How Do I Repair Harm Done to Others?

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Question:

How do you repair non-material harms to people with whom one no longer is in contact?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

If one has caused someone severe emotional harm but one is no longer in contact with them, it is not sufficient to merely give charity. One should try one’s best to find them and reach out to them.

For example, if someone was the cause of someone else’s divorce or drove them into depression by bullying, one should try one’s best to contact them and ask them for their forgiveness. Charity would be a very good thing to do, but it would not stand in the stead of their forgiveness.

Please also see:
https://seekersguidance.org/show/meaningful-apology/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/will-allah-forgive-someone-who-i-forgive-for-wronging-me/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/does-sincere-repentance-eradicate-sin/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid Dingle

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.

How Should I Decide Where To Live?

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Question:
How should I decide where to live?
Answer:
Dear questioner,
May Allah bless you.
The most crucial factor to consider in choosing where to live is its impact on yourself and your family. Consider a place that has a scholar you can benefit from and a school or an educational plan that is appropriate for your children and their Islamic upbringing.
Do not move if you are already in a good community with programs and classes and other healthy activities in a Muslim society.
Company
Good company is also a significant factor. Imagine moving somewhere you will feel lonely and not have any Muslim friends and gatherings.
Such a company can be dangerous and can slowly distance one from their religion.
“The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
 “A person is on the religion of his close friend, so let him carefully examine whom he befriends.”
[Abu Dawud]
Worldly Considerations
Having a source of lawful provision for yourself and your family is very important. So in considering where you want to live, is it going to be a place you will take on a lawful job? It is imperative to have a job that one can earn a living permitted by Islamic law; this is one of the causes of attaining blessings or barakah.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.” [Tirmidhi]
Responsibilities
Another consideration when moving is to think about who you are responsible for and if your move will impact them. An example is parents; children owe it to their parents to show gratitude and take care of them. Allah, Most High, reminds us of this in many places in His book,
“So give thanks to Me, and to your parents. To Me is the destination.” [Qur’an 31:14]
Online Education
Whether or not you will stay or move, a great tool to consider in seeking knowledge or a good education for yourself or your family is online education. At times and often, studying in person is the best; however, it is a better option if it means sound reliable teachers, and an environment conducive to healthy learning growth. SeekersGuidance, for example, is a great place to learn almost any science of the religion from qualified and capable teachers, for free!
Istikhara
Take advice from the righteous, and pray istikhara. Then, trust in Allah, and go forward.
Please see: 
[Imam] Yama Niazi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Should I Leave the Sunna of the Tooth-Stick (Miswak)?

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Question:

Should I leave the sunna of the tooth-stick (miswak) and go back to using a toothbrush, if the stains of my teeth are not going away, rather getting worse?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

With regards to oral hygiene, there are two sunnas. The first and most fundamental of the two is that the mouth be cleaned; this entails removing the stains as well as freshening the breath. The second is the use of the tooth stick specifically.

The first sunna can be achieved by any means that accomplish the desired result alluded to above; this would include the use of toothpaste and toothbrush. [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

The second sunna, however, is not achieved by the mere cleaning of the mouth. For this reason, it is a reasonable solution to use both the toothbrush with toothpaste and the tooth-stick. In this way, you will achieve both sunnas and the desired hygiene.

 

Remaining Steadfast on the Sunna

The sunna of the tooth-stick is a great blessing of Allah Most High to the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The prayer performed with the tooth-stick (i.e. used during the wudu) is better than the prayer without it seventy fold.” [Bayhaqi]

He also said, “If it was not that I would cause my community hardship, I would have commanded them to use the tooth-stick all the time.”

May Allah always keep us firm on the Prophetic way.

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

How Does One Dispose of Haram Wealth?

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Question:

How does one dispose of haram wealth if it has already been consumed and/or mixed with other wealth?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

If one acquires money by prohibited (haram) means, it is obligatory for them to free themselves of that money by giving it away. Giving it away is not done with an intention of charity, rather, with the intention of removing that wealth (takhallus) from one’s ownership. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

 

Prohibited Wealth Mixed with Permissible Wealth

If the wealth was not yet mixed with the remainder of one’s assets, the specific haram wealth must be given away. [Ibid.]

For example, if one acquires a £100 note in a haram manner and they have not mixed it with their other money, they must give that specific note away.

If, however, the haram wealth was mixed with other money, the obligation is attached to the amount. [Ibid.]

For example, if one acquires £500 of haram money and it is deposited into their bank account with other money, it is obligatory for them to give away the amount of £500.

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

 

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

What Is the Ruling of Reciting the Suras in Order?

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Question:

What is the ruling of reciting the Suras in order in the various types of prayer? What should one do, if they accidentally began reciting from Sura al-Nas in the first rak’a?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

 

Reciting Qur’an in Order

It is prohibitively disliked to intentionally recite in a backwards order in the obligatory and/or necessary prayers. This does not apply to voluntary prayers. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

If one accidentally recited in a backwards order, it is not disliked. In such a case it is best for them to continue and not disrupt the recitation. [Ibid.]

 

Sura al-Nas in the First Rak’a

If one recites, in the first unit from Sura al-Nas, it is best for them to recite the Fatiha and some part of Sura al-Baqara in the second – if possible. There is no dislike in this as the order has not been changed. [Ibid.]

Likewise, due to the praise of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), who was asked, “What action is most beloved to Allah?” He replied, “The one who finishes (reciting the Qur’an) then starts anew.” [Tirmidhi]

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

Are Prayers Without a Beard or With a Short Beard Accepted?

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Question:

Some preachers and scholars in the Indian subcontinent say that all of our daily prayers are suspended if we perform without a beard (meaning: shaving). Is this true?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate

Wassalam,

I hope you are doing well, insha’Allah. Not having a beard—or having a short beard—does not affect the soundness or acceptability of the prayer itself.

The validity and soundness of the prayer are dependent on fulfilling its obligatory (fard) and necessary (wajib) actions of the prayer itself. The prayer is completed by fulfilling its sunna actions. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

If one prays with anything disliked that is not related to the actions of prayer, this disliked-ness does not affect the soundness of prayer—and the prayer doesn’t need to be repeated. [Ibid.]

 

Keeping a Beard—Or a Full Beard?

For men, it is necessary to keep a beard, if able. Keeping a full beard is generally reported to be a sunna in most of the books of the Hanafi school. [Marghinani, Hidaya; Zayla’i, Tabyin; others]

While some texts, such as Ibn al-Hunan’s brilliant Fath al-Qadir mention that it is “not permitted” to trim the beard less than a fistful, this is considered to be when done either (a) with the intent of imitating disbelievers; or (b) imitating the corrupt. Other schools took this text to refer to general impermissibility of trimming the beard. We respect such differences.

 

Shaving, Trimming, and the Acceptability of One’s Prayer

Either way, the beard is not from the actions of the prayer itself. If one shaves the beard, this is impermissible, but it does not affect the soundness of the prayer. If one keeps a short beard, this may be disliked, but also does not affect the soundness or acceptability of the beard.

 

Uphold the Sunna, Follow Trustworthy Scholars, and Leave Differences to the Scholars

One should strive one’s utmost to follow the sunna of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him), both outwardly and inwardly, as best one can. To do this, one follows upright, Godfearing, qualified scholars. As for the differences of opinions between the scholars, leave these for the scholars.

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani spent ten years studying with some of the leading scholars of recent times, first in Damascus, and then in Amman, Jordan. His teachers include the foremost theologian of recent times in Damascus, the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas (may Allah have mercy on him), as well as his student Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, one of the leading Hanafi fuqaha of the present age. He returned to Canada in 2007, where he founded SeekersGuidance in order to meet the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge–both online and on the ground–in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He is the author of: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School (White Thread Press, 2004.) Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.

Is the Punishment of One Who Consumes Alcohol Death?

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Question:

Is the punishment for drinking alcohol more than 3 times death?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum

Thank you for your question.

