On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, we managed to run a successful e-mail based Live Fatwa session with Dr. Wael Shihab on “General Juristic Issues".
Interestingly, users reacted positively and sent their questions via the Fatwa section’s e-mail address in and ahead of the session’s time. The honorable guest, Dr. Shihab, Head of the English Shari`ah Dept. of OnIslam.net, answered some interesting questions.
Below you can review all questions and Dr. Shihab’s replies:
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Question 1:
Arshad - South Africa
Allah's Eternal Nature
As-salamu `alaykum. I have a question about Allah and ourselves as servants. Allah is eternal; He has no beginning and no end. We, however have a beginning and an end. Yet Jannah is a new beginning, does Jannah also have an end or will God bless us with eternal life? This doesn’t make sense unless it's a gift like freewill.
Reply:
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thank you for your question.
Of course, Allah the Almighty has no end or beginning. Allah, Most High, is absolute and not bound by anything or any limit whatsoever. This applies to both His entity and His attributes, including His existence. So He Most High is infinite, eternal and limitless, and His perfections have no number, limit or end. The Qur’an says, {He is the Ever-First, the Ever-Last, the All-Outward, and the All-Inward. He has full knowledge of everything.} (Al-Hadid 57: 3)
As for the blessings and joy in Paradise, they are eternal. Blessed inhabitants of Paradise will be favored by the eternal life.
The Qur’an says, {But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are companions of the Garden, abiding in it eternally.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 82) Also, the Qur’an says, {Their Lord gives them glad tidings of a mercy from Himself and good pleasure and of gardens for them wherein is lasting enjoyment.} (At-Tawbah 9:21)
Moreover, Abu Hurayrah reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “He who gets into Paradise [will be made to enjoy such an everlasting] bliss that he will neither become destitute nor will his clothes wear out nor will his youthfulness decline." (Muslim)
The above Qur’anic verses and hadith indicate that blessings and joy in Paradise are everlasting. Inhabitants of Paradise will eternally enjoy its blessings by the grace and will of Allah. The Qur’an and the Sunnah are very clear in proving the fact that Paradise is Allah’s favor and reward for the good believers who maintain true faith and act accordingly.
May Allah accept your and our good deeds!
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Question 2:
Arshad - South Africa
Spiritual Realm
As-salamu `alaykum. The Qur’an mentions that we all praised Allah before we were born. What I want to know is: couldn't this place have been a testing ground to see whether we are worthy of worshiping Allah or not? Some scholars say it would've been a place where we met people that we liked and disliked etc. What is your opinion about the spiritual realm? Salam, Arshad.
Reply:
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thank you for your question.
In think you are referring to the Qur’anic verse that reads, {And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam's loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord?" They said: "Yes! We testify," lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: "Verily, we have been unaware of this.} (Al-A`raf 7: 172)
There are various interpretations for the above mentioned Qur’anic verse. Many scholars incline to the interpretation that the verse is referring to creating people on the pure human instinct (fitrah).
According to Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir:
“Allah stated that He brought the descendants of Adam out of their fathers' loins, and they testified against themselves that Allah is their Lord and King and that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. Allah created them on this fitrah, or way, just as He said, {So set you (O Muhammad) your face truly towards the religion, Hanifan. Allah's fitrah with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in creation of Allah.} (Ar-Rum 30: 30)
And, it is recorded in the Two Sahihs from Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allah said, “Every child is born upon the fitrah, it is only his parents who turn him into a Jew, a Christian or a Zoroastrian. Just as animals are born having full bodies, do you see any of them having a cutoff nose (when they are born).”
Muslim recorded that `Iyad ibn `Himar said that the Messenger of Allah said, “Allah said, `I created My servants Hunafa' (monotheists), but the devils came to them and deviated them from their religion, prohibiting what I allowed.”
Though there other interpretations for the referred to Qur’anic verse, I believe that a Muslim should concern himself or herself, first and foremost, with maintaining true faith in Allah and acting according to the ethics and values of Islam. A Muslim should spare no efforts in drawing himself or herself closer to Allah by having sound belief and doing good deeds.
May Allah accept your and our good deeds!
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Question 3:
Abdu - Canada - 23 years
Is it a Sunnah?
