710. Can I Read The Qur’aan Without Wudhu?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It is *highly recommended* to have wudhu when reciting the Qur’aan. 

However it is *not mandatory*.

There’s nothing in the Qur’aan or authentic Sunnah to prevent a person from *“reading”* the Qur’aan when he does not have wudhu.

Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan said:

“It is permissible for a person to recite the Qur’aan without having wudhu if he recites from his memory. This is since nothing prevented the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam from reciting the Qur’aan except for Janaabah(sexual impurity). He Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam would recite the Qur’aan whilst in a state of wudhu and without it.”

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Naasir al-Barraak said:

“It is well known that it is NOT ESSENTIAL to be free from minor impurity when reciting Qur’aan from memory, or even from major impurity, but purifying oneself before reciting Qur'aan, even from memory, is better, because it is the Word of Allaah and it is more respectful towards Him to only recite it when in a state of purity.”

However, do keep in mind there’s a *difference* between *READING* the Qur’aan without wudhu and *TOUCHING* the Qur’aan without wudhu or in the state of impurity. 

So it’s allowed to *“read”* the Qur’aan without wudhu. 

In fact you can even read it during your menses. (There’s no evidence in the Sharee’ah that we cannot read the Qur’aan during Menses)

As for *touching* the Qur’aan without wudhu, there’s a difference of opinion among the scholars. 

The majority of the scholars say that wudhu is a MUST when touching the Qur’aan. 

But others say that there’s no evidence to prove that. 

Obviously it’s *much BETTER* that we have wudhu when we touch the Qur’aan to be in the safe side. 

That’s why there’s no problem to READ the Qur’aan from a *cellphone* or other electronic devices because that’s NOT the Mus-haf. 

Shaikh al-Fawzaan said regarding this issue:

“It does not require wudhu because the cellphone is not a Mus-haf and does not take the rulings of the Mus-haf. Also for the one reading from his heart, it is allowed for the one who has minor impurity. As for major impurity, then he does not read the Qur’aan. Not from the Mushaf nor from his heart until he makes ghusl.”

What about the Aayah from Surah al-Waaqi’ah?

Yes there’s an Aayah in the Qur’aan that says:

“None touch it except the purified.” (Surah al-Waaqi’ah: 78-79)

But the ulama explain that this refers to the Qur’aan that’s preserved in al-Lawh al-Mahfoodh, the Preserved Tablet. And not the Qur’aan (Mus-haf) that we have.  

In any case, the aayah is *NOT a “command”* from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala; rather it’s just a *“statement of fact”.*

Someone asked Shaikh al-Albaani about this Aayah and said:

“Does the word al-Mutahharoon (the purified) refer to the believers or those who have wudhu?”

Shaykh al-Albaani said:

“The intended meaning of it is neither this nor that. Rather it refers to the angels and it is a statement from Allaah the Mighty and Majestic concerning the angels; and it does not refer to this Qur’aan [in our midst]. It refers to that which is in the Preserved Tablet. So none can touch the mus-haf, which is in the Preserved Tablet except the purified and they are the angels brought near [to Allaah]…As regards the mus-haf that is in our midst [today], it can be touched by the righteous and the evil doer, the believer and the disbeliever. Therefore, our Lord is not referring to mankind absolutely regardless of whether they are righteous or evil doers. 

Rather, what He meant, as we have stated, is the angels….

There are narrations from some of the Companions that they used to avoid touching the Qur’aan without wudhu. This action of theirs indicates that what is best for someone who intends to touch the Qur’aan or read the Qur’aan [is to perform wudhu].”(Silsilah al-Huda wan-Noor, Tape 001, fatwa no. 08)

So do try and have wudhu when you touch and read the Qur’aan, unless it’s difficult etc. 

And if you’re on your menses, then turn the pages with gloves or a pencil etc. 

What about books of tafseer and other such books

As for duaa books, tafseer books etc., the ulama say you can touch these books because along with the Qur’aan, they also contain other than that which is the Qur’aan. 

So the rulings dont apply. 

 Proof:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would send letters to the disbeliever rulers inviting them to Islaam. 

These letters had Bismillaahir- Rahmaan-nir-Raheem written on it, along with the rest of the message that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam sent these rulers.

 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam knew that these disbelievers will touch the letter although they’re not ‘pure’. Yet he wrote Allaah’s Name on them. 

And there are other proofs. 

And Allaah knows best.

709. Is Your Fasting Complete?

By Asma bint Shameem

What if you hire someone to do something for you, but they only do PART of the job and leave the rest incomplete? 

Will you recompense them fully for a job completed? 

 

And what do you think a teacher would say if a student turns in only some of his homework and fails to do the rest of it? Will he get full marks for it? 

 

And what about a child who is supposed to clean his whole room, but he only cleans HALF of it? Do you think he did what was required of him? Would you reward him for a job well done? 

The answer to all of the above is an obvious NO. 

That's because they did not complete what they were supposed to do and only did part of it. And thus they do not deserve to be fully rewarded. 

 

*Similarly, my dear sister, is the case when you fast but you don't wear hijaab.*

Do you realize, dear sister, that by not wearing hijaab, you are only doing PART of the job and not doing whole of it? 

You see, just as much as fasting is a fardh (obligation) on you, in like manner, the hijaab is *also, just as equally*, FARDH on you. 

