Q: Benefitting from the Services of Muslims

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Question: there is a person who provides electronic services for Masjid but he provides his services for the people of Bid'ah as well as Ahl as-Sunnah. Is it permitted for us to cooperate with him?

Shaykh Sa'd bin Nasir ash-Shathri (Allah Preserve him): Permissible  

Q: Laying Flowers at the Place of an Incident

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Question: The customs of the non-Muslims here is that if a person dies at a place of an incident, they leave flowers at the location where he died. Is it for the Muslim to act upon the customs or is this imitating non-Muslims?

Shaykh Sa'd bin Nasir ash-Shathri (Allah Preserve him): Do not do it

Q: Does Shirk have the excuse of ignorance?

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Question: One of the brothers understand from your talk that if a person falls into Shirk, he never has an excuse. Is this correct?

Shaykh Sa'd bin Nasir ash-Shathri: Tawbah removes what came before it (i.e. his Tawbah will remove the sin whilst he is alive) 

Q: Is Being a Referee Haram?

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Question: is being a referee in football considered as legislating by other than what Allah has revealed?

Shaykh Sa'd ash-Shathri (Allah preserve him): No

The (Lack of) Ruling on Cryptocurrencies

Follow @AhleDhikr Shaykh Asim al-Quryuti was asked on the ruling of Cryptocurrencies. 

He replied by saying, 'I have no opinion on this as the matter is being researched as we speak. So the best thing is to wait for the outcome of that research'.

I asked, 'What opinion do you incline to currently?'

The Shaykh replied by saying, 'I have no opinion but such matters need careful and in-depth study and the results will be published soon'.

And Allah Knows best.

Masjid al-Furqan, Leicester (26/4/1439 - 13/01/2018)

Questions 63 with Shaykh Saleh 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

20/5/1435 – 21/3/2014

Question: Is it true that historical relics or buildings have been destroyed in Saudi Arabia and do they have relevance in worship?

Answer: Nobody should be attached to places or buildings, the only thing that must remain is the Ka’bah. It remains as it is and it can not be destroyed, this is what the Salaf ruled. In the past the Ka’bah had been effected by floods and fire, so they restored the building and at times they would change its shape, however the scholars thereafter agreed that it is not permissible thereafter to change anything from its shape. Its has been renovated as the Prophet renovated it, and the shape we see today is the shape that existed in his day.

And Allaah Knows best.

Questions 62 with Shaykh Saleh 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

15/8/1435 – 13/6/2014

Question:  What is the best way of getting accuracy in Fiqh?

Answer: Studying under a scholar, but gaining accuracy is not something easy. May Allaah Reward you, you have chosen a solid word (i.e. accuracy)!

Question: A Muslim couple fornicated (may Allaah Protect us) and now want to get married, is it permissible?

Answer: This is not permitted until we can confirm that she is not pregnant and that they repent:

“The adulterer marries not but an adulteress…” [24:3] (TN: i.e. if they repent from Zina they are no longer considered as a Zaani, and the original ruling of being allowed to marry are reinstated).

But there is no ‘Iddah, as long as she can confirm she is not pregnant (al-Istibraa means to wait for one monthly cycle) and they make Tawbah.

Question: Does credit on the mobile phone come under the laws of Ribaa and Zakaat?

Answer: No, because credit is not a currency but it is a service. So people pay money to use a service and the scholars have discussed this in the books of Fiqh. They stated that it is permissible to pay a baker upfront a fixed amount of money and receive bread as per demand, this is similar to phone credit.

Question: Does electronic currencies come under the ruling of Ribaa and Zakaat?

Answer: Yes, because this has a value and is a form of currency. It is permissible to use this currency to buy goods but not permissible to buy other forms of currency. If one has enough money and the year has passed, there is Zakaat on it.

And Allaah Knows best.

Questions 61 with Shaykh Saleh 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

15/8/1435 – 13/6/2014

Question: What are prescribed deeds that one can do during the month of Sha’baan?