A person who drinks alcohol for a fourth time will not be killed according to the majority of scholars, including the four schools of jurisprudence.

The hadith you quote was transmitted by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him). However, there is a deficiency in the chain of transmission, so the hadith is considered weak and may not be used for legal rulings.

There is another hadith transmitted by Mu’awiyah (Allah be pleased with him) that has a similar meaning and is regarded as authentic. It states that the person who drinks alcohol for the fourth time should be killed.

However, Imam Shafi’i (Allah have mercy on him) and the majority of scholars regard this hadith as having been abrogated because of a hadith in the Sunan of Imam Tirmidhi (Allah have mercy on him). Imam Tirmidhi reports from the companion Qabisa ibn Dhu’ayba that a person who drank alcohol was brought to the Messenger of Allah and lashed. He drank alcohol a second time and a third time and was lashed both times. The Prophet had him lashed again when he drank alcohol for the fourth time, thus abrogating the ruling of killing. This view is the position in all four schools of law, and it is taken by the majority of scholars. [Tuhfa al-Ahwadhi]

I pray that this explanation gives you clear guidance that, according to the majority of scholars, a person is not to be killed on account of the consumption of alcohol even if he consumed it one hundred times. Having said that, it is important to bear in mind that drinking alcohol is a serious crime against Allah Most High and, likewise, so is the consumption of other drugs and intoxicants. Muslims should exert themselves to find ways of avoiding these kinds of evils.

For assistance in abstaining from intoxicants, please follow this link: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/can-help-brother-addicted-drugs/

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Abdurragmaan Khan

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdurragmaan received ijazah ’ammah from various luminaries, including but not restricted to: Habib Umar ibn Hafiz—a personality who affected him greatly and who has changed his relationship with Allah, Maulana Yusuf Karaan—the former Mufti of Cape Town; Habib ‘Ali al-Mashhur—the current Mufti of Tarim; Habib ‘Umar al-Jaylani—the Shafi‘i Mufti of Makkah; Sayyid Ahmad bin Abi Bakr al-Hibshi; Habib Kadhim as-Saqqaf; Shaykh Mahmud Sa’id Mamduh; Maulana Abdul Hafiz al-Makki; Shaykh Ala ad-Din al-Afghani; Maulana Fazlur Rahman al-Azami and Shaykh Yahya al-Gawthani amongst others.

Is It Permissible To Talk While Making Wudu or in the Restroom?

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Question:

Is it permissible to talk while making wudu or in the restroom?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for writing to us.

Speaking while on the toilet and while making wudu is permissible, although it is discouraged.

 

Speaking While Performing Wudu

As regards speaking while performing wudu, Imam Nawawi said in his magnum opus, al-Majmu’, while discussing the recommended actions of wudu: “and that he does not speak during it without need.” He then quoted Qadi Iyad, stating that the scholars deem it reprehensible (makruh) to speak while performing wudu or ghusl. Imam Nawawi then said there is no clear prohibition on speaking while performing wudu and ghusl. Therefore, the ruling should be understood to be tark al-awla (to leave it is preferable), rather than makruh. [Nawawi, al-Majmu’]

 

Speaking While in the Toilet

As for speaking in the toilet, the scholars distinguish between one who is relieving himself and one who is merely present in the toilet, before or after relieving himself. They say it is reprehensible to speak while passing urine or stool, because the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) prohibited a person from speaking while relieving himself. However, if the circumstances warrant speaking while relieving oneself, as where a person fears harm may befall him or another, the ruling is lifted and speaking becomes permissible. [Haytami, Tuhfa al-Muhtaj]

As for speaking before or after relieving oneself, it is not considered reprehensible unless one is making dhikr of Allah or reading the Qur’an. In such cases, it is considered makruh, although many scholars view it as haram. [Haytami, Tuhfa al-Muhtaj]

And Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Abdurragmaan Khan

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdurragmaan received ijazah ’ammah from various luminaries, including but not restricted to: Habib Umar ibn Hafiz—a personality who affected him greatly and who has changed his relationship with Allah, Maulana Yusuf Karaan—the former Mufti of Cape Town; Habib ‘Ali al-Mashhur—the current Mufti of Tarim; Habib ‘Umar al-Jaylani—the Shafi‘i Mufti of Makkah; Sayyid Ahmad bin Abi Bakr al-Hibshi; Habib Kadhim as-Saqqaf; Shaykh Mahmud Sa’id Mamduh; Maulana Abdul Hafiz al-Makki; Shaykh Ala ad-Din al-Afghani; Maulana Fazlur Rahman al-Azami and Shaykh Yahya al-Gawthani amongst others.

Why Do People Encourage the Marriage of Young People When They Are Not Mature Enough?

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Question:

Why is marrying off a child halal just after they hit puberty?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. I believe that there is no right answer to this question, and I know for a fact that many a young person is ready for marriage while many an older person is not.

 

Halal To Marry Young

It is permissible for a pubescent person to marry because it would not be fair to tell a teenager that he is not allowed to marry when sexual desires come with puberty. Allah has decreed an outlet for the way that He created us; this is the very core of justice and wisdom. A young person is certainly not forced to marry, but if a young girl’s father was to do so, it is because Allah gave him the right for a good reason. I am sure you can fathom many good reasons for a man to want his daughter taken care of, reasons that span all times and places.

 

Science

Islam does not reject science for the advances and explanations that it gives us, but it certainly does not base its rulings on it. Rulings are based on primary texts; Qur’an and Hadith. The job of the mujtahid imams was to take these into consideration, along with ‘urf, the customs of the land, to best summarize how our Creator and His messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, wanted us to live. We know from the Qu’ran that our religion is complete and perfect, and we must trust in this and believe it even if we don’t fully understand it.

Allah, Most High, says, “Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My blessing upon you, and chosen as your religion Islam: [total devotion to God]“ [Qu’ran, 5:3]

Please see this link as well:
https://seekersguidance.org/show/80-how-do-we-view-science-in-light-of-the-quran-islam-faq-shaykh-faraz-rabbani/

 

Customs

As for deciding what is the right age for marriage, it is not possible. Everyone is created differently, each one of us from a different era, culture, family, and upbringing. I have seen ten-year-olds in the East that know how to fully run a home and work in their parent’s shop all day, while I have seen other ten-year-olds who know nothing but how to rot in front of a screen.

The permissibility of marriage at a young age is a mercy, not a mistake. However, I encourage all people, old and young, to learn their religion, get a good education or skill set that will help them in the world, fulfill their obligations towards others, purify their hearts, and refine their character, with which they can serve the Ummah of Muhammad, Allah bless him and grant him peace. May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.

Where Can I Find Good Company?

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Question:
Where can I find good company?
Answer:
Dear questioner,
May Allah bless you and increase you in good.
Turn to Allah
The best thing that I recommend is to build your relationship with Allah Most High. He is our Lord and the Creator of our actions as well as our feelings.
There is no one to change the condition of our hearts except Him!
A recommended dua is the following:
‏ يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
(Yaa Muqallibal-quluub, thabbit qalbi ala dinik)
“O Changer of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion. [Tirmidhi]
You may also pray the Prayer of Need.
Engaging Others 
At times many of us feel lonely or desire company and often, we may not find it at that particular time or place. However, have hope because I am sure in time, with Allah’s help, you will find the company you desire. I am not sure how old you are, but many other organizations out there may help you connect to other Muslims. There are also MSA’s in many places, are there any close to you? Some areas have gatherings of knowledge or dhikrs etc. Are there any near you? Do not give up without a thorough search.
Family or Relatives 
Consider spending time with family members. If you have siblings and cousins, perhaps you can connect with them? Family can sometimes be healing. Even connecting via a platform online to speak to your family is noble and rewarded by Allah if you intend to please Him.
Finally, loneliness is something that may need further analysis and help if it is more serious. Please consult a health expert or a local scholar for further assistance.
[Imam] Yama Niazi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani