Questions 30

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Questions asked to Shaykh Sa'd bin Naasir bin Abdul-Azeez ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him] after explanation of Kitaab at-Tawheed

14/05/1433 - 05/04/2012

Question: You have mentioned that it is part of worship to have fear of Allaah, but what if one fears because of a bad action that he has done. A person may also fear punishment from Allaah because of an action that someone else has done, so is it possible that one may fear punishment from Allaah because of what others have done, is this included in worship?

Answer: If a test befalls you, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is punishment, rather it could be a means of averting the slave from something that could be harmful to him.

Question: When can we say that fearing something or somebody is Shirk?

Answer: If someone has four elements in an act; fear, hope, humility and love, then this will be called worship. If this act is done for Allaah then it is worship and if it is done for other Allaah then it will be Shirk.

Question: Did the Mushrikeen of Makkah have Shirk in fear, despite them admitting and believing that Allaah controls the universe?

Answer: Having fear in something and believing something controls the universe is something else. The Mushrikoon used to fear their idols despite them admitting that they didn’t control the universe. So because of this, Allaah, the Most High, says;

“And if you (O Muhammad) ask them: ‘Who has created the heavens and the earth,’ they will certainly say: ‘Allah.’”

[Luqman 31:25]

Despite this, they still feared their idols. There are many examples of stories from the times of the Prophets, like in Surah Mu’minoon, that the Mushrikoon used to fear punishment from their idols despite them knowing that the universe was controlled by Allaah Alone. Therefore, it is from the fear that is included in Shirk, to fear something that can’t harm you and doesn’t control the universe.

Question: Based on the Aayah; ‘The Mosques of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day’ [Tawbah 9:18] Does this mean that if Kuffaar maintain the Masjid then we are not allowed to pray in that Masjid?

Answer: What it means that those who maintain the Masaajid are those who seek the Hereafter.

Question: Is it permissible to split the ‘Aqeeqah for the boy, meaning slaughter one sheep one week and another one a week later?

Answer: This is permissible but it’s better to do it together.

Question: Is it permissible to slaughter the Udhiyah in the lands of the Kuffaar?

Answer: This is permissible because the text that talk about Udhiyah are general.

Question: Is it permissible to mix slaughter other than a sheep for the 'Aqeeqah?

Answer: What is apparent with me is that it is not permissible, because the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] specified two sheep for a boy and one for a girl.

Question: Is it permissible to donate the whole goat of 'Aqeeqah in charity without eating from it?

Answer: What is apparent from the text and from the intent of the Shariha is that we should eat from it, donate some and store some.

Question: If it is not possible for the father to do the 'Aqeeqah then is it permissible for the son to do it for himself once he becomes an adult and is able to do it?

Answer: I don’t know any basis for this.

Question: What are the best animals to slaughter for Hadiy, Udhiyah and 'Aqeeqah?

Answer: It has been narrated that the best animals for Hadiy and Udhiyah are the Budn animals [camels or cows] and as for 'Aqeeqah then we should stick to slaughtering sheep, as this is what has been narrated.

Question: How do we know a goat has reached six months, thus we are able to slaughter it or do we rely on the shepard that is selling the animal?

Answer: If the teeth are fully grown then this is a sign that the animal has reached this age. Some of the Fuqahaah stated that if the animal sleeps standing up then this is a sign that the animal is still young but if he sleeps whilst laying down then this animal is past that age.

Question: What is the difference between Udhiyah and Hadiy?

Answer: Two differences; the Hadiy is only done in Makkah and it is given to the poor and the Udhiyah can be done in his home country, anywhere in the world. Secondly, the Hadiy is done for every individual doing Hajj, whereas one for each family is sufficient for Udhiyah.

From the Rulings of Islaamic Greetings is That it Should be Clear; Salams or Slmz are Not Islamic Greetings

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Haafidh al-Haythamee reports under the chapter entitled, 'Chapter of Replying to One Who Greets You Silently':

On the authority of Anas bin Maalik [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was once approached by Sa'd bin 'Ubaadah and greeted the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] by saying, 'As-Salaamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullah '. So Sa'd said for another time, 'Wa 'Alaykum Salaaam wa Rahmatullah' but the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] didn’t hear him, even though he said this three times….

