Know Your Deen

November 14, 2008
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
2 Comments

Who is Hannah Montana?

Q. We are having a crisis in our house. My husband only cares to show the kids CNN. The kids want to watch fun things that kids generally see on television. Is it permissible to watch tv shows that have celebrities like Hannah Montana and shows that she is part of and show it to our children?

A. Although we are not familiar with Ms. Hannah Montana, we as Muslims would agree that if Ms. Hannah Montana is a good girl (preferably Muslimah) with great Islamic morals and Islamic values, then to watch the values presented by Ms. Montana would not only be permissible, but advised. An added criteria would be that such imparting of knowledge by her remains within the educational domain and does not conflict with our religion, and is carried out in accordance to Islamic values. If the religiosity promoted by Ms Montana on the screen as well as off the screen is contradicting the Islamic values of honor, dignity, religiosity, etc., then we would recommend that you eliminate such viewing and substitute it with values that enhance the religiosity of your children.

Allah certainly knows best.

November 13, 2008
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Man burying his wife

Q. Why can a man not bury his wife? (I guess you mean, why can he not place her in the grave himself?)

A. Because the nikah breaks upon the death of a woman. That means, he becomes a stranger upon her death. Therefore he his prohibited from touching her.

Allah certainly knows best.

November 13, 2008
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Let it go

Q. I work in an area where businesses get together for dhuhr. We all go to for dhuhr salaah at the same time. Salaah with jamaat is more rewarding than alone. But what happens if I need to go to the restroom (toilet). Must I hold it and perform salaah or go and do my bathroom stuff then perform salaah alone and miss the reward of salaah with jamaat?

A.1) Imaam Malik’s (rahimullah) opinion is that if one has to go to the toilet, and the need of going to the toilet is of such an intensity that a distraction for the salah took place, then the salah that was performed must be repeated. (Thus, it appears that Imaam Malik (rahimullah) is of the belief that the worship of Allah demands that we think of Him, not external needs!)

A.2) Jamhoor (the majority of the major imaams): Salaah would be complete (while having the need to go to the bathroom) however; the salaah would be considered makrooh (lower in value, a disliked action indeed.)

A.3) Hanafis argue that if the need for attending the bathroom is severe, then it is valid for one to miss the salaah with jamaat, however, for one to insist on performing the salaah in such a state is Makrooh-e-tahrimi. (Extremely disliked, a highly reprehensible action and very close to the point of it being haram and thus such an action that is worthy of punishment by Allah!) However, if one needs to go to the bathroom, but the urge is not severe, yet this urge would affect the tranquility of one’s salaah, then it is allowed to miss salaah with jamaat. To perform salaah in this state would be Makrooh-e-tanzihi. (A disliked action. Makrooh-e-tanzihi has been defined as that action which you must abstain from; however, if out of weakness you took part in an act which constitutes Makrooh-e-tanzihi, then insha-Allah, Allah would forgive you and you would not get a punishment for such an action)

Advice to my brother(s) (and sisters)-your solution:

Thus, in light of the above, the best thing for you to do is go to the bathroom when you need to go. Better yet, half an hour before the adhaan, go and take care of your needs, that way you can think of Allah in the manner you ought to be thinking of Him. This would solve your problem.

Allah certainly knows best.

November 13, 2008
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Saliva vs. blood

Q. Why is French kissing allowed, and saliva swapping allowed, but not all types of blood and other swapping?

A. Saliva is pure (paak). Fluids from the urinary track area as well as the stool area are impure. So is blood when out of the body and upon one’s clothes, etc. Coming in contact with such fluids makes the area of contact impure. Therefore, all types of fluid swapping other than saliva, while taking part in shared intimacy, are not allowed in Islam. (Simple, no?)

(Your question was distastefully phrased, so we had to edit it for our normal Islamic audience. What would grandma say to your original question and its link to manners?! Nevertheless, do not take it persoanly; we are glad to help you and your Halal partner)

Allah certainly knows best.

November 13, 2008
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Fridays in prison

Q. Can Jummah salaah take place in a prison?

A.1) One of the criteria of Jummah salaah is that it must be open to the public. You cannot limit who can enter the gathering. As far as a prison goes, it is limited to its inmates and the public does not have open access to it. As a result of such a limitation, Jummah salaah in a prison cannot take place.

A.2) Inmates would have to perform dhuhr salaah.

Recommendation for the inmates:

After the dhuhr salaah, should the inmates wish for a speech, or read a book to increase their Islamic knowledge and actions of good, then there would be no limitation upon that from the side of Shari’ah. So practice reading good materials to one another, continue with your dhikr as usual and make a sincere repentance to Allah, and continue to seek His pleasure and guidance.

Allah certainly knows best.

November 12, 2008
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
1 Comment

What to do with my organs?

Q. What is the Islamic opinion on organ donating?

A. Islam seeks that life be protected, and that life be viewed sacredly. Islam does not sanction giving away portions of the body — unless a great need exists and that it is done in responsible manner. Body parts cannot be sold, nor should they be given at random for mere research or the sheer notion that ‘someone out there can benefit from my body or organs.’

The case would depend on aspects of necessity which would be inclusive of saving another’s life. The situation of wanting to donate organs would have to be an extreme circumstance which would not be limited to but inclusive of a life and death situation. ‘Professional’ insight that such an exchange would result in the recipient gaining longevity should also be a factor of consideration.

Each case should best be referred to both: a pious and highly qualified Muslim scholar as well as a pious Muslim doctor for best religious and medical evaluation.

Allah certainly knows best.

November 12, 2008
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Like a brother to me

Q. Dear Imaam, I have fallen for a guy. I cannot let go. He is very handsome and has a good look which most of our community boys lack. He is not a daddy’s or mommy’s boy. It started out as a class project. Now we talk for about 2 to 3 hours every night. Something tells me I am doing the wrong thing. I have come to accept him as my brother and he has taken me as his sister. Is it permissible to have such a relationship with a non-mahram? My intentions are to refrain from anything beyond talking; at the MSA conference, it seemed liked some of the scholars are against this type of talking. What should I do?

A. According to our religion, it is prohibited for males and females who fall in the category of strangers to have the type of interaction you have outlined. Shaytan beautifies evil interactions for you (Ayah). Since he is like a brother to you, let us question if you talk to your blood brother, mother or father with such love and affection? It is amazing how we find strangers, turn them into brothers, but yet have issues with members of our families. Sister, in all honesty, you have been caught in the web of Shaytan. Shaytan has turned brothers into lovers of blood sisters and has caused people to fall into forbidden relationships. Shaytan has also turned strangers like you into believing that they are ‘brothers and sisters’ despite them being strangers. Plots of shaytan have resulted in devastating the institution of family. ‘Shaytan is your enemy, and take him as such,’ (Ayah.) This is the plot of Shaytan, who is trying to create havoc in your life, his aim is to ruin your present and future. Allah loves you, and thus He has made you ask this question, so you can be among the guided.

Also my sister, it is natural for healthy, normal people to be inclined towards each other. Such relationships usually start with good ‘friendly intentions’ but later results in an unwanted romantic tangle. Do the right thing. Unless you both intend to take this matter to your parents for the evaluation of marriage, dissolve this relationship and stay focused on your studies. We need people like you to make a healthy contribution to society, not an unhealthy contribution to the whispers of wrong!

(Between us, until the time you are ready for marriage (nikah), keep away from that which would continue to waste 2 to 3 hours of your blessed time!)

Allah certainly knows best.

November 12, 2008
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Cleanliness in small places

Q. Toilets in the airplane are so cramped that it is difficult to stay clean. If urine drops come onto the clothes, can we perform salah with such clothes?

A. If salah was performed with the urine drops amounting to the size or spread of less than a dirham, then the salah would be valid. Should the urine (or major impurity) be more than the spread of a dirham, then the salah would have to be repeated. It would have been best for you to remove this impurity prior to performing your salah, to eliminate any doubt. Should you still be in doubt as to how much urine came onto your clothes, then it would be best that you merely do a make up for the performed salah.

Allah certainly knows best.

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