aaa

Youth-Related Issues (Fatwa Session)

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty
30 October, 2018

Dear Brothers/Sisters,

 

Thank you very much for joining us in this Live Fatwa session. We would like also to thank our guest, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, for answering the questions directed to him. You will find the answers of your questions below.

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018 | 09:00 - 11:00 GMT

Session is over.

How should Muslim communities in the West attract the youth to their local activities?



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

 All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

Muslim leaders, scholars and mosque administrators have a joint responsibility to work together to attract youth to the mosque or Islamic centers.

 

I’m sorry to say our mosques and centers have lost their sense of mission. They become entangled in battles among themselves for power and position. Locked as they are in such battles and ego trips, they become distracted. They end up abusing their power and position and act rudely towards those who frequent mosques and centers.

 

It is no wonder then when we see the youth being turned away from mosques and thus most of them end up losing faith altogether.

So, I would advise those who are in positions of power, scholars, imams and board members of mosques and centers, to ask themselves: Do I want to end up a loser on the Day of Judgement as I, instead of becoming an instrument of guidance, have turned away people from Islam.

 

The prophet taught and advised us to attract people to Islam through our own humility, gentleness, and welcoming attitude. So, let us correct ourselves and re-learn the Prophetic examples; if we do so, we can face our challenges well with the help of Allah.

 

Let us be ever unceasing in our prayers to our Lord; He alone can open our hearts and guide us to the truth.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

What is the role of the Muslim families in protecting the Muslim youth from extremist groups?



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

Families have the greatest responsibility in ensuring that they save them from being brainwashed from extremist groups and from those who preach agnosticism and atheism and secular fundamentalism.

 

We should condition them to seek knowledge from the proper sources: only those who are trained in the authentic sources can expect to impart sound Islamic knowledge.

 

Youth and adults become confused by exposure to self-styled teachers who do not have authentic Islamic knowledge and therefore do not follow the organic Islamic method of gaining or imparting knowledge.

 

This is one of the greatest sources of fitnah (seduction) in the modern world as there are no shortage of those who have been brainwashed by the self-styled teachers or scholars who pose as experts.  They mislead themselves and others. So, we must be ever on guard against all sources of fitnah, and pray to Allah to inspire us to be steadfast on the straight path. Here is a Du’a for us to read regularly: basis:

 

Rabbanaa laa tuzigh quloobanaa ba’da idh hadaythanaa wa hab lanaa min ladunka rahmathan innaka antha al-wahhaab

 

(Our Lord, do not cause our hearts to veer off the straight path after You have guided us aright. And grant us mercy. You are the dispenser of mercies.)

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

How should Muslim youth in non-Muslim countries maintain their Islamic identity?



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

Muslim Youth can maintain their Islamic identity only by:

 

1- Imparting sound Islamic beliefs and practices at home. Allah says “O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from the fire of hell, whose fuel is human beings and stones: in charge of it the angels who are stern and severe, who do not disobey God in whatever He has commanded them, but [always] do what they are bidden to do. (At-tahrim 66: 6)

 

2- Exposing the youth to the authentic Islamic knowledge and inculcating in them a desire to enhance learning and practice through those who trained and reputable.

 

3- Engaging them in the activities that foster a sense of community and belonging. Prayer or worship alone is not sufficient; instead they need to be part of a spiritual community with shared values and beliefs;

 

4- Praying to Allah constantly: “Our Lord, Grant us joy in our spouses and our offspring, and include us among those who are ever mindful (and conscious) of You.” (Al-Furqan 25: 74)

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalamo Alaikum, I am from India. I am engaged since last 10 month and am chat or call with my fiancée but it's not true in Islam therefore I am so confused what to do. Can I do nikah with fiancée and do not declare to anyone and then will be date fix for our marriage can we make second nikah with each other.



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

It is a good idea for you to do  if by Nikah you mean proper marriage contract fulfill the conditions of marriage. As for the conditions of marriage, let me cite here one of my earlier answers:

 

Marriage in Islam is essentially a social contract, and so long as it is contracted conforming to the stated requirements, it shall be deemed valid. The presence of an Imam at the function is not at all one of the stated requirements, but the marriage should be solemnized by someone who has been allowed (legally) to solemnize marriages.

