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The Islamic Outlook (23)
The Rights and Responsibilities of the Spouses in Nikaah
Written by user2Q: Can you please explain the rights and responsibilities of each spouse in nikaah? From the wife and husband, who has more rights and responsibilities?
A: There are certain responsibilities which have been placed upon both the husband and wife equally, and there are other responsibilities which have been placed upon each one individually. These responsibilities have been placed upon them by Shari‘ah according to their position.
For example, the husband’s duty is to provide shelter and accommodation for his wife and children as well as earn a living to fulfil their needs and requirements (i.e. providing them with food, clothing, accommodation, etc.). It is not permissible for the husband to burden his wife with the responsibility of earning to contribute to the running expenses of the home.
The wife’s responsibility is to attend to the internal affairs of the home and see to the children. As far as the upbringing of the children are concerned, then it is the responsibility of both the husband and the wife to guide them towards the right and instil deeni values within them.
Q: What is the shar'ee status of meelaad and salami as is practised today?
A: After Allah Ta‘ala, our love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) should be the greatest. The love, kindness and compassion that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) showed us (his ummah) is immeasurable and unconceivable. The blood that flowed from his Mubaarak body in Taa’if, his Mubaarak tooth that became shaheed at Uhud and the tears that flowed from his Mubaarak eyes at the time of tahajjud for his ummah is well known. Love demands that we remember him, obey him and fulfill what he wanted from us every day of our lives (not just on the 12th of Rabi ul Awwal). Why should we imitate the kuffaar in earmarking one day in the year for expressing our love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)? The kuffaar have reduced their parents to such a low position that they earmark one day in the year (which they call ‘mother’s day’ and ‘father’s day’) to express their love and respect. We should not reduce the position of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) by just remembering him on the 12th of Rabi ul Awwal.
Q: What does emulating the kuffaar mean? Is it only confined to clothing or does it also relate to other aspects of one's life? We see the kuffaar driving cars and eating and drinking in plates and cups and we Muslims also do the same. Is this not also emulating the kuffaar in our actions?
A: Emulating the ways of the kuffaar refers to one abandoning his Islamic identity and adopting the identity which is exclusive to the kuffaar. In other words, all such aspects (religious or worldly) by means of which a believer is identified and clearly distinguished from a disbeliever - for a Muslim to abandon that and to adopt the ways of the kuffaar amounts to emulating the ways of the kuffaar.
Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who emulates a people will be counted among them (in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala).”
Q: What is the ruling regarding birthdays? Our Muslims greet one another on this day and feel insulted if one does not greet them. Another issue is regarding birthday cakes, gifts and parties. Please advise.
A: Celebrating birthdays is a custom of the kuffaar. As Muslims, we are commanded to refrain from emulating the kuffaar as well as adopting their ways. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:
من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم
The one who emulates a people will be counted from amongst them (in the court of Allah Ta‘ala).
Q: Is it permissible to wish one another “Happy New Year” when the new english year starts? Some people say that the New Year’s celebration has some kufr connotations. Is this correct?
A: The celebration of the New Year is a “religious” celebration of the kuffaar which is associated with kufr and shirk beliefs.
The World Book Encyclopedia describes New Year in the following words:
“The Roman ruler, Julius Caesar, established January 1 as New Year’s Day in 46 B.C. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors and beginnings. January was named after Janus, who had two faces - one looking forward and the other looking backward. The early Romans gave each other New Year’s gifts of branches from sacred trees. In later times, they gave coins, imprinted with pictures of Janus, or gold covered nuts.”
From the abovementioned definition, we understand that New Year’s Day is a celebration of the kuffaar which has religious connotations. Hence, it is not permissible for a believer to participate in this celebration nor have anything to do with it. Similarly, it is not permissible for him to wish the kuffaar well or say “Happy New Year” to them on this occasion.
Q: What is the Islamic ruling on dating? Will there be any difference in the ruling if the boy and girl are engaged and intend to get married in the future?
