Keen Scholarly Insight of Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allah preserve him) About the Causes of Differing During Crises and Emergencies

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

QUESTION: We are here together, and to Allah is all praise, gathered and talking to one another [cordially], without any differing between us. Yet, I see that when some of us return to their lands, they begin differing, even warning against each other. This happens even though they are all Salafees, their reference points are the same, and they all honor the same scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah in this land. So what is your advice to them, may Allah reward you with goodness?

ANSWER: I always advise my brothers and my children among the students of knowledge to stay away from whatever causes differing. This means that sticking to the texts [of revelation] is an absolutely necessary matter; it is a must. Yet, there are ijtihaadaat (attempts to assess and derive rulings on issues) which lead to division. Some ijtihaadaat are beneficial; Allah provides benefit through them to Islam and the Muslims. For this reason, the door of ijtihaad remains open, open to provide benefit to the Ummah, to guide them, to derive rulings from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace. The one who tries to shut the door of ijtihaad is mistaken, and he has no evidence.

However, firstly, no one is to perform ijtihaad other than one suitable for it, one who has equipped himself with the sciences of the Book, the Sunnah, the [Arabic] Language, and other things. This is the one who performs ijtihaad and investigates relative matters when nawaazil (crucial matters in need of important rulings) take place.

As for students of knowledge, one of them tries to understand as much as he can from the textual evidence. However, in current events and crises, no one is to speak other than the elite Continue reading

The Actual Footprints of Ibrahim at the Ka’bah?

What is “Maqaam Ibrahim”? And are they the Actual Footprints of Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace)?
Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have Mercy on him) mentioned:
The Maqaam is the rock Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) would stand upon to build the Ka’bah. When the walls became high Isma’il (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) brought his father Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) the rock so he could stand upon it, and he would pass him the stones. Every time one side was completed they would move to the other side with the rock, Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) would stand upon it (& build the high parts of the walls on each side).
The footprints of Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) were clear in the rock, and the Arabs knew of them in Jaahiliyyah.
Thereafter, the Muslims witnessed them too (once Islam was revealed). It is narrated from Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه who stated: “I saw the Maqaam and in it the imprints of the toes and soles of the feet of Ibrahim (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace), however, people constantly wiping the imprints (despite it not being legislated) have eroded them.
Source: Tafseer of Ibn Katheer (2:125)
Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen was asked, “Are the imprints in Maqaam Ibrahim his actual footsteps?” The shaikh replied: Continue reading

Important Advice From Shaykh ‘Arafat al-Muhammadi

Stated Shaykh ‘Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi (may Allah preserve him), one of the scholars recommended by Shaykh ‘Ubayd al-Jaabiree shortly before his passing (may Allah have Mercy on him):

We eat, drink, sleep, relax, we read and listen, but despite that there is weakness in us, a lack of action, a lack of remembrance, a lack of supererogatory prayer, night prayer, mid-morning prayer, and other than that from the supererogatory acts of worship.

Among us there is a wastage of time, and a creation of problems between us because of spare time – because we have spare time we end up becoming involved in problems and issues, we stir up problems between us. If you were preoccupied with memorisation of the Qur-ān and its recitation, and memorisation of the Sunnah and lessons, you would not have spare time for gossip.

As for the knowledge of appraisal and disparagement then this field has its men from ahlus-Sunnah, and the students are behind their scholars. However, we have begun delving into matters that do not benefit, matters that are actually harmful, that are causes of splitting occurring. If you know that this particular matter – a matter from the affairs of the world, some statement or action – you know it upsets your brother and is a cause of placing your brother into a difficult situation, and discomforting him, then why do you do it! Why do you do it? Why do you engage in it? Stay away from everything that is a cause for splitting and separating, and likewise from that which causes pain to your brother, or is a reason for causing him pain…

Read the full article here: PDF

Translation by: Shaykh Taqweem Aslam Abu Muadh (may Allah reward him well)

Arabic source: MP3

May Allah bless and reward both Shaykh ‘Arafat and the translator. This is beautiful advice, and I ask Allah to allow it to reach our hearts! This entire passage reminds me of the beautiful admonitions we would hear so often from our beloved shaykh, al-‘Allaamah Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allah preserve him). Moosaa Richardson

Resources for the 4th Islamic Seminar at Masjid Alfarouq in Edmonton

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

QUICK LINKS TO THE NEW WORKBOOK:*
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PDF Versions:  PDF Workbook | English Text (Mobile) | Arabic Text (Mobile)

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Here you will find helpful resources and guidance, by Allah’s Permission, connected to the seminar at Masjid Alfarouq in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), which took place starting on Muharram 29, 1445 (Aug.16-20, 2023), wal-hamdu lillaah, along with special information about the official seminar workbook and some exclusive images of its content.

In anticipation of the seminar, Ustaadh Moosaa Richardson stated:

Upon visiting our brothers in Islam and Sunnah at Masjid Alfarouq in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) earlier this year, based on the advice of Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Maghribi (may Allah preserve him), I was delighted to find such beautiful cooperation at an emerging community upon Salafiyyah there. May Allah bless them and increase them in good. Their good efforts to learn and host special events for the benefit of their community and the Muslims of Edmonton at large are exemplary and deserving of our support…

This upcoming fourth seminar, scheduled for the end of Muharram 1445 (August 16-20, 2023), in shaa’ Allah, is another five-day event, similar to the last one. This time, Shaykh Abu Muhammad will be broadening the focus of family matters to include more practical advice and guidance for parents and children, siblings, as well as spouses, in shaa’ Allah. I will continue sharing and explaining verses from the same poetry on Islamic Legal Maxims. After considering that a significant number of the local congregants grew up in communities and households where the Maalikee math-hab is taught, I thought to explain a small text in basic Islamic Creed by an exemplary Maalikee scholar of old, al-Imaam Ibn Abee Zayd al-Qayrawaanee (may Allah have Mercy on him).

Continue reading

Women Traveling for Hajj In Groups Without Any Male Family Members

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

QUESTION: If I came for Hajj in the company of a group of ladies, without any mahram (male family member) of mine, while I am more than 50 years old, is my Hajj considered correct?

ANSWER by Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him): 

It is not permissible for a Muslim lady to perform Hajj without a mahram (male family member). The Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) said, “No woman may travel without a mahram accompanying her.” [1]

Some of the scholars held that it is permissible to perform Hajj in a group of trustworthy women without any mahram, yet Continue reading

Unity When Fasting and On the Day of the ‘Eed [al-Albaanee]

By: Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen Al-Albaanee (may Allah have Mercy on him)
Source: Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah #224 (1/440-445)

[ In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon his final Messenger Muhammad, and upon all his family members and Companions, to proceed… ]

Regarding the hadeeth:

الصوم يوم تصومون والفطر يوم تفطرون

“Fasting begins on the day you all begin to fast, and Al-Fitr (the ‘Eed) is the day when you all have broken your fasts.” [1]

At-Tirmithee, after mentioning this hadeeth, said, “And some of the people of knowledge explained this hadeeth, saying that fasting and breaking the fast are both done along with the Jamaa’ah and the masses of the Muslims.”

And As-San’aanee said, “In it is evidence that proves that agreement of the people is needed for establishing the ‘Eed, and that the one who is alone in his knowledge of the moon sighting must go along with the others, and their decision regarding the prayer, the breaking of the fast, and the day of slaughtering is binding on him.” [2]

And Ibnul-Qayyim, may Allah have Mercy on him, explained this, saying, “And it has been said (by the people of knowledge) that there is a refutation in this for those who say that a person can fast and break his fast based on calculated estimations, without others having knowledge of this. And it has also been said that if a lone witness sights the moon, and the judge does not accept his sighting (for some reason), then he himself does not begin his fast based on it, nor do the people begin their fasts based on it.” [3]

And Abul-Hasan As-Sindee, after mentioning the hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah found in At-Tirmithee’s Sunan, said, “And what is apparent from the hadeeth’s meaning is that these affairs are not Continue reading

A Simple Guide to Dignified Recovery After Religious Neglect [Shaykh Ibn Baaz]

An amazing and insightful letter from a great imaam, the mufti and scholar, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him), to an individual who complained of weakness in faith and expressed remorse over abandoning prayers for a time and other serious forms of religious neglect. His answer is highly beneficial and motivating for all of our brothers and sisters who face similar situations; it addresses and corrects a common misunderstanding – that after abandoning the religion, or falling into severe levels of neglect, the process of returning is embarrassing, or extremely difficult, involving making up many prayers, or maybe even unattainable, assuming that someone cannot return because Allah does not guide the one who has repeatedly fallen into neglect and abandonment of his religion…

From ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Baaz to the respected Mr. [*****] (name removed), may Allah grant him refuge from the devil’s whisperings and give him success in setting aright both his religious and worldly affairs.

To proceed: Your letter reached me, the one in which you explained some things you did and some problems you were facing, fearing their bad consequences. And we did invite you on 1390/7/13 to come visit in person, but that was not easy for you. So at this time we will respond, in shaa’ Allah (if Allah so wills), to the content of your letter:

Firstly, you mentioned that you pray sometimes, and sometimes you do not pray. You become determined to repent sometimes, but then you do not fulfill that. Sometimes, this laxness may have led you into abandonment of all the pillars [of Islam], and you have become determined to genuinely repent and put a complete end to those things, yet will your repentance be accepted [you ask]? Or will you be from those whom Allah has described as: “Verily those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe, then disbelieve, and then are increased in disbelief, Allah does not forgive them,” to the end of that Verse [4:137]? And is it required as part of the repentance that you openly declare your testimony of faith for all to hear? And is it a must to take a bath and pray two units of prayer, etc.?

The answer: Verily, Allah has clarified in His great Book that He, the Exalted One, accepts the repentance of His worshippers no matter how various and numerous their sins are! As Allah, the Lofty, has said [what means]: Continue reading

How to Date Things By Both Hijri and Gregorian Calendars When Needed, by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen

The great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have Mercy on him), was asked the following question:

There are some people who say: We do not use the Gregorian calendar over the Hijri calendar in order to avoid showing allegiance and support [to non-Muslims]. However, the Gregorian calendar is more consistent than the Hijri calendar, in their viewpoint, saying: Most countries use this calendar, so why do we stand out and contradict them?

ANSWER: The reality is that dating things by lunar phases (i.e. the Hijri calendar) is the foundation, for all of mankind. Read the Statement of Allah, the Most High: “They ask you (O Muhammad) about the lunar phases. Say: They are references of time for the people, and for Hajj.” [2:189]

“For the people” [means]: all of them.

And read the Statement of Allah, the Most High: “Indeed, the number of months with Allah are 12 months, in the Book of Allah, the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of them, there are four sacred ones.” [9:36]

So what are those months? They are the Continue reading

NEW PUBLICATION: Islamic Legal Maxims (Poetry of Shaykh ‘Uthaymeen) [Workbook]

The widely overlooked, yet unique and beneficial 103-line poem on Islamic Legal Maxims from Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Manthoomat Usool al-Fiqh wa Qawaa’idihi, is now available as a workbook to be used for upcoming classes by Ustaadh Moosaa Richardson, in shaa’ Allah.

QUICK SHIPPING AFFILIATE* LINKS: Purchase it now from Amazon (paperback, hardcover & kindle editions available): USA | UK | CAN | AUS

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Al-hamdu lillaah, we are pleased to announce that our latest publication, Islamic Legal Maxims: Terminology, Foundations, & Principles: Study Guide for Shaykh Uthaymeen’s Poetry on Usool al-Fiqh, is now available for purchase worldwide!

This unique resource brings the amazing poem of Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have Mercy on him) into the English Language for the very first time! From the introduction of the workbook written by Ustaadh Moosaa Richardson:

For those who did not know that our teacher, the great scholar, Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have Mercy on him), actually wrote his own poetry, then this poem might come as one of the most pleasant surprises imaginable! This original poetry on the topic of Usool al-Fiqh, was actually composed by the shaykh himself and then explained in detail over many classes. The recordings of those sessions have been transcribed and published as a 384-page book, under the supervision of the shaykh’s charitable foundation. I have included an appendix in the back of this workbook which includes the entire poem in the shaykh’s own handwriting (!), as facilitated by the shaykh’s charitable foundation and found in the Ibn al-Jowzee printing (3rd ed., 1434). The recordings of his explanation are available at his website at the following address: https://binothaimeen.net/content/Menu/lessonsince?tid=1221 Continue reading

Digital Content: PDF Releases & Kindle Giveaways [Fall 2022]

As we have opted out of our exclusive agreements with Kindle, the following publications were made available as PDF downloads at our Payhip Digital Store on the following dates:

August 6, 2022: 130 Hadeeth on Manners from Buloogh al-Maraam (Workbook)KINDLE GIVEAWAY: August 5, 2022

August 12, 2022: Questions From the West Answered by Salafee Scholars

August 12, 2022: Aspects of the Days of Ignorance Workbook: Masaa’il al-Jaahiliyyah (Workbook) + KINDLE GIVEAWAY: August 5-7, 2022

August 19, 2022: Forty Hadeeth Workbook: A Complete Study Guide & Collection of Resources for Traditional Study of the Classic Primer, al-Arba’een an-Nawawiyyah 

August 26, 2022: The Creed Explained (Workbook): A Collection of Resources for Traditional Study of the Classic Primer in Creed, Sharh as-Sunnah of al-MuzaniKINDLE GIVEAWAY: August 19-21, 2022

September 2, 2022: The Three Fundamental Principles & Their Evidences, al-Usool ath-Thalaathah (Workbook) KINDLE GIVEAWAY: August 12-14, 2022

September 9, 2022: Ramadhaan Lessons from the Noble Quran and Authentic Sunnah, Volume 4: Daily Classes for the Month of Ramadhaan 1442 (2021) KINDLE GIVEAWAY: September 2-4, 2022

September 16, 2022: The Aqidah (Creed) of the Salaf and Continue reading

NEW PUBLICATION: AAJURROOMIYYAH, Fundamentals of Arabic Grammar Workbook

QUICK SHIPPING AFFILIATE* LINKS: Purchase it now from Amazon (paperback, hardcover & kindle editions available): USA | UK | CAN | AUS

*When you use our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission which helps maintain our website and da’wah activities, so we thank you, jazaakum Allahu khayran!

Al-hamdu lillaah, we are very excited to announce that our latest publication, AAJURROOMIYYAH, Fundamentals of Arabic Grammar Workbook, is now available for purchase worldwide!

The new workbook is available at Islamic bookstores and from Amazon

This is a VERY, VERY special project, by the Permission of Allah. This workbook is more than four years in the making, and there is no power nor any ability except through Allah! The course has been taught twice by Ustaadh Moosaa Richardson, with two different groups of diligent beta-testing students. Recordings of the most recent course will be released weekly on the 1MM Spreaker Channel, in shaa’ Allah, FREE for all to listen and/or download. Click here for the MP3 recordings: https://www.spreaker.com/show/aajurromiyyah-arabic-grammar Continue reading

Getting Serious in the Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

There are two important narrations from our mother, the noble Companion, ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), which every Muslim should keep in mind as the last ten nights of Ramadan approach:

إِذَا دَخَلَ الْعَشْرُ: أَحْيَا اللَّيْلَ، وَأَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ، وَجَدَّ وَشَدَّ الْمِئْزَرَ
“When the [last] ten [nights of Ramadan] began, he would stay up all night, wake his family, get [even more] serious, and tighten his lower garment.”

This hadeeth was collected by al-Bukhaaree (2024) and Muslim (1174).

In another authentic narration, she asked about what she should say if she were to reach Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of al-Qadr, and so the Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) told her to say: Continue reading

The Lofty Virtue of Not Responding to Personal Transgressions in Some Situations

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

Shaykh Dr. Mohammad bin Ghalib al-Omari (may Allah bless and preserve him) stated the following in a recent tweet:

Your silence about some people’s transgressions against you is not necessarily weakness or incapability, nor is it proof of the oppressor’s truthfulness. Rather, in many occasions, it is actually proof of your beautiful patience, good understanding, and how distant you are from desiring controversy. Lots of words do not indicate strength in proofs, as some people talk a lot, but they are not actually saying anything.

Source: His Twitter account, dated: Jumaadaa ath-Thaaniyah 26, 1443 (January 28, 2022)

Shaykh Dr. Mohammad bin Ghalib al-Omari is from the trusted and recommended students of our senior scholars. Those who attend our weekly Friday night class on al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah will notice that he was the one trusted by al-‘Allaamah ‘Ubayd al-Jaabiree (may Allah preserve him) to prepare his explanation, al-Qutoof al-Janiyyah. We have previously featured some of his insightful and beneficial tweets (here and here). May Allah bless him and preserve him upon goodness.

Vaccines are Permissible; Differing on the Topic Ended Long Ago, as Salafi Scholars Have Said

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

Recently, we learned from our respected scholar, Shaykh ‘Abdullah al-Bukhary (may Allah preserve him), that the scholarly differing over the permissibility of vaccines had actually come to an end long ago, when he informed us:

 فقد تكلم أهل العلم حول هذه القضية منذ زمن طويل لما بدأ ظهر أمر اللقاحات حصل بين ذلك أخذ وعطاء فيما مضى، ثم استقر الأمر على أن هذا الأمر من الأمور التي لا تنافي التوكل ولا تضادُّه، إنما هي من الأخذ بالأسباب الشرعية

“…The people of knowledge have indeed spoken about this issue, a long time ago, when the issue of vaccinations first came about. Some back and forth discussion took place in the past, until the matter was settled, that this is one of those issues that does not invalidate tawakkul (trusting Allah) nor contradict it. It is merely an issue of taking legislated steps [of safety]…”

Source: The recently published article, “Is it Sinful to Discourage People From Taking the Covid-19 Vaccine?” (click here to read)

This was surprising for many to learn about, as some had presumed that the scholars still differed over this topic. One might say: “Perhaps Shaykh Abdullah al-Bukhary misspoke when saying this, as we have not heard this from the people of knowledge (other than him), and claiming consensus is a very serious issue, as an established consensus among the scholars actually ends the discussion.”  Continue reading

COMPILATION: The Speech of the Salafi Scholars About Covid-19 & Other Helpful Resources

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following is a compilation of very important resources from the Salafi scholars living through this pandemic, aware of its specific details, in order to return matters of global emergencies to those qualified to speak about them for proper determination, as Allah has commanded:

return things to ahlul ilm in nawaazil

One of the most important and relevant resources on the topic for us in the West is this: Five questions from Ustaadh Moosaa Richardson posed to the senior authority of Fatwaa (Religious Verdicts) in this time, the Mufti Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh (may Allah preserve him):

  1. How do we know exactly what nawaazil (pending issues in need of verdicts) are…?

  2. What should be done if we enter a mosque these days -the days of the Coronavirus-, and we find that the people of this masjid are not distancing themselves from one another, nor are they implementing the safety protocols of the authorities, in non-Muslim lands…?

  3. In the West, we have some doctors among the Muslims, people of Sunnah and [good practice of] Religion, people known for their love of Islamic knowledge and its dissemination. However, in these days specifically, they oppose the official Health agencies, saying that there is no need for the well-known protocols of safety which those officials instruct the people to observe…?

  4. What should be our stance on those who talk about So-and-So, the government official, in their private gatherings, actually naming one of the authorities in the land of the Two Sacred Mosques, saying that he is causing corruption in the land, because he closes mosques and puts restrictive limits on those who come for Hajj and ‘Umrah, requiring them to follow harsh safety restrictions, which leads to the ruin of the sacred places [of worship]?

  5. What is our stance on those who say that the governmental leaders in the Land of Tawheed have made decisions during this pandemic based on blindly following the West, without consulting the people of knowledge?

Continue reading

Is it Sinful to Discourage People From Taking the Covid-19 Vaccine? [Shaykh Abdullah al-Bukhary]

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following is a recent question posed to Shaykh Dr. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abdir-Raheem Al-Bukhary (may Allah bless and preserve him) [1]. His insightful answer is yet another example of how our well-known and reliable scholars continue to offer sober and consistent advice during this pandemic about how Muslims are not to delve into these serious and crucial matters of safety and public concern, but rather we are to leave them for the qualified scholars of the Religion responsible for issuing such verdicts. May Allah allow this beneficial answer to reach receptive hearts.

The following is a transcript of the Arabic text of the question and its answer, along with an English translation:

هذا سائل آخر يقول هل يأثم من يُزهِّد في أخذ اللقاح ضد هذا الوباء الكورونا ويشكك فيه؟

QUESTION: Here is another questioner who asks: “Is a person sinful for discouraging [people] from taking the vaccine against this disease, Corona[virus], and for casting doubt on it?”

ANSWER by Shaykh Dr. Abdullah ibn ‘Abdir-Raheem al-Bukhary (may Allah preserve him):

هذه القضية خاض فيها كثيرون، والخائضون في هذا كثير، هذه المسألة بارك الله فيكم لها شِقَّان، لها شِقَّان: شِقٌ شرعيٌ، شِقٌ شرعي متعلق من الناحية الشرعية، وشقٌ طبي أو صحي متعلق من النواحي الطبية.

This is an issue that many people have spoken about. Those who have spoken about it are many. This issue, may Allah bless you, has two sides. It has two sides: one side relative to Islamic rulings, and the other side is Continue reading

Shaykh Salim Bamehriz Offers Important Advice About the Covid-19 Vaccine and Tawakkul (Trusting in Allah)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following is a question posed to Shaykh Aboo Anwar Saalim ibn ‘Abdillaah Baamihriz (may Allah bless and preserve him) [1]. This is just another example of how our well-known and reliable scholars and mashaayikh continue to offer sober and consistent advice about how Muslims are to return important matters related to the pandemic back to the scholars who are qualified to deal with matters of global safety and urgent concerns which affect the religion, health, and safety of millions of Muslims. May Allah allow this advice to reach receptive hearts.

The following is a transcript of the Arabic text of the question and its answer, along with an English translation:

هذا سائل يقول وهو يسأل من بلاد أوربا يقول عندنا بعض الإخوة السلفيين يخالفون فتوى العلماء في أخذ اللقاح لقاح كورونا ، معللين ذلك بأن هذا اللقاح ضار للانسان وله سلبيات كثيرة ولما نقول لهم إن العلماء أخذوا ونصحوا بأخذ اللقاح يقولون إن العلماء ليسوا بمتخصصين وعليهم ضغوطات من ولاة الأمر إلى آخره … وأكثر من ذلك أن بعضهم يستخرج شهادة التلقيح وهو في حقيقة الأمر لم يفعل. فهل هذا من الزور فما نصيحتكم لهؤلاء الشباب؟

QUESTION: A questioner from a European country asks: We have some Salafi brothers who oppose the verdict of the scholars about taking the vaccine against Corona[virus], explaining that this vaccine is harmful to people and it has many negative impacts. When we say to them: “The scholars have taken the vaccine and advise us to take it,” They say: “The scholars are not specialists, and they are under pressure from the rulers, etc.” Beyond this, some of them produce a vaccination record, but in reality he did not get it (i.e. he did not take the vaccine, as the record falsely indicates). Is this a kind of zoor (conspiracy of falsehood)? And what is your advice to those youth?

ANSWER by Shaykh Salim Bamehriz (may Allah preserve him):

أقول نصيحتنا  لهؤلاء الشباب بارك الله فيهم وهداهم الله تعالى أن لا يخوضوا في هذه المسائل التى هي ليست من شؤونه وإنما يخوضون في عبث وكلام لا جدوى منه إلا الإضرار بالمجتمع

I say: My advice to those youth, may Allah bless them, and may Allah, the Most High, guide them, is that they do not delve into these matters, things which are not for them. They are only getting into games and speech which has no benefit in it, just harm for Continue reading

Be Quiet and Leave Issues of Coronavirus Precautions for the Muslim Authorities and Scholars (Again!)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following is yet another question posed to Shaykh Dr. Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi (may Allah bless and preserve him) [1], on a topic which continues to confuse many innocent Muslims, due to the excessive amount of misinformation and conjecture spread on social media – the issue of Covid-19 and the correct stance the Muslims should take on it and the related precautions.

Once again, the reader will note that our senior scholars and their top students continue to offer sober and consistent advice about how Muslims are to return these important matters back to the scholars who are qualified to deal with matters of global safety and urgent concerns which affect the religion, health, and safety of millions of Muslims. May Allah allow this advice to reach receptive hearts.

The following is a transcript of the Arabic text of the question and its answer, along with an English translation:

حفظكم الله، يقول السائل: ما هو الموقف الصحيح من فيروس كورونا المستجد؟ يقال أنه ليس بأضر من الإنفلونزا الموسمية، وأن الإجراءات التي اتخذتها الدول مبالغ فيها، وأن التدابير الاحترازية من التباعد ولبس الكمامة لا تنفع. وبالتالي: فإن اللقاحات ضد هذا الفيروس في حقيقة الأمر، تضر الإنسان ويجب تجنبها. نود منكم الإفادة بارك الله فيكم.

QUESTION: May Allah preserve you. What is the correct stance on the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)? It has been said that it is no more harmful than the [regular] seasonal flu, and that the procedures implemented by countries are beyond what is necessary, and that the safety protocols like distancing and wearing masks do not serve any benefit. Also [they say], vaccinations against this virus are actually harmful to people and must be avoided. We would like you to benefit us [on this topic], may Allah bless you.

الجواب: في الحقيقة ليت هؤلاء يسكتون ويتركون الأمور لولاة الأمر وللعلماء، فإن هؤلاء قد شوشوا، قد مرت سنة كاملة ومات مئات آلاف، وأصيب من أصيب، وتألم من تألم، وحصل ما حصل من الأمراض لأناس أمام أعيننا، ونراهم يمرضون ويموتون، ثم فهؤلاء يقولون هذه مبالغة وهذا كذا وكذا، فليت هؤلاء يسكتون، ويتركون الأمر لولاة الأمر وللعلماء الذين قد أفتوا. ما دام أن العلماء قد أفتوا، ولا يفتي العلماء إلا بعد أن يتصوروا المسألة ويقرأون فيها وينظرون فيها، وهذا هو ظننا بعلمائنا. فإن كان العلماء قد أفتوا فلا تتدخل فيما لا يعنيك وفيما لا تحسنه. اترك الأمر للعلماء.

