Category Archives: Translations

Translations of recognized Islamic scholars’ works

Standing Around the Udhiyah Sacrifice as a Family, Reciting Quran Before the Slaughter

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

يوجد بعض من الناس لدينا وخاصة كبار السن في عيد الأضحى المبارك يعملون الأعمال الآتية:
يحضرون الأضحية، ويقفون حولها كالعائلة جمعيا، وهم أهل البيت والرجل قبل أن يبدأ بالذبح، يقرأ الفاتحة، ثم آية الكرسي، وكذلك المعوذتين، والإخلاص مع ذكر الاستفتاح، مثل قول: وجهت وجهي لله رب العالمين إلى آخره، ويجعل الرجل يده على ظهر الذبيحة، ويمد بها من عند الرقبة إلى آخر الظهر، ثم بعد ذلك يقوم بذبحها بعد هذا الفعل، وإن بعضا منهم إذا لم يحضر ذبح الأضحية يقوم بذبح أضحية غيرها، وهم أهل البيت؛ لأنه يقول يلزمه حضور الذبح، لذا أرجو من الله ثم من فضيلتكم البيان لهم بالطريقة الصحيحة لمن يفعل هذا…

QUESTION: Some people in our area, specifically some of the elders, do the following things during the blessed ‘Eed al-Adha:

They bring the sacrificial animal, and they stand around it all together as a family. They are the members of one household. Before the head of household slaughters, he recites al-Faatihah, and then Aayat al-Kursee, and then the last three Soorahs, along with an opening prayer, like: “I turn my face unto Allah, the Lord of all things…” The man then places his open hand on the back of the animal, wiping it from its neck down to the tailbone. Only at this point does he carry out the slaughter. If some of the family members did not attend at the time of the slaughtering of the Udhiyah, he would then carry out a separate Udhiyah for them, whilst they are all members of the same household. This is because he says they are required to attend the actual slaughtering.

I hope firstly from Allah, and then from your distinguished selves, that you would clarify for them the correct manner of doing this (Udhiyah Sacrifice)…

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh (may Allah have Mercy on him):

هذا العمل الذي تعملونه عند ذبحكم للأضحية من وقوفكم عندها، وقراءتكم لآية الكرسي والسور المذكورة، وأن من لا يحضر لا يشترك في ثواب الأضحية، بل لا بد أن يذبح أضحية غيرها، كل هذا لا أصل له، وهو عمل مبتدع يجب عليكم تركه والتنبيه على أنه لا يجوز، وثواب الأضحية إذا كانت تبرعا يتناول كل من نوي فيها، ولو لم يحضر لقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : إنما الأعمال بالنيات وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى.

These things you are doing when you slaughter your Udhiyah Sacrifice:

  • Standing together around it
  • Reciting Aayat al-Kursee and the other Soorahs mentioned
  • Believing that anyone who did not attend cannot share in the reward of the Udhiyah Sacrifice
  • That a separate Udhiyah needs done for those who were absent

All of these things are baseless. These are innovated practices which you must cease doing and advise others that they are not permissible. The reward for the Udhiyah Sacrifice, when done voluntarily, includes all of those who were intended, whether or not they attended the actual slaughter in person, due to the statement of the Prophet -may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace-, [which means] “Actions are but by their intentions, and each person shall only have what he intended.” [1]

وبالله التوفيق وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم.

And through Allah Alone is all success. May Allah raise the rank of our Prophet Muhammad, and that of his family and companions, and may He grant them all peace.

SOURCE: Fataawaa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah (10/440-441 of the second compilation), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

FOOTNOTES by the Translator:

[1] Collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim, from the report of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).

Can Money Be Given as Charity in Place of the Udhiyah Sacrifice?

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

هل يجوز إخراج قيمة الشاة في العقيقة أو الأضحية وإعطاء هذا المبلغ للجمعيات الخيرية التي تكفل اليتامى والمساكين والفقراء بدلا عن شراء شاة وذبحها

QUESTION: Is it permissible to give money in place of the value of the sheep slaughtered for an ‘Aqeeqah or an Udhiyah Sacrifice? The amount of money would be given directly to charitable organizations that sponsor orphans and the poor and needy, instead of being used to actually purchase a sheep and slaughter it.

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

لا يجزئ دفع القيمة عن ذبح العقيقة وذبح الأضحية؛ لأن ذبحهما والأكل من لحمهما والتصدق منه عبادة لا يقوم مقامها التصدق بالقيمة.

It is Continue reading →

Sending Money to Family Back Home To Slaughter the Udhiyah Sacrifice There

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

هل يجزئ المسلم صاحب العيال ترك عياله في وطنه إذا حان عيد الأضحى أن يرسل ثمن أضحيته إلى عياله في وطنه؛ لتذبحها العيال أو تنحرها نيابة عنه؛ لأنه مهاجر، وهو متأكد أن العيال تضحي عنه كما أمر، أو لا بد أن يضحي حيث هو؟

QUESTION: Is this acceptable: A Muslim head of household leaves his family behind in his homeland and when ‘Eed al-Adha comes around, and he sends them the amount needed to purchase an animal for the Udhiyah Sacrifice, so they could slaughter it on his behalf, as he is traveling. He is certain that they would actually slaughter on his behalf according to his instructions. Or must he slaughter it himself wherever he is?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

لا بأس أن يرسل المغترب ثمن الأضحية إلى أولاده في وطنه؛ ليقوموا بشرائها وذبحها في بيتهم، بل هذا هو الأفضل والسنة.

