Know Your Deen

Islamic QA for North America

April 5, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Head covering for Quran

Question:

Assalaamu’Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakatuhu.
Is it required to have a scarf (or hat) on when you are listening to a surah or the quran? Thank you very much Jazakullah Khair….

Answer:

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

Although it is not required for men to wear a hat whilst reading the quran, to ignore a sunnah without sound reason would be a sign of disrespect. As for woman, to listen to the quran in public whilst not being properly clad is also against the grain of our religion. Woman and men must always be well clad in dealing with the Quran. As for one listening to the Quran in the privacy of their home, a man nor woman need to have the head gear on, but it would preferred to do so.

Reading the Quran with superior respect would be inclusive of wearing a hat for men, scarf for woman.

To listen to the Quran with disrespect is not preferred.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

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April 2, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
1 Comment

no, you cannot see it all

Question: At the MSA we had some questions. We thought we could not ask it in class. Although the question is sent by guys, girls also wanted to ask em

  1. Can a man see a woman’s hair before marriage?
  2. Can a man see woman’s hands before marriage if she is wearing gloves
  3. Can a man ask if she is wearing contact lens?
  4. Can a man ask to see her without her heels?
  5. Can a man see her feet?
  6. Can a man ask her to remove her jilbab?
  7. Feel her hands?
  8. Ask her is she has any health issues?
  9. Can a man talk to his prospective wife?

Answers are as follows: (it is sad that MSA students are thinking of such matters rather then their studies.  Since the matter is important to you, here are the answers)

  1. yes, (a male should not ask to see her whole head, or all her hair, just the end of hair, or a little of it can be shown from the end portion of her scarf. It would be best for the male to ask for his mother or sister to see it instead of him taking away her privacy)
  2. yes, (to see one hand would suffice then asking to see both hands. The visibility or hand exposure should be a maximum of up to her wrist)
  3. yes, (or he could have his sister mother ask on his behalf!)
  4. yes, (or in advance have your family ask her to wear flats or saddles, so as to avoid embarrassment!)
  5. yes, (although it may be rude to do so. If feet are important to you, ask the party to have her wear open toed sandals prior to the ‘interview’ process.)
  6. No, unless she has appropriate clothing underneath her jilbab.  (Preferred not to ask her to remove her cloak. This request should be made in advance. Under her cloak a woman should maintain proper Islamic clothing. Not jeans and a t-shirt type of dressing! Or other firm fitted or showy/flimsy clothing! Dignity always helps.)
  7. no (but you can ask to see her hands as mentioned above)
  8. yes (we prefer your mother, sister, or a reputable third party requests such personal information. Limit yourself to that which is most relevant.)
  9. Yes, in the presence of a reputable third party. The conversation should be relevant to the future of the couple and their families. The questions should be in light of seeking social compatibility and testing for levels of religious compatibility. Not mere chit chat!

(The above would also apply to woman where appropriate. In the case of woman, we recommend that her brother, etc. request the sort information on her behalf in a subtle and polite manner. In all honesty, very few men and woman leave much for the imagination, so we think that most of the above questions are futile!)

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

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April 2, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Quran

Q. Is it haram to recite the Quran without wearing a hijab?
Answer: No, it is not haram to read the Quran without hijab.

However, modesty and appropriate islamic dress is always required.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 30, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
3 Comments

liver? heart? Brain? What else can i share?

Q. Under what conditions would it permissible to remove an organ from the body? Not being rude, but please answer as briefly as possible. Or send me a credible reference that i can use to get my response……

A. Simple rules to keep in mind regarding organ removal:

  • The general consensus is that the person giving the organ must be alive
  • It would be given to another human being for valid medical reason
  • The organ would not be sold
  • Donor must not feel threatened or coerced to give any part of their body
  • The giver and recipient would not be farther adversely affected as a result of this procedure.
  • It is best to give the organ to a person that is going to uphold the Greatness of Allah. It would be sinful to knowingly give it to a person that is going to use their new energies against Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala)
  • If donor is dead, it is best not to take organs from such a person. Had consent being given, it would still be preferred that the organ was removed whilst the person was alive. Under exceptional circumstances has allowance being given for the acceptance of an organ from the deceased. (We frown upon tampering with the deceased.)

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 30, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Do i listen or talk?

Q. Quran recitation at conference table, must we shut it off whilst talking to people.

Answer:

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

And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it(with attention)  and remain silent, that mercy may be shown to you. 7:204

Thus, if a person is reciting before a group, one should listen to such a person, for we are instructed to do so. As far as recordings are cornered, they are not in the category of an in person recital. Live recitals are not in the same category as audio recordings.  They both are bound by differing rules.

I t would be best to listen to an audio recording in silence due to love and respect for the Quran.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 28, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

woman muslim, husband not!

Q. I converted to Islam. My husband respects my decision. I was told that if I do not convert him than I am not a muslim anymore.

A. May Allah keep you guided as well as the rest of the muslim Ummah, Ameen.

Msulim woman are only allowed to marry and be married only to Muslim men. In the case were a woman converts to Islam, the husband must be presented with an invitation to Islam. The two general opinions are as followers:

Her conversion to Islam immediately negates her marriage to her non-muslim husband.

The Ahnaf are more lenient. They state that upon her conversion, Islam must be presented to him. It would be preferred that Islam be presented to him by a person that is qualified enough to help bring clarity to any resistance he may have pertaining to Islam. His acceptance during the Iddah (waiting) period resumes the marriage as normal. His acceptance of Islam after the Iddah period would call a renewed nikah.