 

The stated requirements of marriage in Islam are as follows: Full consent of both partners to the marriage, expressing the above consent through eejaab ( offer) and qabool (acceptance), finally the presence of two reliable witnesses. Apart from the above, with females, their guardian’s consent is  essential for the validity of marriage according to most of imams and scholars. Imam Abu Hanifah, however, is of the view that a mature woman can fully contract her own marriage. Accordingly, the marriage of a woman without a  guardian  shall be valid so long the woman has chosen someone who is deemed as compatible (in faith and character).

 

Scholars are also agreement to the fact that marriages should not remain a secret affair; rather they should be publicized. Another important integral of marriage is the bridal gift; although it is not essential to stipulate it in the marriage contract it must be paid either before consummation of marriage or after.

 

Now coming to contracting marriages in a society where Islamic laws are not enforced or recognized, it is also highly crucial to get the legal papers before a marriage contract; for legal, someone who has been authorized by the law of the land to perform marriage must solemnize the marriage.  In the absence of such legalization, there is no guarantee of legal protection for anyone in the event of a dispute.

 

Although some people may consider legalization as being not so crucial, I would, however, insist that it is quite crucial and essential; it is not advisable for anyone to get married without legal papers.

 

This can is because in Islam marriage is primarily a social contract and and thus we should do so in conformity with the laws of the land we live so that such a contract can be legally enforced.

 

 

Apart from this, Islam teaches us to do what we do as efficiently, methodically and professionally as we can. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Allah loves you to do your work as best as you can.”

 

In conclusion, one should insist on getting the marriage legalized through an official (an Imam or a person who has the authority to solemnize marraiges).

 

Once such conditions are met, the marriage contract is valid. Throwing a feast, etc. is are extras which in no away affect its validity in Islam.

 

I pray to Allah to guide our steps in all our affairs and help us to remain steadfast on what is true and right,Ameen!

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

If you missed obligatory fasts during Ramadan due to mensturation, after Ramadan you made an intension to keep it, is it a sin if you made an intention to do it but the next day you didn't keep it? Either due not to having suhoor? Or because you felt you don't want to keep it that day? Or if you wake up at around suhoor time and decide your not going to fast is it a sin? Also the other matter is say you haven't kept your missed Ramadan fasts for number of years and the amount is alot to keep in one year before the next ramadan, is it ok to keep it at your own pace?



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

I think you are being complacent about making up your fasts. The reasons are clear: you do not have the firm resolution or determination. As a Muslimah, you should summon your spiritual resources and ensure that you make up the fasts you have missed and never allow yourself to be slack about it. If you have years of fasting due on you, you ought to seek repentance and make up as much as you can and give charities to compensate for that which you cannot.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

I am a recent convert and have a few questions. My first question: whether wudu is valid or not while one has full makeup on, including foundation lipstick and false lashes etc. Second one: is wudu and ghusl valid while one has halal nail polish on which people say lets water seep through the nails. Is oral sex allowed in Islam? Some scholars say it is, while some say it isn’t, whereas I’ve also read that every act which brings a couple closer to each other during intimacy is allowed. What is eyelash lifting? Is it permissible for Muslims? Can a woman get her eyebrows done, including full face threading too? What is the proper method for ghusl after periods? Last question: is it permissible for a Muslim woman to get a full body wax and a Brazilian wax from a beauty salon?



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

 All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

If the makeup or nail polish has a barrier that prevents water from the parts of the body we are supposed to wash during wudhu, then the wudhu is not valid. Washing them with water is an essential requirement for the validity of wudhu.

 

If the so called halal nail polish does not act as a barrier, then wudhu is valid.

 

According to some scholars, oral sex with certain conditions is allowed as long as it is consensual among the spouses; and as long as one does not ejaculate into the mouth. Sperm drops are filthy; and hence we are not to swallow it, and we should wash our mouth if it is contact with it.

