On the Etiquette of Attending Circles of Learning

By Imam Ibn Hazm al-Zahiri

If you attend a study-session, behave only like someone who wishes to increase his knowledge and to win greater recompense from God. Do not behave like someone who is content with what he has, who is looking for some fault to criticise or a curious detail to hawk around. This would be the behaviour of vile men who never succeed in their studies.

If you come to it with good intentions, you will always obtain the best results. Otherwise, to stay at home would be less tiring for your body, more worthy of your moral conduct and more salutary for your religious life.

If you do attend under the conditions that we have indicated, take care to adopt one of these three attitudes and there cannot be a fourth: [First,] you may keep quiet in the silence of ignorance. Thus you will obtain the reward of your intention in attending the study-session, praise for your reserve, dignity in your behaviour and the friendship of those you mix with.

An Introduction to the Science of Tafsir

By Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani

The literal meaning of tafsir in the Arabic language is to open or to explain, interpret or comment. Technically, the science of tafsir is a branch of knowledge in which the meanings of the Quran are explained and its injunctions and wisdoms are described openly and clearly (al-Burhan). Addressing the Holy Prophet, the Glorious Quran says:

We revealed the Quran to you so that you explain to the people what has been sent down to them. (16:44)

The Holy Quran also says:

Surely, Allah did a great favor to Muslims when He sent a Messenger to them from among them who would recite His verses before them and purify them and teach them the Book and the Wisdom. (3:164)

Keeping this in view, it should be noted that the Holy Prophet not only taught the words of the Quran to the people but he also explained them in detail. This is why, on some occasions, the revered Companions had to devote years at a time to learning a single surah.

Until such time that the Holy Prophet graced the mortal world with his presence, seeking the explanation of a Quranic verse did not pose much of a problem. When the Companions faced any difficulty in understanding a verse, they would simply turn to the Prophet (upon him blessings and peace). Later, however, it became necessary that the tafsir of the Quran be preserved as a permanent branch of knowledge so that, along with the words of the Noble Quran, its correct meaning remain protected and conserved for the Muslim Ummah as well, and so heretics and deviants could find no room for distortion of its meanings. So, with the grace and tawfiq of Allah Almighty, the Ummah accomplished this wonderful mission with such efficiency that today we can say without any doubt or fear of rebuttal that not only have the words of this Last Book of Allah been protected but also its correct explanation transmitted to us through the Holy Prophet and his Companions.

Why Did My Marriages Fail Despite Istikharah?

By Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani

Question:
I am extremely perplexed and grieved concerning my present situation and Shaytan is also attacking me with various iman-endangering thoughts. Please can you answer my following question and put my mind at rest. I married a woman about 3 years ago. I went to see her and everything was done the Islamic way. i.e. I did mashwarah (consultation) and istikharah (and I saw good dreams and my heart felt content.) But despite the istikharah, etc… our marriage broke up after just a few weeks of living together, as it transpired that she was mentally unstable.
I married again this year, this time I was extra cautious and therefore did istikharah over a long period and begged Allah to guide me, as a result of which I saw many good dreams. I also had the dreams interpreted by a scholar who gave me the go-ahead. After that, I consulted with my superiors and they also gave me the go-ahead. But, again, this marriage has broken down in a short span of time.
Why is it that both my marriages have failed (through no fault of mine, I tried my best both times) even though I did istikharah and mashwarah both times and felt content at heart.
Please reply soon and put my mind at rest, I am losing hope and Shaytan is playing with my mind and making me doubt the words of Allah and his Prophet. (na‘uzu billah) Please reply soon. Jazakallah. A distressed brother in need.
Reply:
Istikharah is a particular form of prayer and the preferred way of performing it is that a person offers two raka‘ahs with the intention of istikharah, then recites the du‘a for istikharah which may be found in all books of supplications. The other methods of istikharah which are suggested by some people are not necessarily preferred. So far as the effect of istikharah is concerned you must observe the following points:
First of all, know that istikharah is nothing more than a normal du‘a in which a person prays to Allah Exalted to guide him to reach a right decision. It is not correct to presume that in response to an istikharah Allah gives an answer in the form of a dream. Similarly it is not necessary that a dream is seen after making an istikharah and even though a dream is seen by the relevant person it is not an absolute answer towards a particular direction because dream is not treated in Shari‘ah as a binding proof of something. The expected result of istikharah is that the relevant person himself makes a decision which is good for him in this world or in the Hereafter or in both. But just as the acceptance of other prayers depends on certain conditions the istikharah is subject to those conditions as well. If some of these conditions are lacking, it is not necessary that this prayer be granted
Second, to perform istikharah does not mean that a person abandons all other necessary enquiries. A person must carry out all efforts necessary to reach a correct decision even after making istikharah. If a person is content on istikharah only and does not make the required efforts to reach the correct decision he may fall into error.
Third, in this particular case the reason for breakup of marriages is not certainly known. It is possible that the marriage failed not because the decision to marry that woman was wrong but because the husband could not properly handle the marriage. In other words, it is possible that the decision to marry the woman was correct but the decision to divorce her was wrong.
Fourth, as mentioned in the first point in some rare cases istikharah does not prove to be fruitful in this world but it is certain to be fruitful in the world hereafter.

Triumph on the trail to the glow of Knowledge

By Nur Foundation for Sacred Sciences

When Imām al-Shāfiʿī complained to his teacher Wakīʿ of his difficulty in retaining knowledge, he was given profound advice that would become famous lines continuously echoed centuries later: “Abandon sin. For knowledge is a light. And the light of God is not granted to the disobedient.” Reflected in the wisdom of this luminary’s words, we find a common understanding possessed by the scholars of the Islamic tradition regarding the nature of learning. Namely, that knowledge is a divine gift whose acquisition is facilitated through meeting both spiritual conditions related to the heart as well as practical conditions such as consistency in study. In an Islamic tradition whose foundation was based on learning, there was generally not considered to be a dichotomy between secular and religious sciences. All of useful knowledge was regarded as sacred and its pursuit, an act of worship. Below is a summary of some of the practical steps which lead to success in the pursuit of knowledge based upon the wisdoms of our many great scholars, both past and present.

Valentine's Day

by: Imam Kashif Aziz

As we all know that Valentine's Day is a special day observed on Feb 14. On this day people send greeting cards called Valentines to their lovers, friends and members of their family.

Now, let us take a look at what is the history of Valentine’s Day. World Book Encyclopedia states that different authorities believe Valentine’s Day began in various ways. Some trace it to an ancient roman festival called Luperclia. The ancient Romans had the festival of Lupercalia from Feb. 13th to 15th to honor the god Lupercus. The main attraction of this festival was to hold a lottery to distribute young women to young men for entertainment and pleasure until the next year's lottery. Another despicable practice associated with this day was that young men struck people with strips of animal hide. Women took the blows because they thought that the whipping made them more fertile. Christianity tried, without success, to stop the evil celebration of Lupercalia. It replaced the lottery of the names of women with a lottery of the names of the saints. The idea was that during the following year the young men would emulate the life of the saint whose name they had drawn.

The Purification of the Heart from Pride

By Imam ‘Uthman dan Fodio

Translated by A`isha `Abd ar-Rahman at-Tarjumana

Pride is one of the blameworthy qualities and it is forbidden to have it. Allah ta`ala said: “I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant in the earth without right.” As far as its reality is concerned, you should know that pride is divided into inward and outward pride. Inward pride is a quality within the self, and outward pride is action which appears through the limbs.

The name pride (kibr) is more appropriate for the inward quality. As for action, it is the result of that quality, and you must know that the quality of pride demands action. When it appears on the limbs, it is called arrogance (takabbur), and when it does not manifest itself, it is called pride (kibr). Its root is the quality in the self which is satisfaction and confidence at seeing the self above anyone towards whom he is overbearing. Mere self-exaltation does not make someone arrogant. He might well exalt himself while seeing that another person is greater than him or his equal. In this case, he is not overbearing toward him. It is not enough merely to disdain others. In spite of his disdain, a person might see himself as more despicable and therefore, he would not be considered arrogant. If someone sees the other as his equal, he is not considered arrogant. He must see that he has a rank and someone else has a rank, and then see his rank as above the other’s rank. When he exalts his own value in relationship to someone else, he despises the one below him and puts himself above the other’s company and confidence. If it is very extreme, he may spurn the other’s service and not consider him worthy to stand in his presence. If it is less extreme, he may reject his basic equality, and put himself above this other in assemblies, wait for him to begin the greeting, think that it is unlikely that he will be able to fulfill his demands and be amazed at him. If he objects, the proud man scorns to answer him. If he warns him, he refuses to accept it. If he answers him back, he is angry. When the proud man teaches, he is not courteous to his students. He looks down upon them and rebuffs them. He is very condescending toward them and exploits them. He looks at the common people as if he were looking at asses. He thinks that they are ignorant and despicable.

Cell Phone vs. Quran

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Quran like we treat our cell phone?

• What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
• What if we flipped through it several time a day?
• What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
• What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
• What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
• What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
• What if we used it when we traveled?
• What if we used it in case of emergency?
• This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Quran?
• Oh, and one more thing.
• Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Quran being disconnected
• Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

The Miracles of the Prophet

By Imam Nawawi

The Messenger of Allah possesses many manifest miracles and signs demonstrating [his veracity], reaching thousands and they are well known.
From amongst them was the Qur’an, the manifest and clear miracle and brilliant proof, falsehood cannot approach it from before it or behind it. It is a revelation from One Who is All-Wise and Praiseworthy. It incapacitated the most eloquent of people in the most eloquent of times to produce a single chapter that would be comparable to it, even if the whole of creation were to gather for that purpose. Allah, the Exalted says,
“Say: If the whole of mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they assisted each other.” [Al-Israa' (17): 88]
It challenged them to this despite their large numbers, their eloquence and their severe enmity, and it challenges them to this day.

Secrets of the Prophetic Chamber

Bism Allah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem, revealer of the Qur’an Kareem that says to His noble Messenger: And We have not sent you except as a Mercy to the aalameen: all the worlds.
And as-Salaatu was-Salaamu upon the most noble of the mursaleen (Messengers), our master Muhammad, and upon his family and descendants until the Yawm al-Deen.
I stood this Sunday morning in London’s V&A Museum before three magnificent pieces of silk in the Islamic Arts section. The most wonderful in design and color was a red band from the Honored Kaaba, dating from the 1800s, because for hundreds of years the Kaaba’s covering was green- not black- in color, with a red band instead of the gold of today.
The two others were green pieces of the silk that once covered the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam). The first from 1517-1600, and the second from 1600 to 1700. For a hundred years each, these pieces of silk were exposed to all the blessings and mercies that were sent down from Allah upon the Noble Messenger, and to the majestic lights that rose up, emanating from the Light of the Worlds himself, Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Watchfulness in Regards of Giving Religious Verdicts

By Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali

This is similar to the hatred of the Salaf al-Salih (the Pious Predecessors) that a person should put himself forward to give religious verdicts (fatawa) and to crave them, and to hasten to it, and to do it in excess. Ibn Lahi‘ah reports from ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Abi Ja‘far in mursal form from the Prophet (upon him blessings and peace) that he said, “He who is boldest from you in giving religious verdicts will be the boldest in proceeding to the Fire”. ‘Alqamah states, “They used to say, ‘The boldest of you in giving religious verdicts is the one having the least knowledge.’”

Kindness to Parents

Allah says in the Quran: And worship Allah and ascribe no partners to Him and do good to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the related neighbour, the distant neighbour, the fellow traveller, the wayfarer and the slaves whom your right hand possess. Lo! Allah loves not such who are proud and boastful. (4-36).

Dear Muslims: Listen carefully to the owner of the noblest character, the kindest heart and the message of mercy who says in a brief but great tradition: Kindness to relations and charity cause homes to flourish and increase the life spans.

Listen also to what the Messenger (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) says: Listen to it with your hearts' ears rather than your senses. For when hearts listen they comprehend, but when ears listen while hearts are neglectful then there is no use of hearing anything.

Safar

Months of the year: Safar is the second month of the Islamic calendar.
• Literal meaning: Empty. During this month the houses used to be empty and deserted because the ban on going to war in the month of Muharram came to an end and everyone proceeded towards the battlefield.

• Safar also means to be yellow. When the names of the months were being given it was the season of autumn and the leaves of the trees were yellow.

• Many people have incorrect beliefs regarding this month i.e. it is a month of misfortune and calamities. The teachings of Allâh Ta'âla and His beloved Rasûl sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gives us clear guidelines on such incorrect beliefs.

Organ Transplant

by: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari
Question:
Is organ donation permissible?

Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
The issue of organ transplant has been a matter of great debate and dispute among the great contemporary scholars from around the globe. It has been discussed in various fiqh seminars, and many short and detailed works have be compiled on the subject.

Muharram

By Mufti Taqi Usmani

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, "The number of the months according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified."

IT for Bank...

My question is about whether it is permissible to work for a financial institution's IT (Information Technology) department. I work as a team to support the systems that run financial applications similar to a bank although the company I work for is not a bank. Transactions do involve interest. I personally do not have to write/print any documents regarding the transaction and never have to deal with the customer. In other words, the transaction is completely invisible to me. My responsibility is to keep the systems up and running.

Answer
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

If your employment involves working with any systems which are directly related to anything impermissible then this employment will also be impermissible. For example, a persons employment is to maintain interest calculating programmes, then this will not be permissible (makrooh tahreemi).(Sabab Qareeb Ghayr Mutaharrik)

Zulhijjah: Eidul-Adha, Hajj, Sacrifice, etc.

Zulhijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar. Literally, it means "hajj." Obviously, this name of the month indicates that the great annual worship of "hajj" is performed in this month, which gives it special significance. Some specific merits and rules relevant to this month are mentioned below:
First Ten Days
The first ten days of Zulhijjah are among the most magnificent days in Islamic calendar. The Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said, "One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship in the "Lailatul-Qadr".

