Friday, December 24, 2010

Muslims Participating in Christmas by Shaikh Ibn Baz

the matter of those who indulge in the Interfaith Dialogues BY ABU YUSUF KHALEEFAH

Call to Islaam, do not be Called to Kufr by abu yusuf khaleefah

Some Guidelines to Recognize a Person

The person doesn’t place an importance in Islamic knowledge. Therefore, he’s ignorant about the Minhaj.

He doesn’t accept advice from advisors. Hence, he’s blinded and deceived by the falsehood he does.

He’s negligent in the importance of correcting Aqeedah and inviting people to sound belief.

The person is a fanatic towards his leader and takes sides with the people of falsehood and corrupt belief, and with individuals viewing deviant ideologies.

He follows the Mutashabah. Allah says, So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials, etc… [ Al-Imran 7]



He practices innovated ways in his worship and defends these practices.



He displays enmity towards the people of the Sunnah; publicly and privately.



He treads along the path of the Khawarij. Some examples of such actions are:



1.He backbites , slanders and speaks ill of the scholars

2. He attacks the rulers and turns away from obeying them through revolt.

3. He incites the general people to slander and speak ill of the scholars and Muslim rulers.

4.He places more importance on politics than on Shar’ia.



May Allah preserve us.



Taken from “ I’anatul Khutabah” by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Zayd Al-Madkhali (may Allah reward him)



Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Lamont Battle

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Be Aware of the Traits of Nifaq

new sister class on paltalk

As Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

Bi'dhnillah subhana wa ta' ala "Covered Gems" will be hosting a new class via telelink on Tuedsays at 7:00pm begining December 7, 2010. The class will be conducted by our brother Abu Yusef Khaleefah and we will be studying from the book "The Role of the Women in Rectifying the Community" by Shaykh Al Uthaymeen

Inshaa Allah ta' ala this class will also be available on Paltalk in the Covered Gems room.

Barkallahu Feekum

Covered Gems Staff



Date:
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Scheduled Start Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Std Time
Dial-in Number: 1-270-696-2525
Participant Access Code: 5642627

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

EID UL FITR 1431

Official Decision and Announcement of the High Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia...Just a short time ago, Fatwa-Online was informed of the official decision and announcement of the High Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia that since the moon of Shawwaal was not sighted this evening, here in Saudi Arabia, we shall be completing thirty (30) days of Ramadhaan (1431 A.H.)6 hours ago clear

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

raising of hands during Du'aa

Shaikh Ibn Baaz (rahimahullaah) and the raising of hands during Du'aa, by Abu Khadeejah 'Abdul-Waahid


People often ask regarding the raising of the hands whilst making du'aa. There seems to be from the direction of the Sufis and grave-worshippers the usual spreading of lies and and deception claiming that the Salafis don't make du'aa for the deceased; that they don't make du'aa after salaah; that they don't even make du'aa for their own parents.


Nothing could be further from the truth. The Salafis are the people of Sunnah, and as such they are the closest of the people in emulating the Prophet (salallaahu alaihi wassalam) and his Companions - so that necessitates that they are most ardent in the supplication of their Lord alone, without directing their supplications to other than Allaah. They seek His aid alone, they seek refuge with Him and seek from Him to deliver them and rescue them from calamities. They seek from Him that He cures them from there illnesses and the illnesses of the believers; they supplicate to Him for forgiveness and mercy for themselves, their parents, their children and the believers. The Salafis should be foremost in this regard. Supplication can be with the raising of the hands at times and without at other times.


Shaikhul-Islaam Abdul-'Azeez bin Baaz was asked a question as to whether the rasing of the hands during supplication was something legislated, and in partcular, during a journey whilst in an airplane, or a car, or a train or other than that. He responded by stating that raising of the hands is from the causes of the supplications being answered in any location a person may be. The Prophet (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) stated:




"Indeed your Lord is Shy and Generous. He becomes shy when His servant raises his hands to Him [in du'aa] to turn him away empty-handed." (Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood)





And he (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) said: Indeed Allaah, the Most High, is Good (Tayyib) and He does not accept except good. Allaah commanded the believers with that which He commanded the Messengers, so Allaah said: "O Messengers! Eat of the good, lawful foods and do righteous deeds."[1] And He, the Most Perfect, said: "O you who believe! Eat from the good, lawful things that We have provided you with and be grateful to Allaah."[2] Then he (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) mentioned the situation of a man who was upon a lengthy journey, dusty and deshevelled - he stretches his hands to the sky saying: "O my Lord! O my Lord!", whilst his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his garments are unlawful and he nourishes with that which is unlawful. So how does he expect to be answered? (Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh).


