Our Parents: Our Masters

Our Parents: Our Masters

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

These are collected from as-Samarqandi’s ‘Tambih al-Ghafilin’ (p. 84-91):

From the chapter on the rights of the parents:

1 – Ibn ‘Abbas said:

“There is not a single believer who has two parents and wakes up while he is good to them except that Allah opens up for him two gates to Paradise, and if he makes one of them angry, Allah will not be Pleased with him until that parent becomes pleased with him again.” It was asked: “Even if that parent was oppressive and in the wrong?” It was replied: “Yes, even so. And he never wakes up while he is bad to them except that Allah opens up for him two gates to Hell.”

2 – as-Samarqandi said:

“If Allah – the Exalted – had not mentioned the position and sacredness of the parents in His Book, and did not admonish regarding it, then it would have been realized by simple logic. So, it is obligatory upon the one with logic and intelligence to realize their sacredness and to fulfill their rights. How is it, then, when Allah – the Exalted – has mentioned this in all of His Books: the Torah, the Gospels, the Psalms and the Qur’an, has commanded this in all of His Books, and revealed this to all of His Prophets and advised them regarding the honorable position of the parents and their rights, and has made His Pleasure dependent on their pleasure, and His Anger dependent on their anger?”

3 – Farqad as-Sabakhi said:

“I have read in many books that it is not for the son (or daughter) to speak in the presence of the parents except with their permission, or to walk in front of them, or to their right or left, unless they call him to walk next to them. Rather, he should walk behind them as a slave walks behind his master.”

4 – It was said by a group of the Tabi’in:

“Whoever supplicates for his parents five times in a day has fulfilled their rights, since Allah has Said: {“…to thank Me and your parents. To Me is the final return.”} [Luqman; 14], and you thank Allah – the Exalted – by praying five times in a day. Likewise, you would thank your parents by praying for them five times in a day.”

5 – It was said by a group of the Companions:

“To leave off praying for one’s parents results in a tight and constricted life for the son.”

And let’s not forget about the rights upon the parents:

6 – as-Samarqandi related that Abu Hafs al-Iskandrani – one of the scholars of Uzbekistan – said that a man came to him and said:

“My son hit me and hurt me!” The scholar said: “Glory be to Allah! A son hitting his father? Have you taught him manners and knowledge?” The man said: “No.” “Have you taught him the Qur’an?” The man replied: “No.” “So, what does he know how to do?” The man replied: “Farming.” “Do you know why he hit you?” The man replied: “No.” The scholar then said: “It might have been that when he woke up in the morning, he went to the fields, was riding on a donkey, had a stick between his hands, had a dog behind him, and did not have any knowledge of the Qur’an (because you failed to teach him any of it). So, he started singing, you came out to him at that moment, he thought you were a cow, and hit you with the stick. So, thank Allah that your skull was not fractured.”

7 – It was narrated by one of the early righteous people:

…that he would not order his son with something, and if he needed something, he would ask someone else for it. When he was asked about this, he said: “I fear that if I were to command my son with something that he wouldn’t be able to bear, he would not carry it out and would therefore be disobedient to me and would deserve Hell as a result, and I do not want to be the cause of my son burning in Hell.”

Courtesy of Iskandrani

The Qur'aan and Sunnah on Parents

The Qur'aan and Sunnah on Parents

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

By Imam an-Nawawi

From Riyadhus-Saaliheen
Compiled By Al-Imaam Abu Zakariyyah Yahya Bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi Ashaafi'ee (rahimahullah)
Commentary By Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf of Alharamain Foundation

KIND TREATMENT TOWARDS PARENTS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TIES OF BLOOD RELATIONSHIP 

Allah, the Exalted, says: "Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess". (4:36).

"And fear Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship)". (4:1) "And those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined (i.e., they are good to their relatives and do not sever the bond of kinship)". (13:21) 

"And we have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents". (29:8) 

"And your Rubb has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: `My Rubb! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young". (17:23,24) 

"And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years- give thanks to Me and to your parents". (31:14) 

312. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Prophet (PBUH) , "Which of the deeds is loved most by Allah?'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Salat at its proper time.'' I asked, ``What next?'' He (PBUH) replied, ``Kindness to parents.'' I asked, ``What next?'' He replied, ``Jihad in the way of Allah.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Commentary: Performance of Salat at the stated time means its performance in earliest prescribed or at least its regularity. One should not give preference to mundane affairs over it. Salat and Jihad are the two most meritorious duties of a Muslim. When nice treatment to parents is mentioned along with Salat and Jihad, it gives further importance to this injunction. 

313. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "No son can repay (the kindness shown by his father) unless he finds him a slave and buys him and emancipates him". [Muslim]. 

Commentary: This Hadith also brings out the eminence of parents and outstanding importance of their rights. 

316. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A person came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and asked, "Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?'' He (PBUH) said, "Your mother". He again asked, ``Who next?'' "Your mother", the Prophet (PBUH) replied again. He asked, "Who next?'' He (the Prophet (PBUH)) said again, "Your mother.'' He again asked, "Then who?'' Thereupon he (PBUH) said,'' Then your father.'' 

In another narration: "O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?'' He (PBUH) said, "Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that the rights of the mother are three times more important than that of the father for the reasons that: 1 She is weaker than the father. 2. The following three troubles are borne exclusively by the mother while the father does not share them with her: a) She carries the baby in her womb for nine months, b) The labor pain which she suffers. c) Two years' period of suckling which disturbs her sleep at night and affects her health. She has also to be very cautious in her food for the welfare of the baby. 

317. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced, whose parents, one or both, attain old age during his life time, and he does not enter Jannah (by rendering being dutiful to them)". [Muslim]. 

Commentary: The word ``Ragham'' means soil. When a person's nose is soiled, it is a mark of his extreme humiliation. This metaphor carries a curse for an unfortunate person who does not win the pleasure of Allah by serving and obeying his parents. In fact, it is a malediction as well as a prediction of someone's inauspicious end. Service of parents is essential at every stage of their life - whether they are young or old. But this Hadith mentions their old age for the reason that in that period of their life they stand in greater need of care and service. It is a very callous offense to leave them at the mercy of circumstances when they are old, senile and depend on others for their needs. To neglect them at that stage is a major sin for which one deserves Hell-fire. 

318. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said to Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "I have relatives with whom I try to keep the ties of relationship but they sever relations with me; and whom I treat kindly but they treat me badly, I am gentle with them but they are rough to me.'' He (PBUH) replied, "If you are as you say, it is as if you are feeding them hot ashes, and you will be with a supporter against them from Allah as long as you continue to do so". [Muslim]. 

Commentary: This Hadith has three important lessons: First, the misbehaviour of one's relative is no justification for the misbehaviour of another, let alone the severing of relations on that account. Second, the person who treats his relatives nicely in all events and circumstances is blessed by Allah Who will send from heaven helpers to support him. Third, the consequence of denying compassion and kindness to relatives is as woeful as the eating of hot ashes. 

319. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who desires ample provisions and his life be prolonged, should maintain good ties with his blood relations". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Commentary: One who is benevolent and compassionate towards one's own relatives, stands to gain at least two definite advantages in this world besides the reward in the next. These two advantages are the increase in his subsistence and longevity of life. Increase in subsistence means that Almighty Allah will increase the quantity of his worldly goods or his means of subsistence will be blessed by Him. Similar is the case of longevity of life. The life of such person is either actually increased (in terms of years) or his life is graced with the Blessings of Allah. Both interpretations are correct. 

321. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Prophet (PBUH) of Allah and said, "I swear allegiance to you for emigration and Jihad, seeking reward from Allah.'' He (PBUH) said, "Are either of your parents alive?'' He said, "Yes, both of them are alive.'' He (PBUH) then asked, "Do you want to seek reward from Allah?'' He replied in the affirmative. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Go back to your parents and keep good company with them". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 

In another narration it is reported that a person came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and sought his permission to participate in Jihad. The Prophet (PBUH) asked, "Are your parents alive?'' He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "(You should) consider their service as Jihad.'' 

Commentary: Under normal circumstances, Jihad is Fard Kifayah (collective duty -- which means that if some people observe it, the rest of the Muslims will be exempted from its obligation). In such circumstances permission of parents to participate in Jihad is necessary because their service is Fard-ul-`ain (individual duty -- an injunction or ordinance, the obligation of which extends to every Muslim in person), and the former cannot be preferred to the latter. This Hadith explains such a situation. In certain circumstances, however, Jihad becomes Fard-ul-`ain and in that case permission of the parents to take part in Jihad is not essential because then every Muslim is duty-bound to take part in it. 

322. `Abdullah bin `Amr Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does it because he gets recompensed by his relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the latter has severed the ties of kinship with him". [Al-Bukhari]. 

Commentary: This Hadith makes clear the essentials of kindness to relatives. Those kinsmen who respect and honour you, would obviously be treated by you fairly. It goes without saying that people usually reciprocate sentiments showed to them. But this is not maintaining the ties of kinship but kindness for kindness. On the opposite side, there is a kinsman who is rough and rude and is always bent upon severing relation with you, but you tolerate his excesses with patience and perseverance, return his harshness with politeness, maintain relationship with him in spite of all his efforts to break it, then what you are exercising is maintaining the ties of kinship. This is what Islam actually demands from a Muslim. But this is the excellence of Faith which one must try to attain. There is nothing remarkable in exchanging dry smiles. 

