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Shaban & Pre-Ramadan Fatwa Session

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty
08 April, 2019

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.

Friday, Apr. 12, 2019 | 14:00 - 16:00 GMT

Session is over.

In Shaban, should I make up missed fasts or offer optional fasting?



You should make up the missed fasts, but you may also make a double Niyyah: making up for the missed fasts as well as offering the voluntary fasts recommended in Sha’ban. Some eminent scholars say that we are allowed to combine both at the same time. Allah is Infinitely Merciful; so, there is no need for us to limit His mercy.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

What acts of worship can we do in Sahban?



Sha’ban is a highly auspicious and blessed month.   Sha’ban’s significance lies in the fact that it precedes Ramadan which is the holiest of all Islamic months and hence unsurpassed in terms of blessings and spiritual graces.

 

Sha’ban is meant to be a preparation for reaping the optimal blessings of Ramadan. You may compare it to starting a vigorous exercise program; to gain optimal benefits, you ought to engage in warm-up exercises. Sha’ban is a preparation for the faithful to do optional acts of virtue such as fasting, prayers, recitation of the Qur’an, dhikr, and acts of charity.

 

  1. Fasting is highly recommended in the month of Sha’ban; however, one should stop fasting closer to Ramadan: Aishah reports: I never saw the Prophet fasting more number of days in any month other than Sha’ab except Ramadan.” However, she says that he would stop fasting as he got closer to Ramadan.

 

  1. When Usamah asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, about why was doing extra fasts in Sha’ban, he told him: “This is a month between the two great months (Rajab and Ramadan) that people often neglect. It is a month when good deeds ascend to the Lord of the worlds; so I wanted my good deeds to be raised to Allah while fasting.”

 

It is clear from the above, that even as we are told to fast, we are encouraged to engage in all sorts of good deeds to the best of our ability.

 

  1. Good deeds in Islam come in many shapes and forms; it includes all virtuous acts including volunteering in the community; visiting the sick, charitable works, helping the weak and destitute, taking care of parents, relatives and others who need help.

 

  1. Optional prayers are also recommended throughout the month, although there are no prescribed rituals of worship to be performed on the 15th of Sha’ban. If there had been any such rituals to be performed, then it would have been stated clearly in the authentic traditions.

 

Having said this, we cannot stop people from performing Nawafil any time; for Nawafil are simply voluntary prayers; no one can prevent anyone from doing them any time except those times when prayers are forbidden.

 

I pray to Allah to inspire us to make the optimal use of the blessed month of Sha’ban and to invigorate us and boost our spirits for gaining the maximum blessings of the month of Ramadan.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Should we fast in the last five days of Shaban?



We are told by Ai’shah, the mother of the believers and the beloved wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that “the Prophet (peace be upon him)  used to fast most of the days of Shaban, but he stopped fasting when he got close to the month of Ramadan.”

 

Based on this, it is considered highly recommended to fast in the early part of Sha’ban and stop fasting the last few days of the month.

 

The Prophet wanted to teach us an important wisdom that we should not join Shaban and Ramadan in fasting, rather we should keep the Ramadan fast totally separate from that of Sha’ban. Shaban fasting is only for preparation and warming up for the fasting in Ramadan, so we should not confuse the two fasts.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Assalmualikum, I have promised to Allah that i will fasting for 100... For a reason. Already i have started. My question is " During Romadan i will performed 30 fast InshaAlla.. This 30 x Fast will it be counted as my promised roza???" JazakAllahu Khairan.



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

If you vowed to fast 100 days, you cannot count the 30 days of Ramadan in it unless at the time you had that in mind.

So, you should fulfill your vow.  We are obligated to fulfill our promises and pledges.

 

If you are unable to continue to fast for genuine reasons, then you ought to expiate for it by feeding ten poor persons.

