Wants to convince non-Muslim girl of Islam to marry her

Question

There is this girl I really like, and I want her to convert to Islam so that I can marry her. She is currently Christian and does not tell me the reason why she is not converting to Islam. I would like to ask you for your suggestions as to what I should tell her to make her convert? I would also like to know which is worse, the one who knows that Islam is the truth and yet denies it, or the one that does not believe that Islam is the truth and therefore denies it?

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, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

May Allah reward you generously for your keenness on guiding this woman to Islam; we ask Him to make your efforts fruitful and help you marry her as you wish.

We have previously underlined that it is allowable for the Muslim man to invite a woman to Islam; however, it is not free of potential Sharia violations. It is better to have a woman invite her to Islam. So try to find a woman who would teach her about Islam, or you may direct her to an Islamic center. Our purpose is that you be safe from Fitnah (temptation) and what leads to it, especially given that you like her and that your heart is attached to her, as you mentioned. This woman may be a reason for your own deviation from the straight path, and you could end up losing your religion instead of rectifying her and guiding her to Islam. You should know that it is prohibited for the Muslim man to have a relationship with a woman outside of marriage.

If Allah guides her to Islam and she embraces it and becomes a good Muslim and you are able to marry her, then all praise be to Allah; otherwise, there are plenty of women, and you should seek a good Muslim wife who would be a source of content for you and help you raise your children according to the beliefs and morals of Islam. In any case, delegate all your affairs to Allah, for He is The All-Knowing of the Unseen. He knows the consequences of all actions (before we even perform them). You may love something but He causes you to lose it because He knows its evil consequences for you; Allah, The Exalted, says (what means): {But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.} [Quran 2:216]

Finally, the person who realizes that Islam is the true religion but denies it is worse than the one who has not yet realized this fact and remained misguided. Allah, The Exalted, says (what means): {Have you seen he who has taken as his god his (own) desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge (that he is as such) and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So, who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?} [Quran 45:23]

Allah knows best.

-islamweb.net

Reserving one's space in the mosque

Question

Is it permissible for people to retain spaces in the mosques when they go outside to attend to their needs? There is a hadîth where the Prophet says: “A man has more right to his sitting place. If he leaves from it to fulfill his needs and then returns, then he has more right to it.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (2751)] Does this apply in the mosque?

Answer

When someone is inside the mosque, it is not wrong for him to reserve his space. It makes no difference whether this space is in the first row or elsewhere. 

Likewise, if he is sitting in a space and has to go out of the mosque for some legitimate reason, such as to perform wudû’, then he does indeed have the right to reserve his space for his return.

However, the person will not be allowed to retain a place in the mosque and then go out for some worldly reason or to have a sleep. He may also not do so and then leave for a long stretch of time. In such a situation, others will have the greater right to that place. 

And Allah knows best.

-islamtoday.net

Whoever visits the Prophet after his death, it is as if he has visited him during his life

Question

There is a hadith that reads: "Whoever visits the Prophet after his death, it is as if he has visited him during his life." Where can I find this hadith? Is it authentic?

Answer

This hadîth was related by al-Daraqutnî through a man from Hâtib’s family through Hâtib that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever visits the Prophet after his death, it is as if he has visited him during his life."

There is an unknown man in its line of transmission, so its authenticity cannot be established.

Abû Ya`lâ mentioned this hadîth in his book al-Musnad. It was also mentioned by Ibn `Adî in his book al-Kâmil. They both narrate it with a chain of transmission containing the name of Hafs b. Abî Dâwûd who is weak in hadîth. Therefore, this narration is also weak.

-islamtoday.net

Husband may remarry ex-wife during ‘Iddah after Khul’

Question

Assalaamualaikum. I got a Khul’ (divorce requested by the wife in return for a compensation) from my wife due to her misconduct and her unwillingness to continue to live with me. After announcing and signing the document, I changed my mind and declared that I am ready to marry her, to which she agreed. I am told that according to the Sharia, she has to wait out her ‘Iddah (waiting period) of 3 months and that we can only unite after that by means of a new marriage. However, I did this without a proper mind, and it was a faulty decision. Now I have finalised that I should stand by my Khul’, and I am not ready to marry her again. What does the Sharia say regarding this situation, and will my verbal proposal to marry her again be held accountable?

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.

The question is not clear enough, but we say: a Khul’ is a kind of separation between the two spouses. It is a divorce in return for a compensation that the wife (or another person) pays to the husband. If this took place, then a Khul’ had taken place and the wife is removed from the authority of the husband and he has no control over her.

If they want to go back to each other, then he is like any other man who wants to propose to her; there must be a new contract with the presence of the guardian and two witnesses, etc. According to the most preponderant opinion of the scholars, it is a revocable divorce.

Hence, if this is not the third divorce, then it is permissible for you to take back (remarry) your ex-wife, and regardless of whether she is still in her ‘Iddah or after the expiry of her ‘Iddah. In both cases, there must be a new contract.

Based on this, you should know that what you were told, that you are obliged to wait until the end of her ‘Iddah, is not correct. This is because a woman in her ‘Iddah is forbidden for other men until her ‘Iddah expires, but she is not forbidden for her husband.

When elaborating on the ruling of explicitly proposing to a woman in her ‘Iddah or implying proposal, Ar-Rawdh Al-Murbi’ reads, “She is lawful for the man who divorced her less than three times, because it is permissible for him to copulate with her during her ‘Iddah as a sign of taking her back, since he is entitled to take her back in her ‘Iddah.”

We should point out on this occasion that if a Muslim needs to seek a ruling in his religion, he should ask the scholars who have knowledge and who are qualified to issue fatwas; Allah says (what means): {And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know.} [Quran 16:43]

Al-Qurtubi  said:

“A layman who does not derive the rulings from their principles (texts) in regard to any part of his religion that he does not know because of him not being qualified to do so is obliged to go to the most knowledgeable person of his time and his country and ask him about his case; and then he should act upon his fatwa, as Allah says (what means): {So ask the people of the message if you do not know.} He must endeavor to find the most knowledgeable person of his time in such a way that most of the people agree on him.”

Also, it is an obligation to be careful regarding issuing fatwas without knowledge, as Allah says (what means): {And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.} [Quran 17:36]

Finally, we did not understand what you exactly mean by your statement, “However, I did this without a proper mind, and it was a faulty decision. Now I have finalised that I should stand by my Khul’, and I am not ready to marry her again;” as well as your statement, “and will my verbal proposal to marry her again be held accountable?”.

Allah knows best.

-islamweb.net

The relationship between knowledge (`ilm) and action (`amal)

Question

Could you please clarify for me the relationship between knowledge (`ilm) and action (`amal) in Islam?

Answer

In Islam, knowledge (`ilm) and action (`amal) are intrinsically an inexorably tied together, complementing one another. For any action to be correct, it has be based on true knowledge. At the same time, knowledge that is not put into practice is of no benefit, regardless of how correct that knowledge might be. This is why the best among people are those whom Allah guides to successfully bring together knowledge and action in their lives. 

When we recite Sûrah al-Fâtihah in our daily prayers, we beseech Allah and ask him: “Guide us to the straight way; the way of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace; those whose (portion) is not wrath and who go not astray.” 

When we ask to be among “…those on whom You have bestowed Your grace”, we are asking to be among those who have knowledge and act upon it. This becomes clear from what we ask next 

When we ask to be among: “…those whose (portion) is not wrath”, we are seeking refuge from being among those who have knowledge but do not act upon what they know. 

When we ask: “…and who go not astray”, we are seeking refuge from being among those who act without knowledge.

-islamtoday.net

Islamization of knowledge

It is necessary to reform methods of thinking and build a genuine clear vision of its different stages. There is no field of science that cannot be regulated by the comprehensive Quranic perspective, which extends over all its core issues: goals, methods, facts and application.

With knowledge being directed towards the consolidation of power, hegemony,, egoism and transforming scientific accomplishments into weapons against mankind, rather than in his favor, giving an Islamic character to knowledge becomes even more important. It abides by the Quranic vision of the universe, life and the adoption of the framework set by Islam to regulate the scientific movement.

The focal points of the Islamization of knowledge

The Islamization of knowledge is based on the following focal points:

1- To practice knowledge-based activity (discovery, collection, composition and publication) from an Islamic point of view.
2- To contain all various theoretical and applied human activities and sciences so as to be formed within an Islamic framework.
3- To assure that the capability of the Islamic mind, thought and method keeps up with the needs and challenges of the Ummah (Muslim nation).

The necessities for the Islamization of knowledge

The need for knowledge to have an Islamic identity emanates from several necessities:

First: The necessity of creed

It is to surrender to Allah, the Lord of all that exists, submitting to His Will, Commands and Prohibitions in all affairs of life. To give an Islamic identity to knowledge in the creed requires:

1- To aid the Muslims all over the world to have a better and more correct understanding of Islam. Thus, being more convinced concerning the right of this religion to lead mankind.

2- To enable the Muslims to acquire the necessary material power to develop their civil life so that they may achieve a suitable position in this world. As a result, they will be capable of encountering the challenges imposed upon them by their enemies who desire that they remain underdeveloped and in poverty.

Second: The necessity of humanity

It is the endeavor to make the conscious believing person, who is able to resist all forms of rogue (and misleading) knowledge.

