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Is It Problematic to Use Soap During the Ritual Bath (Ghusl)?

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Answered by SeekersHub Answers Service

Question: Assalam’aleykum,

1. Can i just check that if by “confirmed” we mean Sunnah Muakadah?

2. If someone washes their body with water, and then rubs and washes off soap, does this fulfill the washing and rubbing required for the ghusl?

3.If a shower is kept on whilst doing the wudhu, is this considered wastefulness? Would it be somewhat disliked or Prohibitively Disliked?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

1. The Confirmed Sunna (sunna muakkada) is that which our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) or the Companions did most of the time (and was not of worldly habits)

Please see: The Rulings of the Sacred Law

2. Liquids are, broadly, of two types:

– Pure and purifying, such as unconditioned water.

This may be used for purification (i.e. wudu and ghusl) as well as removing filth (najasa).

– Pure but not purifying, such as juice, tea, vinegar, etc.

This may be not be used for purification, but may still be used to remove filth according to the Hanafi school.

Detergent or soap does not affect the unconditioned nature of water in the Hanafi school. [Ala’ al-Din Abidin, Gifts of Guidance]

3. Using excessive amounts of water is wasteful. Wastefulness (israf) is blameworthy in wudu, as the sunna is to use a moderate amount of water. [`Ala’ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

Avoiding wastefulness is a general command in Islam, as many hadiths explain.

The fuqaha explain that slight wastefulness is blameworthy. Excessive wastefulness is sinful. Thinking that performing an action in a wasteful manner is the sunna (or optimal way) makes it both sinful and an reprehensible innovation (bid`a).

Please consider taking this free course: The Absolute Essentials of Islam – Faith, Worship, and the Path to Allah ‪#‎take‬ ‪#‎share‬

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

SeekersHub Answers Service

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Getting Rid of Spoiled Food

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: I wanted to inquire about treatment of food which have been expired or is no good in the light of Quran and Sunnah. I.E it was always emphasized that not a piece of Rice or Bread i.e no matter what the condition of it should go to waste, rather we should give it to a bird/animal for its respect. We could also find examples of food respect in the Prophetic tradition, but what about non cooked eggs which have been broken. is it alright to drain them in the sink? or is it disrespect towards the food. if it is Haram to do so, than what should be ones penalty.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

One takes all possible means so that food does not get spoiled in the first place, lest one fall into the vice of wastefulness (israf). [Nahlawi, Durar Mubaha]

If, despite taking those means, the food still gets spoiled, then it is best to give it to an animal (if reasonably possible) so that it is consumed and not thrown away.

If that is not reasonably possible though, such as with a broken egg, then there is nothing wrong with discarding it completely, as one really has no alternative.

May Allah protect us from being wasteful. Amin.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Advice on Dealing with the Financial Crisis

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Can you give some information -advice – on how Muslims should respond to financial crisis both in the public and private lives?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

In short, the answer to dealing with any crisis—whether privately as individuals or publicly as a community—is to return wholeheartedly to the teachings and guidance of the Qur’an and Sunna, which related to financial matters include the following:

(1) Realize the true nature of this world, as explained by the Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in many hadiths, such as:

“This world and all that is in it is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah, that which He loves, a scholar or a student of knowledge.” [Tirmidhi]

That is, all of this world is blameworthy except for that which is used as a means to please Allah, to draw near to Allah, and to serve Allah and His religion. If one’s worldly efforts are done for the sake of Allah, they are blessed and bring blessings; otherwise, they are devoid of good and become a means of headaches and worries.

(2) Related to that, try to infuse all of your work and career endeavors with a sincere intention—to please Allah, to use your earnings for the sake of Allah, to earn a halal income, to have enough money to support your dependents and donate charity, etc.

Having a job is a great blessing of Allah Most High, and a means to do much good. It is the way of the prophets themselves, as Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No one ever ate better food than from the work of his own hands; and Allah’s prophet Dawud used to eat from the work of his own hands.” [Bukhari]

Take the means to secure a good job, and work hard: be diligent, honest, and upright—all for the sake of Allah.

(3) Spend in charity, and do so regularly. This is a great source of baraka in one’s life and wealth, as well as a means for acceptance of spiritual works, good health, and warding off calamities.

Allah Most High states, as related by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a hadith qudsi, “Spend O son of Adam! I will spend on you.” [Bukhari]

(4) At the same time, be balanced in your charity, and do not neglect your primary financial obligations.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “O son of Adam! For you to spend the surplus is better for you, and for you to withhold it is certainly worse. You will not be blamed, however, for keeping what suffices you; and [when you spend] begin with your dependents.” [Muslim]

A Qur’anic verse that provides a most beautiful summation of the attitude of the believer towards his wealth is:

“And seek, with respect to all that Allah has given you, the next abode; yet forget not your portion for this world; and [when you do spend] do so with excellence, just as Allah has shown excellence to you.” (28:77)

Muslims do not neglect their worldly duties and responsibilities, yet their focus, aim and goal is Allah and the afterlife. And when they do anything for Allah, they do so with excellence and beauty (ihsan).

(5) Have godfearingness (taqwa) in all your affairs, as taqwa is a means to every good in general, and specifically to relief from distress, unforeseen provision, and ease in one’s affairs.

Allah Most High states, “Whoever has taqwa of Allah, He will give him a way out, and will provide sustenance for him from whence he least expected,” (65:2-3) as well as “Whoever has taqwa of Allah, He will make easy his affairs.” (65:4)

(6) Avoid wastefulness (israf), which is a major vice and disease, prevalent at both the individual and societal levels today.

Allah Most High states, “Do not be extravagant: verily the extravagant are the brethren of devils” (17:26–7), as well as

“Eat and drink, but be not wasteful: verily Allah loves not the wasters” (7:31).

For a more detailed discussion on wastefulness, please see:

Global Warming and Wastefulness

(7) Related to avoiding wastefulness, appreciate the immense blessing of wealth, and show much gratitude for it. This is a sure means to keeping the blessing, inshaAllah, as well as finding increase in it.

As Ibn Ata’illah states, “Whoever does not show gratitude for blessings has exposed himself to losing them, yet whoever shows gratitude for them has tied them down by their tethers,” which is based on the Qur’anic verse, “And surely if you show gratitude, I will most certainly give you more” (14:7).

(8) Maintain family ties, which itself is an expression of gratitude for the blessing of family, and also a means to expansive sustenance.

Our Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us, “Whoever would love for his sustenance to be broadened [and filled with blessing] and for his lifespan to be extended, then let him maintain family ties.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

(9) Make tawba your constant companion in the journey of life. Shun the unlawful and ask much forgiveness.

This should be done for the sake of Allah alone, but Allah does inform us of some worldly benefits of tawba as well, including financial, as He Most High states, “So I said, ‘Seek forgiveness from your Lord, indeed He is Ever-forgiving. He will send down rain upon you in abundance, and He will increase you in wealth and in children'” (71:10-12).

(10) Realize that financial difficulties, as with all difficulties, are tests from Allah. Turn to Him in neediness, lowliness, humbleness, and impoverishment. Raise your hands in supplication, and ask of His favor. Tell Him that you are His weak servant, and He alone is Lord, Master, Powerful, and Free of need.

Persevere, be steadfast, and hold fast to contentment. Take the means to end the trial, and leave the rest to Allah. If we are pleased with Allah, Allah will be pleased with us, and there is no success greater than that.

Please see also this related answer:

Bringing Barakah into Your Wealth and Life

As well as this general article related to dealing with suffering and trials:

Suffering and Divine Wisdom

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Global Warming and Wastefulness

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Global warming is so disturbing…I feel that by consuming energy in everyday life, I am contributing to the problem, such as when I turn the light on, drive my car, use electricity, etc. What does the Sharia say about everyday energy consumption?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and faith.

Your concerns are valid and praiseworthy. Global warming does indeed pose a serious threat to humanity and all creatures, and must be dealt with by those societies whose consumption contributes most to the problem.

Having said that, there is nothing wrong with using electricity or driving a car, as long as you use these blessings for fulfilling needs and duties and are not wasteful or extravagant in your usage.

Also, while the sunna is to take the means to deal with any threat or catastrophe, we must bear in mind that everything is in Allah’s control. We should not allow our concern for the planet to cause us to become so stressed out and anxious such that we cannot function normally. Rather, we strive our best to minimize the harm, and then consign the matter over to Allah and His infinite wisdom.

The Threat

As individuals seeking to implement the sunna of the prophets and messengers (peace and blessings be upon them all) in our lives, we have a great responsibility on our shoulders to increase awareness of global warming and encourage our societies to take the means to stop it.

Its harms are several and severe, such as: flooding and other natural disasters, due to rising sea levels; higher temperatures causing lack of irrigation and general shortage of water; increased risk of disease due to higher temperatures; famine due to the severe effects on agriculture and food production, and so forth, all of which could result in major economic collapse, poverty, and even wars for limited resources.

The criteria laid out by the Sacred Law in dealing with such a problem is that of avoiding wastefulness, a major vice that is a spiritual epidemic of modern consumerist society.