ANSWER by Shaykh Dr. Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi (may Allah bless and preserve him): In realty, we wish these people would be quiet and Continue reading

Self-Issued Verdicts: Nullifying One of the Three Divorces After Final Separation Has Occurred

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy…

QUESTION posed to the virtuous Shaykh, Dr. Arafat al-Muhammadi, may Allah preserve him, from his brothers at al-Masjid al-Awwal, in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America. [1]

As Salaamu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaathu… There has occurred in America, where there are no Islamic courts, instances of a man who divorces his wife with the third legislated divorce, and he takes witnesses to that effect, and then he desires to return to his wife that he has irrevocably divorced so he thinks about the number of divorces that he has issued and cancels one of them having decided this for himself, without returning the matter to the People of Knowledge, nor to those able to judge correctly in the affair, that it is permissible for him to continue to live with his wife by taking her back, or marrying her with a new contract, or simply returning to her as if nothing ever happened. Many of these husbands claim that one of the three divorces was incorrect (did not take effect) due to his anger, and then he and his wife mutually agree that only two divorces actually occurred; thus, they return to marital life despite having taken members of their community as witnesses to the third and final irrevocable divorce. This is done in opposition to the advice given to them by their teachers in the Islamic Centers (of their city) and the responsible parties therein (i.e. masjid administrators). So, what is your advice to these men and women who are in this circumstance? What advice do you have for the Islamic centers there (dealing with these issues)? How do they (administrators) handle such evil occurrences? May Allah reward you with good.

Masjid Administration

ANSWER:

Wa ‘Alaikum Salaam wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuhu…

We say to these individuals that they must fear Allah within their own selves and be aware of Him; for whomsoever seeks to deceive Allah, then Allah deceives them. This woman is no longer permissible for him until Continue reading

One Who Avoids Prayer in Congregation Because of the Gaps Between People in the Row

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following question was posed to Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan, Member of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Verdicts and Research and the Council of Senior Scholars (may Allah preserve him):

ما رأي فضيلتكم شيخ صالح فيمن يصلى في البيت ويترك صلاة الجماعة بحجة التباعد ظنا منه أن الصلاة غير جائزة في مثل هذه الحالة؟

What is the opinion of your excellence, Shaykh Saalih, about someone who prays at home and leaves off the prayer in congregation, justifying that with the issue of distancing (i.e. the gaps between people in the row), assuming that the prayer is not allowed to be offered in this way? [1]

الجواب: هذا يعذر بالجهل، إن كان جاهلا فيعذر بالجهل. أما إذا كان متعمدا فإنه لا يجوز له ذلك، مفارقة الجماعة، نعم.

The answer: This one can be excused because of ignorance. If he is ignorant, then he is excused because of ignorance. However, if he is doing this on purpose [knowing that it is actually valid], this is not permissible for him, [it is] separating away from the jamaa’ah (congregation, i.e. without right).

SOURCE: The live radio program, Noor ‘Alad-Darb, dated: Sunday 1443/1/27, at about 13 minutes into the program. [Arabic Audio]

TRANSLATION: Moosaa Richardson

FOOTNOTES:

[1] This question is specifically about the distancing that is established between people in the prayer rows during the Covid-19 Pandemic, something deemed necessary for the preservation of health and safety by the Muslim scholars, leaders, and top health officials. [See: Social Distancing During These Times is an Obligation From Allah; It Only Increases Our Love for One Another by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan.]

FURTHER RESOURCES ON THE TOPIC OF COVID-19 REGULATIONS AND ISLAM:

Questions From the West About Covid-19 Answered by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh

Do not Listen to Those Warning Against the Vaccine; Returning to the Truth is Better than Persisting in Harm and Falsehood, by Shaykh Mohammad bin Ghalib al-Omari

One Who Cannot Wear a Mask During the Covid-19 Pandemic is Excused from Congregational Prayers, by Shaykh Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi 

The Ruling on Forging Vaccination Records in Order to Avoid the Vaccine, by Shaykh Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi 

Regarding Those Who Insist that Coronavirus and the Vaccination is a Conspiracy, by Shaykh Mohammad bin Ghalib al-Omari

PDF: Nine Advices As Relates the Novel Coronavirus by the Mufti Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh

PDF: A Summary of Verdicts Issued by the Permanent Committee of Scholars Concerning the Coronavirus Epidemic [Anwar Wright]

MP3 Audio: Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan on the Obligation of Social Distancing During the Covid-19 Outbreak [Phrase-by-phrase translation]

PDF: Advice of Shaykh ‘Abdullah al-Bukhari About Coronavirus

Video: Healthy, Realistic, Practical Optimism During the Coronavirus Outbreak (Youtube)

PDF: Fleeing From the Decree to the Decree [Rahmaaniyyah, Abul-Hasan Maalik]

Video: Don’t Downplay the Seriousness of the Coronavirus! (Youtube)

MP3 Audio: Key Lessons About the Coronavirus [Hassan Somali]

Article: Social Distancing During These Times is an Obligation From Allah; It Only Increases Our Love for One Another

PDF: The Issue of Contagion – An Islamic Perspective [Taqweem Aslam]

Article: What Blessings Could Come From the Closing of Masjids?!

Khutbah: Coronavirus – How Muslims Understand it & Other Epidemics

MP3 Audio: Q&A About Coronavirus Conspiracy Theorists [Hassan Somali]

Do not Listen to Those Warning Against the Vaccine; Returning to the Truth is Better than Persisting in Harm and Falsehood

2021-09-03-md-ghaalib-imptce-of-vaccines-emphasized-again

Shaykh Dr. Mohammad bin Ghalib al-Omari (may Allah preserve him) said:

أثبتت التجارب، ودل الواقع، وأيد ذلك توصيات المراكز الطبية، ثم القرارات الصادرة ثانيا، ثم وصايا العلماء بل ومبادرتهم، إلى أهمية أخذ التطعيم ضد الوباء، فلا ينبغي الإصغاء إلى أصوات تنادي بخلاف ذلك، مما أثبت الواقع بطلانها.

ونقول: الرجوع إلى الحقّ خير من التمادي في الضرر والباطل.

Experience (real-life interactions) has validated, and reality has proven, and further it is supported by the directives of the health centers, and then by governmental decisions secondly, and then by the advices of the scholars and even their own [personal] initiatives, [all of this demonstrates] the importance of taking the vaccine against the disease (Covid-19). So it is not appropriate to listen to voices which call to the opposite of that (i.e. those who warn against the vaccine), from that which reality has confirmed to be falsehood.

And so we say: Returning to the truth is better than persisting in harm and falsehood.

SOURCE: The shaykh’s official Twitter account (Arabic).

Translation: Moosaa Richardson

FURTHER RESOURCES ON THE TOPIC:

Questions From the West About Covid-19 Answered by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh

One Who Cannot Wear a Mask During the Covid-19 Pandemic is Excused from Congregational Prayers, by Shaykh Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi 

The Ruling on Forging Vaccination Records in Order to Avoid the Vaccine, by Shaykh Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi 

Regarding Those Who Insist that Coronavirus and the Vaccination is a Conspiracy, by Shaykh Mohammad bin Ghalib al-Omari

PDF: Nine Advices As Relates the Novel Coronavirus by the Mufti Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh

PDF: A Summary of Verdicts Issued by the Permanent Committee of Scholars Concerning the Coronavirus Epidemic [Anwar Wright]

MP3 Audio: Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan on the Obligation of Social Distancing During the Covid-19 Outbreak [Phrase-by-phrase translation]

PDF: Advice of Shaykh ‘Abdullah al-Bukhari About Coronavirus

Video: Healthy, Realistic, Practical Optimism During the Coronavirus Outbreak (Youtube)

PDF: Fleeing From the Decree to the Decree [Rahmaaniyyah, Abul-Hasan Maalik]

Video: Don’t Downplay the Seriousness of the Coronavirus! (Youtube)

MP3 Audio: Key Lessons About the Coronavirus [Hassan Somali]

Article: Social Distancing During These Times is an Obligation From Allah; It Only Increases Our Love for One Another

PDF: The Issue of Contagion – An Islamic Perspective [Taqweem Aslam]

Article: What Blessings Could Come From the Closing of Masjids?!

Khutbah: Coronavirus – How Muslims Understand it & Other Epidemics

MP3 Audio: Q&A About Coronavirus Conspiracy Theorists [Hassan Somali]

One Who Cannot Wear a Mask During the Covid-19 Pandemic is Excused from Congregational Prayers

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following is a question posed to Shaykh Dr. Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi (may Allah bless and preserve him) on Friday night, the 19th of al-Muharram, 1443 (August 27, 2021):

May Allah treat you well, noble shaykh, this questioner says: Does not wearing a mask due to health reasons make it permissible to leave off the Jumu’ah and congregational prayers in the masjid, since these conditions have been stipulated by the Corona Committee in our land, and may Allah reward you with good?

The shaykh’s answer: Continue reading

The Ruling on Forging Vaccination Records in Order to Avoid the Vaccine

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful…

The following is a question posed to Shaykh Dr. Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi (may Allah bless and preserve him) [1], on a topic which many genuinely confused Muslims may be considering due to the heavy amount of misinformation spread on social media. The reader will note that our senior scholars and their top students continue to offer sober and consistent advice about how Muslims are to return these important matters back to the scholars who are qualified to deal with matters of global safety and urgent concerns which affect the religion, health, and safety of millions of Muslims. May Allah allow this advice to reach receptive hearts.

QUESTION: May Allah be kind to you, dear virtuous shaykh, there is a questioner from France who asks: Our shaykh -may Allah bless you-, the French government has passed a law that requires vaccinations against Coronavirus for many segments of the population. Restrictions will prevent people from entering many public places, traveling, and other things, unless a person can show medical records which confirm that he, the bearer of the records, is fully vaccinated. Due to what people share from some news sources and social media outlets regarding these vaccinations, that they are potentially harmful to one’s health, or that they are a worldwide conspiracy to wipe out mankind, some people are considering ways to avoid this vaccination, like paying money to someone who would provide him with forged documents, or conspiring with a doctor to lie and say that he is fully vaccinated.

So the question then, our shaykh -may Allah bless you- is: What is the ruling on doing this? And we would like you to direct some advice to Continue reading

Regarding Those Who Insist that Coronavirus and Vaccination is a Conspiracy

md-ghaalib-corona-conspiracy

Shaykh Dr. Mohammad bin Ghalib al-Omari (may Allah preserve him) said:

Insisting upon saying that coronavirus is a conspiracy, scheme, or even a lie (!!), and that vaccination is a deceit and deception, leads towards having ill thoughts about rulers, contradicting scholars, and neglecting that which is evidenced by reality, along with what this speech has of evil effects upon people’s lives. And so, this speech is not acceptable, neither religiously, nor intellectually, nor out of habit, and nor by looking at reality.

SOURCE: The shaykh’s official Twitter account (Arabic/English).

Translation by: The shaykh’s designated translator(s).

NOW AVAILABLE: Sincerity, Repentance, & Patience, An Essential Collection of Authentic Hadeeth Narrations for Regular Study & Review

Al-hamdu lillaah, our latest publication is now available on Amazon in kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats:

Click here to order from Amazon.This is the workbook for our upcoming Saturday night classes at al-Masjid al-Awwal (locally and live online), in shaa’ Allah.

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Other countries: Just search “Sincerity, Repentance, and Patience” in the Amazon website of your country.

*When you use our affiliate links to Amazon, we may earn a small commission, which helps us maintain this website and many of our activities, so may Allah reward you! 

Some of the pages from the workbook: Continue reading

Fatwaa: Multiple ‘Eid Prayers in One Place During the Covid-19 Restrictions

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

On Saturday, the 26th of Ramadhaan, 1442 (May 8, 2021), the leading scholarly authority for Islamic verdicts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Mufti, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh (may Allah preserve him), was asked about the permissibility of establishing multiple ‘Eid prayers [1] in lands where the Muslims are a minority, and there are not enough masjids to accommodate all the Muslims, given the safety protocols in place to restrict the spread of Covid-19, by the Permission of Allah. [2]

He replied:

لا يجوز تكرار إقامة صلاة العيد في مصلى واحد من جماعة بعد أخرى؛ من غير ضرورة ولا حاجة ماسة لأن هذا عمل محدث، وقد قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد

It is not allowed to hold multiple ‘Eid Prayers in one place of prayer, having one congregation after another, without any emergency or urgent need for that, because this is a newly invented matter. The Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) said, “Whoever introduces into our affair what is not from it, it is rejected.” [3]

وأجازها بعض أهل العلم عند الحاجة وبحسبها، وفي حالنا هذه الأيام مع جائحة كورونا والإجراءات الاحترازية، وحيث أن حفظ النفوس وصيانتها من مقاصد الشريعة الكبرى، وقد ثبت عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنَّه قال: لا ضَرَرَ ولا ضِرارَ واجتماع المصلين بأعداد كبيرة مظنة العدوى وانتشار المرض

Some of the people of knowledge have allowed this, at the time of a need, and according to the level of that need. During our current situation these days, with the Coronavirus pandemic and the safety procedures [in place], the protection and preservation of human life is from the major overall objectives of the Sharee’ah (Islamic Legislation). [4] It has been authentically established that the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) said, “There is to be no harm, nor any reciprocation of harm.” [5] And the gathering of people for prayer in large numbers is a concern related to the contagion and the spread of illness.

ولعدم تفويت هذا الفضل على المسلمين، خصوصا في دول الأقليات المسلمة ولعدم القدرة على وجود مصلى خارج المدينة يجتمع فيه الناس للصلاة فنرى والله أعلم بجواز ذلك، في مثل هذه الظروف

So to prevent the Muslims from missing out on this great virtue (i.e. the ‘Eid Prayer), especially in lands where Muslims are a minority, without the ability to have a musallaa (outdoor prayer area) outside of the city big enough to accommodate all the people for the prayer, we hold that this (i.e. multiple ‘Eid Prayers in one place) [1] would be permissible during the likes of these circumstances.

