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

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

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen on Removing Part of the Footwear and then Continuing to Wipe Over it

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

The Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) allowed residents to wipe over their footwear when performing wudhoo’ (instead of washing the feet) for a period of one day. Travelers are allowed to do so for three entire days. This is founded upon clear evidences from the Quran and the authentic Sunnah.

From the important issues of this gracious concession is that once the footwear is removed for any reason, the period of wiping over it ends, and a person may only wipe over it again once he puts the footwear back on in a state of purity (having already made wudhoo’).

One of our visitors asked about when there is a need to uncover only a small part of the foot just under the ankle, like to rub it, is that considered “removal” of the footwear or not?

The great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen [d.1421] – may Allaah have Mercy on him – was asked:

ما حكم خلع الشراب أو بعض منها ليحك بعض قدمه أو يزيل شيئاً في رجله كحجر صغير ونحوه؟ 

What is the ruling on removing the footwear or part of it in order to scratch part of the foot or remove something like a small pebble or anything similar (from inside of the footwear)?

The shaykh replied by saying:

إذا أدخل يديه من تحت الشراب (الجوارب) فلا بأس في ذلك ولا حرج ، أما إن خلعها فينظر إن خلع جزءاً يسيراً فلا يضر ، وإن خلع شيئاً كثيراً بحيث يظهر أكثر القدم فإنه يبطل المسح عليهما في المستقبل.

If he reaches in under the footwear with his hand, there is no problem with that, nothing wrong at all. However, if he removes it (the footwear), then we need to understand: If he only removed a small part of it, there is no harm (i.e. he may continue to wipe over it). If he removed a large part of it, exposing most of his foot, then his (period of) wiping ends at that time.

Source: Question #17 of his book, Fataawaa fil-Mas-h ‘alal-Khuffayn, as found on the official website of his charitable foundation (here).

Based on this fatwaa from Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy on him), a person may continue wiping over his footwear after uncovering a small part of the foot under the ankle, as mentioned in the original question, and Allaah knows best.

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

Shaykh Ibn Baaz on Giving a Mus-haf to a Christian

In the Name of Allaah, the Compassionate, the Ever Merciful…

Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have Mercy on him), late Muftee of Saudi Arabia, was asked, “If a Christian requests a mus-haf from me, should I give it to him or not?” He replied:

You may not give him one, however, you can read the Qur’aan to him, so he could hear it. You could invite him to (the Religion of) Allaah and pray for his guidance, based on the Statement of Allaah, the Most High, in His Authoritative Book [what means]:

( And if any of the polytheists seek your protection, then grant him protection, so that he could hear the Speech of Allaah, then grant him passage safely. ) [9:6]

And the statement of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) [what means]:

“Do not travel with the Qur’aan to the land of the enemy, as I fear they could get a hold of it.” [Muslim]

This proves that a non-Muslim is not to be given a mus-haf, to avoid him degrading it or playing with it. However, he can be taught, have the Qur’aan read to him, advised, and prayed for. If he accepts Islam he can be given a mus-haf.

Furthermore, there is no problem in giving him some books of tafseer or hadeeth, if it is hoped that he might benefit from them. He may also be given some translations of the meanings of the Noble Qur’aan.

Source: Majmoo’ Fataawaa of Shaykh Ibn Baaz (6/469-470). [Arabic]

Translated by: Moosaa Richardson