688. What Are The Conditions Of The Floor Where We Pray?

By Asma Bint Shameem

Just make sure there’s no obvious najaasah on the floor when you pray such as saliva, urine, feces etc. 

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said:

“If a person were to touch an impurity which is wet, then he should wash what has touched his body from it due to the contamination found therein. As for if the impurity is *dry*, then he should not wash what has touched his body from it since there is no reason for contamination. ”

(al-Muntaqa of Fataawa al-Fawzaan 48/18)

But if there’s certainty that the dog had passed urine (or feces) or dribbled his saliva in a particular place or object and it’s *wet*, then avoid that place for praying. 

As long as you pray in an area that looks clean and no Najaasah can be identified, it is permissible to pray there. 

And Allaah knows best.

687. Laser Removal

By Asma bint Shameem

Laser hair removal is allowed in and of itself. 

But it depends on *where* you’re using the laser. 

It’s not allowed to expose one’s awrah to anyone except the spouse or to a doctor for medical purposes 

The awrah that’s really important in this aspect is the area between the navel and the knees. 

So unless you use the laser yourself, or ask your husband to remove the hair for you, it is not allowed for anyone else to look at the area between the navel and the knees.

And Allaah knows best

686. Your Husband Is Your First Priority

By Asma Bint Shameem

Every one of us is supposed to honor and respect and obey our parents. 

That’s one of the very basic teachings of our Deen. 

But once a girl gets married, although her duties remain with her parents but the husband takes PRIORITY. 

So she MUST obey her husband and put his interests *before* her parents. 

Just as obeying the parents is an order of Allaah, similarly it is Allaah’s order to obey the husband. 

And that is MORE important than obeying the parents.

Allaah says:

“Therefore the righteous women are *devoutly obedient* (to Allaah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity and their husband’s property)” 

[al-Nisa 4:34]. 

Ibn Taimiyyah said:

“When a woman gets married, her husband has more authority over her than her parents, and obeying her husband is more obligatory for her.”

And if there is a conflict between obedience to one’s husband and obedience to one’s parents, then obedience to one’s husband takes *priority*. 

Imaam Ahmad said concerning a woman who has a husband and a sick mother: 

“Obeying her husband is *more obligatory* upon her than (taking care of) her mother, unless he gives her permission.” 

(Sharh Muntaha al-Iraadaat, 3/47). 

So your primary responsibility is towards your husband and kids. 

However, that doesn’t mean that you *neglect* your mother. 

A wise woman would strike a *balance* where her husband is number ONE in her life but she also uses her *wisdom* in such a way that her parents are also taken care of, respected and not neglected. 

So use your time wisely, and plan everything out. 

Do your best to help out your mother, serve her, and visit her whenever you can, perhaps when the husband and kids are not home. 

It doesn’t have to be completely this way or that way. 

With careful planning, a good combination of fulfilling *both* responsibilities can be worked out In Shaa’ Allaah. 

And Allaah knows best.

685. Waleemah

 By Asma Bint Shameem

Waleemah is the wedding feast that’s usually given by the groom, as a celebration for the blessings of marriage and to announce the wedding. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf radhi Allaahu anhu when he got married:

“May Allaah bless you. Give a waleemah even if it is with just one sheep.” 

[al-Bukhaari (5155) and Muslim (1427)]

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“It (the waleemah) is prescribed for the husband, because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf radhi Allaahu anhu: 

“Give a waleemah,” and he did not tell his in-laws to do that. 

And because the blessing is greater for the husband than for the wife, because he is the one who sought the woman; it is very rare for the woman to seek the man.“

(al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 12/321)

So it’s usually the groom that arranges for the reception. 

But if the girl’s side is also arranging a *separate* reception or *combining* with the groom’s side and giving a *joint* reception, there’s nothing wrong with that either. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“Accepting an invitation to this feast is obligatory. 

Similarly, if it is organised jointly between the husband and the woman's family, accepting the invitation to it is obligatory, because the husband is the one who is enjoined to provide the wedding feast, because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf: “Give a wedding feast, even if it is with one sheep.” 

If the wedding feast is provided by the wife's family only, and the husband is going to offer another feast when his wife comes to join him, it is not obligatory to accept the invitation of the wife's family; rather accepting it is Sunnah.”

(Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb)

So this Fatwa clarifies that it’s permissible for the bride’s family to have a separate celebration or they may do a combined reception. 

Whatever is convenient and better for both parties can be worked out. 

The scholars said:

“From this we may note that it is permissible for the wedding feast to be organised jointly between the husband and wife, or the wife's family may organise it. Similarly, the wedding expenses may be shared as agreed between the two parties, and each of them may offer a wedding feast, as is customary in some countries. If there is some dispute as to who is obliged to provide the wedding feast, it is to be provided by the husband, as stated above. But other wedding expenses, such as having a party in a hotel and so on, should be done according to mutual agreement.”

(Islamqa Fatwa #138358)

It’s *recommended* to have the Waleemah after consummation of the marriage but there’s no hard and fast rule about that. 

Whatever’s convenient for both parties is good.

Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan said: 

“The time for giving the wedding feast flexible, starting from the time of the marriage contract until the end of the days of the wedding.”

(al-Mulakhkhas al-Fiqhi, 2/364)

Make sure the people who are invited to the Waleemah are not just the rich and elite. 

Rather it’s good to invite even your poor relatives, friends, neighbors. 

Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The worst of food is the food of a waleemah to which the rich are invited and the poor are ignored. 

Whoever does not attend has disobeyed Allaah and His Messenger.” 

(al-Bukhaari)

When giving a wedding feast, there should be no extravagance, or wasting food. 

Or involve any sin or anything un islaamic practices, like music, free mixing of the genders, women dressed inappropriately, etc. 

And Allaah knows best

684. Where Should One Stand If Only Two Men Are Praying In Jama’ah?

By Asma bint Shameem 

If there’s only two men in a Jama’ah, the Imaam and the other person should stand *RIGHT NEXT to each other*, foot to foot, shoulder to shoulder, with the second person standing to the right of the Imaam, aligned in the *SAME* line; not ahead nor behind him. 

The same applies if two women are praying. 

Proof:

Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“I stayed overnight in the house of my maternal aunt Maymoonah, and the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam prayed Ishaa, then he came and prayed four rakahs, then he slept, then he got up and I came and stood on his left, but he put me on his right and prayed five rakahs, then two rakahs, then he fell asleep and I heard his snoring. Then he went out for the prayer.” 

(al-Bukhaari) 

This is further clarified by the following hadeeth:

Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I came to the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam at the end of the night and prayed behind him. 

He pulled me until I was *in line with him*, and when the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

turned back to his prayer, I went back to my original position behind him. 

The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

prayed, and when he had finished his prayer he said to me, 

“What is going on? 

*I made you stand in line with me and you moved back*”.

I said, 

“O Messenger of Allaah, is it right for anyone to pray alongside you when you are the Messenger of Allaah whom Allaah has blessed?”

(Ahmad, 1/330 ;saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 6060)

Nothing could be clearer than this hadeeth. 

Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu 

clearly states that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  made him stand *right NEXT to him*, not half a foot behind him or ahead of him. 

And when Ibn Abbaas moved back out of respect for the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam , the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  pulled him back to where he was, yet once AGAIN right NEXT to him. 

And when the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  finished his prayer, he admonished Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu for stepping back and not standing next to him.  

Shaikh al-Albaani said: 

“From this hadeeth we may understand that the Sunnah is when one man is praying alone following the Imaam, he should stand *alongside him on his right, not in front of him or behind him*.

(Manaar al-Sabeel, 1/128)

Abd-Allaah ibn Utbah ibn Masood said: 

“I entered upon Umar ibn al-Khattaab at midday and found him saying Tasbeeh (in the prayer). I stood behind him and he made me come closer until I was standing in line with him on his right.”

(Al-Muwatta)

And Allaah knows best

683. Reasons Why Muslims Do NOT Celebrate Halloween?

By Asma bint Shameem 

1. Halloween, All saints day, All hallows eve or All souls day was a festival held to honor Samhain the so called "*lord of death"*. 

2. It’s a festival with pagan and Christian roots where demons, witches, devils and magic are venerated.

3. The reason for offering candy is the pagan belief that evil dead souls come back to earth this day. 

If someone offers them “*treats*”, they leave them alone. 

Otherwise they “*trick*” them and cause all sorts of havoc in their life and may even possess them. 

4.The word jack-o-Lantern is actually an abbreviation of "Jack of the Lantern." 

Jack is supposed to be some guy who was fond of playing tricks on the devil. 

So Satan got annoyed and tossed a burning coal from hell towards Jack. 

With the coal in his "lantern" Jack was condemned to walk the earth forever searching for rest.

Now people jack-o-lanterns on their doorsteps and windows to ward off the spirits of the dead on Halloween.

Astaghfirullaah!

5. Witches and magic have nothing to do with Islaam. 

In fact practicing witchcraft is *Kufr.*

Allaah says:

“Sulayman did not disbelieve, but the shayateen (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic…”

(Surah al-Baqarah :102)

And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  said: 

“Avoid the seven things which will lead to *doom”*

He was asked, 

“What are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” 

He said: 

“Associating anything with Allaah, *witchcraft*…” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

6. Halloween is a celebration of the *non Muslims. *

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

 ‘Whoever imitates a people is one of them.’” 

(Abu Dawood, 3512; hasan Saheeh by Al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood 3401). 

7. It is NOT the way of the Muslims. 

Allaah says describing the Believer:

‎ والذين لا يشهدون الزور

“And those who do not witness falsehood..”  

(Surah al-Furqaan 25:72)

Mujaahid and others said that falsehood (Zoor) refers to the festivals of disbelievers.

Can I at least offer them candy?

No.

It’s not permissible to even give out candy  because doing so means you are condoning and affirming this pagan shirki festival and cooperating in it. 

Allaah says:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ‎الْعِقَابِ

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but *do not help one another in sin and transgression*.

*And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment.”*

 (Surah al-Ma’edah:2)

And Allaah says:

‎مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقِيتًا

“Whosoever intercedes for a good cause will have the reward thereof, and *whosoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in its burden.*

And Allaah is Ever All-Able to do (and also an All-Witness to) everything“

(Surah an-Nisaa:85)

So what to Do?

Do NOT participate in this shirk and satanic celebration. 

Do NOT offer candy. 

Simply TURN OFF your porch light and they won’t bother you. 

Even if they do ring your doorbell, you do NOT have to answer. 

It’s YOUR house. 

NO ONE can “force” you to open the door if you don’t want to. 

EDUCATE your children about the shirk and evil involved in celebrating Halloween.

You DON’T have to find an “alternative” for your kids on Halloween. 

Simply STAY HOME. 

It’s NOT a day for ANY kind of “celebration”. 

It’s just a normal, regular day. 

Allaah HONORED you with Islaam. 

Be PROUD of your Muslim Identity. 

SHOW it with your actions. 

You do NOT have to celebrate such festivals to “fit in”.

As Shaikh Moosaa Richardson said:

“Halloween is an annual celebration of non-Muslims, honoring witches, demons, & magic. 

Educate your children & don't allow them to go out begging for candy from your neighbors in a disgraceful act of imitating the most misguided & bankrupt people. 

Take HONOR in Allaah’s Guidance.”

رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا ، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا ، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولً

And Allaah knows best.

682. Can I Offer My Prayer “Early”, BEFORE The Time Begins, If I’m In A Rush Or Too Tired?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It’s not allowed to pray before the time begins, EVEN if it’s the SUNNAH prayer associated with that particular prayer.*

Praying earlier than it’s time is ONLY VALID under certain specific Shar’ee excuses like traveling, sickness etc and that applies only for specific prayers. 

This concession of praying earlier than its time is NOT applicable if I’m too tired or just because I’m in a “rush”.

Allaah says:

“Verily, As-Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours”

(Surah al-Nisaa:103)

Here Allaah is telling us that each prayer has its FIXED time and it must be prayer according to those times. 

So you MUST wait for the time to begin before you can pray. 

If someone does pray before the time deliberately,  that prayer will NOT count. 

They would NOT have discharged the duty of obligatory Salaah. 

And they would have to pray the Fardh again. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“Prayer offered before its time is NOT VALID, according to the *consensus* of the Muslims. 

When a person offers a prayer before its time: 

-if he does that deliberately, then the prayer is invalid and he is not free of sin.

-If that was not done deliberately, and he did it because he thought that the time for prayer had begun, then it is not a sin, and his prayer is regarded as naafil, but he has to REPEAT it because one of the conditions of the prayer is that it be done at the right time.”

(al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 2/88)

And Allaah knows best

681. Should we Sit Down When Taking A Shower?

By Asma Bint Shameem

There’s nothing in the Sharee’ah to say we “must” sit down when taking a shower or bath. 

Bathing is just as valid sitting down as it is standing up. 

Perhaps sitting when taking a bath was more applicable in the old days when a person would bathe in the open. 

And that had to do with modesty. 

