Q: Regarding naming when a person converts to Islam, do they have to change their name to an Islamic name?

A: It is not one of the conditions of becoming a muslim that one must change your name.

Mufti Abdul Rehman

website note:  A name represents who we are, who we choose to identify with.   Hence, while it is not a condition of becoming or remaining a Muslim, many people choose names that are Islamically-identified. They do this once they are comfortable with all aspects of their “new” identity, and are willing and eager to be known clearly as Muslim. As such, many people keep their birth names for professional reasons, and prefer to be called by their Islamic names within the Muslim community.  All approaches are equally valid, when you keep in mind that name-changing is not a condition of being or becoming a Muslim.

Assalamualeykum,

If i am entering a masjid between azan and iqama should i pray tahiyatul masjid or qabliya sunnah for the prayer of the time

jazakallay

Time: Monday November 23, 2009 at 6:43 am

A: وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

Your question is very vague. Usually between the azan and iqamah of fajr, zohr, asr and isha, one would have time to pray the sunnah that comes before the salah. Rasulullah prayed these salah at home and we should make good on this practice. One can also pray the tahiyatul musjid, if they prayed the sunnah at home.

We must note: tahiyatul musjid is viewed as nafl. Taking priority into account, preference is to be given for the sunnah Muakadah of the time over nafl tahiyatul musjid as an appropriate first choice.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Q: What does Islam say about joking? I heard that even if you are joking with someone it counts as a lie..

Time: Monday November 23, 2009 at 4:08 pm

A: All jokes are not lies. Islam loves humor. Rasulullah (SAW) practiced humor. Humor has limits. It cannot be inclusive of dirty jokes, ridiculing people, etc. Our jokes must be truthful. To lie is forbidden. We cannot make jokes that are offensive. To do so is a sin which demands forgiveness.  Islam is a religion of good character. We must maintain the integrity and dignity of ourselves and our religion with the manner in which we communicate.

Jokes are not always funny!

If a person jokingly utters the words of divorce (talaq) , mentions the words of nikah (i have married you and said this in the presence of witnesses), affirms a debt, etc. then all such statements  would function as realities, more so, if witnesses exist.

Our jokes are to be honest and clean at all times. This is what gives a Muslim their great value.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Q. My husband beats me up. Does drugs. Never works. never supports the family. We have children. He issued me 3 talaqs. One in January. One is march. On on eid morning because my dress were as good as other woman. I bought the best I could afford with my money. A local imaam has said that the talaqs are not not real because he was angry.Also islam wants the best for the kids so its not a reall divorce my husband gave me. He has shot at me with a gun several times. Each time missing me but scared ( xxxxxxx)  me and the kids…. Imaam I really am ( vvvvvvvv)  up. I am depressed. I never know whats going to happen when I enter the home.  I really need your help. I called the Islamic center and got no help. Can you help me. I am xxxxxxxxxxx (background with help)

Time: Saturday November 28, 2009 at 4:11 am

A: You need to involve the authorities. The aspect of the firearm is VERY serious. You also need to contact a qualified local leader to best assist you with making the right decision. You need to go back to your parents residence, if it is safe and possible for you to do so. You cannot live with a violent person in the manner you have described.

He needs to be placed in rehab as well.

As we see, your nikah is nonexistent. Unless, you can prove that he mentioned the talaqs to you in the state of insanity. Had the original fatwa been passed based on insanity, then the matter would be different. Divorced or not, you need time out for your safety and the safety of your children. You cannot live with a man (stranger) when you are divorced. According to us, you are divorced.

Please go for immediate help. Your life, and the life of your family is to precious.

May Allah (SWT) help you, Ameen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Q:
AOA,
1. In the first 10 days of zilhaj it is required not to cut hairs. Does it include shaving face also. If someone does shave what is the fidya??

Time: Thursday November 26, 2009 at 5:39 am

A: It is best to emulate the hujjaj (those in hajj) as close as possible. This would include the  preference of not cutting your hair, nails, and other actions that the hujjaj take part in or are called upon to refrain from, etc.

All this would be done prior to the new moon ( of zil-hijja) coming in. It’s most preferred that all this be done after the animal has been scarified. This is part of our virtuous deeds.

Shaving of the face for men was never allowed to begin with. If it has to be done due to unbearable circumstances, then the matter would be different.

Should one not practice this sunnah, it would not require a fidya of any type.

The more we incorporate the sunnah into our lives, the better we feel about ourselves and our Islam.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Q: After yor Jummah speech my sister cut her own sheep. She was on her period. Are woman allowed to sacrifice an animal in menses? please answer before the 3rd day is over.  (private email box)

A: Yes.

Cutting your own sheep is greatly rewarding. May Allah make all our woman folk as strong as your sister, amen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Q: no tail sheep. Allowed for qurban slaughter? Or not? (text message)

A: yes, but makrooh (disliked)

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

(Sometimes the farmer has to chop of the tail due to medical reasons. Best to have tail. If not, fine but makrooh-disliked.)

Q1: An animal was slaughtered. A nonmuslim cut it while a muslim read bismilal allahuakbar. Does this fit the requirement of a halal slaughter? (Question posed at musjid after Jummah salah on the day of eid)

A: This type of animal slaughter does not fit the sharia standards of  hallal. As described, the actual slaughter was done by the nonmuslim. This is not allowed.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

p.s. If Allah has blessed you, do a redo of the Qurban.

Q2: (added on to the above) A nonmuslim started to cut the animal, a Muslim took over, is the animal now Halal? (Question posed at musjid after Jummah salah)

A: If more than 50% was severed by the Muslim, then the slaughter would be hallal.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

A live Stream of Hajj coverage can be viewed here (Internet Explorer only):

http://aswatalislam.net/TV.aspx?channel=saudi2

The changing of the Kabah cloth took place on the day of ‘Arafaat, and the video be viewed here:

http://www.archive.org/details/DhulHajj91430KiswaChange

Eid Salaah from Masjid al Haram:

http://www.archive.org/details/November272009MakkahSalaatuleidAlAdha

Eid Salaah from Masjid al Nabawi:

http://www.archive.org/details/November272009MadeenahSalaatuleidAlAdha

Q:
As salaamu alaikum

If Eid al-Fitr coincides with Friday, is it permissible to pray the Eid prayer and not to pray Jumu’ah or vice versa?

Time: Monday November 23, 2009 at 8:48 pm

A:

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

Absolutely yes.

The reward to pray Jummah salah on the day of eid (for a city dweller) would be 70 times greater. (hadith)

(Fatwa Rahimiyya)

Added proof:

The people that were told that it was fine for them not to perform the Jummah salah were villagers. Rasulullah (SAW) told them to go to their village, so as to spend time with their families… showing that this day is to be a family day as well. Also implying that Jummah salah is not obligatory on those that reside in a village. Our audience remain to be city dwellers, not villagers!

He (SAW) read the surahs sabihismah and halata in both prayers, Eid and Jummah. If there was no Jummah prayer on this day then He (SAW) would not have read these two surahs for Eid and Jummah! This also shows us the significance of reciting these surahs for these given prayers. Also teaching the ummah that repetition of surahs in salah, despite the salah being close to each another  in proximity is not a violation.

(As can be noted, performing jummah of the day of Eid  was the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), the sahaba, etc. Eid falling on a Friday is not a new concept.  We explained this in detail on Friday. Very few would want to miss out on this  added reward.)

Allah certainly Know Best.

p.s. should you seek an extended proof set, contact us after Eid. We shall be glad to assit you.