The One Who made the FAST an obligation on you and me is the same Rabb, Who also made the HIJAAB an obligation on you and me. 

Allaah says: 

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. over themselves) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women, or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful" 

[al-Noor 24:31] 

 

There are so many other ayaat and so many authentic ahaadeeth that clearly order believing women to cover themselves. 

 

Do you not want to be one of them? 

Don't you want to obey the One who created you, gave you life, food, health, family, friends and everything that you know and don't know of ??!!

 

Masha Allaah, you work SO hard in Ramadhaan!

You wake up for suhoor, you fast all day, you take care of your family. 

You cook, you clean, you do all your chores. 

You are tired yet you stand at night for Taraaweeh. 

You're exhausted, yet you take time out to read the Qur'an. 

May Allaah accept all your good deeds and sincere effort. 

But, my dear sister, do you realize that by not observing hijaab, you only get part of the reward of all your hard work and not 100 percent of it? 

 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

"If a woman does not wear hijaab, then she is disobeying her Lord thereby, but her fast is still valid, because sins, including not wearing hijaab, do not invalidate the fast, but they detract from its reward, and may cause it to be lost altogether." 

Realize, dear sister, that not wearing hijaab is a major sin and sins may take away some or all of the reward, and the fasting person may be left with nothing from his fast apart from hunger and thirst. 

 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

"It may be that the fasting person gets nothing from his fast apart from hunger, and it may be that the one who prays qiyaam at night may get nothing from his qiyaam but a sleepless night." 

(Ibn Majah-authentic) 

 

And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allaah has no need of his giving up his food and drink."  (al-Bukhaari)

Imagine! All that hard work.....all that effort you put into fasting, and some of it or even all of it may be lost!

What a terrible loss indeed! 

And just because you didn't cover yourself the way your Rabb, your Creator, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, ordered you to. 

 

Do remember, that the purpose of fasting is not just to give up food and drink, but to *attain piety*. 

The real aim is to *stay away from sins* and those deeds that displease Allaah. 

And to *train oneself to OBEY Allaah and SUBMIT to Him.*

 

Allaah says:

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety" 

[al-Baqarah 2:183] 

 

So submit to Allaah fully. Obey Him in wearing hijaab, just like you obey Him in fasting and praying. 

Don't let the Shaytaan keep you away from getting full reward for all your hard work in Ramadhaan. 

Let your fasting motivate you to obey Allaah and keep away from that which He has forbidden. 

 

Use this perfect chance for you to start wearing hijaab....

No, not from tomorrow.....but from today.

Don't say you're not ready.

Do it NOW. 

BEFORE Ramadhaan starts. 

*What a beautiful way to start a beautiful month....with the obedience of Allaah!*

*Objection*

Some sisters might say...

“Hijaab is my choice, my right, my life.”

CORRECTION Sister!

It’s NOT your choice, your right, your life. 

Hijaab is your DUTY, Allaah’s COMMAND and your AAKHIRAH!

Do remember, my dear sister:

"And whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. saved from Hell-fire and admitted to Jannah)" (al-Ahzaab 33:71)

And Allaah knows best.

708. Ramadhaan Fidyan Rules

By Asma bint Shameem 

Fasting is fardh on all adult, sane Muslims. 

But if a person is too old or too sick with no hopes of recovery, then Alhamdulillaah our Deen is easy and he does not have to fast.

Rather, he or she should give fidyah (expiation) for it and feed one poor person for each day of fasting he misses. 

Allaah says:

“and [Allaah] has not laid upon you in religion any hardship” (al-Hajj 22:78) 

And Allaah says:

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).184. [Observing Sawm (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. 

And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you if only you know” 

(Surah al-Baqarah 2:183-184)

Ibn ‘Abbaas Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said: 

“It refers to old men and old women who are not able to fast, so they should feed a poor person for each day.” (al-Bukhaari 4505) 

Fidyah is only given in compensation if someone cannot fast due to chronic sickness or old age or weakness. 

It cannot be given to make up your missed fasts due to menses or travel or temporary sickness. 

Fidyah is given as FOOD. 

Wherever Allaah specifically mentions giving *food*, then it must be *food*. 

Allaah says: 

“And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to FEED a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you if only you know”

[al-Baqarah 2:184]

That’s the basic principle. 

You should feed one poor Muslim for each day you missed of fasting. 

You can either feed one person for thirty days or you can feed 30 people for one day, or feed 3 people for 10 days, etc. 

Also you can give them the raw material to cook, or you can cook yourself and give them the food. 

How much to give as fidyah?

The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that the fidyah is one “mudd” of foodstuff, i.e., one quarter of a saa‘. 

But others said it is half a saa’. That is equivalent to 1 and 1/2 kilograms of the local staple food.

So you can feed either lunch OR dinner.

That’s what Anas Radhi Allaahu anhu did  

“After Anas Radhi Allaahu anhu grew old, he gave food for one year or two years, feeding one poor person for each day, giving him bread and meat, and he did not fast.”  (al-Bukhaari)

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“If the doctors determine that there is no hope of recovery from this sickness from which you are suffering, and because of which you are not able to fast, then you must feed one poor person for each day, giving half a saa‘ of the local staple food, such as dates and the like, for past and future months. If you give dinner OR lunch to a poor person for the number of days that you owe, that will suffice.” 

(Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah 10/198)

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“With regard to the manner of feeding, one has the choice between giving each poor person half a saa’ of food such as rice and the like (i.e., approximately one and a half kilograms) or making food and inviting the poor to eat.”

(Fataawa al-Siyaam p.111)

And Shaikh ibn Baaz said about an old woman:

“She should feed one poor person for each day, giving half a saa’ of the local staple food, such as dates, rice, etc, which is equivalent to approximately one and a half kilograms. This was stated by a number of the companions of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam such as Ibn ‘Abbaas Radhi Allaahu anhumaa.”

If she is poor and is unable to feed a poor person, then she does not have to do anything.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz 15/203). 

The purpose of fidyah is to FEED the poor. 

So as long as you’re *feeding one poor person per each day you missed*, then you’ve fulfilled your obligation. 

But in case you don’t know anyone that’s poor or it’s difficult to give fidyah as food to someone, then the scholars say that you can give some person or some organization ‘money’ so that *they* can buy the food and deliver it to the poor on your behalf. 

If you have to give fidyah in the form of money, it should be according to where YOU live.  

So in the US or Canada it’s around $15 per day for each day of fasting you missed. 

When to pay fidyah?

There’s no specific time to pay the fidyah. You can pay it in the beginning or middle or end of Ramadhaan. 

But according to ibn Taimiyyah, it is better to pay it as soon as possible because it is good to hasten with good deeds. 

 Shaykh Abd ar-Rahmaan al-Barraak said:

“It is permissible to delay the fidyah until after Ramadhaan, but to be on the safe side it may be done at the end of the month.”

Can we pay fidyah ahead of time?

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:

“This expiation (fidyah) may be given to one person or more than one, at the beginning of the month or in the middle or at the end.” (Majmoo‘ Fataawa Ibn Baaz 15/203).

And Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said:

“It is permissible to give charity (fidyah) for days in Ramadhaan on which a person did not fast because of chronic illness or old age. 

It is permissible to offer expiation for the entire month in advance, at the beginning of the month; and it is permissible to delay doing so until the end of the month; and it is permissible to pay the fidyah in the middle of the month. 

It is permissible to give it all in one go and it is also permissible to give it piecemeal.”

And Allaah knows best

707. Why Do We See Bad Dreams In Ramadhaan?

By Asma bint Shameem

You can still get bad dreams in Ramadhaan, even though the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said that the devils are chained in Ramadhaan.

What this means is that the most evil ones, the ‘bigger’ shayateen are locked up. 

As for the Qareen devil (companion devil), then he is not chained up. 

Proof 

When Safiyyah radhi Allaahu anhaa came to the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam while he was in itikaaf and two men of Ansaar passed by so they quickened their pace, then the prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam called them and said: “she is Safiyyah”so they wondered at what he said. 

The the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“I was afraid lest Shaytaan should instill something (evil) in your hearts.” (al-Bukhaari)

And this incidence took place in Ramadhaan.

So just because it’s Ramadhaan that does not mean that ALL Shayateen are locked up. 

So make sure you make wudhu before you go to sleep and read the bedtime adhkaar. 

And of course pray your five daily prayers in time, and stay away from all sins especially music.

And Allaah knows best.

706. Zakaat On Property For Personal Use

By Asma bint Shameem

1. As for property or the things a person owns, if it is for his PERSONAL use, NO Zakaah is due on it, even if it’s a lot. 

So NO Zakaah is due on cars, house, land, furniture, laptops, clothes, etc. 

That’s because the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“No zakaah is due from the Muslim on his horse or his slave.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

Imaam an-Nawawi said: 

“This hadith is the basis for the ruling that personal property is not subject to zakaah. … This is the view of all the scholars, from the earlier and later generations.”

[Sharh Saheeh Muslim (7/55)]

2. Zakaah is due on gold that’s kept as mortgage collateral 

That’s because the gold still belongs to you and is counted as your wealth. 

The scholars said:

“If this gold reaches the nisaab (minimum threshold) or you have other gold which, when added to it, brings it to the nisaab, then you must pay zakaah on it when one year has passed. The fact that it is being held in pledge in return for the debt does not mean that zakaah is not due on it, because you own it outright.”

(Islamqa Fatwa 99311)

Imaam Al-Nawawi said: 

“If livestock or *any other wealth* that is subject to zakaah is being held in pledge, and one year has passed, then zakaah must be paid on it, because it is owned outright.”

[al-Majmoo’ (5/318)]

And Allaah knows best

705. How Can One Celebrate Eid If He Is Travelling To Other Country?

By Asma bint Shameem

He will fast according to the country where he is at that time. 

And also celebrate Eid accordingly. 

So if now he is in India then he will finish his fasting according to India and celebrate Eid whenever Muslims of India celebrate Eid. 

But if the total number of fasts is less than 29, the he must make up one fast after Eid because a lunar month cannot be less than 29 days.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“If a man travels from one country to another where the moonsighting was different, the basic principle is that he should start and end the fast according to the country he is in when it is established that the month has ended. But if that means that he has fasted for less than twenty-nine days, then he has to complete the number, because the lunar month cannot be less than twenty-nine days. This principle is based on the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “When you see it (the new moon) then fast, and when you see it then break the fast,” and “The month is twenty-nine days, so do not fast until you see it, and do not stop fasting until you see it.” 

