Questions & answers About Islam
What is Islam?
Ans: Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority has nothing to do with the extremely grave events, which have come to be associated with their faith.
Source: www.alim.org
How do we know Islam is the truth?
Ans: 1- It is the only religion that holds Allah as One, Unique, and Perfect.
2- It is the only religion that believes in the sole worship of Allah, not Jesus, not an idol, and not an angel, only Allah.
3- The Quran does not contain contradictions.
4- The Quran contains scientific facts, which are 1300 years ahead of their time. The Quran, while revealed 1400 years ago contains scientific facts, which are only now being discovered. It is not in contradiction to science.
5- Allah has challenged the world to produce the like of the Quran. And He says they won't be able to.
6- Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the most influential man in history. In the book "The 100 most influential men in History", written by non-Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was #1. Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) was #3. It should be noted that even the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) was a prophet sent by Allah. Would Allah allow a false prophet to be so successful? No. Even the Bible refers to this in Deuteronomy 18:19. A false prophet would die!!! Yet Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not die till he completely conveyed, and taught Allah's religion.
7- He had many prophecies, and all of his prophecies have come true, or are still coming true.
Source: www.sultan.org
Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
Ans: Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons-Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus, from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement, which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Kabah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.
Source: www.alim.org
Who are Muslims?
Ans: One billion people form a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe, from the southern Philippines to Nigeria, are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are also to be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America, and Europe.
Source: www.alim.org
What do Muslims believe?
Ans: Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God in the Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist and Jesus, (peace be upon them). But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through Gabriel.
Source: www.alim.org
Who is Allah?
Ans: Allah means God. It is a personal name, which Allah calls Himself in the Quran. That is where it originates. It can also be found in an Aramaic copy of the Bible, and even Christian Arabs say Allah.
Source: www.sultan.org
Does Allah look like us?
Ans: No, Allah is perfect. He is not like any of His creations. A Muslim does not say a single thing about Allah other than what Allah says about Himself. Allah is Perfect and Unique.
Source: www.sultan.org
Who is Muhammad (peace be upon him)?
Ans: Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Makkah in the year 571 A.D., at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth and his mother shortly afterwards, so he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraish. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity so much that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad (peace be upon him) was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the Mountain of Light near Makkah.
Source: www.alim.org
How did Muhammad (peace be upon him) become a prophet and a messenger of God?
Ans: At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad (peace be upon him) received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Quran.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth that God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijrah, 'migration', in which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.
After several years, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet (peace be upon him) died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as Far East as China.
Source: www.alim.org
What is the Quran?
Ans: The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It was memorized by Muhammad (peace be upon him) and then dictated to his companions, and written down by scribes, who crosschecked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its 114 Surahs, has been changed over the centuries, so that the Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) fourteen centuries ago.
Source: www.alim.org
What is the Quran about?
Ans: The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time, it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system.
Source: www.alim.org
Are there any other sacred sources?
Ans: Yes, the Sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), is the second authority for Muslims. A Hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, did, or approved. Belief in the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet's sayings
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'
'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.'
'Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
(From the Hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Baihaqi.)
Source: www.alim.org
Who is Jesus to us?
Ans: Jesus (peace be upon him) is a true prophet, sent by Allah like Moses, Abraham, Lot, Noah, Jonah, Joseph, etc (peace be upon them).
Source: www.sultan.org
Who were the parents of Jesus (peace be upon him)?
Ans: Jesus is the son of Virgin Mary and he had no father. Allah created Jesus.
Source: www.sultan.org
Can Jesus (peace be upon him), or Muhammad (peace be upon him) be worshipped?
Ans: No, Allah does not accept that a prophet, a person, an angel, a cow, a stone, or anything be worshipped in place of Him or even along with Him. Worship must be to Allah, the Creator of them.
Source: www.sultan.org
Is there a trinity in Islam?
Ans: No. Allah is one and perfect.
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Quran
"A False Quran" Called Furqan
I came across a false Quran called (Furqan), how should Muslims react to such attacks against Islam?
Muslims are instructed to leave alone the people who are engaged in this type of slanderous nonsense and let them go on their way. Don't engage them and don't bother them. Allah will deal with them in His own way.
Read what Allah Tabaraka says in Quran:
"Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion (Al-Furqan) upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds a Warner" [Noble Quran 25:1]
Also:
"Indeed, the Qur'an is a decisive statement,
And it is not amusement.
Indeed, they are planning a plan,
But I am planning a plan.
So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile." [Noble Quran 86:13-17]
Another clear teaching of Islam comes from our prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him), when he told us: "Man Kana Yu'minu Billah Wal-Yawmil-Akhir, Falyaqul Khayran Aw Liyasmut". (Let the one who believes in Allah and the Last Day either say what is good, or else he should remain silent."
Please take these teachings into consideration before passing around links and emails attacking Islam and the Quran. Let us use our time, energy and resources to promote the real truth (Al-Haqq) of Islam and not promote the very thing that we hate - lies and attacks against the Truth.
Over the years I have received many emails concerning the attacks, lies and corruption originating with some very devious minded people, targeting new Muslims and non-Muslims while trying to attack Islam and the Quran.
We have looked into these allegations, insinuations, insults and instigating claims and in each and every case, we have found these to be fabrications, misquotations and outright lies. So much so, we have produced an entire section on one of our websites dealing with these matters.
Please take a moment to read, reproduce and forward or share this information with every single person you know. This is what must be promoted and not the evil of these horrible individuals (may Allah guide them, Ameen).
After investigation of the subject of the Furqan (a fabricated book, made up of 77 chapters, trying to incorporate the trinity into the "Basmalah" and a lot of other nonsense), we came to find it is just another silly attempt at putting down Islam and the Quran. The chapters are very short, ranging only up to a few verses. The Arabic is nothing compared to the Quran of Allah. And certainly no one would be able to memorize it as easily and completely accurate in the way of the Quran of Allah.
The statements are even confusing to the one who wrote it, I am sure. The meanings are twisted and seem to double back on themselves at a number of points. And the attack at Islam is clear on every single page. Even the 99 Names of Allah come under attack from this writer while all the while he claims he is preaching a message of truth and love.
It is truly sick in each and every aspect and disgusting to the educated and well versed in the Arabic language regardless of religion. Close examination and further exploration reveal it to be a part of the misguided missionary work of none other that the enemy of Islam and hater of truth, Anis Shorrosh, who had been defeated in debates with Ahmed Deedat and Dr. Jamal Badawi on every occasion.
One example of the continued misrepresentation of truth and insulting lies being offered on Mr. Shorrosh's website deals with the subject of the so-called moon-god of Islam. He clearly states although he was raised in a Muslim, Arabic speaking country (Palestine), that Muslims have been worshiping a moon-god called "Akbar". He goes on to claim the Bedouin Arabs called the moon "the greater" (Akbar) because they didn't like the sun because it was too bright. And then he says "Allahu Akbar" means "Allah is the moon" - Astaghfirullah (I seek refuge in Allah from such nonsense).
The list of incorrect, insulting, demeaning and hate promoting statements and allegations from this man and his ilk (equals) is beyond the imagination and comprehension of any decent, self-respecting Christian (or any person for that matter).
These people don't have much of a religion of their own and if it were not for the time they spend trying to find things wrong with Islam and debating over the most ridiculous topics, they would not have anything else to do. After all, consider their wretched condition - How is it that they must preach a serious of anger oriented and hate motivated series of attacks to promote their religion of "LOVE"? This is a pathetic joke (on them in the end).
Remember, I used to be a "born-again" Christian and followed along behind such people as Jimmy Swaggart (convicted sex offender), Oral Roberts (claimed Jesus was going to kill him if someone didn't donate 5 million dollars to his ministry - and I got it too), Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker (convicted swindlers), Robert Tilton (major extortionist and removed from his position) and many others who have been proved in the media to be some of the worst liars, crooks and sex offenders in the last century.