 

As for as eyelash lifting, I’m not sure of this procedure. However, if it is akin to pulling out eye-lashes altogether, then it is not desirable. If, however, it is only a procedure to shape and beautify it without use of harmful chemicals, then it would be permissible.

 

We are allowed to trim eye-brows or keep them  neat and beautiful as explained above.

The proper method of Ghusl (ritual bath) involves the following steps:

 

1. Make the Niyyah (intention) to perform Ghusl for purification.

 

2. Wash your private parts thoroughly with water.

 

3. Perform Wudu’ (ablution) except for washing of your feet, which you can do later while bathing the body.

 

4. Wash the entire body, starting with your head and the right side, followed by the left.

 

5. It is preferable to wash whole body three times. The minimum is once.

 

Once you complete the above steps, you are eligible to perform the Salah (prayer).

 

Body waxing is fine as long as it is considered to be a healthy procedure –- as determined by your physician or medical practitioner. Another important condition is that while undergoing the procedure, one does not have to expose oneself in front of a person who is not your lawful spouse.

I pray to Allah to inspire us to cherish faith and beautify our hearts with it; and inspire us to abhor disbelief, obscenities and transgressions.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalamualaikum, is Islamic Relief a reputable organization to donate to? There have been reports stating how they are secretly funding extremist organizations (although they deny those accusations), and I would like to be assured about where I put my money - that my money goes towards good rather than evil. I would not want to unknowingly fund those extremist parties and incur sin as a result. Also, do you have any recommendations for other trusted Organizations apart from Islamic Relief one can donate to in order to maximize their sadaqah rewards insyaAllah? Jazakallah



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

If you are speaking of Islamic Relief Canada, to the best of my knowledge, it is a reputable organization. We must not make allegations on any individual or organization based on rumors or hearsay. Such is a heinous sin in Islam.

 

Other reputable organizations are: Human Concern internal and IDRF; these have a good reputation. So, one may use any of them for making charitable contributions. I believe they would ensure that your donations go to the most needy people. They let you also choose the people or a specific project you want to direct your donation or charity. I have used all the three agencies for my own contributions for years.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Is it a muslim guy allowed to be with dreads



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

In my humble opinion we should not wear dreads for it is copying a people who have different values and cultures not based on revealed sources. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever emulates the life-styles of another people, he belongs to them.”(Abu Dawud)

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Salaam brother. I am even embarrassed for exposing myself to this but I can’t live without knowing whether I will be forgiven. I grew up in a fairly religious family, me myself, I’ve always been a believer in Islam, I would give me life for Allah for he is the creator that has given it me. I have led myself astray, I went from being a good and pious boy to eventually drinking alcohol, and the other day under the influence of alcohol I did something stupid, I ended up sleeping with a transsexual escort. These were desires which were filled in me but I always suppressed them as I know I could never let myself down because even though I’m a sinner I always wanted to try and get back on the right path. But I’m afraid this time there’s no way out, as a transsexual, can possibly be counted as a male. Homosexuality is the biggest sin in Islam. One thing I want to make clear brother is that I’m not homosexual, I’ve never slept with a man and the act alone disgusts me. I’ve always been attracted to women and always will, but under the influence of alcahol, and my secret fetish for transgenders, it led me to do something stupid. I came home and cried to Allah and said O my Lord, I swear by you if I have destroyed myself infront of you then take my life. I said this because I’ve always loved women and always will, I always hated homosexuals growing up so why under alcahol did I decide to go to some transgender prostitute. Akhi wallahi I’m confused. I don’t want this. Homosexuality is the worst sin and it has no turning back. And I’m not even a homosexual brother wallahi, I’m sat here crying wondering why I did this, I blame alcohol, I blame myself. Brother give me the advice I need for akhi, I just want to know that this life is worth living. I love my Lord, I love my religion, and I love the woman Allah has one day prescribed for me In Sha Allah. It’s just this one night where I was intoxicated and ended up chasing false desires by sleeping with some transgender escort. And now I completely regret it.



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

 The fact you feel guilty and you need to expiate for your sin or sins is a good sign. This shows that Allah wants you to come back to Him.

