Joining prayers at work

/in , , , , , /by

Question: In winter the time between Dhuhr and Maghrib in my country is very short. Am I allowed to join prayers while I am at work?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

If praying Dhuhr and Asr on time pose great hardship, due to the nature of one’s work or medical condition, one may combine Dhuhr and Asr either before Maghrib time comes in, or at the beginning of Dhuhr. (Kashhaf al Qina, Bahuti; Bughyat al Mustarshidin, Abd al Rahman Mashhur; Rawdat al Talibin, Nawawi; Kifayat al Akhyar, Hisni; al Awsat, Ibn al Mundhir)

One should be very careful not to abuse this dispensation. There is a big difference between the genuine practical impossibility of praying on time because one’s work requires one to keep watch of something, for example, for the whole prayer time, and the mere awkwardness of asking to go for a prayer break. Joining for the latter reason is cowardice and is sinful.

As the scholars say, one should only take a dispensation when one genuinely feels that Allah Himself wants one to take it. ‘And Allah knows the man who means mischief from the man who means good.’ (Qur’an, 2: 220)

If one’s work does not allow even one to pray Dhuhr and Asr by joining, then one must look for other work.

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid

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

I Am a Convert and Live With My Adopted Parents. What Are My Obligations to Them?

/in , , , , , /by

Question: I am a convert and live with my adopted parents. What are my obligations to them, and can I take off my hijab at home?

Answer: Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘I and he who takes in an orphan are like this,’ and he held out his index and ring fingers with a little gap between them. (Bukhari) And he said, ‘He who is not thankful to people, is not thankful to God.’ (Ibn Hibban and others)

You should tell them these two hadiths and express your deep, deep love and gratitude towards them.

However, you still have to wear the hijab in front of your adopted “father”, and you cannot have skin contact with him.

So just be really, really nice, and don’t get angry if they criticize you or Islam. It is only natural because they love you so much and are concerned for you. But you still have to stick to the rules.

It is good that you are getting married and moving away. Usually, converts need a good few years away from non-Muslim family members to get themselves on their feet in Islam. May Allah give all the best.

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

Is Spending Money on Financially Stable Family Considered Charity?

/in , , , , , /by

Question: If someone is spending money on his married sister who is financially stable, is it considered sadaqah? If it is not sadaqa but ihsan, what are the virtues of Ihsan? And is it better to spend his money as sadaqah to needy people or helping a community?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum

The word sadaqa is often used as a broad term incorporating all good deeds. The Prophet (blessings upon him) said, “Every act of good is sadaqa.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Therefore, what you give to your family members of monetary wealth to assist them is a form of sadaqa, even if they are financially stable. As to whether it is superior to give to the poor or family members, then the best approach is to strike a balance between the two. There may be some contexts where spending money on your family is required and appropriate, while other times it would be better to assist the poor and the community.

[Ustadh] Salman Younas

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Salman Younas was born in New York and graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies. After studying the Islamic sciences online and with local scholars in New York, Ustadh Salman moved to Amman. There he studies Islamic law, legal methodology, belief, hadith methodology, logic, Arabic, and tafsir. Ustadh Salman’s personal interests include research into the fields of law/legal methodology, hadith, theology, as well as political theory, government, media, and ethics.

Charity done on behalf of the deceased?

/in , , , , , , , , /by
Question: Do the deceased know who is reciting Qur’an or giving charity for them? Do they benefit in the Life of the Grave (al barzakh)?
Answer:
Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.

The matters of The Unseen are matters only known through revelation. This means that if Allah doesn’t tell us something, then we can’t conclude something about The Unseen.

Whether or not the dead know who donates which good deeds for them falls into this category. I am not personally aware of any verse or hadith that conclusively states that they will enjoy their lives in Paradise.

That said, this is not a point of creed that we have to hold. We do however know that the Prophet is shown our deeds, and specifically, our prayers for him.

This would be the same for when, how, and where the dead benefit from the good deeds that are donated from them.

In general, Allah is most generous of all, so we shouldn’t worry too much about being let down when we hope for His generosity!

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid

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 Do I Deal With Other’s Betrayal of Me?

/in , , , , , , , /by

Question: In every relation, whether it’s my parents, my siblings, my relatives, my friends, or my colleagues- they misuse my good qualities. Some of them betrayed me, some of them expect materialistic gain, some of them hurt me. Please guide me and pray for me.

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

May Allah Most High ease your difficulty and bless you with the strength to persevere.

Life is a Test

In situations such as this, we must remind ourselves that this life and everything in it is a test. The nature of tests is difficult and often we fail to see the wisdom behind them.

Allah Most High says, “…and We made some of you a test for others. Will you then bear patiently? And your Lord is All-Seeing.” [Qur’an; 25:20]

The tests that we go through regarding those we are close to us require patience. To strive to uphold the outward and inward commandments of Allah Most High in difficult times is the essence of patience (sabr) and God-consciousness (taqwa).

As Allah Most High says, “…if you bear patiently and have taqwa, their plot will not harm you at all.” [Qur’an; 03:120]

Reward according to Difficultly

You should see your relationships with others as an opportunity to refine yourself and your character.  There are certain aspects of beautiful character that take an effort to adopt. And often, they can only be acquired in times of hardship.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Surely the extent of the reward is according to the extent of the test. And verily when Allah loves a people, He tests them. Thus whoever is pleased (i.e. with the decree of Allah) then for them is (Divine) contentment and whoever is angered, then for them is anger.” [Tirmidhi]

When Allah Most High tests someone He gives them opportunities to purify themselves and acquire Prophetic character. This opportunity is a sign of Allh’s love for that person.

As the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Should I not guide you to the noblest character of this world and the hereafter? Pardon those who wrong you, give to those who withhold from you, and join ties with those who cut you off.” [al-Bayhaqi; al-Sunan al-Kubra]

Being Cautious

With that being said, we must also be cautious not to allow others to step on us or take advantage of us. As the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The Believer is not bit from one hole twice.” [Muslim]

Thus, distancing yourself from those non-family members who harm you may be advisable. As for your family members, you should strive to uphold family ties although it is difficult.

Prayer of Need

You should try to pray each day, The Prayer of Need, as taught to us by the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) and ask Allah Most High for righteous companions.

See the following link:

How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)?

May Allah ease your difficulty
Allahu A’alam

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of Qur’an and the Islamic sciences.

Naming a son Uzayr or Ezra

/in , , , /by

Question: Is there anything wrong with naming my son Uzayr or Ezra?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Uzayr was either a prophet or a righteous man of the Children of Israel. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir; Zad al Masir, Ibn Qayyim) Hence, his name is a good name to name one’s child.

Whether or not Ezra is actually Uzayr is somewhat unclear. Nevertheless, Ezra of the Old testament is also a righteous man who enforced the Torah.

I don’t see any need to change your son’s name.

Given the child’s age, if I were in your shoes I’d leave the legal name as is, and just start calling him Uzayr among family members. This is just a personal opinion.

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid

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

Are Splashes From Washing Dishes with Impure Meat Excused?

/in , , , , , , /by

Question:

Assalamu alaykum,

I understand that spray of urine is excused in the hanafi madhab but does this apply to other types of filth.
I have to wash dishes that have haram meats and impure substances usually some spray from washing up gets on my face like very small would these make my face impure?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

No, the splashes and spay of other impurities are not excused. However, flowing and moving water is not deemed impure if the smell, color, and taste of any impurity it has come into contact with do not show.

Usually, with washing dishes, there is a lot of splashing of water. If it’s not water that has any of the above, then you can assume it’s pure. However, it’s probably safer to wash your face afterward and pray in other clothes. (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al Falah)

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Guilty about engaging in oral sex

/in , , , , , , , /by

Question: I feel guilty about engaging in oral sex.

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Reliable scholars have allowed oral sex, so it permissible to follow such a position.

Please see: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/shafii-fiqh/is-it-permissible-to-perform-oral-sex-to-ones-wife-shafii-school/

The question here is not about halal and haram, the question is, ‘Is this the best thing you should do as a believer, and particularly as a husband?’

What you should think about is how important this is to your sex life, and what effect it has on your relationship with your wife. What physical or emotional loss are you trying to replace by resorting to oral sex?

I am not a sex therapist, but I hazard a guess that for men, receiving oral sex is some kind of way of compensating a level of superiority or respect that they do not receive from their spouse- perhaps even the inability to perform sexually as they would otherwise wish to. Is there any other way that this can be redressed? I am just posing the question. I don’t have an answer.

For women, receiving oral sex might often be a less stressful guarantee of achieving orgasm. But putting the immediate gratification aside, would she prefer to receive that same gratification in another way? Deep inside, does she view this as caring for her sexual needs and as an act of love, or does she just enjoy on a physical level? How does it make her view her husband in the greater scheme of things? Again, I am just asking the question as a thought exercise and I do not have the answer.

I think generally this issue is part of the bigger problem, the problem of men not being men and women not being women, and it often solved in quick-fix ways that leave both parties not as happy as they otherwise could have been.

Please see also:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kDbqABvEN0

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid

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

Inheritance of a Missing Person

/in , , , , /by

Question: A member of our family has been lost for many years. How should we deal with his the inheritance that he is owed? Also, can we assume he has passed away and divide up his estate?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

When someone has been lost for a long time, he is assumed to be still alive until the court rules otherwise. This means that his estate is not divided up between her heirs.

If it has been a very long time, the family may raise the issue to an Islamic magistrate who may rule that the lost person is deemed legally deceased. Thereafter, his heirs may inherit his estate. (Al Fiqh al Islami wa Adillatuh, Zuhayli)

If there is no Islamic magistrate and it is not possible to agree to arbitration, one may resort to a conventional court. (Al Fiqh al Islami wa Adillatuh, Zuhayli)

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid

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

Details of the execution at Bani Quraydha

/in , , , , , , , /by

Question: What is the authenticity of the details provided in the Sira of Ibn Ishaq that state that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) specifically had members of the Aws tribe execute soldiers at Bani Quraydha?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Firstly, we must understand that Sira in general was never subjected to the same level of scrutiny as hadith. Therefore, any fact of the Sira that is not well known historically (mutawatir), or not backed up by a sound hadith, is by its very nature questionable.

Imam Ahmad was asked about Ibn Ishaq and he said that he was a man that ‘such stories are taken from.’ He added that for a hadith to be sound, Ibn Ishaq is not the man you want. (Tahdhib al Tahdhib, Ibn Hajar) We can learn for this that Sira was considered inspiring and interesting stories that are relevant to our religious lives, but not a bonafide source of creed or Islamic law.

Please also see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Agaxm_yvg&t=356s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZWb9mUX6bc

With regards to the specific question of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) specifically appointing members of the Aws tribe to execute soldiers at Bani Quraydha, I checked Waqidi’s work on Sira, as well as the Tabari’s work on history, and Ibn Abd al Barr’s work on Sira. None of them mention the details that Ibn Ishaq mentions. This is particularly interesting because Tabari and Ibn Abd al Barr drew heavily on Ibn Ishaq so perhaps they actually edited it out.  (al Maghazi, Waqidi; Tarikh al Umam wa al Muluk, Tabari; al Durar, Ibn Abd al Barr)

Salihi does mention it, and in fact, adds details not found in Ibn Ishaq, which suggests there are other sources besides Ibn Ishaq that support the point in question. (Subul al Huda wa al Rashad, Salihi)

Given that there is no reason to reject the details, and given that Salihi mentions it, I don’t think it is reasonable to deem it inauthentic.

The question remains then, ‘Why did the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) depute the Aws to execute the remaining soldiers at Bani Quraydha?’

The answer as given in the full account is that the Aws had had strong political ties with them, and the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) wanted them to submit fully to Sad ibn Muadh’s judgment to have the traitors executed, and not behold on to their own political or social ties. He did say of Sad’s judgment, after all, ‘You have judged according to the judgment of Allah from seven heavens away.’ (al Durar, Ibn Abd al Barr)

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid

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