Questions 25

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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 and Kitaab al-Hajj from Madaarij as-Saalikeen
1/4/1433 – 23/2/2012

Question: How do the astronomers determine the start of a new month?

Answer: The astronomers have differed on how to start the new month. Some of them have stated that the month starts with the new moon; others said we can only know for certain until after fifteen hours and forty minutes after the new moon. Likewise, they differed in opinions as to the age of the moon. Some of them said that the moon must have ten degrees difference between it and the sun them and others didn’t set this condition. Likewise they differed on the time we must wait to see the new moon after the sun has set. Some said we must wait for half an hour and others said more and others said less. All of this doesn’t have any evidence in the religion and we can’t rely on this. I will give you an example; sometimes people try to view the moon and they don’t see it. So these conditions set by the astronomers don’t have any weight, as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “If the sky is cloudy then complete thirty days of Sha’baan.”

Question: Is it permissible for us to predict the weather by looking at the clouds, does this fall into the prohibition of relying on the stars?

Answer: No this isn’t part of relying on the start, as the person who forecasts the weather does it by looking and predicting based on the clouds that he sees. Also this is a prediction, if he says that t will definitely rain then this is a mistake.

Question: Is it permissible for us to attribute rain to seasons?

Answer: This is wrong, for example a person says it only rains in autumn, we say this is wrong and it is attributing a lie to Allaah. Also, this contradicts the reality, as sometimes it rains in one month more than another, there is no fixed cycle.

Question: Is it permissible that it rains more in one season than another?

Answer: If one says it rains more in a particular time or it is more likely that it will rain then this is permissible but if one says that it rains in one particular time then this is a mistake.

Question: The Ayaah,Ina safa wa marwah , do we say this only at Safaa?

Answer: Only at Safaa. The Ayah refers to both Safaa and Marwaa but it is only said at Safaa however the dua for raising on the mount applies both to Safaa and Marwah.

Question: Is kissing the black stone part of the Tawaaf or it is an independent act of worship?  

Answer: Kissing the black stone is an independent act of worship, if you do it part of your Tawaaf then this is permissible, if you have reach into it and then kiss your hands this is ok and if you make a signlalling from far, thiese are all Sunnah. But it is also narrated that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] prayed the two Rak’aat of Tawaaf and then kissed the black stone, this shows it can be kissed on its own.

Question: Is the Talbiyyah forming a verbal intention?

Answer: intentions are all in the heart, there is no such thing as a verbal intention. AS for the Talbiyyah then this is not niyyah rather these are part of the rituals, the same applies to the Takbeer. If one says, I intend to do Hajj, then this is not legislated.

Question: What is considered as ability? Is it physical or financial ability?

Answer: The correct opinion is that once has financial ability then he has the ability to do Hajj.

Question: Is tawaaf a form of free mixing?

Answer: Mixing is when you are in a place with women that you are not Mahram for, however Tawaaf is like a route or pathway, its not a confined space. Also, the women at the tiem fo Prophet hood  would walk behind the men like they would do in Salaah, they were all gathered in one placed but the men would be ahead of the women. Also at this time, the men and women would have their own doors in the masajid, as it was narrated in Aboo Dawood.

Khutbah: Virtues of Winter

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Khutbah delivered by Shaykh Sa'd bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]

18/1/1432 - 24/12/2010

Praise be to Allaah Who guided us to the religion of Islaam, He Legislated for us rulings which are appropriate for the creation and that which bring betterment for their lives. He made every situation that a person has, a ruling from His Shariah connected to it, so that he is organised.

I Praise Him, Glorified He is, and I show admiration to Him, I thank Him, The Glorified and The Exalted. I bear witness that there is no God worthy of Worship except Allaah, alone with no partners and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger, May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him, and on his family, his companions and all those who follow him, and I ask for peace to be multiplied upon him in an abundance.

To Proceed:

Oh Believers, fear Allaah! Use your time with that which will bring you close to Allaah. Fear Allaah and make yourselves from the people of Jannah, by making your deeds righteous.

Oh Believers! These days are the days of winter. It has been narrated in some the narrations that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said,

الشتاء ربيع المؤمن قصر نهاره فصام وطال ليله فقام

“Winter is a time of spring for the believer, the days are short so he fasts, and the nights are long so he stands.”

[Aboo Na’eem in Hilya al-Awliyaa (8/364); Ibn ‘Adee in Lisaan al-Meezaan (5/118) with an Mashoor Isnaad; Haythamee in Majmaa az-Zawaaid (3/203) with a Hasan Isnaad; Zarqaanee in Mukhtasar al-Maqaasid (Pg. 553) with a Hasan Isnaad; ‘Ajloonee in Kashf al-Khafaa (2/6) with supporting Isnaads]

In another narration;

الشتاء الغنيمة الباردة

“Winter is a cold treasure”

[Narrated by Ahmad (4/335); at-Tirmidhee (794); Ibn Khuzaymah (3/309) Classified Hasan by al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami’ as-Sagheer (3868)]

Based on this, we must know some of the rulings connected to winter and the benefits that the Shariah has given us so that we may benefit from what Allaah has Decreed upon us in this season of winter.

Therefore, we must ponder on the Power and Ability of Allaah, the Lord of all the Aalameen, The Glorified and The Exalted. He, Perfect He is, has made for people a saviour from the heat and then he makes a saviour for them from the cold. Look at His Ability upon His creation, how He is able to change and bring opposites. Heat and cold, likewise, this pattern is replicated throughout your life. Allaah, The Glorified and The Exalted, has created everything in opposites, thus showing the Power and Ability of Allaah. He created the night and the day, health and sickness, the sun and the moon and the examples of Allaah, The Glorified and The Exalted, in opposites continue.

From the benefits of Allaah, The Glorified and The Exalted, Decreeing upon His slaves the season of winter, is the benefit it brings to your bodies. The summer is a season which expels discharge from your body whereas the winter strengthens and restores your body. Likewise, from the benefits of Allaah Decreeing winter upon His slaves, so that we remember the Hellfire. This is because the Hellfire is able to have blazing heat and bitter cold, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said,

اشْتَكَتْ النَّارُ إِلَى رَبِّهَا فَقَالَتْ : يَا رَبِّ أَكَلَ بَعْضِي بَعْضًا ، فَأَذِنَ لَهَا بِنَفَسَيْنِ : نَفَسٍ فِي الشِّتَاءِ ، وَنَفَسٍ فِي الصَّيْفِ ، فَهُوَ أَشَدُّ مَا تَجِدُونَ مِنْ الْحَرِّ ، وَأَشَدُّ مَا تَجِدُونَ مِنْ الزَّمْهَرِير

“Hellfire complained to its Lord, saying, 'O my Lord, my different parts are eating each other up.’ So Allaah allowed it to take two breaths – one in the winter and the other in the summer. This is cause of the severe heat we feel in the summer and the bitter cold you experience in the winter.’” [Al-Bukhaaree (3087) and Muslim (617)]

Likewise, good deeds are made easy for us during this season. From the things that have been made easy is fasting. The days are short and cold, so a person finds it easier to fast, without any real struggle or difficulty. The virtues of fasting have been narrated in many narrations. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said,

مَنْ صَامَ يَوْمًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بَعَّدَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ عَنْ النَّارِ سَبْعِينَ خَرِيفًا

"Whoever fasts a day for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will distance his face from the fire with the measurement of seventy generations." [Al-Bukhaaree (2840) and Muslim (1153)]

From the good deeds ones can do in this season and that which has been easy for him, is for him to pray during the night. The nights are long, so it is possible for one to pray at great length during the night and still be able to sleep well. So one should program himself during these winter days so that he is able to perform these prayers during the night, this will also train him and give him the ability to stand throughout the year. Allaah, the Most High, says about the believers;

تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

"Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (charity in Allah's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them"

[as-Sajdah 32:16]

He says

كَانُوا قَلِيلاً مِّنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ

"They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope] "

[adh-Dhaariyaat 51:17]

From the good deeds that have been made easy for people during these days, to wait for a Salaah after one of the Salah has fisnished. If one prays and remains sitting waiting for the next prayer to begin then he is till in the state of prayer. It has been narrated in a hadeeth that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him]

ألا أدلكم على ما يمحو الله به الخطايا ويرفع به الدرجات ؟ قالوا : بلى يا رسول الله ، قال : إسباغ الوضوء على المكاره ، وكثرة الخطا إلى المساجد ، وانتظار الصلاة بعد الصلاة ، فذلكم الرباط ، فذلكم الرباط

“Shall I not tell you of something by means of which Allaah erases sins and raises you in status?” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allaah.” He said: “Doing wudoo’ well even when it is difficult, taking many steps to the mosques and waiting for prayer after prayer. That is (equivalent) to guarding the frontier.” [Muslim (251)]

The time between Dhuhr and ‘Asr is short, the time between ‘Asr and Maghrib is short, the time between Maghrib and ‘Isha is short, so if one waits prays and remains sitting, then it will have a abundant reward written for him.

