Obama kills 23 children and 17 women in Yemen on 23 Dec

Strangely, I have not seen much fuss on this incident on the news... Could it have anything to do with Obama recieving the noble price just a bit over a week prior to commiting this war crime???? More than 2/3 of the killed were innocent civiliants, mostly children and women!!!

Please follow this link to watch the video of the report on http://www.democracynow.org/2009/12/23/report_obama_ordered_us_military_strike

How to wear niqab in a non-muslim country

Or in some cases even a muslim country (eeehhhhhm, my morocco experiment *rolling the eyes*) !!!

Here are some nice practical tips on how to get a good start with wearing the niqab insha Allah :)

"Veiling is the tradition of Muslim women. Since its prescription, the prophet’s wives, daughters and other believing Muslim women have strictly observed it. Today, the Muslim ladies keep it up. When you wear full hijab (covering of the head, neck, chest, face, hands and feet) in a non-Muslim country, there is no doubt that you are Muslim. A Niqab is a veil which covers the face of a woman.

Step 1

Study the Daleels, the verses of the Holy Quran, the Hadith and the traditions that back up your view about Niqab, then you can share them with others.

Step 2

Make yourself familiar with the benefits of Niqab and the disadvantages of unveiling.

Step 3

Understand the hardships that might arise from wearing Niqab.

Step 4

Discuss your decision with someone else, such as your parents or best friend.
Step 5

Practice wearing Niqab in your home or other private places. You may find it difficult to breathe or see in Niqab when you first start wearing it.

Step 6

Start wearing Niqab, make Dua and ask Allah to help you wearing it.

Tips

Get in touch with other Niqabis you meet.
When you are passing another woman, smile, make good eye contact, and greet them. Set a good example for all Muslims.
Be nice to people who serve you (i.e. cashiers, waitresses, etc.).
Get to know your neighbors. Greet them when you see them out.
If your parents are against the Niqab, discuss with them. Try to convince them that you have the freedom to choose the opinion that you believe to be correct.

Warnings

Don’t judge other muslimahs that do not wear Niqab or Hijab.
Don't wear eye veils at first, as you get used to having on niqaab and are comfortable with it, then you can start making the slit more narrow.
Be prepared to answer questions about the Niqab or possibly recieve rude comments or stares. Show them you are a nice person, and make them regret acting rude."

Anwar Al Awlaki - Battle of the hearts and minds

Listen to Imam Anwar Al Awlaki's excellent lecture entitled Battle of Hearts and Minds. This will explain america's treachery and deception towards Muslims world-wide.

Am so sorry for some reason I couldnt embed the videos but just click on the link insha Allah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHoTjzUSfDw&feature=PlayList&p=B34AE4CB30AAE628&index=0

Subhan Allah! Sleeping on the stomach

Now I know why my shoulders, neck and my back are so stiff in the morning!!

What's Islam opinion about insurance? (all kinds)

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

As far as we know, insurance is a new issue which was not known to the former jurists . It appeared in Muslim societies due to the absence of an Islamic state. Anyway, the Islamic legislation does not approve of it and all its forms are forbidden, whether it is life insurance, health insurance or insurance on goods or properties, and so forth; because it includes forbidden contracts. For instance it involves Ribaa (interest and/or usury) because one party of the contract gets more than what it had paid. A shop holder, for example, pays one thousand and when he is faced with any problem, he gets ten thousands. This insurance is also based on high risk. A person may pay some money and he may lose that amount without any recompense, or he may experience a great damage and the other party will compensate him with a much greater amount than what it had received from him. This is nothing but a high risk. Insurance also includes gambling, as clarified in the above example.

Insurance involves as well paying an amount of money in return for a guaranty, because one pays an amount of money so that the other party will guaranty –whatever it is- for him. Therefore, there should be no difference of opinion about the prohibition of insurance unless a person is obliged to do it, for instance if one is in a country where car insurance is compulsory. In this case, in our view [Islamweb], if one causes damage to another, then one may refer him to his insurance company if the damage is equal or less that what he had paid the company. However, if the damage is more than what he had paid the company, then one should only let the other claim according to the amount he had paid the company and then one should pay him the remaining from his own pocket, because it is an invalid contract. And the rule, in this case, is that one should not take more than his capital money. Allaah Says (what means): {…but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums).}[Quran 2:279]. This means that one should not be unjust to others by taking more money than what he had paid them, and on the other hand the other party should not be unjust to him by taking from him all his capital money or part of it without any right.

The same thing applies when damage is caused to you, if what you had paid and what the other party who caused damage to you had paid is equal to the amount of repairs, then you may take all this money, but if the amount is less than the amount of repairs, then, if it is possible for you to convince him to pay you the difference because he is faulty, then all the best, otherwise no.

Of course, all the above applies to a non-cooperative insurance; however, if the insurance is cooperative, for instance if a group of people agree-each one of them- to pay an amount as a donation, and this amount is reserved for emergencies which may happen to each one of them, then this is permissible, Allaah willing, as long as the donator gives this amount with the intention of donating, and as long as there is a need for such amount.

Allaah knows best.

www.islamweb.net

Hijab bans...

WASHINGTON — American Muslims are slamming a draft law in the northwestern state of Oregon to ban teachers from wearing religious dress such as hijab at public school.

The Oregon state legislature has passed a bill banning teachers from wearing religious dress at schools and will be signed by the Oregon governor into law.

"No teacher in any public school shall wear any religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher," says the Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act.

The bill also says education officials and schools would not be breaking the law if they "prohibit a teacher from wearing religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher."
Hooper said the bill violates the right of people to wear what they like.

"Merely wearing a headscarf is not proselytizing; it's a statement of faith," he said.

"Practicing one's faith is a right guaranteed by the constitution."

Earlier this month, New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg nixed a city council call to allow public schools to close on two of the holiest Muslim holidays.

CAIR, America's largest Muslim advocacy group, has defended the right of Americans of all faiths to wear religious attire in the workplace.

Earlier this year, CAIR chapters in Oklahoma and Minnesota helped block proposed legislation that would have prohibited wearing Hijab in driver's license photographs.

Hooper questioned if the ban would affect a Muslim woman who did not normally wear a scarf but had to undergo chemotherapy and lost her hair.

"Would she be put through an inquisition to determine if she was making a religious statement or not?" He said.

Hooper said the Oregon legislation directly contradicts a statement made by US President Barack Obama during a speech to the Muslim world in Egypt in June.

"Freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion," Obama said in his landmark speech.

"That is why the US government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the Hijab, and to punish those who would deny it."

Hijab has been in the spotlight since France banned the wearing of the Muslim headscarf at schools in 2004.

Since then, many European countries followed suit.

Islam sees Hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one's affiliations.

The Muslim leader said that banning Hijab and other religious symbols is not the answer.

"Concerns about religious neutrality in schools can be adequately addressed through professional codes of conduct."

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=162593

German religion ban violates Muslim rights: HRW

HRW says exemptions are made for Christian traditions. Laws banning religious symbols and clothing for teachers and other civil servants in parts of Germany mainly target and violate the rights of Muslim women who wear the headscarf, a report published Thursday by Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

The 67-page report analyzed the human rights implications of the ban, in force in half of the 16 German states, and suggested that it discriminates against Muslim women, excluding them from public sector employment as some women have given up their careers or left Germany.

"These laws in Germany clearly target the headscarf, forcing women who wear it to choose between their jobs and their religious beliefs," the report said. "They discriminate on the grounds of both gender and religion and violate these women's human rights."

Oppressive law

The laws in question were all introduced in the last five years, following a 2003 Constitutional Court ruling that restrictions on religious dress are only permissible if explicitly laid down in law, the report said.

Although none of the laws explicitly target the headscarf they allow some exemptions for Christian and "Western" cultural traditions, which HRW said was just as oppressive as countries that force women to wear the headscarf, or hijab in Arabic.

"The claim that these restrictions don't discriminate doesn't stand up," the report said, "In practice, the only people affected by them are Muslim women who wear the headscarf."

HRW recommended that the eight states where a ban is in force should repeal the laws. Germany is home to three million Muslims and has biggest Turkish community outside Turkey.

"Allah or work?"

Female teachers refusing to remove their headscarf have been reprimanded and in some cases dismissed, the report said, citing testimony from dozens affected by the ban.The reported said that teachers had offered to wear alternatives to the headscarf, such as large hats or to tie the scarves in atypical styles, but were rejected.

"To renounce the headscarf is very difficult. On the first day I 'disguised' myself in the school toilet. When a colleague spoke to me, I broke down in tears," said one woman identified in the report as Rabia.

"My son asked me, 'what is more important, Allah or work?' I answered him that it is complicated," she added.

Other bans

The headscarf has been the subject of heated political debate across Europe and including Turkey where there have been several appeals filed to overturn a ban on university students wearing the headscarf.

Earlier this month Norway reversed a decision to allow female police officers to wear the headscarf following massive criticism of the ruling.

In May last year, Denmark's far-right People's Party launched a campaign against judges wearing headscarves in court and said: "There is no way we will accept this symbol of tyranny," a party spokesman was quoted by AFP as saying.

Debates are still raging in Italy and France, where a law was passed in 2004 banning headscarves and other religious symbols from French state schools.

http://voiceofthecopts.org/en/from_the_net/german_religion_ban_violates_muslim_rights_hrw.html

Everything about celebrations in Islam!

Celebrations In Islaam
Impermissible Acts of Celebration

Impermissible Acts Of Celebration - Introduction click here

To many people, celebrating `Eeds is a non-religious matter. They believe that one has the choice to participate in celebrating any Eed, for any nation, religion, or culture, as long as that does not involve engaging in haraam (prohibited) actions.
Based on this view, many Muslims often engage in various celebrations, and participate in the holidays of other peoples and religions.
True Muslims approach the celebration of `Eeds with correct understanding and conception¹. They avoid major violations associated with these occasions:

1. They avoid participating in any celebration or festivity that is not legislated by Allaah (SWT).
   
   
2. They avoid celebrating the `Eeds in a way similar to that of the kuffaar² or the faasiqs (corrupt) who overstep Allaah's boundaries when they rejoice. They indulge in various acts of disobedience, such as the mingling of men and women, wearing improper clothing, dancing and listening to music, committing adultery, drinking alcohol, etc.
   
   
3. They avoid performing unjustified practices and bid`ahs done by the ignorant Muslims during these days, such as visiting graveyards, or spending the night preceding the `Eed in extended worship.

Completing That Which Had Been Completed? click here

The completeness of Islaam¹ obviously means that it cannot be completed further. Believing otherwise would imply one or more of the following dangerous conclusions:

1. That Allaah (SWT) was not truthful in declaring this completeness.
   
   
2. That Allaah (SWT) has forgotten or missed some details needed to complete the Deen.
   
   
3. That Muhammad has neglected or forgotten to convey some matters needed to complete the Deen.

This explains why Islaam warns strongly against introducing bid`ahs into the Deen. Imaam Maalik (r) said:

"Whoever innovates in Islaam what he believes to be a good bid`ah would be claiming that Muhammad has betrayed the trust (of delivering the full Message)..."

He then recited aayah 5:3 from al-Maa`idah².

Differing from the Non-Muslims click here

Some Muslims naively think that Islaam allows them to resemble the non-Muslims and act in complete harmony with them. They seem to be extremely reluctant to exhibit a distinctive identity by proclaiming Islaam openly. They emphasize that what matters is what is in the heart, regardless of outward appearance or actions. This section will, in shaa'a 'Llaah, discuss these and related matters.
Commands From The Qur'aan And Sunnah
A Muslim is commanded to associate with his fellow believers and adhere to their way; Allaah (SWT) says:

If anyone contends with the Messenger after the Guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that of the believers, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell: What an evil abode!¹

A Muslim is further commanded to be distinctively different from the non-believers. For example, the Messenger said:

Be different from the Jews and the Christians.²

Be different from the disbelievers³

Whoever imitates a people is one of them.⁴

Importance Of Differing From The Non-Muslims
Why is it important to be different from the disbelievers? For the following reasons:

1. The Muslims are blessed with the BEST guidance. The Guidance from the Lord of lords, from Allaah (SWT). This gives the Muslims a true dignity and pride to which no one else has a claim. Allaah (SWT) says:
   
   
   
   

   Honor belongs to Allaah, to the Messenger, and to the Believers.⁵

   
   
   
2. The disbelievers are misguided, and their ways are based on deviant views concerning their societies, the universe, and their very existence. Their actions frequently reflect those deviant views. Why, then, would one wish to imitate them? Yet, very sadly, some Muslims do that - they imitate them in their most unintelligible acts! The Messenger says:

   You will follow the ways of those nations who preceded you very closely; even if they entered a lizard's hole you would follow them into it.⁶

   
   
   
3. An important rule of fiqh states that, "External resemblance results in real resemblance of the hearts." Resembling the disbelievers is Satan's first step in leading the Muslims to behave and believe like them.

Classes Of Imitation
One of the best books on the subject of imitating the kuffaar is Ibn Taymiyyah's great book, "Iqtidaa us-Siraat il-Mustaqeem". He (r) demonstrates that imitating the disbelievers is prohibited in itself, even if one does not do it intentionally; furthermore, doing it intentionally may reach the level of kufr (disbelief).
In order to better understand its dangers, imitation of the non-Muslims is divided below into five classes, some more serious than others.

1. If a practice is done by the non-Muslims for religious reasons and involves shirk, then it is absolutely prohibited, and anyone who does it is a mushrik 1 in practice. Ex.,
   • wearing a cross,
   • displaying an idol (appreciably),
   • worshiping in the non-Muslim religious services,
   • praying to a grave.
   "In practice" here means that, regardless of whether the person commits such an act ignorantly or intentionally, which only Allaah (SWT) knows about, he is considered to be practicing shirk, and is treated accordingly.
   
   
2. If a practice is done by the non-Muslims for religious reasons, but does not involve obvious shirk (at least to the one practicing it), then it is absolutely prohibited, and doing it constitutes a major sin. Ex.,
   • wearing the attire of clergymen, priests, etc.,
   • displaying a Christmas tree,
   • celebrating a non-Islaamic holiday.
   
