ISLAMIC LIES, ABSURDITIES  & INACCURACIES - Volume #8
(Based upon the Haddiths)
By: Abdul Haleem    

THOSE WITH CLOTHES BELOW ANKLES ARE CURSED!

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Dharr said, "The messenger of Allah said""There are three persons whom Allah will not speak to, look at on the Day of Resurrection or purify, and they shall taste a painful torment. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Who are they, may they gain failure and loss.’ He said, repeating this statement thrice, ‘ THE MUSBIL (MAN WHOSE CLOTHES REACH BELOW THE ANKLES), he who swears while lying so as to sell his merchandize and the one who give charity and reminds people of it.’

" [Ahmad 5:148], quoting from Tasfir Ibn Kathir (Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh: 2000), Volume 2, pp. 192-193.

SEX OF CHILDREN IS DETERMINED BY STRENGTH OF WOMEN’S DISCHARGE!

This is real unscientific nonsense: We all know that gender is determined by the male sperm - and whether it contributes an X or Y chromosome; EVERY female egg contributes an X chromosome. But this "infallible" hadith quotes the Prophet as

saying OTHERWISE!

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Abbas siad: "A group of Jews came to Allah’s Prophet and said, ‘Talk to us about some things we will ask you and about which only a Prophet would know.’ . . . . The Prophet said, ‘Ask me about whatever you wish.’

[One of the questions was] ‘What about the sexual discharge of the woman and the man,

and what role does each play in producing male or female offspring?’

. . . The Prophet . . . said, ‘I ask you by Allah, other than Whom there is not diety

(worthy of worship), Who sent down the Tawrah [Torah] to Musa [Moses], DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT MAN’S DISCHARGE IS THICK AND WHITE AND WOMEN’S IS YELLOW AND THIN? IF ANY OF THESE FLUIDS BECOMES DOMINANT, THE OFFSPRING WILL TAKE ITS SEX AND RESEMBLANCE BY ALLAH’S LEAVE. HENCE, IF THE MAN’S IS MORE THAN THE WOMAN’S, THE CHILD WILL BE MALE, BY ALLAH’S LEAVE. IF THE WOMAN’S DISCHARGE IS MORE THAN THE MAN’S, THEN THE CHILD WILL BE FEMALE, BY ALLAH’S LEAVE.’ . . ."

[Ahmad 2:187], quoting from Tasfir Ibn Kathir (Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh: 2000),

Volume 2, pp. 212-213.

EVEN HORSES OF MUJAHADIN EARN BLESSINGS FOR MUJAHADIN!

"Mansur bin Al-Mutamir narrated to us that Abu Salid narrated from Abu Hurayrah that a

man asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! TEACH ME A GOOD DEED THAT WILL EARN ME THE REWARD OF THE MUJAHADIN [WARRIOR FIGHTING JIHAD AGAINST NON-MUSLIMS] IN ALLAH’S CAUSE.’

‘The Prophet said: ‘ARE YOU ABLE TO PRAY CONTINUOUSLY AND FAST WITHOUT BREAKING THE FAST?’

"The man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I CANNOT BEAR IT.’

"The Prophet said:

‘By He in Whose Hand is my soul! EVEN IF YOU WERE ABLE TO DO IT,

YOU WILL NOT ACHIEVE THE GRADE OF A MUJAHADIN IN ALLAH’S

CAUSE. DID YOU NOT KNOW THAT THE HORSE OF A MUJAHID EARNS

REWARDS FOR HIM AS LONG AS IT LIVES.’"

[Ahmad 5:236], quoting from Tasfir Ibn Kathir (Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh: 2000),

Volume 2, p. 364.

THE KILLING OF A NON-MUSLIM IS NOT A CAPITAL OFFENSE!

The Quran prescribes the death penalty for murder. Quran 2:178.

"However, THE MAJORITY OF SCHOLARS AGREE THAT THE MUSLIM IS NOT KILLED FOR A DISBELIEVER WHOM HE KILLS. Al-Bukhari reported that Ali narrated that Allah’s Messenger said:

‘THE MUSLIM IS NOT KILLED FOR THE DISBELIEVER (WHOM HE KILLS).’

[Sahih Al-Bukhari no. 111] "No opinion that opposes this ruling could stand correct, nor is there an authentic Hadith to contradict it."

quoting from Tasfir Ibn Kathir (Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh: 2000), Volume 1, p. 485.

RECITE SURAH AL-FATIHAH AND GET CURED?

". . . [I]n the chapter about the virtues of the Quran, Al-Bukhari recorded Abu Said Al-Khudri said, ‘Once, we were on a journey when a female servant came and said, "The leader of this area has been poisoned and our people are away. Is there a healer among you?" Then a man whose healing expertise did not interest us stood for her, HE READ A RUQYAH FOR HIM, AND HE WAS HEALED. The chief gave him thirty sheep as a gift and some milk. When he came back to us we said to him, "You know of a [new] Ruqyah, or did you do this before?" He said, "I ONLY USED UMM AL-KITAB [Arabic name for Surah Al-Fatihah - First Surah in the Quran] AS RUQYAH." . . .’"

[Fath Al-Bari 8:671], quoting from Tasfir Ibn Kathir (Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh: 2000), Volume 1, pp. 46-47

RECITE SURAH 2:201 AND GET CURED?

"Imam Ahmad reported that Anas said, ‘Allah’s Messenger visited a Muslim man who had become as weak as a sick small bird. Allah’s Messenger said to him, "Were you asking or supplicating to Allah about something?" He said, "Yes. I used to say: O Allah!

Whatever punishment you saved for me in the Hereafter, give it to me in this life." Allah’s Messenger said:

"All praise is due to Allah! You cannot bear it or stand it. You should have

said: ‘ Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter

that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!’ [Quran 2:201]"

" ‘THE MAN BEGAN RECITING THIS DUE AND HE WAS CURED.’"

[Ahmad 3:107], quoting from Tasfir Ibn Kathir (Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh: 2000), Volume 1, p. 570.

JIHAD IS MANDATORY DUTY OF MUSLIMS!

Quran 2:216:

FIGHTING IS ORDAINED FOR YOU (MUSLIMS) THOUGH YOU DISLIKE

IT, and it may be thatyou dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.

"In this Ayah, ALLAH MADE IT OBLIGATORY FOR MUSLIMS TO FIGHT IN JIHAD AGAINST THE EVIL OF THE ENEMY WHO TRANSGRESSES AGAINST ISLAM. Az_Zuhri said, ‘Jihad is required from every person, whether he actually

joins the fighting or remains behind. Whoever remains behind is required to give support, if support is warranted; to provide aid, if aid is needed; and to march forth, if he is commanded to do so. If he is not needed, then he remains behind.’ It is reported in the

Sahih,

Whoever dies but neither fought (i.e. in Allah’s cause), nor sincerely considered

fighting, will die a death of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era of ignorance).

[Muslim 3:1517], quoting from Tasfir Ibn Kathir (Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh: 2000), Volume 1, p. 596.

INSURANCE IS ILLEGAL ACCORDING TO ISLAM!