Ruling of Jummu'ah Salah on Eid Day

CHECKED AND APPROVED by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuhu

According to the Hanafi, Shaaf’ee and Maaliki Madhab, if Eid falls on a Friday, then the Eid Salaat and Khutbah will not suffice for Jummu’ah. The jurists have ruled that these are two different commandments and cannot be combined under any circumstance. (I’laaus Sunan vol.8 pg.92)

Photography and Video

by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

There are separate issues relating to picture-making (taswir), hence it would be good to understand each issue separately and the Shariah ruling on it:

1) Drawing/Painting Pictures of Humans and Animals
As it is common knowledge, there are countless Hadiths narrated from the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) that strictly prohibit painting pictures of animate objects, for example:
Sayyiduna Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) forbade the keeping of pictures at home and making them." (Sunan Tirmidhi, no: 1749)

Rules of Ramadan

by Mufti Muhammad Shafi (rah)

To Fast during the blessed month of Ramadan is the 3rd obligation of Islam. Whoever denies this obligation doesn't remain a muslim.
He who fails to fulfill this obligation is a grave sinner.
Rasulullah said: "Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan, with full faith in Allah Ta'ala and expectation of reward, all his past (minor) sins will be forgiven. (Sahih Bukhari; Hadith 38)

The Niyyah (Intention) of Fasting
Niyyah refers to the intention of the heart. Verbal utterance is not a condition.
Intention is a condition for the fast. If one doesn't make intention of fasting but abstains from eating and drinking, then too his fast will not be accepted.

Cash Back

Question:
What is the ruling on accepting cash back bonuses from credit cards. For example, a particular credit card company gives 1% cash back for all purchases through it. One must wait though till it reaches the level of $20 or more, or within a certain period of time.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
If one uses the credit cards for purchasing and the bill is paid on time (and one has the ability to actually do so) without requiring to pay any interest, then it would be permissible to use them, as outlined by the contemporary scholars, such as Shaykh Taqi Usmani and major Arab scholars.
If the cash back bonuses from the usage of credit cards are a reward from the credit card companies in order to attract customers, then this is legally considered a gift (hiba).
If there are no other impermissible elements, such as gambling, then it would be permissible to accept such rewards and benefits. The same ruling is on bonus miles and points offered by the companies.
And Allah knows best
Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari, UK

Sha'ban: Merits, Do's, and Dont's

By Mufti Taqi Usmani

Sha'ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the month in Sha'ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha'ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan.

The Laws of the Beard in the Light of Ahadith

The Laws of the Beard in the Light of Ahadith
by Shaykhul Hadith Hadhrat Moulana Fazlur Rahmaan Azmi

THE BEARD
Islaam is a complete way of life. Just as all other aspects of Islaam, Mua'asharaat (social dealings) also play a vital role in Islaam. Guidelines regarding a person's outer appearance, form and clothing are contained in the teachings of Islaam. A true and complete Muslim is he who adheres to these Islaamic teachings and practices upon them. While Allaah Ta'aala is aware of our inner qualities, there is a social need for our outer condition to be correct. Therefore, the claim of having complete Islaam without one's outer condition being proper is false.

THE SHARI’ BASIS OF NIQAB (FACE COVERING/VEIL)

Question:
Assalaimuakum
What happens if you don't wear the veil, is there any punishment you get, and is it bad if you don't wear one?
Answer:
Assalamalakium, Sister below is a comprehensive piece of writing (fatwa) regarding the veil in Islam. I anticipate that this will be helpful in receiving your answer.
The Answer below is taken from the Darul Iftaa of Mufti Ebrahim Desai

THE SHARI’ BASIS OF NIQAB (FACE COVERING/VEIL)
INTRODUCTION

Article on Music

There are numerous evidences in the Qur’an and Sunnah which proves that music and songs are not permissible. We will attempt to look at a few:
1) Allah Most High says:
“And there are among men, those that purchase idle tales, to mislead (men) from the path of Allah and throw ridicule. For such there will be a humiliating punishment” (Surah Luqman, V. 6).
The great Companion Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) states in the explanation of the word “idle tales”:
“By Allah its meaning is music” (Sunan al-Bayhaqi, 1/223 & authenticated by al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, 2/411).

The Islamic Dress Code

Assalamwalaikum WR WB,
I have a question about wearing shalwaar kaameez. Is it Sunnat to wear it? What proof is there? Is it because it is a clothing of modesty, then would wearing loose pant shirt be also considered Sunnat? Jazak'Allah Khair in advance for answering this question.
Answer
The Islamic Dress Code by Khalid Baig
What would you think of a home that provided no shelter and no privacy? What would you think of a meal that provided no nourishment and no energy? It does not take much to realize that if one were in the business of selling any of these he would go bankrupt very quickly. Yet, amazingly the rules seem to be different when it comes to another basic need: clothing, especially women's clothing. Every year fashion centers in Europe and America come up with the latest designs. And what have they designed? Another way of not covering the body; the dress equivalent of the home that provides no shelter and no privacy.