Tag: Muamalah

  • Q n A : Her uncle sexually abused her and this has affected her psychologically


    Q
    Her uncle sexually abused her and this has affected her psychologically


    A

    Praise be to Allah.Undoubtedly what your uncle did  is a crime
    that deserves punishment in this world and torment in the Hereafter. Many people’s religious conscience has been weakened by what they see and
    read, which provokes their desire, so they fulfil their desires in ways that Allaah has forbidden. One of the most abhorrent and evil examples of
    that is incest between a man and his mahrams (female relatives to whom marriage is forbidden), which is deserving of a severe punishment in the
    Hereafter. 
    Your mistake was not telling anyone in your
    family so that they could put a stop to what this uncle was doing. But because that is in the past and has now ended, and you hated the situation
    from the outset, there is no sin on you now. 
    You have to try to forget the evil thing that
    he did, and learn a lesson from it for the future, for yourself and your children. We advise you to pray to Allaah and ask Him to relieve you of
    your worry and take away your distress. Some du’aa’s that have been narrated in the Sunnah are as follows: 

    (a)
    It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say:
    “Allaahumma inni a’oodhu bika min al-hamm
    wa’l-hazn wa’l-‘ajz wa’l-kasal wa’l-bukhl wa’l-jubn wa dala’ al-dayn wa ghalbat al-rijaal (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from distress,
    grief, incapacity, laziness, miserliness, cowardice, the burden of debt and from being overpowered by men).” 
    Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6008. 
    Ibn Hajar said: 
    The interpretation of these things is:
    “distress” means bad things that the mind imagines are happening at present; “grief” for what has happened in the past; “incapacity” is the
    opposite of ability; “laziness” is the opposite of being energetic; “miserliness” is the opposite of generosity; “cowardice” is the opposite of
    courage. 
    Fath al-Baari. 

    (b)
    It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
    “There is no-one who is afflicted by distress and grief, and says: ‘Allaahumma inni ‘abduka ibn ‘abdika ibn amatija naasyati bi yadika, maada
    fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qadaa’uka. As’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min
    khalqika aw ista’tharta bihi fi ‘ilm il-ghayb ‘indaka an taj’al al-Qur’aana rabee’ qalbi wa noor sadri wa jalaa’ huzni wa dhihaab hammi (O
    Allaah, I am Your slave, son of Your slave, son of Your maidservant; my forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is forever executed and
    Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught
    to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the Qur’aan the life of my heart and the
    light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety),’ but Allaah will take away his distress and grief, and replace it
    with joy.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allaah, should we learn this?” He said: “Of course; everyone who hears it should learn it.”
    Narrated by Ahmad, 3704; classed as saheeh by
    Shaykh al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 199. 
    So do not give in to the pain of the past and forget yourself. You have to keep yourself busy
    with acts of obedience to Allaah, such as memorizing Qur’aan, reading books of knowledge and the biographies of the righteous salaf, and look for
    good friends. 
    We ask Allaah to bless you with that and
    more. 
    And Allaah is the Source of strength.

