Questions 59 with Shaykh Saaleh as-Sadlan

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Questions asked to Shaykh Saleh ibn Ghunam as-Sadlaan [May Allaah preserve him] in his house after Salaat al-Jumu‘ah, ar-Riyadh

24/7/1435 – 23/5/2014

Question: I constantly fear death and I have a constant concern that if I die, what would happen to my family after me. How will they survive? Who will look after them and provide for them? Who will nurture my children? What should I do with this form of inner-stress?

Answer: The believer has hope in the Mercy of Allaah and fears His Punishment. If this person has these characteristics, then he should cure it by having good thoughts in Allaah and continue doing good deeds, because Allaah said in a Hadith Qudsi:

“I am as (in support of) the slave as he thinks of Me (optimistic or pessimistic).” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The second point is that your fear of death means that you have low self-esteem; you think you are a sinner, a criminal and that you don’t deserve good - this is not the reality. You are a believer, you are someone who prays and fasts and performs Hajj, and Allaah Pardons you even if you make a mistake as long you make Tawbah to him. Recite the Quraan and remain steadfast.

If you recited just these three letters, how much reward you gain (each letter is multiplied by ten in rewards)?

So be happy that you are doing good deeds and you are going to meet Allaah and earn your rewards for the good that you have done. So don’t fear death. Don’t fear death as long as you are steadfast believer and if you are not, then make Tawbah.

Just as your father leaves you, you will leave your family. Death is written, and it afflicts all children. As long as you are alive, support them and nature your children and don’t fear death.

The Prophet said, “Whoever hates to meet Allaah then Allaah Hates to Meet him.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Question: There is a new-Muslim who knows nothing about Islaam and she doesn’t know how to pray properly etc. There has come to her a non-practicing Muslim man who has no apparent level of Islaam on him and no sense of apparent responsibility, he doesn’t pray etc. He wants to marry her and has promised her that he will change and there are many promises but we think and advised her that he only wants to fulfill his desires with her. What advice can we give to the new-Muslim?

Answer: Our advice to her and him is the same. We advise them not to marry anyone except someone who is a practicing Muslim, they have correctness in their beliefs, preserve their prayers, and if they becomes good Muslims, then marry them.

Him saying that he will become a better Muslim then this is not sufficient, change needs to start now, before marriage. Intentions to change in the future is not enough. He needs to have a good ‘Aqeedah and preserve the prayer etc. from now.

Question: The west often have images of pigs and dogs in cartoons and dolls etc, they are glorified in children's education also. Is it permissible to expose our children to such things?

Answer: I am not strict on these types of things, it is permissible, but they must be educated that these animals are impure and impermissible in the Sharee’ah to eat. They are impure and Haraam because their meet is corrupt, impure, dirty and they eat all sorts of impure and dirty things. It is also suggested that pigs have no jealousy with their spouses, pigs sleep around also showing its impurity. So these dolls, cartoons and images are permissible for children alone whilst taking caution.  

And Allaah Knows best.