Wastefulness

Wastefulness (israf) means to consume wealth, to squander it, and to spend it on that which entails no real benefit, neither religious nor worldly (of that which is permissible).

It is unlawful, a disease of the heart, and a vile trait. Sufficient for you is Allah’s statement, Glorious and Exalted:

“And do not be extravagant; verily, the extravagant are the brethren of devils” (17:26–7), as well as

“Eat and drink, but do not be wasteful. Verily, Allah loves not the wasters” (7:31).

Scholars mention that wastefulness can be plain and obvious, such as leaving the tap water on without using it or allowing food to get spoiled without eating it; or it can be more subtle, such as eating past satiation. Our Beloved Messenger would even lick his blessed fingers after eating, so as not to waste even the bits of food on the hand after a meal. (Peace and blessings be upon him.)

As for eating delicacy foods or wearing nice clothes, it is not considered wastefulness if it is from the lawful and if one does not intend thereby arrogance and pride.

Finally, anything that is spent on acts of disobedience and sin is a form of wastefulness.

Its Causes

Scholars mention that the causes of wastefulness are primarily the following:

(a) Stupidity, which is usually the case.

This causes extravagance especially when coupled with bad company, or when a person has much wealth without having expended much effort in acquiring it, which is often the case with children of wealthy parents.

(b) Ignorance regarding the meaning of wastefulness, such that a person simply does not know what it means to be wasteful;

(c) Ostentation and showing off, since one might be extravagant so as to be praised by people;

(d) Laziness and idleness, whereby the person is not vigilant in using his wealth for good;

(e) Weakness of self, that is, to be wasteful out of shyness in front of others;

(f) Weakness of faith, such that one is wasteful yet simply does not care, despite knowing its unlawfulness.

It is indeed very difficult to cure, as few people of extravagance are even receptive to treatment.

Treatment occurs primarily by rooting out these causes, and replacing bad company with company of the righteous and the intelligent.

The Blessing of Wealth

The central reason for wastefulness being so blameworthy is the fact that wealth is a tremendous blessing from Allah Most High, as well as a means to plant seeds for the afterlife.

By wealth, one is nourished, clothed and housed; and protected from the disgrace of begging. By wealth, one can attain unto the ranks of those who give in charity; and by wealth, the needs and debts of the indigent are fulfilled.

By wealth, one can perform the pilgrimage and maintain kinship ties.

Wealth is the means of benefiting people, by building mosques, schools, hospitals and the like. And the best of people is he who benefits people.

Once it is established that wealth is a tremendous blessing, it follows that wastefulness entails belittling Allah’s blessing, demeaning it, rejecting it, and showing ingratitude towards it. This results in anger, hatred, blame and punishment from its Bestower, as well as His taking back the blessing due to the person’s lack of realizing its value and fulfilling its due.

On the other hand, showing gratitude for it and safeguarding it from the aforementioned results in its remaining with the person as well as its increase. As Allah Most High states, “Verily, if you show gratitude, I will surely give you more” (14:7).

[Taken from Nahlawi, Al-Durar al-Mubaha fil Hazar wal Ibaha; Khadimi/Birgivi, Bariqa Mahmudiyya Sharh Tariqa Muhammadiyya]

Global warming, then, could very well be a punishment from Allah for our lack of gratitude for the earth’s precious resources and our grossly extravagant consumption of them. For both individuals and societies at large, the solution is to return to lifestyles of balance, and to make concerted efforts to share and distribute resources with those in need, in the spirit of sincere gratitude for those resources and this blessed planet.

And Allah knows best.

wassalam

Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Throwing Away Food

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Kindly could you elaborate on the issue of throwing away food? For example, if one has cooked food that is edible in itself but distasteful, what should one do about it? Can one throw it away? What about bread crums and crums of biscuits? Can one throw them in the garden i.e the crums and left over small bits of food?

Lastly, is one responsible in anyway in picking up food seen thrown away in one’s path? Please correct me if im wrong, was there Prophetic Sunna related to picking up own’s own food that falls to the ground and eating it after one says Bismillah? Insh Allah look forward to your response.

leftover-food-plateAnswer: 1. The sunna is to only take the amount of food one is sure they can eat. Taking more than this is improper. Not finishing one’s food simply because it doesn’t taste good is disliked. Not doing so because one is genuinely full is excusable, though one should take heed and be more careful the next time.

Crumbs and left over bits of food should be eaten. As the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, that is where the baraka may well be, and this is an expression of one’s recognition of the blessing of food.

2. If one sees food on the ground, it is recommended, if possible without preponderating secondary considerations, to pick it up.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani