Know Your Deen

Islamic QA for North America

May 15, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

No Voodoo doll by this Imaam!

Q. I like this guy. I think he likes me. What can I do to tie things up to make it work between us? Is there any special dua I can read? Some people go and get stuff to read by some mullah or  sheiks or maulanas. They also place love potions in drinks. Is that allowed in Islam?

A. Marriage in Islam is a noble act and remains as part of fulfilling one of the Sunnahs of our Beloved Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). Choosing the right person is critical to marital success.  One cannot merely go with ‘I like this guy’ type of stuff. Partners must discuss marital matters with their respective families.

Salahtul-Isthikharah is always recommended. It is best to ask Allah for all your needs with sincerity.

Going to sheiks, amulet (tawiz as some call it) makers, etc. should generally be shunned; going to these people and having them do ‘special’ stuff to make a potential partner fall in love with you, or make the marriage go through as a result of some ‘magical force’  is haraam. Mind control and people control as well as enslavement of any creature is contrary to our shariat. These types of marriages seldom remain successful.  Its barakat becomes reduced. Stay away from this type of ‘charmers’. Stay clean in the mnanner you act, ask Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) for your needs, and Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) would do what is best for you.

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) make matters easy for all.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

This question was asked a while back. Sorry for the great delay.

May 15, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

To wait a little can be virtues

Q. We were in college last semester and we were debating if the time for hanafi zuhar ends when the shafee asr time for Asr sets in? (Text Message)

Answer: The Hanafe time for zohr ends when the shafe time of Asr sets in.

Perplexity seeks unveiling: since you both are debating the matter, it seems like you both are more qualified then the person you are seeking a response from, or it could very well be that you are part of a sharia academy and merely needed a third parties affirmation. Should the latter be the case, we are always glad to assist.

By contrast, should you both be debating as a result of an attempt in which the blind intends to steer the blind, or as a result of a mere educated guess, then in Islam, even if your answer tended to be correct, it would be viewed as wrong. Islam is not about guess work, it is about actual facts derived from sharia.

In future, spend your time wisely, not on mere (time wasting) debates! Save yourself time the grief. Spend your time on the greater positives.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

May 12, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
1 Comment

dont let pride get in the way

Q. If an inlaw creates fitna, repeatedly. I do not have any contact with them. I am in peace after a long time. Am I obliged to go and talk / see her when she is sick

A. (Insufficient data. How are you defining fitna? We are to assume that you are correct in its definition!)

Options:

  • If you were emotionally abused, etc, and a credible third party has acknowledged violations placed upon you by your in-laws, then you need not be part of any individuals’ wrongful behavior. In such a situation, you may stay away from the oppressor(s). This is the right Islam awards you. However, to excuse yourself from innocent people would not be the right thing to do.
  • Although you may not be required to see your in-laws, nor does sharia impose upon you to interact with them, making dua for them would be a sign of sincerity. To make dua would prove that you were indeed oppressed, had it not been the case, you would still keep contact with them.  Should you find it difficult to wish them well, then in all fairness, you are possibly the oppressor or contributor towards your given adverse situation.
  • Although you are not obligated to ‘go and talk to them, or visit them when sick,’ to do so with your husband would prove noble. Such visits need not be prolonged. They can last for as little as few minutes. This would prove beneficial are greatly rewarding. Done with sincerity, it would bring mercy and tranquility in your life.
  • If you were told not contact your in-laws by your husband, or by them, for you to do so would constitute a sin. If your husband or in-laws are wrong in their request, the sin would be upon them. You cannot interfere with his family if you were specifically informed not to do so.
  • You must know the difference between maintaining biologically oriented family ties and that of in-laws. If your mother-in-law is also your aunt, etc. then you must be more patient and tolerant towards her. To be intolerant in this last option would be to let go of what is called silah rahmi (family ties). This is something Islam frowns upon.
  • The fact that you have sent us your query demonstrates your need for seeking good relations with your in-laws. Should this be the case, do not let shaytan get the better of you. Proceed with caution and ask Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) for guidance and tolerance in mending your family issues. You can start with polite short phone calls or invited visits. Do not let trivial matters splinter your family up. Stay focused on wanting to make Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) happy with your good decision making policies.

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) bless you and all the families that are linked to you, Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows best.

May 12, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
2 Comments

the finger

Q. Salaam ul aikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,

When we say the Kalimah during prayer, when do we put our finger down? After the first half (after “There is no god but God”) or the second half (and Muhammad (PBUH) is His messenger”)? Or does it really even matter?

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

The opinions pertaining to the raising of the finger in the posture of tashahood vary. The Fuqaha would not have discussed it had it not mattered. It is linked to sunnah, and thus it does matter. It is also part of the affirmation of ones faith through a physical gesture as made obvious via the right hand index finger being lifted and thereafter dropped.

Ahnaf are of the opinion that the shahadah finger must be raised when one states: ‘Ashadu alaa ilaha’ and dropped only when one states: ill-lal-lah (Except Allah).

May we all be blessed with reciting the words of the tashaood at all times, Ameen

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

May 10, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
3 Comments

come early so no worry

Q. Salaam ul aikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,

Can the Imam wait for someone who is coming late to join the prayer? Like can he prolong the ruku/sajdah/tashahud/any position in prayer so that the latecomer can participate and join the prayer? What about when the Imam is about to be done with one rak’aat…can he prolong it just enough for the individual/s to join in so that they don’t have to make-up the missed rak’aat later? We’re talking about a few seconds’ delay here.
Answer:

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Basic Rules first:

  • The Imaam should not be concerned with the footsteps of late comers. He must continue as he usually does.
  • The imaams waiting as he recites a few extra tasbeehs would not invalidate the salaah.
  • The Imaam should also practice ease with his sajdahs.
  • As with tashahood, the Imaam cannot delay for the time period of three suhanallahs in the first tashahood of a four rakat salaah once the shahadah has been recited. Within the second tashahood, the Imaam can delay by reciting additional duas from the Quran and hadith.
  • An Imaam cannot be merely silent beyond the period of three subhanallah in any of his postures. The Imaam can also take his time so as to allow people to perform their salaah with ease.
  • (The above rules apply when performing alone as well. To delay with silence imposes the penalty of sajdah sahw. Failing to do so negates the salaah)

A few seconds delay is not extensive; in fact it can prove rewarding and beneficial as mentioned above.

Followers of the Imaam should not run when imaam is in ruku. Nor should followers lament for a few extra tasbeehs, or a few shorter then what they may be used to. Always remember, if you are a follower, then you are a follower, not the Imaam. Followers get rewarded to be followers, and Imaams get their reward for being sincere Imaams whilst following the rules they have learned through Quran, Hadith and Sunnah!

Even if one is a late comer, they would gain their reward for wanting to join salaah with jamaat. The reward decreases with every delaying moment. To run into your salaah is also as a result of sheer ignorance. Followers should join with ease and eagerness, not make it a habit to delay for their salaah, so they can derive maximum benefit from their salaah.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

May 10, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Solution: Dont miss it

Question: Assalaamu’Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakatuhu.
I heard that if a person misses their Fajr prayer, when they make it up they have to pray both Nafl and Sunnah?
JazakAllahu  kullu khair.

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

There is no nafl that is attached to Fajr. There are two rakats of sunnah (known as sunnah muakadah) before the fajr prayers. These two rakats should be read prior to the Fajr Salaah. If missed, it can be done immediatly after sunrise. Due to there not being any prayer immediatly after Fajr, to perform it after the Fajr Salaah is makrooh. To perform it after sunrise would be best, if one had lapsed in this duty.

Please see the following to additionally best help you:  http://islaminaction.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/but-i-like-my-sleep and http://islaminaction.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/how-to-make-up

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

May 7, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

How to make up….

Question: Asalaamalaikum Imam, from my understanding its best to pray Qazah prayers as soon as possible, but at it’s appropriate times.  So since no prayer is acceptable during sunrise until Duhr, and between Asr to Maghrib, Qazah prayer would not count during those times right?

Answer:
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You have some misconceptions pertaining to the acceptable and unacceptable times of performing Qadha salaah. You are not alone. We cannot thank you enough for this question.

You are correct in that one should not pray during sunrise, zawal (when the sun is at its zenith-mid day peak) and at the time of sunset. Prayer done at these precise times are a major dislike, due to it resembling sun worshipers, etc. One cannot say that the prayer would never be accepted! Once these times pass, one can start to pray. These times only last for a short duration.

Sunrise issue:

After the sun has risen, one can pray and should pray nafl and outstanding Qadha salaah. For example, after the sun has risen, muslims are called upon to pray the Ishraq salaah. As the sun brightens, one is called upon to pray salaah –tut- Dhuha. The reward for performing these prayers are great, as noted in the Hadith. For a person that has Qadha Salaah outstanding, it would be better for such a person to perform the Qadha instead once the sun has risen. He should halt his prayers at the time of Zawal — when the sun is at its zenith. Wait a few minutes, then continue if wanted.

