Know Your Deen

Islamic QA for North America

January 21, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

can i join prayers

Q. I have never heard of such ignorance. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) performed salah by combining them, yet your web site claims that we should refrain from this practice……

A. Allah the Greatest states:

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

Surely prayer is a timed (fixed) decree for the believers. (4:103)

In everyday occurrences, and when all matters are consistent, we must give preference of Quran over Hadith and sunnah. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)) did join salaah in Arafah and muzdalifah. It is not something we do as a common practice.

It is our contention that salaah can have the appearance of being joined. For example: Magrib salaah is at 6:00pm and asr salaah times ends at 5:59. A person can complete his asr prayers by 5:57 or so, wait a few minutes for the magrib time to set in, and then perform magrib salaah. This is the appearance of two salaah being performed together; however, each salaah had been performed in its correct time. In travel this method can be used. However, this method must only be used out of necessity, not as an everyday occurrence.

To delay and salaah without justification is viewed as an action of dislike.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

January 21, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

fork or finger

Q. Is it haram to eat with a spoon and fork?

A. It is not Haraam to eat with a fork and spoon. To intentionally do so is opposed to the sunnah. Opposing the sunnah reduces barakah.

For some people, eating with utensils is a necessity. Thus one cannot make it an act which is forbidden.

Likewise, to prevent people from eating with their fingers is also inappropriate. In fact, to stop people from following the sunnah is a sin and against Quranic injunctions.

By contrast, if fork eaters and finger eaters are aware that directly eating with the fingers is part of sunnah, and the one not following the sunnah does so for a valid reason, then the follower of the sunnah should not antagonize the one abstaining from the sunnah method of eating. This courtesy should be extended both ways.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

January 17, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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dua or zikr after salah?

Q: We go to Fridays (Jummah). One place we go to reads the dua after the salah loud. The other place refuses to read any dua at all. The loud dua place reads the tasbeeh-e-faatimaa, then recites Ayatul-Kursi, and other things from established Hadith. After this ritual, the hand is picked up and a vocally loud dua is made.

The question i have is that how can both musjids do things differently and both claim to be following the sunnah?

A. Regarding those that make Azkar (zikr as you have kindly mentioned) and dua in a loud manner:

Azkar: To recite the aforementioned things are greatly beneficial. To impose and bind others to do so is most certainly an act of ignorance and bidah. People have the right to make their own azkar (forms of zikr) so long as these azkar are part of deen. To recite these azkar aloud so as to teach the people of its merit would be allowed. However, it should be made clear that it is done loudly so as to teach people that these azkar are indeed established from Hadith and are very much part of sharia. Better yet, it would be best to teach people these azkar in a separate corner of the musjid, so as not to be accused of forming a ‘bidah’ after the salah.

Dua: The dua should be done softly; each person is entitled to make their own dua. A loud dua done to teach people the etiquettes of dua, or make an audible dua so as to teach (taleeman) would be allowed. It should be clear that an audible dua done with the intention to teach people its etiquettes’ and phrases would be allowed. Better yet, it would be best again to teach people these duas in a separate corner of the musjid, so as not to be accused of ‘bidah.’

Regarding those that do not make any dua at all:

It has been established form Hadith that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) did make dua after salah. To negate this aspect is to be ignorant of Hadith that refer to such a practice.. To refuse or be shy to lift ones hands before Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) because some have turned dua  making into a ‘bidah’ is no less an action of bidah, not to forget that such thinking constitutes ignorance as well.  There is a correct way to do things; we must not be afraid to learn its methods without prejudice. To not make dua at all or to do it in loudly for no reason other then that of ignorance are both incorrect. Islam is a religion of balance.

Here is just one example out of the many examples of a dua being recited after salah by Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam):

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

This dua, and others like it should be read to follow the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). It should not be imposed nor should it be made binding on the congregation.

Final point: Dua and azkar after salah is established from Hadith. Regarding dua, it is more respectful to lift ones hand with the palms facing the sky. Dua and Azkar are to be both done in preferably a soft tone in the musjid, so as to not disturb other worshipers. For teaching purposes, duas and azkar can be made in an audible tone, however, it is best that such teaching be done at a separate place and time.

Allah certainly knows best.?

January 17, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Eid salaah for woman?

Q. Do woman have to read eid salaat at home?

A.Woman are not required to perform eid salaah.