[Majma' az-Zawaa'id wa Munba' al-Fawaa'id, Pg 34-35]

Shaykh al-Allaamah Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz [May Allaah have Mercy on him] was asked:

If one greets another in a silent voice, so that the other person doesn’t hear it, does he still respond?

He replied:

There is no response to a greeting which is silent. If one greets you the greeting of Salaam in a silent voice, and he doesn’t raise his voice, then he should raise his voice. If he doesn’t, then it is like he hasn’t greeted you. This is because the point of greeting with the Salaam is that the person can hear you, so that upon hearing you, he may respond in a like manner or in a better way [i.e. by adding Wa Rahmatullah or Wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu]. It may be that a person doesn’t greet you properly because he is proud and arrogant, if this is the case, then this is evil and worse than one merely not raising his voice. So the purpose of the person greeting you, is to greet you in a loud voice so that you may respond to him.

http://www.binbaz.org.sa/audio/noor/010105.mp3

Shaykh Al-Allaamah Muhammad bin Saaleh al-'Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

Greeting in an unclear manner has no benefit, the person doesn’t hear and it doesn’t fulfill the intended purpose.

[Fataawa Noor 'Ala ad-Darb (Side A, Tape 302) ]

Shaykh Abdur-Raheem al-Suhaym[i] [May Allaah Preserve him] said:

It is for the Muslim to give the greeting of Salaam properly and completely, whether it is be in writing or in speech. This is based on the statement of Allaah, the Most High:

"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things."

[Nisaa 4:86]

It is not sufficient for someone to greet or respond to one another with Salaam in an abridged manner or by signaling, except for the person who can't such as the person who is praying or someone who is far away, for example. These people may return the greeting of the person who explicitly greets them verbally with Salaam, with a signal because they have a need.

However, shortening the greeting of Salaam is from the way of the Jews. The Prophet [Peace and Blessing of Allaah be Upon him] said, "Do not initiate the greeting of Salaam with the Jews or Christians because they greet with their palms, their heads and by signalling" [Narrated by Aboo Dawood, Nasaa'ee, Tabraanee and others: Classified Saheeh by Al-Albaanee in Silsilah as-Saheehah (1783) and in 'Jilbaab al-Mar'ah al-Muslimah (Pg. 193)] 

Haafidh Ibn Hajar [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said about this Hadeeth:

"Meaning, it is not sufficient to give the greeting of Salaam by signaling alone, without any verbalization of it. We have been warned against this, as it was narrated by at-Tirmidhee (2695) on the authority of Jabir [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, "Do not initiate the greeting of Salaam to the Jews because they greet one another by their heads, palms and by signaling."

[Fath al-Baaree (11/14)]

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[i] The Shaykh is a graduate from Imaam Muhammad bin Sa'ood University in Riyadh and is also a student of scholars such as Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-'Uthaymeen, Shaykh Naasir al-'Umar and others and currently still studies under Shaykh Abdul-Kareem al-Khudayr.

Lessons and Exhortations Taken From the Story of Prophet Yoosuf [Peace be Upon him]

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By Shaykh Saaleh ibn Muhammad Aal at-Taalib [May Allaah Preserve him]
Delivered in Masjid al-Haraam, Makkah al-Mukarramah
20/6/1433 – 11/5/2012

Verily, Allaah Praise is for Allaah. I Praise him and I seek His Protection and Forgiveness. I seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of ourselves and the wickedness of our deeds. Whosoever Allaah Guides, none can misguide and whosoever Allaah causes to be led astray, none can guide.

I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allaah, without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.  May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him, his pure and noble family and those who follow them in their path of righteousness until the Last Day.

To begin:

I advise you - oh people - and myself to Fear Allaah. For Fearing Allaah is creates success and it is a barrier in the times of Fitnah [trials and tests]. By Fearing Allaah, we gain support in times of adversity and need;

"No doubt! Verily, the Auliya' of Allah [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve. Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds).

64. For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world (i.e. righteous dream seen by the person himself or shown to others), and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah, this is indeed the supreme success."