And in the hadeeth of Kurayb is says that Umm al-Fadl sent him to Mu’aawiyah in Syria, and Kurayb told Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the people had seen the new moon of Ramadhaan on Friday night in Syria. 

Ibn ‘Abbaas said: 

“But we saw it on Saturday night, so we will carry on fasting until we complete thirty days or until we see it.” 

Kurayb said: “Is not the sighting and fasting of Mu’aawiyah sufficient for you?” He said: “No; this is what the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam enjoined upon us.” 

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen 69/19)

And Allaah knows best

704. Istihaadhah

By Asma bint Shameem 

1. Basically if the spotting/colored discharge is continuous and connected to the actual bleeding, then it counts as your menses. 

But if you get random spotting that’s not connected to your menses and it occurs *after* a day or more since you’ve been ‘clean’, then that counts as Istihaadhah. 

The sahaabiyaat used to ignore any spotting/ discharge that happened AFTER their period was over and they had seen purity. 

Umm ‘Atiyyah radhi Allaahu anhaa said: 

“We did not bother about any yellow or brownish discharge after a woman’s period was over.” (Abu Dawood - saheeh by al-Albaani )

So if there’s a gap of at least a day or more in between the time your menses ended and the spotting, then this is your istihaadhah. 

In such a situation, you're 'paak' (pure) as they say and you can fast and pray and everything else you do in your purity. 

Only thing is however, that for every FARDH prayer you have to :

-wash your private parts

- put on a clean pad/ liner

- make fresh wudhu. 

That's ONLY for the FARDH prayer.

Also there’s NO NEED to take a bath. Your wudhu is enough. 

Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Baaz about brown discharge which occurs over five days before the actual menstrual period begins which then lasts for eight days.

Is therefore the prayer and fasting obligatory on this person during the initial five days?

Shaikh bin Baaz said: 

“If the five days in which the brownness occurs are unconnected to the bleeding, then it is not from the menstruation, upon you is to pray within it and fast and you should perform wudhu for every prayer because it is of the ruling of urine, and does not hold the ruling of menses. Therefore it does not prevent one from prayer nor fasting, however it necessitates performing wudhu every time until it ceases – such as irregular (non-menstrual) bleeding.

As for if these five (days) are connected to the menstruation, then it is altogether considered to be from the menstruation, and counted to be from the routine, and upon you is to not pray within them nor to fast.

Likewise if this brown or yellow discharge occurs after the purification from the menses, then it is not considered menses, rather its ruling is the ruling of irregular (non-menstrual) bleeding. 

Upon you is to wash the area each time, and perform wudhu and pray and fast, and it is not considered from the menses.”(Al-Mawsu’ah al-Baaziyyah fee Masaa-il an-Nisaa-iyyah 2/867)

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked:

“If a woman’s normal monthly period is seven or eight days, then it continues once or twice for longer than that, what is the ruling?”

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“If the normal period of this woman is six or seven days, then it becomes longer, lasting for eight, nine, ten or eleven days, then she remains (in menstruation) and she should not pray until she becomes clean. 

This is because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam did not define any particular number of days for the menstrual cycle. 

And Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala says:

‎• وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْمَحِيضِۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى

“They ask you concerning menstruation. Say that it is an Aḏa (a harmful thing for a husband to have sexual intercourse with his wife while she is having her menses)”
[Al-Baqarah 2:222]

So when this blood continues, the woman continues in that state, until she becomes clean and performs Ghusl and prays. 

And if, in the following month, her period is shorter than that, then she should make Ghusl when she becomes clean, even if it was not of the same number of days as the previous period. 

The important point is, that when a woman has her period, she does not pray, whether the period is the same length as the last one, or it is more or less when she becomes clean, she must pray.”

(Sheikh Ibn Al-‘Uthaymeen, Fatāwā Islāmiyah 2/120-1)

2. That applies to all females who menstruate irrespective of age. 

And Allaah knows best

703. Can I Sell An item Before Taking Possession?

By Asma bint Shameem 

In general, it is not permissible to sell an item before taking possession of it, and moving it from the manufacturer’s/wholesaler’s place, because of the following hadeeth:

Hakeem ibn Hizaam Radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“I asked the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam: 

“O Messenger of Allaah, a man may come to me wanting to buy something that I do not possess, so I sell it to him then I buy it for him from the marketplace.”

He said: 

“Do not sell that which you do not possess.” 

(an-Nasa’i, Abu Dawood, and at-Tirmidhi: saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh an-Nasa’i)

And Zayd ibn Thabit Radhi Allaahu anhu reported that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam “forbade selling an item where it was bought until the merchants move it to their own places.”(Ad-Daraqutni and Abu Dawood; hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood)

However, the following are among the permissible and acceptable ways in which the goods can be sold even when the seller does not own them:

1. The seller promises the customer that he will buy the item and take possession of it, then sell it to him. When the seller has bought it and taken possession of it, then he enters into the sale transaction and sends it to the customer.

2. The seller is allowed to act as an agent on behalf of the manufacturer/wholesaler, selling the item on behalf in return for a commission, or act as an agent on behalf of the purchaser, buying the item for him at the usual price, and agreeing with him on a fee in return.

3. Use the Salam transaction (payment in advance), whereby the seller sells the customer an item that is clearly described and defined, in such a way that there can be no cause for dispute, and commits to deliver to him at a specified time, on the condition that he receive the money from the customer when drawing up the contract.

And Allaah knows best.

702. If I Don’t Fast In Ramadhaan Because Of Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding, Should I Make Up The Fast Only OR Feed A Poor Person Only OR Both?

By Asma bint Shameem 

There’s a *vast* difference of opinion among the ulama about this issue. 

- Some said you ONLY need to FAST to make up the days. 

- Some said you should PAY the FIDYAH ONLY (feed one poor person per day of fasting you missed)

- And some said you should do BOTH. 

Ulama like Ibn Baaz and others said:

“The pregnant woman is obliged to fast during her pregnancy, unless she fears that fasting may affect her or her foetus, in which case she is allowed not to fast, and she should *make up the fasts* after she gives birth and becomes pure from nifaas.”

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (10/226)

However other ulama like Shaikh Bazmool, Shaikh al-Albaani etc said she does NOT have to make up the fasts. 

Shaikh al-Albaani said regarding this issue:

“It isn’t compulsory for them to make up the days; on the contrary, the feeding of a poor person is. 

This is the correct answer ....

That’s because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said, “Indeed Allaah has lifted (the obligation) of fasting from the pregnant woman and the one nursing and or suckling.

Thus the conclusion is that it is permissible for every pregnant woman and every woman nursing and/or suckling to break her fast and feed a poor person (for each missed day), and there is no making up of the days, just this (the feeding).” (Fataawa Shaikh al-Albaani)

So here comes the confusion

One group of very trustworthy ulama are telling us to make up the days. 

And another group of *equally* trustworthy ulama telling us we DON’T have to make up the days; rather we just have to feed one poor person per day. 

*So what to do?*

1. IF you’re able to fast *easily* during your pregnancy and/or breastfeeding, you should fast. 

2. If you can’t fast while pregnant or nursing, BUT you ARE ABLE to EASILY make these days up *later*, then it’s BETTER to make them up JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE. 

3. If it’s *difficult* for you to make up the fasts later and/or a LOT of fasts have accumulated for you, then you DO NOT have to make up the days. 

Rather just pay the fidyah and feed one person for each day that you missed. 

And Allaah knows best.

701. Should A Woman Fast When Her Husband Is Present?

By Asma Bint Shameem

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: 

“No woman should fast when her husband is present without his permission, and she should not allow anyone to enter his house when he is not present, without his permission.” (al-Bukhari 4899 and Muslim 1026). 

Imaam al-Nawawi said: 

“This hadeeth indicates that the wife should not overlook the right of the husband not to let anyone enter his house except with his permission. This is to be understood as referring to situations where she does not know whether her husband would approve. 

But if she knows that her husband would approve of it, then there is no sin on her, such as one whose custom is to admit guests to a place that is prepared for them, whether he is present or not, so admitting them does not need special permission from him.”

In other words, if there’s a *general understanding* between the husband and wife, and he does not have any objection to her fasting, then she does not have to ask her husband every time she wants to fast. 

But if the husband has clearly told his wife that he does not want her to fast on a *specific* day, then it is not allowed for her to fast that day. 

The basic rule is that the husband is the head of the household and the wife should obey him. 

And part of that obedience is to ask the husband’s permission before fasting and before going somewhere, inviting someone etc. 

And Allaah knows best.

700. Is it Haraam To Bathe a Person?

By Asma Bint Shameem

1. It is haraam for a person to look at the awrah of any other person, especially the area between the navel and the knees. 

So even if one needs help to bathe, he or she does not need to be completely naked. 

Rather they can put a sheet or towel or wear something while they are bathed so that their awrah is not exposed. 

2. If one of the women is handicapped and needs help to bathe, it is only *she* that has to be uncovered. 

The other lady does not need to be naked, even if it’s a mother and daughter or two sisters etc. 

3. A postnatal woman does not need to be bathed. 

She is perfectly able to take her *own bath*. 

People from the Subcontinent pamper the woman who has just delivered to extreme and make her almost like an invalid. 

And that’s not good for her. 

She must get up and do her own chores and be up and about. 

This concept of “staying in bed after delivery” is actually dangerous to her health, speaking as a doctor. 

And Allaah knows best.

699. Don't Spy Or Be Suspicious

By Asma Bint Shameem

It’s not allowed to spy on anyone or be suspicious.

That’s the default. 

We should think positively of others and assume the best.

Allaah says:

‎يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ

‎ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا 

“O you who believe! Stay away from much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not..” 

(Surah al-Hujraat: 12)

And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said :

"O people, who have professed belief verbally, but faith has not yet entered your hearts: 

Do not pry into the affairs of the Muslims. For he, who will pry into the affairs of the Muslims, Allaah will pry into his affairs, and he whom AIlaah follows inquisitively, is DISGRACED by Him even in his own house. " 

(Abu Dawood-saheeh by al-Albaani)

And he said:

“Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest of speech. Do not eavesdrop; do not spy on one another; do not envy one another; do not forsake one another; do not hate one another. Be, O slaves of Allaah, brothers.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

However, if there’s a *valid reason* like you found some indication or circumstantial evidence that points to some wrongdoing, and you 

want to stop them from doing haraam or you want to make sure of someone’s safety and well-being, etc., then it’s permissible to spy on someone; but only for that “*limited*” amount of time as needed. 

Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen about listening to someone’s conversation and recording it without their permission. 

He said:

“If the head of the household sees indications of these evil telephone calls, then there is nothing wrong with setting up a recording device without their knowledge, but he realizes that there is something going on, he should not keep quiet and keep listening;

rather he should rebuke them straightaway, because if he continues to listen,because he may hear something that will upset him even more. 

For example, if he comes across a bad telephone conversation, he must rebuke the one who is doing it straight away, and not delay it until the next day; he must put a stop to it from the beginning.

But with regard to mere suspicion based on waswaas (insinuating whispers of the Shaytaan), it is not permitted (for him to set up this device), but if he knows that the matter is serious and that it is actually happening, then it is OK to set up a recorder so as to find out what is going on.”

(Fataawa Al-Liqa’ Al-Shahri No. 50)

And Allaah knows best.

698. If Someone Needs A Purity Bath But He/She Cannot Do Ghusl, What Can They Do? How Should They Pray?

By Asma bint Shameem

If you’re in need of taking the purity ghusl but you’re someplace where that’s not at all possible, then do the following:

Delay your prayer

if it’s one of the prayers that can be combined like Dhuhr or Maghrib then delay your prayer and COMBINE it with the next prayer. Then once you get home or at some place where you can take that ghusl, purify yourself and offer the prayer. 

So for example, if you were unable to offer Dhuhr because it was just NOT possible to purify yourself, then you delay your Dhuhr until Asr. And once you’ve taken ghusl, read Dhuhr then Asr at the time of Asr. 

Similarly you can delay your Maghrib in such situations and read it with ishaa after you’ve purified yourself. 

But I’ll miss my prayer!

If it’s a prayer that cannot be combined or you’ll miss your prayer by the time you get home, (like you’re at work/school/airplane etc) and there’s no means of taking a bath, then you must do TAYAMMUM and purify yourself and offer the prayers.

 Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“If there is no water or she is unable to use it and she performed Tayammum, everything which was forbidden due to the ritual impurity becomes permissible, since Tayammum is the alternative for Ghusl.”

What if there’s no dust available for tayammum?

If there’s not even any ‘dust’ to do tayammum, then pray *as you are*, WITHOUT tahaarah and your prayer would be valid.

That’s because the circumstances are *beyond your control*.

And Allaah will never punish us for something that’s beyond our control.

Allaah is not unfair.

Rather He’s Most Merciful.

He KNOWS your situation and He knows you are sincerely eager to fulfill the obligation of prayer, but you’re not able to take ghusl due to reasons beyond your control.

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 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 says:

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

Ibn Hazm said:

“Whoever is detained, whether he is traveling or not, in such a state that he cannot find dust or water, or he is being crucified, and the time for prayer comes, then he should pray *as he is*, and his prayer will be complete and does not have to be repeated, whether he finds water within the time of the prayer or after the time is over.

We are not obliged to do more than we are able to, and that if we are unable to do something, we are relieved of the obligation.

We learn that Allaah has forbidden us to neglect wudhu or tayammum for prayer, unless we are forced “under compulsion of necessity”. The one who is deprived of water and dust is forced by necessity to do something which is forbidden, i.e., to forgo purifying himself with water or dust; so the prohibition does not apply in his case.

If he prays as we have mentioned, then he has prayed as Allaah has commanded him to do, and whoever prays as Allaah has commanded him to do is not to blame.”

(Al-Muhallaa, 1/363, 364)

Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen:

“If there is no water on board a plane, or it is frozen, or one is not allowed to use it in case it leaks and causes damage to the plane, or there is no enough water, how can a passenger do wudhu’, knowing that there is no soil or earth there?”

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“In the cases that you describe, wudhu is not possible or is difficult. 

Allaah says:

“and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship” [al-Hajj 22:78]

So the passenger should do tayammum using the chairs of the airplane, if there is dust there.

If there is no dust, then he should pray even if he is not taahir, because he is unable to purify himself.

Allaah says:

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

But if it is possible that you will land in the airport before the end of the time of the second of two prayers that may be joined together, then he should delay it, i.e., he should have the intention of joining the prayers and praying at the later time. Then he should pray both prayers when he lands at the airport.

But if that is not possible, e.g. it is already the time for the latter of two prayers that may be joined, or it is a prayer which cannot be joined to the following prayer – such as ‘Asr and Maghrib, or ‘Ishaa’ and Fajr, or Fajr and Zuhr – then he should pray that according to his circumstances. “

( I’laam Al-Musaafireen Bi Ba’d Aadaab Al-Safr Wa Ma Yakhuss Al-Mallaaheen Al-Jawwiyyeen, P. 11)

And Allaah knows best

697. Lose Your Job? Don't Lose Hope

By Asma bint Shameem

As world markets suffer from the ongoing global financial crisis and housing markets slump, as jobs are lost and unemployment rates rise high, as businesses close down and people don't have a source of income, you worry. 

You worry about the growing global recession and its challenges. 

And you worry about your family, your kids, how to provide for them, how to put food on the table, how to pay the bills....

In times such as these, this is a reminder for my brothers and sisters, as the reminder always benefits the believers.

"But remind, the Reminder will benefit the believers." (Surah adh-Dhaariyaat: 55)

KEEP YOUR IMAAN STRONG

1. Remember....NOTHING happens except by the will and decree of Allaah:

Belief in al-qadar (the Divine decree) is one of the pillars of our Imaan, and no one’s faith is complete without it. 

So if you lost your job, it was by the Will and Decree of Allaah. 

Allaah says:

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (al-Lawh al-Mahfooz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah” [al-Hadeed 57:22] 

And the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: 

"KNOW that what has passed you by was not going to befall you, and that what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. 

And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship." (Tirmidhi-Saheeh)  

2. It is Allaah that provides for you and NOT your employer.

Remember that Allaah is al-Razzaaq (the Provider) and the Best of those who provide. 

It was Allaah who was providing you before you lost your job and it is still HE that will provide you after you lost it. 

The one who fed you when you were in your mother's womb will also feed you when you are an adult. 

And it was not you who was putting food on the table for your family. 

Rather it was Allaah using you as a *means* to provide for them.

Allaah says:

"Except for Allah, is there any other Creator who provides for you out of heaven and earth? 

There is no god except He. Where then do you turn?" (Surah Faatir:3)

3. Know that your provision was written for you BEFORE you were even born:

Allaah had sent an angel to write down your provision for you when you were 120 days old in your mother's womb, and you will get it, no matter what. 

 "(the angel) says, ‘O Lord, male or female? Doomed or blessed? What is his provision? What is his lifespan?’ And that is written in his mother’s womb.” (Bukhaari)

There is NOTHING that can take it away. 

And you will not die until you have had your full provision. 

 The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: 

“The Holy Spirit (Jibreel) has inspired to me that no soul will die until it has completed its appointed term and received its provision in full, so fear Allaah and do not be desperate in seeking provision, and no one of you should be tempted to seek provision by means of committing sin if it is slow in coming to him, for that which is with Allaah can only be attained by obeying Him.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 2085)  

4. It is a TEST for you from Allaah:

Remember that disasters and calamities are a test of a believer’s patience. 

And so He will test you to see how strong you are and how you will react to His test. 

And know if Allaah loves a person, He tests him. 

Allaah says:

"We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, and decrease of goods, life and fruits. Give glad tidings to the patient." (al-Baqarah:155)

5. Surely, it is a means of expiation of your sins

Calamities are a means of expiation of sin and raising one's status. 

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: 

“There is nothing that befalls a believer, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allaah will record one good deed for him and will remove one bad deed from him.” (Muslim). 

And he said: 

“Trials will continue to befall the believing man and woman, with regard to themselves, their children and their wealth, until they meet Allaah with no sin on them.” (Tirmidhi, saheeh by al-Albaani)

WHAT TO DO?

1. Have tawakkul on Allaah 

Always think to yourself...

Allaah wouldn't decree something for me unless it was good for me. 

Have faith in Allaah's Words....

He said 

"But you may hate a thing although it is good for you, and may love a thing although it is evil for you. Allah knows, and you do not." (Baqarah:216)

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: 

“If you put your trust in Allaah in the true sense, He will grant your provision as He grants to the birds, who go out in the morning hungry and come back full.” (Ahmad, Ibn Maajah and al-Tirmidhi).

2. Be patient

Remember that with every difficulty comes *ease* and with hardship comes *relief*.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good and this does not apply to anyone except the believer. 

If something good happens to him he is grateful, and that is good for him, and if something bad happens to him he is patient, and that is good for him.” (Muslim). 

3. Review your life and make LOTS of istighfar

Look at your life. 

Is there something that you need to improve on? 

Is there something that you need to give up? 

Is there anything that may be a cause of Allaah's warning or punishment to you? 

Allaah says:

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned” [al-Shoora:30]

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“ a man may be deprived of provision by a sin that he commits.”  (Ibn Maajah-saheeh by al-Albaani)

If there is such an issue, NOW is the time to fix yourself. 

Ask Allaah sincerely to forgive you and He will. 

There is no doubt in that.For He is al-Ghafoor, ar-Raheem.

Allaah says:

‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft‑Forgiving. 

He will send rain to you in abundance, and give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.’”[Nooh 71:10-12] 

4. Fear Allaah and obey Him as much as you can:

Obedience is the KEY to the Mercy of Allaah and fearing Him (taqwa) is a means to attain all success. 

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” [al-Talaaq:2-3] 

5. Make dua and do LOTS of good deeds

Never forget that Dua is the WEAPON of the believer. 

Pray to Allaah with the attitude of *certainty* and He will surely respond. 

Do a lot of acts of worship, such as reading Qur’aan, fasting, giving charity, etc. 

This will get rid of your worry and anxiety, and give you happiness, peace of mind and success in this dunya as well as in the Hereafter. 

Allaah says:

“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer; verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)” (al-Nahl:97)

Also, worship at times of hardship and tribulation has a special sweetness to it and a great reward. 

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Worshipping at times of tribulation and confusion is like migrating to join me.” (Muslim) 

6. Uphold ties of kinship

If there are any family members that you have cut off from or are not on speaking terms, etc., correct that and ask them for forgiveness, even if it was not your fault. 

Why? 

Because the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said:  

“Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his life span to be extended, let him uphold the ties of kinship.” 

7. Do your best to seek Halaal earnings.....

Work hard to find a means of living for your family. That is a responsibility placed upon you by Allaah.

