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Ask About Islam – Stand on Arafah and Eid

Maen Khalifa
08 September, 2016

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 

We are glad to conclude this Live Session on Saturday, September 10, 2016.

 

This session was dedicated to “Ask About Islam”; Br. Maan Khalife replied to general questions about Islam.

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Please don’t hesitate to send us your additional questions through the following email address:

 

[email protected]

Saturday, Sep. 10, 2016 | 20:00 - 22:00 GMT

Session is over.
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Dear Sir, I have a question on the following Hadith: "Abu Hafsah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah absolves the sins for two years: the previous year and the coming year” (Muslim)" The day of Arafah is 9th of Dhul Hajj in Makkah but it is 8th of Dhul Hajj in Pakistan. So in Pakistan, should one fast on the 9th Dhul Hajj in Pakistan OR on 8th Dhul Hajj in Pakistan? Thanks in Advance. JazakAllahu Khairan.



Salam and thank you for your question.

 

Initially, the stand of Arafah should not be a matter of conflict because the pilgrims stand united on the day of Arafah at the same time in the same day. However, whatever the reason may be, it is different in some countries. So how to deal with this situation.

 

Before I start, it is extremely important to note that we are accountable for our intentions. So when we intend to do good deeds purely to please Allah, Allah will reward us accordingly.

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In your case, I advise you to fast on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, which is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah or the day of Arafah in Makkah and the rest of the Muslim world including Muslims living in the West with the exception of few countries, such as Pakistan.

 

Now I don’t wish to advise you to fast the following day, 9th of Dhul Hijjah in Pakistan, because this will be the day of Eid for the rest of the Muslims, a day we are forbidden to fast on. At the same time, you need to keep unity within your community otherwise you will be looked at as a rebel.

 

In order to avoid fitnah, pretend that you are fasting on that day if everyone else around you is fasting. Then perform Eid the following day. It is still Eid since Eid extends over three days. It will actually be the second day of Eid but it is still Eid.

 

However, if you are unable to pretend then fast with the rest of your community in order to avoid disunity. This based on priority, which is unity, and on the general Islamic rule that says: “Necessity makes the forbidden lawful”. In Arabic, “Ad-daroora tubih-ul-fahzoor“.

 

What is important here is that you intend between you and Allah to fast on the day of Arafah regardless what day it is. Ask on that day for Allah’s forgiveness and for the unity of the Muslim Ummah.

 

I hope this helps answer your question.

Was the heart of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the first thing God created before anything?



Salam and thank you for your question.

 

We are really unsure of this fact since there is NO authentic narration of the Prophet’s tradition that mentions that explicitly.

 

However, we have the following tradition (hadith) that implies that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the best human who has ever lived. Narrated Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

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“Allah looked at the hearts of people and found that the heart of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the best so Allah chose him for His message. Then He looked at hearts of the rest of humans and found that the Prophet’s companions were the best so He chose them to be the delegates of the Prophet and best people to carry the message of Islam. So whoever pious Muslims see as good shall be good with Allah and whoever they see as evil shall be evil with Allah.” (Ahmad)

 

In another hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

 

“The best generation is my generation, then the generation that follows me, then the generation that comes after that. After those generations, lying will be widespread.” (Al-Shawkani)

 

We may conclude that the best human who has ever lived is surely Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) then his companions are the best people after him, then the two generations that followed them.

 

The influence of the best of creation affected the moral conduct of those who believed around him so Allah made them the best of people. The next two generations who followed the footsteps of those great people remained steadfast on Allah’s religion and Allah favored them to be second and third best.

 

May Allah guide us to follow His commandments and the tradition of His beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) so we may become among the best in the sight of Allah inshaAllah.

 

I hope this helps answer your question.

I performed Istikhara prayer for the first time in my life, and I am unsure what to make of what happened afterwards. I didn't see any dreams. May you please explain how this prayer is interpreted?



Salam and thank you for your question.

 

To clarify for our audience; Istikhara prayer means the prayer of seeking guidance from God. Narrated Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

 

“The one who seeks Allah’s guidance shall not be disappointed; the one who asks people’s advice shall not regret, and the one who economizes shall not be in a situation where he asks people for money.” (Assuyuti)

 

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The Prophet’s companions used to perform this prayer often even before purchasing an item from the market place.

 

Some matters cannot wait overnight for someone to sleep and dream.

 

Concerning the outcome, we should not expect that in a dream. It is rather the circumstances concerning the matter you are seeking Allah’s guidance for, they either happen easily and smoothly or get more and more complicated; and that should be your sign; it is total reliance on Allah.

 

For certain issues, you need to repeat the prayer until the matter becomes clear to you; Allah will surely show you. Some people might see a clear dream for their Istikhara prayer. However, other people, just like you, don’t remember their dreams.

 

For those who remember their dreams, the dream should be a support to make the right decision but not the definite answer. The criteria I mentioned above be kept in mind.

 

Also Allah will make you feel at ease with your matter in question or you might feel uncomfortable. When not sure, always repeat the prayer and with a little bit more sincerity, things will unveil.

 

I hope this helps answer your question.

Where Is God?



Salam dear questioner and thank you for your question.

 

The simple answer to your question is that God is physically in heavens but His knowledge encompasses everything.

 

According to Islamic sources which is based on the Quran and authentic tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

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“Allah the Almighty has told us that He is in the heavens:

 

{Have ye taken security from Him Who is in the heaven that He will not cause the earth to swallow you when lo! it is convulsed? Or have ye taken security from Him Who is in the heaven that He will not let loose on you a hurricane? But ye shall know the manner of My warning.} (Al-Mulk, 67:16-17)

 

Additionally, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) told us that a slave girl was a believer when she told him that Allah the Almighty was in heaven. It is narrated that Mu`aawiyah ibn al-Hakam al-Sulami beat a slave girl belonging to him for being careless in minding his sheep.

 

Then he regretted it, and came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to express his regret and ask for his permission to set her free. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) sent someone to call the girl and asked her:

 

“Where is Allah?” She said: “In heaven.” He asked, “Who am I?” She said: “You are the Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Set her free, for she is a believer.” (Muslim)

 

The phrase “Allah is in heaven” does not mean that He is contained by its physical dimensions—Glorified and Exalted be He far above that.”

 

However, your question implies that if God is somewhere then why can’t we see Him? The answer to this question is in the Quran. When Moses (peace be upon him) requested to see God in person the reply was:

 

{And when Moses came to Our appointment and his Lord spoke to him, he said: “Oh my Lord! reveal yourself to me that I may look upon you!” He replied: “Never can you see Me (in this world). However, behold this mount; if it remains firm in its place, only then you will be able to see Me.” And as soon as his Lord unveiled His glory to the mount, He crushed it into fine dust, and Moses fell down in a swoon. And when he recovered, he said: “Glory be to You! To You I turn in repentance, and I am the foremost among those who believe} (Al-Aaraf, 7:143)

 

The above verse is simply telling us that we do NOT have the physical capacity in this world to see God in person. If God reveals Himself to us, we would die. However, the dwellers of Paradise will be able to see Him since God will give them the physical ability to do so as mentioned in the following verse:

 

{…and are oblivious of the Hereafter. Some faces on that Day will be fresh and resplendent, and will be looking towards their Lord;} (Al-Qiyama, 75:21-23)

 

I hope this helps answer your question.