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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Are we accountable for our inner thoughts?

Q 3: Will a person be called to account for their inner thoughts?

A: Allah is Gracious and Merciful to His Servants. He, out of His Mercy, does not impose upon them what they cannot bear. No one will be called to account for their inner thoughts, based on the Hadith authentically reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: { Allah has forgiven my Ummah (nation based on one creed) whatever thoughts that occur to their minds, as long as they do not put them into action or utter them.} In his book "Al-Musnad", Imam Ahmad said: `Affan told us that `Abdul-Rahman ibn Ibrahim told him that Al-`Ala' ibn `Abdul-Rahman told him on the authority of his father that Abu Hurayrah said: "When it was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) the Ayah (Qur'anic verse) saying: {To Allâh belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and whether you disclose what is in your ownselves or conceal it, Allâh will call you to account for it. Then He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And Allâh is Able to do all things.} the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) felt it hard. They came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), kneeled in front of him and said: "O Messenger of Allah! We were assigned deeds that we can perform, such as Salah (Prayer), Sawm (Fasting), Jihad (striving in the Cause of Allah) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity).But we cannot bear this Ayah that was revealed to you." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: { 'Do you want to say as the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) said before you, 'We hear and disobey?' You should rather say, 'We hear and we obey; (we seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord! and unto You is the return.} When people acknowledged it and humbly recited it, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) revealed directly after it: {The Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allâh, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" - and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)."} When they did, Allah (Blessed and Exalted be He) abrogated it and revealed instead: {Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. “Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error}

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

Fatwas of the Permanent Committee - Group 2 - Part 2 - Page 485

Content > `Aqidah > Reckoning on the Day of Resurrection

Q 6: What will the reckoning on the Day of Resurrection be like? Will every Ummah (nation) be called to account using its own language, or what? What is the wisdom behind Resurrection, though it is well known that Allah is All-knowing of the affairs of His Creation?

A: Reckoning on the Day of Resurrection is for every person to know their good and bad deeds in worldly life by reading their own record of deeds, which they will receive either with the right or left hand, and acknowledge that there is nothing written in it that they have not done. Anyone who denies what is in the record of their deeds, their skin and organs will testify to what they have done. Allah (Exalted be He) says:{ On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their legs (or feet) will bear witness against them as to what they used to do.} [Surah Al-Nor 24:24 ] And:{ This Day, We shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn. (It is said that one's left thigh will be the first to bear the witness). [Tafsir At-Tabari,]} [Surah Ysin 36:65] And:{ And (remember) the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire, then they will be driven [(to the Fire), former ones being withheld till their later ones will join them].} [Surah Fussilat 41:19] {Till, when they reach it (Hell-fire), their hearing (ears) and their eyes, and their skins will testify against them as to what they used to do.} [Surah Fussilat 41:20] {And they will say to their skins, "Why do you testify against us?" They will say: "Allah has caused us to speak as He causes all things to speak: and He created you the first time, and to Him you are made to return."} [Surah Fussilat 41:19] The wisdom behind the reckoning is:Showing the perfection of Allah's Justice and confronting His servants with the irrefutable evidence as to what they did in this world.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

Content > `Aqidah > People in Barzakh

Q: Respected Shaykh, I would like Your Eminence to explain to me an issue that confuses me: It is authentically reported that when a human dies, their soul is taken to the heavens and shown its place, whether in Paradise or Hellfire, then it returns to the body and remains there till the Day of Judgment.
Also, it is authentically reported that during Isra' (Night Journey) and Mi`raj (Ascension to Heaven), the Messenger (peace be upon him) saw many people in Paradise and Hellfire. He (peace be upon him) even described what he had seen with his own eyes. How can we reconcile between all these Hadiths? May Allah reward you.

A: Basically, dead bodies are in the earth, whereas the souls in an abode, experiencing either bliss or punishment, yet they remain connected to the bodies. What the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saw is a Karamah (an extraordinary event caused by Allah for or through a pious person) with which Allah blessed him. Allah turned the souls into bodies for the Prophet to see Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and `Eisa (Jesus), peace be upon them all. Also, during Salat-ul-Kusuf (Prayer on a solar eclipse) he (peace be upon him) saw `Amr ibn Luhay `Amr ibn Luhay dragging his intestines in Hellfire and mentioned the story of the woman who imprisoned a cat till it died of hunger for which she was punished in Hellfire.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

Content > `Aqidah > Punishment and bliss in the grave

Q: The noble Messenger (peace be upon him) said: The grave is either a garden of Paradise or a pit of Hellfire. Whether the person is destined to enter Paradise or Hellfire, all we know is that the body decomposes in the earth and worms eat it. In the Hadith our noble Messenger (peace be upon him) stated that Allah forbade the earth to decompose the remains of Prophets. Is this regarding the Prophets only? If the person is destined to Paradise, does their body decompose in the grave, or does it remain and can enjoy the fragrance of Paradise? We hope you will explain this.

A: It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:{ When one of you dies, they are shown their place (in the Hereafter) morning and evening; if they are among the people of Paradise, they are (shown their place) among the people of Paradise; and if they are among the denizens of Hell, they are (shown their place) among the denizens of Hell, and it will be said to them, 'That is your abode until Allah raises you onthe Day of Resurrection.'} [Al-Bukhari, vol.2 p,103, vol.4 p.85] (This is the wording of Al-Bukhari) It is one of the basic tenets of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) that bliss and punishment are experienced by the soul, and that the body undergoes the same during Barzakh (period between death and the Resurrection), also, that bliss and punishment are experienced by the person whether the body remains or decomposes. We do not know how this happens, because it is a matter that belongs to the realm of Ghayb (the Unseen) about which we know nothing. We just have to believe in this, based on the evidence from the Qur'an, the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) and Ijma` (consensus of scholars).

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

Content > `Aqidah > The questions the dead are to answer in the grave

Q 1: What is the question asked to a dead person after being placed in the grave?

A: Hadiths ranked as Sahih (authentic) and Mutawatir (reported by a significant number of narrators throughout the chain of narration, whose agreement upon a lie is impossible) confirm that a dead person is questioned by two angels after burial about some of their beliefs. It is reported in the Sahih Books of Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:{When a human is laid in the grave and their companions leave, while they can still hear their footsteps, two angels come to them, make them sit and ask them, 'What did you used to say about this man, Muhammad (peace be upon him)?' A Mu'min (believer) will say, 'I testify that he is the Servant of Allah and His Messenger.' It will be said to them, 'Look at your place in Hellfire; Allah has given you a place in Paradise instead.' The dead person will see both their places.} [Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book on funerals, no. 1374] Qatadah said: "It was mentioned to us that a Mu'min's grave is made spacious." He then continues the Hadith of Anas who said:{ Whereas a hypocrite or a Kafir (disbeliever) will be asked, 'What did you used to say about this man?' They will reply, 'I do not know; I used to repeat what the people used to say.' It will be said to them, 'Neither did you know nor did you follow those who know.' They will be hit with iron hammers once; they will send such a cry that everything near them will hear it, except Jinn and mankind.}

It is also reported in the Two Sahih Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim), on the authority of Al-Bara' ibn `Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:{ A Muslim when questioned in the grave, testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. This is the Saying of Allah: Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter.} [Al-Bukhari, Sahih, vol,2 p, 101, vol. 5 p. 220]

It is also reported in the Sahih Book of Muslim on the authority of Al-Bara' ibn `Azib that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The Ayah (Qur'anic verse):{{ Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book on Tafsir, no. 4699; Muslim, Sahih, Book on Paradise, description of its boon and inhabitants, no. 2871; Al-Tirmidhy, Sunan, Book on Tafsir, no. 3120; Al-Nasa'y, Sunan, Book on funerals, no. 2057; Abu Dawud, Sunan, Al-Sunnah, no. 4753; Ibn Majah, Sunan, Book on asceticism, no. 4269; and Ahmad, Musnad, vol. 4, p. 292. Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter.} was revealed about the punishment in the grave. A person is asked, 'Who is your Lord?' They reply, 'My Lord is Allah, and my Prophet is Muhammad (peace be upon him).' This is the Saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He):{ Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter}

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

DARUL IFTA

Content > `Aqidah > Punishment in the grave: Physical or spiritual?

Q 5: What is the punishment in the grave? Is it physical or spiritual? Does it afflict the body, the soul or both?

A: A person physically experiences the punishment in the grave, although the living people do not notice it. It is for both the body and the soul, as proven by the apparent textual meanings contained in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Allah (Exalted be He) says:{ The Fire, they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon. And on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): "Cause Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) people to enter the severest torment!" [Surah Ghafir, 40:46]

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.
Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

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DARUL IFTA

Content > `Aqidah > Valentine's Day

Q: Some people celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14 by exchanging red roses, dressing in red, and congratulating one another on that day. Some cake shops make heart-shaped cakes in red and draw hearts on them and other shops advertise special items on sale for this day. What is your opinion on:
First: Celebrating this day?
Second: Buying from these stores on this day?
Third: Shop owners who do not celebrate this day selling gifts to those who do celebrate it?
May Allah reward you with the best.

A: The clear-cut evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah, upon which the Salaf (righteous predecessors) of this Ummah (nation based on one creed) of this Ummah unanimously agree, confirms that there are only two `Eids (festivals) in Islam: `Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) and `Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice). Any other festival, whether peculiar to a person, a group, an event or stands for any meaning whatever, is an invented festival that is not permissible for Muslims to celebrate, approve of, enjoy, or support in any way, because this is considered to be a transgression of the Boundaries of Allah. Anyone who transgresses the boundaries set by Allah has wronged themselves. If we add to this fabricated festival the fact that it is one of the festivals of the Kafirs (disbelievers), this heaps sin upon sin, because it entails imitating them and is a type of support of them. Allah (Glorified be He) forbids the Mu'mins (believers), in His Ever-Glorious Book, from imitating or supporting the Kafirs. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:{ Anyone who imitates a people is one of them.} [Abu Dawud Sunna, Book on Clothing no: 4031] Valentine's Day falls under this heading, as it is one of the idolatrous Christian festivals. It is not lawful for a Muslim who believes in Allah and the Last Day to celebrate, approve of, or congratulate people on it; it is forbidden to them. Rather, it is obligatory for them to ignore and avoid it, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger and to keep away from that which will arouse Allah's Anger and incur Punishment.It is also Haram (prohibited) for Muslims to support this festival or any other forbidden festival by any means, whether by supplying food or drinks; selling, buying, manufacturing, gift-giving, corresponding, advertising and so on, because all this comes under cooperating in sin and transgression, and disobeying Allah and His Messenger. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:{ Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.} [Surah Al-M'ida 5:2]
It is obligatory for Muslims to adhere to the Qur'an and Sunnah in all matters, especially in times of Fitnah (trial) when corruption is widespread. They must be sagacious enough and on their guard to avoid falling into the misguidance of those who have earned Allah's Anger, those who went astray, or the Fasiqs (those flagrantly violating Islamic law) who have no fear of Allah nor have pride in being Muslims. Muslims should resort to Allah, asking for guidance and steadfastness in Islam, as it is Allah Alone Who guides and keeps us steadfast.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

Content > `Aqidah > Al-Fatihah to have your needs fulfilled?

Q: I read in an Islamic book that whoever has some need and wants it fulfilled should read Surah Al-Fatihah (Opening Chapter of the Qur'an) forty times after Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer. Once finished and before leaving, one's request will undoubtedly be fulfilled - In sha'a-Allah (if Allah wills). Is this saying correct?

A: It is not permissible for a Muslim to recite Al-Fatihah forty times to have some needs fulfilled. This is one of the newly-invented Bid`ahs (innovations in religion). It is not correct that the need of a Muslim who reads it will be fulfilled; rather, it is part of the promotion of this Bid`ah and a confusion for the common people.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

DARUL IFTA

Content > `Aqidah > Sufi claim of worship through love alone

Q: What is the ruling on some people who say: "O Allah, I worship You out of my love for You. If I worship You fearing Your Hell, let me enter it and if I worship You seeking to enter Your Paradise, let me enter Your Hell"?

A: Worshiping Allah just by loving Him is the Manhaj (methodology) of misguided Sufis, which is of their own invention.Loving Allah is the highest degree of `Ibadah (worship), but not the sole act of `Ibadah. The Manhaj of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) is to worship Allah through love, fear, hope and other expressive forms of `Ibadah. Allah (Exalted be He) says:{ Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret.} [Surah Al-A'raf 7:55;] Allah says about His Prophets:{ Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.} [Surah Al-Anbiya 21:90] Allah also says about the angels:{ And they stand in awe for fear of Him.} [Surah Al-Anbiya 21:28] And:{ They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.} [Surah Al-Nahl 16:50] There are many Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) elaborating on this meaning.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee

DARUL IFTA

Content > `Aqidah > Qutb and Ghawth titles

Q: What is the ruling on giving the title of Qutb (Sufi title denoting a "Perfect Master") or Ghawth (Source of Succor) to some Awliya' (pious people)? Is this permissible?

A: The two titles Qutb and Ghawth do not have any basis in Allah's Purified Shar` (Law). These terms are invented by some extremist Sufis. Accordingly, giving these titles to some Awliya' (pious people) is not permissible. Some misguided people understand such terms to mean that such a Qutb or Ghawth can run the affairs of the universe and fulfill people's needs. This is Kufr (disbelief) that contradicts Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/ monotheism) because Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) revealed the Scriptures, and sent the Messengers to worship Him Alone without partners or associates. He (Exalted be He) commanded all creatures to resort and supplicate to Him Alone to bestow upon them all good and ward off harm. Allah (Exalted be He) says:{ Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Little is that you remember!} [Surah Al-Namal 27:62] He (Exalted be He) says:{ And if Allah touches you with harm, there is none who can remove it but He, and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favour which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He wills. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.} [Surah Yonus, 10:107] He (Glorified be He) also says:{ Say: "None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghaib (Unseen) except Allah"} [Surah Al-Namal 27:65]

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta

Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee