come before a wound and cut it open immediately to remove what’s in it, likely a greater harm would come about. But if he were to cut it bit by bit and had patience with whatever he smelled from it of rotten smells, the goal would be achieved.

So you [and those you were with] didn’t sit with people of evil doings wanting what they’re upon of evil doings; you only sat with them in order to call them to Allaah. And, in my thinking, any person of discerning intelligence, when a person upon goodness sits next to him, he leaves off the sin that he was upon.

In some cases, he [might] refuse to, or be stubborn about it and keep [doing the sin] or increase upon it, as you’ve said. 

But be patient. Then if you realize that there’s no hope in him [benefiting from you], then at that point, don’t sit with him [any more], and it becomes required [upon you] to separate from him.”

(Liqāʾ Al-Bāb Al-Maftūḥ, 17)

So you have to use *wisdom* and *knowledge* to find the best and most effective way of bringing them to Islaam. 

Try different means of approach to them, depending on each person’s situation. 

Maybe have some other family member or cousin or friend or even a shaikh intervene and talk to them. 

Usually love and kindness work better than anger. 

But sometimes you might have to take a more severe approach if that’s what it would take to  “shake them up” by staying away from them if they don’t listen to you. 

Maybe your staying away from them will have an effect on them and make them rethink their bad choices and disobediences. 

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said:

“The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is not permissible for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three days, unless he fears that speaking to him and upholding ties with him may undermine his religious commitment or lead to some harm affecting his religious or worldly affairs. If that is the case, then he is allowed to avoid him and keep away from him, and perhaps cutting off ties and shunning him in a good manner is better than mixing with him if that will result in harm.

As the poet said:

If mixing with others will only mean baring your teeth at one another, then keeping a distance in a peaceful manner is best for both parties.”

(al-Tamheed 6/127).

However, unfortunately sometimes NOTHING works. 

And if they don’t listen then the blame is on them. 

Allaah says:

“and no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another”

[al-An’aam 6:164]

So when we see people committing major sins, we should do our best to stop that. 

But if it’s not possible to do that, the least we can do is to hate it in our hearts. 

And we will not be sinful *as long as we tried whatever was within our means to guide them or stop them from their evil.*

There’s really nothing more we can do in these situations because the person himself has chosen this evil path. 

Allaah says:

“Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. 

And whoever errs only errs against it. 

And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another”

[al-Israa’ 17:15]

And He said:

“And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And if a heavily laden soul calls [another] to [carry some of] its load, nothing of it will be carried, even if he should be a close relative”

[Faatir 35:18]

So do your best with wisdom, knowledge and patience. 

And make a lot of duaa for them. But if they don’t listen then limit your interaction with them and avoid too much intermingling so that they don’t influence you in a negative way. 

Someone asked Shaykh Salih al-Fawzaan about visiting relatives who are not practicing Muslims.

He replied:

“If by your going to them there is a hope that you may influence them or exhort them to give up evil, and you can fulfil your duty to denounce evil, then you have to go to them for two reasons:

1. Upholding ties of kinship

2. Denouncing evil when you are there.

But if you do not denounce evil, or denouncing it will be to no avail, and they are persisting in their evil despite your telling them not to, then you should not go to them, because if you go to them, you will be sitting in a gathering in which evil is being committed but you will not be changing it or you will not be able to change it. 

So in that case you have to stay away from them, and hope that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala 

will guide them.”

(Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh al-Fawzaan, 2/245)

May Allaah guide all of us and our families and protect us all from the Shaytaan Ameen.

If you had contributed in building the house as a loan, then you would have the right to some of the money. 

But if you didn’t put it any money towards building the house or you have money as a “gift” to your parents then you have no right to claim the money. 

And even if you did contribute to the construction of the house, it would be noble of you and a form of sadaqah and a way of honoring your parents if you let go of the money and surrender your rights to the money especially if you are financially well off and can afford to do so. 

You should not cut off ties of kinship especially if it comes to your parents. 

And Allaah knows best

659. Can I Take Advantage Of The New Year Sales And Discounts During Festivals?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Yes it is permissible to buy stuff and take advantage of the discounts that are offered on the festivals of the non Muslims. 

That’s because our *intention* is not to celebrate these days or venerate them in any way. 