So Allaah made the raising of the hands a reason for the du'aa to be answered; and he made unlawful food and nourishment a reason for the du'aa not being answered. So this is a proof that raising the hands is a cause for the du'aa to be answered, regardless of whether it's on an airplane, or train or a car or a spacecraft, or other than that. So if a person supplicates and raises his hands, then that becomes a reason for the du'aa to be accepted. The exception is that we do not raise our hands in those situations where the Messenger (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) did not raise his hands, such as the supplications during the Jumu'ah Khutbah wherein he would not raise his hands, unless he was seeking rain specifically (i.e. istisqaa), then he would raise his hands. Likewise he would not raise his hands during the supplication between the two prostrations or before the tasleem at the end of the final tashahhud in the prayer. So we do not raise our hands in those situations where he did not raise his hands - this is because his actions are an evidence for us and his abanddonment of affairs is an evidence also. So likewise after the five daily Prayers, he used make dhikr (rememberances) of Allaah, but he did not raise his hands, so we do not raise our hands at that time due to our following of him.


As for those situations and places where he would raise his hands, then the Sunnah is to raise one's hands, following him in that, because that is a reason for the du'aa to be answered.


Also in those situations wherein the Muslim supplicates to his Lord, and he does not find any text from the Prophet (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) in raising his hands and nor leaving it off - then in that situation we raise our hands, due to the fact that the ahaadeeth we have quoted prove that the raising of the hands in general is from the causes of the du'aa being answered, as long as they are not in those situations wherein the Messenger (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) abandoned the raising of the hands as has preceeded above.


Adapted from the Majmoo' Fatawa of Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Baaz, vol. 6, pp. 158-159.


[1] Al-Mu'minoon: 51 [2] Al-Baqarah: 172





http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=10&Topic=11425

Friday, August 13, 2010

The Three Levels of Fasting

al-Imaam Ahmad bin Abdir Rahmaan bin Qudaamah al-Maqdasee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said:

"For fasting there are three levels,

1. The General Fast

2. The Specific Fast

3. The More Specific Fast

As for the "The General Fast" it is restraining the stomach, the privates from fulfilling the desires.

As for "The Specific Fast" it is restraining the look, the tongue, the hand, the foot, the hearing, the sight and the rest of the body parts from the acts of sin.

As for "The More Specific Fast" it is the fasting of the heart from the debased worries and the thoughts which distance (the individual) away from Allaah. It is also refraining the heart from everything besides Allaah in its entirety"

Taken from Mukhtasar Minhaaj al-Qaasideen pg. 44 Maktabah Daar al-Bayyaan.



TRANSLATED BY ABU YUSUF KHALEEFAH

Sunday, August 8, 2010

SPECIAL SERIES FOR RAMADAN 1431 AH / 2010

Bismillaah Wal Hamdulillaah Wa As-Salatu wa As-Salamu 'Ala Rasoolillah Wa Ba'd:
Dear brothers and sisters – May Allaah Shower His Rahmah upon you

Assalamu 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatuh


SPECIAL SERIES FOR RAMADAN 1431 AH / 2010

Shaikh Mohammad Al-Malki


THEME : " The Explanation of Ayaat & Ahadeeth of Ramadan & Fasting"


DAYS : FROM SATURDAYS TO THURSDAYS
TIME : 5 p.m. Makkah time / 3 p.m. GMT / 10 a.m EST
START DATE : August 10th, / 29th Shaban 1431 AH
END DATE : 20TH Ramadan 1431 AH
Inshaa Allah.