Question #8889: The true nature of insurance and the rulings concerning it

Question:

What are the rulings on commercial insurance which is widespread nowadays?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

1. ALL KINDS OF COMMERCIAL INSURANCE ARE CLEARLY AND

UNDOUBTEDLY RIBAA (interest/usury). Insurance is the sale of money for money, of a greater or lesser amount, with a delay in one of the payments. It involves riba al-fadl (interest-based transaction) and riba al-nas’ (interest to be charged if payment is delayed beyond the due date), because the insurance companies take people’s money and promise to pay them more or less money when a specific accident against which insurance has been taken out happens. THIS IS RIBA, AND RIBA IS FORBIDDEN IN THE QUR’AAN, IN MANY AAYAAT.

2. ALL KINDS OF COMMERCIAL INSURANCE ARE BASED ON NOTHING BUT

GAMBLING WHICH IS HARAAM ACCORDING TO THE

QUR’AAN:

All kinds of insurance are kinds of playing with chances. They tell you, Pay this much money, then if this happens to you we will give you this much. This is pure gambling. Insisting on differentiating between insurance and gambling is pure stubbornness that is unacceptable to any sound mind. The insurance companies themselves admit that insurance is gambling.

3. ALL KINDS OF INSURANCE ARE FORMS OF UNCERTAINTY, AND

TRANSACTIONS WHICH INVOLVE UNCERTAINTY ARE FORBIDDEN according to many saheeh ahaadeeth, such as the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him):

"The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade transactions determined by throwing a stone and transactions which involved some uncertainty." (Narrated by Muslim).

["Transactions determined by throwing a stone" – this was a type of transaction that was prevalent in the markets of pre-Islamic Arabia, whereby a stone was thrown by either the buyer or the seller, and whatever it touched, its transaction became binding. "Transactions which involved some uncertainty" – is a transaction in which there is no guarantee that the seller can deliver the goods for which he receives payment. Footnotes from the translation of Saheeh Muslim. (Translator)].

All forms of commercial insurance are based on uncertainty of the most extreme kind. Insurance companies and those who sell insurance refuse to insure cases except where there is clear uncertainty in whether or not the condition being insured against will happen or not. In other words, the condition being insured against must have a possibility of happening or not happening (as opposed to, for example, someone who has a pre-existing condition, such as a person who is on death row applying for life insurance--translator.) Moreover, this transaction involves something uncertain, which is when an accident will happen and the extent of the damage caused. Hence insurance combines three kinds of extreme uncertainty.

4. ALL KINDS OF COMMERCIAL INSURANCE CONSUME PEOPLE’S WEALTH

UNJUSTLY, WHICH IS HARAAM ACCORDING TO THE QUR’AAN:

All forms of commercial insurance are fraudulent transactions aimed at consuming people’s wealth unjustly. The precise statistics calculated by one of the German experts state that what people get back of what has been taken from them is no more than 2.9%.

Insurance is an immense loss for the nation, and there is no evidence or excuse to be found in the actions of the kuffaar who have lost the ties of kinship and friendship and are therefore forced to resort to insurance, which they hate as much as they hate death.

These are only some of the violations of sharee’ah which insurance is essentially based upon. There are numerous other violations which we do not have room to mention here, and there is no need to do so, because just one of the violations which we have mentioned above is sufficient to make insurance one of the things which is most prohibited in the sharee’ah of Allaah.

It is a shame that some people are deceived by the ways in which the insurance companies make insurance attractive and confuse them by calling it "co-operative" or "mutual support" or "Islamic", or other names which do not change the unjust nature of insurance in the slightest.

The insurance companies’ claim that the ‘ulamaa’ have issued fatwaas stating that so-called "co-operative insurance" is halaal, is a lie. The reason for this confusion is that some insurance companies approached the ‘ulamaa’ with a deceitful set-up which has nothing to do with any kind of insurance, but they said that it was a kind of insurance which they called "co-operative insurance" (to make it sound attractive and to confuse the people). They said that it was purely in the nature of a donation, and that it was a kind of the co-operation enjoined by Allaah in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): "Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)…" (al-Maa’idah 5:2), and that the aim was to co-operate in alleviating the overwhelming disasters that may befall people. But in fact what they called co-operative insurance was just like any other kind of insurance; the only difference was in the way in which it was set up, not in its essential nature. It was far from being any kind of simple donation or co-operation in righteousness and piety; in fact it is a kind of co-operation in sin and transgression. It was not aimed at helping to relieve the distress of calamities, but at depriving people of their wealth by unjust means, which is absolutely haraam, as are other kinds of insurance. Hence what they proposed to the ‘ulamaa’ is not even insurance at all.

With regard to the claim made by some, that part of the premium (money paid to the insurer) is returned, this does not change anything and does not free insurance from the taint of ribaa, gambling, transactions based on uncertainty, unjust consumption of people’s wealth and going against the principle of trusting in Allaah (tawakkul), and other kinds of haraam actions. Insurance is deceit and confusion. Anyone who wishes to learn more should refer to the essay al-Ta’meen wa Ahkaamuhu (Insurance and its rulings). I call on every Muslim who has pride in his religion and whose hopes are focused on Allaah and the Last Day to fear Allaah and to avoid all kinds of insurance, no matter how attractive their proponents make them, for they are undoubtedly forbidden. In this manner he will protect his religion and his wealth, and he will be blessed with security from the Owner of security, may He be exalted.

May Allaah help me and you to have insight into matters of religion and to do that which is pleasing to the Lord of the Worlds.

See: Khalaasah fi Hukm al-Ta’meen by Shaykh Dr. Sulaymaan ibn Ibraaheem al-Thaniyaan Member of faculty, Sharee’ah College, al-Qaseem (www.islam-qa.com)

ISLAM = MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY!

Question #21534: Attitude of Islam towards other religions

Question:

I have some questions about Islam, could you explain them for me? What does Islam say about people of other religions? Are all non-Muslim people regarded as sinners because they do not follow Allaah and Islam? Can any non-Muslim person enter Paradise without following Islam?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

THE RULING OF ISLAM CONCERNING OTHER RELIGIONS IS THAT THEY ARE ALL EITHER FABRICATED AND FALSE, OR ABROGATED.

THE FABRICATED AND FALSE RELIGIONS ARE THOSE LIKE THE ANCIENT ARABIAN PRACTISE OF WORSHIPPING IDOLS AND STONES.

The abrogated religions are those which were taught by the Prophets who came before our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). They are valid in that their origins are from Allaah, but Islam came and took their place, not with regard to basic beliefs such as the existence of God, the angels, Paradise and Hell, for these are matters which all the Messengers have in common, but there are differences between them with regard to ways of worshipping and drawing close to Allaah by means of prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, alms, etc. The later followers of the Prophets have fallen into deviations of belief and shirk, but Islam came to point that out and bring people back to the correct belief taught by the earlier Prophets.

It was narrated that Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: ‘Umar brought some pages of the Tawraat to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, these are some pages of the Tawraat which I took from a brother of mine from Banu Zurayq." The expression of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) changed, and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Zayd – who had been shown the adhaan [in a dream] – said, "Has Allaah taken away your mind? Do you not see the expression on the face of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?" ‘Umar said, "We are pleased with Allaah as our Lord and with Islam as our religion and with Muhammad as our Prophet and with the Qur’aan as our guide." Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) relaxed [?}, and said, "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if Moosa were to come among you and you were to follow him and leave me, you would have gone far astray. You are my share among the nations and I am your share among the Prophets." (Narrated by Ahmad, 15437).

Ibn Hajar said:

All the isnaads of this hadeeth are such that they could not be taken as evidence individually, but when taken together they prove that this hadeeth is correct. (Fath al-Baari, 13/525).

The evidence for that is the verse in which Allah says (interpretation if the meaning):

"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers" [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]

Imam al-Tabari said in his commentary on this verse:

What Allaah means by that is that whoever looks for a religion other than Islam to follow, Allaah will never accept that from him, "and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers" meaning, one of those who deprived themselves of their share of the mercy of Allaah."

(Tafseer al-Tabari, 3/339)

Islam does not regard them (followers of other religions) only as sinners, but as kaafirs (disbelievers) who will abide forever in the Fire of Hell, as stated in the verse quoted above.

He (the kaafir) will be a loser in Hell, and will not come of out it. It is not possible for a kaafir to enter Paradise unless he becomes Muslim. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, those who belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimoon (criminals, polytheists, sinners)" [al-A’raaf 7:40]

It was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "By the One is Whose hand is my soul, no one of this nation, Jew or Christian, will hear of me and not believe in that with which I have been sent, but he will be one of the people of Hell." (Narrated by Muslim).

We ask Allaah to guide the seekers of truth from other religions to look into the religion of Islam and its Book, the Qur’aan. May Allaah guide them and open their hearts to enter Islam.

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

WAGE JIHAD AGAINST ISRAEL!

Question #21977: Solution to the Palestinian issue

Question:

What is the way of solving the Palestinian issue which becomes more complicated each day?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The Muslim is deeply grieved and filled with sorrow as the Palestinian situation goes from bad to worse, and gets more complicated, until it has ended up in the state we have seen in recent days, because of differences among neighbouring nations and their failure to stand together as one against the enemy and their failure to adhere to the rule of Islam on which Allaah has made victory dependent, and has promised those who adhere to it that they will gain power and become powerful in the land, and has warned of grave danger and a severe punishment, if the neighbouring nations do not hasten to unite once more and adhere to the Islamic ruling concerning this matter, which concerns them and the entire Islamic world.

It is worth pointing out in this context that the Palestinian issue is an Islamic issue, first and last, but the enemies of Islam are striving their utmost to remove it from the Islamic map and make the non-Arab Muslims think that it is an Arab issue that does not concern the non-Arabs. It seems that they have succeeded in that to some extent.

Hence I THINK THAT A SOLUTION CANNOT BE REACHED IN THIS MATTER UNLESS IT IS REGARDED AS AN ISLAMIC ISSUE AND THE MUSLIMS COOPERATE TO FIND A SOLUTION, AND WAGE AN ISLAMIC JIHAD AGAINST THE JEWS, UNTIL THE LAND IS GIVEN BACK TO ITS PEOPLE AND THE JEWISH IMMIGRANTS GO BACK TO THE COUNTRIES FROM WHICH THEY CAME, AND THE ORIGINAL JEWISH INHABITANTS STAY IN THEIR TOWNS UNDER ISLAMIC RULE, not communist or secular rule. In this manner truth will prevail and falsehood will be defeated, and the people whose land it is will return to their land under Islamic rule and none other. And Allaah is the source of strength.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, part 1, p. 1259 (www.islam-qa.com)

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO HATE JEWS!

Question #21284: What can we do about the slaughter of Muslims in Palestine and around the world?

Question:

What is our stance concerning the slaughter of Muslims in Palestine and other parts of the world that is happening right now, where houses are being destroyed, farms are being wrecked, children are being killed, the wounded are being detained in the streets, houses are being bombarded and people are being prevented by the Jews and others, from buying the food and drink that they need? What can I, as a Muslim, do?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

1. You have to make du’aa’, and recite du’a’ al-qunoot in your salaah (prayer).

2. Collect charity and send it through trustworthy channels.

3. Support the weak and oppressed in all ways, including the media and the internet.

4. Get scholars, daa’iyahs, khateebs and writers to explain the oppression that is happening and the negligence on the part of the ummah, and to mobilize the ummah to defend the holy places.

5. Check on one’s own intentions with regard to fighting for the sake of Allaah, and see whether he is applying the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Whoever dies without having fought for the sake of Allaah or having had the intention of doing so, has died following one of the branches of hypocrisy." (Saheeh Muslim, no. 3533)

6 - TEACH ONE’S CHILDREN TO HATE THE JEWS AND THE ENEMIES OF OUR

RELIGION, AND THAT IT IS OBLIGATORY TO STRIVE IN JIHAD AGAINST

THEM WHEN ONE IS ABLE.

7. Pursuing all the means of building up material and moral strength, in preparation for meeting the enemy (in battle).
8. REMINDING ONESELF AND OTHERS OF THE VIRTUES OF MARTYRDOM FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH AND STUDYING THE RULINGS ON JIHAD, and not having an attachment to this world.
1. Doing as much damage as possible to the enemies who are in a state of war with us, by boycotting their products, attacking them verbally and in writing to humiliate and annoy them, and to point out their kufr and shirk, and their insults to Allaah, His Messenger and the believers, publishing as much as possible in the audio-visual and print media about this serious topic whilst also connecting that to Islamic belief and the words of Allaah and His Messenger,

We ask Allaah the Exalted and All-Powerful to support His religion and cause His word to prevail.

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

JIHAD AGAINST SHIA ORDERED!

Question #10272: Is it permissible to launch an Islamic Jihaad between Sunnis and Shi’ahs?

Question:

Can there be Jihad between different types of Muslims (i.e. Sunni vs. Shiite)?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It is well known that "Shi’ah" means the Raafidah, i.e., the Ithna ‘Ashari Imaamiyyah. They have false beliefs, such as their regarding Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and most of the Sahaabah (Companions of the Prophet) as kaafirs (disbelievers), their belief that the succession after the death of Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) should have passed to ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him), and their belief that the twelve Imaams are infallible.

Among their basic principles is the idea of Taqiyah (dissimulation) which means concealment of their false beliefs. Their way is the way of the hypocrites. They have obvious bid’ahs (innovations in religion),such as building mashhads (shrines) and domes over tombs, and taking them as places of worship, and their remembrance of the killing of al-Husayn (may Allaah be pleased with him), during which they openly commit all kinds of evil actions. The worst of that is their associating of others in worship with Allaah (shirk), when they seek help from ‘Ali and al-Husayn (may Allaah be pleased with them) and all their imaams, unless they are living in societies which do not allow them to do that.

ON THIS BASIS , IF THE SUNNIS HAVE A STATE AND ARE IN POWER, AND THE SHI’AH OPENLY DISPLAY THEIR BID’AH, SHIRK AND BELIEFS, THEN THE SUNNIS ARE OBLIGED TO FIGHT THEM, AFTER CALLING UPON THEM TO STOP MANIFESTING THEIR SHIRK AND BID’AH, AND TO ADHERE TO THE WAY OF ISLAM. If the Sunnis do not have the ability to fight the mushrikeen (those who associate others in worship with Allaah) and the innovators, then they have to do whatever they can to call them to the truth and to explain the right way, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

On the basis of the above, it cannot be said that the Raafidah are a group of Muslims, because whoever believes that the twelve Imaams have knowledge of the Unseen and that what they say is (Islamic) legislation, or curses the Companions of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or seeks help from people who are dead and buried instead of from Allaah, or seeks help from ‘Ali, al-Husayn and others instead of Allaah, cannot be a Muslim. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

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

SATAN REPRODUCES BY LAYING EGGS?

From Answer to Question #22233: Does Iblees have any offspring?

Al- Shu’bi said: A man asked me whether Iblees has a wife? I said, "That is a wedding party I never attended!", then I remembered the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

Then I realized that he could not have offspring unless he had a wife, so I said, Yes.

Something similar to what al-Shu’bi understood from this aayah, that having offspring implies having a wife, was also narrated from QUTAADAH. MUJAAHID SAID: THE WAY IN WHICH HIS OFFSPRING CAME INTO BEING IS THAT HE INSERTED HIS PRIVATE PART INTO HIS PRIVATE PART, THEN HE LAID FIVE EGGS, AND THIS WAS THE ORIGIN OF HIS OFFSPRING. SOME OF THE SCHOLARS SAID THAT ALLAAH CREATED A PENIS ON HIS RIGHT THIGH AND A VAGINA ON HIS LEFT THIGH, SO HE IMPREGNATES HIMSELF IN THIS MANNER AND TEN EGGS ARE LAID EVERY DAY, FROM EACH OF WHICH EMERGE SEVENTY MALE AND FEMALE DEVILS.

Al-Qurtubi said in his commentary on this aayah: I say: what is proven in saheeh reports concerning this matter is that which was narrated by al-Humaydi in al-Jam’ bayna al-Saheehayn from Imaam Abu Bakr al-Burqaani, who narrated in his book with an isnaad from Abu Muhammad ‘Abd al-Ghani ibn Sa’eed al-Haafiz from the report of ‘Aasim from Abu ‘Uthmaan from Salmaan that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "DO NOT BE THE FIRST ONE TO ENTER THE MARKET-PLACE OR THE LAST ONE TO LEAVE, FOR THERE THE SHAYTAAN LAYS HIS EGGS AND THERE THEY HATCH." THIS INDICATES THAT THE SHAYTAAN HAS OFFSPRING FROM HIS LOINS.

Adwaa’ al-Bayaan, 4/133-135. (www.islam-qa.com)

UNDER ISLAM, CHARGING FOR BOUCNED CHECKS IS ILLEGAL!

Question #13709: It is not permissible to impose a penalty for delay in praying off a debt

Question:

IS IT CONSIDERED RIBA TO CHARGE A PERSON FOR A BOUNCED CHECK? FOR example, a person writes a check to a business for a certain amount, but when they go to retrieve the funds, the money is not there, and then the business charges them a fee for lying on their check. Is this charge riba?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

YES, IT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE FOR YOU TO TAKE ANYTHING BUT THE MONEY WHICH YOU ARE OWED. IF AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT IS CHARGED BECAUSE OF THE DELAY OR BECAUSE YOU HAD DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE MONEY, THIS ADDITIONAL AMOUNT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE. Rather you should take from him only the amount that was written on the cheque. But if he gives you something to make up for your difficulties, such as a payment for going to the bank, this is acceptable, but stipulating that an additional amount must be paid in the case of delay is not permissible.

Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen. (www.islam-qa.com)

VACATIONS IN NON-MUSLIM NATIONS ARE CONTRARY TO ISLAM!

Question #13342: TRAVELLING FOR THE PURPOSE OF MERE TOURISM IS HARAAM

Question:

WHAT IS THE RULING ON TRAVELING TO KAAFIR COUNTRIES AS A TOURIST, and taking pictures of the women in one’s family on these trips?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Taking pictures of women is not permitted at all, because of the temptation and evil that results from that, in addition to the fact that taking pictures is forbidden in and of itself. So it is not permissible to take pictures of women when traveling or for any other reason. The Council of Senior Scholars has issued a statement that this is haraam. WITH REGARD TO TRAVELING TO KAAFIR COUNTRIES OR PERMISSIVE COUNTRIES, THIS IS NOT PERMITTED BECAUSE IT INVOLVES TEMPTATION AND EVIL, AND MIXING WITH THE KAAFIRS, AND SEEING EVIL THINGS AND BEING AFFECTED BY THAT. It is only permitted within strict guidelines which have been set out by the scholars, namely:

1. For necessary medical treatment which cannot be found in any Muslim country

2. For business purposes which require travel
3. To learn knowledge which the Muslims need and which cannot be found in their countries

4. To call people to Allaah and spread Islam

In each of these cases, there is the condition that the traveler should be able to practise his religion openly and show pride in his beliefs, and keep away from places of temptation.

WITH REGARD TO TRAVELING SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF A PLEASURE TRIP, OR FOR A BREAK, THIS IS EMPHATICALLY FORBIDDEN. I ask Allaah to make me, you and all the Muslims adhere to that which He loves and which pleases Him. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan, member of the Council of Senior Scholars and of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas . (www.islam-qa.com)

ENTERING CONTESTS IS CONTRARY TO ISLAM!

Question #10315: Ruling on draws for cars

Question:

What is the ruling on draws for cars or for household appliances such as washing machines, freezers, TVs etc. that are held by some markets and businesses?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

THAT IS NOT PERMITTED, BECAUSE THEY ARE BENEFITING THEMSELVES AND HARMING OTHERS. THEY OFFER A PRIZE OF A CAR OR FREEZER, ETC., and say that whoever buys such and such can take part in this competition, and we will draw one of the names, and if he wins he will get a car worth one hundred thousand or whatever. So the people rush to them and maybe ten thousand or twenty thousand customers come, but only one will win the competition and the rest will lose. Thus they harm the owners of other stores because the people rush to them and ignore the other stores which causes harm to the others.

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

NAIL POLISH ILLEGAL UNDER ISLAM!

Question #20226: Ruling on using cosmetics

Question:

Is it permitted for women to wear make up even if they do not contain any animal derived or alcohol ingredients?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

Making herself beautiful for her husband is one of the things that a woman should do. The more beautiful a woman looks for her husband, the more that will make him love her and that will create harmony between them. This is one of the objectives of sharee’ah, so if the makeup makes her look more beautiful and does not harm her, there is nothing wrong with that.

But I have heard that make-up can damage the skin of the face and change it in ways that make it look ugly and age the skin prematurely. I hope that women will ask their doctors about that, and if it is proven, then using make-up will be deemed to be either haraam or makrooh at the very least, because everything that causes deformity or makes a person ugly is either haraam or makrooh.

I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS NAIL POLISH, WHICH FORMS A LAYER ON THE NAILS. IT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE TO USE THIS IF A WOMAN IS PRAYING, because it prevents the water from reaching the nails when doing wudoo’ or ghusl, and it is not permissible to use anything that will prevent water from reaching the skin or nails when doing wudoo’ or ghusl. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows…"[al-Maa’idah 5:6]

SO IF A WOMAN IS WEARING NAIL-POLISH WHICH PREVENTS WATER FROM REACHING HER NAILS, THEN SHE IS NOT REALLY WASHING HER HANDS, WHICH MEANS THAT SHE HAS OMITTED ONE OF THE OBLIGATORY PARTS OF WUDOO’ AND GHUSL. But if she is not praying, there is nothing wrong with her using it, unless this action is one of the unique characteristics of kaafir woman, in which case it is not permissible because it involves imitating them.

And Allaah knows best.

Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/474 (www.islam-qa.com)

HIGH HEELS SHOES ILLEGAL UNDER ISLAM!

Question #26215: What is the ruling on women wearing high heels?

Question:

WHAT IS THE RULING ON WOMEN WEARING HIGH HEELS?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

WEARING HIGH HEELS IS NOT PERMISSIBLE because it exposes women to the risk of falling, and we are commanded in sharee’ah to avoid danger in a general sense, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And do not kill yourselves" [al-Nisa’ 4:29]

"and do not throw yourselves into destruction"[al-Baqarah 2:195]

It also makes women look taller than they really are and makes their posteriors appear more prominent, and this is a kind of deception and showing the adornments which the believing woman is forbidden to show, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam)" [al-Noor 24:31]

From Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, Majallat al-Buhooth, 9/46.

Moreover, it also makes a woman lean forward (maa’ilah ila al-amaam), so there is the fear that the warning issued to those women who walk with an enticing gait (al-maa’ilaat al-mumilaat) may apply to her too [in the hadeeth which says that such women will never even smell the fragrance of Paradise from afar]. It also harms the back, as has been proven medically. The heels also make a sound which attracts the attention of men and is a temptation to them. We ask Allaah to keep us all safe and sound.

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

RED CLOTHES PROHIBITED FOR MALE MUSLIMS!

Question #2843: Colours which are encouraged (mustahabb), disliked (makrooh) and forbidden (haraam) in men’s and women’s clothing

Question:

Are there any colours which a muslim/muslimah cannot wear eg red garments

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Before we answer this question we should note an important point, which is that the basic principle regarding colours of clothes for men and women is that all colours are permissible except where there is a shar’i text forbidding a certain colour for men or women. There are shar’i texts which encourage the wearing of certain colours and forbid the wearing of other colours, such as the following:

Black:

Umm Khaalid bint Khaalid said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was brought some clothes, among which was a small black khameesah [garment]. He said, ‘Who do you think we should give this to?’ The people remained silent. Then he said, ‘Bring me Umm Khaalid,’ and she was carried to him. He took the khameesah in his hand and put it on her, and said, ‘May you live long and wear it out.’ There was a green or yellow mark on it, and he said, ‘O Umm Khaalid, this is sanaah (good),’ and sanaah is an Abyssinian word." (Reported by al-Bukhaari).

Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, wearing a black turban." (Reported by Muslim).

‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: "I made a black burdah (cloak) for the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he wore it, but when he sweated in it he detected the smell of wool on it, so he took it off, because he used to like pleasant smells."

(Reported by Abu Dawood. Al-Haakim (4/188) said: it is saheeh according to the conditions of the two shaykhs. Al-Dhahabi agreed with him. Shaykh al-Albaani said in al-Saheehah (5/168, no. 2136): It is as they said. Abu Dawood named a chapter in his Sunan "Bab fi’l-Suwaad (chapter on black clothes)". The author of ‘Awn al-Ma’bood (11/126) said: The hadeeth indicates that it is permissible to wear black and that there is nothing makrooh in doing so).

Black is permissible for both men and women alike. One of the false innovations (bid’ah) connected to this colour is the practice of deliberately wearing black at times of bereavement, which also involves imitating the Christians.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen said (Fataawa Islamiyah, 3/313): "Wearing black at times of bereavement is a false symbol that has no basis. At times of bereavement people should do what is commanded in Islam, which is to say ‘Innaa Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ajirni fi museebati wa’khluf li khayran minhaa (Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. O Allaah, reward me for my calamity and compensate me with something better than it).’ If a person says this with faith and the hope of reward, Allaah will reward him for that and will replace what he has lost with something better." He also said: "Allocating certain clothes for mourning is an act of bid’ah (innovation) in our opinion, and because it could indicate that a person is discontent with the decree of Allaah."

White:

Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he was wearing a white garment and was asleep. I came back to him (later), and he had woken up…" (Reported by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh, in a chapter he called Baab al-Thiyaab al-Beed (Chapter on white clothes)).

Al-Bukhaari reported that Sa’d said: "I saw on the left of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and on his right two men wearing white clothes on the day of Uhud. I never saw them before or since." These two men were Jibreel and Mikaa’eel, as al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar mentioned in al-Fath (10/295).

White is a colour recommended (mustahabb) for the living to wear and for the dead to be shrouded in, as was stated in the hadeeth narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Wear your white clothes, for they are the best of your clothes, and shroud your dead in them.’" (Reported by Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz (p. 82)).

White is also the preferred colour for men’s ihraam (special garments for Hajj), which consists of an izaar (lower garment) and a rida’ (upper garment).

Green: Abu Ramthah said: "I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wearing two green garments." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, who said, this is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth, and by al-Nisaa’i, 5224).

Red: IT WAS REPORTED THAT WEARING PURE RED IS FORBIDDEN FOR MEN, BUT NOT FOR WOMEN, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade mafdam" (reported by Imaam Ahmad and Ibn Maajah, 3591). Mafdam is something that is filled with red safflower dye. According to the commentary of al-Sindi on Sunan al-Nisaa’i, mafdam is something that is filled with red. It was reported that if ‘Umar saw a man wearing a garment dyed red with safflower, he would pull him aside and say, "Leave this for the women." (Reported by al-Tabari).

‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr said: "A man who was wearing two red garments passed by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and greeted him with salaam, but the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not respond." (Reported by Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi, and classed as hasan by al-Bazzaar, who said: we know it only through this isnaad, which includes Abu Yahya al-Qattaat, who is a disputed figure).

There were several suggestions as to why MEN ARE FORBIDDEN TO WEAR RED, including the following:

because it is the dress of the kuffaar

because it is the adornment of women, so forbidding it is a way of discouraging the imitation of women because it is vanity and does not befit a decent man to wear it The prohibition applies only to garments that are dyed completely red.

Garments that contain another colour such as white, black, etc. are not forbidden. This is how the ahaadeeth that speak about the red hullah should be interpreted, such as the hadeeth of al-Bara’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was of average height. I saw him wearing a red hullah, and I have never seen anything better than it." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5400). The Yemeni hullah usually has stripes of red and another colour, it is not pure red.

Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: "The clothing (of

the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)): Abu’l-Waleed

told us Shu’bah told us from Abu Ishaaq who heard al-Bara’ (may Allaah be pleased

with him) saying: ‘The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was of average height. I saw him wearing a red hullah, and I have never seen anything better than it.’ The hullah consists of an izaar and a rida’ (lower and upper garments)… It is a mistake to think that it was pure red and not mixed with any other colour. The red hullah is two Yemeni garments woven with red and black stripes like all the other Yemeni garments… But pure red is emphatically forbidden. In Saheeh al-Bukhaari it is stated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade red saddlecloths (or blankets) … With regard to red garments in general and red broadcloth, etc., the issue is still under discussion, but it is very disliked (makrooh)." (Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1/139). And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

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

NO EARRINGS OR BRACELETS FOR MEN

Question #1980: Earrings for Men

Question:

In the basis of our religion is it okay for men to wear earrings (whether that being one or several) in islam and is it okay for men to wear jewelrey which is silver and not gold. I hope that this is not a silly question because a lot of the muslim men that i associate with wear earrings. Some people say that the members of the prophet's (p.b.u.h) tribe - the quraysh used to wear earrings in the olden days and that is why it is okay for us. Could you please find out if this is true and give me a definite answer. Thank you very much!

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

EARRINGS AND BRACELETS ARE FORMS OF ADORNMENT FOR WOMEN, AND IBN ‘ABBAAS (MAY ALLAAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM) REPORTED THAT "THE MESSENGER OF ALLAAH (PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAAH BE UPON HIM) CURSED MEN WHO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK LIKE WOMEN and women who make themselves look like men." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5435).

Abu Hurayrah said: "The Messenger of Allaah cursed men who wear women’s clothes and women who wear men’s clothes." (Reported by Abu Dawood in al-Sunan, Kitaab al-Libaas, Baab fi libaas al-nisaa’). On this basis, it is not permitted for men to wear earrings or nose-rings.

The claim that this is permissible because the people of Quraysh used to do that needs to be proven, in the first place, and where is the proof?

Secondly, even if they used to do this in the Jaahiliyaah (Time of Ignorance before Islam), Islam came and forbade men to wear the adornment of women or to make themselves look like them, as is clear from the ahadeeth quoted above. What matters is the ruling of Islam, not what Quraysh or other tribes may have done.

Thirdly, the kinds of female adornment known among Quraysh and others includes earrings, bracelets, anklets and bangles worn on the upper arm. The point is that these are known as forms of women’s adornment since ancient times.

Fourthly, Islam has given men sufficient scope to adorn themselves by allowing them to wear silver rings, as Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wore a ring made of silver, and the people did likewise. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5417). Islam also allows men to wear gold and silver when necessary to replace a lost tooth or nose, and so on.

Finally, we would say that any Muslim man who wears jewelry is making himself look like the kuffaar, because this is known to be their style of adornment; the latest fashion among them is to wear earrings and the like in their ears, noses, lips, cheeks and other parts of the body (so-called "body-piercing"). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." (Reported by Abu Dawood, al-Sunan, Kitaab al-libaas, Bab libaas al-shuhrah).

Whoever does this should repent to Allaah and not engage in the futile defence of falsehood. He should be distinct in both his personality and his dress from the kuffaar, as Islam has commanded us to be. Allaah is the One Who guides to the Straight Path.

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

ISLAM FORBIDS MEN WEARING SILVER CHAINS

Question #6697: Rings and chains for men

Question:

Can men wear silver jewelry like rings, chains etc ?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

With regard to men wearing rings of silver: this is permissible and there is nothing wrong with it.

• Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted to send a letter to the Romans, he was told that they would not read any letter unless it had a seal on it, so he took a ring of silver. It is as if I can see it shining on his hand, and engraved on it were the words ‘Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah.’" (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5537; Muslim 2092).
• A similar report was also narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (al-Bukhaari, 5528; Muslim, 2091).

Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) was asked about men wearing silver, and he said:

As for rings of silver, this is permissible according to the

consensus of the imaams, for it was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had a ring of silver and that his companions wore rings. This is unlike gold rings, which are forbidden according to the consensus of the four imaams. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade that. As for wearing silver, there is no general statement that it is forbidden, and no one has the right to say that it is forbidden if there is no shar’i evidence (daleel) to that effect. As the Sunnah permits wearing silver rings, this is evidence that wearing silver is permissible…"(Majmoo’ al-Fataawaa, 25/63-65).

With regard to wearing chains, this is not permissible for men, because this is an imitation of women, and there is no report which says that it is permissible for men to wear chains made of silver.

WEARING ADORNMENTS ON THE WRIST AND NECK, AND ON THE EARS, IS AN IMITATION OF WOMEN, AS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS ONLY FOR WOMEN. SO IT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE FOR MEN TO WEAR BRACELETS, EARRINGS, ANKLETS, OR CHAINS. For more information please see Question #(4021).

And Allaah knows best.

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

CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS IS CONTRARY TO ISLAM!

Question #10070: Celebrating innovated festivals

Question:

WHAT IS THE SHAR’I RULING ON CELEBRATING FESTIVALS SUCH AS THE BIRTHDAY OF THE PROPHET (PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAAH BE UPON HIM), CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAYS, MOTHER’S DAY, TREE WEEK AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

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

Secondly: ANY OF THESE THINGS WHICH ARE INTENDED AS RITUALS OR ACTS OF WORSHIP AIMED AT DRAWING CLOSER TO ALLAAH OR GLORIFYING HIM IN ORDER TO EARN REWARD, OR WHICH INVOLVE IMITATING THE PEOPLE OF JAAHILIYYAH OR ANY OTHER GROUPS OF KAAFIRS, IS A PROHIBITED BID’AH, an innovation which comes under the general meaning of the hadeeth: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). EXAMPLES OF THAT INCLUDE MAWLID AL-NABI (THE PROPHET’S BIRTHDAY), MOTHER’S DAY AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, BECAUSE IN THE FIRST CASE THERE ARE INNOVATED ACTS OF WORSHIP WHICH ALLAAH HAS NOT PRESCRIBED, AND BECAUSE IT INVOLVES IMITATION OF THE CHRISTIANS AND OTHER KAAFIRS. AND IN THE SECOND AND THIRD CASES THERE IS IMITATION OF THE KUFFAAR. But in cases where the intention is to organize work to serve the interests of the ummah and to put its affairs straight, or to organize programs of study, or to bring employees together for work purposes etc., which in and of themselves do not involve acts of worship and glorification, then these are a kind of benign innovation which do not come under the meaning of the hadeeth, "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not a part of it will have it rejected." So there is nothing wrong with such things, indeed they are allowed by sharee’ah.

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

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

CONGRAULATING PEOPLE OR EVEN RESPONDING TO CONGRATULATIONS
FOR NON-MUSLIM HOLIDAYS IS CONTRARY TO ISLAM!

