Know Your Deen

Islamic QA for North America

June 26, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

troubled sister that wants her brother back…

Q. My brother has stopped spending time with the family all together. Every time we have a day out planned he will never join, making excuses that he needs to go to the university or whatnot. This frustrates me a lot. He is a really cool guy but now to me it seems like his life and his family is his laptop, t.v, and i pod. How can i get him to be like a big brother again? troubled sister that wants her brother back…

A. Family relations in Islam remain important. To break off without just cause is against Islam.

Your query lacks sufficient data. Naturally, due to your caring and concern, you are to present only your point of view. However, if he is a university student,  his reasoning towards partial detachment may possibly be valid, more so due to his studies  if he is seeking admittance into a highly impacted program.

Possible solution:

Rather than being frustrated as to his choices and reasoning, it would be better to have a family hour or a family day. This is time agreed upon by all, wherein each member would be present to share part of themselves to maintaining family values and ideas.  It would be a time wherein each person agrees to be present and makes a promise to be part of. (For starters, try this out and let us know how it goes in uniting with your ‘bro.’)

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

June 26, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
16 Comments

pray alone or in congregation — male versus female

Asalamu alaykum,
I was told that it was sunnah for a women to pray in her home BUT I was told that its better for a muslim to pray in a congregation..I am so confused about this will you please clarify for me insha allah?

A. What applies to woman does not always apply to men, vice verse. Both have been created for a specific purpose and function. Both have differing characteristics, differing strengths and weaknesses. Thus, sometimes, a distinction is called upon for certain duties committed within the public domain.

For men it is best to pray in congregation. Their reward is greater when they attend salaah in a gathering. For women, it is best to pray in the inner most portion of her home. The reward she is to get can excel even that of men. Islam looks at the action done, manner in which it is fulfilled, not the gender.

If she is unaware of matters of deen, lacks a spouse, has an ignorant spouse, her parents refuse to impart religious knowledge or are adamantly ignorant of Islamic regulations, then she should attend her local Islamic society with modesty and learn what is necessary to make her a successful Muslimah. The spouse etc. would attain the sin for being neglectful towards his family’s Islamic educational responsibilities. Once her Islamic knowledge has moved to the core of her religious self, her sincerity of piety would demand her to leave her home only in matters of necessity.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

June 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
1 Comment

injured persons whudhu

Q. I have heard that in cases of injury tayammum would be valid….

A. In the case of a serious injury wherein life and limb remain in danger of being lost, tayamum alone would suffice. A mere increase in flu like symptoms, etc. would not permit tayamun of the entire body or entire limb. If reference is made to the head injury suffered by a sahabi — a case in wherein other sahaba made him fully wash-up causing the injury to get worse resulting in his death. In the sahabies case, and similar cases, if such a serious situation applies, tayamum would be allowed and more virtuous then washing the body or its portions that would cause greater harm.

May Allah bless you with a speedy recovery, Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

June 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

UBAYDULLAH IBN JAHSH (part one)

Q. Assalam Alaikum
Hope this message is reached with good health and iman inshallah.  I need some clarification on the lineage of some of the Sahabi(R).  To my understanding the paternal aunt of Rasulallah (S), Umayama had two (possibly more?) children Zaynab ibn Jahsh and Abdullah ibn Jahsh.  There is obviously a lot known about them because one was the Prophet’s wife and the other was considered Amir al-Mu’mineen. What I am confused about is who is Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh? Is he another brother of Zaynab? Could it be a half-brother? I can’t find his lineage. All I know is that he married to Ramla bint Abi Sufiyan and converted to Christianity in Abyssinia.

JAK

Time Sent: Sunday June 21, 2009

Answer:

?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???????

We wish the same blessings for you and your family.

Facts that need to be reevaluated: Continue Reading →

June 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
1 Comment

‘Obaid ullah bin Jahash’ (part two)

Here is what Br. Yassir Butt has to state in a simple clear question and answer format:

As Salam Alay kum

Q: who are the four Sahaba who did not Follow the pagan Religion of the Arabs but rather were the followers of “Hanifia” or “Natural Path without idolatry or the Ibrahimic Religion”?

A:Ibn Ishaaq in his Prphetic Biography indicates Waraqa bin Nofal, Obaid ullah bin Jahash, Othman bin Al-Howairith, Zaid bin-Omro bin Nofail.

Implication: Notice that Obaid ullah bin Jahash has some relationship with Waraqa bin Nofal.  Waraqa bin Nofal was the one who told the Shahaba that if I live when you become a Prophet I will follow you and your people will force you out.

So, if the claim is maid that Obaid ullah bin Jahash Accepted chriatianity in Abyssinia than “Why would some one who was a non pagan settle for something inferior while his friend (Waraqa) would have followed the advent of the New guidance in slam?

Answered by:

Br Yassir Butt

Q:Who is Obaid Ullah bin Jahash?