   
3. If a practice is initiated and done by the non-Muslims (though imitated by ignorant and weak-hearted Muslims), for non-religious reasons, and is not a practice of the religious and knowledgeable Muslims, then it is also prohibited; anyone doing it will be liable to the warnings in the Sunnah for those who imitate the disbelievers. Ex.,
   • not to grow beards and trim moustaches,
   • not to dye the white hair,
   • to isolate the wife because of her menses,
   • to wear the Western hat, Tuxedos, or neckties,
   • to wear wedding bands,
   • to intently wear white for weddings or black for funerals,
   • to walk dogs,
   • to eat steak with a fork in the left hand,
   • to watch sports games or soap operas, etc.
   
   
4. If a practice is done mostly, but not exclusively, by the non-Muslims, for non-religious reasons, then it is permissible; however, the person who avoids it with the intention of obeying the above commands of the Prophet will be rewarded. Ex.,
   • wearing pants for men,
   • wearing the watch on the left hand.
   
   
5. If a practice is a shared practice among different nations and cultures, not being specific to any one in particular, then it is totally mubaah (open or permissible). Ex.,
   • riding cars,
   • eating with spoons.
   Thus, we are not calling the Muslims to denounce the scientific and technological advancements because the kuffaar are currently pioneering in them. Islaam requires the Muslims to learn these forms of knowledge, and to benefit the Muslim Ummah with them.

Differing from the Non-Muslims in Celebrations click here

The `Eeds are purely religious occasions for the Muslims<sup>1</sup>. Furthermore, `Eeds are distinctive features for every nation. Allaah (SWT) says:

To every people we have appointed rites (of sacrifice) that they must observe.²

As discussed above, the Muslims have been warned by Allaah (SWT) and His Messenger against following or imitating the non-Muslims in things that are characteristic of their religions or beliefs. This is more emphasized in the case of their `Eeds or holidays, which always hold religious or ideological non-Islaamic meanings, and on which the kuffaar indulge in many evil practices. Differing from them on such occasions includes the following:
Avoiding Their Days
The Muslims should completely avoid the kuffaar's celebrations. This includes places where they perform their holiday practices, and indulging with them in such practices, such as:

• Christmas and New Year parties,
• Halloween trick-or-treat,
• Thanksgiving celebration and dinner,
• Fourth of July fireworks,
• First of April lies,
• birthday parties, anniversaries, etc.

Avoiding Their Ways On Their Days
The Muslims should avoid copying the kuffaar's practices on such occasions, such as:

• setting up Christmas trees in the Muslims' houses or offices,
• inviting friends to a Turkey dinner on Thanksgiving day,
• purchasing or wearing Halloween costumes,
• holding birthday or anniversary parties for family members, etc.

Avoiding Congratulating Them
The Muslims should avoid congratulating the kuffaar on their occasions. For, how could one bring oneself to congratulate them or wish them well because of their disobedience to Allaah (SWT)? One must refrain from expressions such as: happy Thanksgiving, happy birthday, happy New Year, etc. The only possible happiness is in true Eemaan!
In this regard, Shaykh Muhammad Bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen said:

"Congratulating the kuffaar with Christmas or other religious holidays is unanimously prohibited. Ibn ul-Qayyim (r) reported this in his book, 'Ahkaamu Ahlith-Thummah'. He said:

'Offering congratulations to the kuffar for rites pertaining to kufr is something unanimously prohibited. Examples of this is to say to them, 'Blessed holidays', 'Happy holidays', and the likes. The one who says this, if he is not to be considered a kaafir, is at least committing a great prohibition. His action is equivalent to congratulating them for prostrating themselves to the cross; it is a sin more serious and more hated by Allaah (SWT) than to drink alcohol, kill a human soul, practice adultery, or commit other sins in which those who disregard the Deen indulge themselves - without realizing the ugliness of what they do. Thus, anyone who congratulates a person for a sin, a bid`ah, or an act of disbelief, would expose himself to Allaah's abhorrence and wrath.'

Congratulating the kuffaar with their religious holidays is thus prohibited, as Ibn ul-Qayyim notes, because it indicates an approval and acceptance of their rites of kufr. Even if a person does not accept this kufr for himself, he is still prohibited to accept any of the rites of kufr or congratulate others for them. The reason for this is that Allaah (SWT) does not accept that, as He says:

This day I have perfected your religion for you, have completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion.³

Congratulating them on these occasions is equally prohibited, whether or not they were colleagues at work.
Furthermore, if they congratulated us on their holidays, we may not respond to that (by congratulating them back), because these holidays are not our holidays, and are not permitted by Allaah (SWT). They were either innovated by them, or were previously legislated (by Allaah) but were later abrogated by the Islaamic religion with which Allaah (SWT) sent Muhammad to all people; and He (SWT) says:

He who seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will not be accepted from him; and he is among the losers in the Hereafter.⁴

Also, it is prohibited for a Muslim to answer their invitation on such occasions. This is worse than to congratulate them on them, because it involves associating with them in the celebrations.
And it is prohibited for the Muslims to imitate the kuffaar on these occasions by holding parties, exchanging gifts, distributing sweets or food, taking vacation, and so on. The Messenger said:

He who imitates a people is one of them.

Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said in 'Iqtidaa' us-Siraat il-Mustaqeem':

'Resembling them in some of their holidays brings into their hearts assurance that their falsehoods are acceptable, and would sometimes lead them to take advantage of the situation and oppress the weak.'

Whoever does any of this would be sinning, regardless of whether he did it out of flattery, kindness, shyness, or other reasons. This action involves compromising Allaah's Deen, and provides a means of strengthening the spirit of the disbelievers and their pride for their religion.⁵"

Avoiding Their Ways In The Islaamic Celebrations
The Muslims should avoid to celebrate the Islaamic `Eeds in a way that copies the ways of the kuffaar, such as:

• mingling between men and women, and shaking each others' hands,
• indulging in drinking, dancing, and other forms of sinning,
• improper clothing, etc.

Avoiding To Innovate New Days
Muslims should avoid initiating or encouraging innovated occasions or `Eeds in imitation to those of the kuffaar, such as

• the day of the Earth,
• the day of US Muslims, etc.

Bid`ahs Related to `Eeds click here

It has been shown above that the `Eeds should be preserved as purely Islaamic occasions and practices. They should not be defaced by innovation and other unjustified practices. The warnings concerning bid`ahs and sinning apply to them.
Additional `Eeds?
Celebrating so called "Islaamic occasions" other than the three days prescribed by Allaah is a rejected bid`ah in Islaam; it consists of introducing new rites and worships that only Allaah (SWT) has the right to do. This applies to occasions like "the Prophet's Birthday", "the Hijree New Year's day", "the Middle of Sha`baan", etc.
Visiting The Graves
Some people seem to entertain a feeling of guilt toward their deceased ones during the Eed. They attempt to do things that, they think, will benefit the dead on these specific days. All of this has no support or evidence from the Sunnah of the Prophet . The following are a few examples:

• Making specific visits to graveyards on `Eed days.
• Distributing food and sweets at graveyards.
• Sitting eating, and talking, on graves.
• Placing flowers or palm leaves on graves.
• Reading portions of the Qur'aan over graves.

Specific Acts Of Worship
Some ignorant people exert in worship more than usual on the night preceding the `Eeds or Jumu`ah . They base their action on a fabricated hadeeth encouraging that. In fact, the Prophet prohibited specifying the night preceding Friday with special acts of worship.

Sinning on `Eeds click here

There are many sins and acts of disobedience practiced by some Muslims more frequently during the `Eed days than at other times of the year. To them, the `Eed is an occasion to give up some of the Islaamic principles. They are usually encouraged to do so by the state of joy that they experience during the `Eeds. In the rest of this section, a few of these acts of disobedience are highlighted.
Mingling Of Sexes
One of the frequently practiced acts of disobedience is for men and women who are not mahrams¹ to mingle and do things prohibited in Islaam, such as²:

• Touching and shaking hands.
• Men and woman chatting, laughing, and sometimes flirting with each other.
• Men and women looking intently at each other.

Playing Music And Drinking Alcohol
It is very common for people to play music and listen to it during the `Eed. They often associate this with drinking, or with national or belly dancing, all in the name of Islaam! All of this is prohibited by consensus among the early scholars including the Four Imaams. The Prophet said:

There will be among my Ummah those who would indulge in hir³, wearing silk⁴, Khamr⁵, and musical instruments. Some of those people would camp beside a mountain. A poor shepherd tending their animals would come to them in the evening asking for a need of his. They would say, "Come back tomorrow." So Allaah would destroy (most of) them during the night, bringing the mountain down over them, and would transform others to apes and pigs until the day of Resurrection.⁶

IMPROPER APPEARANCE
Muslims are supposed to dress up for the Eed. In doing so, however, both men and women commit many violations of Islaam, among which are the following:

• Women exposing their heads and other parts of their bodies.
• Women wearing perfumes, makeup, decorated and alluring clothing, and some national costumes (Sari for example) that contradict Islaamic teachings.
• Men wearing natural silk or gold.
• Men wearing tight pants and Western attire.
• Men shaving their beards.

Extravagance
People often spend extravagantly during the Eed. They waste money on things that are useless and of no benefit for the Muslims. Allaah (SWT) says:

Do not waste your wealth senselessly. Those who spend wastefully are the brothers of the devils; and the Devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord.⁷

And Allaah's Messenger said:

A son of Aadam will not depart from his position (of reckoning) before his Lord on the day of Resurrection until he is questioned about four things:

• His lifetime - how did he pass it,
• his body - how did he utilize it,
• his wealth - where did he earn it, and how did he spend it,
• and his knowledge - what did he do with it.⁸

Neglecting The Poor And Needy
In addition to the extravagance discussed above, many well-to-do people neglect the poor during the Eed. Sometimes, they would treat them in an arrogant and despising manner. Even when they give them zakaat ul-fitr or a portion of the sacrifice, they do that in a haughty way, impressing on them the great favor they are rendering to them. This defeats the purpose of these `Eed offerings, and contradicts the Islaamic teachings concerning brotherhood among the Muslims.
Neglecting The Jamaa`Ah Prayers Without An Excuse
After praying the `Eed prayer in the masjid or musallaa, some people avoid the masjid for the rest of the day! Unless they have an acceptable excuse, they would be committing a sin by that. As emphasized earlier the `Eed is an occasion to increase in obedience and good deeds - not a chance to run away from Islaamic obligations.

---

Facts about different UnIslamic celebrations

The Light Verse of Surah An-Nur

The Light Verse of Surah An-Nur

Dr. Mustansir Mir

The 35th verse of the 24th surah of the Qur’an, an-Nur, is known as the Light Verse (ayat an-nur). The verse is so called because of the remarkable parable of light---Divine Light--it contains. Here is a translation of the verse, followed by commentary, which is based mainly on the interpretation of Amin Ahsan Islahi in his "Tadabbur-i-Qur’an" (8 vols.; Lahore, 1973-80), 4:538 ff.

Translation

Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth! His light, in terms of a similitude, is like a niche in which there is a lamp--the lamp is in a glass, the glass as if it were a brilliant star--that is being kindled by [the oil of] a blessed olive tree that is neither [of the] eastern nor [of the] western [side]: its oil would all but light up, even though no fire touched it. Light upon light! Allah guides to His light whomever He wishes. And Allah strikes similitudes for people. And Allah has knowledge of everything.

Commentary

1. The parable is made up of five elements: niche, lamp, glass, oil, and fire. Of these, the lamp oil, and fire are basic to the parable, the niche and glass are--important--ancillaries. A lamp is a device for lighting an area; oil is the material needed for combustion; and fire lights the lamp. The niche, a recess at a certain height in the wall, is meant to diffuse the light of the lamp widely in the house. The glass encasement, besides helping in the diffusion, makes the light bearable. Already, we can see that such a lamp must give bright light. It is to such light that the light of Allah is likened to.

2. Another detail needs to be considered. The tree from which the oil comes is said to be one that is neither of the eastern nor of the western side, and also one whose oil would, it seems, start burning even if no fire touched it. This is a description of the purity of the oil. To the Arabs, the best trees in a garden were those which stood in the middle of the garden and, unlike the trees on the outer sides--east, west, north, or south--were not exposed to excessive heat and were safe from flood water, receiving just the right amounts of sun and rain. Such trees were prized for the high quality of their yield. In the parable, accordingly, the oil of the tree, it is implied, has such a high degree of purity that it would catch fire even when fire is at some distance from it and has not made contact with it.

3. We have, as the verse says, a parable before us. The parable is not meant to be a static picture so that the verse does nothing more than establish a likeness. The notion of ‘guidance’ becomes important here: ‘Allah guides to His light whomever He wishes.’ The parable, in other words, makes a point about guidance, and this must now be explained. To begin with, let us look at the opening statement, which serves as a topic sentence: ‘Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth.’ The meaning of this statement becomes clear when the closing statement is kept in mind: ‘Allah has knowledge of everything.’ ‘Light’ and ‘Knowledge’ are the two keywords we get from these two statements. The verse is saying that Allah is the source of all true knowledge, and that it is knowledge drawn from this fount that lights up the heavens and the earth, dispelling the darkness of ignorance, and doubt. Conversely, the verse is saying that without Allah the world does not make sense and remains a dark enigma.

4. In this context of guidance, the ‘brilliant star’ may mean one of the bright stars that guide travellers on their way, or it may refer, if indirectly, to the North Star (which also guides). The epithet ‘blessed’ also acquires the twin meanings of ‘useful’ in a straightforward material sense (oil of the blessed tree lights the lamp) and ‘beneficial’ in a spiritual sense.

5. In such a context, again, to belong to an eastern or a western side would mean to be attached to partial truth. It should be remembered that, to the Christians, the eastern side of the Temple of Jerusalem was sacred because Mary took up residence in that part of the Temple (see Qur’an 19:16), whereas the Jews, in opposition to the Christians, came to regard the western side of the Temple as sacred. As such, the tree that is in the middle may be equated with Islam, for, the verse would be suggesting, Islam does not suffer from any imbalance or lopsidedness.

6. What does the phrase ‘Light upon light!’ mean? It might mean ‘layers of light,’ in the sense that the light of Allah is so intense that it can only be conceived of as two or more layers of light, one on top of another. But it might also mean ‘one kind of light upon another,’ in which case we shall be dealing with two kinds of light, one of which would be the light of Allah. But what would be the other light? Again, bear in mind that the context of the verse is that of guidance --- Allah providing guidance to humans. If so, then the other light must belong to humans, and must refer to that innate sense of the right path with which, according to the Qur’an, Allah endows all humans, and which has been called fitrah in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. This innate sense of the right path constitutes, then, man’s ‘internal’ light of guidance, as opposed to the ‘external’ light of guidance that comes to him from Allah. The preposition ‘on’ would thus imply reinforcement: a person who has preserved his inner flame of guidance and saved it from being extinguished is further confirmed in his guidance of Allah through His light.

7. Now we are in a position to state the essential thesis of the verse: Those who guard the light of their fitrah, come to possess an internal light which is reinforced or argumented by the external light of revelation, the result being light upon light.

8. But this is an important thesis of the Islamic philosophy of religion. To borrow a scientific image, we can say that, according to Islam, revelation that comes from Allah is like a positive current that comes into contact with the negative current of the pure human heart and thus produces the electricity of faith, or, to revert to the terms of the parable, the flame of faith. Since the lamp is enclosed in glass, the flame is steady and is not moved or put out by the wind, which is to say that the good man is always content, possessing as he does the nafs-i-mutma’innah, the ‘steady soul’, and is not swayed by difficult or trying circumstances, but remains patient and grateful under all kinds of circumstances. The glass, moreover, is clear and shiny, and thus helps to spread the light in all its abundance, which is to say that the true faith of a good man becomes a source of guidance to others, enabling them to share in its light. The oil which feeds the lamp is said to be extracted from an olive tree that was planted not at the edge of the garden --- ‘neither of the east nor of the west’ --- but right in the middle of it, so that, being source against the fury of the elements, it has yielded the purest kind of oil. The tree, or its oil, represents the uncorrupted human fitrah, and such fitrah, because of its purity, is quick to catch the fire when it is presented with the divine message. And so when the oil --- that is to say, the inner goodness of a man’s heart-does come into contact with fire --- that is to say, with divine guidance --- the result is ‘light upon light.’ Possessing this ‘double light,’ one sees the heavens and the earth lit up, acquiring the master key to all knowledge and understanding, for, as the opening part of the verse says: ‘Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth.’

Taken from: http://www.renaissance.com.pk/JunQurExg94.html

Niqab: a must or highly recommended!!!

Scholars or falsifiers

In the responses on the fatwa on niqab by the al- Azhar university in Egypt.

Today niqab, tomorrow hijab?

Speak up, spread the word, fight for your right sister!!!

Here is the link to the lecture by Sheikh Abu Adnan: Scholars or Falsifiers posted by In the footsteps of Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Sallam)

The Muslim Clothing Store

As Salaamu Aleykum!

This is soooooooo not typical me, but for the first time ever, ill do just a little marketing for a company. I have recently bought an overhead abayah somali style which i just fell in love with. And today I accidentally came across this islamic clothing website, www.themuslimclothingstore.com/zen . They have colorful overhead abayas here, as well as khimars, niqabs, hijabs etc. They also have their own blog.

Hope you find this usefull, insha Allah :)

An automized wudhu washer!!!

NIQAB IS OUR RIGHT!!! Enlighten yourselves on its roots sisters please Insha Allah

Assalaamu Aleykum,

Due to all of the drama going on about the niqab internationally, I just have to post this article which shows in great detail of the proofs of niqab being in the Sharia and of it being an Islamic practice. My personal experience had shocked me too, that even in a muslim country (my case Morocco) a sister in niqab is looked upon strangly. Moroccans adhere to the Maliki madhab and claim that their madhab does not tell them to wear niqab, and many have the opinion that the niqab is outdated and not even in Islam (!!!), while this article clearly shows many of the Maliki scholars who have stated that niqab is necessary. Uhh... I am just so proud of my granny in law who remained 1 of the few women and the only 1 among her friends who have carried on wearing the niqab. Some woman I know even stated to know a "hadith" where the Prophet saws had claimed that the niqab is forbidden due to the identification!!!! I sincerely hope that was out of pure lack of knowledge on the topic. She did not even give any real referrence to support her arguments.

So please be soooo careful where you get information from, and dont take just personal opinions, and definitly ignore it when people say "Well, I feel that I think that this means...."

1 of the 50 signs of the day of Judgemen getting closer is that knowledge will be taken away. So please be aware...

Here is the article taken from here. Appologies for the lengthiness :)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

THE SHARI’ BASIS OF NIQAB (FACE COVERING) AND SHAYKH TANTAWI’S INCORRECT VIEW

INTRODUCTION

Recently, one of the senior scholars of Egypt was invited to address a group of young female high-school students. His gaze fell on a girl who was wearing a face-veil (niqab). This annoyed the Shaykh and he proceeded to ask the supercilious girl to remove her veil. The girl refused to comply, claiming that it was her habit to cover her face in front of strangers. The Shaykh immediately retorted “The niqab is nothing but culture – it has absolutely no place whatsoever with the religion of Islam.” The Shaykh repeated his command and added, in a crude Egyptian dialect, “…and I know the religion better than you your parents.” A teacher also tried to intervene and said to the Shaykh that it was only because of his presence that the young lady was veiling her face. But the Shaykh insisted that the veil be removed. Finally, the young girl had to give in the senior most authority and helplessly unveiled herself. The Shaykh was still not satisfied and humiliated the innocent girl further buy saying in a crude expression Egyptian vernacular “Ama law kunti hilwa shuwaya la-amilti eh?”(If you had even a little beauty I wonder what you would have done?)

He then went on and threatened to banish the niqaab in all public schools affiliated with Al-Azhar. We were also horrified to hear that a month prior to this incident, girls who had their faces covered were not allowed to enter Al-Azhar.

We, the Ulama of South Africa, take exception to all that has transpired. Not only is there mention of the covering of the face in the Quran, Hadith and works of scholars from all four Madhabs, this has also been the continued practise of Muslims for the past fourteen centuries. Hereunder, we present some evidences which clearly exemplify that the covering of the face is not ‘a mere tradition’. Rather, it has strong basis and is also ruled as obligatory.

We implore the scholars and government of Egypt to ponder over these evidences and reconsider whether they really want to ban the Niqab. We pray that Allah the Almighty guide’s one and all and show us the truth as truth. Ameen.

PROOFS FROM THE QURAN

1) Allah Ta’ala mentions,

{ ياأَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلاَبِيبِهِنَّ ذالِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلاَ يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُوراً رَّحِيماً } [الأحزاب:59]

“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters, and the women of the believers, that they should pull down upon them of their outer cloaks (from their heads over their faces). That is more likely that they may thus be recognized and not molested. And ALLAH is Most Forgiving, Merciful.