 

Allah says in the Qur’an:

 

{Allah will not take you to task for oaths which you may have uttered without thought, but He will take you to task for oaths which you have sworn in earnest. Thus, the breaking of an oath must be atoned for by feeding ten needy persons with more or less the same food as you are wont to give to your own families, or by clothing them, or by freeing a human being from bondage; and he who has not the wherewithal shall fast for three days [instead]. This shall be the atonement for your oaths whenever you have sworn [and broken them]. But be mindful of your oaths!’ [104] Thus God makes clear unto you His messages, so that you might have cause to be grateful.} (Al-Ma’idah 5: 89)

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalmualikum, All praise to Allah. I have a question. Like that when i am felling angry to anyone, i remain silent. But in my mind i am taking with Allah. Something like that, " See Allah this person is bad". As i m taking bad regarding someone to my creator, is it Permissible in Islam. Also i do Backbiting regarding someone with Allah. Not with people. And after sometime i feel peace in my mind. JazakAllahu Khairan.



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

When you are angry, you should try to keep cool and should not allow yourself to get carried to harm others. The Prophet, peace be upon him, advised us to seek refuge in Allah and thus repel Satan; otherwise, he may use our anger to transgress.

 

The Prophet also told us to make ablutions to cool down. Other tips that may be effective include: going for a walk, taking deep breaths, and so on.

 

So, try to do some of these tips so that you can control your anger: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “The strong person is not the one who knocks out another in a wrestling match; the strong one is the one who can control his anger when provoked.”

 

We are not allowed to tell Allah who is good or bad. Allah is the best of judges; so, you should ask forgiveness of Allah for entertaining such thoughts.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Asalam Alaikum My dear brother in Islam, I have started doing anal foreplay with my wife during sexual intercourse, but have not fully analy peneterated her at any point. That said, I know anal intercourse is haraam and seeking Allah SW for forgiveness. A couple of weeks ago my wife told me if you do anal foreplay with me I will be divorced from you and I agreed with her condition by simply saying yes. I heard a muslim woman can ask for divorce from her husband under certain conditions. Two nights ago I did the same act that I promised not to do. Does this break our Nikah? If not, I am I obligated to do other acts of repentance in addition to seeking Allah SW forgiveness? If the Nikah was terminated by me agreeing to her condition, can I simply take my wife back or do I need to remarry her again? FYI. We have never divorced before. I know what I did was wrong and will never do it again and appreciate your guidance in this matter. Asalam Alaikum



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

Anal intercourse is haram and forbidden by the explicit statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

 

So, you committed a grave sin by resorting to this heinous act; you ought to repent and seek forgiveness of Allah. Repentance proper entails the following steps: feeling deep remorse; refraining from such actions; resolving in your mind never to repeat the same. You may also do well to expiate for the sin by offering charities to the poor. You may give whatever amount you can afford to.

 

If your wife pledged that if you do this act, she will be divorced from you, she could redeem herself by feeding ten poor persons or fasting three days.

 

That should not be a reason for her to divorce unless you insist on committing such perversions.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

I am a father of a mentally disabled daughter. I sometime had to clean and wash her after she went to bathroom when my wife was not around. Sometime back when she was 12 years old and sexually mature (Mental age 4) Shaitan overcame me and I kissed and fondled her private parts inappropriately. As soon as I got an erection I realised my mistake and let her go. And did not have sex with her. I repented after that and didn't do it again. I recently read a post that according to Hanafi school my marriage with my wife is annulled. Does this mean I have been having zina with my wife after that incident? I follow Shafi school of thought what is the ruling according to Shafi and other schools? Separating from my wife will lead to all of my kids going to foster care. I don't want to separate from my wife but will have to do it if it is the ruling of Allah.



You have committed a grave sin and you ought to repent to Allah and never be involved in changing or having physical contacts with your daughter; nor are you allowed to be alone with her. For the rule says: that which leads to haram is also considered as Haram.

 

Now you don’t need to consider yourself divorced from your wife for this grave sin you have committed. It would be best if you were constant in seeking repentance and avoiding any isolation with her.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Assalamu alaikum shaikh, my question is about sleeve of women's dress wearing in front of mahram and other women( both Muslim & non Muslim). Although the full dress is modest & non revealing the portion of dress which cover arms (i.e. sleeve) may be a little bit tight although not extremely tight. How the sleeve of dress should be infront of mahram & all women?



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

Islamic rules of Satr (covering) for women are intended to safeguard and preserve the honor and dignity of women. Rules of covering vary according to whether the degree of risk of seduction/temptation is greater or lesser; where such risks of seduction/temptation are greater, rules of covering are stricter, and where the risk is minimal, rules are minimal.

 

Rules of covering are, therefore, stricter in the presence of males who are strangers ( who are not related to her by blood, marriage or milk-relationship). All scholars agree she must cover her entire body except her face and hands.

 

As for males who are considered Mahaarim (those who are related to her through blood, marriage or milk-relationship, and whom she can never marry) all scholars agree that she does not need to observe the above strict rules of covering; rather all of them agree that she is allowed to uncover her hair, face, hands, neck, feet and shoulders in front of such relations.

 

Having said this, however, it must be stated clearly: All scholars agree that while normal laws apply in normal circumstances, where there is a suspicion of seduction or temptation or inclination towards vices either due to corruption of society or moral perversion, Muslim women are obliged to take all necessary precautions and thus cover appropriately in order to safeguard their honor, dignity and chastity. So, one should avoid wearing provocative clothes even in front of mahram males and females.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Every since I turned 16 and had depression I used reading novels to escape, Years later I picked the habit of reading again. My family complains I read too much. I have zero career ambition. I have always been into imagination, daydreaming, and physical activities. So I mostly just want to read, write or cycle basically. And I want to know if it is something I would regret doing when it’s time to die. I am scared that if I become an author even if unpublished, that if I were to die in a state of writing I will go to hell. Some examples of the books I read are - North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell - Howl’s Moving Castle - Jane Eyre - The Da Vinci Code Etc If I were not reading or writing I would be either socializing or being on the IPad watching YouTube videos. I have zero desire to work and being a female I try to remind myself I don’t have the financial responsibility but it still makes me feel extremely worried.



Islam is a religion of balance and harmony. If you have stories to tell, you should tell them. However, we ought to remember that whatever we do we need to do it to seek the pleasure of Allah. To gain the pleasure of Allah, we need to fulfill two prerequisites: Our intention should be to please Allah; secondly, the work itself should be approved or allowed by Allah.

 

Therefore, you should pray to Allah to help you to tell stories that would add good to the world.

 

Of course, you can tell stories unless you read stories. A practitioner of trade must learn the read; so read; read and read, but avoid obscene and dirty stories.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

I had a d&c after in my first week bleeding stop now 3rd week brownish blood comes when i wipe should i do ghusl or i can say prayer just doing wazu?and is it normal the brownish blood....?



You are free of menses only when your bleeding has completely stopped, and you see the white discharge, following your regular pattern. However, after you have seen the white discharge, if you experience pinkish or brownish discharges, you need not worry.

 

Umm Atiyyah, the Prophet’s companion, said, ” During the Prophet’s time, we never used to pay attention to the pinkish or brownish discharges that followed the expiry of menses.”  (Al-Bukhari and others)

 

All the above, however, is conditional on the fact that your menses period did not exceed fifteen days. For bleeding after fifteen days cannot be reckoned as menses; rather it is reckoned as istihadhah (abnormal bleeding).

 

In the case of istihadhah, you need to pray after having taken a full bath at the end of your period; then you wash your private and make wudhu before each prayer. Washing and wudhu should only be done immediately prior to each salah.