 

Allah says: “Say: ‘O My servants who have transgressed against your own selves! Despair not of God’s mercy: behold, God forgives all sins – for, verily, He Forgiving, Merciful. And so, turn to your Lord (in repentance) and surrender yourselves unto Him before the suffering [of death and resurrection] comes upon you, for then you will not be saved.” (Az-Zumar 39:53-54)

As for the method of repentance, please refer to the answer linked below:

 

The Door of Repentance Is Wide Open

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Is it necassary for a man to check the material of the cloth before wearing it to make sure it is not made of silk since silk is forbidden for men? Is ot really nexcassary because this can take time and get one late especially with some clothes. I also want to kbow the same for things like cosmetics., Should I read all the ingredients of a cosmetic? Nost ingredients are unknown to me and anyone could be haram and reasearching all of them would take a lot of time.



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

If you have reasons to believe the clothes, you intend to buy are made of silk, then you ought to avoid it unless silk is only a small percentage of it or it is synthetic.

 

There is no need to raise this issue unless you have doubts; for in case of doubts, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has advised to avoid it unless we can confirm it to be wholly free from silk and hence purely halal.

 

Likewise, you may do well to avoid cosmetics which contain alcohol. Having said this, I must also point out that there are eminent scholars who say it is permissible to use cosmetics even if they had alcohol ingredients for two reasons: First, they are not intended for consumption. Second, the alcohol used has undergone a chemical change; hence it does not remain alcohol anymore.

 

There is no need for us to be rigid in such matters; the Prophet (peace be upon him)  has warned us against rigidity in matters of religion.

 

 Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalamu Alaikum, I am an 18 year old girl and in my first year of college. I wear proper hijab and abaya or long dress. I am the only one in my family who wears hijab. I did not start wearing hijab until my senior year of highschool which was about 6 months or so before i started college, so I will almost have been wearing it for a year now. Before my senior year of highscool however, I never used to wear hijab as I didn't know it was compulsory. So in my junior year of hishschool I was casted in this student film where I didn't wear hijab, and wore a skirt that was past my knees , but not full length. I was filmed among other people like that and photos were also taken. Ever since I started wearing hijab I have regretted being in that film ever since. It is one of the biggest mistakes of my life. The director of the short film is somewhat well known, and I am scared that when it is released that people will see me in it and in photos posted online. The film has not been released yet, but I fear when it will be released. When I did this film, it was over a year ago, but I saw that it was never released when I looked online, so I thought it was just a forgotten project and that it would never be shown to the public. But my worst fear came true today. I saw an article about the short film about how it will be released soon, and I saw photos and I am in two of them, without hijab and not dressed modestly. In both photos you cannot see my face because of the angle in one and because my and covers my face in the other, but I am miserable and in so much fear still. This director has a following and is somewhat well known, so I fear that people will see me in this if more is released. I don't know what to do and I am having suicidal thoughts. I signed a release form so I don't know what to do. I want to be released from this Earth already. Please advise me on what to do. May Allah forgive me and help me to overcome this hardship. May Allah bless you who reads this. I also want to ask, do I need a mahram to travel to my mother's native country. She is traveling there soon and I want to go with her, but I am under the impression that I can't travel far unless it is with a mahram. However, my dad has left my family, and my older brother says he doesn't want to go, and then I just have my only other brother who is younger than me. Also what would I do if I wish to be married. My older brother does not practice much, so who will be my wali and help me to be married. I have many problems. Please advise me.



 

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

 All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

If you can get this film cancelled or stop them from publishing your name, you ought to do so. If, however, you cannot do so, then you need to seek repentance and resolve firmly in your mind not to repeat the same. As for the method of repentance, you may refer to the answer linked below:

The Door of Repentance Is Wide Open

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Assalamou alaikum, During hajj we were told not to remove our ihram clothes including hijabs for 4 days until the last day of the devil stoning (jumarat) . Also no bath, no cream, no teeth brushing to avoid blood to came out and it was very hot. I would like to know also about the sacrifice we have to do when we break a rule. Please can you give me more details about ihram ?



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

  

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

Whoever has advised you to do so does not know the Fiqh of hajj or even its basic rules. No scholar or school of jurisprudence in Islam teaches these. Instead,  all of them agree that you are allowed to change one pair of Ihram, for another,  and bathe or shower, or even  apply non-scented crème, brush the teeth, etc.

 

This is what we learn from the precedents and practice of the prophet and his companions. There is a virtual consensus on the permissibility of the above things.

 

So, such a person may do well to stop leading Hajj until he has gained proper knowledge from the trained scholars.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalamu alaikum brother, One and half years back I performed Umrah with my family, when I arrived in Jeddah I was already in Ehram so once I reached Mecca I completed my first Umrah and we had a niyyat of performing one more umrah with in 8 days before leaving Mecca. After 5 days our tour operator took us for visiting prominent places around Mecca, we visited Taif also and by evening we reached Miqat, no body told us Taif is outside Miqat border or we should wear Ehram and make Niyyat for Umrah in Miqat, we were not prepared with Ehram clothes, so I thought better after 1 or 2 days I shall go to Ayesha masjid and make Umrah niyyat, so we came back to Mecca. After 2 days we went to Ayesha masjid in Ehram clothes and made Niyyath and performed our second Umrah, But after some time we came to know once we move outside the border of Miqat we have to make Umrah Niyyat from there only, the Umrah performed from Ayesha masjid is not acceptable. My question is due to mis-communication and lack of proper knowledge and not proper guidance by the operators such a thing has happened, kindly advise whether my Umrah will be accepted and if not what should I do to rectify my mistake. Jazakhallah Khairon.



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

Your Umrah is valid. Therefore, you need not worry about the fact you went to Ta’if and should have assumed ihram from Ta’if on your return to Makkah.

 

As a person coming from outside if you do Hajj of Tamattu, you are to consider as a person living in Makkah  –  as far as the remaining rituals of Hajj care concerned.

 

That is why you can follow the example of the Prophet’s wife, Aishah. (You may read the details in another answer mentioned above).

 

The only exception in your case was you went out of Haram. It should not make any difference.

 

There is no evidence in the sources to rule that anyone who goes out of Makkah to Jedda or Madinah after Umra of Tamattu would invalidate their Tamattu and therefore must return with Ihram for Umrah.

 

That is a position held by some scholars; there is no textual evidence to support it; that is why we find other eminent scholars opposing such a view.

 

Therefore, you need not worry over this issue.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalamou alaikum, Please help me so that I didn't make mistakes. I went to hajj and when I finished, I went to miqat Aisha and make niyya to perform oumra for my mom then another day I did same thing to my father. But now that I come back home I am making research on the internet and found that we have to take niyya from the first miqat I wear ihram et took my own niyya. Please can you clarifying for me so that I should not do mistake again. Thank you very much for your answers



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

 All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

 

You should not question or entertain doubts about the validity of your Umra based on such opinions; if anyone wants to follow those views, let them do so. But that is not the position held by most of the scholars.

 

This position is bassed on the authentic report from the Prophet (peace be upon him): when Aishah complained to him she missed the Umrah because of her menses while others could perform Umrah. The prophet then called her brother to accompany her to Tan’eem (called masjid Aisha) to assume Ihram and perform Umra.

 

You should ask those people where did Aisha come from for hajj? She came from Madinah. If what they say is right, then the Prophet would have asked her brother to take her to Dhul Hulayfah which was the Miqat that the Prophet and the companions assumed ihram. Are they telling the Prophet he was wrong in telling Aishah to go to Tan’eem?

 

Those who pose as muftis on the internet without seeking true knowledge are misled. They are also misleading others. We ought to shun such people.

 

I would advise you never to turn to such people for gaining knowledge of Islam.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

i live oveseas so please answer my question online. i have a question about the permissibility of describing blasphemy in graphic details(very nasty blasphemy with sexual content) whether it is kufr or major sin in the case when you neither believe or approve that blasphemy but tell it to a scholar with the intention of asking.



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

In such a case, you need not go into graphic details; you can raise it as a general question while conveying the true intent and purpose. Allah orders us not to broadcast evil: “Allah does not like any evil to be mentioned openly, unless it be by him who has been wronged (thereby) And Allah is All-hearing, All-knowing.” (An-Nisa’ 4:148)

 

The exception mentioned does not apply here as it is regarding a victim going to the court to seek justice.

