Know Your Deen

Islamic QA for North America

October 6, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Azan vs Iqamah

Q: When the Iqamah is given we are usually silant. When azan is given we reapeat what the Azan caller is saying. Why not for the Iqamah? JAK

A: It is Sunnah to repeat what the Muazzin is saying for the Iqamah, however, when the phrase قد قامت الصلاة is recited, one should say: أقامها الله وأدامها (Which mean May Allah establish the salah and do so continually.)

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

P.S. Reference: الحنفية في الدر المختار: ويجيب الإقامة- ندبا إجماعا -كالأذان- ويقول عند قد قامت الصلاة: أقامها الله وأدامها

October 5, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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Can i wash my wife

Q: Is it permissible to perform ghusal for my wife.

A: No.

(Especially when woman are available to do the washing.)

ولا يغسل الرجل زوجته والزوجة تغسل زوجها

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

October 5, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

To bismillah in every rakaat or not?

Q: Is bismillah to be read in each rakat of fard before surah faatiha and after surah fatiha. What is established from  Sunnah?

Answer) Walaikumsalam:

  1. It is sunnah to recite it in every rakat before the reciting of Surah Fatiha, however, it must be done softly.

With regards to after surah faatiha: (as stated in a previously answered inquiry)

 2. If a person begins reciting a surah after reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, it is permissible and preferred to silently recite Bismillah to oneself. It is sunnah to do so. However, if one did not to do so, their prayer remains valid and complete.

Similarly, if a person starts reciting from anywhere within a surah, omitting Bismillah is also acceptable and it does not invalidate the prayer. It is good (hasn) to recite Bismillah when starting a surah but not an established sunnah.

It’s worth noting that if one recites Bismillah out of habit, it does not nullify the prayer, as the phrase “Bismillah” is also considered part of the Quran.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

P.s. The above can be found in Darrul Muktar, a book used for fatwas by many of the Ahnaf.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

October 4, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Not washing the dead

Q: A brother got killed and the burial committee did not do washing on the body. How? Why?
A: If the person after being killed did not receive any medical aid, food or support directed towards survival, etc. then it can be said that he died as a martyr. In such a condition, upon the burial committees qualified evaluation with the approval of a qualified scholar, a decision to avoid a washing (ghusal) would be correct. He will also be buried in the clothing he died in.

Just so this does not become a fad, the deceased must also be a good Muslim.

Regular Janazah prayer would still occur.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

October 4, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Umma Baad dos not mean ‘i am bad’

Q: Every Friday I hear the khateeb say Umma baad what does it mean? JAK

A: It is phrase recited after one praises Allah and sends salutations upon the Rasool (SAW) and one is about to read verses of the Quran. Before reading the versus of the Quran, some say this phrase: اما بعد. It is also a phrase used when introducing the topic at hand while using Quranic phrases followed by at times, the hadith the speaker wishers to use as evidences.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

October 4, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Q: As a medical professional what is my role when an ingredient is haram?

A: As Muslims we must first prescribe the halal option, if a halal option does not exist, than to the extent that a prescription is necessary, to that extent one can prescribe the haram option. Once a halal option comes by, that must be given first preference.

Using a haram (spiritually forbidden) option when a halal one exists pollutes ones earning and reduces ones barakah. It also violates the rule of helping society attain that which is good (aka: امر بالمعروف و نهى عن المنكر )

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

P.S. Sorry for delay in response.

October 4, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Lets (not) fight in the Musjid!

Q: We have a brother that is extremely argumentative, he wants proof for everything. What do we do with such people? This morning at fajr the Imaam read a hadith he started asking random questions and seeking proof and messed everyones mood what do we do with him?


A: If he is a genuine and certified student of knowledge, he may be seeking clarifications. In such a case, he should be encouraged to attend the office hours of the local sheikh or imam for more in-depth discussions. However, if he is not a student of the Deen and is simply asking random questions, he should be educated on the appropriate manner to ask questions in a public setting.

If the imam is merely reading from a book, the individual should be advised to contact the author or seek guidance from someone qualified in that field. Not everyone who reads a book is necessarily qualified to answer all questions related to its content.

Engaging in arguments with him, especially within the mosque, may inadvertently strengthen his misguided beliefs if he lacks the proper knowledge and understanding of the Deen. It’s essential to maintain a respectful and conducive environment within the mosque.

Please share this response with him and ask him to ponder the meaning of the Quranic verse that encourages us to “argue with them with goodness.” If we are expected to engage in debates with non-Muslims with kindness and respect, it becomes even more crucial to promote this approach when dealing with fellow Muslims. Familiarizing himself with this Quranic guidance may help him better understand the importance of respectful dialogue and seeking knowledge.

Allah certainly knows best.

P.S. I went to do a post and saw your inquiry from January 2023, my apologies for the delay

October 4, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

What to do after standing from Ruku

Q: What is the rule and role of سمع الله لمن حمده when standing up from Ruku? Does imam read ربنا لك الحمد does muqeem also say سمع الله لمن حمده and ربنا لك الحمد does muqeem just say ربنا لك الحمد, does muqeen say any of it loudly if he wishers? Or must any of this be said softly? Must the imam stand after saying سمع الله لمن حمده while people say ربنا لك الحمد and pause thill people in the back say what they need to say and then go down? What must the imaam do? What does Muqeem (follower) do? 

A: The imam should not wait, he should go directly into the Sojood posture after saying سمع الله لمن حمده. If the imam wishers to say and say ربنا لك الحمد although accepted, however, as per Ahnaf, it is not Sunnah for the imam to wait and recite it. Thus, it is best for the imam to go into sojood. The imam reciting ربنا لك الحمد would not negate or create a deficiency in the the salah.

(If an imam is speedy and this would offend some of the musallen, he may recite ربنا لك الحمد to control his speed as he gradually begins to eliminate this speedy practice.) 

As with the Muqeem, they would say ربنا لك الحمد softly. The entire Musjid need not hear it. Softly is defined as he must be able to hear it, and not interrupt others. Prayers and praying are not to be used as a weapon of disturbance. It is to be connected to Allah (SWT) and doing so in a manner that helps others accomplish their duties in a nice manner.

Allah Certainly Knows Best. 

P.S. Please refer to Biday us Sanai for more detail.

October 4, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

To Bismillah or not to Bismillah

Q: Is bismillah to be read in each rakat of fard before surah faatiha and after surah fatiha. What is established from  Sunnah?

A: If a person begins reciting a surah after reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, it is permissible and preferred to silently recite Bismillah to oneself. It is sunnah to do so. However, if one did not to do so, their prayer remains valid and complete.

Similarly, if a person starts reciting from anywhere within a surah, omitting Bismillah is also acceptable and it does not invalidate the prayer. It is good (hasn) to recite Bismillah when starting a surah but not an established sunnah.

It’s worth noting that if one recites Bismillah out of habit, it does not nullify the prayer, as the phrase “Bismillah” is also considered part of the Quran.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

P.s. The above can be found in Darrul Muktar, a book used for fatwas by many of the Ahnaf.

June 6, 2023
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

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