Basis for Jurisprudence and Islamic Rulings: Chapter 4

Innovations in Religion and Worship (Part 1)

49702: False report attributed to Zaynab (may Allaah be pleased with her) about healing of disease

Question:

Nowadays there are many messages that come via e-mail, telling of a person who was sick then Sayyidah Zaynab (may Allaah be pleased with her) came to him in a dream, and when he woke up he found that he had been cured of that sickness… Then the sender asks us to send this letter to a number of friends, and warns whoever does not do that of many things, ending with death. How sound is this letter?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This report that you are asking about is nothing new, but it has become more widely disseminated nowadays because of the ease and speed of communication via e-mail, combined with the ignorance of many who love their religion.

There may be some variation in the details of these stories, but they are all based on the same idea and all have the same bad effect on people's minds.

Shaykh `Abd al-`Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) warned against them. There follows the text of his statement:

A note concerning a false report that is being disseminated by some ignorant people:

Praise be to Allaah, and blessings and peace be upon the slave and Messenger of Allaah, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.

I have come across a false report that is being disseminated by some ignorant people and people who have little understanding of the religion of Allaah. The text of this report is as follows:

"In the name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Blessings and peace be upon the noblest of the Messengers, our Master Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and upon his family and companions.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

`No doubt! Verily, the Awliya' [close friends] of Allaah, no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve'

[Yoonus 10:62]

Allaah the Almighty has spoken the truth.

My Muslim brother, my Muslim sister.

A thirteen-year-old girl became very ill and the doctor was unable to treat her. One night her sickness grew worse and she wept until sleep overtook her. In her dream she saw Sayyidah Zaynab (may Allaah be pleased with her). She put some drops in her mouth, and when she woke up from her sleep she was completely healed from her sickness. Sayyidah Zaynab (may Allaah be pleased with her) asked her to write this story thirteen times and distribute it to the Muslims, to demonstrate the power of the Creator, may He be exalted, and how it is manifested in His signs and His creation, exalted be He above all that they associate with Him. The girl did what was asked of her, and this is what happened:

1 _ The first copy fell into the hands of a poor man, who wrote it out and distributed it. Thirteen days later the Lord willed that this poor man should become rich.

2 _ The second copy fell into the hands of a worker who ignored it. Thirteen days later he lost his job.

3 _ The third copy fell into the hands of a rich man who refused to write it out. Thirteen days later he lost all the riches that he possessed.

Hasten, O Muslim brother or sister, after reading this story, to copy it out thirteen times and distribute it to people, so that you may get what you wish for from the Most Generous Lord, may He be glorified and exalted.

May Allaah send blessings upon our Master Muhammad and upon all his family and companions."

When I read this false report I thought it essential to point out that the benefits and good things that its author claims will come to those who copy it and distribute it, and the bad things that will happen to those who ignore it and do not disseminate it further, are all lies that have no solid basis. Rather they are fabrications of the liars and charlatans who want to divert the Muslims from putting their trust in their Lord alone, with no partner or associate, to bring them benefits and ward off harm from them, as well as taking the permissible means as prescribed in sharee'ah, and who want to make them put their trust in someone or something other than Allaah to bring benefits and ward off harm, and to take false means that are not permitted or prescribed in sharee'ah, which leads them to become attached to something other than Allaah and to worship someone other than Him.

Undoubtedly this is one of the plots of the enemies of the Muslims, who want to divert them away from their true religion by any means possible. The Muslims should beware of these plots and not be deceived by them. The Muslim should pay no attention to this false report and similar reports which appear from time to time. Warnings have been issued about several of them in the past. It is not permissible for a Muslim to copy out this and similar reports, or to distribute them under any circumstances. Rather doing that is an evil action and the one who does that is committing a sin; there is the fear that he will be punished in this world and in the Hereafter, because this is a bid'ah (innovation) whose evil is great and whose punishment is severe.

This report is a kind of reprehensible innovation, and is one of the means that lead to shirk and exaggeration concerning the Ahl al-Bayt (members of the Prophet's household) and others among the dead, and calling upon them instead of Allaah and seeking their help and thinking that they can bring benefit to or ward off harm from those who call upon them and seek their help. It is also a kind of telling lies about Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"It is only those who believe not in the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allaah, who fabricate falsehood, and it is they who are liars"

[al-Nahl 16:105]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours that is not part of it, will have it rejected." Saheeh _ agreed upon.

All the Muslims into whose hands this letter falls should tear it up and destroy it, and warn people against it, and not pay any attention to any promises or warnings that it may contain, because these are false reports that have no sound basis and nothing good or bad will result from that. But the one who invented it, those who copy it out and distribute it, and those who promote it and disseminate it among the Muslims are all sinning, because all of that comes under the heading of cooperating in sin and transgression which Allaah has forbidden in His Book, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Help you one another in AlBirr and AtTaqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment"

[al-Maa'idah 5:2]

We ask Allaah to keep us and all the Muslims safe and sound from all evil. Allaah is Sufficient for us and He is the best to deal with those who fabricated this report and similar reports, and introduced into the religion of Allaah things that have nothing to do with it. We ask Allaah to deal with them as they deserve, for telling lies about Allaah and disseminating falsehood, and for calling people to the means that lead to shirk and exaggeration about the dead, and distracting them with something that will harm them and will not benefit them. Sincerity towards Allaah and His slaves demands that we point this out. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon His slave and Messenger our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 8/346-348.

And Allaah knows best.

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49678: Does Allaah come down to the first heaven on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan?

Question:

Does Allaah come down to the first heaven on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan and forgive all the people except two types, namely kaafirs and those engaged in disputes?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This is mentioned in some ahaadeeth, but there is some scholarly difference of opinion as to the soundness of those ahaadeeth. There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the virtue of the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan.

It was narrated from Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah looks down on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan and forgives all his creation except a mushrik or one who harbours hatred against the Muslims." Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 1390.

The "one who harbours hatred against the Muslims" means one who has enmity towards a Muslim brother.

In al-Zawaa'id it says: Its isnaad is da'eef, because `Abd-Allaah ibn Lahee'ah is da'eef (weak) and al-Waleed ibn Muslim is mudallis.

There is also some idtiraab (weakness) in the hadeeth, as stated by al-Daaraqutni in al-`Ilal, 6/50, 51. He said: This hadeeth is not proven.

It was narrated from Mu'aadh ibn Jabal, `Aa'ishah, Abu Hurayrah, Abu Tha'labah al-Khushani and others, but the isnaads are not free of some weakness, and some of them are very weak.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said:

Concerning the virtue of the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan there are numerous ahaadeeth, concerning which the scholars differed, but most of them classed them as da'eef, and Ibn Hibbaan classed some of them as saheeh.

Lataa'if al-Ma'aazif, 261.

Allaah's descending to the first heaven does not only happen on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan, rather it is proven in al-Saheehayn and elsewhere that Allaah descends to the first heaven every night, in the last third of the night. The night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan is included in this general meaning.

Hence, when `Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak was asked about the descent of Allaah on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan, he said to the one who asked him: "O weak one! The night of the fifteenth?! He descends every night!"

Narrated by Abu `Uthmaan al-Saabooni in I'tiqaad Ahl al-Sunnah, no. 92.

Al-`Aqeeli (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

With regard to Allaah's descending on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan there are ahaadeeth which are weak, but the reports that He descends every night are proven and saheeh, so the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan is included in that, in sha Allaah.

Al-Du'afa', 3/29.

See also the answer to question no. 8907.

On this site you can also find an article by Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allaah have mercy on him) concerning the ruling on celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan. You can find it under the heading, Periodic Topics (under "Useful Material" on the Islam Q&A Library page).

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49675: Should he fast on the fifteenth of Sha'baan even if the hadeeth is da'eef?

Question:

Is it permissible, even after finding out that a hadeeth is da'eef (weak), to follow it, by way of doing righteous deeds? The hadeeth says: "When it is halfway through Sha'baan, spend that night in prayer and fast on that day." The fast is observed as a voluntary act of devotion to Allaah, as is spending that night in prayer (qiyaam al-layl).

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

What is narrated concerning the virtue of praying, fasting and worshipping on the fifteenth of Sha'baan (al-nusf min Sha'baan) does not come under the heading of da'eef (weak), rather it comes under the heading of mawdoo' (fabricated) and baatil (false). So it is not permissible to follow it or to act upon it, whether that is in doing righteous deeds or otherwise.

A number of scholars ruled that the reports concerning that were false, such as Ibn al-Jawzi in his book al-Mawdoo'aat, 2/440-445; Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah in al-Manaar al-Muneef, no. 174- 177; Abu Shaamah al-Shaafa'i in al-Baa'ith `ala Inkaar al-Bida' wa'l-Hawaadith, 124-137; al-`Iraaqi in Takhreej Ihyaa' `Uloom il-Deen, no. 582. Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] narrated that there was consensus on the fact that they are false, in Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 28/138.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Hukm al-Ihtifaal bi Laylat al-Nusf min Sha'baan (Ruling on celebrating the fifteenth of Sha'baan):

Celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan (Laylat al-Nusf min Sha'baan) by praying etc, or singling out this day for fasting, is a reprehensible bid'ah (innovation) according to the majority of scholars, and there is no basis for this in sharee'ah.

And he (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan (Laylat al-Nusf min Sha'baan). All the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo' (fabricated) and da'eef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view. And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511.

See also question no. 8907.

Secondly:

Even if we assume that the hadeeth is da'eef (weak) and not mawdoo' (fabricated), the correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the da'eef reports. Nothing is known in Islam to suggest that this night or day is special, either from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from his companions.

The scholar Ahmad Shaakir said: There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from da'eef reports, rather no one hast he right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth.

Al-Baa'ith al-Hatheeth, 1/278.

For more information, see: al-Qawl al-Muneef fi Hukm al-`Aml bi'l-Hadeeth al-Da'eef.

See also the answer to question no. 44877.

And Allaah knows best.

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10070: Celebrating innovated festivals

Question:

What is the shar'i ruling on celebrating festivals such as the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), children's birthdays, Mother's Day, Tree Week and national holidays?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: `Eid (festival) is the name given to something which returns (ya'ood), and is used to describe gatherings which happen repeatedly, on a yearly, monthly or weekly basis, etc. So an `eid includes a number of things, such as a day which comes regularly, e.g., `Eid al-Fitr and Friday; gatherings on that day; and actions such as acts of worship and customs which are done on that day.

Secondly: any of these things which are intended as rituals or acts of worship aimed at drawing closer to Allaah or glorifying Him in order to earn reward, or which involve imitating the people of Jaahiliyyah or any other groups of kaafirs, is a prohibited bid'ah, an innovation which comes under the general meaning of the hadeeth: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

Examples of that include Mawlid al-Nabi (the Prophet's birthday), Mother's Day and national holidays, because in the first case there are innovated acts of worship which Allaah has not prescribed, and because it involves imitation of the Christians and other kaafirs. And in the second and third cases there is imitation of the kuffaar. But in cases where the intention is to organize work to serve the interests of the ummah and to put its affairs straight, or to organize programs of study, or to bring employees together for work purposes etc., which in and of themselves do not involve acts of worship and glorification, then these are a kind of benign innovation which do not come under the meaning of the hadeeth, "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not a part of it will have it rejected." So there is nothing wrong with such things, indeed they are allowed by sharee'ah.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 3/59 (www.islam-qa.com)

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47425: The best way to call those who do not pray and to deal with innovators

Question:

What is the best way to call those who do not pray? What about innovators?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The best way to call those who do not pray can be summed up as follows:

1 _ Reminding them of the obligation of prayer and that it is the greatest of the pillars of Islam after the Shahaadatayn (twin declaration of faith).

2 _ Telling them of the stern warnings that have been narrated concerning not praying, and the different opinions of the scholars as to whether this constitutes kufr (disbelief) and riddah (apostasy). Islam does not give the one who does not pray the opportunity to live freely among people, because in his case he must he invited to pray, and if he persists in not praying, he is to be executed as an apostate according to the view of Ahmad and those who agreed with him among the salaf (early generations of Islam); or he is to be executed as a hadd punishment, according to the view of Maalik and al-Shaafa'i; or he is to be detained and imprisoned, according to the view of Abu Haneefah. But no scholar says that he is to be left free. So it should be said to the one who does not pray: are you happy that the scholars disagreed as to whether you are a kaafir and whether you should be killed or imprisoned?

3 _ Reminding them of the meeting with Allaah, death and the grave, and what will happen to the one who does not pray, namely a bad end and the torment of the grave.

4 _ Explaining that delaying prayer until the time for it is over is a major sin:

"Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up AsSalaah (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaah (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell"

[Maryam 19:59 _ interpretation of the meaning].

Ibn Mas'ood said concerning al-Ghayy (translated here as "Hell"): it is a valley in Hell that is very deep and has a foul taste.

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"So woe unto those performers of Salaah (prayers) (hypocrites),

5. Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)"

[al-Ma'oon 107:4-5]

5 _ Explaining the serious implications of the view that they are kaafirs, such as their marriages being rendered invalid, it being forbidden for them to remain with and be intimate with their wives, and the fact that they will not be washed and prayed for after they die. Among the texts that indicate that the one who does not pray is a kaafir is the hadeeth in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer." Narrated by Muslim, 82. and he said: "The covenant that stands between us and them is prayer; whoever gives it up is a kaafir." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2621; al-Nasaa'i, 463; Ibn Maajah, 1079.

6 _ Giving them some booklets and tapes that deal with the subject of prayer and the punishment of the one who does not pray or is careless concerning the prayer.

7 _ Forsaking and shunning them if they persist in not praying.

With regard to innovators, the way in which we deal with them varies according to the type of innovation involved. We should advise them and call them to Allaah, and establish proof against them, and refute their specious arguments. If the innovator persists in his innovation he should be forsaken and shunned, if it is thought that this will most likely benefit him. We have first to be sure that a person is an innovator before resorting to these measures, and reference should be made to the scholars. We should differentiate between the innovation and the one who practices it, because he may have the excuse of ignorance or misunderstanding. For more details please see Haqeeqat al-Bid'ah wa Ahkaamuhu by Sa'eed ibn Naasir al-Ghaamidi.

And Allaah knows best.

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7051: Gathering to eat and celebrate on the last day of Sha'baan

Question:

Some families get together on the last night of Sha'baan and make food, and some of their elders recite poems for this occasion. What is the ruling on this getting together to eat?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

We put this question to Sahykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who replied as follows:

I think that this is closer to bid'ah (innovation), and it should be disallowed rather than permitted, because it is being taken as an "Eid" (regular celebration). If it happened only once, then it is OK.

Our response is: we do not allow it.

And Allaah knows best.

Sahykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen (www.islam-qa.com)

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8907: Laylat al-Nusf min Sha'baan (the middle of Sha'baan) should not be singled out for worship

Question:

I read in a book that fasting on the middle of Sha'baan is a kind of bid'ah, but in another book I read that one of the days on which it is mustahabb to fast is the middle of Sha'baan… what is the definitive ruling on this?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is no saheeh marfoo' report that speaks of the virtue of the middle of Sha'baan that may be followed, not even in the chapters on al-Fadaa'il (chapters on virtues in books of hadeeth etc.). Some maqtoo' reports (reports whose isnaads do not go back further than the Taabi'een) have been narrated from some of the Taabi'een, and there are some ahaadeeth, the best of which are mawdoo' (fabricated) or da'eef jiddan (very weak). These reports became very well known in some countries which were overwhelmed by ignorance; these reports suggest that people's lifespans are written on that day or that it is decided on that day who is to die in the coming year. On this basis, it is not prescribed to spend this night in prayer or to fast on this day, or to single it out for certain acts of worship. One should not be deceived by the large numbers of ignorant people who do these things. And Allaah knows best.

Shaykh Ibn Jibreen.

If a person wants to pray qiyaam on this night as he does on other nights _ without doing anything extra or singling this night out for anything _ then that is OK. The same applies if he fasts the day of the fifteenth of Sha'baan because it happens to be one of the ayyaam al-beed, along with the fourteenth and thirteenth of the month, or because it happens to be a Monday or Thursday. If the fifteenth (of Sha'baan) coincides with a Monday or Thursday, there is nothing wrong with that (fasting on that day), so long as he is not seeking extra reward that has not been proven (in the saheeh texts). And Allaah knows best.

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45622: Ruling on the imam saying to the congregation, "Pray Pray like a man bidding farewell"

Question:

What is the ruling on the imam saying, before the first takbeer of the prayer, "Focus your hearts on Allaah" and "Pray like a man bidding farewell"?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

It is Sunnah for the imam to straighten the rows himself, or to tell the congregation to straighten the rows. A variety of expressions are narrated in the Sunnah, all of them telling the worshippers to straighten the rows, and warning them against doing otherwise. Among the phrases that have been narrated are: "Straighten the rows and stand close together" and "Straighten your rows, for straightening the rows is part of establishing prayer" and "Straighten your rows for straightening the rows is part of perfecting the prayer" and "Straighten the rows in prayer for straightening the rows is part of doing the prayer well" and "Stand straight and do not make the rows uneven, lest that that create disharmony amongst you" and "Straighten the rows and stand shoulder to shoulder and fill the gaps" _ and other such phrases.

There is no need to say any of these or other phrases if the imam sees that the rows are straight.

Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

But if the imam turns round and sees that the rows are straight and solid (with no gaps), and the people are standing in straight rows, then it seems that he should not tell them to straighten the rows, because that has been done _ unless he intends thereby to tell them to keep it like that _ because these words have a meaning, they are not just words that are to be said for no purpose.

As'ilat al-baab il-Maftooh, no. 62.

We do not know of any phrase in the Sunnah with which the imam may encourage the worshippers to focus more in their prayer and focus their hearts on Allaah and the prayer, as if it were their last prayer and so on. If the imam always says that then there is the fear that it may come under the heading of bid'ah (innovation). There is nothing wrong with saying such things as a reminder but that should be done sometimes, not all the time and in every prayer.

We know of no basis for saying "Focus your hearts on Allaah". With regard to the phrase "Pray like a man bidding farewell," there is a saheeh report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said this, but that was by way of general advice, not what the imam should say before saying the first takbeer of the prayer.

It was narrated that Abu Ayyoob said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When you stand to pray, pray like a man bidding farewell. Do not say anything for which you will have to apologize. And give up hope for what other people have."

Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 4171. Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah , 401.

And it was narrated that Ibn `Umar said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Pray like a man bidding farewell as if you can see Him, for although you cannot see Him, He sees you, and do not be concerned about what other people possess, then you will live a rich life. Beware of any action that requires an apology."

Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Kitaab al-Zuhd (The Book of Asceticism), 2/210.

It is saheeh because of the existence of corroborating reports, as Shaykh al-Albaani said in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1914.

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1305: Giving certain days meaning is not permitted

Question:

What is the importance of 13th, 21st, 22nd, and27th of the Islamic month of Rajab.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing special about these particular days at all. All the days of Rajab are special, with no exception, because Rajab is one of the Sacred Months, like Dhoo'l- Qi'dah, Dhoo'l-Hijjah and Muharram.

The thirteenth day of each month - not just Rajab - is one of the three Ayyaam al-Beed (white days) on which it is encouraged to fast. These days are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each hijri month.

Many of those who follow bid'ah (innovations) think that there is something special about certain days and do special acts of worship on those days, with no sound Islaamic basis or evidence (daleel). Their deeds are not acceptable, because they have innovated something in the religion of Allaah without the permission of Allaah.

We ask Allaah to help us follow the Sunnah and avoid bid'ah. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad .

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

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46665: He wants to give his wife a gift on the anniversary of their marriage each year

Question:

Is it permissible for me to give a gift to my wife on the anniversary of our wedding each year?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

If the husband wants to give his wife a gift, he should give it at any time or on any appropriate occasion or when there is a reason for doing so. He should not wait for the anniversary of their wedding to give her a gift, because that implies that he is taking this day as an "Eid" (an occasion that is celebrated regularly), and there are no annual Eids for the Muslims except Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. These occasions _ wedding anniversaries _ came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions, and the salaf (early generations) of this ummah and its imams, but there is no report that they used to give gifts to their wives on these days. And all goodness is to be found in following them.

Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: is it permissible for the husband to give a gift to his wife on their wedding anniversary each year, as a renewal of the love between them, noting that this anniversary will be marked only by the giving of this gift and that the couple are not going to celebrate this occasion?

He said:

What I think is that this should not be done, because this year it may be just a gift, but next year it may become a celebration. Moreover, marking this occasion with a gift is regarded as making it an `Eid', because the Eid is that which is repeated. Love does not need to be renewed every year, rather it should be renewed all the time, every time the woman sees something of her husband that makes her happy, and every time the man sees something of his wife that makes him happy, then the love between them will be renewed.

Fataawa al-`Ulama' fi `Ushrat al-Nisa', p. 162.

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34842: Ruling on erecting a monument to the Unknown Soldier

Question:

What is the ruling on what is known nowadays as the monument to the Unknown Soldier?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Erecting monuments to famous prominent people who played a role in building the nation in the fields of knowledge, economy and politics, and erecting a monument to what is known as the "Unknown Soldier" are all actions of jaahiliyyah and a kind of exaggeration, because we see them holding remembrance ceremonies around these monuments on special occasions and putting flowers on them to honour them. This is akin to the idolatry of ancient times, and is a means that leads to major shirk _ we seek refuge with Allaah.

It is essential to put an end to these customs so as to preserve the belief of Tawheed (belief in the Oneness of Allaah) and to prevent extravagance for no benefit and so as to avoid imitating or resembling the kuffaar in their customs and traditions in which there is nothing good, and which rather lead to serious evil.

From Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 1/479. (www.islam-qa.com)

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34511: Ruling on burying the deceased in a coffin

Question:

A man died and left instructions that he be buried in a coffin. What is the ruling on that?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is no dispute among the scholars that it is makrooh to bury the deceased in a coffin if there is no need for that. If there is a need for that, such as if the ground is wet or there is the fear that he may be dug up by wild animals, then some of the fuqaha' say that it is permissible to bury the deceased in a coffin in that case.

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah (2/312):

Putting the deceased in a coffin was unknown at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the time of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), and the best for the Muslims is to follow their way. Hence it is makrooh to put the deceased in a coffin, whether the ground is hard, soft or wet. If the deceased left instructions that he be placed in a coffin, those instructions should not be carried out. The Shaafa'is said that it is permissible if the ground is soft or wet, but according to them such instructions should not be carried out except in such cases."

Ibn Qudaamah said:

It is not recommended to bury the deceased in a coffin, because there is no report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or his companions did that, and it also involves imitating the people of this world. And the earth absorbs his remains better.

It says in al-Insaaf:

It is makrooh to bury the deceased in a coffin, even if the deceased is a woman. This was stated by Imam Ahmad.

Al-Sharbeeni, the Shaafa'i khateeb, said in his book Mughni al-Muhtaaj:

It is makrooh to bury the deceased in a coffin according to scholarly consensus, because it is bid'ah (an innovation), unless the ground is wet or soft, in which case it is not makrooh because that serves a purpose. The deceased's instructions should not be carried out except in this case. Similarly if the deceased has been burned by fire and cannot be carried except in a coffin.

In al-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah it says:

It is makrooh to bury the deceased in a coffin according to scholarly consensus because it is bid'ah, and his instructions to that effect should not be carried out. But it is not makrooh if that serves a purpose, such as if the deceased is burned and it is necessary to bury him in a coffin.

And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

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27237: Is there such a thing as Du'aa' Kanz il-`Arsh?

Question:

I have come across a supplication called "kanjil arushu" in some books which is recited as follows:
Lailaha illallahu subahanal malikil kuddose , Lailaha illallahu subahanal azizul jabbaru , Lailaha illallahu subahanal raufi rahim.....etc

I want to know if this is a known supplication and what are the virtues of reciting it.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This du'aa' is not known in the books of Sunnah. It seems most likely that it has been fabricated by some of the Sufis in what they call al-awraad, which is a collection of du'aa's and words that are compiled for the mureeds (followers of a Sufi shaykh) to recite at certain times in a certain manner and for a certain number of times. Undoubtedly it is not permissible to follow them in the awraad that they fabricate. "Du'aa' is an act of worship," as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, and the basic principle concerning acts of worship is tawqeef i.e., stopping at what has been narrated in sharee'ah (and not inventing anything new).

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Undoubtedly dhikr and du'aa's are among the best kinds of worship. Acts of worship are based on tawqeef and following, not on whims and desires and innovation. The du'aa's and dhikrs narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) are the best that anyone can find of dhikr and du'aa', and the one who limits himself to them will be safe and sound. The beneficial results that they bring cannot be put into words or fully comprehended by man. Any other dhikrs may be haraam or they may be makrooh. They may involve shirk which most people may not realize and which would take too long to explain in detail.

No one has the right to prescribe for people any kind of dhikr or du'aa' that is not narrated in the Sunnah and make it an act of worship that people should perform regularly as they perform the five daily prayers regularly. Rather this is a kind of innovation in religion for which Allaah has not given permission… As for adopting a wird that is not prescribed in sharee'ah and dhikr that is not prescribed in sharee'ah, this is something that is forbidden. Moreover the du'aa's and adhkaar that are prescribed in sharee'ah are are the best and lead to achieving all aims and goals; no one turns away from them and adopts innovated and invented adhkaar except one who is ignorant, negligent or a wrong doer.

Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 22/510- 511

See also the answer to question no. 6745 which contains more information.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

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31833: Lies about a dream falsely attributed to the Watchman of the Prophet's tomb

Question:

I recieved this email and was wondering how much truth is behind it. I would be grateful if you could clarify this matter. Shukran. May Allah bless you. This is a letter from Saudi Arabia and addressed to all the muslims. These are the words of Sheikh AHMED, the WATCHMAN of the Prophet MOHAMMED's MOSQUE(PBUH). On Friday night after reciting the HOLY QURAN, SHEIK AHMED slept and saw the HOLY Prophet(PBUH) in his dream.

The Prophet (PBUH) said to him " Sheik Ahmed, this Friday about six thousand (6,000) people Died but none of them went to heaven.

The women do not follow what their husbands tell them anymore.

The believers who have money do not help the poor. people do not perform their pilgrimage as it has been prescribed. The Muslims do not say their prayers regularly, let alone how it is supposed to be. Sheik Ahmed, tell the Muslims that this letter comes from you. They are to produce more copies of this letter and give to other Muslims so that it can be spread and get to all the Muslims in this world.

Anyone who produces this and spreads it to other Muslims will see it indeed (Will see the REWARD). The Prophet (PBUH) will count a person to Paradise along with his children. The Muslims who receives this letter and refuses to disperse it among other Muslims will not see benediction (INSHALLAH).

Those who are indebted must write. Allah in his ! infinite mercies will send help to pay his debt."

I, Sheik AHMED, if what I said is a lie, may be Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) not send his divine benediction to me. Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, you must follow the religion the way Prophet (PBUH) honored it, like the divine revelation it is. Ask for forgiveness, fast every Monday.

Produce 20 copies of this letter and spread it to all Muslims Anyone who does the until all Muslims get a copy, will INSHALLAH, see the opening of the Prophet (PBUH) success will follow. He will see the things he had never seen before. This is not a letter to be kept. It must be dispersed in quantities.

A man called Klavern, got this letter and gave it to his secretary to produce 20 copies and dispersed them. After some days, he saw more doors of opportunities opening up for him.

Another person named Abdul-Salam got it and forgot it in the drawer of his office and after a certain time he lost his job. He later remembered the letter and went and produced 20 copies which were distributed and within (5) days he got employed and is in a higher position than what he had before.

Another man called Balemanthan received it and he thought it was something useless and treated it without respect or courtesy.

He tore the letter and within none (9) days he died.
I am appealing to anyone who comes across this letter to kindly circulate it in large volume.

HANKS.. MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU.".

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Shaykh `Abd al-`Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

We have heard of this false letter many times for many years; it spreads among the people from time to time and has become widespread among the common folk. Its wording varies, but the writer says that he has seen the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in a dream and he gave him this message to pass on… This fabricator makes many claims in his letter that are obvious lies and blatantly false. I have drawn attention to it in the past, and have explained to people that it is obviously false. When I looked at this latest version I hesitated to write about it, because it is obviously false and because the fabricator has the great audacity to tell such lies. I did not think that its falseness would trick anyone who has the least insight or common sense.

But many brothers have told me that this letter has deceived many people, and they have circulated it amongst themselves, and some of them have believed it. Because of that I thought that people like me should write about it, so as explain that it is false and that it is a fabrication against the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so that no one will be deceived by it. Anyone with knowledge and faith, or a sound nature and common sense who studies this letter will realize that it is a lie and a fabrication in many ways.

I asked one of the relatives of Shaykh Ahmad to whom this lie is attributed about this letter, and he told me that it is falsely attributed to Shaykh Ahmad, and he never said this at all. The Shaykh Ahmad mentioned here died a while ago. Even if we assume that this Shaykh Ahmad or someone greater than him claimed to have seen the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in a dream or whilst awake, and he gave him this advice, we would know for certain that he was lying, or that the one who said that to him was the Shaytaan, and not the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), for many reasons, including the following:

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not say anything but that which is the truth, either during his life or after his death. This letter clearly goes against his sharee'ah in many ways _ as we shall see below. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) may be seen in a dream, and the one who sees him in his true form has indeed seen him, because the Shaytaan cannot appear in his form, as it says in the saheeh hadeeth. But it all depends on the faith, sincerity, good character, accuracy, religious commitment and trustworthiness of the one who claims to have seen him, and whether he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his true form or in some other form. If there is a hadeeth that was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) who supposedly said it during his lifetime, but it is not transmitted by trustworthy men of good character, it cannot be accepted or used as evidence; or it is transmitted by trustworthy and accurate narrators, but it goes against a report narrated by stronger narrators and cannot possibly be reconciled with that more accurate and more trustworthy report, then one of them is abrogated and cannot be followed, and the second one abrogates it and is to be followed wherever possible and when its conditions are met. If that is not possible and they cannot be reconciled, then the report which is less reliable should be rejected. The ruling in this case is that it is odd (shaadhdh) and should not be followed. So how about a letter whose author, who supposedly narrated it from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), is unknown and it is not known whether he is trustworthy or not? In this case it should be rejected and no attention should be paid to it, even if it contains nothing that goes against sharee'ah, so how about if the letter contains many things that indicate that it is false and that it is falsely attributed to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and it includes rulings [?] that Allaah has not permitted? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever attributes words to me that I did not say, let him take his place in Hell." End quote.