  • Q n A : Mixing with relatives who backbite


    Q
    Mixing with relatives who backbite


    A

    Praise be to Allah.The attribute of patience is a high status with which Allah blesses whomsoever He wills among His slaves, to make it easy for them to obey His commands and heed His prohibitions. Your attempts to bring people together and to get closer to your relatives is a praiseworthy effort which points to your success and correct thinking. For many people, if they are faced with even a part of what you have suffered, quickly lose patience and respond to cutting off of ties in like manner, because they think that upholding family ties is only obligatory when relatives respond in the same manner. This is a mistaken notion and the fact that it is mistaken is indicated by the hadeeth which was narrated from Abu Hurayrah, which says that a man said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have relatives with whom I uphold the ties of kinship but they cut me off; I treat them well but they mistreat me; I am patient with them but they treat me in an ignorant manner.”  The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If it is as you say, then it is as if you are stuffing hot ashes [in their mouths], and you will have with you [an angel] from Allah to support you against them so long as you continue to be like that.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 2285).  
    In this hadeeth, a man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) complaining of his relatives’ bad treatment of him, and in his complaint he mentioned something similar to what you have mentioned: he upheld the ties of kinship but they cut him off, he treated them well but they treated him badly. Yet despite that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told him that if he was telling the truth, then his situation with them would be like one fills their mouths with ashes, so he is the one who is doing the right thing, and he would continue to have support from Allah against them. The general meaning of the hadeeth is to encourage the upholding of family ties even with those who doe not themselves uphold those ties. Praise be to Allah that this is what you have done and have forced yourself to do. I ask Allah to help you to do that which is good. 
    After that there is nothing more that you can do except to follow one good deed with another, one kind action with another. If they mistreat you then do to them the opposite of that which they have done to you. 
    You should note that when you do that, you are doing it only to earn the pleasure and mercy of Allah. Do not expect any response to your good deed from them. But try not to tell people what they are doing to you. If you think that one of the causes of this problem is too much contact with them, there is nothing wrong with your reducing your visits with them. 
    Pray to Allah to guide them; pray to Him when you are certain of a response, for Allah is Able to turn their hatred into love and their neglect into close ties. 
    With regard to your question about du`as that will help you to be patient when faced with difficulties, there are many such du`as, and we will tell you some of them here: 
    -1- 
    It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “When faced with difficulties the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would say: ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allah al-‘Azeem al-Haleem, laa ilaaha ill-Allah Rabb il-‘Arsh il-‘Azeem, laa ilaaha ill-Allah Rabb ul-samawaati wa Rabb ul-‘Arsh il-Kareem (There is no god except Allah, the Almighty, the Forbearing; there is no god except Allah the Lord of the Mighty Throne; there is no god except Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the noble Throne).’”  (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 7426). 
    According to a report narrated by Muslim: “When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was concerned about an important matter or when he was worried…” (Muslim, 2130). 
    -2- 
    It was narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was distressed by something, he would say, ‘Ya Hayyu, ya Qayyoom, bi rahmatika astagheeth (O Ever-Living, O Eternal One, by Your mercy I seek help).’” (narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3524); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4777). 
    We also want to tell you of something important which will help you to be more patient and will give you certain faith in Allah, especially when you are upset and worried. This is something which many people neglect. Do you know what it is? 
    It is prayer, for prayer has a great effect in bringing peace to the heart and in dispelling worries and distress. It is one of the greatest means of being patient. This is indicated by the Quran and Sunnah. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
    “And seek help in patience and As-Salaah (the prayer) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khaashi‘oon [i.e. the true believers in Allah — those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)]”
    [al-Baqarah 2:45]
    Prayer is the greatest thing by means of which help may be sought.
     And Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
    “Indeed, We know that your breast is straitened at what they say.
    So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).
    And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death)” [al-Hijr 15:97-99]
     Imaam Ibn Jareer al-Tabari said in his Tafseer: “ ‘So glorify the praises of your Lord’: with regard to matters which are worrying you, turn to Allah and give thank to Allah and praise Him, and pray, and Allah will take care of that which is troubling you.
     This is similar to the hadeeth narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): ‘When something troubled him, he would turn to prayer.’” (7/553)
     Finally I ask Allah the Almighty, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, to bless us and you with certain faith, for He is Able to do that.
     And Allah knows best.

  • Q n A : He has a problem with forgetfulness, lack of focus and not being organized


    Q
    He has a problem with forgetfulness, lack of focus and not being organized


    A

    Praise be to Allah.Firstly: 
    You should praise Allaah for the blessings that He has bestowed upon you, namely Islam and true guidance, good health, the ability to hear, see and speak, and other innumerable blessings, including the positive things and success in your professional and family life that you mention. You should utter words of praise and thanksgiving to Allaah, for how many people are deprived of these blessings or many of them? 
    If a person is content with that which Allaah has decreed for him, and is aware of the blessing of Allaah in the things that He has given him, he will enjoy peace of mind and his fear and grief will disappear. This will usually bring a solution to many of the things that are bothering him, such as lack of focus, shyness and so on. 
    Secondly: 
    Rest assured that these things that you mention can be dealt with, improved and changed, but this depends on whether you really want that and do the things that will help you to achieve that. One of the greatest means of doing that is asking Allaah to improve your attitude and to grant you maturity, and to protect you from the evil of your own self, and so on. So strive to recite a lot of the du’aa’s of that type narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 
    Another means of improving your memory and reducing forgetfulness is to keep your mind busy and make it get used to memorizing verses from the Book of Allaah. The more a person memorizes, the easier it becomes for him and the more enthusiastic he will become, and more able to achieve that. 
    Another means is to stop looking, listening, speaking, eating and sleeping too much, so that your heart will be prepared to memorize that which is beneficial, for too many distractions make the mind unfocused. 
    What is meant by doing too much of these things is that for which there is no need and in which there is no benefit. 
    Another means is to avoid haraam things, especially in food and drink, and looking. Concerning this al-Shaafa’i (may Allaah have mercy on him) wrote his famous lines of verse: 
    “I complained to Wakee’ about my bad memory, and he advised me to give up sin.
    He said, ‘Know that knowledge is light, and the light of Allaah is not to be entrusted to a sinner.’” 
    Thirdly: 
    There is nothing wrong with you reading some books about organization which will help you learn the methods of being organized, making decisions, and controlling your feelings of anxiety and shyness, and interacting with people in general. 
    We ask Allaah to give you strength and success in this world and in the Hereafter.