Answer: Sha’baan is like any month, every righteous deed in the Book and Sunnah is prescribed and this is a broad matter, but there is nothing specific to the month of Sha’baan.

Question: Imaam Ahmad used to give precedence to the view of a Companion before using weak Hadeeths. Could you explain this? Also, if a Hadeeth is weak, does this mean we do not attribute it to the Prophet even if there are supporting chains and narrations which solidify its meaning?

Answer: Yes, Imaam Ahmad used to derive rulings by looking in order; Quraan, Sunnah, Ijmaa, Qiyaas, weak Ahadeeth that have supporting chains and then the Qawl as-Sahaahbee (the statement of the Companion). This was his Madhab and then Qawl as-Sahaahbee has different levels too. He brought forward the Qawl as-Sahaahbee before using weak Ahadeeth, because the Companions witnessed the revelation and they understood the Arabic language the best. So their understanding is correct and we can use this to derive rulings before relying on weak narrations because they are not affirmed.

As for weak narrations being ascribed to the Prophet, then weak narrations are of different degrees. Some are completely baseless, this is not asrcribed to the Prophet nor are they used to derive rulings. As for narrations that are supported or narrations are good (Hasan) but have some weakness, then this is attributed to the Prophet and used to derive to the Prophet. There are other weak narrations that are weak to the Prophet but can be correctly attributed to the Companions or those who came after them (using these to derive rulings has been discussed above).

And Allaah Knows best.

Questions 60 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

8/8/1435 – 6/6/2014

Question: How do we know those who are poor and needy in giving Zakaat to them? In Egnland, we are unable to distinguish easily.

Answer: By knowing them, if a person personal knows the situation of a person. We can also know them by asking around. We can also know them if we ask people who look after them and care for their needs.

What is necessary is to follow what is apparent. Look at the person needs, their clothes, their employment, their spending needs. You could also ask the person directly or their friends, because the friends often know the plight of their friends. If you still do not find anyone then ask around so that they can point you in the right direction.

Question: Is it permissible to send Zakaat money  abroad or must I pay in the city I live in. If I don’t find anyone in my city, must I look at the surrounding areas and move outwards before I send it to another country altogether.

Answer: If you have no-one in your country or city and you know of another place that has it, then it is permitted to send it over to them. You can ask around to find them.

Question: Is it a pillar to look search ones own country before sending it abroad?

Answer: No, but it is better. He should check with the people and ask around, and work his way out.

And Allaah Knows best.

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.

Questions 58 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

11/6/1435 – 12/4/2014

Question: In the Aayah, “And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salat (prayer) with it (i.e. recite the Qur'an in the prayer), as an additional prayer (Tahajjud optional prayer Nawafil) for you (O Muhammad  )” [17:79]

Does this mean that there is no specific time or number to the night prayer?

Answer: The Aayah has the word ‘from’ this means a portion of the night. So if it is refers to a portion of time, this means that the matter is broad as the time has not been specified. It could be the beginning, it could be a third, it could be just two Raka’aat. One could pray all night or one could pray something very slight or one could pray what would be in-between these, all of this is the night prayer.

The word ‘from’ has been used and not ‘all’, however the Aayah has been said to mean that the night prayer is something obligatory upon the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] but optional for his Ummah.

As for the amount, it could be eleven or more, or it could be that the eleven takes ten minutes or the whole night, all of this is the night prayer.

Question: A person praying in his shoes but his feet do not touch the ground and there is a space between his toes and the ground, is his Sujood correct?

Answer: Yes, because there is evidence to pray in ones shoes and it is common that shoes have this space. It is not a condition the knees or the feet directly touch the ground (skin to ground) but the forehead and the hands must directly touch the ground (unless there is a valid reason).

Question: What is the meaning of the principle, ‘Turk Istifsaal fi Maqaam al-Ihtimaal Yunzilu Manzilah al-Maqaal’ (If the Shariah doesn't give specific details of a particular ruling, then the ruling is derived from the broader meaning found within the Shariah)?