PALTALK ROOM - Religion & Spirituality => Islam => ilmforall Know Islam

THE RULING ON FASTING

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

FREE ARABIC CLASS

Maktabatul Uthaymeen Production
Presents:

Lets Learn To Read The Qur’aan During The Month Of The Qur’aan
(Free Arabic Class)

At Masjid Tawbah
Duffield & Pratt St

Starting August 14 2010

After Salatul Asr(5:15)

For More Info Contact
Nasir Abuz-Zubayr@
Maktabahuthaymeen@ymail.com

Monday, August 2, 2010

Important Message from Shaykh Ubayd al-Jabiree

In the Name of Allah, and All praise is for Allah, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and companions. To proceed…



In addition to what was previously issued by me regarding warning against the brother Shadeed [Muhammad]; that his lectures and lessons should not be listened to, we deem it to be of benefit that:



Firstly, we ask him to refrain from giving lectures and classes [at this time];



Secondly, we ask those who narrated our warning against him to cease warning against him, as this situation is with me now and I will deal with it and issue a clarification of the truth [at a later date] insha'Allah.



And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.



Dictated by Ubayd b. Abdullah b. Sulayman al-Jabiree, former instructor at the Islamic University of Madinah, on Laylatul Ahad, 20th of Sha’baan 1431 corresponding to [Sunday] 1st of August, 2010.



And with Allah lies [all] success.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

a reminder for us not to be like the kuffar!!

On the authority of Shaddad Ibn Aus (radiallaahu anhu) collected by Abu Dawud, that the Prophet (salallaahu alahi wa sallam) said, "Differ from the Jews, for certainly they don't pray with their shoes nor with their khuffs (leather socks)."
Imam Ahmad narrated from the hadeeth of Abi 'Ummah (radiallaahu anhu) that the Prophet (salallaahu alahi wa sallam) came out upon some elderly men from the Ansaar whose beards were white so he said, "Dye your beards red or yellow, and differ from the People of the Book. We said, "O Messenger of Allaah, the People of the Book wear pants and they don't wear the izaar." So the Prophet said,"Wear pants and the izaar (meaning together), differ from the People of the Book." We said," O messenger of Allaah, the People of the Book wear khuffs and they don’t wear shoes." So he said,"Wear khuffs and shoes, differ from the People to the Book." We said," O Messenger of Allaah, the People of the Book cut their beards and grow their mustaches." So the Prophet said," Cut your mustaches and grow your beards, differ from the People of the Book."

Sunday, July 18, 2010

NEW CD'S AT M.U PRODUCTIONS

AS-SALAAMU ALAYKUM WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH

BELOW IS A LIST OF THE NEW CD'S AT MAKTABATUL UTHAYMEEN


1. DEFENDING THE SUNNAH(DAWUD ADIB)

2.BASIC TAWHEED 1-2(DR.SALEH AS-SALEH)

3. ENJOINING THE GOOD & FORBIDDING THE EVIL(DR.SALEH AS-SALEH)

4.QUR'AAN,MEDICINE & SCIENCE(DR. SALEH AS-SALEH)

5.SIGNS OF THE PEOPLE OF BID'AH(ABDUL ALEEM)

6. REASON FOR SEEKING ILMUD-DEEN(ABDUL ALEEM)

7. A REMINDER OF THE RIGHTS OF THE MUSLIM(ABDUL ALEEM)

8. WHAT IS A NI'MAH(ABDUL ALEEM)

9. WORKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT(ABDUL ALEEM)

10. WHAT IS TAQWAH(ABDUL ALEEM)

11. WE NEED TAWHEED(ABDUL ALEEM)

12. A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF TAWHEED(ABDUL ALEEM)

13.KNOW THE RIGHT YOU OWE YOUR LORD(ABDUL ALEEM)


YOU CAN PLACE YOUR ORDERS @ http://islamicaudiogallery.weblodge.net

Monday, May 17, 2010

all tapes must go!!!!!

As salaamu alaikum Wa rahmatullahi Wa barakatu,

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Fairness in our relationships

Sacrafices The Prophet made for brotherhood for our Ummah

Know Your Enemy- Shaytaan Spends the Night in Your Nose

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

� When anyone of you wakes up, he Must rinse his nose three times. Verily Shayttan spends the night inside a person’s nostrils.