The evidences that have proceeded have mentioned another act of worship that we can do during the winter, this is to do Wudhoo and doing this with difficulty. So if you do your Wudhoo and you accomplish this with difficulty, your reward will be greater.

Other acts of righteousness that one can do during the winter days, is for the believer to get closer to Allaah. This can be done via him being grateful for the covering of his body for the devices that heat him. If one is afflicted with any of the diseases that usually get passed around during this season, and he remains patient, then this will be a cause of reward for the slave. And Allaah, the Most High, has said;

وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن بُيُوتِكُمْ سَكَنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ الأَنْعَامِ بُيُوتًا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ إِقَامَتِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا أَثَاثًا وَمَتَاعًا إِلَى حِينٍ

"And Allah has made for you in your homes an abode, and made for you out of the hides of the cattle (tents for) dwelling, which you find so light (and handy) when you travel and when you stay (in your travels), and of their wool, fur, and hair (sheep wool, camel fur, and goat hair), a furnishing and articles of convenience (e.g. carpets, blankets, etc.), a comfort for a while."

[Nahl 16:80]

For the good deeds one can do in winter is to get closer to your Lord by donating clothes to the poor and needy. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said;

وأيما مؤمن كسا مؤمنا على عري ، كساه الله من خضر الجنة

"Whoever clothes a naked believer, then Allaah will cloth him with the green clothes of Jannah." [at-Tirmidhee (2449); Ahmad (11116) and others]

In another narration:

"From the clothes of Jannah"

[at-Taghreeb at-Tahreeb (2/92)]

From the righteous deeds one can do in these virtuous winter days is for the person to remember and ponder on the days that go by. How many winters have you been through in your life? How many days and years have passed you? Your life is lived, your days are passed and your life is fading away. Therefore, it is upon for you to be intelligent, to remember the hereafter and prepare for it by doing good and righteous deeds. Increase in good deeds, repent to him and seek his forgiveness;

وَاتَّقُواْ يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ

"And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly."

[Baqarah 2:281]

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said,

سَيُكَلِّمُهُ رَبُّهُ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ تُرْجُمَانٌ فَيَنْظُرُ أَيْمَنَ مِنْهُ فَلَا يَرَى إِلَّا مَا قَدَّمَ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ وَيَنْظُرُ أَشْأَمَ مِنْهُ فَلَا يَرَى إِلَّا مَا قَدَّمَ وَيَنْظُرُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَلَا يَرَى إِلَّا النَّارَ تِلْقَاءَ وَجْهِهِ فَاتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَ

 There is not a person except that his Lord will talk to him and there will be no interpreter between them. So the man will look on his right and he will see what he did, he will look to for a way out and he will only see what he did. He will look in front of him and he will see the fire, so fear Allaah! Even if it is with a part of a date! [Al-Bukhaaree (7005) and Muslim (1016)]

The meaning of part of a date, it means half a date. Look! Half a date can save a slave from the punishments of the fire, therefore then free yourself even if it is with something small.

Verily, from the things we should remember in our time during the winter, is to remember the story of Maryam [Peace be upon her]. She was in her designated place of worship, when Zakariyyah went into her....

فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّى لَكِ هَذَا قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاء بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

"So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariya (Zachariya). Every time he entered Al-Mihrab to (visit) her , he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Maryam (Mary)! From where have you got this?" She said, "This is from Allah." Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit."

[Aal-Imraan 3:37]

When he would go to her in the winter days, he would find with her fruits that only harvest in the summer. If he would go into her Mihrab in the summer, he would find fruits that would only grow in winter. These were causes for Zakariyyah to be marvelled and he supplicated to Allaah for him to be granted a son, even though he was old in his age, his wife equally old and on top of this, she was barren.

It is as if he was saying, 'If Allaah provided Maryam with the fruits of winter in the summer, and the fruits of summer in the winter, fruits in their untimely times, then it is more likely that Allaah will give me a child in an untimely time, i.e in my old age.' So it if upon you to ponder and ask Allaah, The Glorified and The Exalted, for all your affairs and that He will respond and fulfil your needs. He will realise your needs and these can be a cause for you to gain assistance and happiness in the Dunyaa and Aakhira

I seek refuge in Allaah from the out casted Shaytan.

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

"And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright."

[Baqarah 2:186]

May Allaah bless me and you with the Noble Quraan, benefit us from the Ayaat and the wise remembrance that are within it. This is what I have to say, I seek forgiveness from Allaah, Al-'Alee, al-'Atheem, for myself and you and all the Muslims from all our sins, so seek forgiveness in him, he is al-Ghafoor, ar-Raheem.