Third: The civic necessity

To protect present and future Muslims from getting dissolved in civilizations other than their own. The aim of giving an Islamic character to civilization is to restore the role of this Ummah in rebuilding the world through knowledge based on the guidance of Allah The Almighty.

Fourth: The scientific necessity

It is true that scientific activity, in its material aspect, has been established upon personal gains, ambitions, discovery and the pursuit of being distinguished. However, giving an Islamic character to it encourages scientific activity to flourish in discovering facts and established norms of the universe. Thus, the sources of power and energy that the Book of Allah The Almighty Referred to will be made evident. He The Almighty called upon the Muslims to extract them to provide mankind with good in abundance.

The role of the Muslim in utilizing the Islamic method for scientific means becomes more important in the age of mass communication, space exploration and computer science. Therefore, it is incumbent that the Muslims have a prominent role in the civil scientific renaissance. This role will establish the necessary base to achieve successive authority on earth and face the challenges of time provided that they endeavor on the basis of the Book of Allah The Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger .

This is the difference between the Muslim scientist and those who only seek to gain wealth and position. They make a mockery of their knowledge for the destruction of mankind rather than facilitating the means of life and pursuing happiness for all people.

Principles of the Islamization of knowledge

The principles of the Islamization of knowledge vary with the different variety of scientific fields. These principles include:

1- To believe in the Oneness of Allah The Almighty and reflecting this belief upon all aspects of thought and activity.

2- To believe that man is the vicegerent of Allah The Almighty on earth, and that He The Almighty Has Subjugated all things in it to his service.

3- To believe in Islam's comprehensive nature and ability to lead the world in all disciplines.

4- To believe in the general nature of Islamic facts in all times, places and associated people.

5- To believe in the necessary agreement of the Divine revelation with the mind.

6- To make Muslims mindful of their religion and their role in life.

7- To unify the concepts and methods of Islamic thought.

8- To encompass the Islamic heritage: The Quran, the Sunnah, the tradition of the Companions, May Allah Be Pleased with them and their followers from the two subsequent generations, May Allah Have Mercy upon them and the efforts of the scholars, thinkers and reformers of the Ummah.

9- To be up-to-date with the latest achievements of contemporary knowledge.

10- To renew the basic priorities of scientific research.

11- To compose scientific cadres and provide necessary technical, material and human resources.

12- To care for the role of knowledge, libraries and the Arabic translation of sciences that preceded us.

13- To encourage Arabic in the pursuit of scientific knowledge and giving importance to it because it will be the instrument of Arabic and Islamic thinking until it becomes the (universal) language of science.

14- The disciplining of scientific cadres, competent in more than one single foreign language, to be active elements in the effective transmission of (knowledge from) the developed Western civilizations.

15- To increase individual activity in this respect through investigating the intention of serving Islam and the Ummah in the educational process and performance of scientific research.

16- To provide the necessary resources to conduct scientific research and experiments and rewarding scientists in all scientific fields through the distribution of prizes and raising their financial status.

17- To encourage the excellent youth by investing in them and setting up long-term plans for them to be the scientists of the future. -islamweb,net

Man leaves behind wife, mother & sister

Question

I am married with no children. My wife has a daughter from a previous marriage . My mother and sister living. I had a brother who passed away and left a widow. If I were to die, how should my estate be distributed?.

Answer

The distribution of the estate cannot be decisively determined before death takes place. The reason for this is because the inheritors might change. However, I will inform you of the way your estate should be distributed should those inheritors remain exactly as they are today. 

The division will be as follows: 

1. Your wife receives 1/4 of the estate if you do not have children from her or from another woman. If you have children, this percentage will change. 

2. Your wife’s daughter from a previous marriage receives nothing from your estate unless you choose to make a bequest to her. 

3. Your mother receives 1/3. 

4. Your sister, if she is your full sister or a half sister from your father’s side, receives 1/2 of the estate. If she is a maternal half sister, the case will be different. We can only reply to you after you explain her position. 

5. Your deceased brother is not entitled to anything. 

6. Your sister-in-law is not entitled to anything. 

How to carry out the division: 

Since the shares 1/3, 1/4, and 1/2 total up to 13/12 an therefore exceed the total estate, everyone's shares will be reduced and the estate will be divided into 13 shares. 

Your wife will receive 3 of the 13 shares. 

The mother will receive 4 of the 13 shares. 

Your sister will receive 6 of the 13 shares. 

If you wish your stepdaughter (or some other person) to receive something, you may leave her a bequest. A person has a right to alot up to one-third of his total estate as bequests to non-inheritors. The bequests are to be distributed before the division of the inheritance described above.

-islamtoday.net