 

For further details, you may also refer to the answer linked below:

 

http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/acts-of-worship/menstruation-stop-resume-prayer/

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

My husband and I have been having marital problems for a while now. From an outsider perspective we had issues communicating the type of marriage and partner we wanted from each other. Small misunderstandings happened but it led to each of us not being as honest as we used to be and it made the small issues into bigger ones. I began to find it harder to trust him because he would make decisions for us both and tell me at the last minute. 99% of the time I would agree with what he said but the issue for me was that he was not treating me as a partner. He did not share his mind and did not talk with me. I turned to Islam and tried to increase my faith and improve my own behaviour in the marriage. In areas I was still not as strong as I wished to be but in others I became more forgiving and reminded myself to be merciful and loving. To be frank, I forgave the difficulties I was experiencing because of my love for him. And the few occasions where my trust wavered I remembered who he was as a person and who I wanted to be, so I would trust in him. In this I made a mistake that hurt me because he treated me twice in a manner which was bad - he told me not to travel back home with him, without any discussion and left me at my parents but did not tell anyone what was on his mind or what he was planning to do. I know he has been under immense pressure from his family who questioned our marriage from the beginning. A few days ago he divorced me on the phone, saying the words three times. I do not know if he intended to follow out three talaqs in one go but I do know he felt certain in his action though he said the words in anger. He mentioned that he had previously said the same words to me on the phone the month before although i do not remember this. He did not mention the iddat period or anything about my rights. Although to be frank there are many ways in which he neglected my Islamic rights and either he did not realise or I did not stand up for them. I have been told by family that I cannot islamically communicate with him. I am finding this very hard and cannot understand how two people who shared a life and a household are now strangers to one another. How do I balance the need for honesty and truth from him versus the need to respect my faith and my family? Practically, i want to know am I divorced? What is the process now? What does it mean that he said it three times? What are my rights under Islam? Kazakh Allah khair for your advice.



I think you need to go for marriage counseling; a counselor should be able to give you tips to practice; also both of you may need to learn to control your anger. Taking an anger management course might be beneficial.

 

I would also urge you to read the book, Blissful Marriage: A Practical Islamic Guide by Ekram Beshir.

 

As for the question, whether the words your husband uttered or pronounced can be considered as divorce, it all depends on whether he did do so in a sober state of mind and intending to divorce you. If, on the other hand, he did pronounce those words in a state of extreme anger without harboring any intention to do so, then it is not considered as a valid divorce.

 

For details, you may refer to the answer linked below:

 

http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/family/pronouncing-divorce-state-anger-valid/

 

I pray to Allah to inspire us to act rightly in ways that would please Him.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

I made physical relation with a woman in past but I did not marry her. But now I coincidently love her daughter and want to marry her daughter. Her daughter also loves me and knows everything about my past relation with her mother. And since after broke out I did not have any physical or verbal relation with that woman neither I have any physical relation with her daughter. My relation is pious with her daughter. Please help me with this. I want to know whether I can marry that girl (that woman's daughter) or not ?



It is indeed most disgusting which a person of sound nature would be repulsed even to think.  To cohabit with a woman you have cohabited with her mother.

 

That would also be forbidden based on the principle: that which leads to haram would also be  Haram if you were to marry her daughter what would deter you lusting her mother too?

 

After all, you were involved in an unlawful relationship with her.

 

You are therefore advised to repent of your infatuation with the woman as well as her daughter. For marrying anyone of them, in this case, would be like driving without a break. We are to keep away from all sources of temptation which may lead us to perdition.

 

I would urge you to pray:

 

O Allah, let me love faith and beautify my heart with it; and make me abhor and detest disbelief, immorality, and acts of disobedience.”

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Assalamu alaikum shaikh, will I be accountable to Allaah for which is not in my control?



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

We are accountable only for things over which we have control. Allah says: “Allah does not place on anyone a burden that is beyond his or capacity.”

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Assalamu alaikum shaikh, can women take divorce from husband if he is criminal or murderer or rapist or smuggler or guilty of any crime punishable by country's law?



 

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

A woman has the right to divorce her husband if he is a proven criminal, murderer, rapist or smuggler.

 

No believing woman can cohabit with a man who is guilty of such sins unless he has repented, made amends and is living a clean life from all such offenses, including the group or company he was keeping and the associations.

 

Allah says: {An adulterer marries an adulterous woman, and an adulterous marries an adulterer; it is forbidden for the believers to marry those who are guilty of such sins.} (Ab-Nur 24:3)

 

Therefore, you have a right to seek a legal divorce from your husband if is guilty of such grave offenses and sins.