  • Q n A : She is married to a Muslim and hijab is putting her off Islam


    Q
    She is married to a Muslim and hijab is putting her off Islam


    A

    Praise be to Allah.There can be no doubt that Allaah only enjoins that in which there is wisdom, but in some cases the wisdom behind some rulings may be hidden from people, and in some cases it may be quite obvious – such as the prohibition on alcohol which clouds the mind and hinders people from the remembrance of Allaah and from prayer [cf. al-Maa’idah 5:91]. 
    The wisdom behind the prescription of hijab is one of the most clear, because it is a covering for woman and guards their chastity, and it prevents the foolish from making approaches and harassing them. How often has a woman’s hijab prevented the devils among mankind from harrassing her? How often have unveiled women made a display of their beauty and charms, which has led to their being harrassed by the foolish? Concerning this, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
    “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
    [al-Ahzaab 33:59]
    This verse gives the complete answer to your question, because Allaah mentions here the command to His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to tell his wives and daughters and the believing women to wear hijab, and it mentions the wisdom behind that, which is so that they may be protected and not exposed to annoyance. 
    When women go out showing most of their bodies – as the questioner mentions – this is one of the greatest causes of crime and corruption of men’s morals, and of the spread of immorality. It is also degrading for woman, as we see women becoming cheap products for business-owners and advertisers, who show woman half-naked and devoid of modesty in order to attract customers and market their products. 
    A woman’s body belongs to her and is not to be shared with people. When she gets married it belongs to her husband and she should not let anyone else have a share in it. What does a woman want when she shows her body and exposes her charms to onlookers? Does she just want them to look and stare, and what is the affect of that on rapists and the foolish? How are you going to stop them from getting what they want by attacking you and trying to rape you. Are you going to show some meat to the hungry and then try to stop them from eating it? 
    In a modern study it was shown that: 
    65% of female workers are exposed to sexual harassment in their place of work in some European countries. 
    18% of women in America have been raped or been subjected to attempted rape at some stage in their lives. 
    More than half of victims were under the age of 17. 
    Kitaab Ihsaa’aat, Diraasaat, Arqaam (p. 140). 
    Islamic sharee’ah brought that which is best for men and for women, and for the family and society. It does not impose restrictions on women as some enemies of Islam claim. Islam allows women to work, seek knowledge, engage in business, testify in court, uphold the ties of kinship, visit the sick, and so on, but it has set limits regarding her going out in order to protect her and to prevent the foolish from harassing her. 
    We say to the questioner: 
    Many western women, when they think about it and come to know the reality of Allaah’s laws concerning women, do not hesitate to declare their Islam and enter into the religion of the Prophets and the righteous. 
    In Islam, women are protected and looked after. That is not in return for her staying in the home only, rather that is because she plays a great role, which is taking care of her husband and raising and caring for children. This is an important role, because the soundness or corruption of society depends on the extent to which mothers are successful in their raising and teaching of their children. 
    One of the largest British insurance companies carried out a study on one million housewives, which produced amazing results. This study showed that the average full-time housewife spends 19 hours per day meeting the needs of her family, because she is the one who is raising the children, teaching them, looking after family members when they fall sick, and is responsible for the household budget. 
    In addition to that – looking at what the houswife’s value from a purely materialistic point of view, far removed from any emotional criteria – a woman who stays at home is the most valuable thing the family can have. 
    Op. cit., p. 118, 119 
    It has become clear to many wise women the serious danger posed by the false freedom that they are enjoying and they have finally realized where this path will lead them. It is stated in another study that: 
    80% of American women think that the freedom that women have gained in the last 30 years is the reason for the promiscuity and violence that are prevalent nowadays.  
    75% feel worried about the loss of values and the disintegration of the family. 
    80% have great difficulty in combining their responsibilities at work with their responsibilities towards their husbands and children. 
    87% said that if the clock was turned back they would consider the demands for equality as a social conspiracy against the United States and they would resist those who raise the banner of equality. 
    op. cit., p. 147 
    All it needs is for you to think about the matter a little, and look at real life, and you will see that hijab spares women from evil, harm and crimes. Islam has closed the door to such evils with its laws, including the requirement for women past the age of puberty to wear hijab. 
    Finally we would like to congratulate you on the fact that Allaah has granted you a Muslim husband, so that you will be able to see Islam in practice from him and his Muslim relatives, which may encourage you to enter Islam and which may remove the barrier of fear about entering this great and purely monotheistic religion. Also note that entering this final religion, which Allaah wants for all people, is a great honour of which you may be deprived if you delay and death then overtakes you. So hasten to enter Islam, with submission to the will of Allaah, with eagerness and delighting in this blessing of Allaah.  
    You should note that if you fall short in your observance of hijab because your human weakness or you feel embarrassed in front of your people, this is regarded as a sin. That should not prevent you from doing the great good deed which will lead you to Paradise and save you from Hell, namely embracing Islam. You should also note that the Shaytaan (Satan) is the enemy of all the sons of Adam, and he is the one who is stirring up these doubts in order to prevent you from entering this religion, so that he can increase the number of those who will follow him to Hell. So be strong and courageous in making the decision that will lead to eternal happiness, by Allaah’s leave. We ask Allaah to help you and to give you the will power to enter Islam as our sister in Islam, and to share this blessing. We thank you for your confidence in us. 
    And Allaah is the Guide to the Straight path.

  • Q n A : She has the bad habit of nail biting


    Q
    She has the bad habit of nail biting


    A

    Praise be to Allah.The doctors say that the phenomenon of nail biting among children is connected to psychological problems. If you have had this problem since you were small, then we advise you to consult a psychologist whom you trust with regard to his religious commitment and knowledge. 
    From the point of view of sharee’ah: 
    Islam brought the best of attitudes and habits, and forbids bad attitudes and habits. This habit – nail biting – is disliked by most people and they regard it as a bad habit. This is in addition to the physical harm that it may do, because of the dirt that collects under the fingernails and the damage that this may do to the nails and teeth. 
    Hence you should make yourself stop this habit. That may be difficult in the beginning, but you will get used to it and it will become a habit after that. This is the case with all good attitudes that a person can make himself do until they becomes a habit and second nature for him. As the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Knowledge comes by learning and patience comes by making oneself be patient.” classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2328. 
    And Allaah knows best.

  • Q n A : Possession and the illusions and facts that are connected to it


    Q
    Possession and the illusions and facts that are connected to it


    A

    Praise be to Allah.There are some facts and some illusions connected to the issue of jinn possession, and among most people nowadays the illusions outweigh the facts. The Sunnis are unanimously agreed that the jinn can dwell in the bodies of humans, but that does not mean that everyone who has epilepsy is possessed by the jinn, because epilepsy may have physical causes. The pains etc. that many people feel in their bodies cannot be ascribed for certain to the actions of the jinn, rather they may be illusions or something imaginary. 
    So you should not pay any attention to the whispers of the Shaytaan that make you think that he has done this and that you can control it. This is one of the ways in which the Shaytaan deceives the Muslim and makes him think that he can control him, and that he has powers that in fact he does not possess. This may lead to bad consequences as has happened to many people. 
    You have to keep on treating yourself with ruqyah, for the Book of your Lord is available to you. Recite from it and treat yourself with ruqyah. Whether you are possessed or not, you will undoubtedly benefit from this reading and ruqyah. 
    For more information please see question no. 3476. 
    If you go to someone who is known for using ruqyah as prescribed in sharee’ah and is also righteous and keeps away from deviance and myths, there is nothing wrong with that and it may be a means of your being healed from this problem. 
    You have to seek the help of Allaah and pray to Him and beseech Him to prevent the plots of the devils among mankind and the jinn from harming you. Man is always in need of his Lord, and Allaah is Able to rid you of these thoughts, illusions and facts that are harming you. 
    And Allaah knows best.

  • Q n A : He married a second wife and they became Muslim – what should he do with his first wife?


    Q
    He married a second wife and they became Muslim – what should he do with his first wife?


    A

    Praise be to Allah.Firstly: 
    We praise Allaah for having guided them to Islam, and we ask Allaah to make them steadfast in Islam until death, so that they may attain the Paradise of Allaah and His good pleasure. We give them the glad tidings that Islam erases whatever sin came before it. No matter what sins a person may have committed, if Allaah then blesses him with guidance to Islam, then he will become cleansed and free from sin as on the day his mother bore him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
    “Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past will be forgiven”
    [al-Anfaal 8:38]
    “If they cease” means if they give up their kufr or disbelief by submitting to Allaah alone, with no partner or associate. Tafseer al-Sa’di. 
    The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam erases whatever came before it” (narrated by Muslim, 121) – meaning, of sin. 
    Secondly: 
    A man does not have the right to form a relationship with a woman who is a stranger (non-mahram) to him. If something of that nature happened before they got married, it is a sin which is recorded against them. If that happened before they became Muslim, then Allaah has forgiven it when they became Muslim. 
    If that happened after they became Muslim, then they have to repent from that. Allaah has promised to accept the repentance of the one who turns to Him in repentance. He says (interpretation of the meaning): 
    “And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do”
    [al-Shoora 42:25]
    “But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.”
    [Ta-Ha 20:82]
    For more information on repentance and its conditions, please see question no. 13990. 
    Thirdly: 
    There is no sin involved in a man’s marrying a second wife. Allaah has permitted a man to have up to four wives, if he is able to treat them fairly and give them all their rights. He does not have to inform his first wife of his desire to marry a second or that he has already done so. 
    Fourthly: 
    With regard to the man’s duties towards his children and first wife, he has to spend on them according to their needs. What really matters is that he should try to guide them and save them from the Fire, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
    “O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded”
    [al-Tahreem 66:6]
    So he must do all that he can to call his wife to Islam and to advise her, and encourage her to embrace Islam. If she refuses then he can still remain married to her and not divorce her if she is from among the People of the Book (i.e., Jewish or Christian). But if she is an idol-worshipper then it is not permissible for her to remain the wife of a Muslim, so in that case he has to divorce her. 
    Please see also question no. 9949. 
    It should be noted that if one of the parents becomes Muslim and his children are still small (i.e., below the age of adolescence), then they are judged to be Muslim because of his becoming Muslim. But if they are adults or have reached the age of adolescence, then that is not the case. See al-Mughni, 13/115; Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah by Ibn al-Qayyim, 2/507. 
    Based on this, if the small children know that Allaah has blessed him and them with guidance to the true religion, then he has to teach them about tahaarah (purity, i.e., wudoo’) and prayer, and other rulings, so that they will grow up with it and get used to doing it, following the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Teach your children to pray when they are seven years old and smack them if they do not do it when they are ten, and separate them in their beds.”
    Narrated by Abu Dawood, 495; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5868. 
    See also question no. 10016. 
    He should not stay here for work and leave his young children exposed to loss and deviation; he should try to bring them here to be with him, so that he will be able to do that which Allaah has enjoined him to do of bringing them up well. If he cannot bring them here then he should be in constant contact with them, corresponding with them and guiding them. It is not permissible for him to neglect them and leave them to be lost. He will be responsible for them on the Day of Resurrection.  
    We also encourage our new brother and his wife to learn the rulings of Islam by reading and asking knowledgeable people and reading useful Islamic sites on the internet, and to apply whatever they have learned in the required manner. 
    We ask Allaah to make them steadfast and help them to do that which He loves and which pleases Him. 
    And Allaah knows best.