His refusal to convert under general circumstances would not negate your faith. It would make you be a transgressor. Bearing children from such a relationship would cause for the children to be islamically illegitimate. There would be many other negative consequences as well causing you to be part of a sinful relationship.

It is best you take this matter to your local scholar with husband in hand, so as to resolve this matter in a time efficient manner.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 26, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Health for a hate monger… Sounds good?

Q. Is it permissible to perform a surgery on a person that I know hates Islam? I have helped this patient before and he makes comments that really angers me. Do I perform my tasks for Allah subha na who wataala or do i send him elsewhere?….. (notausuallymorallyconfusedsurgeon)

A. If the surgery would show the patient the greatness of Islam, and the good nature of the physician and the physicians reliance upon Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) whilst fulfilling the obligations of humanity, then such a surgery would be permissible.

However, if a person knows in advance or through experience, or the naive patient made it clear to you that he very much hates Islam and Muslims. Or the patient made it clear to you that they would continue to use their passions against Islam and Muslims and is merely using your (muslim) services to hurt Islam, than it would be advisable for you to hand the patient to a surgeon of similar faith to that of the patient.

No person should be forced to deal with a racist, bigot or a hate monger. It is a Muslims duty to help clarify matters. It is your duty to try repeatedly in addressing your patients concerns in an healthy rational manner so as to create an amiable solution.

Islam advocates positivity.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 26, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

meaning of ayah

Question 1:

Assalamu Alaikum Imam Muhammed Shoayb,
Here are the verses that I need help finding tafsir for: Al-Imran, Verse (85)

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

And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter. (85)

How would one explain the above ayah?

Answer: Islam is a moderate religion. Upon examining its laws and regulations, one would notice that clarity exists in all matters pertaining to sharia. There is not a single matter within Islam that has not been addressed. Thus, to deny oneself the right to Islam is to inevitably deny oneself the luxury of being awarded the best, be it  this transitory life, or the life of the hereafter.

Rejection of Islam or minor rejection of its principals would mean that a person has chosen to live a life in accordance to their wishers. Any person who wishes to live a life based on their whims is merely creating a state of personal innovation. Such innovation is rejected by the Almighty.

Under the commentary of the above ayah, the following Hadith is also often used to make matters clear. The following applies to Muslims and non-muslims:

???? ????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? : ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??

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

Question 2: How would one explain the ayah:

Al-Noor, Verse (1)

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

(Here is) a surah which We have revealed and enjoined, and wherein We have revealed plain tokens, that haply ye may take heed. (1)

According to Ibn Abbas: when Allah (Suhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) states the above, it could very well mean: We sent Jibreal (AS) with the Quran and helped enjoin Quranic injunctions upon people. The portion, We made clear in the Quran the lawful and the unlawful, makes clear that it is only upon the accepted guidance and assistance we take from Allah regarding the Quran that can truly help us remove unwanted doubts within the self and the Ummah!

And when Allah (Suhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) continues by saying: ‘And wherein We have revealed plain tokens’ is mentioned, it refers to continuing with righteous commands and letting go of prohibitions, fulfilling obligations and carrying out legal sanctions within the confinements of the law one is part off. The final phrase, ‘that haply ye may take heed’ refers to humanity taking admonition in the commands and prohibitions, never postponing the function of legal rights (without just cause).

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

bikes and girls

Q. I heard that girls cant ride bikes (or scooters) why is that? Why can boys do it and girls cant?

Answer:

Sayidinah Abu Huraira (RA) reports: I heard Allah’s Messenger saying, ‘Amongst all those women who ride camels, the ladies of Quraish are the best. They are merciful and kind to their young ones and the best protectors of their husbands’ properties.’ (Volume 4, Book 55, Number 643: Bukari. Similar Hadith found in mishkat shareef as well)

A female child having a bicycle or tricycle to play with has never been prohibited. A woman riding a bike on an exercise machine within the privacy of her home in all female protected area has never been prohibited either. (Rules however do apply)

Any sporting method encouraging resemblances to male sporting patterns have not been endorsed. Islam encourages men to do that which would prove beneficial for their bodies, and such principals would apply for woman as well. Each gender is to enhance their own gender empowerment in a manner that would prove consistent to the level of (intended) religiosity.

Hadith do indicate that would did ride horses and camels for work related matters, not for mere entertainment. Thus, if your bicycle is to take you back and forth from necessary work, then the ruling would be in your favor. If it was a recommendation from a doctor as part of your cardiovascular excise, then an in home exercise bicycle would be able to fulfill this requirement. If riding a bicycle exists to merely to go around your neighborhood to show off a pretty smile, a prohibition would be made against such riding. Islam and imaan are to precious for such limiting behavior. Islam also frowns upon the display of oneself to the general public. All riding — bicycle, horse, etc. should be done with modesty and having the aspect of Islamic shame present. Rules of the religion cannot be violated. Our duty is to always enjoin good upon ourselves and function as the best of role models. Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 24, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
1 Comment

hold Quran when pure

Q. Is it permissible to touch the Qur’an without Wudhu?

A. The Quran can only be touched in a state of purity.

Purity here would mean that one cannot touch or recite the Quran whilst in need of a fard bath. If one is not in need of a fard bath, then such a person can recite the Quran from memory without wudhu. The Quran cannot be touched without wudhu.

Allah Certainly Knows Best