[Yoonus 10:62-64]

Oh Muslim! Oh those who are patient and steadfast! Oh those who are being tested! In the darkness of a long and weary night, there is optimism. When we are circled with despairs, you can find comfort in an amazing narration. In the times of ongoing pain, you can find hope. When stress overburdens you, you are overpowered by calamities, when the sinners are placed in authority over you and they are strong in number.

Know that it is from the Sunnah of Allaah in His Quraan, that whenever tests are mention, it is always accompanied with help and assistance. Because of this, your souls are comforted and your faith is renewed.

Whatever befalls a believer from the tests and pains of this worldly life then there is no Sunnah from the people before us except that they have been described as those who were helped, their status raise, their sins removed, their hearts checked and most of all, they were described as being sound believers.

"140. If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).

141. And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers."

[Aal-Imraan 3:140-141]

If we look at the biography of the life of Prophet Muhammad [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], then there are signs and lessons. He was faced with unbearable pain during his time in Makkah. Before Hijrah for the period of three years he witnessed the death of his beloved wife, Khadeejah [May Allaah be Pleased with her], and she was a minister for those who accepted Islaam. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] would often confide in her about his problems, seek advice and solace from her. Then his uncle died, Aboo Talib. He was a supporter of the Prophet and he benefited him in a great deal against the Qurasyh. Also in this time, he went up to the heavens in the night is Israa', people belied him and some even left Islaam because they didn’t believe it was possible. People rejected to call until it got to a stage that no one else would accept Islaam.

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] called this year the year of sorrow, the Quraysh expelled him [Peace and Blessings be Upon him]; they fought and united with their allies against him in battles that witnessed heave exchanges.

Allaah, the Most High, then revealed upon him [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] Surah al-Israa' and Surah Furqaan. Then Surah Yoonus was revealed, and then Surah Hood and all of these had stories of the Prophets which described their struggles with their people and that the Days of Allaah eventually would come. This was a proof to show the truth to his people, whoever supports the Prophet [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] then he will be from the group of the believers, as it says in the end of Surah Hood;

"And all that We relate to you (O Muhammad ) of the news of the Messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby. And in this (chapter of the Qur'an) has come to you the truth, as well as an admonition and a reminder for the believers." [Hood 11:120]

After this Surah and series of Surahs that were revealed which talked about the stories and the sorrows of the Prophets; Surah Yoosuf was revealed. A Surah which contained a mixture of sadness, mercy from Allaah and consolation, and this was the last Surah to be revealed in the series of these stories of the Prophets.

 Surah Yoosuf has benefits which are connected to pain and hope. It contains the sorrow of being split up and then the joy of being reunited. It has a story which entails despair and then this was replaced with certainty. It contains oppression and then a way of conquering this oppression. It contains tests and examples of patience. It contains a moral of success and support. It contains a feeling of revenge, pardoning and mercy. It contains examples of hope in Dua'aa, steadfastness after being tested and an underlying principle; that the end will always be good for those who have Taqwa and patience.

Surah Yoosuf is from the greatest stories which demonstrate the Wisdom of Allaah and His Pre-Decree. Contemplating on its secret lessons give us benefit that no other story from the stories of the Dunya can give us;

"1. Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

These are the Verses of the Clear Book (the Qur'an that makes clear the legal and illegal things, legal laws, a guidance and a blessing).

2. Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an in order that you may understand.

3. We relate unto you (Muhammad ) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur'an. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Inspiration to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'an)."

[Yoosuf 12:1-3]

Allaah, the Most High, revealed this story upon his Noble Prophet a story about his Noble brother; Yoosuf bin Ya'qoob bin Ishaaq bin Ibraahim [May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon all of them]. He was tested with a specific test, just like the rest of all his predecessors were tested with their own tests.

Yoosuf was tested by the plots and plans of his brothers. He was tested with the test of fear being terrorized by them, falling into a well and being left alone there to die. He was tested with the lack of provision when he was passed around from hand to hand as a commodity or a worthy product, left without any care or protection from his father or his family.

He was then test again with the plots and plans of a woman, the wife of the king and the women around her. Before this, we was tested when she offered herself to him which saw him repelling yet another trial and constraining his own desires.

He was then tested again when he was imprisoned, leaving a life of lavish, as he lived in a place, to a life of poverty and debasement as he was thrown in jail.

Then he was tested again when he hoped to be freed by the King and when he was finally freed he was placed in a place of authority and excelled responsibility. He was responsible for dealing with the common folk and the treasury of the kingdom. This was a test for him in the way he conducted himself and in his dealings with the people, to the extent that he had to transact with his brothers, the very same people who left him for dead by throwing him in the pit and the cause of all the other trials that befell him thereon after.

It is not strange that this Surah contains this Noble Prophet. From the results of this Surah being revealed upon the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] is that the Muslims who were with him in Makkah, after a long period of trials and tests, had consolidation and optimism; they had tranquillity and firmness against those who rejected and wronged them.

Rather, it was as if it was a hint that the Hijrah was near, that the Muslims would soon leave Makkah to another place which sees them being supported and steadfast, after a long period of time of oppression and hatred targeted towards them. Just as Yoosuf left the house of his father, which was a house of comfort to a path, he was setting out to transverse on a path filled with adversity and tribulations. The end result for all these tests saw him being honored, steadfast and supported with aid and assistance.

"And he (the man) from Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: "Make his stay comfortable, may be he will profit us or we shall adopt him as a son." Thus did We establish Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not."

[Yoosuf 12:21]

These Ayaat from this Surah have come to affirm the praise that is due for Yoosuf, even though he reached such lowliness in his life that he was a slave that was being passed around. We find in this Surah that he didn’t doubt His Lord, the Lord of All that Exists and he had firm Faith in him, so we can see that the good end is for those who do good and those who have Taqwaa.

When they decided to throw him in the well, instead of killing him, they decided that making money off him would be better, this was their plan.

"And he (the man) from Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: "Make his stay comfortable, may be he will profit us or we shall adopt him as a son." Thus did We establish Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not. " [Yoosuf 12:21]

His brothers intended to do something but Allaah also intended something. So when Allaah defeated them in their plan, He made it so that their ideas and intentions were nullified. As for the brothers of Yoosuf, they plotted but they had no say on the end result.  When things settled, they still didn’t realize that they had no achieved what they had initially intended;

"… but most of men know not."

[Yoosuf 12:21]

Meaning, they don’t know that the Sunnah of Allaah from the past to present, is that whatever He Wills will occur.

When Yoosuf was certain that his release from prison was near, as the one of his companions was freed from jail and he told him that he would tell the king to release Yoosuf also, because of the man forgetting Yoosuf remained in the prison for a few years further. If his Lord had Wished, all of these obstacles for Yoosuf could have been instantly removed however this was a test for Yoosuf. The test was to rely on Allaah and not to place your needs solely in the hands of people. People are not the cause for your needs to be sufficed, and this was the case for Yoosuf despite him being from a noble chosen prophet.

From this we learn that the slave of Allaah must be sincere and it is binding upon to have this sincerity towards Him, Glorified He is. So if he calls, he calls onto Him Alone as it is He Alone, Glorified He is, Who can remove harm from them. So when you realize the weakness of humans from the very beginning, you will then always prefer to ask Allaah, Glorified He is. Knowing that He Conquers over all things, by referring to Him always will make you realize, will make you taste, will make you firm in belief in Him, which will all lead for you in becoming stronger in obedience to Him, being pleased with Him, loving and being delighted with Him. So by referring to Him alone will cause all of these great favours to succeed one another.

What is certainty? It is to be proud of Allaah, for Him to be sufficient for you, you trust Him, He is absolute for you, nothing on earth can replace what He does for you and that you are free from depending or seeking your needs from anything else. To know that everything else has no control or power comparable to His, so His is the ultimate Command.

As for Ya'qoob; then he was a Prophet, he was a firm believer, he was filled with certainty, patience and filled with trust in Allaah. Every aspect of his time would be spent saying;

"He said: 'Can I entrust him to you except as I entrusted his brother [Yusuf (Joseph)] to you aforetime? But Allah is the Best to guard, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.'"

[Yoosuf 12:64]

"And he said: 'O my sons! Do not enter by one gate, but enter by different gates, and I cannot avail you against Allah at all. Verily! The decision rests only with Allah. In him, I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him.'"

