Know Your Deen

Islamic QA for North America

May 5, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
2 Comments

That time of the semester

We wish all our students the very best

  • Before you study and take your exams, send salutations 11 to 13 times upon the Blessed Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).
  • Pray to Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) that your knowledge remains beneficial to all of humanity.
  • Pray for yourself and those around you. Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) loves those that have humanity at heart. You need the prayer of others, and others need your prayers as well.  So don’t be selfish.
  • Once done with a given subject (or exam), send salutations again to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). Ask Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) to make matters easy for you, to make you the best you can ever be, so you can serve Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) as He desires.

Best of luck to all, Ameen

May 2, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Cleanliness Is part of Imaan

Question: Asalam alikum I was wondering if I made wadu and after I prayed and went back into the restroom but didn’t use it do I have to wash my feet? Thank You Jazakullah Khair

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

You only need to wash your feet if you walked into the restroom area barefooted whilst there exists a possibility of urine drops or other impurities coming in contact with your feet. Generally, one never knows who used the restroom prior to your usage, nor can one ensure that the floor area was completely clean. (It is the restroom after all!) Thus, it would be best for you to wash your feet as a result of doubt.

One need not make wuzu, however, washing the feet would suffice to attain cleanliness.

Had you walked into the restroom area with sandals, etc. then naturally there would be no need to wash your feet.

Allah Certainly Knows best.

May 2, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

If boss commands, then boss pays

Q. An employee damaged my car. Although my insurance would pay for the damage, there is a deductible that I must pay. Can I deduct this deductible from employee salary?

A. Generally, a damaged car by an employee cannot be deducted by the employer. However, if it can be proven that the accident was out of genuine negligence, and not as a result of a mere accident, then only can the necessary deduction be made. Generally, an employee would not intentionally smash a car!

Examples of intentional negligence would be to drive under the influence of a hazardous substance, recklessness, exceeding the capacities of the car beyond the necessary whilst knowing that it would prove disastrous, or an employee intentionally running a red light, etc.

All the actions must be done without the employers knowledge for it to fall within the judgment of an employee impropriety. Should the employer sanction improprieties, as in the case of rushing the employee to fulfill given tasks, orders, etc. then the liability of the employee would be eliminated as a result of employer commanded negligence and pressures.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

April 30, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

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

Q: I feel your answers on birth control are wrong. Birth control does not exist in Islam. Can you translate the Hadith below for me and give me its meaning. I would like to find clarification. How can one guarantee to find a partner that fulfills the Hadith?

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Answer: It is reported that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Marry the one who is fertile and affectionate, for verily I will be proud of your great number before (other) nations on the Day of Judgment.

It is beyond us as to how you would first criticize our opinion then ask us for clarification.

The aspect of birth control does not violate the tenants of Islam, nor does this Hadith conflict with deen. They complement each other, if viewed in its proper context.

Violation of birth control usage would constitute its continual usage without valid reasoning. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) did not prohibit Azal, also known as coitus interruption. We also gather that birth control should not be used to eliminate childbearing or due to the fear of poverty.

Finding a fertile person cannot be guaranteed. However, recommendations by scholars include: viewing the health of the female, her inclination towards wanting children, the amount of siblings she has, have her siblings given birth and as to whether they have placed restrictions upon the number of children within the family structure.

An affectionate person too cannot be guaranteed, however, a simple observation would be inclusive of viewing the relationship or interaction a person shares with youth that surround them.  The intended spouses treatment of nephews and nieces, siblings, etc. would be one simple indicator. From these interactions one can gain insight as to the level of affection a person possesses.

The above, be it birth control or having children should be inevitably left to Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala). If one has children, one should accept it, if Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) has destined otherwise, that too should be accepted. The above Hadith does not function as a burden or a threat to the institution of family; especially when the necessary precaution has been taken to ensure the stability of the family.

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) bless you.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

April 30, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

working man… rich lady

Question: man is poor, woman is wealthy. Is the man eligible to receive zakat from a welfare institution?

Answer: He can accept Zakah from a welfare institution. (So long as his wife is not giving him the zakat from her assets, he is fine.)

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

April 29, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

inheritance

Q. We have a piece of (land) and we are one brother, mother, and four sisters
so how do you divide the land between each person equally?
not money-wise just masaha.

A. Wife gets 1/8. Brother gets twice the amount of the sisters.

The shares with be divided into 48 equal shares.

Wife gets 6 shares

Brother 14 shares

Sisters 7 shares each

If above remains difficult for inheritors to understand, go to your local muslim accountant and ask them to distribute as indicated, then have it verified by your local mufti, or qualified Islamic scholar.

Allah Certainly Knows Best

p.s. excuse the delay in response

April 27, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

can i cheat you? How about if you did not know?

Q. I purchased an Mp3 player. Later I saw the same thing cheaper online. I bought the cheaper one and used the receipt for the older one to do the refund. We are debating if this was correct?

A. You have deceived the companies. You can only return the item to the place you had purchased it from. Should you inform the company of what you are attempting to do, and they accept the online product in exchange of the one you physically purchased from them, this would not constitute deception and would thus be allowed.

The transaction as you have described would not be allowed.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

April 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

I prefer someone else to do my hair, thank you

Q. can a male become a cosmologist? Can a female become a cosmetologist?

A. As Muslims, we can only attain and give preference to occupations that would allow us to do actions which relate to permissible actions.

If actions done are contradicting ones religious values, then an alternate profession should be sought.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

April 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
1 Comment

differance between hijab and jilbab — definitions

Question: I was wondering what is the difference between hijab and jilbab? and What is the “correct” way of wearing hijab?

Answer: Part 1: Hijab (comes from the root words giving reference to) that which conceals, hides, conceals from sight, to keep private, seclusion. Thus, in context of religion, hijab refers to that woman who covers her face and conceals herself from strangers.

Jilbab: a garment, a dress. Usually that type of attire which conceals the shape of a person’s body. ‘Jilbab’ is usually worn by woman that adheres to the advice Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) gave his blessed family regarding its necessity. From the ayah of the Quran we learn that women are to uphold the jilbab as a religious injunction. It also helps to ward of the stares of strangers as the shape of a dignified person.

Men are also called upon to be modest in their presentation of the human self as well.

Part two: The correct way to wear the hijab as defined above would be to wear clothing that would not expose the shape of any part of the body to a stranger. Hijab would be inclusive of the niqab (face covering.) The correct way to wear the hijab would differ. It would depend on safety issues, visibility, environment, level of comfort, etc. The concept and function of hijab would however remain constant.

Jilbab would be inclusive of the above definition of hijab with the exception of face covering.

Our preference at all times is modesty, regardless of whether a person chooses the hijab or jilbab mode of dress.

Allah Certainly Knows best.

p.s. The above is a response to a query pertaining to definitions.

For our basic ruling on the matter: http://islaminaction.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/youre-overdressed