Answer:  Meaning, the texts doesn’t discuss a particular ruling, but the meaning can be derived from something that has come from the texts, so the understanding we gain is as if the Prophet has said it.

For example, it is not permitted to pray optional prayers after the ‘Asr prayer, so he comes and want to pray ‘Asr because he missed the prayer. We say to him, pray! And this ruling is as if the Prophet had legislated it because there is no direct text to address the situation but the meaning from the what the Prophet has told us is legislative, as if he said it.

Question: What is the ruling of women wearing colourful shows and ‘Abaayah in Saudi Arabia?

Answer: This goes back to the woman. There is no intelligent woman that would want to stand out in this way, but unfortunately we find some women wearing what stands out, but it is better to leave it.

In principle it is permitted but the issue isn’t the colour, the issue is the woman drawing attention to herself. So the practicing woman who is firm and full of goodness would not wear this as she is creating attention to herself (as it conflicts Saudi norms).

Question: What is the ruling on wearing high heels?

Answer: She shouldn’t wear this because it could deceive people of her height and even elevate her above the height of her male relatives. It could be dangerous to her as she may lose her balance also.

And Allaah Knows best.

Questions 57

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Questions asked to Shaykh Sa'd bin Naasir bin Abdul-Azeez ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]

Member of the Permanent Committee of Fatwaa and Research and Committee of Senior Scholars

Asked in his Masjid after Salaat al-‘Asr

28/4/1435- 28/2/2014

Question: There is a woman in England who has not seen her husband in over a year. He refuses divorce, maintenance or an annulment in the marriage. She went back to the Islaamic Court in London and got a divorce. Does she have an ‘Iddah period?

Answer: Yes she does,

"And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods" [al-Baqarah 2:228]

Her ‘Iddah begins as soon as the court have annulled the contract and not from the beginning of the period they have been separated or intended divorce. 

Questioner: The problem here is that some of the men in her area are harassing her. As a result, some people are also stating that she is being immoral with people who are not her husband. Even some of the youth are harassing her. She has a proposal from a trustworthy Muslim man, can she marry him in order to save herself or must she wait until her ‘Iddah is over?

Shaykh Sa’d: She must wait. She should go back to the police, but whatever the case, she must wait as she has an ‘Iddah of three menstrual cycles. 

What has occurred between her and her ex-husband is not considered as Talaaq until the court ruled that the marriage was annulled, so the period she hadn’t seen her husband cannot have been an ‘Iddah.

I ask Allaah to remove from her all evilness and advise to her stay away from this community that is harming her until her ‘Iddah is over and she remarries and fear is removed.

Question: What books do you recommend that we study from, from the books of IbnTaymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim?

Answer:  Their books differ in accordance to the level of knowledge of the person. Certain books of theirs is for the scholar alone, others for the student of knowledge, others written for the general folk. So the person must look at his level before reading. 

If a person is advanced, we can advise him to read books like Da’r Ta’aarud Bayn al-‘Aql wa an-Naql. A person with an intermediate level of knowledge could read books like Qawaa’id an-Nooraaniyyah and the beginner to read books like al-Istiqaamah and other short treaties.

Question: What is the ruling on using words that have a origin of Shirk or Kufr in their meaning in the English language? Such as Monday, it comes from the day that the when the moon was worshipped etc.

Answer: This needs consideration, I cannot respond until I am certain about the answer.

Question: What is the ruling on higher purchased cars where the purchaser makes monthly installments, but there is an initial down-payment?

Answer: This is not permissible because the higher purchase means one it renting to become the owner and by having an initial down-payment it means that the transaction is mixing renting with what is considered as an outright purchase (the down-payment) as renting doesn’t involve down-payments but it involves payment in exchange for benefitting from the product (this is the Islaamic definition of renting). As a result, this condition is Haraam as it involves two transactions in one.