 [Yoosuf 12:67]

When he lost his three children, he reached pains that were to an unbearable limit:

"He [Ya'qub (Jacob)] said: 'Nay, but your ownselves have beguiled you into something. So patience is most fitting (for me). May be Allah will bring them (back) all to me. Truly He! only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.'"

[Yoosuf 12:83]

And he said:

"He said: 'I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not. O my sons! Go you and enquire about Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah's Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.'"

[Yoosuf 12:86-87]

Verily the Faith and the Eemaan of the prophets was filled with certainty, they were Hunaafa or firm on Tawheed. They never despaired from the mercy of Allaah.

Oh you grieving ones! Do not despair from the help of Allaah! Oh you ones in dire need! Oh you steadfast ones! The believer’s heart is always connected to his Lord. Their souls circle around his mercy. Do not despair from the mercy of Allaah, even if you feel as no relief will come! Even if your affair become unbearable, the believer always seeks the mercy of Allaah, these are from the shadows of your Eemaan. His character is always connected to his Lord. Tranquility comes with having trust in his Protector, even if you feel as if there is no end and that help is far away.

Oh believers! Tests and trails that come are from the dictations of Allaah, by His Kindness, his Knowledge and His Mercy. To the extent that Allaah placed and dictated that affairs of Yoosuf [Peace be Upon him] until Yoosuf became a minister for the treasury;

"Thus did We give full authority to Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, to take possession therein, as when or where he likes. We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We please, and We make not to be lost the reward of Al-Muhsinun (the good doers - see V.2:112)."

[Yoosuf 12:56]

With this role, he was given a house and he was given honour and status. From the depths and the darkness of the well whilst he was enveloped with fear, to the prison where he was restrained;

"We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We please…"

[Yoosuf 12:56]

This was indeed a mercy, Allaah replaced his hardships with ease. He replaced difficulty with relief, he replaced fear with security, he replaced constraint with freedom and from being slandered and humiliated by the people, and he was no given honour and a status.

"We make not to be lost the reward of Al-Muhsinun (the good doers - see V.2:112)."

[Yoosuf 12:56]

The Muhsineen are the ones who believe in Allaah, they rely on Him and they direct all their affairs towards Him. By doing all of this, their manners and deeds are beautified:

"And verily, the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and used to fear Allah and keep their duty to Him (by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds and by performing all kinds of righteous good deeds)."

[Yoosuf 12:57]

This is how Allaah substituted for Yoosuf, he replaced his fears and worries with honour and dignity on the earth. This is a glad tidings for us, that in the end, triumph will always be brought about by having Eemaan, patience and good deeds. These are also the hidden characteristics which may exist in a person but it is between him and Allaah, al-'Alee, the One Who Knows and is al-Hakeem, He Knows the situations and conditions of people.
He Knows the purpose of the tests that befall you and He Knows their end results. He Places them in the most appropriate of times, when the wisdom and purpose of the test arises, He Decrees the test to occur and this will always be followed by the intended end result.

"…it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.” [Nisaa 4:19]

The Surah is then ended with the following Ayaat:

" 109. And We sent not before you (as Messengers) any but men, whom We inspired from among the people of townships. Have they not travelled through the earth and seen what was the end of those who were before them? And verily, the home of the Hereafter is the best for those who fear Allah and obey Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds). Do you not then understand?

110. (They were reprieved) until, when the Messengers gave up hope and thought that they were denied (by their people), then came to them Our Help, and whomsoever We willed were delivered. And Our Punishment cannot be warded off from the people who are Mujrimun (criminals, disobedients to Allah, sinners, disbelievers, polytheists).

111. Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur'an) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of the Allah's existing Books [the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel) and other Scriptures of Allah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe. "

[Yoosuf 12:109-111]

These Ayaat reaffirm what occurs in the Sunnah of Allaah, when the Prophets were tested, they didn’t despair and that the relief will always come.
This Surah has meanings that appeal to the heart of a believer; it reinforces one in Eemaan and certainty, in patience and steadfastness. It is from the Sunnah of Allaah that tests come, some of them more severe than others however relief will always prevail. Help will come when we least expect it, when we feel all hope it gone, when we think that all the possible avenues have been stressed. The help always comes from Allaah, the One Who with Whom all Help lies. He Brings out people from their despairs, He gives people a solution, even if the criminals who oppose this try maintain the oppression upon you, because there is no opposing the One Who is a Protector.

"Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur'an) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of the Allah's existing Books [the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel) and other Scriptures of Allah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe."

[Yoosuf 12:111]

May Allaah Bless me and you in the Kitaab and the Sunnah, make us benefit from its Ayaat and Hikmah. This is what I have to say, I seek forgiveness from Allaah, the Most High, for myself and you.

Tafseer: Being Ignorant is From The Ways of The Hypocrites

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Allaah, the Most High, says;

الْأَعْرَابُ أَشَدُّ كُفْرًا وَنِفَاقًا وَأَجْدَرُ أَلَّا يَعْلَمُوا حُدُودَ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

"The Bedouins are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to be in ignorance of the limits (Allah's Commandments and His Legal Laws, etc.) which Allah has revealed to His Messenger. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise. "

[Tawbah 9:97]

Imaam Abu Ja'far, Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in his Tafseer:

"Allaah, the Most High, mentions that the Bedouins are the worst of those who strive against having Tawheed. They are the worst and are notorious in having Nifaaq compared to those who live in the urban areas. This is a characteristic given to them, meaning they are miserable and their hearts are closed. Very few of them have good in them but most of them have their hearts sealed because of their ignorance and lacking in knowledge.

'…and more likely to be in ignorance of the limits (Allah's Commandments and His Legal Laws, etc.) which Allah has revealed to His Messenger…'

Meaning, they are ignorant of the laws that Allaah has revealed upon His Messenger, because of this Qataadah said that they this part of the Ayah refers to them being ignorant and knowing very little of the Sunnah."

[Tafseer at-Tabaree 14/429-430]

Questions 29

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Questions asked to Shaykh Saaleh bin Fawzaan bin Abdullah al-Fawzaan [May Allaah Preserve him]

After the Explanation of the book, Zaad al-Ma'aad

18/4/1433 – 11/3/2012

Question: The author stated that an order must be executed straight away, without any delay. And the event that occurred at Hudyabah, that the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] were commanded to shave their heads and when they delayed, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon him] became angry. Is a proof of this. However, al-Juwaynee said in his book al-Waraqaat that an order that comes in the Kitaab and Sunnah can be delayed, how do we reconcile?  

Answer: Juwaynee didn’t say this, all the scholars are agreed that if there is a command from the Kitaab and the Sunnah then this shows that the command must be carried out straight away unless there is an evidence to suggest that we are allowed to delay. If Juwaynee did say this, then it is a mistake from his part.

Question: Does the law and rule of one Muslim country extend to all the other Muslim countries, so if one enters a Muslim land, do the laws of the other land apply to him as well?

Answer: No, "…but if they seek your help in religion, it is your duty to help them except against a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance…" [Anfaal 8:72] here Allaah has used the word 'with a people'.  As you know, today one country doesn’t have any say on how the other country is ruled. Therefore when you enter a country you are entering the rule of a new ruler, with new rules.  

Question: Does Allaah have a habit or 'Aadah' and it is permissible for us to say the Aadah of Allaah?

Answer: Meaning Sunnah, Sunnah and custom are the same thing but using the word Sunnah is better. 

Question: What is the ruling of the general people from the Raafidah, meaning is the ruling the same for ignorant from the Raafidah Shiah the same as their 'Uelma?

Answer: My brother, leave this kind of speech. The hukm on the Raafidah is one, they all recite the Quraan, some of them have even memorized it, so the proof has been established against them.

Question: If the wife of a Kaafir man becomes Muslim and she leaves him, what should she do with the Mahr?

Answer: She should give the Mahr to the leader or the new Muslim husband should pay the ex-husband who is a Kaafir the Mahr. "….But give the disbelievers that (amount of money) which they have spent [as their Mahr] to them. And there will be no sin on you to marry them if you have paid their Mahr to them. Likewise hold not the disbelieving women as wives, and ask for (the return of) that which you have spent (as Mahr) and let them (the disbelievers, etc.) ask back for that which they have spent." [Mumtahinah 60:10]

Question: Is it permissible to buy books that have dispraise of the scholars and Gheebah of them?

Answer: If you buy these books in order to refute them then this is a good thing but if you are buying them to add to your library and not to refute them then this is not permissible.