And Allaah is well aware of our intentions. 

Someone asked Shaykh Sulaymaan Al-Ruhaylee:

“Regarding the discounts that are offered now by some big stores [what is the ruling on that]?”

The shaikh said:

“There is no harm for a Muslim to benefit from these discounts at the beginning of the new year. This is because he does not celebrate and this is not a festival. However, it is a benefit given at this time. 

So he is allowed to benefit from it, especially since we know from an economic perspective that these discounts are not based on celebrating the New Year’s. Rather it is built upon eliminating the inventory and [balancing] the budget at the end of the year. 

So the company gets rid of what is still present [in the inventory]. In most cases, what remains is only profit. The companies lower the cost to get rid of the present [inventory]. The discounts begin one month and half before the end of the year because the companies base their budgets on the fiscal year. 

So from an economic perspective, it has no relation to celebrating Christmas. If they did this for Christmas, then it would not harm a Muslim who does not celebrate with them because this is not from the signs of the festival. It is only an action performed on the day of the festival. There is a difference between what is done for a “festival” and what is done on the “DAY of the festival”.

Also from that is what is given to the Muslim employees in the non-Muslim lands in terms of discount cards, which are used on Christmas or the New Year’s. 

Their companies give them gifts, which are discount cards from the company. 

It is allowed for a Muslim to use it on that day because that day is not from the signs of the festival. 

Rather it is something done on the festival. 

So there is no harm for a Muslim to benefit from this”.

And Allaah knows best

658. SINS Got You Down.......And You Don't Know How To Stop?

By Asma Bint Shameem

Making mistakes and committing sins are a part of human nature and no one will be free of it. 

All of us fall short, commit sins, and make mistakes. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

"Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent." (Tirmidhi, hasan by al-Albaani)

And surely, man is weak but it is Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala Who created us and He knows that we are weak. So out of His Mercy, the Most Merciful has opened the gate of repentance for us so that we can turn to Him every time we sin. 

He Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala says: 

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

"Say: O 'Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" [surah Zumar:53]

And He said:

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللّهَ يَجِدِ اللّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

"And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allaah's forgiveness, he will find Allaah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" [al-Nisa' :110] 

The doors of Taubah are wide open. 

Alhamdulillaah. 

So here's what one can do:

1. MAKE SINCERE TAUBAH:

It is essential, rather VITAL, that you should turn to Allaah and repent to Him. 

Make sincere taubah and try your best to stay away from the sin that you are committing. 

The ulama tell us that sincere taubah requires some conditions in order for Taubah to be accepted. 

They are: 

1-     You should give up the sin RIGHT AWAY.  

2-     You should have great REGRET that you did it. 

3-     You should have FIRM resolve NEVER to go back to it. 

If any one of these three is missing, then the repentance is not sincere. 

And if the sin has to do with the rights of another person, then there is a fourth condition in addition to the three mentioned above. 

And that is, restoring the rights of that person or seeking his forgiveness. For example, if someone stole money or property, it must be returned to the person he stole from, etc.

2. MAKE DUA:

Make sincere Dua to Allaah and ask Him to keep you away from whatever it is that you're doing. 

Cry over your sin.

Beg Him for His Mercy and ask Him to guide you, to give you strength to stay away from bad deeds and set your heart right. 

You can make Dua any time of the day or night but especially during times when Dua is more likely to be accepted such as in your sujood during salah, in the middle of the night during tahajjud, at the time of breaking your fast, between the adhaan and iqaamah, etc.

3. BE STEADFAST IN YOUR OBLIGATORY DEEDS.

Pay special attention to your obligatory deeds, especially praying FIVE times a day. 

Be very particular about your salah and DO NOT MISS ANY SINGLE ONE. 

That's because Allaah says:

 وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاء وَالْمُنكَرِ

" And establish the prayer. Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahshâ' (i.e. every kind of lewdness, obscenities, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed)" (Surah Ankabut:45)

4. READ QUR'AAN WITH MEANING.

The problem that most of us have is that we don't understand the Qur'aan. 

We may read it but what good is the reading if we don't know what our Rabb is saying to us? 

How would we know what is pleasing to Allaah and what is not? 

How would we know what is good in His eyes and what is bad? 

So our Imaan falls low, we are an easy target for the Shaytaan and we continue to sin. 

The solution to this problem, no, rather the solution to ALL problems is that we start reading the Qur'aan with meaning, even if it is just a few ayaat a day. 

It is better for us and more pleasing to Allaah if we understand whatever we read and then implement it in our lives than to read juz upon juz without understanding and without implementation.

5. DO A LOT OF GOOD DEEDS 

such as doing a lot of nawaafil prayers, or fasting, giving charity, helping someone, gaining Islaamic knowledge etc. 

Allaah tells us that good deeds erase bad deeds. 

Allaah says: 

 إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّـيِّئَاتِ 

" Verily, the good deeds cancel out the evil deeds" (Surah Hud:114)

Also, if you'll be busy doing good deeds, you won't find time to do bad deeds. 

Besides, by keeping yourself busy with good deeds. you will feel peace and tranquility. It will increase your Imaan and you will feel bad about your sins and mistakes and think twice before you go back to them.

6. STAY AWAY FROM BAD COMPANY

This is a VERY IMPORTANT point. You should stay away from people who do bad things and don't fear Allaah. 

Stay away from those who helped you to commit this sin. There are so many cases in which people have gone back to sin because they resumed relationships with their former companions. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

"A man will be on the path of his close friends, so pay attention to who you make friends with."  (Abu Dawood - hasan by al-Albaani)

And he sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam also said:

"The likeness of a righteous companion is that of the seller of musk: either he will give you a gift, or you will buy something from him, or you will smell a pleasant fragrance from him. And the likeness of an evil companion is that of the man who works the bellows: either he will burn your garment, or you will smell an unpleasant odor from him." (Bukhaari)

Bad friends will curse one another on the Day of Resurrection and run away from each other. 

So you should keep away from them and break off your friendship with them before they run away from you on the Day of Judgment. 

Allaah says: 

الْأَخِلَّاء يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ

"Friends on that Day will be enemies to one another except Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)" [Zukhruf:67] 

Instead, choose righteous friends who will help you against your nafs (self) and who will be an alternative to bad company. 

Try to attend the masjid regularly, join a Islamic knowledge class or Dars and fill your time with beneficial things so that the Shaytaan will not find any opportunity to remind you of the past. 

7. KEEP AWAY FROM PLACES OF SIN

That's because going to such places may remind you of your bad habits and your being there may make you fall into sin again. 

8. GET RID OF THE “SOURCE” and DESTROY IT. 

Get RID of the “source” that’s causing you to sin. 

You should also destroy any and all haraam things that you may have in your possession, whatever it may be that is making you do the wrong act. 

They should be broken, destroyed or burnt. 

Don't take this point lightly. It is very essential that you should get rid of all such things. 

Because keeping these haraam things may cause you to slip back. 

9. SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP if you can, for whatever it is that you may be addicted to. 

10. SOME DUAS TO RECITE

Here are some duas that one can recite to ask Allaah for forgiveness. 

The important thing is to UNDERSTAND these duas and SAY THEM FROM THE HEART, like you mean them. 

Don't just read these duas...rather, “TALK” to Allaah. 

Open your heart to Him and beg. 

He will answer you and help you. 

Duaa #1

 رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

"Rabbi'ghfir wa'rham wa anta khayrur-raahimeen"

(My Lord! Forgive and show mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!)"

Duaa #2

 رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا

"Rabbanaa 'ghfar lanaa dhunoobanaa wa israafanaa fi amrinaa 

(Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and transgressions (in keeping our duties to You)."

Duaa #3

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam said:

"The best prayer for seeking forgiveness is to say: 

 اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ

'Allaahumma anta rabbi la ilaaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika ma astata't. A'oodhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, aboo'u laka bi ni'matika 'alayya wa aboo'u laka bi dhanbi, faghfir li fa innahu laa yaghfiru'l-dhunoob illaa anta 

(O Allaah, You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise (to You) as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You)." 