It is only a matter of time before Allah brings all of these liars and cheaters to His Justice. So, let them alone and just keep presenting the beauty and truth of Islam. This was the way of our blessed prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), and it has worked for me in the Dawah for well over a decade. I have witnessed so many of the hard-shell Christians coming over to Islam, after simply dismissing their mistakes and presenting the real truth of Islam.
Al Hamdulillah, and fortunately for me, Allah brought me out of that darkness into the light of the real truth of Islam, Al Hamdulillah. I have visited the sites of these people (mostly Christian Arabs without any proper employment) and found their claims and statements so outlandish as to not really require any reply at all. Whoever would take the time to read all of their nonsensical presentations and caustic approach to misrepresentation of facts, and then not see their direction of misguidance, is not someone who would listen with reason to any alternative anyway.
I say, let them have it their own way and say what they will and let them pretend that their lies are from God or the Lord or their holy ghost or whatever. We know when someone is clearly lying and what will be the outcome of their futile efforts.
Finally, we do have the best way and the best methodology for presenting it. Use our sites, DVDs, CDs, articles and graphics for your own blogs, forums, websites and emails as much as you can - and we support you in this one hundred percent, Insha’Allah. Even the copyrights - we left off (we call it "copy-left") so you can put our videos, audios and TV shows on your local access channels, YouTube or project them on the wall of your Masjid or school for all to see. Give them out as free gifts and handouts to everyone who is interested in Islam whether they love it or are attacking Islam. Be kind. Be honest. Be persistent. Above all Be Muslim - the best you can!
Love - peace - and may Allah increase you in blessings and patience always,
Jazakum Allahu Khayran Was-Salam Alaykum,
Sheikh Yusuf Estes
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Giving The Rewards of Quran & Tawaf to Parents
Is supplicating for the parents in the obligatory prayers permissible? Can one pass over to them the reward for completing the Quran or the Tawaf?
There is no harm in supplicating in the prayer either for oneself of for one's parents or other than them, rather this is legislated. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is in Sujud, so increase in making the supplication (in it)." [Narrated by Muslim]
And he (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"As for the Ruku', then magnify the Lord (in it), and as for the Sujud then strive in making the supplication (in it), for it is worthy of being responded to." [Narrated by Muslim]
And in the two Sahihs of Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim, on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud, that when the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) taught him the Tashahhud, he said:
"...then choose a supplication which pleases you and supplicate (with it)."
And in another narration:
"...then choose from that which you desire."
What is implied here is before the Taslim, so if he supplicates in the Sujud or at the end of the prayer, for himself, his parents or the Muslims, there is no harm in this for what is mentioned of the generalness of these Ahadith and other than them.
As for passing the reward for reciting the Qur'an or making Tawaf for one's parents or other than them from the Muslims, then this is an issue where there is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars.
That which is better, is to leave this since no evidence exists for its permissibility.
Acts of worship are permanently stipulated, so nothing is to be practiced unless legislated by the Shari'ah, for the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Anyone who introduces something into this matter of ours (i.e. Islam), that which is not from it, will have it rejected." [Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And in another narration:
"Anyone who does an act which is not in agreement with us, then he will have it rejected." [Narrated by Muslim]
And Allah is the Expounder of Success.
Sheikh Ibn Baz
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If Bible & Quran Are From Allah, Why Do They Disagree With Each Other?
I've read your testimony of coming to Islam. I'm a Baptist Christian and I am very interested in the absolute TRUTH which I believe Christ to be. However, if it could be proven that my beliefs are wrong and that Islam is right, I would become a Muslim immediately, for why would one want to believe in something that one knows is not true? You state that Muslims hold up Christ as a prophet of God, not as his son. Christ doesn't explicitly declare that he is Son of God but it is clearly understood implicitly, so Christ disagrees with Muhammad; if they're both prophets of God then HOW COULD THEY DISAGREE? As Christ himself stated, he did NOT come to abolish the Law, but to FULFILL it! He is in agreement with all the Old Testament prophets, but most definitely NOT with Muhammad so there is NO WAY that Islam can claim to be a fulfillment of the Old and New Testament because Islam DISAGREES with the Old and New Testament!