After Asr issue:

Between Asr and Maghrib, one has the following options:

If one is praying alone, then one can pray all their Qadha prayers first, then read the Asr of the day.

If one is reading Asr salaah with Jamaat, then one should pray their Qhadha before the Asr of the given day. If this is impossible, then it would be best to perform the Qadha salaah in private after one has prayed the Salaah of the given day with Jamaat.

Those that claim that there is no salaah after Asr have a valid claim in that one should refrain from nafl Salaaah. This rule would not apply to Qadha salaah. Again, do it in private, for to show people you have missed salaah is to not a good thing either.

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) continue to help us gain the strength in fulfilling our obligations towards Him. Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Also kindly view: http://islaminaction.wordpress.com/?s=qadha

May 7, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

And your question is?!

Question (scenario)

asalam-0-alequm, i lost my father when i was 12 since then my mother has been my guardian though i have a brother and two brother-in-law but none of them supported. my brother is married and has to support his family first. in 2006 i was engaged forcefully with a person i did not want to marry as i wanted to continue my studies which i had to abandon if i was to be married off. for a month i talked on telephone with the person (whom i was engaged with) and started to like him, after a month my family ended up in a fight with my to be in-laws. they wanted to break off the engagement but since i started liking that person and even met him with relatives along not alone, i did not want to break it off but my family enforced me to and i had to. after that many proposals came and i was presented in front of the family interested several times. in the beginning i did not have any problems but gradually i got frustrated as i had to present myself to different people everytime. fristly, is
there any custom of getting married by presenting the girl? secondly, from islamic point of view, on broken engagemnt part who was justified, me or my parent? the proposals are still coming and rejection is mostly from my side. last year a boy wanted to send a proposal for me i know him as a friend and like him too and is of the consent to marry him. when i talked about this with my family, they were enraged. they refuse to meet or talk with that boys family on the grounds that he is of different cast, have two sisters who are to be married off as yet though their burden directly do not falls on his shoulder solely, his parents are alive and so is his other brothers who share the responsibility, even i do not have any problem and do not consider this as a valid point to refuse.another issue raised by my family is that the boyz family is big with four sisters and 6 brothers,also, according to my brother-in-law, he had asked someone to investigate on that boyz family and told they are
not a good family. when i asked them why? their answer is that i dont trust them and they do not give me or tell me anything regarding his family. all they say is he do not have a good family though as far as i know, their family follows more islamic rules than my family do and that is another reason for my consent as i believe it will make my faith stronger. it was this boy who actually convinced me on the concept of taking hijab for we often had discussions on islam.i am of 23 years of age and like every human have the physical needs to fulfill for which i have started having the urge.from islamic point of view,what should i do about the situation? secondly, in islam, is marriage with your own choice allowed regarding my situation with that boy? how should i get my mother convinced who rel;y on the decisions taken by the other members of my family e.g my brother and my brothe-in-laws who do not support me nor are my guardian? from islamic point of view, what is the degree of
interference that other members of my family can have in taking decisions of my life?

Answer:

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

You have personal matters that need to be addressed. You need sincere professional help from a person that is aware of secular and Islamic values. Based on your communication style, presentation of the matter, etc. we cannot help you at this time.

Kindly refer to the following, should you insist on seeking our assistance: http://islaminaction.wordpress.com/?s=marriage+proposal or http://islaminaction.wordpress.com/?s=marriage

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) make matters an ease and cormfort for all people.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

May 5, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
23 Comments

Say No to a musical Quran

Question:

Asalaamalaikum Imam,

Many egyptian Qari’s use Maqam (melodic modes used in traditional Arabic music) in their Quran recital.  They would use a musical instrument such as a Oud (chordal musical instrument) to correct or enhance their melodic vocal tones.  Is it permissible to use musical instruments, or knowledge from musical melodies and tones to improve ones Quran recitation so they may sound more beautiful? Also if one can use musical instruments to perfect or enhance their voice, what instruments would be permissible in Islam?

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

Who must one recite like?

It has been appropriately stated: recite in the ‘ledger’ (style) of the (traditional) Arab. This phrase signifies the need to emulate the Arab form of intonation whilst observing the traditional rules of Qirat. The ‘Arab’ style refers to following that Qari who has his roots of Quranic recitation linked to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). It is not intended that one followers just any Arab or individual! (Definition: Qari is a specialist in reciting the Quran as close to perfection without salvaging the rules of Tajweed. A true Qari refrains from fancy intonations or emulations to mesmerize an audience, avoids animated facial gestures, does not request funds to recite the Quran, etc.)