It is no problem for a traveler to send the value of the Udhiyah to his children back in his homeland, in order for them to purchase and slaughter it at their home. Actually, this is Continue reading →

Does a Man in Charge of Two Households Slaughter Two Udhiyah Sacrifices?

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

يوجد لي بيتان تبعد عن بعضها حوالي 15 كم، وأريد أن أضحي. فهل أذبح عند كل بيت أضحية، أم أذبحها في بيت واحد؟ مع العلم أنني ذبحتها عند أحد البيتين وأحضرت أهل البيت الثاني فحضروا الذبح.
وهل تكسر عظام الأضاحي بعد الذبح؟ وهل تكسر قرون الأضاحي بعد الذبح؟

QUESTION: I have two households which are 15 kilometers apart from one other. I want to offer an Udhiyah Sacrifice. Do I offer a separate Udhiyah at each house, or do I slaughter at one house only? Please know that I have already slaughtered one sacrifice at one of the houses, and I brought the family of the second house to be there for the sacrifice. Also, are the bones of the animal sacrificed for Udhiyah allowed to be cut after the slaughter? And are the horns of the Udhiyah animal allowed to be cut after the slaughter?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

يجزئ عنك أضحية واحدة لبيتيك ما دام أن صاحبها واحد، وإن ذبحت في كل واحد من البيتين أضحية مستقلة فهو أفضل، ولا شيء في كسر عظام وقرون الأضاحي.

It is sufficient for you to offer Continue reading →

Trimming Hair or Nails in Thul-Hijjah Forgetfully [For One Who Intends to Offer an Udhiyah Sacrifice]

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

رجل حلق شعره في العشر من ذي الحجة، وهو يريد الأضحية وهو ناسي، فما جزاؤه؟

QUESTION: A man who wanted to offer an Udhiyah Sacrifice forgetfully shaved his hair during the [first] ten days of Thul-Hijjah, How can this be corrected or compensated for?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

لا شيء عليه؛ لقول الله عز وجل: {رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا} وصح عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن الله سبحانه قال: “قد فعلت” خرجه مسلم في صحيحه.

There is nothing he has to do [to rectify that], due to the Statement of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic [which means]: “Our Lord! Do not hold us accountable when we forget or err…” [2:286], and it was authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah -may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace- that Allah, the Exalted, has said, “I have done that.” This was collected by Muslim in his Saheeh [Compilation].

وبالله التوفيق وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم.

And through Allah Alone is all success. May Allah raise the rank of our Prophet Muhammad, and that of his family and companions, and may He grant them all peace.

SOURCE: Fataawaa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, (11/404 of the first compilation), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

 

Obtaining an Animal for the Udhiyah Sacrifice on Credit and Paying for it Later

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

هل يجوز للرجل أن يذبح ذبيحة عيد الأضحى وهي ليس مدفوع ثمنها، ثم تسدد بعد مدة؟ .

QUESTION: Is it permissible for a man to slaughter a sacrificial animal on the Day of ‘Eed al-Adha without having paid for it yet, and then he would pay for it sometime later?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

يجوز ذبح الأضحية ولو تأخر دفع قيمتها عن ذبحها.

It is permissible to offer the Udhiyah Sacrifice when a person pays for it later after slaughtering it.

وبالله التوفيق وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم.

And through Allah Alone is all success. May Allah raise the rank of our Prophet Muhammad, and that of his family and companions, and may He grant them all peace.

SOURCE: Fataawaa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, (11/411 of the first compilation), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

 

Should the Meat of the Udhiyah Sacrifice be Distributed as Cooked Food or Raw Meat?

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

ما هو حكم الأضحية، وما هو الأفضل، هل تقسم لحما أم طبخها أفضل؟ علما أن فيه بعض الناس يقول: إنه لا يجوز في الثلث الذي يتصدق به أن يطبخه أو يكسر عظمه.

QUESTION: What is the ruling on the Udhiyah Sacrifice, and what is more virtuous – that it be distributed as raw meat or as cooked food? As there are some people who say that the third which is given as charity is not allowed to be cooked nor have its bones cut?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

الأضحية سنة كفاية، وقال بعض أهل العلم: هي فرض عين، والأمر في توزيعها مطبوخة أو غير مطبوخة واسع، وإنما المشروع فيها أن يأكل منها، ويهدي، ويتصدق.

The Udhiyah Sacrifice is a Sunnah Kifaayah [1], and some scholars have said it is an obligation on everyone individually. The manner of distributing it, whether cooked or raw, is Continue reading →

Sharing an Udhiyah Sacrifice: Sheep, Cows, and Camels

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

هل يصح اشتراك عدد من الناس (من غير الحجاج) الاشتراك في ذبيحة، وهل تعتبر أضحية لكل منهم؟

QUESTION: Is it valid for a number of people (not pilgrims on Hajj) to share in the slaughtering of a sacrificial animal? If so, could that qualify as an Udhiyah Sacrifice for each of them?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

تسن الأضحية بالنسبة للمكلف المستطيع، ويجوز اشتراك سبعة في واحدة من الإبل سنها خمس سنوات أو أكثر، أو في واحدة من البقرة سنها سنتان فأكثر، وتجزئ الشاة عن الرجل وأهل بيته سنها سنة فأكثر إن كانت من المعز، أو ستة أشهر فأكثر إن كانت من الضأن.

The Udhiyah is a Sunnah for every sane, adult Muslim who is capable of offering it. It is allowed for seven people to share in the slaughtering of a single Continue reading →

Giving Some of the Udhiyah Sacrifice to Non-Muslim Family or Neighbors

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

هل يجوز أن يهدي المسلم شيئا لأهل الكتاب، وهل يجوز إهداء شيء من الأضحية لشخص من أهل الكتاب؟

QUESTION: Is it permissible for a Muslim to give gifts to the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), and is it permissible to give some of the Udhiyah sacrifice to someone from the People of the Book?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

يجوز الإهداء إلى الكافر وإطعامه من الأضحية وصدقات التطوع إذا لم يكن محاربا لنا؛ لقول الله تعالى:

It is permissible to give gifts or food to a non-Muslim, from the Udhiyah [Sacrifice] or other optional acts of charity, [1] so long as he is not at Continue reading →

The Hypocrisy of Objecting to Hudood [Legislated Punishments in Islam]

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The great senior scholar, Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan (may Allah preserve him) stated: [1]

فيجب إقامة الحد على أصحاب هذه الجرائم، ولا يجوز لأحد كائنا من كان أن يعترض إقامة الحد، ويمنع إقامة الحد على المجرم، أو يعترض على ذلك بالقول، أو بالتنديد، أو بالكلام في الإنترنت، أو غيره، مما يفعله أهل النفاق، ويفعله أهل الشكوك والأوهام الذين لم يستقر الإيمان في قلوبهم.

It is obligatory to establish the Hadd [Islamically legislated] punishment upon people who commit these crimes, and it is not permissible for anyone, no matter who he is, to object to the establishment of the punishment, or to prevent the punishment from being applied to the guilty criminal, or to object to that in speech, or to denounce it, or by spreading speech on the internet, or any other way, as the people of hypocrisy do, and as the people of doubts and delusions do, those who have not had faith settle in their hearts.

بل يجب الفرح بإقامة الحدود لأنها تطهير للأرض قال صلى الله عليه وسلم

Instead, it is obligatory to be happy with the establishment of the Hudood punishments, as they Continue reading →

A Special Ramadhaan Message From the Custodian of the Two Sacred Mosques

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the One who said in His Noble Book:

“O you who believe! Prescribed upon you is fasting, as it was prescribed upon the people before you, in order for you to attain piety.” [2:183]

May Allah raise the rank of and grant peace to the best of His creation, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, and likewise all of his family and companions.

Dear brother citizens and brother Muslims in every place:

As-Salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.

With each year that passes, we hope you are well.

Here we are, this blessed night, standing before a month from the most noble and greatest of months with Allah, the Blessed and Lofty. All praise is due to Allah, the One who allowed us to reach the month of Ramadhaan, the month of Mercy, Forgiveness, and being set free from the Fire. We ask Allah that He make us from those who fast and stand in prayer out of faith and hope for reward. Within our souls is a great longing for its joyous arrival, because of what lies in its days and nights of worship offered by Muslims, and because of what is encouraged in this virtuous month of keeping ties, coming together, and excusing each other.

Dear brothers and sisters,

We praise Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, for all that He has bestowed upon this blessed land, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that He has made it the central nest of Islam, with the message of Islam originating from its land. He has given our land the special favor of Continue reading →

Exposing the Fake Story of Salmaan Refusing to Obey ‘Umar

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[In the name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…]

The Khawaarij of this era, those who promote political turmoil and rebellion in the name of “activism” and “freedom of speech”, have spread the following false narration:

Ibn Qutaybah said in his book, ‘Uyoon al-Akhbaar:

Al-‘Utbi [d.228] said that ‘Umar received some war booty, two-piece garments. He distributed those things among the people. He went up on the Minbar and he had a complete set himself (both pieces). So he said “Oh people, will you not listen?” So Salmaan said: “We will not listen!” ‘Umar asked, “Why, O Father of ‘Abdullaah [meaning Salmaan]!?” He said, “Because you distributed the garments to us, one garment for each person, yet you have a whole set (i.e. two garments).” ‘Umar said, “Don’t be so hasty, oh Abaa ‘Abdillah,” and he called out, “Oh, ‘Abdullaah!” Nobody answered him. So he said, “Oh ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Umar!” His son responded, “At your service, O Commander of the Faithful!” Umar said, “I ask you, by Allaah, as a witness: The garment I’m wearing as an ezaar (the lower part), is it yours?” He replied, “Allaahumma Na’am (Yes).” Salmaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, then said, “OK, so now we will obey you!”

Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allaah preserve him) explained the falsehood of this story. The following is a summary of his writings on the topic:

This is how al-‘Utbi narrated this, without any chain. And it’s been mentioned in the sittings of dictation that were recorded from ibn Durayd, #132, in the same way, without a chain. Ibn al-Jowzee also put it in his book: Sifatus Safwa with no chain. So this fable is rejected from the following angles:

Firstly, it has no chain from al-‘Utbi to ‘Umar and Salmaan, may Allaah be pleased with both of them. There is a huge gap in time between ‘Umar (and Salmaan) and this ‘Utbi. You would break the necks of camels trying to make that distance! [more than 200 years of broken chain!]

The second issue is that this ‘Utbi is Continue reading →

The Fitnah (Trials) of Passions and Desires

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Every Merciful…

From the Book: The Never-Ending Trials of LIFE: Islamic Guidance From a Brief Thematic Study of Soorah al-‘Ankaboot, by Shaykh Saalih Aal Shaykh, Translation and Commentary by Moosaa Richardson

…Allah mentions the story of Loot (Lot, peace be upon him). In it is mention of the fitnah of the desires of men which go against man’s very nature. This was along with a number of other passions and their outward declarations of them. They claimed that there was no harm in them. They would refute anyone who prohibited them from their actions.Yet he still forbade them:

You are practicing [all kinds of] evil in your gatherings! (29:29)

But all they said to him in response was:

Bring us Allah’s Punishment if you are indeed from the truthful! (29:29)

It was great fitnah for Loot that his wife, from his own household, had given in to their evil and become like them, encouraging the men to have intercourse with the men who would come to visit Loot, and similar crimes.

So we saved him and his family, except his wife, as she was from those who stayed behind. (7:83)

Desires are indeed a form of fitnah. How can one escape his desires and passions? He escapes them by Continue reading →

The Relationship Between Medical Quackery and Shirk (Polytheism)

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy on him) was asked once about bracelets worn to alleviate rheumatism. His brief and insightful answer includes a very beneficial principle that can be used to differentiate between real medical treatments and fraudulent medical quackery, as the real difference between the two is that of towheed (Islamic monotheism) and shirk (polytheism). With this in mind, understanding this issue is of the utmost importance.

He (may Allaah have Mercy on him) said:

“Know that a medical treatment is (merely) a means toward recovery, while the One who provides that means and makes it effective is (only) Allaah, the Most High. Thus, there exist no means or methods (of recovery) other than what Allaah, the Most High, has made to be a (genuine) means.

There are two types of genuine means that Allaah, the Most High, has made:

The first type are Continue reading →

Working in Construction: Building a Church

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The Standing Committee for Religious Verdicts (al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah) was asked:

Can a Muslim who works in construction build a church for non-Muslims?

They replied: Continue reading →

How Should a Man Behave as the Walee of His Own Mother?

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

Often, especially in the West, a man may find himself in the position of being his own mother’s walee (guardian) for marriage.  Of course, we know the walee’s approval is a necessary requirement for the validity of a marriage contract. This predicament can be a difficult one to navigate, since in Islam he is required to obey, respect, and honor his mother. Yet, if she wishes to marry a man whom he is not pleased with, can he actually refuse to consent and prevent such a marriage? How does he balance between obedience to his mother and this apparent position of authority over her, as limited as it may be?

To aid our brothers who are faced with such a dilemma, I posed the following question to Shaykh Muhammad ‘Umar Baazmool (may Allaah bless and preserve him):

شيخنا من كان وليًا لأمه ولاية النكاح كيف يتأدب معها إذا كان لا يواقق على اختيار رجل لها فيه رغبة
Our shaykh, regarding someone who is a walee (guardian) for the marriage of his mother: How does he uphold good manners with her if he does not agree with the choice of a man she is interested in?

He replied: Continue reading →

Shaykh Ibn Baaz: Is the Name “Muhsin” Allowed?

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following question was posed to the great scholar, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have Mercy on him):

My name is Muhsin*, and a student of knowledge told me that this name was not allowed. He advised me to change my name. What is your opinion, may Allaah reward you with goodness?

*Muhsin literally means one who does things proficiently, with sincerity to Allaah. It also carries the meaning of one who is kind and graceful to others.

The shaykh responded, saying:

There is no problem [with this name], since it is one of the names which can be used [for people], like ‘Azeez (Mighty), Samee’ (one who hears), Haleem (gentle), and Continue reading →

Jumu’ah Prayer Established in Prisons

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The Standing Committee for Legal Verdicts and Research in Saudi Arabia was asked about a prisoner’s stance on Jumu’ah Prayer when incarcerated. They replied:

إذا أقيمت الجمعة داخل السجن أو في غيره، واستطاع أداءها فتجب عليه، وإذا لم يستطع أداء الجمعة فيصليها ظهرا.