 

Let’s pray to Allah to protect us against such enormities and offenses, and forgive all our sins of omission and commission: outward and inward, private and public, major and minor, and those we are aware of, and those we do not perceive.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Is it permissible to name my daughter Nai’lah? It has come to my attention in the pre Islamic history ther was a juhurmite called Naila who committed adultery with Isaf in the Kaaba and were turned into stones- later worshipped as idols then destroyed. I have read online that it is forbidden to name your child after an idol (this isn’t my intention)and there are also sahabia in the time of the prophet Mohammed sws with this name. Please guide me on this topic. JzkAllah



You may name your daughter Nailah. Nailah was the name of several great female companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him).  Here are some of the important ones:

  1. Nailah bint al-Farafisah, the wife of the pious caliph Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them both).
  2. Nailah bint al-Rabi b. Qays:
  3. Nailah bint Sa’d b. Malik,
  4. Nailah bint Salamah
  5. Nailah bint Ubayd.

 

All of these great women were among those who swore allegiance to the Prophet, peace be upon him.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, did not object to the name; if it had been objectionable, he would have certainly recommended that they change their name.

 

The word Nailah means an abundance of generosity.

 

So, there is no offensive meaning associated with the name.

 

The fact it was used to refer to an idol does not make any difference. It was not a proper name for an idol. It was merely the case of a woman who committed adultery, and then as a punishment, Allah turned her and her partners into stones.

 

Based on these considerations, the scholars have not objected to naming a daughter Nailah.

 

We also ought to remember that the basic rule in customs is permission (naming included) unless forbidden.

 

In conclusion, it is fine to name your daughter – if you choose.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

AS SLAAM O ALAIKUM WA REHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUHU my question is this , that I am facing the problem of drops after urine ( some times ) , As I am in home so no problem , I uses different clothes when I urinate and untill I am satisfied that now no more drops comes I do abolition and change the clothes , in home it is possible , But my main concern is that , With the grace of ALMIGHTY ALLAH SUBHANA WA TAALA I am going for Haj this year Now as we know that we have to be in Ehram for 5 days What will I do in those days , as I have to go for urinating , how can I change the clothes there , water problem , time problem . Help me sir



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

It seems that you are suffering from incontinence (inability to control your bladder/bowel) then you certainly fall in the category of those who are allowed special dispensations because of your specific condition.

 

In this case, all that you need to do is to wash and perform your wudhu as closely as possible to the salah you are about to perform. Once you have done so, you need not to worry about what happens after. Your salah is perfectly valid because of your specific health condition.

 

For Allah says, “Allah does not wish to impose on any soul such burdens that it has no strength to bear.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 285)

 

Therefore, you need not worry about the validity of your Hajj as long as you have taken all due precautions that you can because of your medical challenges. You may wear a pad or underwear in this case, although a person who is not a similar situation cannot do so.

 

You should know that Islam is a manifestation of divine mercy; as such, it is easy to practice for men and women facing diverse challenges.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Salam, I’m a student interior designer who’s doing a year long placement, I was wondering what is the ruling and permissibility on designing certain spaces such as: Places serving Alcohol: 1.I know bars are haram so would that make my work haram? I have not designed any nor will I I’m just curious. 2.what about places that alcohol may or may not be served such as cafes, restaurant, shopping centre? But not being involved with the alcohol section. 3. If a space serves alcohol or has a bar, could I design an aspect of that space but making sure that I am not involved with the alcohol area/bar? Or is it all impermissible? For example just designing the seating area in a restaurant or designing hotel rooms? As both of these deal with alcohol. 4.What about designing a clothes store but inside a shopping centre that may serve alcohol or have restaurants that serve alcohol? In all of these cases I will just design the space and not consume alcohol or haram meat. 5.What about a yoga studio? But just the reception area? 6.What about places where haram meat will be served? 6. Anything to do with places of worship (different religions), could I just design a reception area for example? Or is it all impermissible? 6.What about museums? Retail stores? Shopping centres? A house for non Muslim people? 7. Is there any other places that I cannot design? I don’t want to do anything wrong and be on the right path



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Halal is clear, and Haram is clear. There are also certain things which are doubtful; whoever avoids the doubtful; he is more likely to guard his honor and faith. However, if someone dares to do the doubtful, he may end up committing that which is haram.”