If Allah is the source for the Old and New Testament AND the Quran, then HOW COULD THEY DISAGREE with each other??
The Old and New Testaments (Old and New Covenants between man and God) complement each other, there is absolutely NO NEED for any third part, like Islam.
How do you reconcile all this?
And also, please don't claim to have been a Christian when lying and cheating was a normal way of your life. Not that I'm a saint but it definitely does not look like the Holy Spirit was in you.
How do you reconcile all this?
Thank you for writing to me. I hope that what I say will not offend you in any way.
Your letter has some very interesting and absolutely true statements.
I was wondering if you would really like to see the 'errors' in your statements, or as you have said yourself, you are already convinced about the role of Jesus and you don't want to know anything that might disagree with what you already want to believe?
Jesus (Peace be upon him) is very dear to me and I feel the same for Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him).
Most important to me though, is my relationship with the One and only God. The God of Adam and all the prophets. The God that they all prayed to. The God that Jesus (Peace be upon him) worshipped. I love God. I pray that God will love me and forgive my sins.
I pray to God, directly and without any intercession or icons or idols of any kind. I pray only to Him and I ask Him to guide me. If He does, then I'll be all right. If He doesn't, then who could help if He doesn't want me to be guided?
I have studied the religions of Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith for a number of years. I have held public dialogs with the well known professors of seminary colleges and universities. I have watched thousands of people enter into the submission of God (that is what 'Islam' means) and all the while, I have known that it wasn't from me. The Guidance to Islam or away from Islam is only coming from Almighty God [Allah in Arabic].
As regards the subject of lying, I would like to mention that the worse kind of lying is to lie against Almighty God. This can be understood from the third commandment regarding not taking the Name of the Lord in vain. Anyone who attributes a fault to God Almighty is most certainly lying. Being human would be someone less than perfect for Allah. What remains of the Bible confirms what is in the Quran. Namely, that Almighty God has no son, nor is He the father of anything. This was all added much later after Jesus had already risen to be with God. (Please reference the Book of Numbers, chapter 23, verses 19 and 20 and the Quran in chapter 112). Whoever says Jesus is God, or son of God, is a liar according to the Bible and the Quran. That is the lying that I am talking about more than anything else.
As regards your statement about the "Holy Spirit" being in me, I have watched people fall down on the floor and wiggle and jiggle and make strange noises like animals in pain, but I never have had that happen to me. These people told me that they had the "holy spirit." If that is what you have in you or you are suggesting that it is something good, then I choose to differ with you on that subject. The "spirit" of goodness and kindness is something that all Muslims strive and work for everyday. And we do it for the sake of God, just as I am sure many Christians do as well. My point is that every human being does sin and falls short of the mark and that only by the Grace of God and His Mercy are we saved from disaster in this life and more importantly, in the Next Life.
You are most welcome to continuing write to me if you like. But I do not wish to argue or fight with anyone on this subject if it can be avoided. My religion teaches me that no one can be forced or coerced into believing in One True God, who is due all worship without any partners.
If you would like a quick overview of the meanings of the words that are used in presenting Islam in the English language, then feel free to check out what I have written on this topic at: www.WhatsIslam.com
After you have read these meanings - please write back and tell me what you have found, if you like.
Thank you again for taking your time to be concerned and to write to me. Who knows? Maybe one of us is closer to the other one than we know?
Sheikh Yusuf Estes
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SUNNAH
Sacrificing Udhiyah on Behalf of The Deceased
Can Udhiyah be done on behalf of the people who are dead? Many people sacrifice animals on Eid on behalf of their deceased family members, such as their father or mother, uncles or aunts. Even some do it on behalf of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), what do you have to say about this?