Whoever says this during the day, having faith in it and dies before the evening comes, will be among the people of Paradise, and whoever says it during the night, having faith in it, and dies before the morning comes, will be among the people of Paradise." (Bukhaari)

 Duaa #4

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam used to recite the following du'aa':

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي وَجَهْلِي وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي جِدِّي وَهَزْلِي وَخَطَئِي وَعَمْدِي وَكُلُّ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ .

"Allaahumma'ghfir li khatee'ati wa jahli wa israafi fi amri wa maa anta a'lam bihi minni. Allaahumma'ghfir li jiddi wa hazli wa khata'i wa 'amdi wa kullu dhaalika 'indi. Allaahumma'ghfir li maa qaddamtu wa maa ajjartu wa ma asrartu wa maa a'lamtu wa maa anta a'lam bihi minni. Anta'l-muqaddim wa anta'l-mu'akhkhir wa anta 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer.

(O Allaah, forgive me for my sin. My ignorance and my transgression (in keeping my duty to You), and whatever You know about me better than I do. O Allaah, forgive me for sins committed in earnest and in jest, by mistake and deliberately, and I have done all of that. O Allaah, forgive me for what I have done in the past and what I will do in the future, what I have done in secret and what I have done openly, and whatever You know about me better than I do. You are the One Who raises and lowers people's status, and You are Able to do all things)." (Muslim).

Duaa #5

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam used to recite one hundred times in one gathering: 

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الْغَفُورُ

"Raabi'ghfir li wa tubb 'alayya innaka anta'l-tawwaab ul-ghafoor 

(My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Acceptor or Repentance, the All-Forgiving)." (at-Tirmidhi- saheeh)

To conclude:

If you will make dua and try your best to give up this problem, sincerely for the sake of Allaah, He will surely respond to you and help you give it up. 

Be SURE of that. 

Don't ever give up hope in Allaah or in yourself. 

With Allaah's help, you can do anything. 

And Allaah knows best

657. Can I Wish My Non-Muslim Colleagues “Merry Christmas?

By Asma Bint Shameem

QUESTION

Can I wish my non-Muslim colleagues “Merry Christmas”?

Can I give them gifts at this time or attend ‘Christmas parties?

ANSWER

It’s not allowed for us Muslims to participate in ANY sort of non-Muslim practice that’s ‘religious’. 

Why not?

1. It’s condoning and acknowledging their Shirk!

By congratulating the 

non-Muslims in their religious festivals, we are actually saying “Congratulations on your belief that Allaah has a son”!

By participating in anything to do with  Christmas, be it a “gift exchange”, a Christmas party, or simply wishing someone “Merry Christmas”, we’re actually condoning and acknowledging their shirk and its celebration. 

Allaah specifically tells us:

“....do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment.” 

(Surah al-Maa’idah:2)

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“And it is on the same level as congratulating them for *prostrating* to the CROSS. Rather it is a GREATER SIN with Allaah. 

And it is a more severe abomination than to congratulate them for drinking alcohol and killing someone, committing illegal sexual intercourse and things of this nature. And many of the people who don’t have any deen (or respect for the deen) fall into this. 

And he doesn’t know the ugliness (evil) of what he has done. 

So whoever congratulates a person for committing sins, or innovations, or disbelief, then he has EXPOSED himself to the HATE and WRATH of Allaah.”

(Ahkaam Ahlul Dhimmah)

Subhaan Allaah!

If just wishing someone Merry Christmas is like participating in a Shirki festival, and exposing oneself to the Hate and Wrath of Allaah, then what about those of us who actually bring a Christmas tree in the house and decorate it, set presents under it and celebrate it with their families?!

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“The Christians’ celebrating the birth of ‘Eesaa Alaiyhis-Salaam is for them. However, it is not permissible for the Muslim to participate in their holidays. They are *not* to give them gifts at the time of their holidays nor is it permissible to sell them anything which will aid them in the celebration of their holidays; all of this is incorrect. 

This is because it entails being pleased with that which they are upon if the person were to do so. And being pleased with Kufr and the holidays of the disbelievers is prohibited for the Muslims.

Thus the affair is very dangerous O brothers. 

It is not permissible for the person to celebrate Christmas; if he is a Muslim. And it is not permissible for him to congratulate them for this holiday; if he is a Muslim. 

And it is not permissible for him to respond to this greeting if they congratulate him for this holiday; if he is a Muslim.

Subhaan Allaah! 

Shall we congratulate them for a holiday which is considered as a religious practice? 

And is this anything other than being pleased with disbelief?”

(Fataawaa al-Haam al-Makki no. 1 Side B)

2. Allaah is NOT pleased with it!

Since it’s is cooperating in shirk and disbelief, it is NOT pleasing to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

He says:

“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you.” 

(Surah az-Zumar: 7) 

3. Allaah’s Wrath descends on this day!*

Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“Do not enter upon the mushrikeen in their churches on the day of their festival, for Divine Wrath is descending upon them.” 

Al-Zayla’i said: 

“Giving gifts on the occasion of Nayrooz and Mahrjaan [two non-Islamic Persian festivals] is not permissible, i.e., giving gifts on these two days is haraam, and is in fact kufr.”

Abu Hafs and Kabeer said: 

“If a man were to worship Allaah for fifty years, then on the day of Nayrooz he were to give an egg as a gift to one of the mushrikeen, intending thereby to venerate that day, he would have committed kufr and his good deeds would be cancelled out.”

But aren’t they just celebrating the birth of our Prophet Eesa Alaiyhis-Salaatu was-Salaam*

Celebrating Christmas is celebration of the birth of Eesa Alaiyhis-Salaam, whom they think is the son of God. 

They celebrate the day the ‘son’ of God was born. 

That’s why this day is important to them. 

They’re not celebrating the birth of a prophet. 

They’re celebrating the birth of the son of God, the ‘savior’ who died at the cross. 

Astaghfirullaah. 

But I’m just being ‘polite’ because they congratulate us on our festivals too and I don’t want to seem rude

We can NOT congratulate them even if they congratulate us: 

Why? 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen explained this and said:

“If someone says; I am courteous to them because they are courteous to me and they congratulate me for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. 

We say: Alhamdulillah. If they congratulate you with Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr, then they have congratulated you for legislated holiday, which Allaah has made for His slaves. And it is mandatory for Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr to be their holidays, because it is obligatory upon them to accept Islam. But if you congratulate them for Christmas then you are congratulating them for a holiday which Allaah has not designated as a holiday. Thus Christmas has no basis in ‘history’ and it has no basis in the religious ‘legislation’. Eesa ibn Maryam did not command them to establish this holiday. Thus it is either that, which was entered into the religion of the Messiah as ‘innovation’ and ‘misguidance’, or it was ‘prescribed’ in the legislation of Eesa ibn Maryam but it has been ‘abrogated’ by the legislation of Islaam. Therefore it has no basis by any estimation. 

And because it is misguidance, how is it befitting for me—while I am a Muslim—to congratulate them for it?!”

(Fatawaa al-Haram al-Makki no. 1 Side B)

So What to Do?

We should explain politely that it’s against the principles of our religious beliefs to celebrate Christmas because Islaam teaches us that God is One Who cannot have a partner or son. 

And though we believe in the “*prophethood*” of Jesus, and we love and honor him, but to believe that he is the son of God is considered blasphemy. 

Shaikh Ibn ul-Uthaymeen  said:

“If they congratulate us on their festivals, then verily we do not respond to them upon that. 

They are not festivals for us. 

They are verily festivals Allaah is not pleased with because they innovated in their religion” 

[Majmoo’ Fatawa wa Rasaail question. 404 (3/29)]

So it’s best not to say “same to you” or “thank you” etc. when they wish us. 

Rather, it’s good if your are able to explain the issue, “why” we don’t celebrate such festivals as Muslims, then this is better and a way of giving Da’wah.

Also tell them that you will not be participating in any of the religious activities or parties including ‘gift exchange’. 

Similarly it’s NOT RIGHT for us to give them gifts at THIS particular time because “we want to fit in” 

Or we give them gifts just because we feel “pressured” to do so since everyone around is giving gifts. 

INSTEAD, bring them gifts at the time of the two Eids and in Ramadhaan and *throughout the year*, just for no reason at all. 

Tell them it’s PART of your DEEN to give gifts for no specific reason. 

Also it’s of VITAL importance, especially for those of us who’re in the working field, to EDUCATE our  colleagues and neighbors about Islaam, and what we believe in, not just around Christmas time, but THROUGHOUT the year.

This way you can ‘ESTABLISH’ yourself and your Faith at the workplace. 

TALK about your Deen. Talk about what ‘shirk’ means and WHY it’s wrong, what our beliefs and principles and ethics are, how we behave, why we wear hijaab, etc., LONG BEFORE Christmas time. 

This subtle ‘education’ about our beliefs should be done throughout the year so that when the time for their religious festivals comes, they know EXACTLY what we do and what we don’t; what to expect of us and what not to expect.

This way we’re not ‘scrambling’ at the last minute looking for excuses not to attend their religious festivities and feeling awkward for not participating. 

And they also won’t feel you’re being a ‘spoilt sport’ or ‘unreasonable’ or ‘extreme’; 

rather your refusal to participate in their religious holidays is due to your beliefs and principles and not some personal prejudice or laziness. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“It is haraam for a Muslim to accept invitations on such occasions, because this is worse than congratulating them as it implies taking part in their celebrations.Similarly, Muslims are forbidden to imitate the non Muslims by having parties on such occasions, or exchanging gifts, or giving out sweets or food, or taking time off work, etc., because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."Whoever does anything of this sort is a sinner, whether he does it out of politeness or to be friendly, or because he is too shy to refuse, or for whatever other reason, because this is hypocrisy in Islaam, and because it makes the non Muslims feel proud of their religion.” 

(Majmoo’ah Fataawa wa Rasaa’il 3/369)

And Allaah knows best

656. Staying Up Late... A ‘Disease’ And A ‘Problem

By Asma bint Shameem 

They roam the streets when everyone is asleep. 

Or they may hang out with friends all night at the local ‘hookah place’. 

And if they are not ‘out there’, they are indoors, up until the wee hours of the morning, watching movies, listening to music, playing video games or chatting on the Internet, just because it’s ‘summer vacation’.

Yes, that’s right, that’s our youth during the summer.

And even when it is not summer, they stay up late even then. 

They think it is ‘cool’ to do so.

And, unfortunately, this ‘disease of late nights’ has become so widespread that we, as parents, don’t think much of it either. 

In fact, many of us adults are afflicted with this same disease ourselves. 

We come back from parties and dinners late at night and we let our kids do the same.

However what we don’t realize is….. that’s not how Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala intended the order of things. 

In fact, it is quite contrary to the natural rhythm which Allaah has created in the universe and in mankind. 

Allaah says:

“It is He who has appointed the night a covering for you and sleep for a rest. The day He has appointed for rising.” (Surah Furqaan: 47)

Thus, the night is created for *rest* and the day for work.

Yet we do the exact opposite. 

We are up at night and sleep late into the day, sometimes, up to or even beyond Dhuhr time, and waste much precious time. 

Umar Radhi Allaahu Anhu used to punish people the people who did this and say: ‘You stay up for the first part of the night, then sleep for the last part of it?'”.

If we look at how the righteous before us spent their nights, we will realize that they used their nights as a means to earning Jannah; 

they prayed, they cried, they recited the Qur’aan, and they made duaa to Allaah. 

However, look at some today. 

What do they do in their nights?

Their nights are filled with wasting time, playing video games, watching movies,having “fun” and even, aaoodhu billaah, haraam and sin.

However, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not like to stay up or even speak after Ishaa.

Abi Barzah radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to like to delay the ‘Ishaa’ prayer and he hated to sleep before it or talk after it”. 

(Al-Bukhaari).

And he disapproved of staying up late. 

That’s why some of the pious predecessors didn’t like sleeping after Fajr. 

For example:

Al-Zubayr radhi Allaahu anhu  used to forbid his children to sleep in the morning.” 

And Urwah said: 

“I do not hear of any man who sleeps in the morning, but I lose interest in that person.”

Why did he do that? 

Because staying up late might cause many harms. 

Some of those harms are:

1. It may cause one to totally miss the Fajr prayer. 

And that’s a very serious sin. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Between a man and kufr and shirk, there stands his giving up prayer.” (Muslim)

2. Even if you do wake up for Fajr, it is extremely hard to concentrate in the prayer or even know what you're saying. 

And if there’s no khushoo’ there’s no connection with Allaah. 

The prayer becomes more of a ritual rather than ibaadah. 

3. Staying up late causes health problems, exhaustion, and laziness. 

 Obviously it is difficult to wake up early for school, job, etc. if you are up half the night. 

The person ends up sleeping late into the day, missing his work, and slacking in responsibility.

Ibn Katheer said:

“Among the signs is that which has been created for you of sleep by night and by day, in which you get rest and stillness, and exhaustion and tiredness are taken away; and wakefulness and striving for one’s livelihood have been ordained during the day.”

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer 6/310)

4. It also leads to hardening of the heart and decreases the level of Imaan and Taqwa. 

Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad said: 

“There are two qualities that harden the heart: sleeping too much and eating too much.”

And Ibn al-Qayyim said: 

“As for the five things that corrupt the heart... mixing too much with people, wishful thinking, being attached to anything other than Allaah, eating one’s fill, and sleeping. These five are the greatest corrupters of the heart.”

(Madaarij al-Saalikeen 1/453)

5. We also miss out on the most blessed part of the day; that is, the early morning. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam said:

“The early morning has been blessed for my Ummah.”(Saheeh al-Jaami’).

That’s why whenever the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam sent out troops or an army, he would send them at the beginning of the day. 

But by sleeping late, we lose the blessings of this time and the profits we could have gained.

Sakhr Radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“Whenever he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam sent out troops or an army, he would send them at the beginning of the day.’”(Abu Dawood- Hasan)

And that’s one of the reasons why the students of knowledge and Huffaadh start memorizing and studying early in the morning, seeking this Barakah. 

6. If we don’t sleep early, we can’t wake up in time for qiyaam ul-layl, a beautiful time for prayer, making dua and seeking forgiveness from Allaah.

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Our Lord descends every night to the heavens when there is only one third of the night remaining and says: 

Who is supplicating to me so that I can respond to him? 

Who is asking Me for something so that I can grant him that which he is asking for? 

Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I can forgive him” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

How can it be that we, as Muslims, miss this honorable and virtuous time and waste it sleeping?

7. Staying up late is also a major reason behind many of the sins, crimes, car accidents, etc.

Exceptions to the rule:

The Ulama say that staying up late unnecessarily is nothing but a bad habit, unless it serves a purpose, such as praying to Allaah, seeking His forgiveness, or studying and acquiring knowledge of the Deen, or for a person’s job, or traveling, students preparing for exams, or other beneficial or permissible matters.

Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“The scholars said: 

the kind of speech that is makrooh after ‘Ishaa’ is that which serves no interest. As for speech which serves a good interest, it is not makrooh, such as studying, telling stories of the righteous, speaking to a guest...”

What Islaam encourages us to do is to sleep early, preferably right after Ishaa, then wake up early in time for

our prayers (Fajr and Tahajjud, if possible) and then take advantage of the blessings of the early morning for our work and other good deeds. 

We are also encouraged to take a nap during the day, either before Dhuhr or after, if we are able to.

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Take a nap, for the shayaateen do not take naps.” (al-Tabaraani–Saheeh)

Ishaaq ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: 

“Taking a nap is one of the deeds of good people. It revitalizes the heart and helps one to pray qiyaam al-layl.”

Brothers and sisters, realize that staying up late for no reason is an unhealthy lifestyle. 

We should avoid it unless there is a legitimate reason for it. 

Not only should we keep our kids away from it, but we ourselves need to break this bad habit and develop healthy lifestyles and wholesome ways and sleep early

. 

May Allaah enable us to realize the harms of staying up late. 

May He enable us to utilize our time in the most productive manner, that is most pleasing to Him. Ameen.

And Allaah knows best.

655. Allah Responds To Our Dua

By Asma bint Shameem

Sometimes it may SEEM like Allaah didn’t accept our duaa although in reality He did. 

Thats because the RESPONSE to the duaa may take different forms: 

1. Allaah will respond and give you exactly what you made the duaa for 

2. He will turn away some evil or harm from him because of the duaa, 

3. or He will save it for the person for the Day of Resurrection when he will need it the most. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“There is no Muslim who calls upon Allaah with words in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allaah will give him one of three things: 

either He will answer his prayer soon, 

or He will store it up for him in the Hereafter, 

or He will remove something bad from him that is equivalent to what he is asking for.” 

They said, 

“Then we should make a great amount of du’aa’.” 

He said, 

“Allaah is greater.” 

(at-Tirmidhi -saheeh by al-Albaani)

Our Deen encourages us to make a LOT of duaa, and we shouldn’t be hasty in seeking a response.  

That’s because duaa is a beautiful act of *Ibaadah* and is beloved to Allaah Subhaan Allaah. 

We MUST ALWAYS make duaa and NEVER give up. 

But the Shaytaan does not want us to make duaa and have it accepted. 

So he whispers in our head and puts doubts in our minds about Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala and makes us lose hope.

However, we must NEVER lose hope or despair. 

That’s because no one despairs of Allaah except those that are astray. 

Allaah says:

[Ibraheem] said: 

"And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?" 

(Surah al-Hijr:56)

So we MUST have GOOD HOPES with Allaah and know that Allaah WILL respond to our duaas sooner or later. 

If He’s not responding ’now’, He will respond ‘later’.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The duaa of any one of you will be answered so long as he is *not impatient* and says, I made duaa but it was not answered.”

(al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Ibn al-Jawzi said about duaa not being answered right away:

“I think part of the test is when a believer supplicates and receives no response, and he repeats the du’aa’ for a long time and sees no sign of a response. 

He should realize that this is a TEST and needs PATIENCE. 

What a person experiences of waswaas when the response is delayed is a sickness which needs medicine, 

I have experienced this myself. 

A calamity befell me and I supplicated and did not see any response, and Iblees started to lay his traps. 

Sometimes he said : 

The generosity (of Allaah) is abundant and He is not miserly, so why is there a delay? 

I said to him: 

Be gone, O cursed one, for I have no need of anyone to argue my case and I do not want you as a supporter! 

Then I told myself: 

Beware of going along with his whispers, for if there was no other reason for the delay except that Allaah is testing you to see whether you will fight the enemy, that is sufficient wisdom. 

My soul (nafs) said: How could you explain the delay in the response of Allaah to your prayers for relief from this calamity? 

I said: It is proven with evidence that Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, is the Sovereign, and the Sovereign may withhold or give, so there is no point in objecting to Him. 

2 – The wisdom behind that is proven in definitive evidence. I may think that something is good, but wisdom does not dictate it, but the reason for that may be hidden, just as a doctor may do things that appear outwardly to be harmful, intending some good purpose thereby. Perhaps this is something of that nature. 

3 – There may be an interest to be served by delay, and haste may be harmful. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“A person will be fine so long as he does not become impatient and says, ‘I prayed but I did not receive any answer.’” 

4 – The response may be withheld because of some fault in you. 

Perhaps there was something dubious in what you ate or your heart was heedless at the time when you said the du’aa’, or your punishment is being increased by means of your need being withheld, because of some sin from which you have not repented sincerely. 

So look for some of these reasons, so that you might achieve your aim.”

So as Ibn Jawzi said, sometimes there may be reasons why Duaa may not be accepted. For example;

- the person is not sincere to Allaah 

- or he has haraam wealth

- or involved in some kind of sin

- or he has broken ties of kinship 

- or he’s hasty or impatient in making duaa 

- or it may even be a test for the person. 

And Allaah knows best.

654. Is Nikaah Over Phone Valid

By Asma Bint Shameem

Yes the scholars say that nikaah over the phone is valid. 

Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Baaz:

“I want to get married to a girl and her father is in another country; at present I cannot travel to meet him and do the marriage contract, for financial or other reasons. I am currently in a foreign country. Is it permissible for me to call her father so that he can say to me, “I give you my daughter So and so in marriage,” and I can say, “I accept.” The girl agrees to the marriage and there are two Muslim witnesses who can listen to what I say and what he says, via the speakers on the phone. 

Is this regarded as a legitimate marriage contract?”

He said:

“if what is described is true (and there is no tampering involved), then it fulfils the conditions of shar‘i marriage and the marriage contract is valid.”

However I would suggest doing the nikaah over a *video call*. 

This is permissible and everyone can see everyone. So there’s no chance of any tricks or confusions. 

And Allaah knows best