What is the Quran in relation to Maqam and melody?

The Quran is a Pure Book with roots of purity. To interpolate ‘melody’ into the Quran would be a violation of the Hadith that calls for its prohibition. Usage of instruments function offensively towards the Quran, in that, by ascribing to ‘musical’ methods the user of instruments alludes (knowingly or unknowingly) that the Quran needs a musical touch to enhance its beauty; or that in order to derive maximum benefit and joy from the Quran, the reciter must succumb to the satanic imbibed talents of musical instruments. To those that ascribe to such methods, it disparaging towards the Quran!

Melody (partial definition)

We must note, melody and good voice remain separate matters. Melody refers to creating notes that call for a reciter to be inconsistent to the rules of tajweed. People using ‘melody’ do so to create an enhanced effect upon the audience. Prohibited melody could also be inclusive of following the rules of Tajweed whilst incorporating non-Muslim singing patterns and intonations to ones recital.  Such a person may also place inappropriate notes (intonations, stress syllables, etc) within the recital, thus creating a ‘musical’ of the Quran. This is against proper Quranic recital methods, it is worthy of sin due to its mockery – being it intentional or otherwise. The key to the Quran is not the voice or melody as much as it is proper sincere recitation whilst following Quranic laws of pronunciation.

Having any feature that resembles music or musical instruments creates a resemblance to the workings of shaytan. Shaytan wants to turn Quranic recitation into an amusement and not a source of reflection. Quranic recitation must be inclusive of a pace and tone that has a positive influence on the recietor and audience. Sincere recitals would also share a sense of responsibility towards the Greatness of Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala). After all, our Quaran remains the word of Allah. When one is sincere, the beauty of ones recital accentuates itself without much effort. The idea is not merely to perform out beautiful recital as much as it is correct recitation coupled with sincerity.

Benefits of Maqaam, if used as intended

Pertaining to Maqaam, there is a portion of Maqaam that deals purely with helping people improve their pronunciation. Students ascribing to this method are required to be in company of a professional Qari hours on end to perfect elements of tajweed – which is inclusive of voice projection, pace, etc. Maqam also helps the student improve or gain a style of recital that is best suited towards that student. (However, this original function of Maqaam has changed in the modern era for the worst.)

The classical view

All great religious scholars whose lives have been linked to the Quran refute the usage of musical instruments or methods that resemble it. Such thinking is also shared by the traditional Egyptian Quraa as well. The inclusiveness of instruments is a modern day concept that has no religious bases. It has functioned to remove the purity of a clear hearted recitation. It has turned the Quran into an entertainment business. It has commercialized the Quran as a trade to be exported in exchange of great sums of money.

It’s not all about voice

Lot of youth focus on their voice. They get despondent when they cannot match up to those they hear on the airwaves. Voice is form Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala). He can make the simplest voice seem pleasant if sincerity is attached to it. (I have met Quraa that have shared to me that they have utilized technological equipment to enhance their voices! So do not be fooled with a voice)

Musical instruments and melodious (as defined above) recitals function contrary to the method of the prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), the sahaba and those that wish emulate them.

To be the best, listen to the best

We recommend our audience to listen to sheik Khalil Khusri, Sheik Manshawi (the student of Sheik Khusri) to improve their tajweed and recital. Perfection takes time. (Spelling of names would differ — a true students would always find these gems of great people!)

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) give us the ability to not only do justice with beautiful Quranic recitation, but also give us the true understanding of the Quran, as well as the ability to follow the Quran as it commands us, Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Kindly also see: http://islaminaction.wordpress.com/2008/12/28/tajwwed/#more-1025

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May 5, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
1 Comment

But i like my sleep

Question: I miss my fajr, how does one do a make up the correct way? The time of sunrise where i live is at 6:30. I sometimes get up at 6:20.

Answer: Although one can perform salaah 5 to 7 minutes before sunrise, to do so would count as a valid prayer, however, with great dislike. It would be better to perform the prayer then not performing the prayer at all.

Should you not have time to perform it upon getting up, merely do so after sunrise. You could perform your sunnah that was missed and your fajr salah thereafter.

However, should you not make it up after sunrise, in such a situation merely make up only the missed fard later on without its missed sunnah.

May we all become steadfast upon our obligations, Ameen

Allah Certainly Knows Best.