325. Asma' bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with her) said: My mother came to me while she was still a polytheist, so I asked Messenger of Allah (PBUH), "My mother, who is ill-disposed to Islam, has come to visit me. Shall I maintain relations with her?'' He (PBUH) replied, "Yes, maintain relations with your mother". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Commentary: The woman mentioned in this Hadith had come from Makkah to Al-Madinah. What this Hadith signifies is that it is essential to be kind to parents even if they are Mushrikun (polytheists) and Kuffar (disbelievers). This has also been clearly ordained in the Noble Qur'an: ``... but behave with them in the world kindly". (31:15). 

333. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I had a wife whom I loved but `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) disliked her. He asked me to divorce her and when I refused, `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) went to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and mentioned the matter to him. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked me to divorce her. [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]. 

Commentary: If parents' order to divorce one's wife is based on the principles of Shari`ah and morality, it must be obeyed, as is evident from this Hadith. If their order is founded on other factors, then one should try to convince them politely so that they agree with one's view on the issue. Here Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) loved his wife for love's sake, but his father `Umar bin Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) disliked her basing his decision on religious grounds. This is why the Prophet (PBUH) ordered Ibn `Umar to obey his father. 

334. Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to me and said, "I have a wife whom my mother commands me to divorce". I replied him that I had heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "A parent is the best of the gates of Jannah; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it.'' [At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]. 

Commentary: The word "Walid,'' applies to mother as well as father. As the word "Walidain'' is a dual form and covers mother and father both; similarly the noun "father'', also applies to both. This Hadith also stresses that obedience of parents and submission to their order must have preference over the love for the wife as long as this order of theirs is fair and just. 

335. Al-Bara' bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying: "A mother's sister is equivalent to (real) mother (in status)". [At-Tirmidhi] 

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that one should be as respectful to one's aunt (mother's real sister) as one is to mother, as it is a virtue as well as "a form of maintaining the ties of kinship". 

CHAPTER 41 PROHIBITION OF DISOBEYING PARENTS AND SEVERANCE OF RELATIONS 

Allah, the Exalted, says: "Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.'' (47:22,23) 

"And those who break the Covenant of Allah, after its ratification, and sever that which Allah has commanded to be joined (i.e., they sever the bond of kinship and are not good to their relatives), and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse (i.e., they will be far away from Allah's Mercy), and for them is the unhappy (evil) home (i.e., Hell).'' (13:25) 

"And your Rubb has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: `My Rubb! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.''' (17:23,24) 

336. Abu Bakrah Nufai` bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the major sins?'' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked this question thrice. We said, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah. (Please inform us.)". He said, "Ascribing partners to Allah, and to be undutiful to your parents". The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sat up from his reclining position and said, "And I warn you against giving forged statement and a false testimony; I warn you against giving forged statement and a false testimony". The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) kept on repeating that warning till we wished he would stop. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Commentary: This Hadith mentions some of the major sins. A major sin is one against which there is a serious warning in the Noble Qur'an and Hadith. When disobedience to parents is mentioned along with Shirk (polytheism), it makes the fact evident that both of these are very serious sins. Similar is the case of telling a lie and false testimony, which in the incident mentioned in this Hadith made Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to leave his pillow and sit attentively. It indicates that the latter two are serious. May Allah protect all Muslims from all such sins. 3

37. Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "(Of the) major sins are: to ascribe partners to Allah, disobey parents, murder someone, and to take a false oath (intentionally)". [Al-Bukhari]. 

Commentary: There are many more major sins which have been enlisted and discussed at length by Muhaddathun in independent volumes, such as Az-Zawajir `an iqtraf-al-Kaba'ir, Kitab-al-Kaba'ir by Adh-Dhahabi. This Hadith mentions some of the major sins enumerated by the Prophet (PBUH) on a particular occasion. We can also say that the sins mentioned here are some of the most serious among the major sins. 

338. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "It is one of the gravest sins to abuse one's parents.'' It was asked (by the people): "O Messenger of Allah, can a man abuse his own parents?'' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He abuses the father of somebody who, in return, abuses the former's father; he then abuses the mother of somebody who, in return, abuses his mother". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Another narration is: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "One of the major sins is to curse one's parents". It was submitted: "O Messenger of Allah! How can a man curse his own parents?'' He (PBUH) said, "When someone curses the parents of another man who in return abuses the former's father; and when someone abuses the mother of another man who in return abuses his mother.'' 

Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that one should not abuse anyone's parents, because in the event, he is paid in the same coin, he will be responsible for disgracing his own parents. 

340. Abu 'Isa Al-Mughirah bin Shu`bah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah has forbidden you: disobedience to your mothers, to withhold (what you should give), or demand (what you do not deserve), and to bury your daughters alive. And Allah dislikes idle talk, to ask too many questions (for things which will be of no benefit to one), and to waste your wealth". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Allahu A3lam

Towards a Happy Marriage

Towards a Happy Marriage

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

"Glorified is He Who has created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not." {Yaa Seen: 36}

Through the institution of marriage, Allah has favored us with innumerable blessings: completing half of one's deen, a means to increase in our Rizq, a means to having children and following the Sunnah of the Messenger himself. But many of the less obvious blessings can go unrealized because we do not have the correct understanding of marriage, what it entails and how to resolve issues that will inevitably arise within married life.

This course is designed for both believing men and women, married and single, in order for them to appreciate the great blessing of marriage and sustain a happy one. Taught by two scholars, it covers both the fiqh of marriage and advice for attaining a blissful marriage. 

...If your like this article, request for more by contacting me, stating the title of this post. Inshaa Allah.

Boycotting The Products Of Kuffaar

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly:

The basic principle is that it is permissible to interact and do business, buying and selling, with the Jews and others, because it is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions interacted with the Jews of Madeenah, buying and selling, lending and putting items in pledge, and other kinds of interactions that are permissible according to our religion. The Jews with whom the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) interacted were people with whom the Muslims had a treaty; those who broke the treaty were either killed or expelled, or were left alone if that served some interest. 

But there is evidence which indicates that it is permissible to buy and sell with kuffaar who are in a state of war against the Muslims. 

Imam al-Bukhaari (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

Chapter: Buying and selling with the mushrikeen and people who are at war with Islam. 

Then he narrated (2216) that ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then a mushrik man came with some sheep that he was driving. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Are they for sale or a gift?” He said: “For sale.” So he bought a sheep from him. 

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Saheeh Muslim (11/14): 

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is permissible to interact with ahl al-dhimmah (non-Muslims living under Muslim rule) and other kuffaar, so long as the object of the transaction is not haraam, but it is not permissible for a Muslim to sell weapons or tools of war to those who are waging war against the Muslims, or anything that helps them to support their religion. 

Ibn Battaal said: dealing with the kuffaar is permissible, except for selling things to those who are at war with the Muslims that may help them against the Muslims. 

It was narrated in al-Majmoo’ (9/432) that there is scholarly consensus that it is forbidden to sell weapons to people who are waging war against Muslims. 

The reason for that is obvious, which is that these weapons will be used to fight the Muslims. 

Secondly:  

There is no doubt that it is prescribed to engage in jihad against the enemies of Allah, Jews and others, with our lives and our wealth. That includes every means that will weaken their economy and cause them harm. Money is the lifeblood of wars ancient and modern. 

The Muslims in general should cooperate in righteousness and piety and help the Muslims in all places in ways that will lead them to prevail and strengthen them and enable them to manifest the symbols of religion, to practise the teachings of Islam and to implement the rulings of sharee’ah and carry out hudood punishments, and whatever will lead to their victory over the kuffaar, Jews, Christians and others. They should strive their hardest in jihad against the enemies of Allah with all the means at their disposal. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Strive against the mushrikeen with your wealth, your lives and your tongues (speech).” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2504; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. 

The Muslims have to help the mujaahideen as much as they can, and do everything that will strengthen Islam and the Muslims. They must also strive against the kuffaar in whatever ways they can, and do everything they can to weaken the kuffaar and the enemies of Islam. They should not employ them as workers such as typists, accountants, engineers or servants in any kind of service that gives them more power to collect the wealth of the Muslims and use it against them. 

Conclusion: 

The one who boycotts the products of the kuffaar who are waging war against Islam, intending thereby to make manifest the fact that he does not like or support them, and to weaken their economy, will be rewarded in sha Allah for this good intention. 

Whoever deals with them on the basis of the principle that it is permissible to deal with the kuffaar – especially buying things that he needs – there is no sin on him, in sha Allah, and that does not affect the principle of al-wala’ wa’l-bara’ (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity) in Islam. 

The Standing Committee was asked: What is the ruling on Muslims not cooperating with and not wanting to buy from Muslims, and preferring to buy from the kuffaar; is this permissible or forbidden? 

They replied: 

The basic principle is that it is permissible for the Muslim to buy whatever he needs of things that Allah has permitted from both Muslims and kaafirs. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) bought from the Jews, but if a Muslim turns away from dealing with his fellow Muslim for no good reason – such as deceit or high prices or bad products – and he prefer to buys from kaafirs with no reason, that is haraam, because it implies that one is befriending the kuffaar, approving of them and liking them, and because it involves reducing the Muslims’ business and preventing them from selling their goods, if the Muslim takes that as his habit. But if there is a reason for that, such as those mentioned above, then he should advise his Muslim brother to give up these faults. If he accepts the advice, then praise be to Allah, otherwise he should go to someone else, even if he is a kaafir, if he is honest and decent in his dealings. 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 13/18 

And Allah knows best.
Source: islamQA
fatwa NO.20732 

Ruling on Imitation of Disbelievers

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Dr. Naasir al-'Aql

We recall the authentic report from the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, "Whoever imitates a people he is one of them." And also, "You will follow the tradition of those people who came before you exactly..." [this portion is in the two saheehs] And he confirmed, when asked whether he meant the Jews and the Christians, by saying "who else?" [Ahmad, Aboo Dawood, hasan hadeeth, authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheeh Jaami` us-Sagheer, #6025]

The rulings on imitation cannot be dictated in detail because each case has its own barriers set by the texts, based upon a principle of the shar` which is accepted by the people of knowledge, and the understanding of the religion.

But there are some universal rulings, concerning a group of general categories of imitation which are not specified:

The type of imitation of the kuffaar which constitutes shirk and kufr. Like imitation in creed, imitation of the Jews and the Christians or the Zoroastrians in matters that affect Tawheed, and creed. Like ta`teel: it is the negation of a name of Allaah ta`alaa, and an attribute of His, and limitation in them, like the belief that Allaah ta`aala is limited inside one of His creatures and that He unites with His creation. As well as glorifying certain Prophets and righteous people, and worshipping them, and calling upon other than Allaah. As well as legislating with a legal system other than the Shar`iah, all of these are either shirk or kufr.

2. Some imitation is disobedience and sin, like copying the kuffaar in some of their manners, like eating with the left hand, and drinking with it, and wearing gold, and adorning oneself with it by the men, and shaving beards, and the women resembling the men, and the men resembling the women, etc.

3. Some of it is makrooh in which its ruling is that it is between the lawful and the unlawful.

And one question remains: "Is there anything which the kuffaar do that is lawful?"

I say, the allowable is that which is not characteristic of them in their matters of life. That means it is from the Muslim characteristics. This permissible action (imitation of it) must not be harmful to the Muslims, nor contribute to the interest of the kuffaar. One of the permissible actions (actions in which imitation is permissible) is the positive materialistic production which does not harm the Muslims. Also material science which does not affect religion and morals, these kinds of actions are permissible. Additionally, sometimes the Muslims must benefit from the worldly sciences of the kuffaar. And what we mean here by worldly, is that the science does not affect our belief or the principles of Sharee`ah or cause the Muslims to fall into subjugation and belittlement. This is what is meant under the section of worldly.

Courtesy Of: Islaam.com

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

On Halloween

Idris Palmer

Halloween is a Western celebration originated by Celtic pagans and traditionally applied to the evening of October 31. It is completely based on rituals involving dead spirits and devil worship. Moreover, it symbolizes the beginning of the ancient Druid new year, who hold that the dead revisit their homes at that time, thus in essence, Halloween represents the devil worshiper's New Year's celebration. Mexico, which has a similar celebration at the same time, calls the day, "El Día De Los Defuntos" (The Day of the Dead). Therefore, Muslim commemoration of such a day is absolutely haram; as it involves the worst elements of shirk and kufr. Indeed, participation in it is similar to one commemorating Christmas or Easter, or congratulating the Christians upon their prostration to the crucifix. In fact, it is worse than congratulating them for drinking wine, fornication and so on. Muslim parents therefore should advise their children accordingly and not allow them to participate in these celebrations.

Historically, Halloween precedes the Christian feast of Hallowmas, All Hallows, or All Saints' Day. The observances connected with Halloween originated among the ancient Druids, who believed that on that evening, Saman, the lord of the dead, called forth hosts of evil spirits. The Druids customarily lit great fires on Halloween, apparently for the purpose of warding off all these spirits. Among the ancient Celts, Halloween was the last evening of the year and was regarded as a propitious time for examining the portents of the future. The Celts also believed that the spirits of the dead revisited their earthly homes on that evening. After the Romans conquered Britain, they added to Halloween, features of the Roman harvest festival held on November 1 in honor of Pomona, goddess of the fruits of trees.

The Celtic tradition of lighting fires on Halloween survived until modern times in Scotland and Wales, and the concept of ghosts and witches is still common to all Halloween observances. Traces of the Roman harvest festival survive in the custom, prevalent in both the United States and in Great Britain, of playing games involving fruit, such as ducking for apples in a tub of water. Of similar origin is the use of hollowed-out pumpkins carved to resemble grotesque faces and lit by candles placed inside.

How therefore is the Muslim to understand this matter in the light of the shari‘ah? Firstly, the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said in an authentic narration: "Whosoever resembles a people is from them." This is a general statement prohibiting the Muslims from imitation of the kuffar. Any Muslim, who thereby, participates with the non-Muslims in their celebrations, particularly those which involve clear shirk and kufr— is asking for the wrath of Allah and misguidance to descend upon him like it has descended upon them. Allah ta‘ala says: "And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity." [Al-Furqan, 25:72]

According to the major Companions and their students such as Mujaahid, Rabi‘ ibn Anas and Adh-Dhahhak, the word "falsehood" used in above verse refers to "the holidays of the mushrikeen." Others like Muhammad ibn Sireen are more explicit, stating that the verse defines "the people of shirk practicing their shirk, and (the verse admonishes us) not to participate with them." Thus the believers are those referred to in the verse as "not witnessing falsehood."

At-Tabari explains this aspect, when he says: "It is not allowed for Muslims to attend their [the disbelievers’] holidays and festivals because they are a type of evil and falsehood. If the people of good mix with the people of evil without putting an end to what they are doing, then they become like those who are pleased and influenced by the evil. And we fear falling into Allah's anger because of their gathering." The resemblance referred to here includes all the aforementioned ways. At-Tabari further explains the above mentioned verse, (And those who do not witness falsehood), "They do not assist the people of idolatry in their idolatry, nor do they associate with them."

It was the sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam to differ from the non-Muslims, particularly in those matters which were specific to non-Muslims. In Sunnan Abi Dawud, Anas ibn Malik says that when the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam came to Medinah, there used to be two festivals in which the people engaged in playing sports. So the Prophet asked, "What are these two days?," they replied, "We used to play sports during these in the jahiliyah (time period before Islam)." The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam then said, "Verily Allah has given you two better days, the Day of Adha and the Day of Fitr."

This not only shows that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam did not acknowledge these days, but also shows that Allah has dignified the Muslims with days which are pleasing to Him and superior in merit. Indeed, the glorious companions understood this and applied its ruling to the fullest extent. Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said, "One who settles in the lands of the non-Muslims, celebrates their New Year’s Days, and behaves like them until he dies, will be raised with them on the Day of Resurrection."

I pray that this brief response clarifies this issue about the origin of Halloween and the Islamic position on it. And Allah knows best, and to Him is our return. Ameen.

Courtesy Of: Islaam.com

The Third Parent (Television)

The Third Parent (Television)

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Muhammad Alshareef

As Allâh - the Most High - states, it is part of our belief that we shall be questioned and are responsible for the following:

Verily! Hearing, Sight, and the heart, all will be questioned (by Allâh). [Al-Isrâ (17):36]

And as the Rasul'Allâh - sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam - said, on the Day of Repayment, no one will move until they are asked about three things ... "And his youth - what he exhausted it with?"

A close friend of mine told me his experience when leaving Canada to go overseas and study Islâm. He said that he went to a person's house to say salâm to the family and as he left he noticed the son - who was 7 years old at the time - slacked out on his stomach, chin locked in his two hands, staring deathly at the TV. He says, when he returned after a full 4 years, he entered the same house and found the same boy slacked out on his stomach, chin locked in his two hands, staring deathly at the TV - only now he was 4 years older.

Today - insha'Allâh - we would like to speak about TV and it's dark side. It is not our intention to make you race home to throw the TV off the balcony - although that would be nice. It is our hope that you will leave today insha'Allâh with a better understanding of the destructive nature the TV has on a person’s life and hereafter, not only his own, but also his family and children.

In Qawâ'id Fiqhiyyah there is a principle that says, 'Al-Wâsâ'il ta'khudhu Hukm al-Ghâyât'that 'The means takes the same ruling as the intention of what is trying to be attained.' A Television set, with the wires, screen, box, and plug is nothing more than a means. It is what is trying to be attained by that box that makes it Harâm or Halâl. Similar to a gun, something that can be used for noble purposes, such as defending one's land from aggression, or can be a means of considerable harm - especially when given to a child.

In an Arab ESL class, the teacher - as his opening class - would ask the students what English words were taken from the Arabic. A few hands would jerk up and say things like, 'Chemistry from Kîmiyâ', Algebra from AlGebr, Physics from Fîsiyâ', etc.' Then he would interestingly ask them what Arabic words were taken from the English, the answers come quick, 'Râdiyo from Radio, Dosh from Satellite Dish, and of course Tilfâz from TV.' What did the west take from us, and what did we take from them?

Hence Shaykh Ibn Bâz (may Allâh have mercy on him) said in al-Fatâwa 3/227:

With regard to television, it is a dangerous device and its harmful effects are very great, like those of the cinema, or even worse.

We know from the research that has been written about it and from the words of experts in Arab countries and elsewhere enough to indicate that it is dangerous and very harmful to Islâmic beliefs ('aqîdah), morals and the state of society.

This is because it includes the presentation of bad morals, tempting scenes, immoral pictures, semi-nakedness, destructive speech, and Kufr.

It encourages imitation of their conduct and ways of dressing, respect for their leaders, neglect of Islâmic conduct and ways of dressing, and looking down on the scholars and heroes of Islâm. It damages their image by portraying them in an off-putting manner that makes people despise them and ignore them.

It shows people how to cheat, steal, hatch plots and commit acts of violence against others.

Without doubt, anything that produces so many bad results should be stopped and shunned, and we have to close all the doors that could lead to it. If some of our brothers denounce it and speak out against it, we cannot blame them, because this is a part of sincerity towards Allâh and towards other people.

In Sahîh al-Bukhâri, when Gurâyj was praying and his mother called him, he said to himself, "O Allâh, my Salâh or my mother?" He did not know whether to continue his prayer or discontinue it and reply the wishes of his Mother. She cursed him. And her curse was one that we may inadvertently be doing to our children the day we sanctioned the introduction of the third parent called TV. She said, "May you see a prostitute!" She did not say, may there be any relationship between you and a prostitute, no she just said may you see one. HOW many times has the main theme of prime time TV revolved around prostitutes? HOW MANY TIMES have our children witnessed it? How many times have they been cursed to be in such a situation?

Abdullâh ibn 'Umar - radiallâhu 'anhu - once passed by some people killing time by playing chess. He became shocked at what was happening and angrily said to them - quoting the verse of Qur'ân, "What are these IDOLS that you are standing in vigilance over?" What would he think if he saw the Ummah and its welcomed hug in most Muslim homes?

When a Muslim nation watches their country play in the World Cup, over 3 million Muslims from that one country tune in. Times that by the duration of the match, 3 hours, and you'll have 9 million hours of the Ummah's time wasted on a football game. In one sweeping night. If Karl Marx said in 1844 that 'Religion is the opium of people', then what about TV?

Dear brothers and sisters, Rasul'Allâh - sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam - said, "The person shall be (on the day of Judgement) with those that they love." Tell that to a Muslim child, that on the Day of judgement, if they love Michael Jordan so much they'll get to be with him on that horrific day. It's sad, but most Muslim children would get happy and excited about the prospect - isn't that enough to strike fear into our hearts? Who are the Muslim children really going to be with on the Day of Repayment? Most of them cannot tell you the names, just the names, of those people that we hope them to be with!

Let's ask ourselves, if we gave a chance for our sons or daughters to put up a poster of their hero, the one whom they think is the 'coolest' - would it be their father or mother? Would it be the Prophet or his Companions? OR would it be a basketball player that he saw on TV? Or an actor (even cartoon) that he saw on TV? Or a model that she saw on TV? Or a musician that he/she saw on TV? Who would it be?

Ok, the TV is monitored in the house by the parent, correct? (95% of parents with children 8 and up don't monitor). Now what happens if the parent dies on the way to work one day and the children inherit the TV? Rasul'Allâh - sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam - said, "There is not a single shepherd (Ameer) that Allâh entrusted with a flock - who dies and in a state where he cheated them - except that Allâh shall forbid him from entering paradise!" The 'Ulamâh would quote this hadîth in light of the father in a Muslim country that would allow a Satellite Dish to enter his family which Allâh entrusted him with.

Dear brothers and sisters, we are not here on earth to entertain ourselves to death. We are an Ummah with a Risâlah! When Rib'î ibn 'Âmir - radiallâhu 'anhu - stood in the hands of the king of Persia, he announced the message as clear and as proud as every Muslim should, "Allâh sent us to rescue humanity from slavery to slaves - to the slavery of the Lord of all slaves; And to rescue them from the choke of the material life to the expanse of this life and the next, and from the corruption of the cults to the justice of Islâm!"

If we don't know how to read Qur'ân, why aren't we registering for the Qur'ân institute here at Al-Huda. If we don't know the language of the Qur'ân and Sunnah, why aren't we registering for the Arabic institute? If we don't know about the life of Rasul'Allâh - sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam - and his companions - radiallâhu 'anhum - why aren't we coming to the Sîrah and Fiqh classes on Fridays and Saturdays?

Doesn't Allâh - the Most High - tell us in the Qur'ân:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do.” [An-Nûr (24):30]

How do reconcile those verses with the television that assaults our eyes with Harâm almost every second that it is on? How do we reconcile it?

Have you heard of Cupid? Of course we have. They portray Cupid in cartoons and comedies as a chubby child with wings who is supposed to be the Angel of Love, shooting arrows of 'love' when the male looks at the female. Rather dear brothers and sisters, it is Iblîs! For Rasul'Allâh - sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam - told us, "Verily the 'look' is a poisoned arrow from the arrows of Iblîs!"

Shaykh at-Tahhân once told his students, "It was late at night when our phone rang one day. This Muslimah whispered into the phone, 'Is this Shaykh at-Tahhân?' I said, 'Yes it is me.' She kept saying is it really you? And he said, 'Yes, what is wrong?' At that she just started sobbing and sobbing into the phone. After some time, she explained, 'The children's father bought a TV and video 2 days ago. Tonight I found my young son practicing the Harâm that he saw on his younger sister!' Then she collapsed sobbing again."