 

Every time you speak of such matters in graphic details, Satan can use it for tempting another person to do the same. Satan is devious and subtle; so we ought to exercise caution.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Assalamualaikum brothers and sisters, In the Qur’an it is stated that when a husband saw his wife commiting adultery he must swear four times that he is telling the truth and a fifth one to put the curse of Allah SWT upon himself if he is lying. I’ve found certain critics who took issue on this matter and made the claim that the wife has no right to do same thing in accusing the husband except swearing four oaths herself against her husband’s that he is lying and a fifth oath against herself if he is telling the truth. So my grievance is does the wife have same right in being the first to conduct Li’an against her husband in the case she saw him commit adultery? I've been trying to find an answer for this from many Islamic websites but none has ever provide a direct clarification on the matter. Those same critics even made the claim that the wife should provide witnesses or she would be flogged. What can she do if that was the case? It is indeed against human nature for one of the spouses to live together happily after such an incident. Need help. Your brother in faith,



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

If the wife witnessed her husband committing adultery, then she may seek dissolution of marriage; it is a legitimate ground for divorce. Restoring to li’aan (curse prayer)  is not an essential condition for marriage dissolution. However, if she wants to do that, she is free. it is wrong to say the rules are different for men and women.

 

She is free to do so either verbally or in writing. If he refuses to let her go, she should resort to the court system; never mind that the only option for her is to go to a secular court.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalamu alaikum, I am a male, age 30 from Bangladesh, and a sunni Muslim. I married two months ago, and I had known my wife for the last 3 years. She has been raised in step-mother family, while her dad passed away at early age. Her step mother used to exploit her. A local influential and rich person saw her at early age, and bribed her step-mother with a lot of money to arrange marriage with her. But he had already a wife and children. she used to hate him. But he, being rich and influential person in locality, nothing could be done against him. With this situation being continued, I and she decided to get marry in July 2018 without informing the step mother because we were afraid of his threats. After one month of marriage I came to abroad in August 2018 for pursuing PhD degree and left her in country. As sson as he and her step mother knew about her marriage, they became very violent and tortured her. Now, he has managed all the local law with huge amount of bribe, and I am a poor man without any family support to take any lawful action against him. As of september 2018, he has threatened her to divorce me and marry him (as I told he had already a wife and children). Otherwise, he will file lawsuit against me, my family falsely with fabricated evidences (bought by money), and start to harass me. Feeling afraid, my wife has submitted to his conditions. My wife signed a divorce paper of our marriage on 27 Sept. 2018 but not from the heart but in the fear of threats by him. I also did not utter any word of divorce to my wife. Now, he will marry my wife after a week, even though it is mandatory to wait three months after divorce. But he will not wait. And my wife told me that this marriage with him is against her will, and she will only utter "Kobul" (acceptance word) during the marriage with him by remembering my name and face in her heart. Later, I and my wife has planned that after 3/4 years, when I will complete my PhD and join a job and make my economic position and social status high enough to fight with him, then she will return to me and divorce shamim in the court. Since I am a student yet, and have no powerful social status, and money, I can't fight with him. So I accepted her proposal, and consoled her. In our heart, we decided to keep patience, and reunite again. My question is: 1. Since my wife is forced to marry him, is it a valid marriage? 2. Since my wife merely signed divorce paper with me outr of force by him, will it be a valid islamic divorce in the eye of Allah? 3. My wife told me to keep in touch with her, and call her sometimes after marriage with him, will it be lawful in the eye of Islam? We both are victim of zulum by a rich, influential person who buys law and order with money. Law system being corrupt in the country, it is useless to fight against him with bare hands. So, please reply three of the above questions of me. Jajakallah.



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

Islam does not sanction or approve of forced marriages; those who resort to such practices are guilty in the sight of Allah. Like all other sinners they will stand before the Lord for the final reckoning.

 

Having said this, if this woman has agreed to marry this man and has consummated the marriage with him, you cannot keep waiting for her. Instead, leave this case to Allah.

 

You shouldn’t think or behave as if she is still your wife while she has married him even though she had little choice. One should be realistic.

 

I know you feel hurt even as she feels hurt. For sure we ought to oppose injustice and oppression as best as we can. However, ultimately, we cannot expect full justice in this world; only Allah can deliver it; and He will do so in the Afterlife where neither our status nor wealth can influence the verdict of Allah. So, leave the matter to Allah; He will vindicate the victims.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Is raising hands after every takbir (rafadeen) necessary?



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

Scholars agree that it is recommended for us while praying to raise our hands while starting the prayer  with opening takbir  (i.e. takbirat al-ihram). This is a consensus of the four schools: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi and Hanbali.

They base their position on the report which states that the Prophet used to raise hands up to his shoulders when starting the prayer with the takbir…”

 

There is difference of opinion as to whether we should raise the hands while going to ruku and raising from it, The Shafi and Hanbali schools consider it as Sunnah while both the Hanafis and Malikis do not consider it as a Sunnah.

 

With regard to raising hands while rising up from the sitting position following the first tashahhud (sitting after two rakahs to resume the prayer as we do in Maghrib, Zhur, Asr and Isha), the Shafi`i as well as most of the Hanbalis consider it as a Sunnah. However, the Hanafi and Malik schools do not reckon it as such.

 

In cases like these, we are allowed to continue the practice we learned from our own inherited schools; whether Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi or Hanbali.

 

We are not allowed to insist on one of the above views as being the right view and thus criticizing those who follow a different position as contradicting the Sunnah.

 

The imams themselves, in so far as they were advocating such positions, were mostly following the precedents of the companions of the Prophet. So, Imam Abu Hanifa inherited the fiqh legacy of the Prophet’s companion Abdullah ibn Mas`ud and his disciples; Imam Malik inherited the living practice of the people of Madinah and the companions who lived and died there.

 

Imam Shafi followed the Fiqh legacy of the people of Makkah where Ibn Abbas and other companions imparted their knowledge of the Sunnah.

 

Therefore, we ought to learn the wisdom of Imam Malik: when he compiled his Muwatta (having spent years on it) one of the Abbassid Caliphs told him: I want to enforce its teachings on all of the people throughout the Islamic state and ordering them to leave all other teachings!” Imam Malik replied: “Never do that as the Prophet’s companions dispersed into various cities, each one of them carrying with him or her an aspect of Sunnah. So leave the people free to follow that which they have  received (from their teachers) for they are all part of the Sunna!”

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Jazak Allah!! Qura',an tells us to compete with one another in good deeds. When we compete so of course we kinda feel bad when that person gets ahead of us. Is just jealousy allowed if we don't want that person to lose that thing but we just want to get ahead of them?



In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

We are to compete with one another in good works.  Allah says: “And vie with one another to attain to your Sustainer’s forgiveness and to a paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who are God-conscious.” (Aal `Imran 3:133)

 

Allah describes the messengers (our role models): “They were ever in the habit of vying with one another in doing good works and calling upon Us in fear and hope.” (Al-Anbiya 21:90)

 

So, hastening and vying with one another in doing good works is the true hallmark of a believer. While doing so, it is natural for us to be envious of those who beat us into them. That natural feeling of jealousy is fine as long as we wish none harm to the person; instead we feel jealous of him or her to be like him or her.

 

The poor companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) felt jealous of the rich Muslims: they were doing all the good works they themselves were doing and on top of them they also give charity out of their wealth. So, being jealous, they approached the Prophet saying: “The rich people have swept away all the rewards; they pray as we do; and fast as we do and on top of these, they also give charity out of their wealth. The Prophet asked, Didn’t Allah appoint for you such good works which if you were to do consistently you will catch up with them….” (Muslim)

 

So, you have a valid reason to be envious of those who excel in good works. However, that should never lead you to wish them any harm. Instead, you ought to ask: can I also do things whereby I can catch up with them. Follow the above advice of the Prophet and commit yourself to doing good works  – as much as you can, in the given the circumstances in your life.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.