Questions 24

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Questions asked to Shaykh Saaleh bin Fawzaan bin Abdullah al-Fawzaan [May Allaah Preserve him]
After his explanation of the book Zaad al-Ma'aad
27/3/1433 – 19/2/2012

Question: What is the ruling in seeking assistance from the Jinn like Aboo Musa al-Asharee did in the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab?

Answer: No, this is not permissible. It is not permissible to seek assistance from the Jinn, or those who are not present, or the deceased, it’s not permissible as it all leads to Shirk. It’s not permissible.

Question: What are the principles in Shariah of doing Qunoot in times of trials?

Answer:  If there is a special Fatwa then we should do the Qunoot. Because the Fatwa is based on information they have received and taking everything into account, so once the Fatwa has been given then we do Qunoot based on the reasons that are given in the Fatwa. Salaah is something important and we shouldn’t play with it, we are not allowed to do something within it from ourselves, unless we have a Shari’ee reason to do so.

Question: Do we start the Qunoot with praising Allaah and ending with sending Peace and Blessings on the Prophet, because the narrations that speak of the Qunoot don’t include these two?

Answer: We take them in their generality, supplications in general begin with praise and ends with sending salutations.

Question: The word – Peace and Blessings be Upon him – is this reserved only for the Prophet or does it include all prophets?

Answer: All the prophets, all the prophets.

Question: I have a wife and I have five children with her and I don’t like some of the things she does, would you advise me to divorce her?

Answer: if it is something you dislike from her religion; then advise her. If she doesn’t listen then divorce her but if you don’t like something from her characteristics then be patient with her, don’t divorce her.

Question: A woman is old in her age, she always says once the Athaan has finished, ‘Oh Allaah! Make the pains of death easy for me’. Is this legislated for us to follow?

Answer: No this is not legislated, if you hear the Athaan then say as the Muetthin is saying, once the Athaan is finished send Peace and Blessings upon the Prophet and then recite the Dua’a that has been narrated. 

Question: If someone is in a state of major impurity and he intends to remove it from him, so he has the intention to remove the impurity and he dips himself in water and gargles and blows his nose, does this remove the impurity?

Answer: If the amount of the water is small then this is not allowed as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] forbade putting something impure in a small amount of still water. However, if the water is a lot then there is no problem and the impurity will be lifted if he has the intention.

Question: In some of the times I pray Nafil and Sunnan ar-Rawaatib prayers in my car, is this permissible?

Answer: The Sunnan ar-Rawaatib is like obligatory prayers, you need to pray them standing. As for the night prayer, then you can pray that in your car.

Question: What is the ruling on making up missed fasts from Ramadaan for the deceased person?

Answer: If the person who died missed fasts in Ramadaan and the following Ramadaan hasn’t come yet, then you can make them up on their behalf. If there have been Ramadaans that have passed then they don’t need to do anything.

Question: Do skin oils and Vaseline prevent water from touching the skin during Wudhoo?

Answer: No, it doesn’t. That which prevents the water from touching the skin are things that form a physical and solid layer over the skin. As for oils, then they don’t prevent the water from touching the skin.

Question: A woman delayed her Asr prayer until the lastest time and then her menses came, does she need to make up that prayer when she is pure?

Answer: No because the time for her to fulfil her obligations is vast, so she can pray her prayers anytime during the times of prayer. So there is nothing upon her as she hasn’t done anything wrong but if she decides to make it up to be precautious, then that will be better.

Question: I have read that the conditions for worship being accepted are three; Tawheed, sincerity and following the Prophet but I have also read that it’s only two; sincerity and following the Prophet. Which one is correct?

Answer: My brother, Tawheed includes having Ikhlaas and the second condition is following the Prophet.

Question: Is it permissible for me to pray behind someone who does shirk but I don’t know his situation in detail?

Answer: How can you say someone is upon Shirk but you don’t know the details? If you know for certain he does shirk then don’t pray behind him. If you don’t know then don’t harbour bad thoughts about him, the principle is that the Muslims you know are upon good.

Question: Is it permissible for us to say, May Allaah be Pleased with him, for other than the Companions?

Answer: There is no problem with this.

Question: Do we move the finger in Tashahud and is there any evidence for this?

Answer: Yes, you move your finger in the Tashahud, this is a sign of Tawheed.

Question: Is it permissible for us to pray in a room that has pictures?

Answer: It is disliked but if the picture is in front of him, this is disliked.

Question: Is it permissible for us to vote in democratic elections when voting for a new leader?

Answer: This is not from the actions of a Muslim; the way of the Muslims is that the scholars choose someone who is appropriate and then the scholars give them allegiance. It is not befitting that all the people have a say and give allegiance, rather the general folk follow the scholars and they follow them once they have chosen a suitable leader. 

Question: I take the rent I receive for the house I own at the end of every year, so do I take the Zakaah out once I receive it or do I start the year from the point I receive the physical case?

Answer: Once the contract begins so does the Zakaat year, so at the end of the year when you receive your payment, you give Zakaat on it once the year is completed.

Question: What is the ruling on one who walks whilst praying in order to have a Sutrah in front of him?

Answer: No, he shouldn’t walk because he wants a Sutrah but if he sees a gap in the row in front of him and he wants to fill this gap, there is no problem with this.

Question: You mentioned previously that Khol is from the adornment for men and women, is whitening the skin the same?

Answer:  No, this is for women. Kohl is for both men and women however skin whitening is for women alone.

Question: A man has bought some land but he the deeds have not been transferred over to his name and the seller hasn’t finished taking the full payment, is it permissible for this man to sell on the land?

Answer: No, as it’s not fully yours yet. Have patience until the transaction is fully completed.

Question: Some people don’t pray Salaat al-Istisqaa’ and they say how can we pray when we have so many sins?

Answer: I seek protection in Allaah from this; this is despairing from the Mercy of Allaah. Ask Allaah to forgive your sins and don’t despair from the Mercy of Allaah. Pray the prayer and seek forgiveness in Allaah. 

Question: I was listening to Quraan in the car and there was an Ayah of prostration, can I do this by dipping my head?

Answer: Yes, there is no problem in this.

Question: What is the ruling of having stage in our wedding; does this resemble the Kuffaar?

Answer:  If the stage for women only, then this is permissible but if the man is going to sit with his wife in front of women then this is not allowed.

Question: Is it true that Imaam Malik said that the rights of a third of the people can be foregone for the betterment for two thirds?

Answer: This is an issue with the Maalikees. For example, if you are on a sinking boat and you need to lose weight otherwise everyone will die; then they said that a third of the people can be thrown overboard for the betterment of the majority. Maybe they derived this from the story of Yoonus [Peace be Upon him].

Question: Is it permissible for me to make up Salaat al-Istisqaa by myself if I will miss the prayer in congregation due to work?

Answer: Yes, you can repeat the prayer in the same way it would be normally prayed. Those who won’t miss it must pray in congregation.

Question: Is it permissible for us to stay in Azeeziyyah instead of Mina during Hajj if we don’t have a tent in Minaa?

Answer: If your package didn’t have a place to stay in Minaa then you are excused. However, if you were able to stay in Minaa but then you stayed in Azeeziyyah instead then you have made a mistake. Why didn’t you set a condition with your package that you must have a tent in Minaa? Staying in Minaa are from the rituals of Hajj, if you don’t have a tent then go there and see if you can get a place, even if it means you sit in Minaa somewhere.

How can we say Aboo Haneefah is an Imaam when he was described as a Murjee?

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Question: I have read that some of the scholars of Hadeeth classified Aboo Haneefah as being weak in Hadeeth as he was from the Fuqahaa that were Murji’ah and that his Fiqh differed and contradicted from the authentic Ahadeeth. To the extent, some of them said that Aboo Haneefah didn’t accept the Sunnah, so after all this, how is he an Imaam?

Answer: He has been described as Imaam al-‘Adham. As for his view on the issue of Eemaan then his views are incorrect and rejected, and the statements of the scholars are well known. Yet he still remains to be classed as an Imaam and a Mujtahid. If he is correct he has two rewards and if he makes a mistake he has one reward. As for him being weak then there is no doubt that his memorisation is one thing and that the ruling of his ability to derive rulings is another. Therefore he has been classed as having bad memorisation yet he remains to be as those who have insight, he is an Imaam who can extract and derive rulings. If one says: he is not to be considered if this is his condition, then we say but his station remains as  an Imaam. He is an Imaam in some of the areas of the religion.

Throughout the Muslim lands the Muslims recite from the narration of ‘Aasim despite there being some reservations of his memorisation. To the extent that if  some of the Rawafid discredit him and they say that 'how can one whose memorisation has been classed as being poor be depending on in his reciaition, moreover he is even classed as weak in hadeeth?'