A: Historians, say he was the Brother of zainab bint Jahash (real blood or through weaning) it is not Clear.  But then again the actual name of Um Habiba was also mentioned by Ulama to be Hind, Ramla etc.  What is clear is that he was the Husband of Um Habiba who was later Married to Rasool SAW after Obaidullah bin Jahash’s death in Abyssinia by his will.  Musnad Imam Ahmed, Nasaee, Ibn Hibban (no mention of conversion is made)

Answered by:

Br Yassir Butt

Q:Did he really Accept Christianity?

A:Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdallah Al-Ocean wrote a book in Arabic called

“?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ???????”

???? ??? ??????

??????

????? ???? ?? ??????? ??????

Translated as

“What is Rumored but cannot be Proven in the Prophetic Biography”

The premise of the Book is that in the Case of Obaid ullah Jahash he writes.  The scholars of the Biographies Like Ibn Ishaaq, Waqidee, Ibn Hisham all mention the conversion of Obaid ullah Jahash to christianity.  However, these narrations are Mursal (hurried) that is the Tabee claims that it is from Rasool SAW and the Sahabee is missing from this Chain.  Bottom line is we cannot authenticate this from a Solid Chain of narration in this matter of his conversion.  The Historians sometimes have an academic approach even if it contains weak narrations.

Also many other intellectually provoking reasoning is given (left out to avoid unnecessary details)

“The Answer was prepared from the above Book Pages 37-42”

Answered by:

Br Yassir Butt

June 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

‘and when they ask you about the Moon’ (ayah)

Below was an article translated by a local brother, Br Yassir Butt.

It is a ruling by a voting majority of eminent scholars from diverse countries and backgrounds, breaking the stereotype that relate to the moon sighting issue. Generally, the fatwa pertaining to the moon observation issue comes from a single vantage point not relating to documented proof from a majority that is academically based. This ruling shatters the unity myth (after all, it is in Arabic!) one sighting for all myth and keeps all the stereotypes that pertain to the moon neatly sectioned of in its neat cubicle — almost accusing it as ignorance and a subjugation to desires.This article also moves the moon issue away from the domain of it just being an Indian, Pakistani, Moroccan or Saudi etc. issue. Continue Reading →

June 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
19 Comments

you can also share your ideas

Assalaamu’Alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakatuh.

Do you have a thought about the new look of this website? Let us know what you absolutely hate, and we’ll fix it inshaAllah.

comment by a muslim sister:

Al Salam Alaikoum admin,

Mashallah, I think you did a great job on the site it looks excellent. I just think that the light green writing on the side maybe a little bit hard to read I would recommend a darker green color but I don’t have good eyes so please dismiss my comments if no one else had the same problem. Don’t worry inshallah, I will still read the blog as is.

Continue Reading →

June 23, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
5 Comments

arrogance and piety does not go hand in hand

Q. Would it be considered arrogance if we assumed that we obtained piety?

Answer: First you must understand the definition of arrogance. Arrogance in Islam is to refute and deny the truth when presented with it. It is also to think low of others.
Taqwa is defined as fearing Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) wherever you are to the right of His fearing. In other words, fearing Him as He demands by doing the right thing in all circumstances. As Hadith Jibreal makes clear, it is to have the ability to always realize that Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) is watching us, regardless of where we may be positioned.

Piety of a college student demands they know all their school work as demanded by the professor. Piety of a businessman demands standing behind his promises. Piety of a mother demands taking care of her responsibilities to those under her care in the manner Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) requires. Piety demands to fulfill our everyday obligations towards humanity and Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) as commanded by Him. To think that one is perfect in all these matters is to live in a fool’s paradise.

The assumption of piety can only be made by others for us upon our passing away with Imaan. Piety only gains its meaning after an individual’s demise. After we have answered the questions of the angle of death with success, shown our abode in Jannah can we say, I was a pious person. Until then, we all have a lot of work ahead of ourselves.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Time Sent: Thursday June 18, 2009

June 23, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
19 Comments

what is taqwa?

Assalamu Alaykum rahmutullahi wabarakatu,

Q.I was wondering how does one know that they’ve obtained taqwa(piety)?

Answer: ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???????

When a person can distinguish between haqq and batil at all times, command good and follow that which is commanded, treat every person with the same sense of equality – be it a beggar on the street or a person of superior financial status. A person viewing themselves as non-superior to all in the eyes of people and views Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) as Supreme in all matters. Simultaneously the person must be confidant in their Islamic righteous actions and commit themselves to all deeds with correctness, never seeking even a slight loophole. The Quran and sunnah are not used to gain status in the eyes of humanity, but for closeness towards Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala).

If a person can attain such a state of existence, then only it can be said that the person has stepped towards taqwa and has began to move in a positive direction.

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) help us all attain this objective, Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Time Sent: Thursday June 18, 2009