Numerous commentators (who certainly understood the Deen better than the Shaykh and his parents) have interpreted this verse to denote that ALL women are commanded to cover their faces. Below we have mentioned the names of scholars from each century who have either clearly mentioned, or cited scholars from the past and agreed with them, that this verse refers to covering the face:

1) The greatest commentator, Ibn Abbaas (died 68 AH)[1]

2) The great Sahabi, ‘Abidah as-Simani (died 72 AH)[2]

3) Imam al-Kufiyeen Yahya bin Ziyad Ad-Daylami (famously known as Al-Farraa-died 207)[3]

4) Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Jarir at-Tabari (died 310 AH)[4]

5) Al-Imam al-Hafidh Abu Muhammad Abd ar-Rahman bin Abi Hatim (died 327AH)[5]

6) Imam Abu Ja’far Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Muradi an-Nuhas (A senior scholar from Egypt-died 338 AH)[6]

7) Imam Abu Bakr Ahmad bin ‘Ali Ar-Razi al-Jassass (died 370) [7]

8) Abu Ishaq Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim At-Tha’labi (died 427)[8]

9) Abu Hasan ‘Ali bin Ahmad al-Wahidi (died 468)[9]

10) ‘Imad ad-Deen bin Muhammad at-Tabari (died 504 AH)[10]

11) Muhi as-Sunnah Abu Muhammadal-Husain bin Mas’ud al-Baghawi (died 516)[11]

12) Abu al-Qasim Mahmud bin ‘Umar Az-Zamarkashi Al-Khuwarazmi (died 538)[12]

13) Allamah Abu Bakr Ibn al-‘Arabi (died 543)[13]

14) Fakhr ad-Deen Muhammad bin ‘Umar bin al-Husain ar-Razi (died 604 AH)[14]

15) Shams ad-Deen Abu ‘Abdillah Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Qurtubi (died 671 AH)[15]

16) Nasir ad-Deen Abu Sa’id Abdullah Ibn Umar bin Muhammad al-Baydhawi (died 691 or 791)[16]

17) Abu al-Barakaat ‘Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Mahmud an-Nasafi (died 710)[17]

18) Allamah ‘Ala ad-Deen ‘Ali bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Baghdadi (Commonly known as al-Khazin, died 725 AH) [18]

19) Allamah Abu al-Fida Ismail bin ‘Umar bin Katheer al-Qurashi (died 774)[19]

20) Abu Hayyaan Muhammad bin Yusuf al-Andalusi (died 784)[20]

21) Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin ‘Ali Ibn ‘Adil Ad-Dimashqi al-Hambali (died after 880)[21]

22) Burhan ad-Deen Abi al-Hasan Ibrahim bin ‘Umar al-Baqaa’i (died 885)[22]

23) Allamah ‘Abd ar- Rahman bin al-Kamal Jalal ad-Deen As-Suyuti (A great scholar from Egypt- died 911)[23]

24) Shams ad-Deen Muhammad bin Ahmad Ash-Sharyini (One of the senior scholars of Cairo-died 977AH)[24]

25) Allamah Abu Sa’ud Muhammad bin Muhammad al-‘Imadi (died 982)[25]

26) Shihab ad-Deen Ahmad bin Muhammad bin ‘Umar al-Khafaji (died 1069)[26]

27) Ismail Haqi bin Mustafa al-Islambuli al-Khalwati died (1127)[27]

28) Allamah Sulaiman bin ‘Umar al-‘Ujaili (Known as al-Jamal-died 1206)[28]

29) Shaykh Ibn al- ‘Ajibah Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Mahdi al-Idreesi (died 1224)[29]

30) Ahmad bin Muhammad as-Sawi (A great scholar from Egypt-died 1241)[30]

31) Abu Al-Fadhl Shihaab ad-Deen Mahmud al-Alusi (died 1270)[31]

32) Muhammad Jamaal ad-Deen al-Qasmi (died 1332)[32]

33) Allamah Zahid al-Kawthari (A senior scholar who used to live in Egypt died 1371)[33]

34) Shaykh Mustafa al-‘Adawi (A senior contemporary scholar of Egypt) [34]

35) Surprising, Shaykh Sayyad Tantawi has also accepted this view and spoke in support of the veil in his commentary entitled ‘At-Tafsir al-wasit’. He writes under the commentary of this verse,

التفسير الوسيط للقرآن الكريم - (ج 11 / ص 245 دار المعارف)

والجلابيب جمع جلباب ، وهو ثوب يستر جميع البدن ، تلبسه المرأة فوق ثيابها . والمعنى : يا أيها النبي قل لأزواجك اللائي في عصمتك ، وقل لبناتك اللائي هن من نَسْلك ، وقل لنساء المؤمنين كافة ، قل لهن : إذا ما خرجن لقضاء حاجتهن ، فعليهن أن يَسدلن الجلاليب عليهن ، حتى يسترن أجسامهن سترًا تامًّا من رؤوسهن إلى أقدامهن ؛ زيادة في التستر والاحتشام ، وبعدًا عن مكان التهمة والريبة . قالت أم سلمة رضي الله عنها : لما نزلت هذه الآية خرج نساء الأنصار كأن على رؤوسهن الغربان من السكينة وعليهن أكسية سُود يلبسنها ))اهـ .

2) In another verse, Allah Ta’ala mentions,

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ (30) وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آَبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آَبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُولِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِنْ زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (النور31)

“Tell the believing men that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts; it is more decent for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do.

And tell the believing women that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts, and must not expose their adornment, except that which appears thereof, and must wrap their bosoms with their shawls, and must not expose their adornment, except to their husbands or their fathers or the fathers of their husbands, or to their sons or the sons of their husbands, or to their brothers or the sons of their brothers or the sons of their sisters, or to their women, or to those owned by their right hands, or male attendants having no vigour, or to the children who are not yet conscious of the shames of women. And let them not stamp their feet in a way that the adornment they conceal is known. And repent to Allah O believers, all of you, so that you may achieve success.” [24:30/31]

Allah Ta’ala commands that females should conceal their entire body “except that which appears thereof.” Scholars differ to what is meant by the phrase “except that which appears thereof”. Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ood (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with him) mentions that it refers to the clothing of women.[35] This is also the view of Ibrahim Nakh’i and Hasan (May Allah Ta'ala have mercy on them both.[36] Other scholars opine that it refers to her hands and face.[37]This is the opinion of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with him) and others.

The first explanation is emphatic that a woman should don the veil as she is not permitted to expose her face.

According to the second interpretation a woman is permitted to leave her hands and face open. However, this does not contradict the encouragement to don the niqab as exposing these features is due to the fact the there is a need and the laws of niqab is to safeguard societies from fitna.[38]

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with him) himself explains that a woman should leave her face open only when at home. When she leaves her home she would have to adorn the hijab.

حدثني عليّ، قال: ثنا عبد الله، قال: ثني معاوية، عن عليّ، عن ابن عباس، قوله:( وَلا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ) قال: والزينة الظاهرة: الوجه، وكحل العين، وخضاب الكفّ، والخاتم، فهذه تظهر في بيتها لمن دخل من الناس عليها[39]

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله تعالى عنه narrates that the ‘apparent beauty’ refers to the face, kohl, henna and the ring. A woman could expose this in her home in front of those who enter her home.

Furthermore, the word used in the verse is ظهر (that which becomes exposed) and not اظهرن (that which they expose). In this verse all other verbs are attributed to the females except this verse. This indicates to the face that a woman should conceal her entire body however, if while carrying out her chores and necessities her hands or face accidently becomes exposed then this is be permitted.[40]

3) The ruling of covering the face is corroborated by a third verse wherein Allah Ta’ala says,

وَالْقَوَاعِدُ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ اللاتِي لا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ بِزِينَةٍ وَأَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَهُنَّ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ (النور60)

“And those old women who have no hope for marriage, there is no sin on them, if they take off their (extra) clothes while they do not display their adornment. Still, that they refrain (even from this) is better for them. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” [24:60]

In the above verse Allah Ta’ala allows elderly woman to take off their extra clothes. Mufassiroon explain that “extra clothes” refer to the jilbab.[41] This verse confer that young women are not allowed to leave out the jilbab.

4) In another verse it is mentioned,

وليضربن بخمرهن على جيوبهن

“And let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms.”

This verse also proves that a woman should cover her face, either because it is the laazim (natural outcome) of covering ones head and chest or through qiyaas (analogy) that if she is commanded to cover her head and chest then she would be even more required to cover her face which is the greatest point of beauty.

PROOFS FROM THE AHADITH

Covering the face was a common practice amongst the noble consorts of Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم. Lest one thinks this was a ruling only for them, we have also included below narrations which clearly illustrates that other Sahabiyaat would also don the veil.

عن ابن شهاب قال حدثني عروة بن الزبير وسعيد بن المسيب وعلقمة بن وقاص وعبيد الله بن عبد الله بن عتبة بن مسعود عن عائشة رضي الله عنها زوج النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم حين قال لها أهل الإفك ما قالوا وكلهم حدثني طائفة من حديثها وبعضهم كان أوعى لحديثها من بعض وأثبت له اقتصاصا وقد وعيت من كل رجل منهم الحديث الذي حدثني عن عائشة وبعض حدثيهم يصدق بعضا وإن كان بعضهم أوعى له من بعض . قالوا : قالت عائشة كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إذا أراد سفرا أقرع بين أزواجه...إلى قولها...فأصبح عند منزلي فرأى سواد إنسان نائم فعرفني حين رآني وكان رآني قبل الحجاب فاستيقظت باسترجاعه حين عرفني فخمرت وجهي بجلبابي والله ما تكلمنا بكلمة ولا سمعت منه كلمة غير استرجاعه الخ [42]

1) Ibn Shihaab narrates from Ayesha (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with her) that when Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم would intend going out on a journey he would draw lots between his spouses...until the portion...he came to the spot where I was sleeping and noticed the shape of a human. He immediately recognised me since he saw me before the laws of hijab were revealed. I woke when he claimed Inna lillahi. I covered my face with my jilbab. By Allah, we did not speak a single word not did I hear a letter from him besides Inna lillahi. (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

عن عائشة قالت : كان الركبان يمرون بنا ونحن مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم محرمات فإذا حاذوا بنا أسدلت إحدانا جلبابها من رأسها على وجهها فإذا جاوزنا كشفناه [43]

2) Ayesha (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with her) say, “The male riders would pass us while we were with Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم in the state of Ihram. When they would pass us, we would lower our loose scarves over our faces. When they passed, we would once again reveal our faces.”

وروى ابن أبي خيثمة من طريق إسماعيل بن أبي خالد عن أمه قالت : كنا ندخل على أم المؤمنين يوم التروية ، فقلت لها : يا أم المؤمنين ،هنا امرأة تأبى أن تغطى وجهها وهي محرمة ، فرفعت عائشة خمارها من صدرها فغطت به وجهها.[44]

3) Ismail bin Abi Khalid narrates from his mother that she said, “We would enter upon the mother of the believers on the day of tarwiyyah. I asked her, O mother of the believers, there is a woman here who refuses to cover her face whilst in Ihraam. Ayesha (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with her) raised her cloth from her chest and veiled her face."

عن عبد الملك بن مروان بن الحارث بن أبي ذباب قال أخبرني أبو عبد الله سالم يعني سبلان قال وكانت عائشة تستعجب بأمانته وتستأجره: قال سالم كنت آتيها مكاتبا فتجلس بين يدي وتتحدث معي حتى جئتها ذات يوم فقلت أدعي لي بالبركة يا أم المؤمنين قالت وما ذاك قلت أعتقني الله قالت بارك الله لك وأرخت الحجاب دوني فلم أرها بعد ذلك اليوم[45]

4) ‘Abd al-Malik bin Marwan narrates from Abu ‘Abdullah Salim-a person who Ayesha (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with her) would admire for his trust and would even hire him- he says, “I would come to Ayesha whilst still a partial slave (mukatab). She would sit in front of me and converse with me. Until I came to her one day and said, ‘Pray for me for blessings oh mother of the believers.’ She asked ‘What happened?’ I replied, ‘Allah has emancipated me from my slavery.’ She immediately pulled down her veil and I did not see her after that.”

عن صفية بنت شيبة ، عن عائشة رضي الله عنهما : أنها « كانت تطوف وهي متنقبة »[46]

5) Safiyyah bint Abi Shaybah narrates that Ayesha (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with her) would perform circumambulation with her face covered.

عن عبد الخبير بن ثابت بن قيس بن شماس عن أبيه عن جده قال جاءت امرأة إلى النبى -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يقال لها أم خلاد وهى منتقبة تسأل عن ابنها وهو مقتول فقال لها بعض أصحاب النبى -صلى الله عليه وسلم- جئت تسألين عن ابنك وأنت منتقبة فقالت إن أرزإ ابنى فلن أرزأ حيائى الخ

6) ‘Abd al-Khaybar bin Thabit bin Qais bin Shammaas narrates from his father who narrates from his grandfather that he said, “A woman called Umm Khallaad came to the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم with her face veiled to enquire of her son who was martyred. Some companions of the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم remarked that you came to ask of your son yet you are veiled? She replied, ‘If I lost my son I do not need to lose my modesty.”

عن فاطمة بنت المنذر أنها قالت :كنا نخمر وجوهنا ونحن محرمات ونحن مع أسماء بنت أبي بكر الصديق[47]

7) Fatimah bint al-Mundhir states, “We would cover our faces whilst in the state of Ihraam while we were in the company of Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with them).”

عن أم سلمة قالت قال لنا رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « إن كان لإحداكن مكاتب فكان عنده ما يؤدى فلتحتجب منه ».[48]

8) Umm Salma (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with her) narrates that the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “If any of you possess a mukatab (partial slave purchasing his freedom) and he has the amount to pay, then you should make hijab from him.”

VIEWS ON THE FOUR MADHABS ON COVERING THE FACE

HANAFI MADHAB

The following scholars in the Hanafi Madhab have mentioned that it is necessary for a woman to cover her face:

1) Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (d. 333 AH),[49]

2) Hakim al-Shahid (d. 334 AH),[50]

3) Jassas al-Razi (d. 370 AH),[51]

4) Al-Natifi (d. 446 AH),[52]

5) Qadi Khan (d. 592 AH),[53]

6) Al-Marghinani — author of Al-Hidayah (d. 593 AH),[54]

7) Al-Kirmani (d. 600 AH approx.),[55]

8) Mahmud Al-Bukhari — author of al-Muhit (d. 616 AH),[56]

9) Al-Sunnami (d. after 700 AH),[57]

10) Al-Sighnaqi (d. 714 AH),[58]

11) Al-Qurashi (d. 854 AH),[59]

12) Ibn al-Humam (d. 861 AH),[60]

13) Al-Quhustani (d. 950 AH),[61]

14) Ibn Nujaym (d. 970 AH),[62]

15) Sinan al-Khalwati (d. 989 AH),[63]

16) Umar ibn Nujaym (d. 1005 AH),[64]

17) Mulla ‘Ali al-Qari (d. 1014 AH),[65]

18) Al-Shurunbulali (d. 1069 AH),[66]

19) Shaykh Zada al-Afandi (d. 1078 AH), [67]

20) ‘Abd al-Halim (d. 1088 AH),[68]

21) Al-Haskafi (d. 1088 AH),[69]

22) Al-Tahtawi (d. 1231 AH),[70]

23) Ibn ‘Abidin (d. 1252 AH),[71]

24) ‘Abid al-Sindhi (d. 1257 AH),[72]

25) ‘Abd al-Hay al-Laknawi (d. 1304 AH),[73]

26) Al-Sawati (d. 1346 AH),[74]

27) Al-Nahlawi (d. 1350 AH).[75]

MALIKI MADHAB

The following scholars in the Maliki Madhab have mentioned that it is necessary for a woman to cover her face.

1) Abu Bakr Ibn al-‘Arabi (died 543),[76]

2) Shams ad-Deen Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Khazraji al-Qurtubi (died 671)[77]

3) Shams ad-Deen Hattaab ar-Ru’aini Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad bin Muhammad at-Tarabalusi al-Maghrabi (died 954)[78]

4) ‘Abd al-Baqi bin Yusuf Az-Zarqani (died 1099)[79]

5) Shaykh Muhammad bin Abd al-Baqi Yusuf Az-Zarqani (died 1122)[80]

6) Ahmad bin Ghunaim an-Nafrawi (A scholar from Al-Azhar-died 1126) [81]

7) Ali bin Ahmad Al-‘Adawi (A famous scholar of Egypt-died 1189)[82]

8) Ash-Shaykh Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ahmad al-‘Adawi Ad-Dirdeer (A great scholar who studied in Al-Azhar-died 1201)[83]

9) Ahmad bin Muhammad as-Sawi (A leading scholar from Egypt-died 1241)[84]

SHAFI MADHAB

The following scholars in the Shafi Madhab have mentioned that it is necessary for a woman to cover her face:

1) Al-Imām Yahya bin Sharf al-Nawawī (died 676 AH)[85]

2) Shams ad-Deen Muhammad bin Abi Bakr Ibn an-Naqeeb aal-Misri (died 745)[86]

3) Al-Imām Ahmad ibn ‘Alī ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī al-Makkī (A great scholar-written Tuhfa al-Muhtaj which is one of the most authoritive books in the Shafi Madhab- died AH 974)[87]

4) Al-Imām Shams al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Khāṭib al-Shirbīnī (977 AH)

5) Ahmad bin al-Qasim al-‘Abadi (An Azhari-died 992)[88]

6) Shams ad-Deen Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-‘Abbaas Ahmad bin Hamza Ar-Ramali (One of the most senior Muftis of Egypt, famously known as Ash-Shaf’i as-sageer- died 1004)[89]

7) Shaykh Sulaiman al-Jamal (An Azhari-1204)[90]

8) ‘Abdul Hamid al-Makki ash-Sharwani (died 1301)[91]

9) Abu Bakr Uthman Ibn As-Sayyad Muhammad Ad-Dimyati (died 1302)[92]

10) Al-Imām Shams al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Khāṭib al-Shirbīnī (One of the greatest jurists of the Shafi Madhab-died 977 AH)[93]

HAMBALI MADHAB

The following scholars in the Hambali Madhab have mentioned that it is necessary for a woman to cover her face:

1) Imam Ahmad (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with him) himself (died 241 AH)[94]

2) ‘Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Qudamah al-Maqdisi (One of the greatest Hambali scholars-died 620)[95]

3) Shams ad-Deen Abi al-Faraj ‘Abd ar-Rahman bin Muhammad al-Maqdisi (died 682 AH)[96]

4) Shams ad-Deen Muhammad bin Muflih al-Maqdisi (died 763 AH)[97]

5) Shams ad Deen Musa bin Ahmad al-Hajawi (died 960 AH)[98]

6) Mansur bin Yunus bin Idrees al-Bahuti (Shaykh of the Hambalis in Egypt-died 1051 AH)[99]

7) Mustafa as-Suyuti ar-Ruhaibai (died 1243 AH)[100]

8) ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-‘Anqari (died 1373 AH)[101]

THE DISADVANTAGES OF NOT COVERING

Unveiling has a number of disadvantages. Some of them are as follows:

1. It is a violation of the Quran and Hadith;

2. It shows woman’s weakness in belief;

3. It is a cause of temptation for men and women;

4. It strips off her modesty that is an integral part of Faith;

5. It subjects her to adultery and sexual harassment (especially now in Egypt with the vaginal kit, adultery has become so easy. Had all the women been veiled, the government would not have so much difficulty in trying to outlaw this kit);

6. It hurts her dignity and feelings and it stains her chastity;

7. It prompts woman to take part in commercial advertisements and films as a showpiece and a source of enjoyment for the viewers.

CONCLUSION

From the aforementioned it is clear, that not only is the veiling of the face established in Islam, it is also based on concrete evidences. This has been the continuous practise of the past fourteen centuries. As the great scholar of Al-Azhar, Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani has said,

ولم تزل عادة النساء قديما وحديثا يسترن وجوههن عن الاجانب[102]

“It has continuously been the practice of women since time immemorial to cover their faces from strangers.”(Fath al-Bari 9/324)

Hence as a religious right, we implore the Shaykh to reconsider his plans of banning the Hijab in Al-Azhar affiliated institutes. Every woman should be given her human right of the freedom to practise upon her religion. We also request the Shaykh to retract his consent he gave to the French government of banning the Hijab.

Given the position of the Shaykh, he ought to be advocating and encouraging modesty. He is supposed to appreciate a girl wearing the veil in this modern day and age. Al-Azhar was once looked upon as an icon for Muslims. We cannot allow it now to stoop so low and become such an ardent promoter of compromise to serve the ideologies of some in the west.

Moreover with the veil, Egypt will find solutions to many of its dilemmas. Egypt is notorious for producing the most porn, sexualized media material, and secular entertainment in the Middle East. Tantawi should rather utilise his energies in condemning the porn produced in his nation, the secular enterprises which seek to promote Western liberation and sexual freedom, such as the American University in Cairo and the many Western organisations in the west. He should direct his energies in getting the Egyptian government to divest its interest in the only brewery in Egypt and banning the nude beaches in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Furthermore, by implementing the veil, the government of Egypt will not have difficulty in banning the ‘Artificial Virginity Hymen kit’:

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This has become a catalyst of much adultery and fornication in their region.

We pray that Allah, the All-mighty grants us the true understanding of his religion and may He save us from being helpers of the devil.

And Allah knows best

Wassalaamu `alaykum

Jointly prepared:

Ml. Ismail Moosa and Ml. Ishaq E Moosa

Students Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai (with the following comments):

The issue cannot be about whether there is a Shar’i basis of niqab or not. The above references and authorities clearly prove beyond doubt the Shar’i basis of niqab. No scholar can dispute this.

Contextually, the issue is that if a woman wishes to voluntarily wear the niqab, especially in a Muslim country, can she be restricted to do so? The simple answer is no, she cannot be restricted. That is curtailing her right of freely practising her Deen and what she correctly understands of her Deen. This right of a Muslim woman is even respected in non-Muslim countries. It is indeed a shame if a Muslim country deprives a Muslim woman from this right. Such a restriction leads one to question the motive behind depriving one of such a right.