(Collected by Bukhari 3121 and Muslim 23)

Benefits for this subject:

Blowing the nose is an obligation with the Hanbali school of thought and a sunnah with the majority of scholars.
This hadeeth shows that Shaytaan can’t open what’s closed or locked. Furthermore it has been reported that when a person yawns he should cover his mouth, so Shaytaan can’t enter.[ Subulus Salaam]
Shaykh Muhammad Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) commented on this hadeeth in his explanation for Sahih Muslim. He said,� This hadeeth proves that Shaytaan has the ability to do things and we don’t have the ability to perceive it.Shaytaan spends the night in our nose and we don’t know how. We can’t make out how anyone could shape their body for the size of a nostril. However if it was something that crawled the size of an atom we could see how.
Nonetheless the world of the Shayaateen and Jinn is hidden from us. And likewise the world of the Angels is hidden from us. There is an Angel on our right and left side that companion us. Do we feel them? We don’t feel them, but we believe this to be a fact.

The hadeeth proves that Allah has given Shaytaan the ability to overpower us. Therefore he (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us about this act of Shaytaan, so we could be aware of his evil and realize our need for Allah. [ explanation of Sahih Muslim for hadeeth number 24]
Muhammad Abdur Rauf Al-Manaawee said,� Shaytaan also chooses the nose because the eyes are for looking and pondering over the creations in the heavens and earth. The mouth is for remembering Allah. The ears are for listening to knowledge and Allah’s remembrances. However the nose doesn’t have any of these traits. Therefore this is an entrance for Shaytaan into man’s body to whisper to him.[ Faydul Qadeer #436]
Translated and prepared by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Lamont Battle

Monday, April 19, 2010

Benefit: Instructions for Men From Shaykh Saalih as-Suhaymee Regarding P...

The Hizbee (Partisan) is worse than the Mubdati'(Innovator)* By: Shaykh Rabee

The Hizbee (Partisan) is worse than the Mubdati'(Innovator) *



*Shaikh Rabee' Ibn Haadi was asked the following question*: We heard more
than one of the scholars say that not every Hizbee is a Mubtadi'. Therefore,
what is the difference between a Hizbee and a Mubtadi'?



*The answer*: By Allah our opinion is that the Hizbees are Mubtadi'ah *and
there may even be Hizbees who are worse than the (other) Mubtadi'ah *and
Allah's refuge is sought. This is because (Ahlus Sunnah) are not guaranteed
safety from the Hizbee's opposition to the true call of Allah, his warlike
opposition toward Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah and his allegiance toward the
people of innovation and falsehood. This is because the groups nowadays are
formed from different entities from the people of innovation and
misguidance.



I do not know of any deviant group that is free from innovation and
misguidance. Therefore how can they (the Hizbees) mix with the innovators,
have allegiance toward them, aid them and spread aspects of their
methodology which opposes the methodology of the people of truth? How can
such a person be a Sunni Salafi?



These matters need reflection as Hizbeeyah is very dangerous. And in my
opinion, *from the worst of their principles and methodologies, which is
hated by Allah, is their claim that we are Salafis yet we accompany the
Ikhwaan or the Tableegh (mixing with them).* *Such people need to be
punished and humiliated more than the rest (of the people of innovation) and
I do not think that they are truthful in calling themselves Salafi.* By
Allah if they were truthful they would not have mixed with the people of
innovation, have relations with them, help them (in spreading their da'wah),
have allegiance with them and then become opponents to the people of the
Sunnah. This is evidence that their statement is untrue. *If they were
pleased with the Manhaj of the Salaf, knew its right and knew that it was
the true religion of Allah why do they abandon the people of the truth,
fight them and disregard them and then gather with those who oppose them
from the people of falsehood, its callers and its helpers. *



Hence, *in my opinion every single Hizbee is a Mubtadi' whether they like it
or not because they have descriptions and actions that are even worse than
many of the people of innovation.* Therefore I warn you from aligning
yourself with any group except that which is upon the way of the Prophets
and Messengers in their creed, their propagation and their methodology and
in (the matter of) allegiance and disassociation because the most sturdy
handhold is allegiance and disassociation (for Allah's sake) and loving and
hating for Allah.



Therefore for this one it is said he is a Hizbee but with dislike for those
who are under Allah's guardianship, oppose them, war against them and their
Manhaj and turn the people against them and tell the people to shun them *how
can this person be Salafi and how can this person be from Ahlus Sunnah? *



*http://www. aloloom.net/ vb/showthread. php?p=19704# post19704*

Translated by Musa Millington

marrying the sister of one's divorcee during the iddah

Ruling on marrying the sister of
one's divorcee during the latter's `Iddah



Q 1: If a person divorces his wife and she is still in her `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood), is it permissible for him to marry her sister? If his wife dies, is it permissible to marry her sister shortly after? May Allah benefit us and you!




A: If a person divorces his wife, it is not permissible for him to marry her sister or maternal or paternal aunt unless the `Iddah is over if the divorce is revocable as agreed by all Muslims. If the divorce is revocable, then she is still his wife as long as the `Iddah is not over. But if it is irrevocable divorce, such as being the third divorce or Kul` (divorce initiated by a wife for a consideration) , this is a controversial matter among scholars. The preponderant opinion is not to marry her sister until his wife's `Iddah is over. But if his wife dies, then it is permissible to marry her sister or maternal or paternal aunt immediately, even one or two days after his wife's death as the marriage bond ends by death. In this case, it is permissible to marry her sister or maternal or paternal aunt immediately after the wife dies.













taken from: http://alifta. com/Fatawa/ FatawaChapters. aspx?View= Page&PageID=4041&PageNo=1&BookID=14

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

we cant let go of laa ilaha illa'allah(abu yusuf khaleefah

ruling on combining the prayers for one who is a resident and not traveling:

from precious gems from the works of shaykh al-albaani by asaheeha
source: fataawa jeddah – rulings (from) jeddah – tape no. 13


~

shaykh al-albaani (rahimahullaah) answers a question regarding combining the prayers for one who is a resident and not traveling:




“The hadeeth of ibn ‘Abbaas [radi Allaahu 'anhu] that Imaam Muslim brought out in his Saheeh, from ibn ‘Abbaas who said: ‘The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) combined in Madinah between Dhuhr and ‘Asr, and between Maghrib and ‘Ishaa, without [being in a state of] traveling or [without there being any] rain. They said, ‘What did he [sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam] intend by that O Abul ‘Abbaas (the kunya of ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Abbaas)?’…He said, ‘He [sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam] wanted that his ummah should not be put to hardship’…’




So what is apparent from the hadeeth is that it is permissible to combine between two prayers in the state of being a resident and without the excuse of [there being] rain, because [the presence of] rain is a legitimate excuse [for which it is] allowed to combine between two prayers. And here ibn ‘Abbaas says that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam) combined [the prayers] while being a resident and combined without the excuse of [there being] rain…




So some of the scholars of the past and present go so far as to permit this combining [of prayers] during residency without [there being any] excuse, and I don’t see that as correct. That is because the narrator of the hadeeth explains the combining of the Messenger (‘alayhi ssalaam) without an excuse, as another excuse [in order to] legislate [from Allaah] and the explain to the people, as ibn ‘Abbaas said, ‘He wanted that his ummah should not be put to hardship,’ (‘alayhi ssalaat wa ssalaam). And the meaning of this is [that]…when difficulty is found in establishing the prayers in their known appointed times…, combining is permissible. As for if there is no difficulty, then it is obligatory to preserve/maintain performing the five prayers, each prayer [being prayed] in its due time, because there is no difficulty…




So where there is no difficulty, there is no combining [of the prayers], and these are two correlative/ inseparable affairs. No difficulty, no combining. [If] there is difficulty, there is [the possibility and permissibility of] combining.”




i took this from one sister's blog because i thought it was an interesting issue that people should know. jazakumullahu khaira

http://zakariyyabna david.multiply. com/journal/ item/35/combinin g_prayers_ for_the_resident

Prohibition of Differences and Ikhtilaafaat

Prohibition of Differences and Ikhtilaafaat

by Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Jarboo (حفظه الله تعالى)
on Saturday, August 22nd, 2004
http://albaseerah. org/forum/ showthread. php?p=29224# post29224



QUESTIONS & ANSWERS


1. Question: The brother is asking: If I were to pray alone in my home, is it waajib (obligatory) upon me to call the adhaan or iqaamah or is it just a Sunnah? Also, if I were to pray alone in salatul-jahr (audible salaah) then is it waajib upon me to recite the Qur’aan aloud?

Answer: Regarding the first part of the question which deals with the adhaan and iqaamah, if you are in a village, town or city in which the adhaan is made and you can hear it from where you are, then all you have to do is make the iqaamah and pray. But if you’re in a place where the adhaan is not heard and is not sounded, then you have to make the adhaan and the iqaamah and this is when the adhaan is not sounded in the town in which you are.

As for the second part of the question concerning recitation of the Qur’aan after sooratul-Faatihah; if you pray alone then it is mustahabb i.e. it is recommended that you recite the Qur’aan after sooratul-Faatihah. Meaning, that sooratul-Faatihah is a rukn (pillar) and what is after it, if is not read the salaah will still be correct without it (i.e. your salaah will not be negated). But, it is not liked that one leaves off recitation of the Qur’aan after sooratul-Faatihah (or makes it a habit i.e. he does this all the time) except if he is very tired, or sick or something prevents him from completing it. If he persists upon this it will be considered as naqs(deficiency) and it will take away from the completeness of his salaah. The Shaykh حفظه الله تعالى added that what is intended is the recitation after sooraatul-Faatihah in the first and second raka’aat.


2. Question: Is rejecting a hadeeth considered kufr (disbelief) or is it just misguidance, could you please elaborate?

Answer: If it becomes clear to the person that the hadeeth is from amongst the authentic aahaadeeth and he understands that the hadeeth has been established as being from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم yet he rejects and denies it, then this is kufr; it is clear and it takes him out of the millah (Religion) of Islaam.

If this person makes ta’weel meaning that he tries to give an explanation of the hadeeth by saying “this hadeeth means such and such, or maybe it means this…” then this is not kufr but it is as they say ‘a way of interpretation’ (ta’weel). In any event, the pronunciation of kufr on an individual is not something which anyone may do (i.e. it is not for everyone to start making takfeer of the people by pronouncing them to be disbelievers) . Rather these affairs should be raised to the judges (قضاة – qudaah) and the jurists (المفتين) who would make the clarifications.

As for the one who explains the hadeeth – who makes ta’weel of it, then this is an error and this person does not reach the stage of kufr due to his ta’weel(interpretation) . However, he should be taught and should be redirected to the pure meaning of the aahaadeeth which the Salaf made clear; but if he stays uponhis understanding and interpretation, although he does not reject the hadeeth, then this will be considered as misguidance and not kufr.


3. Question: Allaah سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ
{…The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you...} [Surah al-Maa’idah 5:5]

According to the above mentioned aayah (verse), is it permissible for us to buy and eat the meat of the People of the Book (Ahlul-Kitaab) i.e. the meat sold in the supermarkets; and is it permissible for us to eat Kosher?

Answer: Here, the intended meaning of ‘the food of The People of the Book’ is the food which the merchant slaughters according to their Deen and their Sharee’ah(Legislation) . If it is established that one from the People of the Book or a Muslim strangles the animal i.e. he has not slaughtered it, then this will be consideredmaitah (ميتة – dead meat) and the maitah is not permissible. Whether it is a Muslim or not who did the strangling, this meat will not be permissible.

We also need to mention that in your society and other than yours, there are atheists. They have no Deen – no belief, even though outwardly they may appear to be Jews and Christians. From them it (the slaughter) will also not be accepted.

However if it is confirmed that they are Jews and Christians (People of the Book), meaning that they are doing the slaughter according to the way of the Jews and Christians based on what is in their books, then it is permissible. This is because it will be considered that the slaughter was really the slaughter of the People of the Book.

As for the one about whom it cannot be ascertained whether he slaughtered, strangled, electrocuted or immersed the animal in hot water i.e. we do not know the method used, then it will be impermissible for us to partake of this meat since we cannot determine whether it was slaughtered or maitah. However, when it can be ascertained that the person who did the slaughtering was a Muslim, Jew, or Christian and the slaughter was done according to the way mentioned in their book and according to their Deen then this is permissible (jaaiz).


4. Question: Is it permissible for the Muslims to pay taxes in this town/city and b) If we don’t pay taxes within the time limit, then we must pay interest on it; so how do we take care of the situation?

Answer: Regarding what the Muslim is required to pay as taxes and other things that one has to pay, whether in a Muslim land or other than that, then it ispermissible for the Muslim to pay them, if by his not paying them it will cause harm or molestation/ inconvenience upon his Deen or his life. The Messenger of Allaah said “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.”[3] Also, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says:


وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ
{...and (He) has not laid upon you in religion any hardship…} [Al-Hajj 22:78]

The People of Knowledge bring forward cases of that. For example, if a Judge, Commissioner or anyone in the Police Service, even in a Muslim country, demand that you pay a bribe (رشوة – rishwah) where it is not possible for you to get your right except by paying this bribe, then it is permissible for you to pay it and the sin will not be on you.

Or for instance, if you want to enter a town with your car and you are required to pay a toll or a fee and you must get insurance on your car otherwise you cannot enter, then it is permissible for you to go ahead and pay and the sin will be upon them. Likewise, if they impose taxes on you for your house, car, salary and other than this, then you pay them because if you do not pay the taxes harm and difficulty may befall you and this Deen is a Deen of ease and Allaah سبحانه وتعالى said:


وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ
{...and (He) has not laid upon you in religion any hardship…} [Al-Hajj 22:78]

The sin will be upon those who imposed it on us since there is dislike linked to that (i.e. paying them the taxes, bribe, insurance etc.).


5. Question: What is the best way to advise the imaam in the three following situations:
He recites Suratul-Faatihah loudly in salaatud-Dhuhr and Salaatul-‘Asr.
He makes bowing (rukoo’) and the prostrations (sujood) very fast.
He does not order the ones performing the prayer (musalleen) with straightening the rows and filling the gaps.
Answer: As for some of the matters mentioned, some will invalidate the salaah and some will not.
As for his reciting aloud in Salaatud-Dhuhr and salaatul-‘Asr, then it will not render the salaah invalid but this action is contrary to the Sunnah. You should explain this to him and show him that this is opposing the Sunnah. Tell him that you love the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and you want to follow his way, tell him that it is necessary for him to fulfil the Sunnah and it was the Sunnah of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم that he would not recite aloud in salaatud-Dhuhr and salaatul-‘Asr, (the salaah performed in the daytime) but he would recite aloud in the night prayers (Fajr, Maghrib and ‘Ishaa). Inform him that you love the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and search for the aahaadeeth that describe how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed. This action of his will not invalidate the salaah nor would it prevent you from praying behind him but you should explain to him that this is contrary to the Sunnah. If he persists and does not heed the advice then you can pray behind other than him and this will be preferred.


As for not ordering the people with making the lines straight, then this is also not in accordance with the correct way. Some of the People of Knowledge and the imaams know that in their congregation (jamaa’ah) there are people who know that they must make the lines straight so there is no reason to order them with it because they know and they obey the rule so they don’t need this (reminder). If it is opposite to this and the people don’t make their lines straight and he is not ordering them, this is something waajib (obligatory) , so it is upon you to remind them and show them that the lines should be straight and that this is the guidance of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as he used to order with the straightening the lines.


As for the issue of hurrying in the pillars (arkaan) of the salaah, then this reduces the salaah by making it deficient in tranquillity (طمأنينة – tama’neenah).Tama’neenah is one of the pillars of the salaah. This means that if there is no tranquillity in the salaah i.e. being calm and serene, then the salaah isnullified.

So the least that is upon the person and what is waajib (obligatory) upon him, is after making takbeeratul Ihraam (تكبيرة الإحرام – the takbeer by which he enters the salaah) is that:
He recites sooratul-Faatihah without haste; this is the minimum required from him.
Then he recites another soorah after it.
Then he says Allaahu Akbar and bows for rukoo’.
When his bones are settled in rukoo’ he says Subhaana Rabbial- ‘Adheem (سبحان ربي العظيم) at least once without haste, this is the minimum.
Then he rises saying Sami’Allaahu liman hamidah (سمع الله لمن حمده) until he is completely upright.
Then (when he is straight and his bones are in place) he says at least Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd (ربنا ولك الحمد), whether or not it is waajib he must still observe the arkaan.
Then he says the takbeer (Allaahu Akbar) and goes into sujood (prostration) with all his seven limbs on the ground and his bones in place.[4]
Then he should say Subhaana Rabbial-a’laa (سبحان ربي الأعلى) once while in this state (prostration) and this is the minimum, but it is waajib to say theadhkaar when in rukoo’ and sujood three times or more times.

It is waajib upon him to have tama’neenah (tranquillity) . If he is not tranquil in his salaah, then his salaah is (word unclear). If the salaah is done in haste and you are able to, then recite the adhkaar (remembrances, those things which are uttered) of each pillar even if only once, and put all limbs on the ground insujood. Indeed this is a hastiness which is makrooh (disliked) if it prevents one from having tama’neenah (tranquillity) . (Translator: If it is does not affect the tranquillity in salaah too much then it would not be nullifying the salaah, but it is warned against and it is dangerous as you are getting very close to nullifying the salaah.)


6. Question: If someone came to know after performing the obligatory salaah (صلاة الفريضة) that he did not make wudhoo’ (ritual purification) before the salaah, what is the situation with his salaah?

Answer: If it becomes clear to this person after he made the salaah that he was in a state of sexual defilement or in a state of ritual impurity i.e. he wasn’t pure, then he should repeat the salaah which he performed without purification (طهارة – tahaarah). As for the salaah that came after it, then he does not have to repeat them but he repeats the salaah for which he remembers that he was impure. This is what is safer, in fact this is what is correct; this is Saheeh.


7. Question: Is it permissible for someone who owns a bird to cut its wings so that it won’t fly out and would that be considered changing the creation of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى? Also, would the bird droppings be considered impure (najis)?

Answer: As for cutting the wings of the bird as some people do when they buy pigeons or birds and cut their wings and feathers so that they don’t fly away and as a means of taming them, then there is nothing wrong with this Inshaa’ Allaah. This is permissible and it is not changing the creation of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى just as it is permissible for you to cut the hair of the sheep, camel and other animals in order to benefit from them. So there is nothing (wrong) with this, Inshaa’ Allaah this is permissible.

As for the bird droppings and what comes from it, then there is an ‘asl (principle) in Islaam which states: Whatever exits from an animal whose meat is permissible to eat, is pure[5] i.e. it is not najis (impure) whether urine or faeces Inshaa’ Allaah.

References and Notes

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Saturday, April 10, 2010

What or who is Salaf?

What or who is Salaf?

The manhaj (methodology) of the Salaf is to adhere to the Qur'aan and the authentic Sunnah as understood by the Salaf as-Saalih. The word Salaf is a shortened version of the word 'Salaf as-Saalih', which means the 'Righteous Predecessors'. It refers specifically to the first three generations of Islaam in which the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) described as being the best generations of Muslims. The first, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his Sahaabah (companions). The second, the Taabi'een (the followers of the companions). The third, the Tabaa'at-Taabi'een (the followers of the followers of the companions). Generally, this term refers to all those pious predecessors who followed the way of the Salaf and who have preceded us in time. This is the true manhaj of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jamaa'ah.

Imaam Aboo ’Amr ’Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn ’Amr al-Awzaa’ee [d.179H]: “Stick to the aathaar of those who have preceded (man salaf), even if the people reject you. And beware of the opinions of men, even if they beautify it for you with speech. So the affair is young and you are upon a Straight Path with regards to it.”

Shaykh-ul-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah: “Whoever deviates from the Madhhab and Tafseer of the Sahaaba and Tabi’een to that which opposes it then he has erred in that rather (he has) innovated.