A: In Islam, it is not permissible for a non-mahram male and female to be in contact or to have a casual relationship with each other. Hence, dating is not permissible. Even if the boy and girl are engaged and intend getting married in the future, it is not permissible for them to date as this is shameless behaviour and totally prohibited in Islam. Apart from this contact being a sin in itself, it generally leads to many other wrongs and sins taking place.
Male and Female Cousins Hugging and Interacting Casually
Written by user2Q: Is it permissible for male and female cousins to hug each other and be casual with each other? In many families, I notice male and female cousins hugging and speaking casually. In certain families, I also see brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law interacting casually. Could you give some advice on this issue and inform us of what appears in the Qur’aan Majeed and Ahaadith in this regard?
A: The Deen of Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of living. It provides guidance and guidelines in every sphere of human life. Every commandment and prohibition possesses immense blessing and abundant benefits. Shari‘ah commands us to observe strict purdah with all those whom we are allowed to marry (i.e. non-mahrams) in Islam. Hence, it is not permissible for male and female cousins as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law to interact casually among themselves.
Q: Is it permissible for a believer to befriend a disbeliever? What are the Islamic teachings in regard to this issue?
A: Muslims are strongly discouraged in the Qur’aan and Hadith from befriending the disbelievers. Allah Ta‘ala states in the Qur’aan Majeed:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ اَوۡلِیَآءَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَؕ اَتُرِیۡدُوۡنَ اَنۡ تَجۡعَلُوۡا لِلّٰہِ عَلَیۡکُمۡ سُلۡطٰنًا مُّبِیۡنًا ﴿۱۴۴﴾
O you who believe! Do not take the disbelievers as friends instead of the believers! (Surah Nisaa v. 144)
Similarly, Allah Ta‘ala states in another verse of the Qur’aan Majeed:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الۡیَہُوۡدَ وَ النَّصٰرٰۤی اَوۡلِیَآءَ ۘؔ بَعۡضُہُمۡ اَوۡلِیَآءُ بَعۡضٍ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّتَوَلَّہُمۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ فَاِنَّہٗ مِنۡہُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَہۡدِی الۡقَوۡمَ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۵۱﴾
O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and Christians as friends! They are friends of one another. And whoever befriends them from you, then he is one of them. Indeed Allah Ta‘ala does not guide unjust people to the right path. (Surah Maa'idah v. 51)
Q: Is the eighty durood that is recited after Asr on Friday a practice which is established in Deen? Does it have a source in the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)?
A: The practice of reciting eighty durood after Asr on Friday is established in Deen. This practice is established from the following Hadith of Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu):
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من صلى صلاة العصر من يوم الجمعة فقال قبل أن يقوم من مكانه اللهم صل على محمد النبي الأمي وعلى آله وسلم تسليماً ثمانين مرة غفرت له ذنوب ثمانين عاماً وكتبت له عبادة ثمانين سنة (القول البديع عن ابن بشكوال صـ 399)
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who performs Asr Salaah on Friday and thereafter recites eighty times before standing up from his place اللهم صل على محمد النبي الأمي وعلى آله وسلم تسليماً, eighty years of sins are forgiven for him and eighty years of (nafl) ibaadat are written for him”.
Can Muslims Live in the Modern World without Participating in Interest?
Written by user2Q: My question pertains to interest which I know is forbidden in Islam and is seen as a great sin. However, in the modern world, through mortgages, insurances, etc., it seems virtually impossible to avoid riba/interest. I have looked into Islamic banking in the UK but I see it to be an awful alternative as it still essentially charges riba but with some clever play on words. So, my question is. “How do you live in the modern world without participating in interest as I am struggling to see alternatives?”
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Q: Mufti saheb, can you please explain to me the shar’ee ruling regarding making du‘aa after the janaazah salaah? In certain places, after the janaazah salaah is performed, I see people raise their hands and engage in collective du‘aa for the deceased. Is this practice established in the Hadith? Some people try to prove the practice of collective du‘aa after the janaazah salaah through the following Hadith. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said,
إذا صليتم على الميت فأخلصوا له الدعاء (سنن أبي داود رقم 3199)
“When you perform janaazah salaah upon any deceased, then sincerely make dua for him.”
Does this Hadith refer to making du‘aa for the deceased after janaazah salaah or does it refer to making du‘aa for the deceased in the janaazah salaah?
A: Janaazah salaah, in reality, is a du‘aa for the deceased. Thus, there is no need for an additional du‘aa after the janaazah salaah. The practice of making an additional du‘aa after the janaazah salaah is not established from any Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), nor is it proven from the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Hence, when this practice is not established from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu anhum), this practice will be deemed as an innovation in Deen and must be omitted.
It is the divine system of Allah Ta‘ala that He has afforded special virtue and significance to certain things over others. From mankind, it is the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) who have been blessed with the highest status and most distinguished position over others. From the different places in the world, it is the Haramain Shareefain (Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah) and Musjidul Aqsa that have been accorded a special rank over the rest of the world. From the twelve months of the Islamic calendar, special sanctity and sacredness has been given to four specific months i.e. Zul-Qa’dah, Zul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. Likewise, amongst the days of the Islamic year, the day of Aashura has been blessed with exclusive virtues and immense blessings.
While the month of Zul-Hijjah has been divinely selected for the fulfilment of the rituals of Haj and sacrifice, it is the month of Muharram that enjoys the honour of being the month of Allah Ta‘ala and the month which contains the fast of the Mubaarak day of Aashura. The immense virtues and abundant blessings of this day can be gauged by the desire and eagerness that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) expressed in awaiting its arrival.
Q: What is the status of women going out in mastooraat jamaat and girls attending girls’ madrasahs?
A: Before addressing the issue in question, it is vital that we understand certain important aspects relating to the topic in order for the issue to be understood in the correct perspective.
Apart from the general laws of Shari‘ah which relate to both men and women, there are certain laws and injunctions that are exclusive to men, as well as certain laws and injunctions that are exclusive to women. In prescribing these laws and injunctions, Shari‘ah has taken into consideration the temperament and nature of both males and females respectively.
The View of our Elders regarding Seerah Jalsahs on the 12th Rabee‘ul Awwal
1. The View of Hazrat Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah), one of the greatest Mujaahids of the 14th century of Islam
Sheikhul Hadith Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahimahullah) writes:
Hazrat Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (rahimahullah) once came to Sahaaranpur on the 12th of Rabee‘ul Awwal when the people had decided to hold a Seerah Jalsah and insisted that Hazrat Moulana Madani (rahimahullah) attend and deliver a bayaan. I said that Mowlood is now being held in the name of Seerah. When people came to call Hazrat Madani (rahimahullah) for the bayaan, he sternly refused to come and began reprimanding them saying, “It seems like all the love and mahabbat you show for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is only on the 12th of Rabee‘ul Awwal. Why are you not having this program at any other time in the year and are confining it to the 12th of Rabee‘ul Awwal?” The people replied, “Hazrat! We are desirous of listening to bayaans on the seerah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at any time of the year. However, there is nobody willing to address us and deliver bayaans on the seerah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at other times.” Hazrat Madani (rahimahullah) said, “If the people are prepared, I am willing to give the bayaan at other times.” The people, without thinking, accepted this offer. Hazrat Madani (rahimahullah) promised to come and give a bayaan on the topic of seerah weekly on a Thursday night since his jumu‘ah programs were already arranged for a few months in advance. Apart from the occasions when he was out travelling, Hazrat (rahimahullah) came to Sahaaranpur every Thursday night for approximately four months for this program. Hazrat (rahimahullah) would reach Sahaaranpur at 8:30 and proceed directly to the Jaami‘ Musjid where he would perform salaah and thereafter commence the lecture. After the lecture, between 12:30 and 1:00 in the morning, Hazrat (rahimahullah) would come to my home.
(Aap Beeti 4/72)