 

So, it would be best if you stayed away from designing spaces for those whose work entirely revolves around that which is forbidden. Serving alcohol, gambling, worshipping idols are all abominations; so, if you do anything to condone such activities, you are also a partner in it.

 

If, however, it is not a case of clear haram, then you should try to avoid them; that is closer to piety.

 

Yoga studio or places of worship other those dedicated to idols are not something to be shunned.

 

Likewise, shops that major in halal items need not be avoided for reasons that they may sell certain things which are not deemed lawful in Islam: an example is meat shop serving non-halal meat for non-Muslims, for Islamic laws, do not apply to non-Muslims.

 

So, I would urge you to judge for yourself: in case of doubt causing agitation in your spiritual heart, the Prophet advises us to shun them: “Leave that which cause doubt in your mind in favor of that which does not cause doubt.”  “Ask your conscience even they give you a different ruling.”

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

Salam, I am wanting to know if Magnesium stearate is halal in medicine. I have read that it is either haram/mushboo. It is causing me real stress, worry and anxiety as it is in a lot of medicine such as paracetamol in the UK, it not required for companies to say if it is suitable for vegetarians or not. It can come from a plant or animal source. What if the source is unknown? I can be hard trying to find out information and even then be vary vague. What if you find out that it is from an animal source but you don’t know what animal or don’t know how it was slaughtered? It can be very difficult getting information. What is the basic ruling on any ingredients in medicine from a halal animal but not Islamically slaughtered? And any ingredients in medicine with an unknown source? Thank you very much



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

There is no objection in using medicines containing Magnesium stearate if you cannot find alternatives – even if you are not sure whether it comes from an animal (including pork or animals that are not slaughtered Islamically).

 

Islam is a practical religion; the Quran states that “He has not made any difficult (regulations) for you to follow in religion.” (Al-hajj 22:78)

 

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “This religion is easy. Whoever makes it harder will be a loser.” (Al-Bukhari)

 

As far as know from the sources this substance is used as a lubricant, which is used in manufacturing process, to facilitate and enhance the therapeutic effects of medicines; furthermore, only a minuscule of the ingredient is used in medicines; and in the process, its chemistry also changes.

 

Therefore, based on the following rules of jurisprudence, we cannot declare it as haram:

 

1- Umum al-balwa: unavoidable necessity; we learn from the sources that there are few alternatives to this substance: in such cases, its use is admissible.

 

2- Once a forbidden material has undergone a chemical transformation in such a way that it becomes an entirely new product, it becomes halal – if the rationale of the prohibition is non-existent: an example is wine turned to vinegar. While wine is forbidden, vinegar is not.

 

3- The fact that it is an agent that enhances the process of production of medicine and the portion used is minuscule, it is excused. The Prophet, peace be upon him, has warned us against rigidity in practice of religion; he says: “Religion is easy; whoever makes it hard will be a loser.”

 

In conclusion, there is no need to be rigid on this issue; you are allowed to take this medication – especially if there are no alternatives.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalamu alaikum shaikh, does Islam gives importance & emphasis on wife's sexual fulfillment & husband’s sexual fulfillment in equal amount?



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

Islam considers spouses as equal partners; so, neither the husband nor the wife should deem his or her partners as less worthy of respect or consideration.

 

For further details, I would cite below one of my earlier answers on a similar question:

 

“In Islam marriage is a partnership based on mutual rights and obligations. It is, therefore, important that both spouses try their best to be considerate and sensitive towards the needs and feelings of one another and do their best to satisfy each other within the bounds of Islam.