Basically, the Udhiyah is for the living ones, for those who are alive, and not dead ones. And that is why the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said, "For every household is one goat or one sheep". So to make an Udhiyah for those who passed away, this is not the Sunnah.
Secondly, if you want to do something for your parents, that would be Sadaqah. Whether you slaughter an animal or give money, that would be Sadaqah and the Sadaqah will Insha’Allah reach them. But don’t think this is Udhiyah, the Udhiyah is for those who are alive.
Some might use the Hadith as an evidence for them when the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) slaughter one sheep and he said, "This is for my family", and then another one and he said, "This is for my Ummah". So some they said, "Oh, this is for all his Ummah, those who are alive and those who are dead". However, this is not an explicit evidence, and the Sahabah didn’t understand this Hadith in this way. That is why we never came across any of the Sahabah that he made a sacrifice or Udhiyah for his father or mother, never. This was unknown amongst neither the Sahabah, nor the three generations.
Sheikh Salem Al-Amry
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Etiquette of Visiting the Prophet's Grave
Are there any innovations which some people fall into when at the grave of the Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him)?
From the innovations that take place at the grave of the Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) is much frequentation.
For example, whenever he enters the Masjid, he goes and says 'Salam' to him and sits near the grave.
The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Do not take my grave as a place of (much) frequentation." [Musnad Ahmad, Musannaf 'Abdur-Razzaq]
Rather, it is recommended for one who arrives from a journey to visit it.
Also, from the innovations that occur at the Messenger's grave or other than that is the assumption that the supplication there is accepted.
On the contrary, it is legislated to send salutations upon him (Peace and blessings be upon him), and if he wants to supplicate then it is to be done in any part of the Masjid and if it is done after the prayer then that is best.
From that which is done and disliked at the grave of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) is raising the voice and requesting from him (Peace and blessings be upon him) that one's needs be satisfied. This is a major shirk, and that which is obligatory is to be cautious of it.
Sheikh Salih Ibn Fawzan
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Staying Home For a Week After Hajj
Some of the pilgrims, when they return from the Holy Land to their countries, they remain in their houses for a week without going out, not even for any necessities nor going out to the Masjid to pray, and the people engage them in supplicating for them. So is this from the Sunnah?
This is not from the Sunnah, instead it is an innovation and anyone who believes this to be a Sunnah is mistaken.
As for them remaining in their homes without attending the congregational prayers in the Masjid, then this is not permissible, except for an Islamically acceptable reason.
For that which has been mentioned, then this is not an acceptable reason, they are therefore sinning for not attending these prayers.
And with Allah lies all success and may Allah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa
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Two or More Khutbahs in 'Arafah
We have noticed some pilgrims are unable to pray in Masjid Namirah on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of 'Arafah. They pray where they are, so one of them stands and delivers a Khutbah and then leads the prayer, just like in a Masjid. So, is it permissible to have two or more Khutbahs in 'Arafah?
There is only one Khutbah on the Day of 'Arafah, which is given by the Imam of the Muslims or his deputy, in one place and that is Masjid Namirah.
It is not legislated for all pilgrims, rather the remainder of the pilgrims who are unable to attend the Khutbah should combine and shorten the Dthuhr and 'Asr Salahs at the time of Dthuhr and not delay it until 'Asr, without a Khutbah.
That, which these people do, as the questioner mentions, is considered an innovation and it is not permissible.
Instead, it is obligatory to leave this and prevent this from being done and also attempt to listen to the Khutbah via the speakers placed outside the Masjid for those unable to enter the Masjid.
Sheikh Salih Ibn Fawzan
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Washing The Stones of Hajj
What is the ruling regarding washing the stones for stoning "the Jamarat"?
They should not be washed. Rather, if a person washes them with the intention of worshipping Allah "by this action", then this is an innovation because the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) did not do this.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
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Touching The Mihrab & The Minbar of The Prophet's Masjid
What is the ruling regarding touching the Mihrab and the Minbar of the Al-Masjid An-Nabawi?
Some of the visitors touch the Mihrab and the Minbar and the walls of the Al-Masjid An-Nabawi and all of this is an innovation.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
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Making Tawaf Around The Prophet's Grave
What is the ruling regarding making Tawaf around the Prophet's chamber?
Some visitors to the Al-Masjid An-Nabawi make Tawaf around the grave of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and touch the caging of the chamber and its walls and, quite possibly, they kiss it with their lips and place their cheeks upon it.
All of this is a detestable innovation! Certainly, making Tawaf around other than the Ka'bah is impermissible; also, touching, kissing and placing the cheeks has been legislated for a specific place on the Ka'bah between Al-Hajar Al-Aswad and the door of the Ka'bah.
So, worshipping Allah in this way, on the walls of the chamber, does not increase a person in anything except distancing himself from Allah.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
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Visiting The "Seven Mosques" & Other Places in Madinah
What is the ruling regarding visiting the "Seven Masajid" or Masjid Al-Ghamamah or some of the other places that some of the pilgrims visit?
Only the following five places should be visited:
1. The Prophet's (Peace and blessings be upon him) Masjid;
2. His grave and the graves of his two companions Abu Bakr and Umar, and the three graves are all in one place;
3. Al-Baqi' graveyard wherein is the grave of Uthman Ibn Affan;
4. The martyrs of the battle of Uhud, and amongst them the grave of Hamzah Ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib;
5. Masjid Quba.
Any place other than these should not be visited. That which you mention of the "Seven Masajid" or other than these which you did not mention, then visiting all of these has no basis.
Visiting them with the intention as a form of worshipping Allah the Almighty is an innovation.
This is because visiting these have not been mentioned on the authority of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and it is not permissible for anyone to establish a time, place or action if done intending to draw nearness to Allah as a form of worship, except with evidences from the Shari'ah.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
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Making Long Supplication Behind Maqam Ibrahim
What is the ruling regarding making a long supplication behind the Maqam Ibrahim?
From the innovations that some people do when they stand behind the Maqam Ibrahim is that they make a long supplication which they call "Du’a Al-Maqam". There is no basis for this from the Sunnah of the Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him).
This is an innovation that is prohibited. Along with this being an innovation, every innovation is (a door to) misguidance, whereby some people hold small books which contain this supplication and they begin supplicating in a loud voice and those behind them respond by saying "Ameen". This is an innovation, and with this there is interference upon worshippers in prayer around the Maqam Ibrahim. From that which has preceded, interference of worshippers in prayer is prohibited.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
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Mistakes During Tawaf
There are some mistakes which occur while making Tawaf, what are those mistakes?
Many pilgrims adhere to specific supplications while making Tawaf. There are groups from amongst them that take their supplications from one designated to read and then they all repeat this as a group in chorus. This is a mistake from two points:
1. This is adhering to a supplication which is not mentioned to be adhered to in the this place (Tawaf) because no specific supplication has been mentioned on the authority of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) while making Tawaf;
2. The group supplication in chorus is an innovation, which also interferes with the concentration of other pilgrims making Tawaf. That which is legislated is for everyone to supplicate on their own without raising the voices.
Sheikh Salih Ibn Fawzan
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Making Talbiyah as a Group in Chorus
What is the ruling regarding making the Talbiyah as a group in chorus?
Some of the pilgrims make the Talbiyah as a group in chorus, so one of them is either at the front, middle or behind and makes the Talbiyah while all of them follow him in chorus.
This has not been mentioned on the authority of any of the companions. Rather, Anas Ibn Malik said:
"We were with the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) (on Hajj Al-Wada' "farewell pilgrimage") and from amongst us were those who recited 'Allahu Akbar' and those who recited 'La ilaha ill-Allah' and those who recited the Talbiyah."
This is what has been legislated for the Muslims, whereby each one then makes Talbiyah on his own without joining together with others.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
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Kissing The Yemeni Corner During Hajj
Is it permissible to kiss the Yemeni corner of the Ka'bah?