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan wrote an article about this letter, warning against it, which was published in al-Da'wah magazine, issue no. 1082, in which he said:

This fabricated letter is old. It appeared in Egypt more than eighty years ago, and the scholars refuted it and ruled it to be false, and they pointed out the lies and falsehoods it contains. One of the scholars was Shaykh Muhammad Rasheed Rida, who said in his refutation of this letter:

We answered this question in 1322 AH, and we remember that we have seen something like this letter many times from when we were learning how to read and write until now. All of them are attributed to a man called Shaykh Ahmad, the Watchman of the Prophet's Tomb. The letter is definitely false, and no one who has had the faintest whiff of knowledge and religion would dispute that. Rather it is only the simple-minded among the illiterate masses who believe it.

Then he refuted it at length, refuting each fabrication contained in the letter. Moreover this letter has been warmly accepted by some of the ignorant, and they started to print it and distribute it, because they were influenced by the promises and warnings contained therein, because this immoral person who composed it said that whoever makes x number of copies and distributes it will get what he wants, and if he is a sinner Allaah will forgive him, and if he is employed he will be promoted, and if he is in debt his debt will be paid off, and whoever disbelieves it will be humiliated and such and such bad consequences will come to him. When some of the ignorant read this, they are affected by it and they go ahead and distribute it out of fear and greed.

The scholars have stated that this letter is false and they have warned people against distributing it and believing in it. These scholars include Shaykh `Abd al-`Azeez ibn Baaz, who refuted it in an excellent article and pointed out the lies and deception that it contains. This letter is false for a number of reasons:

Firstly:

the rulings of Islam, the promises and warnings, and information about what the future holds are all matters that can only be proven through revelation from Allaah to His Messenger. Revelation came to an end when the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, after Allaah had perfected the religion through him. We have inherited the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah which are sufficient to guide us. As for dreams and visions, they do not prove anything, because most of them are the fabrications of the devils, aimed at leading people astray from their religion. The fabricators of this letter promise those who believe in it that they will enter Paradise and that their needs will be met and they will be relieved of distress, and they warn those who disbelieve in it that they will go to Hell and be humiliated. This is prescribing a new religion and telling lies against Allaah _ we seek refuge with Allaah from that.

Secondly:

The fabricator of this letter makes it greater than the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], because one who copies the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and sends it from one country to another will not get the reward which this liar says the one who distributes this letter will get; and the one who does not copy the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and send it from one country to another will not be denied the intercession of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) if he is a believer _ so how can the believer be denied intercession if he does not copy this letter and send it from one country to another as this fabricator says?

Thirdly:

This letter makes a claim to have knowledge of the unseen, as it says in it: "this Friday about six thousand (6,000) people Died but none of them went to heaven". This is a claim to have knowledge of the unseen which no one knows except Allaah, for He is the One Who knows how many people die in Islam and how many die in kufr. Whoever claims to have knowledge of the unseen is a kaafir who disbelieves in Allaah.

Fourthly:

Reward and punishment in this world and in the Hereafter can only be proven by a text from the Book of Allaah or the Sunnah of His Messenger. This fabricator says that those who believe in this letter will be rewarded and those who disbelieve in it and do not distribute it will be punished. Allaah has proven it to be a lie _ praise be to Allaah _ because many Muslims have disbelieved in it and believed it to be a forgery, and nothing but good has happened to them, whilst those who believed in it and distributed it have been met with nothing but disappointment and loss.

Moreover this fabricator wants to make the masses and the ignorant believe in this letter, so he swears an oath by Allaah repeatedly, that he is sincere and that his letter is true, and that if he is lying, may he exit this world following a religion other than Islam. He wants to make a show of loving Islam and hating sin and evil, so that people will think well of him and believe him.

This is part of his evil scheming, and indeed of his stupidity and ignorance. Swearing and making repeated oaths does not indicate that everyone who does so is sincere. Many liars swear oaths in order to deceive the people. Iblees swore to our parents [Adam and Hawwa _ peace be upon them],

"Verily, I am one of the sincere well-wishers for you both"

[ al-A'raaf 7:21 _ interpretation of the meaning].

And Allaah said to His Prophet (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (O Muhammad) obey you not everyone Hallaaf Maheen (the one who swears much and is a liar or is worthless)"

[al-Qalam 68:10].

Allaah tells us that the hypocrites swear when telling lies, and they do that knowingly, as He says of them (interpretation of the meaning):

"they will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good. Allaah bears witness that they are certainly liars"

[al-Tawbah 9:107]

Does this ignorant fool think that if he fabricates lies against Allaah and His Messenger in this letter and swears at the end of it, that the Muslims will believe him and accept his words? No way! As for his making a show of feeling proud of Islam and being pained by evil deeds, this is a kind of statement which is aimed at making people think well of him and accept what he says, but he does not realize that the accursed Pharaoh made a show of being sincere and kind to his people when he said, preventing them from following Moosa (peace be upon him),

"I fear that he may change your religion, or that he may cause mischief to appear in the land"

[Ghaafir 40:26 _ interpretation of the meaning]

Not everyone who appears to be offering advice and to be proud of Islam is sincere. The warnings against evil and sin that are narrated in the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah, and their descriptions of the resulting punishments are sufficient for those who have faith.

Perhaps someone may ask, what is the goal of the author of this letter? What is the motive that made him fabricate it and distribute it?

The answer is that his goal is to mislead people away from the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet, and towards myths and false stories. If they believe him in this and it becomes widely accepted among them, then he will invent more and more for them, so that they will be distracted by that from the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah, then it will be easy to introduce more false ideas to them and change their beliefs. For so long as the Muslims adhere to the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet, those who seek to misguide them will never be able to divert them away from their religion, but if they forsake the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah, and believe in myths and stories and devilish dreams, it will be easy for any misleader and heretic to lead them astray. There may be secret kaafir organizations behind this, who are working to distribute these fabrications in order to lead the Muslims astray from their religion. This is indicated by the fact that this myth has been around for a century, and it is unlikely that its inventor is still alive. So if there were not someone working to distribute it after his death, it would not have appeared. So beware, O Muslims, of believing in these fabrications. Do not distribute them amongst yourselves, and ask the scholars about anything that you do not understand.

The enemies of Allaah and His Messenger among the kaafirs, hypocrites and devils of the jinn and mankind are always trying to lead people astray from the true religion and make them follow false religions; to lead them astray from the path that leads to Paradise and make them follow the path that leads to Hell, from following the Messengers to following the devils and those who lead people astray. So they used to distort the laws of the Prophets and alter the Books that were revealed to the Messengers, as they did with the Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel). When Allaah sent the Seal of the Prophets _ Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) _ and revealed to him the Holy Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and the straight path, He guaranteed to preserve the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and protect it from being changed and altered. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)"

[al-Hijr 15:9]

"Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it, (it is) sent down by the AllWise, Worthy of all praise"

[Fussilat 41:42]

And He protected the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from the lies of the liars by means of the keen efforts of the trustworthy scholars who preserved it and transmitted it, and eliminated the fabrications of the liars who tried to interfere with it. So they set out guidelines and principles by means of which the saheeh (sound) hadeeths could be distinguished from false hadeeths, and they compiled the saheeh hadeeths and protected them, and they listed the false hadeeths and fought them and warned people against them. Because the enemies of Allaah and His Messenger were unable to introduce false ideas into the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, they resorted to attempting to divert the people away from the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah and distract them with false stories and alleged dreams, filled with false promises and warnings which may tempt and deceive those who are weak in faith and ignorant, and lead many of them into shirk and heresy and innovation in the name of religion, worship and asceticism, following these myths.

The way of these deviants is not based on the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah, rather it is based on false stories and so-called dreams. So they go astray from true guidance and forsake the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and pay heed to the whispers of the Shaytaan. This is the recompense of the one who turns away from the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And whosoever turns away blindly from the remembrance of the Most Gracious (Allaah) (i.e. this Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and worship of Allaah), We appoint for him Shaytaan (Satan devil) to be a Qareen (a companion) to him.

And verily, they (Satans / devils) hinder them from the path (of Allaah), but they think that they are guided aright!"

[al-Zukhruf 43:36]

So fear Allaah, O slaves of Allaah, and adhere to the Book of your Lord and the Sunnah of your Prophet, and beware of false ideas propagated by the enemies of Islam.

May Allaah help us all to adhere to the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon His family and companions. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

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20885: Praying behind followers of bid'ah, whether that bid'ah amounts to kufr or not

Question:

Can we say our prayers behind an imam who does bidah and have concepts consisting of shirk?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Bid'ah (innovation) may amount to kufr, as in the case of the Jahamis, Raafidis and those who believe in hulool (incarnation) and ittihad (unity of the Creator and creation), in which case their prayer is not valid and it is not permissible for anyone to pray behind them;

Or the bid'ah may not amount to kufr, such as speaking the intention (niyyah) out loud, and gathering to recite dhikr together as the Sufis do. The prayer of these people is valid, as are prayers offered behind them. But the Muslim has to advise them to give up this bid'ah. If they pay heed, then this is what is wanted, otherwise the person has done what he was obliged to do. In this case it is better to look for another imam who is keen to follow the Sunnah.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him0 said:

The kind of bid'ah for which a person is regarded as being one of those who follow their whims and desires is that which is well known among the scholars of the Sunnah for going against the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah, such as the bid'ah of the Khaarijis, the Raafidis, the Qadaris and the Murji'is. `Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak, Yoosuf ibn Asbaat and others said: The roots of the seventy-two sects are four: the Khaarijis, the Raafidis, the Qadaris and the Murji'is. It was said to Ibn al-Mubaarak, And the Jahamis? He said, The Jahamis are not part of the ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

The Jahamis deny the divine attributes and say that the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] was created, that Allaah will not be seen in the Hereafter, that Muhammad was not taken up to Allaah [on the night of the Mi'raaj], and that Allaah has no knowledge, power or life, and so on, as the Mu'tazilis, philosophers and their followers said. `Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Mahdi said: There are only two groups to beware of: the Jahamis and the Raafidis.

These two groups are the worst of the followers of innovation, and from them stemmed the esoteric Qaraamiti groups such as the Nusayris and Ismaa'ilis. Similar to them are those who believe in the unity of the Creator and the creation, because their ideas are akin to Pharaonic ideas.

The Raafidis of the current age, as well as being Raafidis are also Jahamis and Qadaris, because in addition to their rafd [which has to do with their beliefs concerning the imams] they also follow the Mu'tazili school of thought, and some of them even follow the school of thought of the Ismaa'ilis and other similar heretics and those who believe in the unity of the Creator and the creation. And Allaah and His Messenger know best.

Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 35/414-415.

The Scholars of the Standing Committee said:

With regard to praying behind an innovator, if his bid'ah amounts to shirk, such as calling upon someone other than Allaah, making vows to someone other than Allaah, or believing that their shaykhs possess attributes that belong to Allaah alone _ such as perfect knowledge, knowledge of the unseen or the power to influence events _ then prayers offered behind them are not valid. If their bid'ah does not amount to shirk, such as reciting dhikrs that were narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but doing that in unison and swaying from side to side, then prayers offered behind them are valid, but the Muslim should look for an imam to pray behind who is not a follower of innovation, because that will increase his reward and is farther removed from evil.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 7/353

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

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21642: The ruling on wearing one's adornment on the Day of Aashooraa

Question:

I am a student in the girls college and there is a huge number of shiah living among us. Currently they are wearing black for the occasion of Aashooraa . Is it permissible for us in response to wear bright colours and extra adornment for the sole purpose of annoying them?! Is it permissible for us to backbite about them and pray against them, knowing that they have clearly expressed hatred for us? And I have seen one of them wearing amulets on which are written mysterious words and she had a stick in her hand with which she was pointing to one of the students, and I was harmed by that and am still being harmed. May Allaah reward you with good.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible for you to wear fancy clothes or anything else on Aashooraa because that may make ignorant people or those with ulterior motives think that the Sunnis are happy about the killing of al-Husayn ibn Ali (may Allaah be pleased with them both), Allaah forbid that that happened with the approval of the Sunnis.

With regard to your interactions with them by backbiting about them and praying against them, and other kinds of actions which are indicative of hatred, this serves no purpose. What we have to do is to strive to call them (to Islam) and to influence them and reform them. If a person is unable to do that, then he or she should turn away from them and leave the dawah activities for those who are able to do them, and not do anything that may put obstacles in the path of dawah.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Because of the killing of al-Husayn, the Shaytaan started to spread two kinds of bidah (innovation) amongst the people: the bidah of grieving and wailing on the Day of Aashooraa, striking the cheeks, screaming, weeping and reciting eulogies ; and the bidah of expressing happiness and joy. So some express grief and others express joy, so they started to like the idea of wearing kohl, taking a bath, spending on their families and preparing special kinds of food on the day of Aashooraa and every bidah is a going astray; none of the four imams of the Muslims or others approved of either of these things (either expressing grief or expressing joy)

(Minhaaj al-Sunnah, 4/554-556).

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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22722: Ruling on gathering to make du'aa' and recite Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]

Question:

In the Muslim community on our campus, there arose a controversy on issue of coming together on a set date to make dua'h (supplications), therein the whole Quran is recited(leaflets of the Quran are distributed and read simultaneously) and supplications made, for such reasons as; success in examination and beginning of semester exam.

We want to ask if such prayers is established in the Shareeah of Islam. It will be appreciated if your responce is backed by Quran, Sunnah and Ijmaa of the salaf.
Your Fatwa, backed with the requested evidences, will Insha Allah bring to rest the controversy.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

The ruling on gathering to recite Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], whereby each of the people present takes a juz' (part) of the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] at the same time, so that each of them can complete the juz' that he has.

The answer to this is what was stated in a fatwa of the Standing Committee (2/480), which was as follows:

Firstly: gathering to recite and study the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], whereby one of them recites and the others listen, and they study it together and explain the meanings, is something that is prescribed in Islam and is an act of worship that Allaah loves and for which He rewards greatly. It was narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh and by Abu Dawood from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "No people gather in one of the houses of Allaah, reciting the Book of Allaah and studying it together, but tranquillity descends upon them and mercy encompasses them, and the angels surround them, and Allaah mentions them to those who are with Him."

It is also prescribed to recite du'aa' upon completing the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], but not every single time, and there is no specific form of du'aa' which is to be followed as if it were a Sunnah, because none of that has been proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him); rather this is something that some of the Sahaabah did (may Allaah be pleased with them).

Similarly there is nothing wrong with inviting those who attended the recitation to a meal, so long as that is not taken as a habit after every reading.

Secondly:

Giving ajza' (parts) of the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] to those who attend the gathering so that each of them may read a part of the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] by himself is not regarded as meaning that each of them has completed the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran].

Their intention of reading Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] for the purpose of seeking blessing is not enough, because the purpose of reading Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] is to draw closer to Allaah and to memorize Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], ponder its meanings, understand its rulings, learn lessons from it, earn reward and make one's tongue get used to reciting it, etc. And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions."

Secondly:

There is no evidence to support the belief that this action (gathering to read Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] in the manner mentioned) will have the effect of bringing a response to du'aa', therefore it is not prescribed. There are many well-known means of seeking an answer to du'aa's. just as there are many well-known impediments to receiving a response. The person who is making du'aa' should pursue the means of receiving a response and avoid the impediments, and he should think well of his Lord, because Allaah is as His slave thinks He is.

See also question no. 5113.

Note: Evidence is required of the one who claims that something is prescribed in Islam, otherwise the basic principle with regard to acts of worship is that they are not allowed unless there is proven evidence that they are prescribed. Based on this, the evidence that this belief is not prescribed is the fact that there is no evidence to suggest that it is permitted.

And Allaah knows best.

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11938: Question about a strange Sufi way of worship

Question:

Brother my question is fairly long and I hope inshallah you will be able to answer it to the best of your knowledge using hadith and Quranic proof to backup what you are saying and please use as much proof as you possible can.
See the problem that I am facing is regarding the way in which my parents perform Ibadah and this way that they perform it they would like me to do the same but I personally did not feel that it went in accordance with the sunnah. My parents have a sufistic Qadriyanni belief in which they belief the Prophet Mohammed S.A.W was a Noor and a human. A Sufi Alim who is a Mufti gave my dad a type of Ibadah style book written in Urdu and Dua's in Arabic he told him to do this Ibadah in particular every single day and with Your children who are able to recite Quran and your wife loudly together.

The form of Ibadah goes as following before starting he told us to recite the words

"Allahumma Salliallah Muhamadin Wa'lihi Wa Itratihi beadadikuli malumilaka he refers to it as Darud Qadri
then he told us to recite these words 100 times "Subhanallahi wabihamdihi Subhanallahhilazeem Astagfirullahalazimalazi La Illaha Illa huwalhayalqayoom wa atoobu alayhi"

then he told us to recite 7 times surah fatiha

Then he told us to recite 100 times "Allahumma Salliallah Muhamadin Wa'lihi Wa Itratihi beadadikuli malumilaka he refers to it as Darud Qadri

Then he told us to recite 79 times Surah allamnashra
then recite surah Ikhlas 100 times

Then recite 100 times these words "allahuma ya qadiyal hajate

Then recite 100 times these words "allahuma ya dafi al balayati"

then recite 100 times "allahuma ya ah lal mushkalati

Then recite 100 times "allahuma ya kafiyal muhimati

Then recite 100 times "Allahuma ya mujeebadawati

Then recite 100 times "allahuma ya shafi mar da'"

Then recite 100 times "Allahuma ya khayranaseereena"

Then recite 100 times "Bihrahmatikaya ya arhamarahimeen

Then recite 100 times "Allahuma ameen"

The 2nd part to this Ibadah is the same thing accept some things changed around such as starting off with the words "hazbunallahu" 500 times and following it through the same way acept without Surah Allahmnashra or Ikhlas.
Now I know some of these words are in the Quran and the surahs are for sure but I would like to know the meanings for everything english translation i'm sorry i cannot find it in arabic but try to soundout the meaning please. I would like to know if this form of Ibadah is in accordance with the Sunnah. If the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) ever recited it. My parents want me to do the Ibadah with them and they get very angry even if i question it the slightest bit because they say what do you know your so young. The alim who came has been studying for more then 60 years who are you to question them. So brother please answer my question in as much depth as possible and as much proof you can possibly have if this Dua is sunnah or just an innovation. As well i forgot to mention there is this other thing my parents want me to do after i do this supplication which is that i recite Surah 105 in the Quran and when it gets to a part where you say tarmihim to say tarmeem and take these rocks one by one bouncing them off of a metal bowl turned upside down covered with a red sheet to represent blood. My parents tell me this is to ask allah to strike down on the enemies of ours killing them off or something close to that. I would like to know of this is the sunnah of the Prophet MOhammed (S.A.W) or if its an innovation please provide lots of proof and be as clear as possible so my parents will understand. I know I am asking for a lot but I would really appreciate if you could answer me as soon as possible.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The purpose for which we were created is to worship Allaah alone with no partner or associate, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)"

[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]

Allaah has not left us each to choose his own way of worship, rather He has sent His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and revealed His holy Book, to show people the way and guide them. So there is nothing that is worship and goodness and guidance that Allaah loves, but it has been explained by the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

No two Muslims dispute that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the best and most pious of mankind, the one who worshipped Allaah and turned to Him the most. Hence the one who is truly guided is the one who follows his path and walks in his footsteps.

Adhering to the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is not something that is optional, rather it is an obligation that Allaah has enjoined upon His slaves, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allaah; verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment"

[al-Hashr 59:7]

"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error"

[al-Ahzaab 33:36]

"Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day"

[al-Ahzaab 33:21]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stated that every innovated kind of worship would be rejected and thrown back at the one who does it, no matter what it is. He said: "Every action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] will be rejected." Narrated by Muslim, 1718, from the hadeeth of `Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her).

No deed will be accepted unless it is done sincerely for the sake of Allaah and in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This is what is meant by the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

"that He may test you which of you is best in deed"

[al-Mulk 67:2]

Al-Fudayl ibn `Iyyaad said: (This means) that which is most sincere and most correct. They said, O Abu `Ali, what most sincere and most correct? He said: If a deed is not sincere and not correct, it will not be accepted. If it is correct but is not sincere, it will not be accepted unless it is both sincere and correct. Sincere means that it is done for the sake of Allaah and correct means that it is in accordance with the Sunnah.

Whoever wants to attain the pleasure of Allaah, he has to adhere to the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). All paths to Allaah are blocked, except this path, the path of His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was compassionate towards his ummah and cared deeply for them, he did not leave anything good without explaining it to them. So whoever today invents an act of worship, dhikr or wird and claims that it is good, is accusing the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) _ whether he realizes it or not _ of not conveying the religion as Allaah commanded him to do. Hence Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Whoever introduces any innovation into Islam claiming that it is good is implying that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) betrayed the message entrusted to him, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion"

[al-Maa'idah 5:3]

So whatever was not part of the religion of Islam at that point should never be part of the religion of Islam today.

The Sahaabah, Taabi'een and imams issued many warnings against innovation.

Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan said: Every act of worship which the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do, do not do it.

Ibn Mas'ood said: Follow and do not innovate, for the religion is complete. Adhere to the old way (i.e., the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the Sahaabah)

The question which should be put to the one who invented this dhikr is:

Did the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) do this? Did the Sahaabah do this?

The obvious answer is that reciting these soorahs these number of times _ 100 times or 7 or 79 _ is something that was not narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or from any of his companions. The same is true of the du'aa's recited in this manner for the number of times mentioned.

It should be said to this innovator: do you think that you have discovered something good that was not known to the Prophet or his companions?

Or do you think that you or your shaykh have the right to introduce new laws and to define news dhikrs and when they should be said and how often they should be repeated, just as the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had that right?

Undoubtedly both of these are manifest misguidance.

Let us think about the report narrated from `Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood by al-Daarimi in his Sunan, according to which Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari said to `Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood: "O Abu `Abd al-Rahmaan, I have just seen in the mosque something new that I was not sure about, but I think I have not seen anything but something good, praise be to Allaah." He said, "What was it?"

He said, "You will see it tomorrow." He said, "I saw some people in the mosque sitting in circles waiting for the prayer. In every circle there was a man and in their hands were pebbles. He would say, `Say Allaahu akbar one hundred times,' so they would say Allaahu akbar (takbeer) one hundred times. Then he would say, `Say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (tahleel) one hundred times, so they would say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah one hundred times. Then he would say, `Say Subhaan Allaah (tasbeeh) one hundred times,' and they would say Subhaan Allaah one hundred times."

He said, "What did you say to them?"

He said, "I did not say anything to them. I was waiting for your opinion."

He said, "Why did you not tell them to count their bad deeds and promise them that none of their good deeds would be lost?' Then he went away and we went with him, until he came to one of those circles. He stood over them and said, "What is this that I see you doing?"

They said, "O Abu `Abd al-Rahmaan, these are pebbles with which we count the takbeer, tahleel and tasbeeh."

He said, "Count your bad deeds, for I promise you that nothing of your good deeds will be lost. Woe to you, O ummah of Muhammad, how soon you have drifted into the way of doom even though the companions of your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) are still alive amongst you, and his garments and the vessels he used are still not worn out or broken. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, either you are following a way that is more guided than the way of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or you are starting a way that is the way of misguidance."

They said, "By Allaah, O Abu `Abd al-Rahmaan, we did not intend anything but good."

He said, "How many of those who intend good never attain it."

Not everyone who seeks or intends good attains it and is guided to it. Not every act of worship is accepted, unless it is in accordance with the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

This denunciation by Ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) puts an end to the argument presented by innovators, because they always say, "What reason can there be not to recite dhikr, prayers and Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]? We only intend good and to draw closer to Allaah."

It should be said to them: Worship must be something that is prescribed in sharee'ah in essence and in its form and the manner in which it is done. If a specific number is prescribed in sharee'ah then no one has the right to go beyond that, and if no number or way is specified then no one has the right to invent a limit for it, because that implies that one is assuming the role of a lawgiver.

This is further supported by the report narrated from Sa'eed ibn al-Musayyib (may Allaah have mercy on him). He saw a man praying more than two rak'ahs after dawn had come (i.e., Fajr), and he told him not to do that. The man said, "O Abu Muhammad, will Allaah punish me for praying?!"

He said, "No, but He will punish you for going against the Sunnah."

Look at the understanding of this great Taabi'i, may Allaah have mercy on him. That is because the regular Sunnah is to pray only two rak'ahs after the dawn has come, not more than that, then to pray the obligatory prayer of Fajr.

A similar report was narrated from Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him). A man came to him and said: "O Abu `Abd-Allaah, from where should I enter ihraam?"

He said, "From Dhu'l-Hulayfah, from where the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered ihraam."

He said, "I want to enter ihraam from the Mosque, from near the grave (meaning the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him))."

He said, "Do not do that, for I fear fitnah (trial, affliction) for you."

He said, "What fitnah is that? It is just a few miles I am adding."

He said, "What fitnah is greater than your thinking that you have found something good that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) failed to do?! I heard that Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

`And let those who oppose the Messenger's (Muhammad's) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them' [al-Noor 24:63]."

This is the understanding of the Sahaabah, Taabi'een and Imams. As for the people of bid'ah, they say, "What fitnah? It is only dhikr and prayer and a few miles by which we seek to draw closer to Allaah."

No wise person should be deceived by the words of these people, for the Shaytaan has made their deeds appear attractive to them, and they hate to go against their shaykhs and the leaders of their tareeqahs.

Sufyaan ibn `Uyaynah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Bid'ah (innovation) is dearer to Iblees (Satan) than sin, because a person may repent from sin, but not from innovation.

It should be noted that no one ever invents a bid'ah but he forsakes thereby a Sunnah that is equal to it or greater than it. Hence those who favour innovated dhikrs are the most ignorant of people about the Prophet's dhikr which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) persisted in reciting. You will rarely find any of them who says in the morning and evening, Subhaan-Allaah wa bi hamdihi (Glory and praise be to Allaah) one hundred times; or Asbahna `ala fitrat il-Islam wa kalimat il-ikhlaas wa deeni nabiyyina Muhammad sall-Allaahu `alay wa sallim wa millati abeena Ibraaheema haneefan wa maa kaana min al-mushrikeen (We have awoken on the fitrah of Islam and the word of sincerity and the religion of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the religion of our father Ibraaheem, pure monotheism, and he was not of those who associate others with Allaah); or Asbahna wa asbah al-mulk Lillaahi Rabb il-`Aalameen. Allaahumma inni as'aluka khayra hadha'l-yawm fa-thahu wa nasrahu wa noorahu wa barakatahu wa hudaahu, wa a'oodhu bika min sharri ma fihi wa sharri ma ba'dahu (We have awoken and dominion belongs to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. O Allaah I ask You for the good of this day and its goodness, support, help, light, blessing and guidance. And I seek refuge with You from the evil of what is in it and the evil of what comes after it): or Subhaan Allaah `adada khalqihi, Subhaan Allaah ridaa nafsihi, Subhaan Allaah zinata `arshihi, Subhaan Allaah midaada kalimaatihi (Glory be to Allaah the number of His creation, Glory be to Allaah as much as He is pleased with, Glory be to Allaah the weight of His Throne, Glory be to Allaah the extent of His words).

And there are other dhikrs with which you may be content, from the books that contain the dhikrs for the morning and the evening, etc.

The point is that it is not permissible to join your parents in these innovated dhikrs and say them the number of times you mention.

With regard to what you mentioned about Soorat al-Feel and throwing stones when saying tarmeehim (striking them), this is a myth and is nonsense. It is not permissible to do this or to seek to draw closer to Allaah by doing it. How many enemies did the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) confront, and he did not pray against them in this manner. There is the fear that this is a way of drawing closer to the devils and seeking their help.

With regard to the belief that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was light (noor), there is no basis for this and it was not narrated either in the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] or saheeh Sunnah. Allaah has told us that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was a human being like us, except that Allaah favoured him with revelation and the message. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say (O Muhammad): `I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God i.e. Allaah)'"

[al-Kahf 18:110]

"Say (O Muhammad): `I am only a human being like you. It is revealed to me that your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God — Allaah), therefore take Straight Path to Him (with true Faith Islamic Monotheism) and obedience to Him, and seek forgiveness of Him. And woe to AlMushrikoon (the polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah)'"

[Fussilat 41:6]

Some of the extreme Sufis believe that he was light, and that he was the first thing created by Allaah, and that the rest of creation was created from his light. This is a lie and is misguidance for which they have no evidence apart from a false, fabricated hadeeth.

We ask Allaah to help you and your parents to avoid innovation and its people.

And Allaah knows best.

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36769: If he does the farewell tawaaf, he should go out walking normally and should not walk with his face towards the Ka'bah

Question:

Some of the pilgrims, after performing the farewell tawaaf, do not turn their backs towards the Ka'bah, rather they walk backwards, with their faces towards the Ka'bah, until they exit the Mosque. Is this part of the Sunnah?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This action is not part of the Sunnah, rather it is a reprehensible innovation. This is what some people do, claiming to venerate the Ka'bah thereby. If this was really a sign of respect for the Ka'bah, you would find that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the Sahaabah did that, but there are no reports to suggest that.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:

When (the pilgrim) has finished bidding farewell to the House and wants to leave the mosque, he should walk normally, facing forwards, until he exits. He should not walk backwards, because there is no report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or his companions did this, rather it is an innovation (bid'ah). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "Whoever does any action that is not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected." Narrated by Muslim, 1718. And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray." Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4607; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. We ask Allaah to make us steadfast in adhering to His religion, and to keep us safe from anything that goes against it, for He is the Most Generous, Most Kind.

Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen said, when listing the mistakes that some people make during the farewell tawaaf:

Some of them exit the mosque, after the farewell tawaaf, walking backwards, claiming that they are venerating the Ka'bah thereby. This goes against the Sunnah, rather it is the kind of innovation (bid'ah) against which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned us when he said: "Every innovation is a going astray." Innovation (bid'ah) means everything that has been invented in `aqeedah (belief) or `ibaadah (worship) that goes against the way of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his Rightly-Guided Caliphs. Does this person who walks backwards and claims to be venerating the Ka'bah think that he is venerating it more than the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did? Or does he think that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the Rightly-Guided Caliphs did not know that this was an act of veneration towards the Ka'bah?!

Manaasik al-Hajj wa'l-`Umrah, p. 135.

Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 16/98.

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22752: Warning against the book Dalaa'il al-Khayraat

Question:

Is it permissible to practice salawat to prophet(s.a.w) that stated in the ketab Dalailul Khairat.Is it true every salawat that stated in that ketab have their own specialty.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible to rely on the book Dalaa'il al-Khayraat wa Shawaariq al-Anwaar fi Dhikr al-Salaah `ala al-Nabiy al-Mukhtaar, because it is full of things that go against Islamic teachings, and of phrases that represent shirk, and da'eef (weak) and mawdoo' (fabricated) hadeeths. We will discuss this in more detail in sha Allah.

The Muslim should beware of attributing words to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) without knowing how sound they are, because telling lies about him is not like telling lies about anyone else.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever tells lies about me, let him take his place in Hell." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 107; Muslim, 3. And he said: "Do not tell lies about me, for whoever tells lies about me, will enter Hell." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 106).

And he said: "Whoever narrated a hadeeth from me knowing that it is false, then he is one of the liars."

(Narrated by Muslim, 1).

The best way of sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is that which he taught to his companions:

Al-Bukhaari (6357) and Muslim (406) narrated that `Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abi Layla said: Ka'b ibn `Ujrah met me and said to me, Shall I not give you a gift? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came out to us and we said, "O Messenger of Allaah, we know how to send salaams upon you, but how should we send blessings upon you?" He said, "Say: Allaahumma salli `ala Muhammad wa `ala aali Muhammad kama salayta `ala aali Ibraaheem, innaka hameedun majeed; Allaahumma baarik `ala Muhammad wa `ala aali Muhammad kama baarakta `ala aali Ibraaheem, innaka hameedun majeed (O Allaah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon the family of Ibraaheem, verily You are Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allaah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibraaheem, verily You are Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory).

Al-Bukhaari (3369) and Muslim (6360) narrated from Abu Humayd al-Saa'idi (may Allaah be pleased with him) that they said: "O Messenger of Allaah, how should we send blessings upon you?" The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Say Allaahumma salli `ala Muhammadin wa azwaajihi wa dhurriyyatihi kama salayta `ala aali Ibraaheem, wa baarik `ala Muhammadin wa azwaajihi wa dhurriyyatihi kama baarakta `ala aali Ibraaheem, innaka hameedun majeed (O Allaah, send prayers upon Muhammad and his wives and progeny as You sent prayers upon the family of Ibraaheem, and send blessings upon Muhammad and his wives and progeny as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibraaheem, verily You are Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory).

Al-Suyooti (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: I read in al-Tabaqaat by al-Taaj al-Subki, quoting from his father, the words: "The best words with which a person can send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) are the words that appear in the Tashahhud.

He said: Whoever says these words has sent blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for certain, and whoever says any other words, there is some doubt as to whether he has sent blessings in the required manner, because they said, `How should we send blessings upon you?' and he said, `Say…' So he stated that sending blessings upon him is done in that manner.

He said: When I was young, when I sent blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) I used to say, `Allaahumma salli wa baarik wa sallam `ala Muhammad wa `ala aali Muhammad, kama salayta wa baarakta wa salamta `ala Ibraaheem was `ala aali Ibraaheem, innaka hameedun majeed (O Allaah, send prayers and blessings and peace upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers and blessings and peace upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem), but then it was said to me in a dream, Are you more eloquent or concise or more knowledgeable about the meanings of words than the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? If there had been any more eloquent words, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not have chosen these words. So I sought forgiveness for that and went back to the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

And he said: If anyone swears to send the best of prayers upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), then these words are the best he can say.

Quoted from al-Sunan wa'l-Mubtada'aat by Muhammad `Abd al-Salaam al-Shuqayri, p. 232

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31200: What is al-waneesah

Question:

What is al-waneesah? What is the ruling on it and what is the reward for it?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

When we were asked about al-waneesah we were told that it means staying overnight at the grave on the first night after the burial, to give comfort to the deceased, as they claim. This is a kind of reprehensible innovation (bid'ah) which has no basis in the actions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or of his companions. If it were something good they would have done it before us. Because no such thing has been narrated to us from them, even though so many people died during their lifetime, it may be understood that there is nothing good in this practice.

The basic principle concerning acts of worship is to follow only that which is narrated in the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sunnah, and not to introduce new and innovated forms of worship. Allaah can only be worshipped in the manner that He has prescribed in His Book or on the lips of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

There is no reward for doing acts of bid'ah, rather they will be rejected and thrown back at the one who does them, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours [Islam] that is not part of it, will have it rejected." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2697; Muslim, 1718).

It is also misguidance, as he said: "The worst of matters are those which are newly-innovated. Every innovation is a going astray." Narrated by Muslim, 867. Al-Nasaa'i (1578) added: "And every going astray will be in the Fire."

There is the fear that fitnah (trials, afflictions) will befall the person who practices this innovation, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And let those who oppose the Messenger's (Muhammad's) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them"

[al-Noor 24:63]

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his commentary: "Let those who go against the command of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which is his way, his path, his Sunnah and his sharee'ah, beware, Words and deeds will be weighed against his words and deeds; whatever is in accordance with them will be accepted, and whatever goes against them will be rejected and thrown back at the one who says or does them, no matter who he is, as it was proven in al-Saheehayn and elsewhere that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `Whoever does an action that is not part of this matter of ours [Islam] will have it rejected.' And let the one who goes against the sharee'ah of the Messenger whether inwardly or outwardly beware `lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, etc) should befall them' i.e., lest their hearts be afflicted with kufr, hypocrisy or bid'ah, `or a painful torment be inflicted on them' i.e., in this world by means of killing, a hadd punishment, imprisonment and the like."

The deceased does not need any of the living to comfort him, because he is preoccupied with his own reckoning and being rewarded or punished for his deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained in the lengthy hadeeth of al-Baraa' ibn `Aazib:

"When the believing slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him from heaven angels with white faces like the sun, and they sit around him as far as the eye can see. They bring with them shrouds from Paradise and perfumes from Paradise. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits by his head, and he says, `O good soul, come forth to forgiveness from Allaah and His pleasure.' Then it comes out easily like a drop of water from the mouth of a waterskin. When he seizes it, they do not leave it in his hand for an instant before they take it and put it in that shroud with that perfume, and there comes from it a fragrance like the finest musk on the face of the earth. Then they ascend and they do not pass by any group of angels but they say, `Who is this good soul?' and they say, `It is So and so the son of So and so, calling him by the best names by which he was known in this world, until they reach the lowest heaven. They ask for it to be opened to them and it is opened, and (the soul) is welcomed and accompanied to the next heaven by those who are closest to Allaah, until they reach the seventh heaven. Then Allaah says: `Record the book of My slave in `Illiyoon in the seventh heaven, and return him to the earth, for from it I created them, to it I will return them and from it I will bring them forth once again.' So his soul is returned to his body and there come to him two angels who make him sit up and they say to him, `Who is your Lord?' He says, `Allaah.' They say, `What is your religion?' He says, `My religion is Islam.' They say, `Who is this man who was sent among you?' He says, `He is the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).' They say, `What did you do?' He says, `I read the Book of Allaah and I believed in it.' Then a voice calls out from heaven, `My slave has spoken the truth, so prepare for him a bed from Paradise and clothe him from Paradise, and open for him a gate to Paradise.' Then there comes to him some of its fragrance, and his grave is made wide, as far as he can see. Then there comes to him a man with a handsome face and handsome clothes, and a good fragrance, who says, `Receive the glad tidings that will bring you joy this day.' He says, `Who are you? Your face is a face which brings glad tidings.' He says, `I am your righteous deeds.' He says, `O Lord, hasten the Hour so that I may return to my family and my wealth.'"

And he said:

"But when the disbelieving slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him from heaven angels with black faces, bringing sackcloth, and they sit around him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits by his head, and he says, `O evil soul, come forth to the wrath of Allaah and His anger.' Then his soul disperses inside his body, then comes out cutting the veins and nerves, like a skewer passing through wet wool. When he seizes it, they do not leave it in his hand for an instant before they take it and put it in that sackcloth, and there comes from it a stench like the foulest stench of a dead body on the face of the earth. Then they ascend and they do not pass by any group of angels but they say, `Who is this evil soul?' and they say, `It is So and so the son of So and so, calling him by the worst names by which he was known in this world, until they reach the lowest heaven. They ask for it to be opened to them and it is not opened." Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited (interpretation of the meaning):

"for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle"

[al-A'raaf 7:40]

He said: "Then Allaah says, `Record the book of My slave in Sijjeen in the lowest earth, and return him to the earth, for from it I created them, to it I will return them and from it I will bring them forth once again.' So his soul is cast down." Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

"and whoever assigns partners to Allaah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place" [al-Hajj 22:31]

He said: "Then his soul is returned to his body, and there come to him two angels who make him sit up and they say to him, `Who is your Lord?' He says, `Oh, oh, I don't know.' They say, `What is your religion?' He says, `Oh, oh, I don't know.' Then a voice calls out from heaven, `Prepare for him a bed from Hell and clothe him from Hell, and open for him a gate to Hell.' Then there comes to him some of its heat and hot winds, and his grave is constricted and compresses him until his ribs interlock. Then there comes to him a man with an ugly face and ugly clothes, and a foul stench, who says, `Receive the bad news, this is the day that you were promised.' He says, `Who are you? Your face is a face which forebodes evil.' He says, `I am your evil deeds.' He says, `O Lord, do not let the Hour come.'"

Narrated by Ahmad, 18557; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', no. 1676

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37638: Ruling on celebrating al-Qarqee'aan

Question:

What is the ruling on celebrating al-Qarqee'aan, which occurs on the ayyaam al-beed of Ramadaan, i.e., the 13th, 14th and 15th, on which sweets and snacks are distributed to children? It is known by different names in the Gulf countries, such as Qaranqa'u .

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Celebrating the fifteenth night of Ramadaan or any other day as the festival of al-Qarqee'aan is an innovation (bid'ah) for which there is no basis in Islam, and every innovation is a going astray. So we should not do this and we should warn others against it. It is not permissible to celebrate it anywhere, whether in schools, institutions or anywhere else. What is prescribed on the nights of Ramadaan in addition to offering the obligatory prayers, is to strive in praying qiyaam (i.e., Taraaweeh), to recite Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and to make du'aa'.

Al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Ifta, fatwa no. 15532.

Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn `Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Jibreen was asked about this celebration and he replied:

There is no basis for this festival in sharee'ah or in the customs of the people. Because it involves these actions and also dancing, playing musical instruments, expressing joy and the things mentioned in the question, it is an innovation (bid'ah) which must be denounced and put a stop to, and it is not permissible to approve of it or take this matter lightly.

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37841: Uttering the intention out loud for salaat al-Taraaweeh and other prayers is bid'ah

Question:

During Ramadan we pray salat al-taraweeh, what is to be said in the beginning of the prayer. for example nawatu asalee lillah al atheem fe ta'at rubee al kareem rika'tein sinit........

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah

Uttering the intention out loud when one is going to pray is bid'ah (an innovation), whether that is for Taraaweeh prayers or any other prayer.

Ibn al-Qayyim said in Zaad al-Ma'aad (1/201):

When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stood up to pray, he would say: "Allaahu akbar," and he did not say anything before that, or utter the intention (niyyah) out loud at all. He did not say, "I am going to pray such-and-such a prayer, facing the qiblah, four rak'ahs, as an imam or following an imam." And he did not say "ada'an (on time)" or "qadaa'an (making up a missed prayer)" or "fard al-waqt (the obligatory prayer of this time)." These are all bid'ahs which were not narrated by any scholar with any isnaad, be it saheeh, da'eef, musnad or mursal … Neither was this narrated from any of the Prophet's companions, and none of the Taabi'een or the four imams described it as mustahabb.

See also question no. 13337

So the Muslim should have the intention of praying Taraaweeh in his heart only, and not utter anything out loud.

And Allaah knows best.

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37643: Uttering the intention to fast out loud is an innovation (bid'ah)

Question:

In India we make the niyah of Saum as "ALLAH HUMMA ASOOMO JADAN LAKA FAGFIRLEE MA KADDAMTU WA MA AKHARTU", I am not sure of the meaning, but is it the right niyah?if yes please explain the meaning or please give me the right niyah proved by Qu`ran and Hadith.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The Ramadaan fast and other acts of worship are not valid unless accompanied by the proper intention, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Actions are but by intentions, and everyone shall have but that which he intended…" (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1; Muslim, 1907)

The intention is subject to the condition that it be made at night, before the dawn comes, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever does not intend to fast before dawn, there is no fast for him." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 730. According to a version narrated by al-Nasaa'i (2334): "Whoever does not intend to fast from the night before, there is no fast for him." Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 573. What is meant is that whoever does not intend to fast and resolve to do so from the night before, his fast is not valid.

The intention (niyyah) is an action of the heart. The Muslim should resolve in his heart that he is going to fast tomorrow. It is not prescribed for him to utter it out loud and say, "I intend to fast" or "I will fast tomorrow" or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. The correct intention is when a person resolves in his heart that he is going to fast tomorrow.

Hence Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in al-Ikhtiyaaraat (p. 191):

If it crosses a person's mind that he is going to fast tomorrow, then he has made the intention.

The Standing Committee was asked:

How should a person intend to fast Ramadaan?

They replied:

The intention is done by resolving to fast. It is essential that the intention to fast Ramadaan be made every night.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 10/246

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37683: Du'aa' for completing the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] (khatam)

Question:

Many muslims during ramadhan read the quran and when on completion on the quran they have a so called "hatham" this is common for peopls from the indian subcontinant.What i want to know is is this "hatham" a sunnah of the rasool??or is it a bidah??. The "hatham" is usually by an imam,where he will recite a few duas from and read onto food which will be eaten and distributed to many people. please could you answer this because this is also practised when someone dies and and on every thursday evenning.if there is such a hadith on this practise please could u give me the reference?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Du'aa' for completing the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] in the manner asked about here is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah), which was not done by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or by the righteous salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them). If it had been something good, they would have done it before us.

Rather what is narrated from the salaf is to make du'aa' after completing the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], without stipulating any specific du'aa' or any particular way of doing it. So if the Muslim completes the Holy Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], whether in Ramadaan or at other times, it is mustahabb for him to raise his hands and call upon Allaah, asking Him for the best in this world and in the Hereafter.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

Is there a specific du'aa' for completing the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]?

He said:

There is no evidence that there is a specific du'aa' for this as far as I know. Hence it is permissible for a person to make du'aa' as he wishes and to choose beneficial supplications such as praying to be forgiven, to be granted Paradise and to be saved from Hell, seeking refuge with Allaah from fitnah (temptation, tribulation), asking for help to understand the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] in the manner that Allaah is pleased with and to act upon it and memorize it, etc., because it was proven that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to gather his family when he completed the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and make du'aa'.

Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 11/358.

With regard to reciting that over food and distributing it, and doing that when someone dies and on Thursdays, all of that is bid'ah (innovation).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has commanded us to adhere to his Sunnah and the way of the Rightly-Guided caliphs, and he has forbidden us to introduce innovations into the religion. He has told us that this is misguidance, and that bid'ahs will be rejected and thrown back at the one who does them, and he will not be rewarded for them.

Abu Dawood (4607) narrated from al-`Irbaad ibn Saariyah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever among you lives after I am gone will see great differences. I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the Rightly-Guided caliphs. Adhere to it and cling firmly to it. And beware of newly-innovated matters, for every newly-innovated matter is a bid'ah, and every bid'ah is a going-astray." Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3851.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected." Narrated by Muslim, 1718.

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37753: Communal du'aa' after Taraaweeh prayer

Question:

My question is about the saheeh Sunnah with regard to Taraaweeh prayer and what innovations have been introduced into it, and the communal du'aa' after Taraaweeh prayer. May Allaah reward you with all good on my behalf and on behalf of the Muslims.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

With regard to the first part of your question, please see the section on Taraaweeh prayer and Laylat al-Qadr under the heading of Fasting on this website.

With regard to communal du'aa' after Taraaweeh prayer, this action is an innovation (bid'ah). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "Whoever does an action that is not part of this matter of ours (Islam), will have it rejected." Narrated by Muslim, 3243.

What was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was that after Taraaweeh prayer he would say, "Subhaan al-Malik al-Quddoos (Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy)", three times, raising his voice on the third time.

Ahmad (14929), Abu Dawood (1430) and al-Nasaa'i (1699) narrated that Ubayy ibn Ka'b (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite in Witr "Sabbih isma Rabbika al-A'la (Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High)…" [i.e., Soorat al-A'laa 87] and Qul yaa ayyuha'l-kaafiroon (Say (O Muhammad), `O al-Kaafiroon (disbelievers))…'" [i.e., Soorat al-Kaafiroon 109] and "Qul Huwa Allaahu ahad (Say (O Muhammad), `He is Allaah, (the) One)…" [i.e., Soorat al-Ikhlaas 112]. And after he said the tasleem he would say "Subhaan al-Malik al-Quddoos, Subhaan al-Malik al-Quddoos, Subhaan al-Malik al-Quddoos (Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy; Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy; Glory be to the Sovereign, the Most Holy)", raising his voice. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa'i, 1653.

Then in Witr prayer the imam will recite du'aa al-qunoot and the worshippers will say Ameen behind him, as Ubayy ibn Ka'b (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to do when he led the people in praying Taraaweeh at the time of `Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him). So there is no need to introduce this bid'ah. How true are the words of the one who said, "All goodness is in following those who came before, and all evil is in the innovation of those who came later."

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26867: Remembering Allaah by repeating a single name such as "Allaah"

Question:

Using the names of Allah as Dhikr counts as Bid'ah or counting on fingers or beats? & using the names of Allah as for the specific benefit counts as Bid'ah?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

With regard to the ruling on the masbahah ("prayer beads"), this had already been discussed in Question no. 3009.

With regard to remembering Allaah by saying a single name such as "Allaah" repeatedly, this is not narrated in sharee'ah, and there is no proof for that from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from any of his companions. If it was something good they would have done it before us.

All goodness is in following those who came before us, and all evil is in the innovations of those who came later.

The Standing Committee was asked about someone who remembers Allaah by saying "Ya Lateef" repeatedly.

They replied:

That is not permissible because it was not narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Rather it was proven that he said: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected." According to another version: "Whoever does any action that is not part of this matter of ours will have it rejected."

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 2/379

With regard to the questioner saying that they say, "Hu, Hu, Hu" _ those people are adding to their bid'ah because they are calling Allaah by a word by which He did not call Himself. "Hu" is not one of the names of Allaah.

See Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 2/185

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34566: How du'aa' after prayer should be recited

Question:

Can we make our own supplication after every Fard Prayer? And reciting (2:255 verse of the Quran)

NOTES:

"Ya Hafeez O" (for protection) , "Ya Salaam O" (for peace) like that…….

Quran says:

"And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them"al-A'raaf 7:180

The innovated adhkaar (dhikr) such as saying the name of Allaah on its own ("Allaah…Allaah… Allaah") or the pronoun ("Hu… Hu… Hu…", meaning "He… He… He…"). This is a new thing that has been innovated in the religion, intended as worship of Allaah, but there is no evidence for this, either specific or general… so it is bid'ah.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing wrong with the Muslim calling upon his Lord with names that match what he is asking for.

The Standing Committee said:

The one who is calling upon Allaah may seek to reach Him by means of any of His beautiful names by which He has called Himself or by which His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) called Him. If he chooses names that suit what he is asking for, that is better. For example, he can say "Ya Mugheeth aghithni (O Reliever, help me), Yaa Rahmaan irhamni (O Most Merciful, have mercy on me), Rabb ighfir li wa arhamni innaka anta al-Tawwaab al-Raheem (O Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me, for You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful)." Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 1/91.

But making up a du'aa' to be said after prayer is a kind of innovation or bid'ah. See Questions nos. 32443 and 10491.

Moreover, it is better to make du'aa' in the prayer itself, when prostrating and before saying the tasleem. With regard to making du'aa' after the tasleem, it is not proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did this.

With regard to reciting the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do" [al-A'raaf 7:180]

_ or reciting the last verses of Soorat al-Baqarah after prayer, there is no evidence for that in the Sunnah. Rather it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite the last two verses of Soorat al-Baqarah every night.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever recites the last two verses of Soorat al-Baqarah at night, that will suffice him."

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4008; Muslim, 807

It was said that what this means is that it will be sufficient for him so he does not need to pray qiyaam al-layl, or that they will suffice to protect him from the Shaytaan, or from all evil.

Al-Shawkaani said: There is no reason why it should not mean all these things… for the bounty of Allaah is immense.

Al-Haafiz said: It may be that it means all of the above.

Al-Nawawi said: It may be that all are meant.

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14623: Making du'aa' together for one who has given charity

Question:

Some people who gather together to receive charity that is to be shared out among them put their hands on it, and one of them makes du'aa' for the donor, and the others say "Ameen" in loud voices. Is this action correct?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This way of making du'aa' is not appropriate, because it is bid'ah. Making du'aa' for the donor without putting one's hands on the wealth given in charity and without raising voices in unison in the manner described is something that is prescribed in sharee'ah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever does you a favour, then return it in kind; if you cannot do that then keep making du'aa' for him until that you think that you have returned the favour." (Narrated by Abu Dawood and al-Nasaa'i with a saheeh isnaad).

Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li'l-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 6/336 (www.islam-qa.com)

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22828: Is it permissible to pray on behalf of someone who does not pray?

Question:

say if someoe close in yuor family does not read namaz and u tel this person to pray bt they dont listen.......can i pray for them , i mean can i do thir prayers?because i know they will not pray.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Prayer is one of the pillars of Islam and it is not valid except when done by the one who is obliged to do it. Not praying is kufr which puts a person beyond the pale of Islam; see question no. 2182. It is not permissible for you to offer prayers on behalf of someone else who does not pray. This ruling is one upon which there is consensus and there is no difference of opinion among the scholars.

Ibn Qudaamah said: "The visible acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, purifying oneself (wudoo') cannot be delegated to others because they have to do with the body of the person who is obliged to do them, so no one else can take his place, except in the case of a vowed fast, which a person may do on behalf of one who has died, but this cannot be done by way of delegation.

Al-Mughni, 5/207

You have to keep on advising this person to pray, and encouraging him and warning him. May Allaah open his heart to beneficial words.

And Allaah knows best.

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27029: Ruling on offering a sacrifice when building of the mosque is completed

Question:

When the building of a mosque is completed, some people say that it is not permissible to deliver a Jumu'ah khutbah or to offer any of the prescribed prayers in it until some cows or sheep have been bought, then people are invited and these animals are slaughtered and a feast prepared for the people. If this is not done, they claim that the imam of the mosque will die before his time if he prays in the mosque. Is this correct?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is no basis for any of this; these beliefs are all wrong. Those who believe that or do that should be denounced, because this is a bid'ah or innovation introduced into the religion, and every bid'ah is a going astray, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in the saheeh hadeeth: "Whoever does an action that is not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), it is to be rejected."

Narrated by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh.

Majmoo' Maqaalaat wa Fataawa Li'l-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 6/335 (www.islam-qa.com)

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12808: There are no trivial issues in Islam

Question:

What is the ruling on those who say that shaving the beard and making one's garment shorter are trivial matters and are not basic principles of religion, or those who laugh at those who do these things?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This suggestion is serious and is a grievous mistake. There are no trivial issues in Islam, rather all of it is serious and is aimed at guiding man to the best way. It is divided into basics and minor issues, and the issues of the beard and shortening the garment come under the minor issues, not basic issues. But it is not permissible to call any of the issues of religion insignificant. There is the fear that the person who says such a thing by way of belittling or mocking may be apostatizing from his religion thereby, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"If you ask them (about this), they declare: `We were only talking idly and joking.' Say: `Was it at Allaah, and His Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger that you were mocking?'

Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed"

[al-Tawbah 9:65-66]

The Messenger peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the one who enjoined letting the beard grow and trimming the moustache; it is essential to obey him and to heed his commands and prohibitions in all matters.

Abu Muhammad ibn Hazm narrated that there was scholarly consensus that letting the beard grow and trimming the moustache is something obligatory, and undoubtedly happiness, salvation, pride, honour and good consequences lie in obeying Allaah and His Messenger, and doom, loss and bad consequences lie in disobeying Allaah and His Messenger. Similarly, wearing one's clothes above the ankles is obligatory because of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Whatever part of the lower garment hangs below the ankles is in the Fire." (Narrated by al-Bukhari in his Saheeh). And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are three to whom Allaah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection, nor even look at them or praise them, and theirs will be a painful torment: the one who lets his lower garment hang below his ankles; the one who reminds others of things he has given to them; and the one who sells his product by means of false oaths." (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh). And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah will not look at the one who lets his garment drag out of pride." (Agree upon).

So the Muslim man must fear Allaah by shortening his garment above the ankles, whether it is a galabiyah, an izaar (lower garment, waist-wrapper), pants or abayah (cloak), and not letting it come down below his ankles. It is better if it comes to mid-calf length. If the isbaal (letting the garment hang below the ankles) is done because of pride or arrogance, the sin is more serious; if it is because of carelessness and not because of pride, it is still an evil action and the one who does it is a sinner according to the more correct of the two scholarly views, but his sin is less serious than the sin of one who does it out of pride. Undoubtedly isbaal is a means that leads to arrogance even if the one who does claims that he is not doing it out of pride, because the warning in the ahaadeeth is general, so it is not permissible to take this matter lightly.

With regard to the story of al-Siddeeq (Abu Bakr), when he said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), "My izaar (lower garment) slips down unless I pay attention to it", and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him, "You are not one of those who do it out of arrogance," this applies to those whose case is like that of Abu Bakr with regard to their garment slipping down by mistake, not because of arrogance, but they still try not to let that happen. As for those who let their garment drag deliberately, this warning applies to them but not to people like Abu Bakr.

As well as the warning mentioned above, isbaal (letting the garment hang below the ankle) is also a kind of extravagance and exposes the garment to dirt and impurities, and it is an imitation of women. All of that dictates that the Muslim should protect himself from that. And Allaah is the Source of strength and the Guide to the straight path.

Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li'l-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 6/323. (www.islam-qa.com)

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21976: Making du'aa' after the obligatory prayers is bid'ah

Question:

After fard salat (i.e. after saying salam), some people make Dua while others say only Tasbih Fatmi. Some people are adament that making Dua after salat is Bidat. This is causing some restraint in the cummunity speacially those who follow Imam Abu Hanifa or Shafai.

Can we make dua'a after salat.

Can we make dua'a with the imama after salat alltogether.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It says in Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah:

Making du'aa' after the obligatory prayers is not Sunnah if it is done by raising the hands, whether that is done by the imam alone or a member of the congregation alone, or it is done by them both together. Rather that is bid'ah, because it was not narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or any of his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did that. With regard to making du'aa' without doing that (raising the hands etc.), there is nothing wrong with it, because there are some ahaadeeth concerning that.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 7/103

The Committee was asked about raising the hands for du'aa' after the five daily prayers _ is it proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) raised his hands or not? If it is not proven, is it permissible to raise the hands after the five daily prayers or not?

They replied: It is not proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) raised his hands in du'aa' after the obligatory prayers as far as we know, so raising them after the salaam of an obligatory prayer is contrary to the Sunnah.

Fataawa al-Lajnah, 7/104

The Committee also stated that saying du'aa' out loud after the five daily prayers or regular Sunnah prayers, or reciting du'aa' in unison as a regular practice is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah), because it was not proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did anything like that. Whoever makes du'aa' after the obligatory or regular Sunnah prayers in unison is going against the way of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, and for those people to accuse those who disagree with them of being kaafirs and not belonging to Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, is misguidance, ignorance and a distortion of the facts.

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/319

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21902: Guidelines on shar'i wird

Question:

Is reading some sorts of daroods like darood-taj and darood_lakhi and darood_tunajaiyna etc bidaa`t.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

We know nothing about what is in these wirds (daroods), but we can tell you some guidelines that you can follow in order to know what is prescribed in Islam and what is bid'ah:

1 _ The best wirds are those whose words were narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), because Allaah did not choose for him anything but the most perfect and the best, and he did not choose anything but that for his ummah.

2 _ It is permissible for a person to send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in words that were not narrated (in sharee'ah), so long as they do not include anything that is forbidden, such as exaggerating about him, or praying to Allaah by virtue of the Prophet, or calling upon him instead of Allaah.

3 _ The one who is remembering Allaah (reciting dhikr) should not specify any particular time, number or manner of reciting dhikr unless that is proven with saheeh evidence, because Allaah cannot be worshipped except in the manner that He has prescribed in His Book or on the lips of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Worship must be that which is prescribed in sharee'ah, with regard to the act itself, the manner in which it is done, the time when it is done and how many times it is done. Whoever adopts a wird whose wording was not narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or specifies a particular number of times or does it at a specific time, is committing bid'ah.

The scholars called this bid'ah al-bid'ah al-idaafiyyah (additional innovation??), because the action itself is prescribed in sharee'ah, but some innovation has been added to it with regard to the manner, the number of times or when it is to be done.

You should note that all goodness rests in following that which has been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Whoever studies those who recite made-up wirds will find that usually they are falling short when it comes to doing that which was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) such as the dhikrs for morning and evening, etc. This confirms what was narrated from one of the salaf, who said that no person ever introduces an innovation but he gives up an equivalent Sunnah.

And Allaah knows best.

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32443: Reciting du'aa' for forgiveness in unison following prayer

Question:

When the imam finishes praying he recites the du'aa' for forgiveness (istighfaar) in communal fashion, out loud. Is this permissible?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah:

Saying du'aa' out loud following the five daily prayers and the regular Sunnah prayers, or reciting du'aa' after the prayers in unison as a regular practise is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah), because it is not reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did anything like that.

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/319

See also the answer to Question no. 10491 for more information.

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22646: Sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when the iqaamah is pronounced

Question:

When the iqaamah is pronounced the muezzin says, "Allaahumma salli `ala Muhammad wa `ala aalihi wa sahbihi wa sallim, Allaahu akbar Allaah akbar (O Allah, send blessings and peace upon Muhammad and upon his family and companions, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great)." Is this Sunnah?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It is obligatory upon the one who wants to do any act of worship to learn the rulings on it and how it is to be done from the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so that he will not be worshipping Allaah in ignorance. For Allaah should not be worshipped except in the manner that He has prescribed. Whoever worships Allaah in a manner that has not been prescribed by Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), it will be rejected and will not be accepted, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected." (Narrated by Muslim, 1718).

The bid'ah that has been introduced to the iqaamah for prayer is that which has been mentioned in the question, whereby the muezzin sends blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) before pronouncing the iqaamah (call immediately preceding the prayer). This action is bid'ah (an innovation) that was not done by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or by any of his companions.

Shaykh Jamaal al-Deen al-Qaasimi stated that it is bid'ah in his book Islaah al-Masaajid min al-Bida' wa'l-`Awaa'id, p. 134.

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9057: Mocking innovators

Question:

I know that mocking the Sunnah or any part of Islam makes a person a kaafir. But what if someone mocks the beliefs of people of bid'ah? For example, a person jokes to his friend when it's time for salaat to make fun of the Murji'ah : "Oh, we don't have to pray...it's in your heart, remember?" but he prays, understanding that it was a joke to show the riduculousness of the Murji'ah beliefs. I know that false talk is a sin, even in joking, but is this (above example) kufr akbar because the joke involves a major part of Islam, although it was aimed at bidah and not Islam?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Mocking the kaafirs for their kufr or the innovators for their innovations (bid'ah) is permissible because they enjoy no sanctity or protection with regard to their sin and evildoing in which they regard as permissible that which Allaah and Islam have forbidden. But this is only so long as the mocking does not go beyond the framework of dignity and truth, and it is not taken as a usual habit, and the jokes do not outweigh one's seriousness. But what we are warning against has become the habit of many people.

If one is to mock them, it should be for their going against the Sunnah, not for their different ways of dressing, walking, etc.

But is it a sin?

The correct view is that it is not a sin, rather this is something that it is permissible to talk about and joke about. The fact that the sin that we are mocking does not constitute kufr that puts a person beyond the pale of Islam makes it even more appropriate to joke about their sin, because by forsaking the truth and following falsehood, they have mocked the sanctity of Allaah.

Al-Laalkaani narrated, with isnaads, some reports from some of the salaf concerning such cases:

- He narrated from al-A'mash that Ibraaheem said: "There is no gheebah [backbiting] concerning one who follows bid'ah."

- He narrated that al-Hasan al-Basri said: "There are three who have no protection from gheebah, one of whom is the one who follows bid'ah and is extreme in his bid'ah."

- He narrated from Hishaam that al-Hasan said: "There is no gheebah in the case of one who follows bid'ah and one who commits evil."

- He narrated that al-Hasan said: "There is no gheebah in the case of the people of bid'ah."

- He narrated that Katheer Abu Sahl said: "It is said that there is no sanctity for the people who follow their whims and desires."

(I'tiqaad Ahl al-Sunnah, 1/140).

The example which is mentioned in the question, which is, "Oh, we don't have to pray, it's in your heart, remember?" is not kufr because the one who says it does not intend to mock the prayer, rather he intends to mock these words that go against sharee'ah, and to show that they are false.

The point is that making fun of something that the innovators say is not haraam and does not constitute kufr.

But we do not encourage denouncing the innovators by mocking them; rather we should debate with them in the way that is best. Your concern when debating with them should be to guide them to the Straight Path. Allaah said to Moosa and Haroon when He sent them to Pharaoh (interpretation of the meaning):

"And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allaah)"

[Ta-Ha 20:44]

And Allaah knows best.

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486: Religious celebrations in islam

Question:

I need to know about any celebrations of this religions or any festivals.

Answer:

As Muslims, we celebrate only two `eid (festivals): `eid ul-fitr (after the end of Ramadhan), and `eid ul-Udh-ha, the day of the greater hajj (pilgrimage). During these two festivals, we offer felicitations, spread joy, and entertain children. But more importantly, we offer remembrance of Allaah's blessings, celebrate His name and offer the `eid salaat (prayer). Other than these two occasions, we do not recognize or celebrate any other days in the year.

Of course, there are other joyous occasions for which the Islamic shari'ah dictates appropriate celebration, such as gathering for special meals during weddings or on the occasion of the birth of a child (aqeeqah). However, these days are not specified as particular days in the year; rather, they are celebrated as they happen in the course of a Muslim's life.

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26152: Questions about an imam

Question:

Q#1.In our company camp, there is a Imam, who is leading every prayer, he is from XXXX. about his qira'ath, like he giving "madd" upon every kalima, reciting like song. we asked him which type of qira'ath is this? He is saying that his ustad have teached him like this. sometime we can't pray behind him because his sound will arise with different tune.

Kindly we want know, is allowed to recite such type of tune and very high sound? what is the rule of reciting qur'an in the obligatory prayer (Fajr, Magrib & Esha)?
Q#2. After prayer he will put his hand (palm) on his forehead and saying "ya hayyun, ya qayyoom" for seven time. we asked him "why are you doing this?" he answered: Scholars said that our brain become will be braight, if you do this after every obligatory prayer and he told us it is in the Sahih Muslim also. but we didn't find that.

Please, for the sake of Allah, answer to us for the above question to correct our deeds on right path, if he is doing wrong, how we can correct him? he never agree anything, because he is saying what I am doing it is correct according to Islam. so, we can't say anything against him.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Making one's voice beautiful when reciting Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] is something good and there is nothing wrong with it; rather this is part of the teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

It was narrated that al-Bara' (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) reciting Wa'l-teeni wa'l-zaytoon in `Isha prayer, and I never heard anyone with a more beautiful voice (or recitation) than his."

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 735; Muslim, 464

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) praised the recitation of Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari, who had a melodious voice. But the kind of making the voice beautiful which is encouraged should not distort the meaning of the words and it should not resemble the way that the evildoers sing songs.

It was narrated that Abu Moosa said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to Abu Moosa, "If only you had seen me when I was listening to you last night, you have been given a beautiful voice like that of Dawood."

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4761; Muslim, 793; this version narrated by Muslim

Al-Nawawi said:

Al-Qaadi said: The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to make one's voice beautiful when reciting Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and to recite properly (tarteel). Abu `Ubayd said: The ahaadeeth narrated concerning that are to be understood as meaning that it should be done with solemnity and feeling. He said, But they differed with regard to reciting it with a tune. Maalik and the majority regarded that as makrooh because that is contrary to the purpose for which the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] was revealed, whichis to be recited with humility and understanding. Abu Haneefah and a group among the Salaf regarded it as permissible because of the ahaadeeth and because that is a means of softening people's hearts, provoking fear and making people receptive towards listening to it.

I say: al-Shaafa'i said in one place, I dislike reciting Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] with a tune; and elsewhere he said, I do not dislike it. Our companions said: there is no contradiction in this case, rather it has to do with two different situations. When he said that he disliked it, he meant if it was excessively elongated and the meanings of the words were changed by adding or taking away or elongating something that is not to be elongated, etc.; and when he said that it was permissible, he meant if it does not change the meaning of the words. And Allaah knows best.

Sharh Muslim, 6/80

Secondly:

With regard to what your imam does, putting his hand on his forehead and saying Yaa Hayyu, Yaa Qayyoom seven times, there is no basis in sharee'ah for doing this, and it is not in Saheeh Muslim or any other book of saheeh Sunnah. It is a reprehensible bid'ah (innovation) and you have to advise him to stop doing that and explain the shar'i ruling on innovated forms of dhikr.

With regard to praying behind this imam: it is permissible but it is preferable if you can look for an imam who will establish the Sunnah and teach it to you, because there is the fear that some of the worshippers may be influenced by him and may imitate him and spread his bid'ah. But before doing that, do not forget to advise him and teach him the correct Sunnah for dhikr in particular and for worship in general. Then if he insists on his bid'ah, there is nothing wrong with you taking action to prevent him from leading the prayer.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

As for praying behind those who follow innovation, if their innovation involves shirk, such as calling upon someone other than Allaah, or making vows to someone other than Allaah, or believing that their shaykhs have characteristics which belong to no one but Allaah, such as having complete knowledge or knowledge of the unseen or influence over the universe, then it is not correct to pray behind them. But if their bid'ah does not involve shirk, such as reciting dhikr that was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) but in unison and swaying, then prayers offered behind them are valid, but the Muslim should look for an imam to pray behind who is not an innovator, because that will bring him a greater reward and is farther removed from evil.

And Allaah is the Source of Strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 7/353

And Allaah knows best.

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26804: Her mother wants to give her a birthday party _ what should she do?

Question:

I managed to find out that my mother, who is not Muslim, is planning to give me a surprise party on my birthday. What is the ruling on that? If it is not permissible, then how can I avoid upsetting my mother (by refusing)?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

With regard to this observance which people call "birthdays" (eid milaad in Arabic), Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) issued the following fatwa:

"Everything which is taken as an `eid' (something which is celebrated regularly) and is repeated each week or each year and is not prescribed in sharee'ah, is a kind of bid'ah (reprehensible innovation). The evidence for that is the fact that the Lawgiver prescribed `aqeeqah for the newborn, and did not prescribe anything after that. When they adopt these observances every week or every year, it means that they are making them like the Islamic Eids, which is haraam and is not permitted. There are no celebrations in Islam apart from the three prescribed Eids: `Eid al-Fitr, `Eid al-Adha, and the weekly `Eid' which is Friday (Yawm al-Jumu'ah).

This does not come under the heading of customs because it is repeated. Hence when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and found that the Ansaar had two festivals which they used to celebrate, he said, `Allaah has given you something better than these: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.' (Narrated by al-Nasaa'i, 1556; Abu Dawood, 1134; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, no. 124), even though this was one of their customs."

From Sharh Kitaab al-Tawheed, 1/382; see also Question # 1027.

Secondly:

With regard to how you should deal with your mother, I think that you should be frank with her, and tell her that this action is not permitted by Allaah, and that the religion of Islam forbids this, and that as this is the case you cannot come to this party. Tell her. "Were it not for the fact that Allaah does not allow it, I would have been happy to come, and I thank you, but it is not up to me or anyone else, it is up to Allaah Who issues His decree and we _ the Muslims _ have to submit to His will; it is not permissible for us to dispute that so long as it is the command of Allaah, the All-Knowing, Most Wise."

Tell her all of that in the best possible manner and in the kindest way. If she is convinced and appreciates that, then praise be to Allaah, otherwise try to be outside the house at the time of this party, so that no one will pressure you to join in and so that you yourself will not weaken and given in. There is no sin on you for what your mother is doing, and pleasing Allaah comes before pleasing any of His creation. Be certain that if your mother objects vehemently to this matter today, perhaps Allaah will make her pleased with you in the future, in sha Allaah.

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695: Can one celebrate completing the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]?

Question:

A young girl has finished reading the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] for the first time, and wants to invite her friends for a celebration on this occasion. What should she write on the invitation cards?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This is a wonderful thing for such a young person (11 years old) living in a non-Muslim country and deviant society to accomplish. The fact that she has not given her name is a sign of sincerity, in sha Allaah. I think that this should only be announced for the purposes of encouraging others to do the same. The affair should be limited to a small gathering where some relatives or friends invite a few of the girl's friends, tell them of her achievement in completing the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] in order to encourage them - not to show off or boast - and some of the mothers say a few words about the greatness of the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], the importance of reading it and how the Muslim should treat the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]. Or this girl could invite her friends to a meal to mark the occasion and give thanks for this blessing. There is nothing wrong with such activities, as long as one is careful not to let it turn into a celebration.

It is clear from the above that celebrating a person's completion of reciting or memorizing the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran], inviting people and offering food, is an action in which there is a risk of two fitnahs (temptations):

(1) that it might be an occasion for showing off and boasting, and

(2) that it may constitute bid'ah, if people believe that such celebrations are part of the religion and must be held every time a person completes the reading of the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]. The first danger may be avoided by striving within oneself to be sincere towards Allaah, and the second by restricting the invitees to a small number of family and friends.

We should not hold such gatherings regularly, lest people think it is a part of the Sunnah I ask Allaah to increase His blessings upon you and to give you the strength to memorize Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] and Sincerity in speech and deeds

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7505: Salaat al-Naariyah

Question:

"Allahumma salli salaatan kaamilatan wasallim salaaman taamman `ala sayyidina muhammadin alladhi(allathi in some prose) tan'hil bihi il uq'ad· watatafarrij bih il karb· wataq'dhi bih il hawaa'ij· wa tanaal bih ir raghaa'ib· wa hasan al khawaayitam wa yastasq il ghamaam bi wajhih il kareem wa `ala `aalihi wa sah'bihi fee kulli lamhatin wa nafs"

The above recitation is called salaat un naaria in india and recited 4444 times whenever a calamity falls in a house by bringing many students and the chief of a madhrasaa.

1. What is the meaning of the above words and is there any shirk in the wordings?

2. People say if there is no shirk we can continue reciting because it is not harmful because it is a type of dhikr and it reminds them of allah and that we are doing some kind of additional dhikr to bring us closer to allah and to removesome museebath.

3. What is the ruling on maulid recitation· is there any harm in reciting it periodically by calling some students of madhrasaa or imam of masjid.

Answer:

[The translation of these words is as follows:

"O Allaah, send perfect blessings and complete peace upon our master Muhammad by virtue of whom [as some of them say] all obstacles are removed, distress is relieved, needs are met, desires are fulfilled and a good end may be achieved and by virtue of whose noble face clouds may be sent, and [send blessings and peace] upon his family and companions with every breath and glance."]

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

1. The words of this innovated prayer are clear enough, but there is nothing wrong with explaining them further.

"obstacles are removed" means, a way out is found from whatever obstacles and difficult matters one is faced with.

The phrase may also mean "by virtue of whom anger is calmed."

"distress is relieved" means anxiety and grief are taken away.

"needs are met" means one gets what one is trying to achieve.

"desires are fulfilled and a good end may be achieved" means his wishes are fulfilled whether that is in this world or in the Hereafter, one of which is that one meets a good end.

"by virtue of whose noble face clouds may be sent" means that he is asked to pray to Allaah to send rain.

2. What some people have told you _ that this prayer does not involve shirk and that it is permissible for you to continue to recite it _ is wrong. This so-called prayer includes things which clearly go against Islam, such as the following:

(i) It is supposed to be said at times of calamity. This is a contrived reason for an innovated act of worship.

(ii) It is supposed to be recited a set number of times, 4444 times. This is a contrived amount for an innovated act of worship.

(iii) It is supposed to be recited in a communal fashion. This is a contrived method for an innovated act of worship

(iv) It contains phrases which go against Islam, which constitute shirk and which are an exaggeration about the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It attributes to him actions which cannot be attributed to anyone other than Allaah, such as meeting people's needs, relieving distress, fulfilling their desires and granting a good end. Allaah commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):

"Say: `It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to the Right Path'"

[al-Jinn 72:21 _ interpretation of the meaning]

(v) It ignores what is taught in the sharee'ah, and makes up a contrived prayer and supplication. This implies that one is accusing the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) of failing to explain everything that the people need, and that one is trying to fill gaps in the sharee'ah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not a part of it, will have it rejected"

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2550; Muslim, 1718).

According to a report narrated by Muslim (1718), he said: "Whoever does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected."

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "This hadeeth represents one of the most important basic principles of Islam. It is like a yardstick for measuring the outward appearance of actions, just as the hadeeth `Actions are but by intentions' is a yardstick for measuring the inward nature of actions. Just as actions which are not done for the sake of Allaah bring no reward to the one who does them, so too actions which are not done in accordance with the command of Allaah and His Messenger are rejected and thrown back at the one who does them. Everyone who innovates something in the religion for which Allaah and His Messenger have not granted permission, that action has nothing to do with the religion."(Jaami' al-`Uloom wa'l-Hukam, 1/180)

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "This hadeeth is one of the most important basic principles of Islam and is one of the most comprehensive sayings of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It is a clear rejection of bid'ah and innovations. The second report adds a further idea, which is that some people may persist in doing some innovated action (bid'ah) for which there is a precedent, and when the first report _ `Whoever innovates anything…' _ is quoted as proof, such a person may say, `But I did not innovate anything. Then the second report _ `Whoever does any action…' _ may be quoted, which clearly states that all innovated actions are rejected, whether the one who does them invented them or they were previously invented. This hadeeth is one of those which should be memorized and used in denouncing evil actions, and it should be propagated widely."(Sharh Muslim, 12/16)

3. With regard to celebrating the Mawlid (birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)), doing this is bid'ah. If it was good, those who love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) more than we do would have done it before us, i.e., the Sahaabah, may Allaah be pleased with them. Most of what is recited on this occasion are weak or fabricated reports of the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and it involves exaggeration about our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). There follow the comments of the scholars:

(a) Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about the one who completes the reading of the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] each year on the night of the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) _ is that mustahabb or not?

He replied:

"Praise be to Allaah. For the people to come together to eat on the two Eids and the days of Tashreeq is Sunnah. This is one of the symbols of Islam which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set out for the Muslims. Helping the poor by giving them food during Ramadaan is also one of the ways of Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `Whoever gives a fasting person food to break his fast will have a reward like his.' Giving poor Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]-readers that which will help them to devote their time to the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] is a righteous deed at any time, and whoever helps them in this manner will have a share in the reward.

But taking as special occasions days which are not prescribed in Islam _ such as one of the nights of Rabee' al-Awwal which is called Laylat al-Mawlid (the night of the Prophet's birthday), or some of the nights of Rajab, or the eighteenth of Dhu'l-Hijjah, or the first Friday of Rajab, or the eighth of Shawwaal, which the ignorant call `Eid al-Abraar (the Feast of the Righteous)' _ these are bid'ahs which the salaf did not regard as mustahabb and they did not do these things. And Allaah knows best."(al-Fataawa al-Kubraa, 4/415)

(b) Ibn al-Haaj said:

"Some of them commit actions at this time which go against this meaning. When the month of Rabee' al-Awwal begins, they hasten to indulge in idle entertainment, playing the daff (hand-drum) and reed flute, and other things as mentioned above.

Whoever wants to weep, let him weep for himself and for Islam, and how it and its people and those who follow the Sunnah have become alienated. If they simply wanted to sing songs and entertain themselves, I wish that they would limit themselves to that. But some of them try to follow proper etiquette, so they start the Mawlid with the recitation of Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]. So they look for the one who can recite in the most melodious fashion and provoke enjoyment, and he reads ten aayahs. There are several things wrong with this:

(i) the way in which the reciter reads in this manner which is condemned in sharee'ah, with a quavering tone like that of a singer. This has been discussed above.

(ii) This involves a lack of proper respect towards the Book of Allaah.

(iii) They read Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] briefly before turning to what they really desire, which is to listen to the entertainment of the tambourine and reed-flute, and the singing and quavering tones of the singers, etc.

(iv) They show outwardly something different from that which is in their hearts. This is the essence of hypocrisy, whereby a person makes an outward display of something when deep inside he really means something else _ this is wrong except in cases specifically exempted by sharee'ah. They start with Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] recitation when the thoughts of some of them are really focused on the singing.

(v) Some of them cut the recitation short, because they are thinking too much of the pleasure of that which comes after it, as mentioned above.

(vi) If the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] reading goes on for a long time, some of the audience begin to show signs of boredom, and they do not settle down until the entertainment they like begins. This is not what is meant by the description which Allaah gives of the humble believers, because they love to hear the words of the Lord, as He says in praise of them (interpretation of the meaning):

`And when they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. They say: "Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses"'[al-Maa'idah 5:83]

This is how Allaah describes those who listen to His words. But some of these people do the opposite of that. After listening to the word of their Lord, they get up to dance and celebrate and enjoy themselves in unseemly ways. "Truly, to Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return" [al-Baqarah 2:156 _ interpretation of the meaning. This phrase is an expression of grief and sorrow] for the lack of shame for committing sins. They do the deeds of the Shaytaan and seek reward from the Lord of the Worlds, claiming that they are doing acts of worship and goodness. Would that only the lowest of people did that, but now this problem has become widespread and you see those who claim to have some knowledge and good deeds doing that, and even some of those who claim to be shaykhs, i.e., those who have followers. All of them are included in what is said above.

It is strange that they have been deceived by this trick of the accursed Shaytaan. Do you not see that a wine-drinker, when the wine first starts to take effect, he begins to move his head non-stop. When the effect becomes stronger, he loses his shame and dignity before those who are with him, and what he wants to conceal will be exposed to his companions. Look at this singer, may Allaah have mercy on you and us. When he starts to sing, you will see people who have dignity and respect, who appear decent and are followed by people of knowledge, falling silent when he starts to sing. Then they start to move their heads a little, exactly like wine-drinkers, as described above. Then when they really start to enjoy the entertainment, they lose their shyness and dignity, exactly like the wine-drinkers, so they get up and start to dance and shout and weep in a show of fake humility. They move in and out and raise their arms and heads towards the heavens as if receiving divine inspiration. They start to foam at the mouth and may even rend their garments and play with their beards.

This is obviously something to be denounced, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade wasting money, and rending one's garments is obviously included in that.

Secondly, this obviously goes beyond the limits of common sense, because they act like crazy people most of the time."(al-Madkhal, 2/5-7)

(c) The Standing Committee said:

"Celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is not permitted because it is an invented bid'ah (innovation) which was not done by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or by his rightly-guided successors (al-khulafa' al-raashideen), or by the scholars of the best three generations [i.e., the first three generations of Islam]."

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 3/2)

(d) Shaykh Ibn Baaz was asked: is it permissible for the Muslims to hold celebrations in the mosque to commemorate the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the night of 12 Rabee' al-Awwal, to celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), without taking that day off as an "Eid"? We are having some disputes concerning this. Some say that it is a bid'ah hasanah ("a good innovation") and some say that it is not a good innovation.

He replied:

"The Muslims should not celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), whether on the night of 12 Rabee' al-Awwal or on any other date, just as they should not celebrate the birthday of anyone other than the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), because celebrating birthdays is an innovation which has been introduced into the religion. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not celebrate his birthday during his lifetime, and he is the one who conveyed the religion and laws from Allaah. He did not enjoin that, and it was not done by his rightly guided successors or by any of his Companions or those who followed them in goodness during the best three generations. So it is known to be an innovation, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not a part of it, will have it rejected' (Saheeh _ agreed upon). According to a report narrated by Muslim, which al-Bukhaari narrated in a mu'allaq majzoom report: "Whoever does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected."

Celebrating the Mawlid is not in accordance with the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), rather it is something which the people innovated and introduced into their religion during later centuries, so it is to be rejected. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say in his khutbah (sermon) on Fridays: `The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented, and every innovation is a going-astray.' This was narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh. It was also narrated by al-Nasaa'i with a jayyid isnaad, adding the words, `and every going-astray leads to Hell.'

Instead of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), we should study his seerah (biography) and the history of his life during the jaahiliyyah and Islam, in schools, mosques and elsewhere. That includes describing the circumstances of his birth and death, with no need to innovate celebrations which are not prescribed by Allaah or His Messenger, and for which there is no evidence in sharee'ah.

Allaah is the Source of Strength. We ask Allaah to grant guidance and strength to all the Muslims and to help them to follow the Sunnah and avoid bid'ah."

(Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 4/289)

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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13810: A Christian woman asks about the Prophet's birthday and what it means to the Muslims

Question:

What is the significance of the Prophet's Birthday and when and how is it celebrated?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. Firstly, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the Messenger of Allaah to all of mankind, the one through whom Allaah leads people from darkness into light, from misguidance to guidance. Please see question no. 11575. Perhaps this question is the start of your research into the religion of Islam and your attempt to learn more and read widely about it. Try to find a translation of the meanings of the Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] so that you can learn more about this pure monotheistic religion. No doubt our joy will be multiplied if you become our sister in Islam by entering this religion.

Secondly, acts of worship in Islam are based on an important principle, which is that no one is permitted to worship Allaah in any way except that which Allaah has prescribed in his Book or which was taught by His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Whoever worships Allaah by doing something that Allaah and His Messenger have not enjoined, Allaah will not accept that from him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us of that, as it was narrated that `Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] that is not part of it will have it rejected.'" (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Sulh, 2499).

Acts of worship include festivals. Allaah has prescribed two festivals or Eids for us to celebrate, and it is not permissible for us to celebrate any others. (Please see question no. 486).

With regard to celebrating the day on which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was born, it should be noted that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not tell us to celebrate this day, and he himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not celebrate it, nor did his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them). They loved the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) far more than we do, yet despite that they did not celebrate this day. Hence we do not celebrate this day, in obedience to the command of Allaah Who has commanded us to follow the commands of His Prophet. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)" [al-Hashr 59:7]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah [way] and the way of the Rightly-Guided khaleefahs. Adhere to it and cling tightly to it. And beware of newly-invented matters [in religion], for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going-astray." (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Sunnah, 3991; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, no. 3851).

The extent to which a person loves the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is to be seen in how he follows him with regard to all that he commanded or forbade. That includes following him in not celebrating the day on which he was born. See question no. 5219, 10070.

Whoever wants to venerate the day on which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was born should follow the alternative that is based on Islamic evidence, which is that one should fast on Mondays, not just the day that he was born but every Monday.

It was narrated from Abu Qutaadah al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said, "On that day I was born and on that day the Revelation came to me." (Narrated by Muslim, 1978). On Thursdays deeds are taken up and shown to Allaah.

Conclusion: celebrating the Prophet's birthday was not prescribed by Allaah or by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so it is not permissible for the Muslims to celebrate his birthday, in obedience to the command of Allaah and the command of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

We ask Allaah to guide you to the Straight Path.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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26793: Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] on Fridays and du'aa' before Fajr

Question:

What is the ruling on reading Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran] out loud on Fridays before Zuhr prayer? If you tell the person that this is not narrated in the Sunnah and he says to you, "Do you want to stop people from reading Qur'aan [Qur'an, Quran]?" What is your opinion on du'aa's that are recited in a melodious voice over loudspeakers shortly before the adhaan for Fajr? When you tell them that this is something for which there is no evidence (in sharee'ah) they tell you that this is something good and it wakes people up for Fajr.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

We do not know of any evidence that this happened at the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and we do not know of anyone among the Sahaabah who did that (reading Qu'raan out loud on Fridays before Zuhr). Similarly the du'aa's recited in a melodious over loudspeakers before the adhaan for Fajr are also bid'ah, and every bid'ah is a going-astray. It was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected." (al-Bukhaari in al-Sulh, 2697; Muslim in al-Udhiyah, 1718)

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhooth al-`Ilmiyyah wa'l-Ifta, 2/353 (www.islam-qa.com)

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22872: Is it prescribed to boycott innovators in this day and age?

Question:

When is it prescribed to boycott innovators (followers of bid'ah)? When is it prescribed to hate for the sake of Allaah? Is it prescribed to boycott them in this day and age?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The believer should analyze the situation in the light of faith and sharee'ah, and ignore his whims and desires. If his shunning and keeping away from the innovator will not result in a greater evil, then it is prescribed, and at the very least it is Sunnah. Similarly, shunning those who openly commit sin is at the very least Sunnah. But if not shunning them will be more effective because one thinks that calling these innovators, guiding them to the Sunnah and teaching them what Allaah has enjoined upon them will be more effective in guiding them, then he should not hasten to shun them, but he should hate them for the sake of Allaah just as he hates the kaafirs and sinners. But his hatred for the kuffaar should be greater, whilst also calling them to Allaah and striving to guide them, acting in accordance with all the shar'i evidence. So he should hate the innovator in accordance with the degree of his innovation, so long as it does not imply kufr, and he should hate the sinner in accordance with the degree of his sin, but he should also love him for the sake of Allaah in accordance with the degree of his Islam and faith. From this we know that shunning depends on the situation.

Conclusion: the most correct approach is to look at the shar'i interests involved, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) shunned some people and not others, depending on the objectives of Islam. He shunned Ka'b ibn Maalik and his two companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) when they stayed behind from the campaign of Tabook with no excuse. He shunned them for fifty days, until they repented and Allaah accepted their repentance. But he did not shun `Abd-Allaah ibn Ubayy ibn Salool and a group of those who were accused of hypocrisy, for shar'i reasons.

The believer looks at what is in the best interests (of Islam). This does not contradict the idea of hating the kaafirs, innovators and sinners for the sake of Allaah and loving the Muslims for the sake of Allaah. Attention must be paid to what is in the general interest; if shunning is better then they should be shunned, but if the objectives of Islam dictate that ongoing da'wah efforts should be made rather than shunning, then that is what should be done, following the teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li Samaahat al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), 9/423. (www.islam-qa.com)

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