وأما الحرية التي يذكرها الفقهاء شرطًا في وجوب الجمعة فمرادهم الحرية من الرق؛ لأن المملوك لا تجب عليه.

If Jumu’ah Prayer is established inside the prison or elsewhere, and he is capable of performing it, then it is binding (waajib) upon him. If he is unable to pray Jumu’ah Prayer, then he offers (in its place) Thuhr Prayer. As for the condition of freedom which the scholars of Fiqh mention in order for Jumu’ah to be an obligation, the intended meaning was: freedom from slavery, as a slave would not be required (to attend Jumu’ah).

Signed by:
Shaykh ‘Abdullaah ibn Qu’ood
Shaykh ‘Abdullaah ibn Ghudayyaan
Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq ‘Afeefee
Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz

Source: Verdicts of the Standing Committee (8/184-185), as found here.

Translation: Moosaa Richardson

rev.aw.

Are a Muslim Woman’s Non-Muslim Relatives Acceptable as Mahram for Traveling?

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In the Name of Allaah, the All Merciful, the Ever Merciful…

As reported by Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) and collected in the most authentic Hadeeth sources like al-Bukhaaree and Muslim, the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) forbade believing women from traveling without a mahram.

A mahram is a woman’s close male family member, like her father, grandfather, son, grandson, brother, or uncle.

Traveling means to leave one’s city, by a distance considered according to local customs to be a journey, not just normal daily movement around and outside of the borders of one’s city.

In the West, a woman often accepts Islaam and thereafter faces the difficulty of being the only Muslim in her family. She may ask: How am I to implement this hadeeth? Since my immediate male relatives are disqualified from being my walee (guardian) in a marriage contract, are they also disqualified from being my mahram during a journey?

This issue was recently addressed by Shaykh Muhammad ‘Umar Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him), Professor of Higher Studies at Umm al-Qura University in Makkah. He stated: Continue reading →

Speak the Truth or Stay Home [Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious the Ever Merciful…

In an authentic hadeeth collected by Imaam Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (no.276), the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:

 مَنِ الْتَمَسَ رِضَى اللَّهِ بِسَخَطِ النَّاسِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، وَأَرْضَى النَّاسَ عَنْهُ، وَمَنِ الْتَمَسَ رِضَا النَّاسِ بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ سَخَطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَأَسْخَطَ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسَ.

“Whoever seeks the Pleasure of Allaah while angering the people will have Allaah pleased with him, who shall make the people pleased with him [anyway]. Whoever seeks to please the people while angering Allaah will have Allaah angry with him, who shall make the people angry with him [anyway].”

The great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee [d.1416] (may Allaah have Mercy on him), said in his explanation of Condition #7 of The Conditions of Laa-ilaaha-ill-Allaah:

The chosen Messengers of Allaah would be referred to by extravagant and arrogant people as insane. They would call them insane, as well as liars. With everything such people would say, the Messengers would remain patient and continue in their missionary work. Some of the Prophets from the tribes of Israel were even killed by their own people. Those who call to rectification follow [the same path as] the Messengers, and thus they face [similar] harm from the people of extravagance and disbelief, and they are Continue reading →

Do not Refer to Deviant Groups Using Their Chosen Names of Self-Praise

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Compassionate, the Ever Merciful…

The following is important advice that should be heeded when referring to deviant groups which refer to themselves using praiseworthy terms, like:

  • Al-Ikhwaan al-Muslimoon (The Muslim Brotherhood)
  • Hizbollah (The Party of Allaah)
  • The Islamic State [of Iraq and Sham] (IS, or ISIS)
  • The Nation of Islam

Muslims who follow the Quran, the Sunnah, and the way of the righteous Salaf, those who are truly Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, reject these names, as they are not accurate nor acceptable as names for the intended deviant cults who oppose Islam in their core beliefs and/or principles.

For example, Muslims who apply Islaam in their lives are the true ‘Muslim Brotherhood’. It is not appropriate to refer to an Egyptian political sect which opposes Islaam in its basic methodology with this name, ‘al-Ikhwan al-Muslimoon’ (the Muslim Brotherhood). They are not the Muslim Brotherhood at all, but rather they are in fact opponents Continue reading →

Shaykh Ibn Baaz: How to Give Da’wah to Those Affected By Specific Misguidance

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The great scholar of Islaam, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz [d.1420] -may Allaah have Mercy on him- was asked about the methodology of propagating Islaam to people who have been affected by certain cultures or societies that distort the true meaning of Islaam. He replied:

The falsehood of the beliefs or culture which has affected them is to be clarified to them. The (false) beliefs are clarified as involving such-and-such (i.e. naming the specific points of misguidance). The various forms of falsehood and innovation found within such beliefs – if any – are to be clarified. Furthermore, the primary reference for all affairs is to be clearly identified as the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and the Sunnah of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace).

(It is said to them) Regarding what you have come across of such-and-such (a specific form of misguidance), what you have learned, like such-and-such, and/or the manners you have taken from your environment, like intermingling, etc., these issues must all be weighed on the scale of the Sharee’ah (divinely revealed Islaamic Legislation), like how the scholars base issues of jurisprudence upon the legislative evidences (of the Book and the Sunnah). Whatever is in line with it (the Sharee’ah) remains, and whatever opposes it must be cast aside, even if Continue reading →

Shaykh Fowzaan on Frauds Who Pretend to Have Islamic Knowledge

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The great scholar, Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), was asked:

What is “ta’aalum”? And what is your advice to the youth who face trials due to people engaged in ta’aalum?

He replied:

Ta’aalum is to feign knowledge. Feigning knowledge. It is when a person claims knowledge, while he is not knowledgeable in reality. He has not taken any knowledge directly from the scholars. Rather, he merely learned some things from books, solely from reading. He lacks sound fundamentals to build upon; he just reads things in books and proceeds according to his own understanding, likely erring more than being correct. This is a person of ta’aalum. He is a danger to himself (firstly) and to everyone (at large), since he Continue reading →

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen: Anyone Who Claims to Know When the End of the World Will Occur is a Disbeliever

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

In his explanation of Soorah an-Najm (pp.256-257), Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy on him) stated:

While we are in the fifteenth century and there have been fourteen centuries since the revelation of the Quran, Allaah has still mentioned the Hour (the Day of Judgment) as being close. From this, we can deduce that the entire lifespan of this worldly life is very long and far-reaching.

However, do we agree with those who falsely claim that the history of this world is such-and-such number of years?

The response: We do not accept their position. We do not believe them, nor do we Continue reading →

But We Need a New Approach in Today’s Dawah! [Shaykh Ibn Baaz Responds]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

It is widely reported that His Eminence, Shaikh ‘Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz (may Allaah have Mercy on him), was asked:

Every era has a method that suits it. The Salaf (righteous predecessors) used lessons and sermons, but we have a more effective method: acting. Nice young men, depicting the roles of sinners or drunkards, solely for the sake of admonishment. So I hope Your Eminence would encourage the youth to do so, since the method of those before us does not suit them.

And the shaykh answered:

Allaahu Akbar… Allaahu Akbar… Allaahu Akbar… Allaahu Akbar.

What a horrible lie! What a terribly hideous statement!

The way of Continue reading →

Calling to Good Manners Firstly is Contradictory to the Prophetic Dawah Method [Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

One of the great senior scholars of this era, Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), was asked:

Is this manner of da’wah (Islamic propagation) correct: One that begins by inviting the people to good manners at first?

The shaykh responded by saying:

No, this is misguidance, a contradiction to the da’wah of the Messengers. This is the call of the hizbees (bigoted sectarians) nowadays. It is a false da’wah, because it is contradictory to the methodology of the Messengers. What they (really) desire is that people remain upon their (various) beliefs, whether they are (the beliefs of) the Qubooriyyah (gravesite fanatics), idol-worship, or sufism. What is important (to them) is just to gather the people together, merely for the sake of Continue reading →

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen on Removing Part of the Footwear and then Continuing to Wipe Over it

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) allowed residents to wipe over their footwear when performing wudhoo’ (instead of washing the feet) for a period of one day. Travelers are allowed to do so for three entire days. This is founded upon clear evidences from the Quran and the authentic Sunnah.

From the important issues of this gracious concession is that once the footwear is removed for any reason, the period of wiping over it ends, and a person may only wipe over it again once he puts the footwear back on in a state of purity (having already made wudhoo’).

One of our visitors asked about when there is a need to uncover only a small part of the foot just under the ankle, like to rub it, is that considered “removal” of the footwear or not?

The great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen [d.1421] – may Allaah have Mercy on him – was asked:

ما حكم خلع الشراب أو بعض منها ليحك بعض قدمه أو يزيل شيئاً في رجله كحجر صغير ونحوه؟ 

What is the ruling on removing the footwear or part of it in order to scratch part of the foot or remove something like a small pebble or anything similar (from inside of the footwear)?

The shaykh replied by saying:

إذا أدخل يديه من تحت الشراب (الجوارب) فلا بأس في ذلك ولا حرج ، أما إن خلعها فينظر إن خلع جزءاً يسيراً فلا يضر ، وإن خلع شيئاً كثيراً بحيث يظهر أكثر القدم فإنه يبطل المسح عليهما في المستقبل.

If he reaches in under the footwear with his hand, there is no problem with that, nothing wrong at all. However, if he removes it (the footwear), then we need to understand: If he only removed a small part of it, there is no harm (i.e. he may continue to wipe over it). If he removed a large part of it, exposing most of his foot, then his (period of) wiping ends at that time.

Source: Question #17 of his book, Fataawaa fil-Mas-h ‘alal-Khuffayn, as found on the official website of his charitable foundation (here).

Based on this fatwaa from Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy on him), a person may continue wiping over his footwear after uncovering a small part of the foot under the ankle, as mentioned in the original question, and Allaah knows best.

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan on the Claim that Allaah Cannot Do All Things

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful…

Senior Muslim scholar, Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him) was asked:

There is a famous preacher whose work reaches all over the world. He says that Allaah is not able to do all things. He also says that he knows of a thousand things which Allaah, the Most High, cannot do. Is this (person considered) a caller at the gates of Hell? Must we warn against him?

The shaykh replied:

This (person) is a mulhid (deviant) [1], the one who says these things is a mulhid (deviant) regarding the Names and Attributes of Allaah.

ولله الأسماء الحسنى فادعوه بها وذروا الذين يلحدون في أسمائه سيجزون ما كانوا يعملون
“And to Allaah belong the most beautiful Names, so call upon Him using them. Abandon those who commit ilhaad (deviate) [1] regarding His Names. They shall be recompensed for what they do.” [2]

إن الذين يلحدون في آياتنا لا يخفون علينا أفمن يلقى في النار خير أم من يأتي آمنا يوم القيامة
“Verily, those who commit ilhaad regarding our aayaat (verses, signs) are not hidden from Us. Is the one cast into the Fire better than one who attains safety on the Day of Judgment?” [3]

Someone says that Allaah is not able to do all things… Continue reading →

How to Pray in a Chair When Needed [Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

View this article in Arabic and English [PDF].

Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him) was asked about how one is to pray in a chair when needed.

The reply: Prayer is the second pillar of Islaam. It is the foundational support-post of Islaam, and it is the first of all deeds a person will be held to account for on the Day of Judgment. If it is accepted [by Allaah], the rest of his deeds will be accepted. If it is rejected, the rest of his deeds will likewise be rejected. It is an obligation that no Muslim is ever excused from so long as he remains of sound mind.[1] A Muslim prays according to his ability.

As Allaah has said, “Fear Allaah to the best of your ability.”[2] And He, the Most High, has said, “Allaah does not burden any soul beyond its scope.”[3] Furthermore, the Prophet, may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace, said, “When I have forbidden you from something, stay away from it [entirely]. When I have ordered you to do something, do as much of it as you are able.”[4]

From this [generality] is prayer. A Muslim is to pray to the best of his ability, the best he can, due to the statement of the Prophet, may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace, “A sick person prays standing. If he is unable, then he may pray sitting. If he is unable, then he may pray [laying] on his side.”[5] In one narration, “If he is unable, then laying back with his feet toward the qiblah.”[6]

Prayer has its required conditions (shuroot), necessary elements (arkaan, lit. pillars), obligations (waajibaat), and recommended manners (sunan). A sick person is to do as much of these things as he is able to. Some things are to be done while standing, while others are done while sitting or in prostration.

What is done standing is the initial Continue reading →

People of the Sunnah are Humble and Clear About Their Sources

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful…

Stated Shaykh Jamaal ad-Deen al-Qaasimee… [*]

Stated Al-Haafith Jalaal ad-Deen as-Suyootee [1] (may Allaah have Mercy on him):

The blessing of knowledge and gratitude for it is to reference it to its source, as stated by al-Haafith Aboo Taahir as-Silafee [2], who heard from Abul-[Husayn] as-Sayrafee [3], who said: I heard Aboo ‘Abdillaah as-Sooree [4] saying: ‘Abdul-Ghanee ibn Sa’eed [5] said to me:

When my letter (perhaps a small treatise) reached Aboo ‘Abdillaah al-Haakim [6], he responded by thanking me for it, and he mentioned that he taught it to the people in dictation form. His written response included acknowledgment of benefitting (from me), and that he does not narrate it except with reference to me.

And [Al-Haakim also said]: Abul-‘Abbaas Muhammad ibn Ya’qoob al-Asamm [7] narrated to them, that al-‘Abbaas ibn Muhammad ad-Dooree [8] said: I heard Aboo ‘Ubayd [9] say:

Being thankful for knowledge means that you take benefit from someone, and then when asked about it, you say: Continue reading →

Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan on Statements of Yasir Qadhi

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful…

Previously, we have highlighted the goal of Yasir Qadhi to replace the role of the scholars of Islaam in the lives of Muslims in the West with a band of entertainers called Almaghrib Institute. [See this.]

This bitter reality hit many of Almaghrib Institute’s supporters and sympathizers quite hard. While many have been turning in their “qabeelah” memberships, others remain loyal to this organization, despite the obvious direction taken by Yasir Qadhi and his associates to cut them off from Islaam’s scholars. After many years of gradual indoctrination, victims of this exclusive brand of hizbiyyah (partisanship) will not find it easy to step away, except for those whom Allaah blesses with guidance and stability.

Recently, the great senior scholar, Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him) was asked about the words of Yasir Qadhi:

Virtuous shaykh -may Allaah give you success- there is a questioner from America who asks: There is a person in America who always says that the scholars in this land do not know the situation of the Muslims in America. Accordingly, we do not accept their verdicts. He repeats this often. What is your advice about this and what instructions do you offer?