Question: This question about an ingredient called prebiotics. They say that sometimes this ingredient is extracted form the intestines of an animal or even humans. This ingredient of its various types exists in many products, such as yoghurt and other dairy products. So what is the ruling on this?

Answer: I am not sure what this ingredient is but if it comes from the intestine of humans, then this is not permissible. It doesn’t become permitted even if the ingredient goes through a process of change (Istihaalah)because the ingredient is still in the product. This is different to vinegar, for example, that goes through a process of fermentation because it is pure and the alcohol within it is removed, this is not the case here.

And Allaah Knows Best

Questions 56

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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

27/5/1435 – 28/3/2014

Question: Certain injections in the west have pig ingredients in them, is it permissible to use them?

Answer: This is not permissible, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Seek medicine and do not use what is Haraam” and pig and swine are Haraam. Every aspect of these animals is Haraam (skin, meat, bones etc.). So it is not permissible for the Muslim to use pig, in eating or treatment or any other matter.

Question: I am mother who is busy with chores and children, how can I split my day in order to seek some knowledge?

Answer: It depends on her situation. If she is able to balance studying whilst not harming her children, then she should do this by splitting her day in an appropriate manner. 

We can’t say to her leave your children for six or seven hours a day and go and seek knowledge, that’s a lot. There will be times that her children will be away from her, however, they may go to school or study elsewhere or have a nap, this would be her appropriate. 

She must try her best to be balanced with her responsibilities towards her children, feed them, change their clothes, attend to their needs, teach them, play with them, make them laugh and to stop them from crying and getting unwell etc. this all takes priority and once she has fulfilled her obligations, if she has a chance to seek knowledge, she should do so.

Question: What is the correct opinion of the maximum period of Nifaas (post-natal bleeding)?

Answer: There is no set period (minimum nor maximum), every woman knows herself. However, what is commonly known is that it doesn’t exceed sixty or seventy days and the average is forty days. It could be possible that she stops after ten days or shorter or longer, but she knows herself. Once the bleeding stops, then she bathes and begins to fast and pray again.

Questioner: Allaah Reward you with good, didn’t the scholars agree on forty days being the maximum period (i.e. even if bleeding continues she bathes and resumes prayer and fasting)?

Shaykh Saaleh: No, this is the correct opinion. It could be seventy but forty is common but not the maximum. As long as she is bleeding then this is Nifaas.

Questions 55

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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

27/5/1435 – 28/3/2014

Question: What is the ruling of women singing Nasheeds in wedding ceremony?

Answer: Nasheeds that are free from objectionable words or meanings, or words that words that can be misconstrued to mean something else, such as what the Soofees do, there are no instruments or they waver their voice. This is called Samaa’ah with the Soofees, then there is no harm if these conditions are met. These conditions are; 1) no corrupt words or meanings, 2) that these nasheeds are not seen as acts of worship or ‘Aqeedah, 3) that these Nasheeds must be between women only without the mixing of gender, 4) that their voices are not heard by men. If these conditions are met, then it is permissible.

Question:  Is it permissible for these women to listen to a tape or CD as opposed to singing the Nasheeds and using the Duff (one sided drum) themselves?

Answer: Yes, if the conditions are met then there is no harm in this.

Question: When is it permissible to use contraception?

Answer: It is permissible to use contraception unless if it is permanent, if it is permanent then this is Haraam and not permissible. However, it is permissible to use contraception for family planning. For example, if she is unhealthy or has problems which would affect her pregnancy, then they both can agree to use contraception until the harm has been lifted. Another example is of family planning, they may both agree to have a child every four or six years etc. depending on their needs and situations, then they can use contraception. If she’s using the pill, then this must be under the guidance of a trustworthy doctor.

And Allaah Knows Best

Questions 54

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Shaykh Sa'd bin Naasir ash-Shathree (May Allaah Preserve him) was asked:

May Allaah Bestow upon you great good, in England we can't bury the deceased until all the paper work has been completed. However, they had prayed Salaat al-Jinaazah but the permission to bury was delayed until three days after. What's the ruling on this? 

He answered: they do not repeat the Salaat and bury the deceased when they are able.

And Allaah Knows Best.

2/3/1437 - 12/12/2015

Questions 53

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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

25/2/1435 – 28/12/2013

Question: I want to visit my non-Muslim mother as I haven’t seen her in two years.

Shaykh Saaleh: That is a lot, you must visit her. If there is no harm for you to visit her than go even for a few days and come back.

Questioner: But there are some reservations, she has pictures in her house hung on the walls, she drinks and there is alcohol in her house and she lives in a non-Muslim land.

Shaykh Saaleh: Stay away from the alcohol, it is not permissible to mix with her and the places of alcohol in her house. As for the pictures then turn the pictures on the wall around. She is a Kaafirah and after her Kufr there is no greater sin, so call her to leave her Kufr and not be harsh with her drinking. She is not obliged to follow the religion of al-Islaam (but will be held to account for it), because the Kaafir is not obligated to follow the rulings of al-Islaam. It is not possible for us to say to her, “Stop drinking and destroy your pictures but remain on your Kufr!” This is not possible.

وَوَصَّيْنَا الإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلا تُطِعْهُمَا إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

“And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.” [al-[‘Ankaboot 29:8]

So visit her every year or couple of years, take some gifts and come back (to Riyadh).

Questioner: Is it permissible for this person to pray in a house with pictures and alcohol in it?

Shaykh Saaleh: It is permissible so long as the pictures don’t distract. Pray in a place where there are no pictures or request from your mother a room for you to stay in where there are no pictures.

And Allaah Knows Best.

Questions 53

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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

3/8/1434 – 12/7/2013

Question: There is an Imaam in the masjid and he has many problems in his ‘Aqeedah and Manhaj and his general practices. The masjid committee want to remove him, so what do they need to do to achieve this?

Answer: They can remove as they please, with the same authority as the police. If this Imaam reservations are in regards to his religion, meaning he contradicts his stance as being an Imaam, then he must be removed. From the responsibilities of an Imaam is that he is able to recite the Quraan properly, that he prays properly with its pillars and obligations, that he is has no problems in the Masjid. If this happens, then the affair goes back to the committee and the organisation that runs it, and they need to decide and discuss a decision about his religious commitments. There is no harm if he is advised before he is removed, if he responds then all well and good, otherwise they are free to remove him.

[TN: The Shaykh has a book on the Ahkaam of a Masjid which he used to give an explanation for in his house, maybe Arabic readers can refer back to this for more information and benefit]

Question: Does quoting or referencing a quote from a person of innovation make a person an innovator?

Answer: Quoting and referencing peoples words depends. What is the intent by doing this, firstly. All of this goes back to the persons intention in quoting and spreading the words of an innovator. If a person intends to quote an innovator so that people will believe him or revere his words then this is not permissible, never.

However, if one is quoting the innovator to inform others of his mistake and to warn against him, then this is permissible.

If a person quotes an innovator but his speech is in conformance to the truth and the stance of Ahl as-Sunnah, then this doesn’t make the one quoting him an innovator, but we will say it is better not to, especially if they differed and argued with Ahl as-Sunnah about.

Why does this person want to quote an innovator even if he is saying the truth and spread his words and publicise him to the Muslim masses? If a person wants to do this with the intent of spreading disruption and confusion, then this is not permissible. 

As for Ahl as-Sunnah they are agreed on their principles and they are united and this is what should be spread.

Questioner: We are asking this because some people state that merely quoting an innovator makes a person an innovator. For instance, an innovator may be quoted but what he may have said in that particular instance, was supported by quoting Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Katheer in Tafseer or other Imaams of Ahl as-Sunnah. So if an author quotes an innovator whilst supporting the views of Ahl as-Sunnah and supports it by quoting Imaams of Ahl as-Sunnah, does this act of the author take him outside the fold of Ahl as-Sunnah?