As-salamu `alaykum. Dear scholars, I once heard that it's a sunnah to learn swordsmanship and ride a horse; is this true? Does it apply to today? I also heard from a few scholars that technology will one day decade and people will once again use horses in battles. Is this true? Thank you.
Reply:
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thank you for your question.
In fact, Muslims are Islamically required to equip themselves with various forms of power such as education, technologies, health, economy, etc.
Therefore, the Qur’an asks Muslims to be well-prepared and equipped with various types of power and advanced technologies and sciences, saying, {And prepare for them whatever power and whatever garrisoned horses you can, to [spread awe thereby into [the hearts] of the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others, apart from them that you do not know; Allah knows them. And whatever you expend in the way of Allah will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be done an injustice.} (Al-Anfal 8:60)
According to scholars of Tafsir (Exegesis of the Qur’an), the expression “whatever power” encompasses all sorts of weapons, equipment, and means of transportation, as well as the explicit mentioning of “whatever garrisoned horses.” The verse urges and encourages Muslims to explore “whatever power,” meaning all possible means and innovations, and to spend as much money and effort—“expend in the way of Allah”—to acquire and attain such power.
Also, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) encouraged Muslims to be physically, mentally, financially, scholarly, etc., powerful, saying, “The strong [or powerful] believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer; and in both is goodness.” (Sahih Muslim).
Given the above, Muslims should spare no efforts to maintain and gain modern advanced power in all aspects of life including financial, healthy, military, educational, social, cultural fields.
May Allah accept your and our good deeds!
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Question 4:
Mariam – Canada
Du`aa for a healthy baby
As salamu alikum. I am 9 weeks pregnant with my first child at the moment. Alhamdulillah me and my husband couldn’t be happier. But I have been having a lot of anxiety, scared that my baby might be born with problems either physically or mentally. I can’t stop thinking about it, or enjoy my pregnancy. A lot of the time i just sit and cry. I pray to God for a healthy baby. I am wondering, if there is any Duaa or specific prayers I can make for a healthy baby, or what i should do? JazakAllah.
Reply:
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thank you for your question.
Children are among Allah’s favors and blessings that deserve our gratitude to Allah. The Qur’an says, {O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless [offspring] men and women;- reverence Allah, through whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.} (An-Nisa’ 4: 1)
It is our advice for you to rely on Allah, to draw yourself closer to Him Most High by means of maintaining sound faith and acting according to the teachings of Islam, to busy yourself with dhikr and beneficial activities, and to hope that Allah will grant you good pleasing kids.
Moreover, You are advised to frequently say the following Qur’anic du`a’, particularly in your prayers and in good times such as before the Fajr and when it rains,
"Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of those who have Taqwa." (Al-Furqan 25:74)
Also, ask Allah in your du`aa’, through your own wordings, to grant you healthy and pleasing kids.
May Allah accept your and our good deeds!
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Question 5:
Ebadou Abd
As-salamu `alaykum.
1- My question is; there is this girl that I met online. We both agreed to get married in the near future. This is because we are in different states and also she is going to school. Sheikh, is it permissible for us to either talk on phone or even text each other to communicate while we are waiting to get married? This girl is a revert and her family are not Muslims. I myself fear Allah not to do something dislike. Please, advise us.My second question is: recently I found out that online matrimonial sites, especially
2- Muslim matrimonial sites, are a place where one sees the `awrah of Muslimahs. I mean while searching in these sites, one would come across some ladies without hijab or some with inappropriate dresses, in their profile. Sheikh, would this make it forbidden for a good Muslim to go find a wife in such social sites?
3- The third question is: I was leading my family for `Asr Prayer. While we were in the last tashahud, smoke came out of the kitchen. My mum said her salam, complete her prayer immediately and rushed to the kitchen without waiting to finish with the imam ( myself). Did she need to pray all over again? Bbecause she did’tn wait till the imam say his salam first?
Reply:
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thank you for your question.
1- Regarding your first question, engaged couples are allowed to talk within the general limits and ethics of Islam. So, you may help her become more practicing Muslimah and she may ask you about Islam and its teachings. You may better introduce her to some good Muslim sisters to help her become a good Muslimah.
In your conversations, you are not allowed to go beyond the limits of normal talks between strangers, men and women. As you know, engagement doesn’t entitle you to any particular rights when speaking other than what strangers have. You need to be decent and follow morals and values of Shari`ah in your communications.
2- As for the second question, there are reliable Islamic matrimonial websites that a Muslim may make use of to look for a prospective spouse. However, a Muslim is not allowed to violate the ethics of Shari`ah in this regard.
Also, you should not completely rely on these sites in choosing a wife, rather you have to give intensive care to the matter and be highly attentive in dealing with such sites.
3- As for the third question, if your mother intended in her heart to disconnect herself from the jama`ah (the congregation), completed the prayer individually, and then said the tasleem, she may not repeat the prayer.
However, if she didn’t complete the prayer pillars, after intending to disconnect herself from the congregation, she would need to repeat the prayer which she didn’t complete.
May Allah accept your and our good deeds!
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Question 6:
Anonymous – Male – Canada
Friendship With Guy/Girl
As-salamu `alaykum. Can a Muslim guy and a Muslim girl, just be friends? I am a university student and I have been faced with some confusion whether I should 100% avoid them, or at least keep a friendship. Keep in mind that 100% avoidance is impossible in western Canada. If we are to stay within our religious limits and such, is friendship okay?
Reply:,
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thank you for your question.
In fact, a Muslim is required to be kind, cooperative, faithful, and friendly with his or her community members, colleagues, neighbors, etc.
At school, in office, or in any workplace a Muslim should cooperate with his or her colleagues in goodness for their and the public benefit and wellbeing. Allah Almighty says, “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.” (Al-Ma’idah 5: 2)
It is your duty, as a Muslim student, to be faithful, friendly, and cooperative with all your colleagues. You should translate the Islamic ethics and values into practice. Close and intimate friendship between boys and girls is un-Islamic. This kind of close friendship between boys and girls always lead to unacceptable behaviors.
So, you are to cooperate and deal with all your colleagues, boys and girls, within the general morals and values of Islam. Normal, decent, beneficial, fruitful, and moral talks, interactions, and communications among boys and girls are allowed provided that the dictates of Shari`ah are considered and adhered to.
May Allah accept your and our good deeds!
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Question 7:
Khalid – Canada
About Will
As-salamu `alaykum. I have a question on regarding wills in Islam. My mother in law has 3 children; 2 boys (33 and 29 years old) and 1 girl (31 years old). Since she got divorced 10 years ago, her 2 boys stopped talking to her or asking about her, refuse to do any effort to get in touch with her period, never come to visit her whether she is sick or not, even in Ramadan/Eid, or any other occasions. She wants to know if it is halal or haram NOT to include them in her will.
Reply:
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thank you for your question.
Children should be dutiful to their parents, whether they are alive or dead. In their life, parents should be respected and kindly treated by their children. After the death of parents, children are still bound to be dutiful to them by praying for their mercy and forgiveness, respecting their will and wishes, and maintaining good ties with their relatives and friends. The Qur’an says, “Your Lord has decreed, that you worship none save Him, and (that you show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with you, say not ‘Fie’ unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word.” (Al-Isra’ 17: 23)
Children, therefore, should spare no efforts to show all types of kindness to parents. However, dutifulness to parents extends beyond their death and continues as long as we live. Therefore, one should supplicate and do other acts that benefit the dead as much as possible for his or her parents after their death.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, "When a son of Adam passes away, he is cut off from his deeds except for three things: a current or perpetual charity, good knowledge that benefits someone, and a good child who makes du`a' (supplication) for him."
As for parents, they should be kind, merciful, and just with their children. If a child fails to be dutiful to his or her parents, the parents are to maintain justice with all children hoping that Allah will guide them all to the correct and straight path.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was ever keen to remind the parents of their responsibility towards their children. Thus he not only ordered them to deal with their children justly but also warned them against any words or actions that may amount to be discriminatory. He said, “Fear Allah and deal justly towards your children!” Once one of his Companions requested him to witness an offer of a present to one of his sons; the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked him, “Have you given a similar gift to all of your children?” When the man replied, “No,” he told him, “Go and find someone else to witness this act, for I cannot be a witness to an act of injustice!”
Given the above, your mother-in-law is to apply the Shari`ah teachings regarding inheritance when writing her last will. She should not exclude any of her children from the will. All children should receive their shares in inheritance as detailed by Shari`ah.
May Allah accept your and our good deeds!
Allah Almighty knows best.