Kissing the Yemeni corner "Ar-Rukn Al-Yamani" is not confirmed from the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him).
Any act of worship which is not confirmed from the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) is an innovation and not something which draws one near to Allah.
So based upon this, it is not legislated for a person to kiss the Yemeni corner since this is not confirmed upon the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him).
Rather, it has been mentioned in a weak Hadith that can not be used as proof.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
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Mistakes Pilgrims do When Entering Al-Masjid Al-Haram
What are the mistakes some pilgrims commit when entering al-Masjid al-Haram?
From amongst the mistakes that some pilgrims fall into when entering Al-Masjid Al-Haram are:
1. That some people think it is imperative, for making Hajj or Umrah, to enter through a particular door of Al-Masjid Al-Haram.
So, for example, some people see that it is necessary for one making Umrah to enter via the door which is called the Umrah Door "Bab Al-Umrah" or that this is something that must be done and that it is legislated.
Others see that it is imperative to enter via the Door of Peace "Bab as-Salaam" and that entering through any other door is a sin or disliked - and there is no evidence for this.
So, it is upon the one making Hajj or Umrah to enter via any door they wish, and when doing so, extending the right foot first upon entry and saying that which is mentioned for entering all Masajid.
So, he sends his salutations upon the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and says:
"O Allah! Forgive me my sins and open Your Doors of Mercy to me."
2. Some people innovate certain supplications when entering the Al-Masjid Al-Haram and upon seeing the House "Ka'bah".
They innovate supplications which have not been mentioned by the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and they supplicate to Allah with them.
This is an innovation. So the act of worship, for the Sake of Allah, by speech, action or belief which the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) or his companions were not upon, is an innovation and an evil, that which the Messenger of Allah has warned against.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen
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Giving The Rewards of Quran & Tawaf to Parents
Is supplicating for the parents in the obligatory prayers permissible? Can one pass over to them the reward for completing the Quran or the Tawaf?
There is no harm in supplicating in the prayer either for oneself of for one's parents or other than them, rather this is legislated. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is in Sujud, so increase in making the supplication (in it)." [Narrated by Muslim]
And he (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"As for the Ruku', then magnify the Lord (in it), and as for the Sujud then strive in making the supplication (in it), for it is worthy of being responded to." [Narrated by Muslim]
And in the two Sahihs of Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim, on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud, that when the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) taught him the Tashahhud, he said:
"...then choose a supplication which pleases you and supplicate (with it)."
And in another narration:
"...then choose from that which you desire."
What is implied here is before the Taslim, so if he supplicates in the Sujud or at the end of the prayer, for himself, his parents or the Muslims, there is no harm in this for what is mentioned of the generalness of these Ahadith and other than them.
As for passing the reward for reciting the Qur'an or making Tawaf for one's parents or other than them from the Muslims, then this is an issue where there is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars.
That which is better, is to leave this since no evidence exists for its permissibility.
Acts of worship are permanently stipulated, so nothing is to be practiced unless legislated by the Shari'ah, for the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Anyone who introduces something into this matter of ours (i.e. Islam), that which is not from it, will have it rejected." [Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And in another narration:
"Anyone who does an act which is not in agreement with us, then he will have it rejected." [Narrated by Muslim]
And Allah is the Expounder of Success.
Sheikh Ibn Baz
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Giving The Reward of Tawaf to Someone Else
What is the ruling regarding "gifting" the reward of performing Tawaf to someone else, whereby some people approach others and say to them: "Do seven for me!", meaning: seven circuits, intending the reward for themselves. So is this permissible or not?
It is not permissible to performing the Tawaf around the Ka'bah for someone else. So no-one should perform the Tawaf for other than themselves unless he is performing Hajj or Umrah on behalf of someone else; so he does so in entirety completing the Hajj or Umrah and not just a part thereof.
And with Allah lies all success and may Allah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa
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