Question #947: Ruling on celebrating non-Muslim holidays and congratulating them

Question:

CAN A MUSLIM CELEBRATE A NON MUSLIM HOLIDAY LIKE THANKSGIVING?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

GREETING THE KUFFAAR ON CHRISTMAS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS OF THEIRS IS HARAAM, by consensus, as Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said in Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah: "Congratulating the kuffaar on the rituals that belong only to them is haraam by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If the one who says this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross, or even worse than that. IT IS AS GREAT A SIN AS CONGRATULATING SOMEONE FOR DRINKING WINE, OR MURDERING SOMEONE, OR HAVING ILLICIT SEXUAL RELATIONS, AND SO ON. Many of those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah."

Congratulating the kuffaar on their religious festivals is haraam to the extent described by Ibn al-Qayyim because it implies that one accepts or approves of their rituals of kufr, even if one would not accept those things for oneself. But the Muslim should not aceept the rituals of kufr or congratulate anyone else for them, because Allaah does not accept any of that at all, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. . ."
[al-Zumar 39:7]

". . . This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion . . ."
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]

SO CONGRATULATING THEM IS FORBIDDEN, WHETHER THEY ARE ONE’S COLLEAGUES AT WORK OR OTHERWISE.

IF THEY GREET US ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR FESTIVALS, WE SHOULD NOT RESPOND, because these are not our festivals, and because they are not festivals which are acceptable to Allaah. These festivals are innovations in their religions, and even those which may have been prescribed formerly have been abrogated by the religion of Islaam, with which Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to the whole of mankind. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]

IT IS HARAAM FOR A MUSLIM TO ACCEPT INVITATIONS ON SUCH OCCASIONS, BECAUSE THIS IS WORSE THAN CONGRATULATING THEM AS IT IMPLIES TAKING PART IN THEIR CELEBRATIONS.

SIMILARLY, MUSLIMS ARE FORBIDDEN TO IMITATE THE KUFFAAR BY HAVING PARTIES ON SUCH OCCASIONS, OR EXCHANGING GIFTS, OR GIVING OUT SWEETS OR FOOD, OR TAKING TIME OFF WORK, etc., because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah said in his book Iqtidaa’ al-siraat al-mustaqeem mukhaalifat ashaab al-jaheem: "Imitating them in some of their festivals implies that one is pleased with their false beliefs and practices, and gives them the hope that they may have the opportunity to humiliate and mislead the weak."

Whoever does anything of this sort is a sinner, whether he does it out of politeness or to be friendly, or because he is too shy to refuse, or for whatever other reason, because this is hypocrisy in Islaam, and because it makes the kuffaar feel proud of their religion.

Allaah is the One Whom we ask to make the Muslims feel proud of their religion, to help them adhere steadfastly to it, and to make them victorious over their enemies, for He is the Strong and Omnipotent.

Majmoo’ah Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/369) (www.islam-qa.com)

FREINDSHIP WITH NON-MUSLIMS IS PROHIBITED!

THIS INCLUDES NOT LIVING IN OR TRAVELING TO NON-MUSLIM NATIONS, AND NOT USING THE GREGORIAN CALENDAR!

Question #2179: Clarification of the important rule: it is haraam to take kaafirs as close friends and protectors

Question:

We hope that you will be able to explain, with examples, what is meant by the phrase, "Taking kaafirs as close friends and protectors is haraam."

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Yes, examples will certainly explain and clarify what is meant, so we will move straight on to quoting some of the most important points that the scholars and leaders of da’wah have said about different ways of showing friendship towards kaafirs.

Accepting their kufr and doubting that it is kufr at all, or refraining from labelling them as kaafirs, or praising their religion. Allaah says about the kufr of the one who accepts them (interpretation of the meaning): "… but such as open their breasts to disbelief…" [al-Nahl 16:106]. Allaah says, making it obligatory to label the kaafirs as such (interpretation of the meaning): "… Whoever disbelieves in Taaghoot [false deities] and believes in Allaah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break…" [al-Baqarah 2:256]. Allaah says about the munaafiqoon (hypocrites) who prefer the kuffaar to the Muslims (interpretation of the meaning) "… [they] say to the disbelievers that they are better guided as regards the way than the believers (Muslims)." [al-Nisa’ 4:51].

Referring to them for judgement. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "… they wish to got for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taaghoot (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them…" [al-Nisa’ 4:60]

BEFRIENDING AND LIKING THEM. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "You will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger…" [al-Mujaadilah 58:22]

Inclining towards them, relying upon them and taking them as a support. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And incline not towards those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you…" [Hood 11:113]

Helping and supporting them against the Muslims. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "The believers, men and women, are awliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another…" [al-Tawbah 9:71]. He also says of the kuffaar that they are " but awliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) to one another…" [al-Maa’idah 5:51]. And He says (interpretation of the meaning): "…And if any amongst you takes them as awliya’, then surely he is one of them." [al-Maa’idah 5:51].

BECOMING MEMBERS OF THEIR SOCIETIES, JOINING THEIR PARTIES, INCREASING THEIR NUMBERS, TAKING THEIR NATIONALITIES (EXCEPT IN CASES OF NECESSITY), SERVING IN THEIR ARMIES OR HELPING TO DEVELOP THEIR WEAPONS.

BRINGING THEIR LAWS AND RULES TO THE MUSLIM COUNTRIES. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "Do they then seek the judgement of the Days of Ignorance?…" [al-Maa’idah 5:50]

TAKING THEM AS FRIENDS IN GENERAL TERMS, TAKING THEM AS HELPERS AND SUPPORTERS, and throwing in one’s lot with them. Allaah forbids all this, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): "O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as awliya’ (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but awliya’ to one another…" [al-Maa’idah 5:51].

Compromising with them and being nice to them at the expense of one’s religion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them, so that they (too) would compromise with you." [al-Qalam 68:9]. This includes sitting with them and entering upon them at the time when they are making fun of the Signs of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And it has already been revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the Verses of Allaah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them), certainly in that case you would be like them…" [al-Nisa’ 4:140]

TRUSTING THEM AND TAKING THEM AS ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS instead of the believers. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "O you who believe! Take not as (your) bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made clear to you the aayaat (proofs, evidence, verses), if you understand. Lo! You are the ones who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the Scriptures [i.e., you believe in the Tawraat and the Injeel, while they disbelieve in your Book (the Qur’aan)]. And when they meet you, they say, ‘We believe.’ But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: ‘Perish in your rage. Certainly Allaah knows what is in the breasts (all the secrets).’ If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it…" [Aal ‘Imran 3:118-120].

Imaam Ahmad and Muslim reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out to (the battle of) Badr, and a man from among the mushrikeen followed him and caught up with him at al-Harrah. He said, "I wanted to follow you and join you, and have some of the war-booty with you." (The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) said: "Do you believe in Allaah and His Messenger?" He said, "No." He said, "Go back, I do not need help from a mushrik."

From these texts it is clear that we are forbidden to appoint kaafirs to positions whereby they could find out the secrets of the Muslims and plot against them by trying to do all kinds of harm.

PUTTING THEM IN ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS WHERE THEY ARE BOSSES OF MUSLIMS and can humiliate them, run their affairs and prevent them from practising their religion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "… and never will Allaah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers." [al-Nisa’ 4:141]. Imaam Ahmad reported that Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "I said to ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him). ‘I have a Christian scribe.’ He said, ‘What is wrong with you, may Allaah strike you dead! Have you not heard the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning), "O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as awliya’ (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but awliya’ to one another…" [al-Maa’idah 5:51]"? Why do you not employ a haneef [i.e., a Muslim]?’ I said, ‘O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, I benefit from his work and he keeps his religion to himself.’ He said, ‘I will never honour them when Allaah has humiliated them, and I will never bring them close to me when Allaah has expelled them from His mercy.’"

SIMILARLY, WE SHOULD NOT EMPLOY THEM IN MUSLIM HOMES where they can see our private matters and they bring our children up as kaafirs. This is what is happening nowadays when kaafirs are brought to Muslim countries as workers, drivers, servants and nannies in Muslim homes and families.

Neither should we send our children to kaafir schools, missionary institutions and evil colleges and universities, or make them live with kaafir families.

Imitating the kaafirs in dress, appearance, speech, etc., because this indicates love of the person or people imitated. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

It is forbidden to imitate the kaafirs in customs, habits and matters of outward appearance and conduct that are characteristic of them. This includes shaving the beard, letting the moustache grow long, and speaking their languages, except when necessary, as well as matters of clothing, food and drink, etc.

STAYING IN THEIR COUNTRIES WHEN THERE IS NO NEED TO DO SO. Allaah forbade the weak and oppressed Muslims to stay among the kaafirs if they are able to migrate. He says (interpretation of the meaning): "Verily! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): ‘In what (condition) were you?’ They reply, ‘We were weak and oppressed on earth.’ They (angels) say: ‘Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?’ Such men will find their abode in Hell –what an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children, who cannot devise a plan, nor are the able to direct their way." [al-Nisa’ 4:97-98].

NOBODY WILL BE EXCUSED FOR STAYING IN A KAAFIR COUNTRY EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRULY WEAK AND OPPRESSED AND CANNOT MIGRATE, or those who stay among them for a valid religious purpose such as da’wah and spreading Islam in their countries.

IT IS FORBIDDEN TO LIVE AMONG THEM WHEN THERE IS NO NEED TO DO SO. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I disown the one who stays among the mushrikeen."

TRAVELLING TO THEIR COUNTRIES FOR VACATIONS AND LEISURE PURPOSES. But going there for a legitimate reason – such as medical treatment, trade, and learning specialized skills that cannot be obtained in any other way – is permitted in cases of need, and when the need has been fulfilled, it is obligatory to return to the Muslim world.

This permission is also given under the condition that the would-be traveller has sufficient knowledge to dispel his doubts, to control his physical desires, to demonstrate his religion, to be proud of being Muslim, to keep away from evil places, and to be aware and cautious of the plots of his enemies. It is also permissible, and even obligatory, to travel to their lands for the sake of da’wah and spreading Islam.

Praising them and their civilization and culture, defending them, and admiring their behaviour and skills, without taking note of their false ideology and corrupt religion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (disbelievers), the splendour of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting." [Ta-Ha 20:131]. It is also forbidden to honour them, give them titles of respect, initiate greetings to them, give them the best seats in gatherings, and give way to them in the street. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Do not be the first to greet a Jew or a Christian (do not initiate the greeting), and if you meet one of them in the street, then push him to the narrowest part of the way."

FORSAKING THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR AND USING THEIR CALENDAR, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT REFLECTS THEIR RITUALS AND FESTIVALS, AS IS THE CASE WITH THE GREGORIAN (WESTERN) CALENDAR, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE SUPPOSED DATE OF THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH (PEACE BE UPON HIM), WHICH IS AN INNOVATION THAT THEY HAVE FABRICATED AND THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RELIGION OF ‘EESA (JESUS). USING THIS CALENDAR IMPLIES APPROVAL OF THEIR FESTIVALS AND SYMBOLS.

In order to avoid all of that, when the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) established a calendar for the Muslims during the time of ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him), they ignored all the systems of the kuffaar and created a new calendar starting from the date of the Prophet’s Hijrah. This indicates that it is obligatory to differ from the kuffaar in this matter and others where it is the matter of distinct characteristics. And Allaah is the Source of Help.

TAKING PART IN THEIR HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS, HELPING THEM TO CELEBRATE THEM, CONGRATULATING THEM ON THESE OCCASIONS OR ATTENDING PLACES WHERE SUCH CELEBRATIONS ARE HELD. The phrase al-zoor [falsehood] in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning) "And those who do not witness falsehood…" [al-Furqaan 25:72] was interpreted as meaning the festivals of the kuffaar.

Using their names that have bad meanings. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) changed names whose meanings involved shirk, such as ‘Abd al-‘Uzza and ‘Abd al-Ka’bah.

Seeking forgiveness for them and asking Allaah for mercy for them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allaah’s forgiveness for the mushrikeen, even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in s state of disbelief)." [al-Tawbah 9:113]

These examples should give a clear picture of what is meant by the prohibition of forming close friendships with the kaafirs. We ask Allaah to keep our belief sound and our faith strong. And Allaah is the Source of Help.

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

SELLING ON CONSIGNMENT AND SELLING A PRODUCT BEFORE IT ARRIVES ARE CONTRARY TO ISLAM!

Question #1810: Selling on consignment and selling a product before it arrives

Question:

WHAT, IN YOUR VIEW, IS THE SHAR’I RULING ON SELLING ON CONSIGNMENT AND SELLING GOODS BOUGHT FROM ABROAD BEFORE THEY ARRIVE IN ONE’S STORE?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

THE FIRST QUESTION IS: WHAT IS THE RULING ON SELLING ON CONSIGNMENT? This means that a person says, I will sell you these goods – whatever you manage to sell will come under this deal, and whatever you do not sell, I will take back. THIS TRANSACTION IN HARAAM, because it clearly involves an unknown element as neither the vendor nor the purchaser knows how much of the goods will be sold. The issue here is jahaalah (ignorance, not knowing). It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade sales that involve undue risk (gharar) and this is clearly a risky transaction.

But if the two sides have to do a deal, then the owner of the goods should give them to the other party to sell them on his behalf, and give him a reward for acting as his agent. This will achieve the aim of both parties, with the latter acting as an agent for the former. There is nothing wrong with this.

AS FOR SELLING GOODS BEFORE THEY ARRIVE, THIS IS NOT PERMITTED EITHER, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade selling from the same place where goods are bought before the trader has actually acquired them (lit. added them to his own luggage). He should first take possession of them, then he can sell them. As for selling them when they are in another country, when he does not know if they will arrive intact or not, this is not permitted.

If a person were to say that the purchaser is obliged to accept the goods "as is", whether they are defective or not, our response is: a person may agree to that, hoping to make a profit, but if the goods turn out to be defective, he will regret it and be upset, and a dispute may arise between him and the vendor. Islam – praise be to Allaah – has blocked the way to regret, disputes and conflict.

By the same token, if the goods get destroyed en route, conflicts may arise between the two parties. THE POINT HERE IS THAT IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO SELL GOODS UNTIL THEY HAVE HAVE REACHED THE VENDOR, THEN HE MAY SELL THEM.

Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 54/94 (www.islam-qa.com)

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