Question: I have read some narrations in the English language, some words have been used in these narrations have Arabic words connected to 'Aqeedah, so what is the ruling of reading them?

Answer: You need to make a footnote or in the margin explain what these words mean.

Question: Who are the people I need to keep ties of kinship with?

Answer: All those who are closely related to you from your fathers and mother side. But we should give important to keeping ties with those who are closer and then those who are close after them.

Question: If we have to give an expiation of feed ten poor people, can we feed five people on two separate days?

Answer: No, this is not permissible. You must feed ten as Allaah, The Exalted and The Glorified, has stated, because a whole year can go by and you have fed five and five are remaining, so we need to stick to what has been mentioned, ten.

Question: If I enter the Masjid and I find the congregation has started, do I need to make up the Tahiyyah al-Masjid that I missed?

Answer: If you enter and they are praying Fajr then after the Salaah you should make the two Sunan Rawaatib for Fajr. This can be done after the Salaah or after sunrise, but otherwise it's OK if he doesn’t, but if he does it, it may be better to pray it so that he may remove himself from the disagreement between the scholars on this issue.

Question: If a Muslim is living in a Kaafir country, is it permissible for him to bring his wife and children over?

Answer: It depends on the need, if the country permits him then there is no problem.

Question: What is the ruling of praying Salaat al-Janazah in a graveyard, even though the Masjid is close?

Answer: It is not important to pray the Janazah in the Masjid, some of the scholars even stated that it is Makrooh to pray it in the Masjid, saying it should be prayed outside the Masjid. So praying it in the graveyard is OK.

Question: You have mentioned that it is permissible to reserve a place on the first row and then leave the Masjid or go sit in the back against the wall for a valid reason, but what is the ruling if one reserves the place and leaves the Masjid for an hour or two?

Answer: No, this is not permissible. If he leaves for such a long period of time then he has lost his right, so reserving it is not permissible in this manner.

Question: Is it permissible to curse one who does an act of Shirk?

Answer: It is permissible to generally curse those who do Shirk, "The Curse of Allah be on the disbelievers." [Baqarah 2:89] as for specific individuals, then this shouldn’t be done.

Question: I left my country and came to Saudi Arabia with the intention of Hijrah, will this be counted as Hijrah for me?

Answer: Allaah Willing, depending on your intention.

Question: Does the person doing 'Umrah give a Hadiy?

Answer: If he wants to, he can but it will be optional.

Question: Some of the students of knowledge have said bad things about Shaykh Saaleh al-Luhaydan and have even stated that he is not on the Manhaj of the Salaf, what is the ruling of this?

Answer:  What they say doesn’t affect Shaykh Saaleh al-Luhaydan, rather it increases him in honour. It only affects themselves. 

Question: What is the ruling of praying optional prayers in a place where the obligatory prayers have been held?

Answer: There is nothing wrong with this, except that he should stand in the place of the Imaam because this may confuse the people because they may think the congregational prayer hasn’t finished.

Question: It has been narrated that some people will do good deeds but when they come on the Day of Judgment, they will find that the good deeds will vanish; does this include the sin of free mixing?

Answer: Shirk - may Allaah Protect us - if one does shirk then his good deeds are wiped out. This and oppressing people, if one has oppressed others then they will take from his good deeds until there is nothing left and then he enters the fire, good deeds can vanish if one does shirk or oppressors others.

Question: What is the ruling of buying things of the internet based on the description the seller has given?

Answer: The origin is that buying and selling is done in one place, it is done hand for hand. As for buying and selling from a distance then this is something new and needs to be investigated into further, and I don’t know about it.

Question: Is it permissible for a man to marry a woman who says Allaah doesn’t exist?

Answer: I seek refuge in Allaah from this; this woman is an atheist and can't be married, it is not permissible for a man to marry her.

Question: I was on my way to the lesson and I stopped to pray at a Masjid. The Imaam prayed a long prayer and he decided to Qunoot Naazilah in the final Rak'aat of the Maghrib Salaat, he started asking for things that had no connection to Syria. So I finished the prayer by myself, is this permissible for me to do?