Everything starts with a look / and big fires start from a little spark.

Turn OFF TV, Turn ON Life

After a grueling first year in the Faculty of Sharî'ah, I came home to Canada where I spoke to a friend whom I hadn't spoken to for over a year. In the conversation he said, "Last night on TV Seinfeld said ... " I was puzzled and realized that for an entire year I had not heard anything other than Imâm Shâfi'î said, and Imâm Abû Hanîfah said. It was an ignorance that as Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin al-'Abbâd would say 'that we ask Allâh - the Most High - to increase us in it's ignorance.'

Some people argue that TV is just a harmless avenue of entertainment and that there should not be a big deal made about it. It is interesting however that we see in Sharî'ah that what is more deadly than Harâm is Bid'ah. Why you ask? Because when someone does Harâmlike eating pork, he knows it is Harâm and that one day it is hoped that knowledge will lead him to fear Allâh and refrain. Bid'ah - on the other hand - is something a person does with the hope of reward from Allâh, something that the person considers to be 'harmless'. It is deadlier because the chances of this person correcting the situation are less due to the ignorance which causes lack of motivation.

Other people will say that we have a TV for the news and Islâmic or educational programs? Dear brothers and sisters, is there no other avenue to get the news? Is there no other means by which a child can be educated and stimulated to learning?

Didn't anyone ask why we get all this 'FREE' TV? What does the TV sell? No it doesn't sell Coke or Nike or McDonalds burgers, it sells the AUDIENCE TO ADVERTISING COMPANIES! Why do you think they charge $1 million for 30 seconds of advertising in a Super bowl game?

Consider these facts:

Brand loyalty starts at age 2 - they can snatch a child into a lifetime of allegiance to their product from that tender age. How old were you when you started loving Coke or Pepsi?

On average, a viewer watches 20,000 commercials each year. If we repeated a page of Qur'ân to you that many times, do you think you would memorize it?

This is just for the products, what about the 'Aqîdah that they are being taught, a whole stack of beliefs that gets fed to them every time they sit to listen to their third parent. Where are the horrific stats for that?

To give just a simple example that we all know, go to a lecture where the Imâm is talking about women's rights in Islâm. Listen to the Muslim males and females debate with the Imâm. Where did they get their points? Where did they become so hostile to anything that contradicts the Western view of women's rights? Why is there no hostility to the Western view? Most of it was learnt on TV, the rest was learnt in the public school curriculum.

If this is the programming, the brain washing of our youth, then where shall they be reprogrammed when they prefer the TV over anyone else. Dear brothers and sisters, it is a fact that more than half of American children would rather watch TV than spend time with their mother or father.

After surveying a lot of young children and asking them what is the one thing that they would sacrifice their favorite T.V shows for, many replied that if there were some sort of outside activity they would give preference to that. Meaning, if someone took them by the hand and organized some after school activities they would embrace the idea.

Here are some other things that you can do instead of being shackled to the TV, the option is yours:
- Play outdoor games
- Build extra-curricular skills, such as martial arts or calligraphy or sewing or
- Visit the library.
- Take on a job where they one can become serious about life and work.
- Do acts of worship such as reciting dhikr and wird, salâh, reading Qur'ân, fasting, and thinking about the signs of Allâh in His creation.
- Adopt an Islâmic cause in the place where you live, and take part in it, such as teaching Muslim girls.
- Support an Islâmic magazine by sending articles, statistics and useful information of interest concerning Muslims in the West.
- Take part in charitable projects to help Muslim orphans, widows, divorcees and elderly, or joining a committee to help organize social programs and celebrations for Muslims on 'Eid.
- Find righteous friends to meet with and good neighbors to visit.
- Read Islâmic books in particular and useful stories in general.
- Take part in da'wah activities, men or women's activities and preschool programs in Islâmic centres.
- Listen to tapes and lectures, write summaries of them, and distribute the summaries to anyone who could benefit from them.
- Do arts and crafts.
- Cook items to be sold to raise funds for the Islâmic center.
- Take an interest in computers and computer programs. This is a vast field that can fill a lot of time, and the computer can be used to do a lot of good things as well as providing entertainment in the form of permissible games.
- Spinning, weaving, cutting out and sewing.
- Gardening.
- Exercising outside or at home.

In conclusion dear brothers and sisters, today is the beginning of a new day. Allâh gave us this day to use as we will. We can waste it or use it for something good and beneficial.

But let us know that what we do today is important because we are exchanging a day of our life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; and in it's place shall be something that we left behind ... lets let it be something good and something beneficial.

Courtesy Of: Khutbah.com