We say: He is an Imaam in recitation and this science of Quraan was made easy for him. Therefore if one wants to learn Quraan then he will go to the people who are renowned for knowing their Quraan and being experts within it, firmly grounded and precise, despite them being not so firm in other fields or sciences.

Aboo Haneefah was an Imaam in Fiqh, he had ability to derive, rather he was very strong in his ability to derive. He was strong in his level of knowledge despite his memorisation being questionable. This is similar to what we just talked about. If a person tries to open this door then we close this door on him, he is an Imaam in what he was able to do and in what he accomplished. As for anything else, then he is just a normal person. Similarly, ‘Aasim was an Imaam in recitation and nobody doubts this, he was an Imaam, accurate and precise. This is the reality. He was an example in his field. Meaning, if someone has poor memorisation and then he finds....like we do with some of the Imaams of the masjids, they are able to recite the whole of the Quraan in the same manner as they recite the Faatihah, no mistakes whatsoever, we find this, however if you ask him to narrate Umadat al-Ahkaam from his memory, you may find mistakes from the very beginning. Even if he studied it for years! This is because this isn’t his speciality, his speciality is in Quraan. And some are the opposite of this. Meaning, a person may have memorised all of the sciences in the world, yet you will find mistakes in some of these sciences that he has memorised.

So it is upon the person to account himself, be content with what Allaah has made easy for him. If something is made easy for him, he should try to become an expert in it, or an Imaam. For example, let’s take medicine as an example, some may memorise the books of medicine in the various languages they are written in, he is precise in his studies, he is accurate however if you ask him to memorise Nawawee’s forty hadeeth, he’s not able, why? Because it hasn’t been made easy for him, it’s not his speciality. So if you give this importance then you will benefit, you will be successful, however, if you give importance to what isn’t important for you, then you won’t be successful, so you need to review yourself.

Sharh Al-Fiyyah al-‘Iraaqee Fee Uloom al-Hadeeth by Shaykh Abdul-Kareem bin Abdullah al-Khudayr [May Allaah Preserve him], Tape 20 120-125 minutes

The trials you are faced with is made easy by the promise of reward and that your despair is removed because you know this, thus you have no complaints

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Imaam Shams ad-Deen Aboo Abdullah Muhammad bin Aboo Bakr Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

Whoever Allaah has created to go Jannah, it will not cease that he will be trailed with what Allaah has forbidden. The believer is made resolute and steadfast by the greatest of tests, he doesn’t cease gaining benefit from it and you will never find him complaining about what he has been afflicted with. To keep your difficulties personal to yourself and not proclaim your sorrows are from the habits of the Prophets. They did not pass away except that their bodies were exhausted with what they were tried with. So the trials you are faced with is made easy by the promise of reward and that your despair is removed because you know this, thus you have no complaints. You should always remember; whatever you are due, none can prevent and that which you are tested with is a protected for you and there is no test except that it purifies you. 

Al-Fawaaid, Pg. 32

Imaam Aboo Faraj Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Abee Hasan Ibn Jawzee al-Hanbalee said:

There is nothing more difficult for those who will be questioned to attain, except patience in what has been decreed. And there is no greater pleasure for the one who has attained it.

Sayd al-Khaatir Pg. 91

Questions 23

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Questions asked to Shaykh Saaleh bin Fawzaan bin Abdullah al-Fawzaan [May Allaah Preserve him]
After his explanation of the Book Zaad al-Ma'aad
20/3/1433 – 12/2/2012

Question: When is it permissible to use Qadr as an argument for us being helpless?
Answer: When we are afflicted with trials and tribulations, when we are afflicted with trials and tribulations. We don’t use Qadr as proof for us doing sins, we can't say that the sins that I do are because of Qadr; rather he should repent to Allaah, because in these matters the slaves have free will. Shaykh al-Islaam has a treatise on this called, 'Al-Ihtijaaj bil Qadr' (Using Qadr a Proof) where he has explained this matter in detail.

Question: Are trials and tests part of the Universal Qadr (Qadr al-Kawnee) or Legislative Qadr (Qadr ash-Shari'ee)?
Answer: No, whatever is attributed to Allaah then it is part of the Universal Qadr (Qadr al-Kawnee) and the acts of the servant, the acts of obedience then these are part of the Legislative Qadr (Qadr ash-Shari'ee).

Question: Is being precautious the same as having superstition that bad will happen?
Answer: No, being precautious is something we should all have. Take your precautions and have rely on Allaah.

Question: What is the difference between Qadr and Qadaa?
Answer: There is no difference, they're both the same. Except Qadaa is more general, it includes the way we deal with other people and it includes the way Allaah has Legislated that we resolve issues between people, therefore Qadaa is more general and comprehensive than Qadr. 

Question: Which sect denies the life in the grave?
Answer: The Mu'tazilah denied the punishment and bliss that occurs in the grave as it doesn’t concur with their intellect. So they say if you open the grave you won't see any punishment or bliss, but we say that they are living in a world and you are living in a world, they are part of the Aakhira now and Allaah is Able to do all things. If you look at a body that is laid down, he may be in bliss or he may be punished, and you won't even know it.

Question: How do we distinguish the difference between the things that is placed upon him and the things he has free-will to do?
Answer:  The slave is the one who decides the path he takes, the good or the bad. So the answer is that the slave has a choice in both, what is placed over him and that which he has free-will to do. This is from the viewpoint that the slave can determine his own Qadaa and Qadr by controlling his own deeds and thus the consequences of them that are placed upon him from the Qadaa and Qadr. As for free-will, then he chooses whether he believes or not or whether he does good deeds or bad deeds.

Question: Is the statement of Allaah, the Most High; It is only Shaitan (Satan) that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya' [supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)]; so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers [Aal-Imraan 3:175] Specific to the events that happened at the Battle of Uhud?
Answer: It's general; the Shaytaan tries to create fear in his own friends and the hypocrites, meaning all those who follow him. He always tries to scare his friends. He tries to scare the believers to be scared of his allies from the Shayaateen, the Shayaateen from the humans. 

As you know, in the time of Badr, he tried to gather the Kufffar and spur them on but when he saw the opposition he fled, saying;

"And (remember) when Shaitan (Satan) made their (evil) deeds seem fair to them and said, "No one of mankind can overcome you this Day (of the battle of Badr) and verily, I am your neighbour (for each and every help)." But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he ran away and said "Verily, I have nothing to do with you. Verily! I see what you see not. Verily! I fear Allah for Allah is Severe in punishment."

[Anfaal 8:48]

Meaning, after he made those suggestions to fight the Muslims, he saw the Angels come down and he knew he had no power over them so he fled.

Question: How do we reconcile the Aayah; "How then, when a catastrophe befalls them because of what their hands have sent forth"[Nisaa 4:62] and the Hadeeth that says, ”Those who are tested the most are the Prophets and then those like them and then those who are like them.”[At-Tirmidhi (2398) Classed Authentic by al-Albaanee in al-Silsilah as-Saheehah (143)]
Answer: A person may be tested because of his sins or as a test for him, or it may be that a person may be tested in order for Allaah to raise his level and status. So this person may have sins removed and his status elevated in Jannah because of the tests that may befall him. A person may be deficient in his deeds in reaching Jannah but he may reach a high status in Jannah by him having patience when trials befall him

Question: Oh noble Shaykh, you mentioned previously that we are allowed to ask assistance by our righteous deeds [meaning, asking Allaah to help you because of the good deeds you may have done].  Are we allowed to ask Allaah to cure an ill person by the good deeds they may have done?
Answer: No, this isn’t allowed. You ask by your own good deeds, not the good deeds of others. 

Question: What is the ruling on reciting from the Mushaf and carrying it during an obligatory prayer?
Answer: No, not in obligatory prayer. Read an Surah or an Ayah, whatever you have memorised even if you only recite the Faatihah, this is sufficient. Holding the Mushaf is only allowed in optional prayers, and even then some of the scholars said it shouldn’t be done. 

Question: What is the ruling of a woman covering her face and hands whilst in Ihraam?
Answer: These are not allowed, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] forbade women from covering the face and hands. They are stitched and this isn’t allowed for women during the Ihraam, to have stitched clothing on their face and hands. But if a woman wears a Khimaar [this is worn on the head and not on the face] to cover her face this is Waajib upon her. 

Question: What is the correct ruling on paying Zakaah on jewellery?
Answer: The correct view is that there is no Zakaah on jewellery. This is the view of the majority of the scholars as it lifts any difficulty from them. So if they wear the jewellery then there is no Zakaah on them in order to lift harm from them.

Question: What is the ruling on reading or studying the Tawraat or Injeel?
Answer: No, this is not allowed. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] saw ‘Umar bin al-Khattab [May Allaah be Pleased with him] reading the Tawraat and he forbade him from doing so and asked if he had any doubts? So it is not permissible, except for the one who wants to read it and is able to refute them from within it.

Question: What is the ruling on asking someone to do Dua’a for another?
Answer:  There is nothing wrong with this but it is better for the person to supplicate himself and not depend on others.