Answer: If you decided to finish your prayer for a legitimate Shari'ee reason then there is no harm in this, such as you are going to miss out on something important. Mua'aadh bin Jabal made the prayer long and a person praying behind left him and the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] didn’t criticize him or tell him to repeat.

Question: What is the ruling on learning English to give Da'wah?

Answer: If he needs to give Da'wah to those who don’t understand Arabic then this is permissible because of the need that exists.

Question: I am a Muslim woman who left a Kaafir country in the west and came to Saudi Arabia because it is a Muslim country. I have no intention to return and all the proposals I receive are from those in the west. Is it permissible for me to decline them all and wait until I get a proposal from someone here? 

Answer: Yes this is permissible as you have migrated and you can refuse the proposals of those who are in the west, even if they are pious Muslims.

Question: Is it permissible for the father of the girl getting married to be a witness?

Answer: No because he is the Walee, for a Nikah to be accepted it is a must that there be a Walee and two trustworthy witnesses. 

Question: If the son asks the father to get married, is it obligatory for the father to get him married off?

Answer: Yes, this is from the things that are included in maintenance. If the son asks the father to get married and he fears for himself, then it is Wajib for him to marry him.

Question: Is it permissible for a woman to travel with her children on a plane for duration of three hours?

Answer: If any one of the children has started puberty and he is sane, otherwise no as they are not Mahrams for her.

Question: I saw on one of the channels that a person said that Ahl as-Sunnah believe that we can't go against the rulers unless there is a greater benefit for us to remove him, what is the ruling on such a statement?

Answer: This is false, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] forbade any form of revolt against the Muslim leader, it is not permissible to against him as long as he hasn’t done Kufr. The Ahadeeth are many on this and they are authentic, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] forbade us from doing this.

Yes, If They Can Benefit Then They Should Attend But if The Children Won’t Benefit Then They Should Stay at Home

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Shaykh Abdul Kareem bin Abdullah al-Khudayr [May Allaah Preserve him] said:

There would be children present in the lessons People of Knowledge. Small children would attend without there being any age limit; this is unlike the view of the majority scholars who say that children below the age of five are not allowed to narrate Hadeeth. They say, after the age of five, children have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong; they would attend and not be distracted. Nor would they distract others. For example, nowadays some fathers bring their children to the masjid, children as young as one or two years old. They distract the people praying, they break the rows because sometimes they are laid to sleep next to the father who is praying in the row and they don’t stand properly with the rest of the congregation. If this is going to be the case, the children should not attend because bringing them has no benefit. Furthermore, the norm in this matter is that the child should be with the mother. So when the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] was leading, he heard a child crying who was its mother so he made the prayer short. It is not the father’s role to bring the children to the masjid and look after them there, unless there is no mother then it would be legislated for him to bring the child. Just like when the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] brought Umaamah to the masjid to show and set an example that it is permissible to bring children to the masjid. However, this wasn’t done regularly.

There is a story I can narrate for those who bring their children to the masjid. One day, a brought his two year old child to the masjid and when the prayer began, the child started playing the Mushafs. The people were not able to pray and the father didn’t move a muscle! However, when the child went close the fan in order to play with it, the father broke his prayer and attended to the child. The Book of Allaah, he doesn’t move. He has no fear, he doesn’t realize the damage that was caused and he doesn’t reflect on the harm he caused by not breaking his prayer. The religion is the peak of all matters. So it is for the student of knowledge to pay attention to this and for him to inform others. And to Allaah we complain.

Yes, if they can benefit they should attend but if the children won’t benefit then they shouldn’t. There was once another person who went to Masjid al-Haram for Salaat al-Jumu’ah with his child; and the child destracted the people from hearing the Khutbah as he was crying loudly. By the end of the Salaah, the father missed the Salaah because he was sitting attending to the boy. The people prayed, he missed the Salaah in congregation and he had to pray by himself. How can the father exempt himself from the Salaah because of a child, the child has a mother and the family has its own accommodation. Unfortunately, people just blindly follow each other.

To Allaah we complain.

Sharh Al-Fiyyah al-‘Iraaqee Fee Uloom al-Hadeeth by Shaykh Abdul-Kareem bin Abdullah al-Khudayr [May Allaah Preserve him], Tape 21; 25-28 minutes