 

Sexual fulfillment is an important part of the mutual obligations of husband and wife. Your husband definitely needs to be aware of his duty towards you in this respect, and take it seriously. Just as you have a duty to satisfy him, he is also obligated to satisfy you.

 

Should he be suffering from a sexual dysfunction, he is required to seek professional advice in order for your marriage to be a happy one. If he cannot satisfy you through sexual intercourse, he is perfectly justified in satisfying you through other avenues; he could very well masturbate you; if he were to do this, he is working within the perfect limits of Islam; his doing it on you is different from you doing it on yourself. A person masturbating on himself/herself is not allowed in Islam except in dire necessity where one fears falling into adultery; marriage is intended in Islam to be a shield against that. So being married, you should never be forced into this option.

 

If in spite of your best efforts to convince your husband, he still remains insensitive to your needs in this respect, you are justified in taking whatever steps are necessary in terminating your marriage, if you are unable to tolerate it. This is definitely one of the valid grounds for divorce in Islam. This can be inferred from the following incident reported in the authentic traditions; once a woman appeared before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and told him, I cannot find fault with my husband in matters of religion or character; but he is a total misfit (as far as sexual function is concerned). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) we are told, ordered a termination of the marriage.”

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

Assalamu alaikum shaikh, I have two questions 1) There are women who are destined to be unmarried or childless or both & die in this state. Are they worthless, valueless & inferior compared with married woman with children? Has it any basis in Islam? 2) And do relatives, family members & anyone from outside have the right to insult those women? What does Islam tell about this?



Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

Allah will judge us for the works we do in the given circumstances that Allah has placed us. So, if you are unmarried and have no children, for reasons you have no control over or because you did not have a desire to get married, you are not less than someone married with children.

 

Allah says,

{Allah will not burden any soul beyond what it can bear. Each will enjoy the good of what it earns, as indeed each will suffer for the wrong. (Pray then these words:) Forgive us, our Lord, if we forget or sin. Don’t burden us, our Lord, as those before us have been. Don’t burden us, our Lord, with something beyond our capacity. Forgive us our trespasses, and grant us Your mercy. You alone are our protector; so help us against those who reject the truth (after having known it).} (Al-Baqarah 2:286)

 

Those who look at women who are unmarried or without children are wrong. They forget the fact that some of the great Messengers and prophets such as Jesus and Yahya were unmarried; likewise, there is no shortage of eminent imams and spiritual masters who were never married, and yet they were honored by the community for their spiritual excellence: Imams Ibn Jarir, Ibn Taymiyyah, Nawawi were unmarried. Likewise, Rabia al-Adawiyyah was known for spiritual status, and she was never married and had no children.

 

Likewise, the Prophet’s beloved wife Aishah had no children; yet that did not in any way detract or diminish her status in Islam. So, those who hold such beliefs ought to recognize their mistakes and turn to Allah in repentance for their un-Islamic attitudes.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

I found this Hadith: When the best among you are your rulers the rich amongst you are liberal and the affairs of your State are decided upon by consultation among yourselves, then the surface of the earth is better for you than its inside. And when the worst among you are your rulers, the rich among you are miserly and the affairs of the State are entrusted to women, then the inside of the earth is better for you than its surface. (Tirmidhi)



There is nothing in the authentic sources or the sound principles of the Quran and hadith for barring women from assuming leadership positions in Islam. We ought to choose leaders for their credentials and ability to fulfill responsibilities.

 

The Quran makes it abundantly clear that Allah does not discriminate between the works of men and men based on gender differences. The prophet, as well as the pious caliphs, did appoint women to positions of responsibility.

 

As for the hadith you have cited, it is not sound or well attested; Imam At-Tirmidhi who judged it as strange; and said it originates from Salih al-Mirri who is not a reliable transmitter of traditions; and his transmissions are not confirmed or attested by others. Imam Abu Dawud, Nasa’ and Dhahabi considered it as weak.

 

We should guard against attributing dubious and doubtful statements to the Prophet, peace be upon him, as he has warned us against it in no uncertain terms: Whoever misattributes something to me let him find his abode in hell-fire.”

 

By transmitting dubious traditions as if they were genuine Prophetic traditions we end up distorting Islam. Imam Malik set an example for all of us to follow with regard to such matters: Imam Ash-Shafi`i, his disciple, said of him: “Imam Malik was a true judge who could easily discriminate sound traditions from spurious ones; his policy was to reject any doubtful tradition.”

 

Traditions that are derogatory to women fall into this category. They smell misogyny. It is high time for us to purge the Islamic sources of misogyny and patriarchy. That is the only way we can assert the Quranic principle of gender equality.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

I read a hadith that Abdullah Ibn Sa'd apostasized, but Uthman Ibn Affan interceded which got him pardoned, but after the pardon the Prophet SAW wanted his companions to kill him, did the Prophet SAW break his promise to pardon Abdullah Ibn Sa'd? And I read in your website that Apostasy has conditions(a violent) to be killed, but I heard the story of Abdullah Ibn Saba'a and his followers(they were killed because they renounced the faith), and I read a hadith of Mua'adth Ibn Jabal and the apostate that he had to deal with, can you explain? Salaam



The Prophet, peace be upon him, is recognized for his magnanimity and compassion towards his enemies. It was his legendary magnanimity and compassion that won his sworn enemies into Islam; after having fought him many years, they became his best friends and supporters.

 

It is a fact that the wars he fought show that he fought battles not to create enemies but to bring peace.

 

The total number of casualties of all his wars did not exceed more than two thousand including both sides; so, if he ordered the killing of some individuals, which included some apostates, that was an exception; it was not for revenge instead to prevent treason and prevent sedition — Abdullah b. Ibn Sa’d was a figure who after having exposed to the truth of Islam reverted, and he did so fueling further hostilities; hence the Prophet’s order to punish him for treason and adding fuel to the fire of enmities and strife.

 

However, when he returned and returned to Islam, and Uthman Ibn Affan assured him of his sincerity; he forgave him. So, one should not use this incident to prove that Islam ordered to chase and kill everyone who rejects Islam.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.

 

My question is do we have to follow all Sunnahs of the Prophet? 1)There are many Sunnahs concerning weight loss in our religion for overweight and obese people.Are there any Quranic verses to support weight loss as well ? 2)If a person follows this Sunnah of weight loss,does it mean the person has to follow, allowing her future husband to marry 4 wives if he wants to? 3)I am extremely overweight ,and I want to lose weight to increase prayers and for my own health,but I understand the Sunnah of allowing one's husband to go for marrying more,but I don't ever want my husband to pursue it,neither will I allow it.would following one Sunnah but not allowing the other make a person a hypocrite? 4)does it mean I shouldn't lose weight for the betterment of My health?



You have raised an important question.

 

Sunnah is often mistaken for certain customs of the Prophet (peace be upon him) which often have no bearing on the normative practice of Islam like the use of arak for teeth brushing, wearing a turban, using a staff or measuring the size of the beard, and so on.

 

The question you have raised is of a greater significance, for it is related to taking care of our health.

 

The Prophetic Sunnah with regard to weight loss and maintaining health consists of an integrated approach to lifestyle, including eating, physical and spiritual practices.

 

This program can be summed up in the following:

 

1- The basic principle is moderation in eating, drinking, and all activities. Going to extremes is highly discouraged. Eat and drink and do not be wasteful.

 

2- Moderate food consumption entails: eating only when hungry; while eating, we are encouraged to avoid over-filling up. Cutting down the portion is the Sunnah way: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A few morsels of food that would keep his spine erect and straight would suffice a person: If he or she wishes to eat more, they should spare one third for food, one third for water and the remaining third for comfortable breathing.”

 

3- Intermittent fasting was the Prophetic way: He would fast on Mondays and Thursdays and also some other days; often he would come home, and if he didn’t see any food, he would say: I am fasting.

 

Intermittent fasting is scientifically proven to be one of the best ways for better health and prevention of diseases, including diabetes, and obesity, cholesterol and so on.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.