هذا ما تيسر إيراده والله أعلم بالصواب وإليه المرجع والمآب, وبالله التوفيق وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد

This is what has been made easy to mention at this time, and Allah knows best about what is correct. Unto Him [alone] is the return and the final end, and through Allah [alone] is success. May Allah raise the rank of our Prophet Muhammad and grant him peace.

Continue reading

Continuing to Maintain Safety Protocols to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus

By the leading authority among the senior scholars of Saudi Arabia: The Mufti, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh (may Allah preserve him)

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all things. May Allah raise the rank of and grant peace to our Prophet Muhammad, and likewise all of his family and companions. As for what follows:

The Muslim continues to worship and perform good deeds which benefit himself, his family, and his Ummah. By way of that, he becomes capable of caring for the entire world. Indeed the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) praised the strong believer, saying:

(( الـمُؤْمِنُ القَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَـى اللهِ مِنَ الـمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَفِـي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ ))
“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.”
[1]

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) meant by this: One who is strong in his eemaan (faith) in Allah, the Exalted, and in his creed, his soul, and his physical body.

So good health is a tremendous blessing, and the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) stressed its importance, saying:

(( نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيْـرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ: الصِّحَّةُ وَالفَرَاغُ ))
“Two blessings are neglected by many of the people: good health and free time.” [2]

So the body’s good health is a great blessing not fully understood except by those who have lost it. Thus, it is imperative that a person be keen to preserve his health and stay away from whatever would corrupt or harm it from diseases, contagions, and symptoms.

Islaam has instituted Continue reading

Shaykh ‘Ubayd al-Jaabiree on Neglecting Child Support

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The respected scholar of al-Madeenah, Aboo ‘Abdil-‘Azeez ‘Ubayd ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Sulaymaan al-Jaabiree al-Hamdaanee (may Allah preserve him) was asked the following question:

One of my relatives divorced his wife and left his three children with her, and then refused to spend on the children, assuming himself to be free of them. He has continued in this way [of dealing with the matter], and he is still doing this now. What would you advise him with? May Allah reward you.

The shaykh replied (may Allah bless and preserve him): Continue reading

Nine Advices as relates the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic [Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh]

In the Name of Allah, al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm…

In these days the world is witnessing the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and is utilizing its collective abilities and potentialities to limit its spread and to mitigate the outcome as relates its health, economic, and societal impact. This matter requires that the scholars and students of knowledge assume their roles in clarifying the legislated methodology of dealing with this new epidemic or other contagious pestilence and illnesses, and in explaining the religious rulings of precautionary measures and protective protocols taken by competent authorities such as: suspending work and schooling; curfews and travel bans; the enforcement of social distancing, nose and mouth covering, and quarantine and home isolation for those who have it; as well as other precautionary and protective measures to safeguard human life.

It is known that Allah legislated the religion of Islam to be the methodology of human living so that they may operate in accordance to its laws and teachings. So there is no matter in life and no newly occurring problem except that it has a ruling in Islam. Allah (the Exalted and Most High) said:

“We have neglected nothing in the Book.” [al An’aam: 38]

From such measures and protocols that are legislated in our monotheistic religion that are befitting to utilize at the onset and spread of pestilence and contagious diseases—such as the novel coronavirus—are as follows:

1.) The ban from entering or exiting localities afflicted with pestilence & illnesses.

On the authority of ‘Abd al-Raḥmaan bin ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: I heard Allah’s Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) say: Continue reading

Questions From the West About Covid-19 Answered by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

From Moosaa at-Taweel al-Amreekee to the Grand Mufti, the virtuous Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh: As-Salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. As for what follows:

In these days -the days of the Coronavirus Pandemic- Allah has indeed blessed us with good leadership, governmental leaders and scholars who love the Muslims, and the Muslims love them. They lead the people to safety and well-being, by the Permission of their Lord. Their cooperation in establishing safety protocols in the land of Tawheed, the land of the two sacred and honored mosques, the respected Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -may Allah protect it from every evil- is an exemplary thing, a role model for the entire world, and the praise is for Allah. People of all different religions and various languages notice this, so may Allah compensate you for your hard work and reward you with the best reward for what you do for your Ummah!

A matter that causes fear has indeed come to us, a very serious matter, and [about it] the people have differed in their views. And our Lord, the All-Knowing, the Ever Informed, has indeed guided us to what is befitting for us in these types of issues, with His Statement [which means]:

And when there comes to them a matter of safety or fear, they spread it openly. Yet had they only referred it back to the Messenger and those in authority among them, those of them capable of extracting its ruling would have done so. [4:83]

So in order to implement this Noble Verse, and with due concern for unity, I present some important questions. I do believe that your answers to them will –by Allah’s Permission- save your children of Ahlus-Sunnah in foreign lands from the differing that has befallen them, as you hold a position of trust with everyone. It is from Allah that I hope that we could benefit from your noble instructions.

The First Question: How do we know exactly what the nawaazil (pending issues in need of verdicts) are, those which must be deferred to the senior scholars Continue reading

Social Distancing During These Times is an Obligation From Allah; It Only Increases Our Love for One Another

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following translation of the advice of a great scholar is being provided to assist our brothers and sisters in taking the correct stance on serious matters of public safety, in a time of confusion and widespread opinions, in order to obey Allah’s Command to return these important matters back to our leading authorities:

ولو ردوه إلى الرسول وإلى أولي الأمر منهم لعلمه الذين يستنبطونه منهم
“Had they only returned it back to the Messenger and those in authority among them, those of them capable of extracting the ruling would know it.” [4:83]

The more serious a matter becomes, and the more lives which are harmed by unqualified rulings related to it, the more dire the need becomes to return the matter back to only the senior scholarly resources of this Ummah.

Regarding the issues surrounding the current global pandemic, our world has become flooded with opinions and claims about wearing masks, social distancing, and even the very existence of a pandemic in the first place! To avoid confusion, let us fear Allah, remain silent and cautious, and implement the Quranic methodology of returning such serious matters of global safety back to the leaders of our Ummah, the ones whom He, the Most High, has made responsible for providing us with direction in the most difficult of issues!

One such scholar, al-‘Allaamah Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan (may Allah preserve him), is one of those great senior resources of knowledge in our times, known and trusted by the Muslims worldwide for his knowledge, insight, and sound creed. He has spoken about the Islamic obligation of social distancing recently, during the 1441 Hajj season. (audio) The following are a translation of his words of advice, in which he emphasizes the following important matters:

  • The obligation of social distancing
  • The temporary nature of this distancing
  • Mutual love will increase because of it
  • Gaps in the prayer rows must be maintained
  • Social distancing is in everyone’s best interests
  • Allah’s Help is needed to remove the pandemic

Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allah bless and protect him) said:

“Taking steps to protect oneself is an objective, especially in gatherings during the two ‘Eeds, the five [daily] prayers, and Jumu’ah. They must keep a distance from each other these days, fearing the spread of the contagion. There is to be a gap between each two people. Aside from this circumstance, it is Continue reading

Standing Around the Udhiyah Sacrifice as a Family, Reciting Quran Before the Slaughter

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

يوجد بعض من الناس لدينا وخاصة كبار السن في عيد الأضحى المبارك يعملون الأعمال الآتية:
يحضرون الأضحية، ويقفون حولها كالعائلة جمعيا، وهم أهل البيت والرجل قبل أن يبدأ بالذبح، يقرأ الفاتحة، ثم آية الكرسي، وكذلك المعوذتين، والإخلاص مع ذكر الاستفتاح، مثل قول: وجهت وجهي لله رب العالمين إلى آخره، ويجعل الرجل يده على ظهر الذبيحة، ويمد بها من عند الرقبة إلى آخر الظهر، ثم بعد ذلك يقوم بذبحها بعد هذا الفعل، وإن بعضا منهم إذا لم يحضر ذبح الأضحية يقوم بذبح أضحية غيرها، وهم أهل البيت؛ لأنه يقول يلزمه حضور الذبح، لذا أرجو من الله ثم من فضيلتكم البيان لهم بالطريقة الصحيحة لمن يفعل هذا…

QUESTION: Some people in our area, specifically some of the elders, do the following things during the blessed ‘Eed al-Adha:

They bring the sacrificial animal, and they stand around it all together as a family. They are the members of one household. Before the head of household slaughters, he recites al-Faatihah, and then Aayat al-Kursee, and then the last three Soorahs, along with an opening prayer, like: “I turn my face unto Allah, the Lord of all things…” The man then places his open hand on the back of the animal, wiping it from its neck down to the tailbone. Only at this point does he carry out the slaughter. If some of the family members did not attend at the time of the slaughtering of the Udhiyah, he would then carry out a separate Udhiyah for them, whilst they are all members of the same household. This is because he says they are required to attend the actual slaughtering.

I hope firstly from Allah, and then from your distinguished selves, that you would clarify for them the correct manner of doing this (Udhiyah Sacrifice)…

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal Shaykh (may Allah have Mercy on him):

هذا العمل الذي تعملونه عند ذبحكم للأضحية من وقوفكم عندها، وقراءتكم لآية الكرسي والسور المذكورة، وأن من لا يحضر لا يشترك في ثواب الأضحية، بل لا بد أن يذبح أضحية غيرها، كل هذا لا أصل له، وهو عمل مبتدع يجب عليكم تركه والتنبيه على أنه لا يجوز، وثواب الأضحية إذا كانت تبرعا يتناول كل من نوي فيها، ولو لم يحضر لقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : إنما الأعمال بالنيات وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى.

These things you are doing when you slaughter your Udhiyah Sacrifice:

  • Standing together around it
  • Reciting Aayat al-Kursee and the other Soorahs mentioned
  • Believing that anyone who did not attend cannot share in the reward of the Udhiyah Sacrifice
  • That a separate Udhiyah needs done for those who were absent

All of these things are baseless. These are innovated practices which you must cease doing and advise others that they are not permissible. The reward for the Udhiyah Sacrifice, when done voluntarily, includes all of those who were intended, whether or not they attended the actual slaughter in person, due to the statement of the Prophet -may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace-, [which means] “Actions are but by their intentions, and each person shall only have what he intended.” [1]

وبالله التوفيق وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم.

And through Allah Alone is all success. May Allah raise the rank of our Prophet Muhammad, and that of his family and companions, and may He grant them all peace.

SOURCE: Fataawaa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah (10/440-441 of the second compilation), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

FOOTNOTES by the Translator:

[1] Collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim, from the report of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).

Can Money Be Given as Charity in Place of the Udhiyah Sacrifice?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

هل يجوز إخراج قيمة الشاة في العقيقة أو الأضحية وإعطاء هذا المبلغ للجمعيات الخيرية التي تكفل اليتامى والمساكين والفقراء بدلا عن شراء شاة وذبحها

QUESTION: Is it permissible to give money in place of the value of the sheep slaughtered for an ‘Aqeeqah or an Udhiyah Sacrifice? The amount of money would be given directly to charitable organizations that sponsor orphans and the poor and needy, instead of being used to actually purchase a sheep and slaughter it.

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

لا يجزئ دفع القيمة عن ذبح العقيقة وذبح الأضحية؛ لأن ذبحهما والأكل من لحمهما والتصدق منه عبادة لا يقوم مقامها التصدق بالقيمة.

It is Continue reading

Sending Money to Family Back Home To Slaughter the Udhiyah Sacrifice There

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

هل يجزئ المسلم صاحب العيال ترك عياله في وطنه إذا حان عيد الأضحى أن يرسل ثمن أضحيته إلى عياله في وطنه؛ لتذبحها العيال أو تنحرها نيابة عنه؛ لأنه مهاجر، وهو متأكد أن العيال تضحي عنه كما أمر، أو لا بد أن يضحي حيث هو؟

QUESTION: Is this acceptable: A Muslim head of household leaves his family behind in his homeland and when ‘Eed al-Adha comes around, and he sends them the amount needed to purchase an animal for the Udhiyah Sacrifice, so they could slaughter it on his behalf, as he is traveling. He is certain that they would actually slaughter on his behalf according to his instructions. Or must he slaughter it himself wherever he is?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

لا بأس أن يرسل المغترب ثمن الأضحية إلى أولاده في وطنه؛ ليقوموا بشرائها وذبحها في بيتهم، بل هذا هو الأفضل والسنة.

It is no problem for a traveler to send the value of the Udhiyah to his children back in his homeland, in order for them to purchase and slaughter it at their home. Actually, this is Continue reading

Does a Man in Charge of Two Households Slaughter Two Udhiyah Sacrifices?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

يوجد لي بيتان تبعد عن بعضها حوالي 15 كم، وأريد أن أضحي. فهل أذبح عند كل بيت أضحية، أم أذبحها في بيت واحد؟ مع العلم أنني ذبحتها عند أحد البيتين وأحضرت أهل البيت الثاني فحضروا الذبح.
وهل تكسر عظام الأضاحي بعد الذبح؟ وهل تكسر قرون الأضاحي بعد الذبح؟

QUESTION: I have two households which are 15 kilometers apart from one other. I want to offer an Udhiyah Sacrifice. Do I offer a separate Udhiyah at each house, or do I slaughter at one house only? Please know that I have already slaughtered one sacrifice at one of the houses, and I brought the family of the second house to be there for the sacrifice. Also, are the bones of the animal sacrificed for Udhiyah allowed to be cut after the slaughter? And are the horns of the Udhiyah animal allowed to be cut after the slaughter?

ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):

يجزئ عنك أضحية واحدة لبيتيك ما دام أن صاحبها واحد، وإن ذبحت في كل واحد من البيتين أضحية مستقلة فهو أفضل، ولا شيء في كسر عظام وقرون الأضاحي.

It is sufficient for you to offer Continue reading