تزوجوا الولود الودود فإني مكاثر بكم الأمم يوم القيامة

Q: I feel your answers on birth control are wrong. Birth control does not exist in Islam. Can you translate the Hadith below for me and give me its meaning. I would like to find clarification. How can one guarantee to find a partner that fulfills the Hadith?

تزوجوا الولود الودود فإني مكاثر بكم الأمم يوم القيامة

Answer: It is reported that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Marry the one who is fertile and affectionate, for verily I will be proud of your great number before (other) nations on the Day of Judgment.

It is beyond us as to how you would first criticize our opinion then ask us for clarification.

The aspect of birth control does not violate the tenants of Islam, nor does this Hadith conflict with deen. They complement each other, if viewed in its proper context.

Violation of birth control usage would constitute its continual usage without valid reasoning. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) did not prohibit Azal, also known as coitus interruption. We also gather that birth control should not be used to eliminate childbearing or due to the fear of poverty.

Finding a fertile person cannot be guaranteed. However, recommendations by scholars include: viewing the health of the female, her inclination towards wanting children, the amount of siblings she has, have her siblings given birth and as to whether they have placed restrictions upon the number of children within the family structure.

An affectionate person too cannot be guaranteed, however, a simple observation would be inclusive of viewing the relationship or interaction a person shares with youth that surround them.  The intended spouses treatment of nephews and nieces, siblings, etc. would be one simple indicator. From these interactions one can gain insight as to the level of affection a person possesses.

The above, be it birth control or having children should be inevitably left to Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala). If one has children, one should accept it, if Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) has destined otherwise, that too should be accepted. The above Hadith does not function as a burden or a threat to the institution of family; especially when the necessary precaution has been taken to ensure the stability of the family.

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) bless you.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

working man… rich lady

Question: man is poor, woman is wealthy. Is the man eligible to receive zakat from a welfare institution?

Answer: He can accept Zakah from a welfare institution. (So long as his wife is not giving him the zakat from her assets, he is fine.)

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

inheritance

Q. We have a piece of (land) and we are one brother, mother, and four sisters
so how do you divide the land between each person equally?
not money-wise just masaha.

A. Wife gets 1/8. Brother gets twice the amount of the sisters.

The shares with be divided into 48 equal shares.

Wife gets 6 shares

Brother 14 shares

Sisters 7 shares each

If above remains difficult for inheritors to understand, go to your local muslim accountant and ask them to distribute as indicated, then have it verified by your local mufti, or qualified Islamic scholar.

Allah Certainly Knows Best

p.s. excuse the delay in response

can i cheat you? How about if you did not know?

Q. I purchased an Mp3 player. Later I saw the same thing cheaper online. I bought the cheaper one and used the receipt for the older one to do the refund. We are debating if this was correct?

A. You have deceived the companies. You can only return the item to the place you had purchased it from. Should you inform the company of what you are attempting to do, and they accept the online product in exchange of the one you physically purchased from them, this would not constitute deception and would thus be allowed.

The transaction as you have described would not be allowed.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Dead money

Q. Can we pay burial cost with zakat. Plese send us an answer fast.

A. No.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

I prefer someone else to do my hair, thank you

Q. can a male become a cosmologist? Can a female become a cosmetologist?

A. As Muslims, we can only attain and give preference to occupations that would allow us to do actions which relate to permissible actions.

If actions done are contradicting ones religious values, then an alternate profession should be sought.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

differance between hijab and jilbab — definitions

Question: I was wondering what is the difference between hijab and jilbab? and What is the “correct” way of wearing hijab?

Answer: Part 1: Hijab (comes from the root words giving reference to) that which conceals, hides, conceals from sight, to keep private, seclusion. Thus, in context of religion, hijab refers to that woman who covers her face and conceals herself from strangers.

Jilbab: a garment, a dress. Usually that type of attire which conceals the shape of a person’s body. ‘Jilbab’ is usually worn by woman that adheres to the advice Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) gave his blessed family regarding its necessity. From the ayah of the Quran we learn that women are to uphold the jilbab as a religious injunction. It also helps to ward of the stares of strangers as the shape of a dignified person.

Men are also called upon to be modest in their presentation of the human self as well.

Part two: The correct way to wear the hijab as defined above would be to wear clothing that would not expose the shape of any part of the body to a stranger. Hijab would be inclusive of the niqab (face covering.) The correct way to wear the hijab would differ. It would depend on safety issues, visibility, environment, level of comfort, etc. The concept and function of hijab would however remain constant.

Jilbab would be inclusive of the above definition of hijab with the exception of face covering.

Our preference at all times is modesty, regardless of whether a person chooses the hijab or jilbab mode of dress.

Allah Certainly Knows best.

p.s. The above is a response to a query pertaining to definitions.

For our basic ruling on the matter: http://islaminaction.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/youre-overdressed

Infidal is not a word that is used only by muslims

Question:

Salam alaikum dear Imam,

I just recently found out about your blog. I think it is a great way of communicating with larger muslim comnunity here in state.And it is one of the best sources of knowledge. Thank you for doing this.
Someone recently asked me that What is Infidal? and who do we call infidels under Islamic pretext? I told him that I will find the right answer and will get back to him. I would appreciate if you could please provide me with an answer. thanks.

Answer: وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

You are most gracious with your words. May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) bless you and keep us all guided. Ameen.

An infidel literally refers a person lacking faith in a God.

For Christians, ‘infidel’ refers to a specific type of person — mainly that individual who declines belief in the divinity of Essa (Jesus) (peace be upon him). To Christians, a non-Christian — more so a Muslim is viewed as an infidel.

As for Muslims, infidel refers to polytheists, atheists as well as people that renounce belief in the Oneness of Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) and blaspheme the prophets (peace be upon them all.)

In modern times, this word is not evaluated as intended; rather it is defined to fulfill an agenda not linked to understanding and cooperation between faiths. It is a word used for divisiveness. We caution all from it.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

yummy, spiders! (okay, maybe not)

Question:

Asalamualikom
I am not really scared of spiders but i got many for some reason in my room and i am scared they might go in my mouth or something when i am asleep. I was told since childhood it’s Gunnah to kill a spider (because of the Prophet (pbuh)’ s story at the cave, and how they helped him by making a web)anyways they annoy me and i wanna kill them to get rid of them. Can I do that or is it really Gunnah?
Jazakallah Khair

Answer:

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

To voluntarily kill insects, arachnids, etc. or non poisonous spiders is not preferred unless danger is posed to the individual by these creatures. Each creature has been created for a purpose and as Muslims we are to give each creature its due. Should the spiders be a nuisance, then merely have them taken out of the residential area; place some chemical that would prevent them from reentering. Should they still persist, then to kill them for invading your personal space and contributing to discomfort would be allowed.

Allah Certainly Knows best.

Can i buy a rewards card for the dead?

Q. When people die in our family, we go to a very religious person and pay them to read quran for the deceased. How does a person calculate how much to pay? What must be the niyat when paying?

A. To pay a person to recite the quran is forbidden. To accept money for reciting the Quran is forbidden.

It would superior for the family of the deceased to recite the Quran themselves and ask Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) to send the reward to the deceased. To insist on third parties to attend a Quran function, or pay people to recite the Holy Quran is makrooh.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.