The necessary components of the Friday sermon

Question

Is a sermon necessary for the Jumu`ah prayer on Friday? If it is, then what are the things that have to be said in the Friday sermon? Which of those things have to be said in Arabic?

Answer

The sermon is a condition for the validity of Jumu`ah prayer according to the strongest opinion of the people of knowledge as stated by the Hanafî school of law (al-Mabsût 2/23), the Shâfi`î school of law (al-Majmû` 4/513), the Hanbalî school of law, (al-Mughnî 3/170) and the majority of Mâlikî scholars. It is the authentic position of the Mâlikî school, (al-Kâfî 1/249). 

There must be two sermons, according to the strongest opinion of the scholars, as supported by al-Shâfi`î, Ahmad b. Hanbal, and Mâlik in a narration for each. 

The conditions of the sermon are as follows:

1. The intention of the Imam that he is giving a Jumu`ah sermon. The evidence for this is the hadîth “Works are only by intentions.” 

2. The sermon must precede the Jumu`ah prayer. This view is held by the Hanafî school (al-Mabsût 2/26), the Mâlikî school (al-Mudawannah 1/156), the Shâfi`î school (al-Majmû` 4/514) and the Hanbalî school (al-Kashâf 2/31). This is correct according to Sunnah. 

3. The Imam should give the sermon while standing if he is capable of doing so. If he gives the sermon while seated, it will still be valid but it will be at variance with the Sunnah. 

4. The sermon should be in loud voice, since the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to deliver the sermon in a loud voice. 

5. The sermon should be given in Arabic, if the imam knows it. In a situation where the Imam or the worshippers do not know Arabic, then it is permissible for the sermon to be given in another language. This opinion is supported by Sheikh Muhammad b. `Uthaymîn. 

6. The sermon and the Jumu`ah prayer should be offered in succession without pause. The same applies to the parts of the sermon itself. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to do it this way. The sermon and the prayer are, in fact, one thing.

There are other conditions mentioned by scholars for the Jumu`ah prayer, but I did not mention them because I do not consider them to be conditions, such as the condition about the minimum number of worshippers. I hold the opinion that the least number of worshippers for Jumu`ah is only three people. 

The scholars have determined that the pillars for the Jumu`ah sermon are as follows:

1. It should contain the praise to Allah. 

2. It should contain salutations upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) 

3. It must offer admonishment to those who are listening. 

4. It must contain mention of some verses of the Qur’ân.

There is no doubt that inclusion of these elements in the sermon is preferred, even though some scholars say that these things are not necessary pillars and that it is enough to give a speech that will achieve the goal. This is the opinion adopted by Mâlik. It is also the famous narration in the Hanbalî school of thought and the apparent opinion of Imam Ibn Taymiyah. 

May Allah guide us all.

-islamtoday.net

CHAPTER 4, AN NISA (THE WOMEN) (PART 2 OF 3)

Verses 43 – 57 Prayer and those cursed

Oh you who believe do not prayer while you are intoxicated; wait until you know what you are saying (this injunction was later followed with the complete prohibition of alcohol). Likewise, do not pray when you are in a state of impurity until you have taken a complete bath. If you cannot find water to perform ablution before prayer then find clean earth and wipe your faces and hands with it. Those who were given some of the Scripture used it for misguidance and they want you to do the same. God knows your enemies well. Some Jews take the words out of context. God cursed them.

The People of the Book (Jews and Christians) should believe in this Quran, it confirms their books. God does not forgive those who associate others with Him; it is a huge sin. Inventing lies about God is a sin. Those who were given part of the Scripture now believe in idols. God cursed them for that and they will never find a helper. They are not more rightly guided than the believers; God has rejected them. If they were given a share of the kingdom they would not share it. The Jews envy Prophet Muhammad, many the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and his followers for what God has given them but they should remember that they are also from the family of Abraham whom God favoured with the Book, wisdom and a great kingdom (i.e. there is no reason to feel jealous since both the Israelites and Ishmaelites are the offsprings of Abraham). Hell is enough to burn those who turned away. Those who disbelieve in the verses will be herded into the Fire; those who believe will be led into gardens under which rivers flow. They will find there purified spouses and cool refreshing shade.

Verses 58 – 70 Obey God and His messenger

God’s excellent instructions include returning the things entrusted to you and judging fairly, if you are called upon to do so. Obey God, His messenger and those in authority. If there is a dispute refer it to God and His messenger because that is better and will give the best result. Some people claim to believe yet still want to turn to unjust tyrants for judgment. They are hypocrites that turn away. They will return trying to bring about reconciliation but God knows what is really in their hearts. However you must speak to them, instruct them and try to penetrate their hearts.

Messengers were meant to be obeyed. When they wronged themselves, they should have come to you (Prophet Muhammad) and they would have found God’s forgiveness. But no, they will not truly believe until they make you the judge over their disputes. They should have done what they were instructed to do and they would have got a great reward. Whoever obeys God and His messenger will be with the ones on whom God has bestowed His favour. That is a bounty from God.

Verses 71 – 87 Take care

Be careful, believers. When you go to battle go in small groups or all together. There are people among you who will lag behind to avoid battle but if you are successful they will pretend regret. Those who are killed or victorious in God’s cause will get a great reward. Fight in God’s cause. Rescue those who cry out for God’s help. Those who believe fight for God and those who disbelieve become the allies of Satan. Have you seen those who fear men as they fear God? The life of this world is brief and the Hereafter is eternal. Death will find you no matter where you are.  When good comes they acknowledge God but when they suffer evil or loss they blame Prophet Muhammad. What is the matter with them? All things are from God. If you obey Prophet Muhammad you obey God. God has not sent you to be their keeper; they obey you when in your presence but when your back is turned they plot against you. God knows, so trust Him and that is sufficient.

Why don’t they think about the Quran? It answers their questions just as Prophet Muhammad could have answered them. If it was not for God’s bounty and mercy everyone would serve Satan. So Prophet Muhammad, fight in God’s cause because you are only responsible for yourself. Urge the believers to fight because God might allow you all to overcome the disbelievers. Whoever speaks for a good cause will share in the reward and whoever speaks for a bad cause will share its burden. Respond to greetings with its equivalent or with something better. God keeps account of everything; there is no God but Him. You will surely be called to account on the Day of Resurrection.

Verses 88 –100 About fighting and emigration

What is wrong with you? Why are you divided about what to do about the hypocrites? You cannot guide those God has left to stray. They want you to reject faith and be like them so do not take friends from among them until they have immigrated to Medina for the sake of God. If they turn on you aggressively then kill them. A believer must not kill another believer except by mistake. And if someone makes this mistake they must free a slave and offer compensation. The compensation can be waived as a charitable act. If the victim was at war with you, but a believer, then the compensation is to free a slave. If the victim was part of a group with whom you have a treaty then a slave must be freed and compensation paid and if you are unable to do this then fast for two consecutive months. The punishment for killing a believer intentionally is Hell. Be careful! Do not kill someone who offers you a greeting of peace; do not call him a non-believer.

Those believers who stay behind (except those who are unable to fight) are not equal to those who strive in God’s cause. Those who strive are offered a higher rank though there is a good position for all.  When the angels take the souls of those who have wronged themselves there are some that say they were oppressed. The angels will ask if the earth was not big enough for them to find refuge in.  There only refuge is Hell, except for those who were prevented by circumstances beyond their control. God might pardon them. He is All-forgiving. If someone who emigrates for God’s sake dies, he is assured of a great reward.

Verses 101 – 104 The prayer

When you travel you are permitted to shorten the prayer. When in battle, pray in ranks one at a time, one group guarding the other. You can lay aside your arms during heavy rain or illness but be careful. After prayer remember God, standing, sitting or lying on your sides.  When you are secure you must re-establish the regular prayers. Do not weaken, if you are suffering so too is the enemy but you can expect help from God but they cannot. -islamreligion.com

READ previous: Chapter 4, An Nisa (The Women) (part 1 of 3)

Husband & wife agreeing to abstain from sex

Question

My parents have selected a man for my marriage. He is capable to bear my expenses, but neither he nor I wish to have children right now. His earnings are not enough to comfortably bear the expense of children, and I wish to complete my studies. We have reached to the conclusion that we will be married to comply with the demands of our respective parents, but we will not have sexual intercourse for the next two years until we reach our goals. Are we commiting some mistake in Islam by doing this?

Answer

One of the main objectives of marriage in Islam is for the husband and wife to satisfy their natural desires in a lawful way. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “O young people, whoever can afford it let him marry, as it will help him to lower his gaze and protect his chastity.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1905) and Sahîh Muslim (10/171)] 

However, having intercourse is not something obligatory after executing the marriage contract. You have the right to postpone intercourse by mutual agreement, although I strongly advise you against doing so. 

You also have the right to use birth control if both of you agree. Jâbir said: “We used to practice coitus interrupts while the Qur’ân was still being send down.” 

Therefore, you may postpone pregnancy for some time using more modern means of birth control until the time that the two of you wish to have children.

-islamtoday.net

Patience

Question

I would like to know the importance of patience in Islam and the benefits and advantages that it brings to a Muslim's life.

Answer

Patience is one of the noblest qualities of the believers. It is the single best character trait that a person can have. When Allah mentions the traits of the people of Paradise and what made them entitled to it, He mentions patience. Allah says: “Peace unto you for that you persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final abode”. 

Allah describes the best of people as: “...those who are patient seeking the countenance of their Lord”. 

Moreover, Allah described patience as the best of possible behaviors. He says: “But if you would show patience, for it is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient.” 

Patience is a great thing and the reward for it is equally great. Allah enjoins patience upon the best of His servants, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), when He says: “And do be patient, for your patience is but from Allah.” 

All acts of righteousness draw strength from this great quality. Abû Sa`îd al-Khudrî relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever perseveres in patience, Allah makes him patient, and no one is granted a greater and more comprehensive gift than patience.” 

Those who persevere in patience will be rewarded an unlimited reward. Allah says: “Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure”. 

Patience is among the most serious and difficult achievments that a person can attain: “But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an affair of great resolution.” 

Ahmad b. Hanbal relates in an authentic hadîth that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If Allah loves a people He will test them, and for whoever patiently perseveres will be the reward of patience, and whoever fails to do so will have his failure.” 

Patience is also a way to attain Allah’s love. Allah says: “For Allah loves those who are patient.” 

A person needs to be patient in order to achieve his goals and move through life smoothly. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Patience is light”. [Sahîh Muslim] 

Believers are commanded to exhort one another to be patient. Allah says: “By the time, verily man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and enjoin each other to truth, and enjoin each other to patience.” 

A Muslim who patiently perseveres when faced with problems and catastrophes will be granted a great reward. Allah has ordered his Messenger (peace be upon him) to give glad tidings to those who persevere patiently. He says: “But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who say, when afflicted with calamity: 'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return'." 

Patience is an indication of faith and of a good relationship with Allah. It shows true reliance upon Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “How amazing are the believer’s affairs; all his affairs are good for him. If something good befalls him, he is grateful and that is good for him, and if he is afflicted by calamity he is patient and that is also good for him.” [Sahîh Muslim]

-islamtoday.net

Islam encourages women to study all fields of beneficial knowledge

Question

Assalaamualaikum Shaikh. I know that this is a silly question and sounds crazy, but I am very confused about it, and maybe I suffer Waswaas (obsessive thoughts) regarding this. I am a woman. Though I study medicine, I am interested in other subjects. I found an online library which has a collection of textbooks of many categories (accounting, finance, business,mar­keting, management, co­mputer science, information systems, economics, education,­ engineering, humaniti­es, languages, journal­ism, media studies, communication, law, ma­thematics, statistics­, medicine, natural & physical sciences, social science, student success, etc.). If I read those books out of interest as a women, is that wrong? Is it considered imitating men given that men study and work in those fields? In the 18th century, women could not be a doctor in a certain country, it was considered such a crime that it carried the death penalty. I want to know, does Islam also consider the education of women as a bad thing, or not? If you would clarify that, it would be easy to remove my confusion. I hope that you will give a direct answer to my question, for my full understanding, instead of pointing to other fatwas.

Answer

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

There is nothing wrong for women to read books about beneficial knowledge, as in principle all things are permissible; Allah says (what means): {It is He Who created for you all of that which is on the earth...} [Quran 2:29] Allah mentioned this in the context of conferring His favors upon us.

Salmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  said, “What is lawful is what Allah made lawful in His Book, and what is forbidden is what Allah made forbidden in His Book, and what He has kept silent about is among the things that He pardoned.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

For instance, ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, learned different knowledge, such as medicine, poetry, inheritance laws, and the lineage of the Arabs. At-Tabaraani narrated in Al-Awsat that ‘Urwah said:

“I said to ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, ‘My aunt, I was thinking of you and was wondering about some things which I do not wonder about regarding others; I found you one of the most knowledgeable people of Fiqh, and I thought to myself, this is not strange as she is the wife of the Messenger of Allah  and the daughter of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq; and I found you knowledgeable about the lineage of the Arabs and their history, and I thought to myself, this is not strange as her father is the most knoldedgeable of Quraysh; but I find it very strange that you are knowledgeable about medicine, so how did you learn this?’ She replied, ‘O ‘Urwah, the Messenger of Allah was very often sick, so we used to treat him.’”

The Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah reported that ‘Urwah also said, “I have never seen someone more knowledgeable about inheritance laws, Fiqh, or poetry than ‘Aa’ishah.”

If a woman learns such sciences, it is not considered the imitation of men that is forbidden in Islam. The ahaadeeth that cursed women who imitate men do not include this.

Al-Munaawi said in Faydh Al-Qadeer, “Ibn Abi Jamrah said, ‘The apparent meaning is to deter women from imitating men in everything, but other evidence indicated that the intended meaning is imitating them in dress and some traits and movements and the like, but not imitating them in goodness.’”

Ibn Al-Atheer clarified this even more in An-Nihaayah, as he said, “The women who are cursed are those who imitate men, meaning in their dress and appearance, but as for knowledge and opinion, then this is praised.”