Question: What is the ruling on travelling to another city in order to give condolences?
Answer: No, this is not legislated. Offering condolences has a difference of opinion between the scholars, because people go into extremes in this rather we should just supplicate for the deceased, whether you speak to them on the phone or if you see them on the street, condolences is making dua’a for them.

Question: If the Imaam breaks his Wudhoo whilst in Sujood, what should be done?
Answer: The Imam should stand up and choose someone to take over and complete the Salaat.

Question: What is the ruling on sitting in Tawarruk position in a Salaat where there is only one Tashahud?
Answer: There is a difference of opinion on this; Ibn al-Qayyim mentions this in his book Zaad al-M’aad. The correct view is that Tawarruk should only be done when the Tashahud has Tasleem with it. 

Question: Is one being stressed in his heart about the sins he has committed from the types of harms that remove sins?
Answer: The thing that removes sins is Tawbah, so he must do Tawbah for his sins to be removed. However, if he has this feeling is shows he has regret and this is one of the pillars of Tawbah, so doing Tawbah and his heart being at unease is a sign that he regrets what he did.

Tawassul is to ask, supplicate and depend on those who can’t help for assistance, this is Shirk

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Ibn ‘Aqeel said, as was narrated by Ibn Muflih in his book al-Furoo’ [2/273]:

Some of the creation have no manners with the graves, they adorn them, kiss and perform Tawaaf around them. They do this as a means of Tawassul to Allaah.

He also said:

…And this is not sufficient for them, but they go into further extremes by saying things like; ‘the hidden affairs that are only known between you (the person in the grave) and Allaah’. Anything that is only known to Allaah, how can we say that this is between Him and His creation?

He also said:

The use of lamps, incense and Oud is prohibited and they even build towering doors over them. They call these doors ‘witnesses’. Their sick are given earth from these graves as a means of seeking intercession. Furthermore, they place writings (with their names and complaints) within the soil as a means of intercession. They may even sometimes pierce these writings by drilling them down into the grave. They say things like; ‘my beauty has become scabby’ or ‘my land has become barren’, as if they are talking to alive being and they supplicate to them.

Imaam at-Tahaawee al-Hanafee in his Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah [1/229]:

Seeking intercession for those who are steadfast, is a right that has been given to them and this has been narrated in the narrations.

As for the intercession of the Prophet [May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon them] and other than him in the life of the Dunya by asking them to make Dua’a for them, then this needs to be analysed further. If the person calling sometimes says, ’I ask you by the right or status of Your Prophet’ or by ‘the right or status of so-and-so’. This is dividing what is solely for Allaah with His creation and this is prohibited, from two aspects;

Firstly, this is swearing by other than Allaah

Secondly, the person believes that other than Allaah has a right in this regard.

Fakhr ad-Deen ar-Raazee al-‘Asharee in his book Kitaab Lawaami’ al-Bayyinnaat [Pg.88] in Tafseer of the Ayah; 

“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me”

[Baqarah 2:186]

This is as if Allaah, The Glorified and Exalted, is saying;

In the times of Dua’a then there is no need of having anything to intercede between me and you. You are a slave, all you need is me, Your God, al-Ghanee.

He also said in his tafseer under the following Ayah: 

“And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, "These are our intercessors with Allah " Say, "Do you inform Allah of something He does not know in the heavens or on the earth?" Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him”

[Yoonus 10:18]

Looking at our times, we can clearly see that most people have become busy with glorifying graves of their elders. They believe that if they venerate these graves then they will receive intercession with Allaah, the Most High.

Aboo Haneefah said, “It is prohibited to say; ‘I ask You by the right or status of so-and-so or by the right or status of Your Prophet or Your Messenger’.”

Sharh Mullah ‘Alee Qaaree of Fiqh al-Akbaar, Pg. 110

Aboo Yoosuf, the student of Aboo Haneefah, said:

“Do not supplicate to Allaah by others.”

Fatawaa al-Hindiyyah 5/280 and Sharh Mullah ‘Alee Qaree Pg.110

Al-‘Izz bin Abdul-Salaam in his Fataawaa Pg. 126:

And we don’t make any division in supplicating to other than Allaah, from the Prophets, the Angels or the righteous. This is because they do not qualify to have this stature. Therefore, they are not worthy of it and also by doing this, you will put them on the level with the One Who Alone Deserves this right or given this Majesty.

Also see; Al-Haythamee said in Haashiyyah ‘Alaa al-Eedaah Pg. 452 and al-Manaawee in Fath al-Qadeer 2/135