But nowadays Alhamdulillaah we have bathrooms where you can shut the door and no one can see you. 

And Allaah knows best

680. Is It Permissible To Give Charity To Non Muslims?

By Asma Bint Shameem

It is permissible to give non-Muslims from your “voluntary” charity if you like. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“Yes, it is permissible to give charity to non-Muslims in order to soften their hearts towards Islaam, with the hope that they will become Muslim, whether it is zakaah or voluntary charity. 

With regard to other purposes, it is permissible to give them voluntary charity but it is not permissible to give them zakaah, because Allaah says:

“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8]”

(al-Ijaabaat alaa as’alatul jaaliyaat 1/24,25)

So although it is permissible to give *sadaqah* to anyone even non Muslims, I would recommend giving it to some poor *Muslims* instead. 

That’s because there are plenty of  resources for the non Muslims like their churches and other non Muslims. 

But for the poor Muslims, there’s no one but us to help them. 

Besides, the Muslims have more Haqq on our money because of the bonds of Islaamic brotherhood. 

And Allaah knows best

679. You Cannot Throw The Word Divorce

 By Ama Bint Shameem

You cannot throw around the word “divorce”. 

You must take it seriously. 

It is so serious that words of divorce count even if a person is joking about it. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“There are three matters in which seriousness is serious and joking is serious: marriage, divorce and taking back (one’s wife).” (Abu Daawood 2194, at-Tirmidhi 1184, and Ibn Maajah 2039; hasan by al-Albaani in Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel 1826).

Ibn Taymiyah said: 

“With regard to a divorce issued in jest, it counts as such according to the majority of scholars. Similarly, a nikaah (marriage contract) done in jest is also valid, on the basis of a marfoo‘ hadeeth. 

This is what is narrated from the Sahaabah and Taabi‘een, and it is the view of the majority.”

(al-Fataawa al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubra 6/63)

But sometimes a person does not know the ruling and is *ignorant* of the seriousness of it. 

Or the person may be saying the words to scare or threaten the wife or using the words in ambiguous way etc. 

So though this should not be condoned in any way, but the intention must be looked at and each case should be considered individually. 

2. And yes it’s true that any woman who wants to get married must have a wali, according to the *majority* of the scholars. 

And that’s the *correct* opinion. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  said: 

“There is no marriage without a guardian (wali).” (at-Tirmidhi saheeh by al-Albaani) 

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“There is no marriage except with a wali and two witnesses of good character.” (al-Bayhaqi- saheeh by al-Albaani)

However if someone did not know that or they married following the opinion of a scholar that allows for a woman to marry without a wali, believing that this is valid, then we cannot say that they are committing zina or that their children are illegitimate. 

According to the Hanafi scholars, the presence of a wali is not a condition for the validity of the marriage as long as there are at least two witnesses and the marriage is announced. 

If two witnesses are not present, then the marriage is not valid according to them.

Although this view is not the correct opinion, and people need to be educated about it, any marriage done without a wali is considered valid according to the Hanafis. And to say that each and every one of their marriages are invalid is a big statement.

The scholars said:

“Given that there is a difference of opinion among the leading scholars regarding this matter, and that it is an issue that is subject to ijtihaad, if a Muslim lives in a country which follows the Hanafi madhhab and regards a marriage contract done without a guardian as valid, and the marriage contract was done on that basis, then it may be deemed to be valid in that case, and the ruling of the court is not to be annulled.”

(Islamqa Fatwa 381188)

Ibn Qudaamah said:

“If a judge rules that this marriage contract is valid, or the one who did the marriage contract is a judge, it is not permissible to annul it. 

The same applies to all marriages that are done in an inappropriate way.”

(al-Mughni 9/347)

And Allaah knows best.

678. Treat Your Children Fairly In The Matter Of Inheritance

By Asma Bint Shameem

What your brothers are doing is wrong and unjust. 

It’s not up to me or you to write a will however we want during our lifetime and divide our money among whoever we like, like the non Muslims do. 

Rather, Inheritance can only be divided after the *death* of a person. 

Secondly, the shares of this inheritance are also not up to the discretion of the person. 

Rather, the inheritance must only be divided according to the rules clearly outlined in the Qur’aan by Allaah Himself. 

The money automatically goes to whoever the surviving rightful heirs are after the death of the person. 

And no one needs to “write a will” for that. 

2. If a person wants to divide his property and it’s in his final sickness, and the person is about to die, then that’s allowed. 

And in this situation, this would be called a “bequest”. 

And one can only bequeath up to *one third* of their estate to someone. 

However a person can NOT  bequeath anything to *his shar’ee heir*  because  the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam forbade that. 

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Allaah has given each person who has rights his rights, and there is no bequest to an heir.”

(Abu Dawood; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood)

3. It is permissible to divide some property or wealth among the heirs during the lifetime of a person, when he’s in GOOD HEALTH. 

This would be considered a “gift” and can NOT be called “inheritance”. 

A person can “gift” his children or spouse some property or money during his lifetime, as long as he is FAIR in his division. 

And his intention is not to *‘deprive’* a rightful heir. 

This gift has to be JUST and given to ALL his children equally according to the majority of the scholars. 

He cannot give to one of his children and exclude the others,

UNLESS the children don’t mind and WILLFULLY agree with that, without any pressure or compulsion. 

Anyone who divides unfairly, against his children’s will is sinful in the sight of Allaah. 

And he has to answer to Allaah for his unfairness. 

al-Nu’maan radhi Allaahu anhu said that his father brought him to the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

and said, 

“I have given this son of mine a slave.” 

He said, 

“Have you given a similar gift to all of your sons?” 

He said, 

“No.” 

He said, 

“Then take it back.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

According to another version he said: 

“Fear Allaah and treat your children fairly.” So he went back and took back his gift.” (al-Bukhaari)

Imaams Abu Haneefah, Maalik, ash-Shaafa‘i and Ibn al-Mubaarak said: 

“The female is to be given the same as the male, because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to Basheer ibn Sa‘d: 

“Treat them fairly (equally)” and he explained that by saying: “Would you like them all to honor you equally?” 

He said: 

“Yes.” 

He said: 

“Then treat them fairly (equally).” 

And the daughter is like the son in terms of the duty to honor the parents, and the same applies to giving gifts to her. 

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“Treat your children fairly (equally) in giving gifts; and if I were to have given precedence to anyone, I would have given precedence to women over men.” Narrated by Sa‘eed in his Sunan. 

And because it is a gift given during one’s lifetime, so male and female are to be treated equally, as is the case with regard to spending on maintenance and clothing.”

But if someone gives one or some of his children and excludes his other children with the WILLFUL CONSENT of the others and they’re not under any pressure etc then it’s allowed to do so and the person is not sinful. 

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:  

“The father (mother) must be just and fair to his children, males and females. It is not permissible for him to give gifts to some of them and not to others, EXCEPT with the consent of those who are not given, if they are mature. Their consent should not be given out of fear of their father, rather it should be given willingly, with no threats or fear of their father. Not differentiating between them is better in all cases, and is better for their hearts, because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: “Fear Allaah and treat your children justly.” Saheeh – agreed upon.”

(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 9/452)

The scholars said:

“During a person’s lifetime his wealth cannot be described as an inheritance, and those who will be given a share of it cannot be called heirs, because the first condition of inheritance is the death of the testator. 

There are two issues that are worth pointing out here: 

1.If your father wants to give his children – only – something whilst he is still alive, that is described as a gift or present, and it is permissible for the father to do that, but that is on condition that he treat all his children fairly, both male and female.

2.If your father wants to divide his property among all his heirs, it is permissible for him to do that on condition that he does not deprive some of them and he does not detract from their rights. 

However we do not encourage anyone to do that, because of what it may cause of some of the children being tempted by that wealth into falling short in honoring their father. 

Moreover, he himself may need that wealth after it is no longer his. 

He may have more children, other than those to whom he gave that wealth, in which case those new children would be deprived of having a share of their father’s wealth with their siblings.

It should be noted that if handover of a gift to children is deferred until after one dies, then it becomes a bequest, and it is proven in the hadith that “There is no bequest to an heir.” Such a gift should be put back with the estate and shared out according to the laws prescribed in Islam.” (Islamqa Fatwa # 192033)

And Allaah knows best

677. Do We Need To Read The Surah In The Same Order As They Appear In The Quran

 By Asma bint Shameem 

The basic principle is to read the surahs in the salaah in the same order as they appear in the Qur’aan. 

Although it’s BETTER and *preferred* to keep the order of the Surahs when reciting them in prayers, it’s *not mandatory.* 

Rather it’s *permissible* to go out of order and the prayer is valid. 

Proof:

Hudhayfah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I prayed with the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

one night, and he started to recite al-Baqarah. I thought, he will do rukoo when he reaches one hundred aayaat, but he kept going. 

I thought, he will complete it in one rakah, but he kept going. I thought, he will do rukoo now, but he started to recite al-Nisaa, and he recited all of it, then he started to recite Aal Imraan and recited all of it.”

(Muslim 772)

This shows that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did not read the suwar in order. 

Rather he read Baqarah then Nisaa then Aal-Imraan although Aal Imraan comes *before* Nisaa. 

So it’s allowed to go out of order although it’s preferable to keep the order as it. 

And Allaah knows best

676. What Should The Terminally Ill Person Do ? And What Can OTHERS Do For Him?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Everyone’s lifespan is written. 

And we’re only here on this earth for an appointed time. 

When the time is up, we leave. 

No one knows exactly WHEN that time is. 

But sometimes, out of His Mercy, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala reminds a person of that time of departure by afflicting His slave with a terminal illness. 

Although it is hard to accept, this is actually a BLESSING IN  DISGUISE, because this way the person can “PREPARE” for that inevitable meeting with his Rabb and “get ready” for that ultimate journey. 

Here are some of the things a terminally ill person can do. 

1. He should make sincere Taubah to Allaah for all his previous major and minor sins. 

2. He should ask others for forgiveness 

3. He himself should clear his heart and forgive those that might have hurt him or treated him unfairly in any way. 

4. He should strengthen his ties with his blood relatives and ‘fix’ any that needed fixing. 

5. He should pay off his debts and settle any other financial issues with others. 

6. If he has any money he should write his will, if he wants to donate one third of that to charity. 

7. He should have good and positive thoughts about Allaah and hope to have a good end.  

8. He should try and live whatever life is left for him in the obedience to Allaah and stay away from all disobedience 

9. He must be very vigilant about his five daily prayers. 

10. He should busy himself with dhikr, read the Qur’aan with meanings, pray Nawaafil if he has the energy, do a lot of sadaqah regularly even if it’s a small amount and other good deeds. 

10. Stay away from people and places that are “dunya- oriented” and are a distraction to the goal of the Aakhirah. 

 *In the LAST FEW DAYS*

When he’s in the last hours/days of his sickness:

1. People around the dying person should say good things and make duaa for him 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“When you visit a sick or a dying person, you should utter good words because the angels say “Ameen” at what you are saying.” (Muslim)

2. They should encourage him to say "Laa Ilaaha Illa Allaah”

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Exhort your dying people to recite: Laa ilaaha illallaah.” (Muslim)

That’s because if their last words are “Laa ilaaha illallaah”, they will enter Jannah with the Will and Permission of Allaah. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“He whose last words are: Laa ilaaha illallaah shall enter Jannah.” (Abu Dawood- saheeh by al-Albaani)

And he said: 

“He who dies while knowing (fully well) that there is none worthy of worship (in truth) but Allaah shall enter Jannah.” (Muslim)

3. The dying person should ask Allaah for forgiveness and mercy. 

The last words of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam were:

“Allahumma-ghfir li, warhamni, wa alhiqni bir Rafiqil-Aa’laa”

 “O Allaah, forgive me, bestow Your Mercy on me and let me join the exalted companions.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

4. He should think positive and have good hopes with Allaah.  

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“None of you should approach death but he is hoping good from Allaah.” (Muslim)

5. The people around him should remind him of his good deeds 

Ibrahim An-Nakha’i said: 

“People liked to remind righteous people of their righteous actions so that they would have good thinking of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala.” (Ibn Abu Ad-Dunya)

*IMPORTANT NOTE*:

*1. No Qur’aan or Yaseen*

There’s NO PROOF of reading the Qur’aan for the dying person or reading Surah Yaseen etc. 

The hadeeth about reading Surah Yaseen is weak. 

And a weak hadeeth means that it’s highly doubtful that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam ever said that or did that or approved of that. 

2. No other bid’ah 

Nothing should be done for the dying person that has no proof from the Qur’aan and/or authentic Sunnah such as slaughtering at the bedside, sprinkling blood of the sacrifice on him, going around the patient seven times with certain things like chillies, and many other practices that are borrowed from the Hindus and others. 

Astaghfirullaah!

Imagine the SIN of sending someone off to their Creator with Shirk and bid’ah!

La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa billaah. 

May Allaah guide us. 

May Allaah give us a good end.

May our last words be “Laa ilaaha illallaah” 

And May Allaah be pleased with us when we meet Him. Ameen