It is very important that women learn medicine and practice it in accordance to the Islamic conditions.

The fatwa of the Standing Committee reads:

“Learning medical sciences is a communal obligation for the Muslims, both for men and women, due to their need for it in treating men and women... especially with regard to women and children. The Muslim nation is in urgent need for female doctors so that a woman will not be obliged to be consulted by men, who would see her ‘Awrah (what should be covered of the body) when she gives birth or when diagnosing her illness. If a woman has a sincere intention when learning medicine and fulfilling her mission, then she will have a great reward, so she should seek the reward from Allah and have a good intention and engage in learning the science of medicine with the blessing of Allah.”

Allah knows best.

-islamweb.net

Adultery of the eyes

Question

Is the adultery of the eyes mentioned by the Prophet really adultery? Does it count as adultery in Islamic Law?

Answer

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Prescribed for the son of Adam is his portion of adultery which he must inevitably acquire. The adultery of the eyes is the glance. The adultery of the ears is listening. The adultery of the tongue is speech. The adultery of the hand is the grasp. The adultery of the foot is the step. The heart yearns and desires. The genitals then either confirm this or deny it.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]

This hadith means that a share of adultery will inevitably befall the sons of Adam. However, some of them will actually commit adultery by engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse and others will not. True adultery is to engage in outright sexual intercourse.

(Please note that when we refer to adultery in the context of this particular hadith, we mean both fornication and adultery.)

Those who do not actually commit adultery through outright sexual intercourse can still be said to do so in a figurative sense. This could be by looking at unlawful sights, by listening to sexual acts, by touching an unrelated woman with the hand, by kissing her, by walking somewhere with the intention of committing adultery, by engaging in illicit talk with a woman, or what have you. All of these can be considered adultery only in a figurative sense. Though such acts are sinful, they do not constitute adultery in a legal sense.

As for the phrase – "The genitals then either confirm this or deny it." – this means that the person who engages in these lesser acts will either follow through with them and actually engage in unlawful sexual intercourse, or he will restrain himself and avoid doing so.

And Allah knows best.

-islamtoday.net

If the spouses disagree as to whether divorce has happened or not, then what counts is the husband’s word, unless the wife can produce proof

QUESTION :

My wife believes that I divorced her, but in reality I did not. In anger, I sent her a text saying Wallahi you are on your last divorce, but I had the intention of scaring her, not divorcing her. Then I sent another text saying 'I divorce you', with the same intention of scaring her. She refuses to come back to me because she thinks she is irrevocably divorced. I try to explain to her that a written divorce does not count unless the man had the intention of divorce, which I did not. She does not believe me. She claims that I had the intention of divorce and calls me a liar. 
Is a woman obliged to believe the husband that he did not have the intention of divorce? Or is it permissible for her to argue that he did have the intention - and not return to him? 
She insists on going to people of knowledge to seek the ruling on the validity of the divorce without me. When a scholar gives her the general advice that 'if he divorced you three times then you become haraam for him' - she says this is sufficient for her and stays away from me. I tell her we must both go together to a person of knowledge, so he can study what happened between us in detail, and give a ruling based on both our arguments. She refuses and says she is happy with what the scholar told her. Is this permissible for her to look for a ruling like this? 
Now she is talking to another brother. If she gets married to him in this state, without me giving her a legitimate divorce, is her new marriage valid?

ANSWER :

Praise be to Allah

Firstly:

If the matter is as you describe, that you wrote these messages to your wife without intending that divorce should happen – rather it was with the intention of threatening or scaring her – then no divorce has taken place.

Secondly:

If a woman claims that her husband has divorced her, and the husband denies it, then what counts is his word, unless the wife can produce proof, which is two witnesses of sound character.

Thus it is known that your wife is still married to you, and is not divorced from you, based on what you have mentioned.

So what she must do is fear Allah, may He be exalted, and comply with the rulings of sharia, which indicate that what counts with regard to whether there was an intention that divorce should happen or not is the word of the husband, as we have explained above.

If the wife is uncertain about her situation, or she is uncertain as to what her husband says about any of the details of what happened, or she herself is not content with what you say concerning this issue, then undoubtedly the only proper thing to do in such situations is for you and her to go to a scholar whose knowledge and trustworthiness you both accept, and tell him what happened between you, and accept his verdict and fatwa concerning your case.

This woman should understand that if she marries somebody else in this situation, then she will be committing an immoral deed, because she is still married to her first husband and has not become separated from him.

In that case, the fatwa of the person whom she asked will be of no benefit, even if he is a scholar, because he gave an answer concerning an abstract issue, without hearing both sides of the story.

Conclusion:

If the spouses disagree as to whether divorce has happened or not, then what counts is the husband’s word, unless the wife can produce proof to support what she says.

And Allah knows best.

-islamqa.info