His profound and insightful reply confirms the correctness of what Ahlus-Sunnah in the West have been saying about Yasir Qadhi for years! He replied:

They (the scholars) possess Continue reading →

Menstrual Cycle Starts After Beginning an ‘Umrah – What to do

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

When a woman has begun her rites of ‘Umrah by entering into a state of ihraam, what does she do if she gets her menses before she manages to complete her ‘Umrah?

The great scholar, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have Mercy on him) said:

فإذا حاضت المرأة قبل أن تبدأ بالعمرة فإنها تبقى في مكة حتى تطهر، ثم تطوف وتسعى وتقصّر،.

When a woman gets her menses before beginning the ‘Umrah (after assuming ihram), she is to remain in Makkah until she becomes pure (i.e. her menstrual cycle ends), after which she is to make tawaaf (around the Ka’bah), perform Sa’ee (between Safaa and Marwah), and shorten her hair.

فإن دعت الحاجة عند سفرها إلى الطائف أو جدة أو غيرهما، سافرت وهي على إحرامها ترجع حتى تؤدي طواف العمرة وسعيها

If some necessity related to her trip requires her to go to Taif, Jeddah, or elsewhere, she may travel there, remaining in a state of ihraam until she returns to perform the tawaaf and sa’ee of ‘Umrah.

إلا إن كانت قد قالت عند الإحرام، “فإن حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني”، ثم أصابها الحيض، فلها التّحلل، يعني إذا أصابها عذر، حبسني حابس، يعني: عذرًا كالحيض، فإنها تحلّ ولا شيء عليها، أو أصابها مرض

This is unless Continue reading →

Ibn ‘Umar’s Devout Following of the Sunnah [Shaykh Muhammad ibn Aadam]

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful…

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, the son of the second Caliph, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with them both), was known for his devout following of everything the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) did. Imaam Ibn Maajah reports that “Whenever he heard a hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), he would not do anything more than it, nor would he stop until fulfilling it (completely).” [1]

Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Alee ibn Aadam (may Allaah preserve him) [2] said:

From the benefits (of this report) is knowing how devout Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) was in his following of the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace). He (may Allaah be pleased with him) was well known for that.

‘Abdullaah ibn Wahb narrated from Maalik, from someone [3] who told him Continue reading →

Sunan Ibn Maajah: Chapter One – Following the Sunnah

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following is an excerpt from an English translation of the Introduction to Sunan Ibn Maajah. It is the very first chapter which includes eleven important authentic hadeeths on the topic of:

Following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah, may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace

1) Narrated by Aboo Hurayrah: The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said (what means), “Whatever I have commanded you, do it. Whatever I have forbidden you, refrain from it.”

2) Narrated by Aboo Hurayrah: “The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said (what means): “Leave me as I have left you (Don’t ask me the minor things that I have avoided to tell you). For those who came before you were doomed because of their questions and differences with their Prophets. If I command you to do something, then do as much of it as you can, and if I forbid you from doing something, then refrain from it.’”

3) Narrated by Aboo Hurayrah: “The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said (what means): ‘Whoever obeys me, obeys Allaah; and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allaah.’”

4) Narrated by Aboo Ja’far: “Whenever Ibn ‘Umar heard a hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), he would not do more than it said, and he would not do less.”

5) Narrated by Abud-Dardaa’: “The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) came out to us when we were speaking of poverty and how we feared it. He said Continue reading →

Ibn Taymiyyah on Using Haraam Substances as Medical Treatments

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

MARIJUANA as a medical treatment?! REALLY?

Muslims, let us please go back to our scholars on such issues!

“Seeking medical cures from filthy (haraam) substances is proof of a sickness in the heart…”

What follows is a complete translation of a detailed answer given by Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [d.728] (may Allaah have Mercy on him) when he was asked about a patient whose doctors told him that the only (effective) medical treatment in his situation would be to consume intoxicants, canine (dog) meat, or even swine. He replied:

It is not permissible to use intoxicants and other filthy substances as medical treatments, based on what was reported by Waa’il ibn Hujr, [1] who said that Taariq ibn Suwayd al-Ju’fee [2] asked the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) about intoxicants, and he forbade him from using them. Taariq added, “But I only use them as medical treatments.” He (the Prophet) responded:

إنه ليس بدواء ولكنه داء
“It is not a treatment, however it is a disease (itself).” 

This (hadeeth) was collected by Imaams Ahmad and Muslim in his Saheeh. [3]

And on the authority of Aboo ad-Dardaa’, the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:

إن الله أنزل الدواء وأنزل الداء وجعل لكل داء دواء، فتداووا ولا تتداووا بحرام
“Verily Allaah has sent down illnesses, and He has sent down the cures. He has made (available) a cure for every illness, so take medical treatments, but do not treat illnesses with haraam (substances).”

This (hadeeth) was collected by Aboo Daawood. [4]

And Aboo Hurayrah said Continue reading →