Shaykh Saaleh: No this never takes him outside of Ahl as-Sunnah, because whatever is in conformance to what the scholars of Ahl as-Sunnah have said, then this is knowledge (not innovation or ignorance).Innovators are not returned to in matters of the religion, but if they mention something and it was correct, then there is no harm in quoting him but if he is mistaken then quoting them must be left.

Question: What are the principles that include a person within Ahl as-Sunnah or take him out of it.

Answer: If it becomes common practice for a person to support and aid innovation (i.e. not Ijtihaad), and he calls to it then he becomes an innovator and outside the fold of Ahl as-Sunnah. This is because the people of the Sunnah do not call or aid innovation, they do not command it or have inclination to it in the slightest. They do not support or spread books that include innovated ideas. They do not love it so if a person opposes Ahl as-Sunnah, then he is not from them. Therefore it goes back to the person methodology (Manhaj) in following the Sunnah or innovation.

[TN: I asked similar questions to Shaykh Saaleh al-Luhaydaan (may Allaah Preserve him) and he gave very similar answers]

Question: How does a student of knowledge balance studying and earning a living?

Answer: By splitting his day in which is balances studying and work, as much as they are able. It is well-known that work doesn’t take longer than six to eight hours, despite their location in the world. This leaves sixteen hours in which he can seek knowledge, it is reasonable to presume that from the sixteen two hours can be dedicated to seeking knowledge.

Question: What is the status of Ahl al-Fatrah (the people who didn’t have a messenger or the message come to them) in the grave. Will they be punished or receive bliss?

Answer: Nothing has been related to us in regards to them being punished in the grave,

وَلاَ تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاً

“And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah).” [al-Israa’ 17: 36]

However on the issue of what will happen to them on the Day of Judgement, this is where the scholars differed. Some said they will be tested, others said they will be forgiven. What seems to be correct is that they will be forgiven because Allaah does not Punish until the message clearly comes to a person, and His Mercy is broader than His Punishment. However, as for their state in the punishment in the grave, we do not know anything about this.

And Allaah Knows Best.

Questions 51

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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

20/12/1434 – 25/10/2013

Question: I have prayed Istikhaarah Salaat about wanting to marry a woman, and I have seen something good in my dream regarding this. However, my parents have refused for me to marry this woman because of her nationality. So does this refusal come under the prevention I have asked for in the Dua’a of Istikhaarah (where the person supplicates, “And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it”) or is their refusal something else.

Answer: What must be upheld between the questioner and the family is that they remain united and cooperate with one another in this regard. So if it is possible that you can remain patient upon their requests in seeking a wife, but if a long time goes back and you still haven’t found anyone that is suitable in their eyes, then this would be the appropriate time to look elsewhere. In this situation, the person has chosen someone, yet they are refusing, so in this case it is permitted for this person to marry the girl he has chosen and then there is no harm in this and perhaps the parents will come around. Note, this doesn’t mean that one disrespects or harms his parents by it, so he should try and accommodate their feelings if it is something minor or continually try and explain the situation to them.

Question:  It is widely narrated from the Salaf and others after them like Ibn Taymiyyah in his book, ‘Rudd ala al-Bakree’, that they were harsh with the people of innovation. However today, if we take the same stance, in many cases people turn away from the Salafee Da’awah as a result. Especially in the west, being kind in our reception of the people and giving Da’wah to them has a greater impact than being harsh. So what is the best way?

Answer: In this situation, the caller or the person seeking to give advice must be the one who dictates the situation. The questioner has clearly stated that there will be a greater harm so this person realises that this is a cause of people abandoning him and  disregarding his Da’wah. In this case, the caller must seek all means to avoid this and try and be calm and tranquil when addressing the people. This would be obligatory upon him. However, I say, that if  being strict and harsh with the innovation and their callers is the only way to prevent them, then there is no harm in being harsh and strict with them. The point is that the truth prevails, so whether one is harsh or kind, the point is to get the truth across.

Questioner:  Based on this, were the Salaf harsh with innovators for a particular reason?

Answer: The Imaams of the Salaf would be harsh because of the impact it had on those they were calling to and seeking to rectify. So the approach that the caller must have must be the approach which attracts and admonishes the people in the best way. So if one uses techniques (TN: a differences between manners in Islaam and techniques for Da’wah, so note the Shaykh is referring to harshness as a technique for prosperous Da’wah and that it is not correct to adopt these manners and etiquettes permanently) that are not appropriate and by using such, the Da’wah he gives has no benefit, then in this case the person must change his behaviour. So harshness and kindness is adapted whenever the need arises to adopt either one of these techniques.

Question: The fact that Dawood ath-Dhaahiree who denied Qiyaas (analogy of the texts) as a form of constructing rulings is false because the proof of using Qiyaas was a point of Islaamic consensus (Ijmaa’) with the scholars. Does this make his stance and innovation as he has gone against the Ijmaa’?

Answer: This particular issue is known with the Usooliyeen (the scholars of Islaamic Principles) that Qiyaas is permissible. Some said that it is not permitted because it is talking about Allaah without knowledge (a major sin). Others permitted it as we have been given the right to make analogy from the texts of the Quraan:

“Then take admonition, O you with eyes (to see).” [al-Hashr 59:2]

The meaning of the wording here is that we are commanded to make Qiyaas. Therefore, using Qiyaas is established and there is much benefit that we can derive in various rulings with using it. As for those who prohibit it then a lot of beneficial knowledge will escape from them. Moreover, the leaving of Qiyaas means that the betterment and overall understanding of rulings are not gained by abandoning Qiyaas.

As for Dawood, we can’t say that he innovated, rather he held this view out of his Ijtihaad but the correct view is of those who permitted and used Qiyaas.

By stating that he innovated, what is the point behind such a question?  Some people will declare him to be an innovator and parts of the Sharee’ah will be made Haraam for them also (i.e. by leaving studying and benefitting from some of his views).

Question: What do we give precedence to if there is a Command or a Prohibition at the same time, if they appear to contradict?

Answer:  We need to investigate as the there is no contradiction in the Sharee’ah. Nothing we have been Commanded to do can contradict a Prohibition or visa-versa. This could never happen as Allaah is the One Who Legislated as He Said:

“A revelation from Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.” [al-Fussilat 41:2]

So if you think there is contradiction then this is from your understanding and not attributed to the Sharee’ah. So if you have problems in understanding something then you must research the issue, if that is not possible, then to ask someone who understands the issue better than you, and if this is not possible, then to leave the issue totally until you can understand it.

And Allaah Knows best 

Questions 50

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

12/8/1434 – 21/6/2013

Question: Is it permissible for me to leave giving Da’wah to al-Islaam because I fear that people may claim that I am being arrogant.

Answer: No one is able to say such things. Rather the opposite…however, people may say that the person is too strict or other things, but if one calls to Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, I don’t think anyone will claim that he is arrogant.

Question: Is it permissible to leave off giving Da’wah to al-Islaam because one is shy?

Answer: This person is weak. If one leaves off giving Da’wah because he is shy then this is a kind of weakness or infirmity in the person’s personality. This is because this isn’t the shyness that the Sharee’ah encourages. If one refrains from saying what is right then this is not the shyness encouraged in the religion.

Question: We work in the university. The question is; is it obligatory for us to obey the dean if he orders us to something which in its origin is permissible? 

Answer: There is no doubt that obeying those in authority is necessary. The way the university is ran, the materials that are used etc. are things that are dictated by management. The one who is responsible to carry out these duties is the one who appointed to be in charge and that is his role. If every single person tried to take his role rejected what management had decided then the university will be ruined. They will never be successful. This is the case in the university or any other workplace - one is required to follow those in authority the laws they have set. Rather one should support them and assist them in it. Also, one should seek to complain as little as possible because usually opinions are not based on profound reasoning, they don’t always know the bigger picture and they themselves could be mistaken in their opinion. On the contrary, it is obligatory for all of them to obey those in authority. It is not proper to say that my opinion is better than the universities and I am absolutely certain that they are wrong; you may not know but there could be a greater harm in the opinion you hold. Rather, the greater good should be sought.

Question: Does making Tawbah remove the sin right away or will be it saved and forgiven on the Day of Judgement?

Answer: No, it is forgiven right away. If one repents from a sin then nothing remains from the sin, but it could be that one doesn’t repent and is forgiven on the Day of Judgement. However, if one repents to Allaah, then Allaah accepts it (turns back to him) and his rank is raised with him. 

Question: On the night of Israa and Mi’raaj, the Prophet saw people in the fire, how is this before they have been accounted for their sins?

Answer: Allaah is Able to Do all things. Matters of the unseen should not be compared in what we understand from the affairs of the Dunya, if we do this then we will find it hard to believe in. However, the Prophet saw these people in the fire and he saw the Bayt al-Maqdis when the Quraysh asked him to describe it, he was describing it as if it had been lifted from Palestine and brought to him in Makkah so that he could describe it in its fine details. It was like it was right in front of him, just like how one looks into a television nowadays - one is able to watch TV and able to describe what he sees without the thing he is describing actually being in front of him.

Question: Nowadays we have a lot of ease in doing acts of worship, does this mean that my reward in doing good deeds is decreased?

Answer: This doesn’t decrease the reward even if he has ease in doing it. However, if one performs an act of worship with difficulty then he has an increased reward. For example, if one wants to go the masjid and he finds ease in it, he is rewarded but this doesn’t mean he chooses a hard route to the masjid in order to seek more reward. For example, fasting in a country is 16 hours a day but he chooses to go to a country which has fasts for 20 hours a day, this is not permissible, but if one is in a situation of hardship, such as fasting 20 hours a day then he is rewarded as he didn’t go their intentionally to fast long days, or the weather is hot. The Prophet said, “Your reward is according to the difficulty you face” , this is confirmation of an extra reward on the condition that doesn’t one seeks difficulty. Another example, the distance to the masjid is 500 meters but he seeks to go down a road which is 600 or 700 meters, he does this to walk a longer way in order to get reward, this is not permissible. Difficulty which is found in the act of worship and not seeking difficulty to do the act of worship, this is when a person is rewarded, but if one seeks difficulty to do an act of worship, he makes life difficult for himself and he is not rewarded for the extra difficulty.

Question: In the UK now there are many groups and sects and some of them are even calling themselves Salafee when they are not, like the extremists etc. the Kuffaar have also attached negativity to the name Salafee. Is it permissible in our case to call ourselves moderate Muslims? This is knowing that calling oneself a moderate Muslim usually is referred to those who don’t pray or grow beards or for women who don’t wear Hijaab or even for those who commit major sins but they refer to themselves as being moderate.

Answer:  This is not necessary because the Kuffaar know what extremism is and they know when something is not practicing and they know those who are balanced. There is an incident that happened; a Muslim man wanted to marry a Christian woman. She used to work in a hotel so one day the Muslim man entered the hotel to see her and Muslims were there praying in the lobby. Instead of going to join the Jamaa’ah he went to speak to the woman instead and then later joined the Jamaa’ah. He joined it late and thus he had to make up a Rak’ah. He then went back to the woman after the Salaah to speak to her and she told him that  she was not interested in him anymore. The Muslim man was bemused and asked why. To which she replied, “You preferred to come to talk to me instead of praying with the others and you joined them late so you had to pray some of it by yourself. If you are like this with you religion then how will you be with me? I will not marry a Muslim except if he is trustworthy. ” So she refused him. The point is, if you follow al-Islaam then they will recognize what is correct from what is incorrect. They will know the difference between those who bring goodness and those who spread mischief. They know the difference between moderate and those who are not. If we talk about extreme Christians then you will know who are the extreme ones and those who are not. The same goes for the Jews. So there is no need for such terminologies.