Should I Seek Pardon From Every Person That I Have Harmed?

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Question:

If you have accidentally hurt someone’s feelings in a very minor way, or cause them in slight convenience or slight physical harm, do you still have to ask them for forgiveness?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

May Allah forgive us all! If we harm others, we should always apologise, even if the harm seems very minor. This is because the rights of others are not forgiven by Allah. Rather, if they are not fulfilled or forgiven in this life, He gives them our good deeds in the next.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said, “‘Do you know what a bankrupt person is?’ They said, ‘Someone without money or goods is bankrupt.’ The Prophet said, ‘Verily, the bankrupt of my nation are those who come on the Day of Resurrection with lots and lots of prayers, lots and lots of fasting, and lots and lots of charity, but he comes having had insulted others, slandered others, wrongfully consumed the wealth of others, having had shed the blood of others, and having had struck others. So some [of those whom he has wronged]  will be given some of his good deeds, and others will be given others. If his good deeds run out before justice is fulfilled, then their sins will be cast upon him and he will be thrown into the Hellfire.'” [Muslim]

So other peoples’ rights are very important, and wronging others is very grave indeed.

However, if the wrongs are very slight, it has been a long time, and you genuinely believe that they have forgiven you or forgotten about it, you do not need to go and find every single person whom you have harm in any amount. You should just try to search out those who have wronged in a more significant amount and ask them for forgiveness.

 

Please also see:
https://seekersguidance.org/articles/prophetic-guidance/wronging-others-in-word-and-deed-part-six/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/will-allah-forgive-someone-who-i-forgive-for-wronging-me/
https://seekersguidance.org/show/71-how-can-i-redress-a-wrong-i-committed-against-someone-islam-faq-clear-reliable-answers-to-common-questions-shaykh-faraz-rabbani/
https://seekersguidance.org/tag/forgiving-others/

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.

Why Am I So Concerned About My Imperfections?

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Question:
Why am I so concerned about my imperfections?
Answer:
Dear questioner,
May Allah bless you and increase you in good.
Perfection 
For us regular Muslims, there is no such thing as “perfection.” Allah did not make us infallible. We all commit sins and we make mistakes. However, this does not mean that we are not mean for the highest degrees of Paradise.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “All of the children of Adam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent.” [Tirmidhi]
If we repent, we will be raised in our degrees and reach our potential heights.
Deserving Paradise
“None of you will enter Paradise due to your deeds.” They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Not even me unless Allah envelops me in His mercy.
Know that the most beloved deed to Allah is that which is done regularly, even if it is small.” [Bukhari]
This hadith shows us that Paradise is not something we deserve, but it is granted by Allah’s bounty and grace, not by our perfection or us deserving it.
Uniting with Loved Ones
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “A person will be with whom they love.” [Bukhari]
The person who loves another will be with them in Paradise and united. They may not receive the same honor and exact rewards, but they will be together and spend joyous times in each other’s company. This gives Muslims great hope in uniting with Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) in Paradise.
So have hope and strive to be among the righteous but do not despair of their company on the issue of your deeds not being “perfect in every aspect of our lives.”
May Allah honor us and grant us the company of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and his companions and the righteous.
[Imam] Yama Niazi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

How Do I Deal With the Spreading of Filth That Dried on a Mattress a Decade Ago?

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Question: 

I have a mattress that has urine on it from ten years ago. My mom has a habit when she washes her hand to rub them dry on her clothes, and then she sleeps on that mattress. This means that urine spread to her clothes. Then she touches everything. Does this mean that my meal, my clothes, my water, and everything in the house is impure?

Answer: 

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. Do not assume that everything is impure in your house, and do not worry about filth transferring from your mother’s hand to anything as there is nothing visible on her hand in the first place. The Devil is just using this opportunity to make your life hard and cause doubt. In addition, if there is a sheet on the mattress, you can assume the sheet is pure, so there is no direct contact with the mattress.

Purifying your mattress will end your baseless misgivings, so please follow the steps in the link below to purify it. There really is no reason to leave urine dried up on a mattress anyway. We were taught by our teachers in Syria, that one’s home should be in a state of purity (even if not clean!) from top to bottom, without any areas of lingering filth, such that if Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, were to enter the home, the state of the home would be suitable for him.

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/mattress-big-washed-can-remove-filth/

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.

How Do I Clear Things Up With a Previous Prospective Spouse?

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Question:

How do I clear things up with a previous prospective spouse?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

You can simply send a short, clear message apologizing for any actions or words on your part you feel was inappropriate. After that, you can leave the matter.

People disagree all the time, and it takes a lot to admit when you have been wrong. Hopefully, this person will see this and be inspired to forgive you if you did anything wrong.

Ask Allah to grant you and him spouses who are good for your deen, dunya, and akhira, and then move one. Dwelling on the matter will not help.

May Allah facilitate all matters for you.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

 

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.

Does Breastmilk Produced Through Artificial Means Bring Shari’a Rulings Into Effect?

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Question:

A one-year-old baby was given breastmilk that came through consuming tablets. Is baby now the foster daughter of the woman who breastfed her? Do other rulings apply?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

 

The Mother’s Family

Yes, the child is now the foster daughter of the lady who breastfed her. See it is her having been placed within the family of the lady who breastfed her. She does not have to cover in front of the foster mother’s brother or son – unless, at some point, there is the fear of this leading to inappropriate interaction from either side. In that situation, she would have to cover.

Otherwise, it is as though she is a biological daughter of the foster mother when it comes to the mother’s direct relatives. The normal rules of clothing and interaction between siblings and near relatives apply here too.

 

The Mother’s Husband

However, the husband of the foster mother is not considered her father as the milk as produced through artificial and not natural means. She child would have to cover in front of him after reaching puberty. [Maydani, al-Lubab]

Try to promote good relationships between her and the rest of the family, always; and even amongst the family members. Having good relationships is highly emphasised in Islam, and it is the means to religious and worldly success.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

 

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.

What Is the Best Way To Earn a Livelihood?

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Question:

What is the best way to earn a livelihood?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

In our day and age, the best work we can do is to work in agriculture, then in the manufacturing of goods, and then trade. [Bushra al-Karim, Ba ‘Ishn]

That said, one should also look at one what unique service and benefit you can offer to serve the Muslims and promote Islam. One should also think about what the greatest needs of the world are.

Imam al-Ghazali said, ‘Those involved in manufacturing goods and trade should intend by their work to fulfil a communal obligation because if no one produced anything, life would cease and everyone would die. [Similarly] if everyone did the same work, all other work would halt and people would end up dying. It is in this way that the words of the [Prophet] (Allah bless him and grant him peace) “Differences among my nation are a mercy” has been understood. That is to say that the differences in people’s ambitions in manufacturing goods and livelihoods [is a source of mercy]. [Ihya ‘ulum al-din, Ghazali]

To summarise the words of Imam al-Ghazali, one should work with the intention of fulfilling one’s obligation to one’s family to put food on the table, and one should work to fulfill one’s obligation to the world to provide whatever service it is that one is providing. This gives love and meaning to our work and makes our daily grind beam with light.

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/spirituality/can-i-achieve-high-spiritual-aspirations-if-i-work-in-a-worldly-sector/

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.

What Is the Ruling of the Two Rak’as Before Fajr?

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Question:

What is the ruling of the two rak’as before Fajr?

Answer:

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

The relied upon position is that the two units of sunna before the Fajr prayer are an emphasized sunna. However, its emphasis is greater than that of the remaining sunna prayers for the following reasons: [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would never miss this Sunna prayer, even when travelling; he would also dismount his camel in order to pray them. These actions are indicative of a stronger emphasis than the remaining sunna prayers. [Ibid.]

For these reasons, some scholars did deem it to be necessary (wajib), although this is not the relied upon position. [Ibid.]

 

Time Constraint

If you wake up and time only allows for one prayer before the Fajr time exits, you must give preference to the Fajr prayer. In such a case, you will not make up the missed sunna prayers. You can pray an addition two rak’as of nafl later on to make up for the missed routine, seeking an increase in rewards missed.

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.

Is It Permissible for a Woman To Go Out for Walks and Get Fresh Air?

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Question:

What is the permissibility of a woman leaving the home for exercise if she observes proper modesty?

Answer: 

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. It is absolutely permissible for a woman to out for the reason that you described as long as she is doing it modestly.

 

Please see the details and explanations here:

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/can-woman-leave-house/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/women-unlawful-gazes-and-leaving-the-house/

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.

How Do I Distance Myself From Someone Who Has Fallen in Love With Me?

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Question:

How do I distance myself from someone who has feelings for me?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. Your feelings are correct, and it was wrong to allow your friendship to go so far. The poor guy probably wants to marry you, and now his heart will be broken.

 

Gender Interaction

Please see the rules of gender interaction here. Following these rules ensures that relationships do not develop unnecessarily and end up in broken hearts. Islam is eager to squash temptation to avoid sin at the very outset, and this applies especially to online friendships and digital communication. Please see the details of the gender interaction rules here:

https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/what-are-the-principles-of-gender-interaction-in-islam/

 

Cut Him Off

Cold turkey is the best way to go. The pain that you cause him now will be forgotten with time, but dragging it on will make him suffer more. Tell him that you appreciate the friendship but that you want to restrict yourself to only female friends. He will most likely respect you for that and then propose, so you should tell him clearly that you are not interested.

 

Istikhara

However, pray istikhara before rejecting him. It may be that this man is the best for you, and you do not know it. Does he fulfill all the requirements? Does he pray and have a good job? Not being emotionally attached is a tremendous advantage, and you should consider the possibility. Oftentimes people do not know what is right for them until another points it out! 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.

Why Is It Impermissible To Go to Nightclubs?

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Question:

What are the dangers of night clubs? Is going to a night club haram, and why?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

 

A Hub for Haram Activities

The harm of frequenting nightclubs is immense. It is an environment teeming with the worst of deeds, and its entire purpose is to attract and entice people into engaging with them.

Where to start with what makes it haram? Allah has forbidden us from committing zina, ”Do not even approach fornication – it has always been a vile act. What a terrible way it is!” [Qur’an, 17:32] Suffice it to say that such places promote zina and the acts that lead to it. This is not a secret; everyone knows about this.

Along with this is an environment where wine and alcohol are consumed openly. Drugs a peddled to enhance people’s enjoyment of their time there. Music with lewd content is played. Dancing and impermissible contact, indecent dress, and many more haram activities are all the attractions that call people to such places.

 

Nightclubs Erode One’s Deen

So, no; merely going to such an environment is not good for one’s deen. It is haram, and it is likely to lure someone to commit a whole host of other bad actions. We ask Allah’s protection from such places and temptations.

In my teens, I had a colleague in one of my jobs who came from a good, religious family. He fell into this clubbing lifestyle, and unfortunately, his deen slipped significantly. The drinking became normal for him, as did eating the unslaughtered haram meat sold at such places.

It took a long time and, I presume, a lot of trials from Allah, to make him repent and change. Do not allow that to become your road. Save yourself a lot of harm. It may be tempting, but ask Allah to change that temptation into dislike. Find some good company. Someone who will nourish your soul.

May Allah protect us from what displeases Him.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

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.