Eid prayers for woman have come to function as a primary social event and public display of self. Should this continue to be the case, then it would be better for woman to not come to the place of Eid worship. By contrast, if her going is to gain the necessary knowledge to make her a better person, and socializing is not the primary issue for her attendance, then her going would not constitute a direct wrong. Islam always prefers that a woman not make a public display of herself and safe guards her modesty.

Allah certainly knows best.

January 15, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

salaah before jummah – yes or no? (part1)

Q. Is performing salah in the musjid before Jummah Bidah, haram or allowed but makrooh? Did Rasulullah (SAW) perform any salaah before Jumah khutba. Can we do it? Should we do it? Can Zohr salah analogy be used for sunnah of Jummah?

A. There would be no need to use the Zohr Salaah analogy upon the four rakats that is performed prior to the Jummah salaah. Jummah Salaah has its own set of proofs that function to aid itself. Imaam Tirmizi has outlined from Ibn Masood; Ibn Majah has also given recognition to the authenticity regarding the Hadith below:

?? ????? -??? ???? ???? ???? ????– ??? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?????

Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform four Rakats before Jummah

The above is viewed as sound, added to the above is the following:

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

Saafiyah narrates that “I saw Safiyyah Binti Huyay (RA) performing four rakaats of salaah prior the Imaam coming out for jummah salaah , then performed two rakaats of jummah salaat with the Imaam” (Nasbur Al-Raayah, volume 2, page 207)

Thus, the habit of performing the four rakaats prior to jumah salaah was also the habit of the sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them all.) Should one not wish to do perform it, they are at liberty to do so, however, to impose such thinking would certainly be wrong.

The opponents of  four rakaats claim: The azan would be given, and thereafter Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) would give the khutba. This flimsy argument does not address that this sunnah before the Jummah was very well performed at the home of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) prior to him (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) entering the field of Jummah. Had the above Hadith been a deception or not having any worthiness, Ibn Majah, Imaam Tirmizi, Ibn Abi Shayba, Abdur-Razzaq or for that matter, the great Shafee scholar Ibn al-Mulaqin would not have made mentioned of it with at times great detail in their works.

Yes, we agree it may not have been performed in the Musjid. No person can ever claim it was never performed.

Thus, we too should read it within the confinement of our homes. However, just as we don’t usually perform the other (nafl, etc.) salaah in our homes and make spectacle of it in the Musjid, we can do likewise for these four rakaats as well.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

January 15, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

two salaah at one time. Yes? No?

Q. … in some seasons, we have to pray our isha extremely really late. At times the esha salat can goes upto 11:30. Is there a ruling that allows one to deviate from ridgity of waiting for the correct time and praying it at the magrib time. Can we pray the isha with magrib to get reward of jamaat?

Answer:

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

Verily (perform) salaah at fixed times has been enjoined upon believers

Ahnaf state that isha salaah starts at the time of when the whiteness in the sky disappears. Imaams Muhammad and Yusuf (may Allah shower blessings upon them) state that isha time starts after the disappearance of the redness in the sky.

In situations where the isha prayer gets too late, one can follow the rulings of imaams Muhammad and Yusuf (may Allah shower blessings upon them) so as to create ease for the people.

Imaam Abu Hanifa also allows for such an occurrence as well, however, his preference is to await the disappearance of the whiteness in the sky.

Thus, if an necessity exists and an agreement between your Imaams and the community could be obtained, then performing the isha salaah upon the disappearance of the redness would be allowed. In ideal conditions this method should not be utilized, it would be better to wait for the whiteness to disappear, so as to uphold caution.

Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stated:

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

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

Whoever fuses (two separate) salaah takes themselves closer to the pathways of kabair (category of major sins) (paraphrased)

An exception of the above Hadith would exist at the time of hajj, during Arafah and muzdlifah.

Everything has a time. Salaah too has a time. To gather between salaah under normal circumstances would be a violation of the Quranic injunction. Abstain from this practice.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

January 15, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

‘but i don’t like it’

Q. Sometimes there are things on my dinner which I don’t like to eat. For example, if there are whole aniseed in the rice, and large bits of cinnamon bark. Is it considered wasting food for me to avoid those, and throw them away?

A. One can avoid that which they are not in a habit of eating, or that which is harmful to their health.

It is best to eat what one likes, as well as what is healthy. One should not place on their plate what they are not going to eat. Islam frowns on wastage.

Should one have placed in their plate what is disliked, they can either share it with someone that would eat it, they can themselves take the courage to eat it, or else as a last resort, discard it in an appropriate manner.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

January 14, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

ignore me(not!)

Assallamualaykum.

My Question Is As Follows:
What Is The Wife’s Rights Upon A Husband Who Ignores Her With Out A Sharia Reason?
Will It Be Ok If I Contact You Again Once You Have Given Thee Answer?
Ma’Salam.

Answer: Walaikum-us-salam. Similar questions have come to us prior. ‘Ignoring’ behaviors take place in various forms for multiple reasons. It is experienced in relationships, between siblings, employer/ees, family members, etc. Each person wants their rights! We sometimes forget our obligations, and what causes our problems. Humans suffer from strategic memory loss and personal praise! The following response would help bring some clarity to your concerns.

Continue Reading →

January 14, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

No escaping zakaah

Q. I had not paid zakat for 24 years. When my husband’s estate was sold, I was asked if I had paid zakah on my jewelry. The estate told me that they had right over my jewelry because I did not pay zakah. Can the estate do that? Do I have to pay zakat on jewelry?

A1. If your jewelry comprises beyond the amount of nisab, and you are indeed eligible to pay zakaat, then zakaat would be obligatory upon you.

How to calculate your Zakaat:

Get hold of an Islamic calendar. Chose the approximate Islamic date that you received your gold and silver jewelry. If you got your jewelry on the 1st of muharam, then for the past 24 years try and calculate the value of that jewelry as it was on the 1st of muharam for each of the years that you had lapsed upon its payment. The data as to the price of gold and silver for each of the past years is readily available. You may have to convert between Islamic and western dates. With the advent of computers, this could be easily accomplished. Or one can go to a pious Muslim family accountant for help for such matters as well. Paying your zakaat would be the most superior thing to do.

Sayidinah Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al’As reports that a woman came to the Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) whilst she was accompanied by her daughter who wore two heavy gold bangles on her hands. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) inquired: Did you pay zakaat on them? She said: No. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) thereafter said: Are you content that Allah may put two bangles of fire on your hands? Thereupon she took them off and placed them before Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: They are for Allah and His Apostle. (Abu Dawood, Book 9, number 1558. Paraphrased.)  Also see Imaam Ahmad for a narration that proves a similar point.

Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reports that when this verse was revealed: “And those who hoard gold and silver,” the Muslims were became concerned. Sayyidina Umar (RA) said: I shall address your concern. He went to Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and mentioned that the sahaba were distressed concerning the implications of this verse. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) responded: Allah has made zakaat obligatory to purify your wealth, and He made inheritances obligatory that they might come to those who survive you. Sayyidina Umar then said: Allah is most great. (Hadith continues…) Abu Dawood: Book 9, Number 1660 (paraphrased)

By contrast, if your jewelry was not in your position, you had no control over it. Your husband made a claim that it was yours, but held it in his possession, or gave it to his family to control its oversight without any valid reason, and you were not allowed to do as you pleased with your jewelry; then in such a situation you would not pay zakaat on it. For you were not using it, you had no control over it. It was as if you never had it nor were you allowed to derive benefit from it. (This is a rarity, but it does happen.)

A2. If the jewelry belongs to you, you were always in control of it, no person has any claim on your assets besides you, then in such an instance, the estate cannot penalize you for your error in not paying your zakaat. Your remedy would be simple, pay your zakaat, as outlined above.

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

O you who believe! Many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks consume the wealth of humanity wrongly and prevent from the way of Allah. They who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, unto them give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful penalty. 9:34

Although differences do exist amongst the uluma regarding your case, consensus does exist to the fact that if you possessed ownership and control of gold and silver, enjoyed its usage, or it was for mere investment purposes, etc. then zakaat on the  jewelry would be obligatory upon you.

Allah certainly knows best.

January 14, 2009
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Q. must one face the qibla while eating?

A. To intentionally face ones back towards the qibla is not good whilst eating, more so when an alternate choice exists. To impose the facing of qibla would be just as wrong.

Often we are not able to face qibla whilst eating. To face the qibla would be a hardship in public settings or even at home when attempting to have a face to face conversation. It would also be highly un-social. Eating should promote cordial relations within the parameters of religion! Thus, to force oneself to always face the qibla would cause hardship on oneself and that would be unnecessary.

Under conditions of full choice and minimum difficulty, it would be nice to face qibla. It would not be requirement. We cannot bind what sharia has not bound upon us.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.