Can one Person use a cow or camel for Udhiyah

It is permissible for seven people to share a cow for Udhiyah. If it is permissible for seven to share a single cow, then it is even more permissible for fewer than seven to share it, with the additional share being voluntary, just as if one person were to slaughter a cow for Udhiyah, even though a sheep would suffice.

Imaam ash- Shaafi'ee (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 'If they are less than seven, it suffices them, and they are considered to be giving the extra portion as charity, just as a camel suffices for someone obligated to give asheep, and they are considered to be giving the extra portion as charity instead of of the sheep.' (Al-Umm, 2/244)

Al-Kasaanee said:  'There is nodoubtabout the permissibility of sacrificing a camel oracow for fewer than seven people, whether two, three, four, five, or six share in acamel or a cow; becausesince seventh is permissible, then more is even more so. It makes no difference whether the shares are equal in quantity or different, such that one of them gets half while the other gets a third, and the other gets a sixth, provided that it does not fall below seventh.' (Badaa' as-Sanaa' 5/71).

Is It Required for a Man to be Just Between his Wives’ Families?

Question: Does the charity or gifts that a husband gives to his other wife’s family affect his fairness between his wives?

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: That’s fine, there is no harm in it, inshaa Allaah. It does not affect anything. The important thing is to treat them [i.e. his wives] equally and fairly in their own right. However, if he gives [a gift] to the family of one of his wives because of their poverty, or because of their kindness to him, or for other reasons, then this has nothing to do with treating his wives equally and fairly, and there is no harm in that. Yes.

 

Source: Fataawaa Noor alaa ad-Darb by Shaykh Abdul-Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz; translated by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam

Phrase Not Found in the Sunnah Commonly Used by Some Imams

 

Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

As regards the saying of some Imams, ‘استقيموا,’ [to tell worshippers to straighten their rows], then there is no basis for it and it was not narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him). I researched it and asked some brothers to research it as well, but they found no basis for it from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) that he used to say, ‘استقيموا.’

[In addition], there is no justification for saying, ‘استقيموا,’ because what is meant by ‘استقيموا’ is adherence to the religion of Allaah, and this is not the appropriate context. This is because this is the context for instructing people to straighten their rows in prayer. Therefore, what is legislated to say is, ‘أقيموا صفوفكم.. سووا صفوفكم,’  and so on.”

 

Source: Majmoo Fataawaa wa Rasaa’il (16/357) by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Uthaymeen, transl. by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam.

How To Get Relieve from Worries and Attain Happiness

 

Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Ubayy bin Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that: “When two-thirds of the night would pass, the Messenger of Allah would get up and call out, ‘O people, remember Allah. The raajifah (i.e. the first blowing of the Trumpet which will shake the whole universe and thus cause all life to cease) has come, followed by Ar-Raadifah (i.e. the second blowing of the Trumpet which will restore life and thus mark the Resurrection Day). Death has approached with all that it comprises. Death has approached with all that it comprises.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, I frequently invoke Allah to exalt your mention! How much of my supplications should I devote to you?” He said, “You may devote as much as you wish.”

When I suggested a quarter, he said, “Do whatever you wish, but it will be better for you if you increase it.” I suggested a half, and he said, “Do whatever you wish, but it will be better for you if you increase it.” I suggested two-thirds, and he said, “Do whatever you wish but it will be better for you if you increase it.” I said, “Shall I devote all my supplications invoking Allah to exalt your mention?” He said, ‘Then you will be freed from your worries and your sins will be forgiven.” This hadeeth was recorded by at-Tirmidhee, Imam Ahmad in al-Musnad and al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak; at-Tirmidhee said it is sound and authentic hadeeth.[1]

Abdullaah bin Muhammad bin ‘Aqeel is relied upon for evidence by great scholars like al-Hamaydee, Ahmad, Ishaaq and others. And at-Tirmidhee would sometimes classify this version authentic and at other times he graded it sound. Our Shaykh, Abul-Abbaas was asked concerning the meaning of this hadeeth and he said: “Ubayy bin Ka’b had a supplication which he used to supplicate for himself, so he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) whether he should devote a quarter of it invoking Allah to exalt his mention.

Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘It will be better for you if you increase it.’ He said: ‘Half’ and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘It will be better for you if you increase it’ till he enquired: ‘Shall I devote all my supplications invoking Allah to exalt your mention?’ He answered, ‘Then you will be freed from your worries and your sins will be forgiven.’ This is because whoever sends one Salaah upon the Prophet, Allah will send ten upon him, and anyone Allah sends Salaah upon, He relieves him of his worries and forgives his sins. This is the meaning of his words, may Allah be pleased with him.”

Source: Jalaa al-Afhaam fee as-Salaah was-Salaam ‘alaa Khayr al-Anaam by Imaam Ibn Qayyim, transl. by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam

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[1]  Recorded by at-Tirmidhee (2457), Ahmad and al-Haakim who classified it authentic and Adh-Dhahabee agreed

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The First and The Last Obligation

 

Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

Singling out Allah the Most High for worship (at-Tawheed) is the first call of all the messengers (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them), the first station on the path to Allah the Most High and the first standing spot for the traveler to Allah the Most High.

Allah the Most High said: “Indeed, We sent Nooh (Noah) to his people and he said: ‘O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but Him.’”  [Soorah al-A’raaf: 59].

Hood (peace be upon him) said to his people: “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but Him....” [Soorah al-A’raaf: 65].

Likewise Saalih ( peace be upon him) told his people: “Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but Him...” [Soorah al-A‘raaf: 73].  Similarly, Shu‘ayb ( peace be upon him) said to his people, “Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but Him.” [Soorah al-A‘raaf: 85].

And Allah the Exalted said: “And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): ‘Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false deities).” [Soorah an-Nahl: 36]. 

So singling out Allah the Most High for worship is the key to the call of the messengers. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to his messenger Mu‘aadh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) when he sent him to Yemen: “You are going to a nation from the people of the Scripture, so let the first thing to which you will invite them be the worship of Allah alone. If they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them, five prayers to be offered in one day and night.”[1]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: “I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”[2]

Consequently, the correct view is that the first obligation upon the legally accountable individual is to testify that, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.” There should be no dispute regarding it nor should there be any intention to argue or doubt, as the masters of blameworthy rhetoric opine.  Tawheed is thus the first thing with which the individual enters Islam and the last thing to depart this world with as evidenced by the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him):“He whose last words (in this world) are: ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah’ will enter the Paradise.”[3]

Hence, it is the first and the last obligation and the first and the last command.

Source: Madaarij As-Saalikeen bayna Manaazil (Iyyaaka Na‘bud wa Iyyaaka Nasta‘een) by Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah. Translated by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam.

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[1] Recorded by al-Bukhaaree (7372) and Muslim (1395)

[2] Recorded by al-Bukhaaree (25) and Muslim (126)

[3]  Recorded by Aboo Daawood (3116)

Ruling on Spending Iftar Donations for other Good Causes

 

Question: Money was collected to provide meals for fasting people at a specific mosque, and the money was surplus. Is it permissible for us to use this surplus for other needs of the mosque?

Response: No, this is not permissible. Rather, the money should be transferred to another mosque where meals are provided for fasting people, because this is the intention of the donors. Their intention is that the money be used for providing meals for fasting people. If it is no longer needed at that mosque, it should be used for providing meals at another mosque.

 

 Source: Fataawaa Munawwa’ah no. 11 by Shaykh Abdul-Azeez bin Abdillaah ar-Raajihee; translated by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam.

The Meeting with the Most Merciful

 

Imaam Ibn Qayyim may Allah have mercy on him) said:

If you are asked about the Day of Increase and the visit of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy, and looking at His Face, that is free from likeness and resemblance, the same way you look at the sun during the day time and the moon at its full phase night as numerously related from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and that is found in books of hadeeth from the narration of Jareer, Suhayb, Anas, Aboo Hurayrah, Aboo Moosaa and Aboo Sa‘eed. So listen on the Day when the Caller will call out: “O people of Paradise, your Lord – exalted and blessed be He – requests you to visit Him, so rush to visit Him.”

They will then say, ‘We hear and we obey’ and will immediately take off for the meeting. Behold they will see mounts that have been prepared for them, so they will sit firmly on their backs without delay until they arrive at the wide valley that He has made the appointed place for them. They will all gather there without anyone being disloyal to the Caller. Then the Lord – blessed and exalted be He - shall order that His chair be set up there. Then pulpits of light, as well as pulpits of pearls, pulpits of gemstone, pulpits of gold, and pulpits of silver will be put in place for them.

The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of musk – may Allah forbid that there should be lowness in them- and they will not think that those on the chairs are above them in gift. When they settle down in their seats and are comfortable in their positions, a Caller will call out “O People of Paradise! You have an appointment with Allah in which He wishes to reward you!” So they will say, “And what is that reward? Has He not brightened our faces, made our scales heavy, admit us into the Paradise and distanced us from the Fire?” And when they are in that state, behold a light, that encompasses all of the Paradise, will shine at them. Then they will raise their heads and behold, The Compeller – the Mighty and Majestic - will come to them from above them and honor them; He will say: “O People of Paradise! Peace be upon you.”

They will not respond to this greeting with anything better than their saying: “O Allah, You are Peace and from You is peace. Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honor.” Then the Lord - blessed and exalted be He - will manifest Himself to them and laugh at them saying: “O People of Paradise.” It will be the first thing they will hear from Him:  “Where are My servants who used to obey Me without having ever seen Me? This is the Day of Increase!” So they will be united on one statement: “We are pleased, so be pleased with us.” So He will say: “O People of Paradise, if I was not pleased with you, I would not have made you inhabit My Paradise. So, ask of Me.” So, they will all be united on a single response: “Show us Your Face that we may catch a glimpse of it.”

So, the Lord -Mighty and Majestic- will remove His covering for them. He will reveal Himself to them and will cover them with His light which if Allah the most High had not decreed not to burn them, they would have been burned. And there will be none in this gathering except that his Lord the most High will speak to Him until He will say: “O so and so, do you remember the day that you did this and that?” And He will remind him of some of his disloyalties in the worldly life, so he (the person) will say: “O Lord, will you not forgive me? He will say: “Of course! You have reached this status of yours (in Paradise) by dint of My forgiveness.” 

What a pleasure to the ears are those conversations! What a comfort to the eyes of the pious is glancing at His noble Face in the abode of the Hereafter! And what a depravity to those who returned with poor deal! “Some faces that Day shall be Naadirah (shining and radiant). Looking at their Lord (Allâh); And some faces, that Day, will be Baasirah (dark, gloomy, frowning, and sad). Thinking that some calamity was about to fall on them.” [Soorah al-Qiyaamah: 22-25]

“Come to the Gardens of ‘Adn, for it is your first abodes and therein is camp. However, we are captives of the enemy. Do you think we will return to our homeland and be safe?”

Source: Haadee al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad al-Afraah by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, transl. by Abdussamee Abdussalam