Imam Ahmad was asked about a man who sat in his house or in the masjid and said, “I will not do anything until my rizq comes to me.” He said, “This is a man who has no knowledge.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:. 

"Strive to do that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless." (Muslim). 

8. But don't lose sight of the Aakhirah

However, do realize that this world is only temporary and the REAL life is that of the Hereafter. 

This world should not be the main concern of the Muslim, rather our focus should be on what we do for the Aakhirah. 

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: 

“Whoever is mainly concerned about the Hereafter, Allaah will make him feel independent of others and will make him focused and content, and his worldly affairs will fall into place. 

But whoever is mainly concerned with this world, Allaah will make him feel in constant need of others and will make him distracted and unfocused, and he will get nothing of this world except what is decreed for him.” (Tirmidhi- saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’). 

May Allaah make it easy for all of us and grant us relief from all difficulty. Ameen. 

And Allaah knows best

696. How Can We Complete These 12 Twelve Rak’aat On Friday, If There Are No Sunnah Before Jumu’ah Prayer?

By Asma bint Shameem 

“Whoever prays twelve rak‘ahs in a day and night, a house will be built for him in Jannah.*

So how can we complete these 12 twelve rak’aat on Friday, if there are no Sunnah before Jumu’ah prayer?”*

Yes it’s true that it’s highly recommended to pray twelve rak’aat every day. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: 

“There is no Muslim slave who prays twelve rak‘ahs to Allaah each day, voluntarily, apart from the obligatory prayers, but Allaah will build for him a house in Paradise.” 

(Saheeh Muslim)

And he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:

“Whoever prays twelve rak‘ahs in a day and night, a house will be built for him in Jannah: 

four before Dhuhr and two after it, 

two rak‘ahs after Maghrib, two rak‘ahs after ‘Isha’, and two rak‘ahs before Fajr prayer.” 

(At-Tirmidhi 415; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhi)

However, as there’s *no proof of reading any Sunnah prayers before Jumu’ah prayer*, the number of Sunnah prayers associated with the daily prayers would not add up to twelve. 

So the scholars say that 

Friday is an EXCEPTION to the general meaning of the hadeeth:

“… whoever prays twelve rak‘ahs each day…” 

Shaykh Dr. Bandar ibn Naafi‘ al-‘Abdali said:

“There is no regular Sunnah prayer before Jumu‘ah prayer, but there is a regular Sunnah prayer *after* it.

In that case, Friday is *exempted* from the general meaning of the hadeeth, 

“There is no Muslim slave who prays twelve rak‘ahs to Allaah each day, voluntarily, apart from the obligatory prayers, but Allaah will build for him a house in Paradise.” (Muslim 728).”

However, you can pray as many NAWAAFIL on Fridays as you want. 

That’s because there’s *no restrictions* in that. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: 

“Whoever does ghusl on Friday, and purifies himself with whatever means of purification he can, then puts on perfume, then goes and does not push between any two people, *then prays whatever is decreed for him*, then when the Imaam comes out he listens attentively, (his sins) between that and the next Friday will be forgiven.” 

(al-Bukhaari 910)

That’s why the Sahaabah would try and come *early* to Jumu’ah and pray as many *Nawaafil* as they could before the Khutbah of Jumu’ah. 

And there’s a great reward in that. 

Naafi’ said: 

“Ibn Umar Radhi Allaahu anhu used to *lengthen the prayer* before the Jumu’ah (prayer).” 

(Aboo Dawood 1128; saheeh by al-Albaani) 

Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah said:

“This is that which has been reported from the Sahaabah; 

when they would come to the Masjid on the day of Jumu’ah; they would pray from the time that they entered – that which would be easy (for them). 

So from them was he who would pray *ten rak’aat* and from them was he who would pray *twelve rak’aat* and from them was he who would pray *eight rak’aat*and from them was he who would pray less than that.

Due to this the majority of the Imaams are in agreement that there is no Sunnah (prayer) before the Jumu’ah (prayer) which is scheduled for a given time – valuated with a number (of specific units), because that has to be established from the statement of the Prophet ﷺ  or through his action, and nothing has been prescribed/established in that regard, not through his statement nor through his action.”

(Majmu’ Fataawa vol 24 p.189)

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said regarding the above statement:

(..then he prays whatever is decreed for him…)

“(Here) The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam did not specify a prayer, this proves that the Jumu’ah (prayer) does not have a regular Sunnah (prayer) before it, rather the person can pray what he wishes, whether it is a little or plentiful – up until the Imaam becomes present.”

(Sharh Riyaadh us Saaliheen vol 5 p.171)

Shaikh ibn Baaz said:

“…And the sahaabah Radhi Allaahu anhum, on the day of Al-Jumu’ah; *they would pray plentifully before the sermon*, so this does not have a restricted limitation.”

(Fataawa Noorun ‘Alad-Darb vol 2 p.858)

And he said:

“It has been authentically established from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam in many ahaadeeth that which indicates that it is legislated for the Muslim when he comes to the Masjid on the day of Al-Jumu’ah  that he prays that which Allaah has portioned for him before the emergence of the Imaam. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam did not restrict a confined number of rak’ahs in that, hence *if one prays two or four or more than that then ALL of it is GOOD*; and the least of that is the two rak’ahs for the Tahiyyatul Masjid.”

(Majmu’ Fataawa vol 12 p.387)

And Allaah knows best.