  • Q n A : Family problems caused by husband’s brother


    Q
    Family problems caused by husband’s brother


    A

    Praise be to Allah.The husband has to understand that Allaah has
    enjoined upon him to take care of his children, to bring them up properly and to look after their affairs. He has also enjoined upon him to treat
    his wife in a good and kind manner. Allaah will question him about every shortcoming with regard to these duties on the Day of Resurrection. 
    Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
    “O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and
    your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from
    executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded”
    [al-Tahreem 66:6] 
    “and live with them [women] honourably”
    [al-Nisa’ 4:19]
    Secondly: 
    The husband should not allow into his life
    anything that may come between him and his taking care of his family, such as working continually, or allowing friends or relatives to take all
    his time or interfere in his family’s affairs. 
    Nowadays the Muslim cannot find enough time
    to do all the things that Allaah has enjoined upon him, so how can he waste his time with other things at the expense of these duties? 
    Thirdly: 
    The wife should not try to come between her
    husband and his family. She should not complain about him visiting them or their visiting him, unless he is giving that priority over the duties
    that Allaah has enjoined upon him. 
    The father should not give anyone priority
    over his children, whether that is his brother or any other relative. Hence there is no need to cause a split and break the family ties between
    your husband and his brother, or between the children and their paternal uncle, because that will have a far-reaching effect on their
    relationships with other people and with their relatives. 
    Fourthly:
    We advise you to be kind and gentle towards your husband, and to show him that you have nothing against his relationship with his brother. Do not
    cause your children to dislike him. 
    If you see any shortcoming on your husband’s
    part with regard to his shar’i duties towards you, then denounce that and remind him in a manner that is better, without being too harsh. You can
    do that by hinting rather than stating it bluntly, unless there is a need for that.  
    We have seen similar cases in some families
    where the wife had another member of her family staying with them for some reason.  So we think that the husband’s treatment of his family will
    get better if he sees his wife treating his family in a better manner. 
    And Allaah knows best.

  • Q n A : Dealing With a Sister Who Doesn’t Pray and is Misbehaved


    Q
    Dealing With a Sister Who Doesn’t Pray and is Misbehaved


    A

    Praise be to Allah.We appreciate your getting in touch with us, and we ask Allaah to guide us and protect us from the evil of our own selves.
     With regard to your sister’s situation, it is the same in the case of many young people these days. We ask Allaah to guide them and us. Our duty towards them – as it seems to be – is as follows:
     Firstly: we should turn to Allaah and ask Him to guide them, for He is the controller of the hearts. Perhaps a du’aa (supplication) from the heart will be the cause of her happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
     Secondly: you should stop dealing with her on the basis that she is a child or that she does not know what is in her best interests. People – especially in adolescence – like the people around them to make them feel that they are important; they do not like people to treat them as if they are still children.
     Thirdly: try to get her in touch with righteous young women, and keep her away from her friends who are not good, even if that means changing her school. That should be done without her realizing what is going on, because otherwise she may become more stubborn which will make the problem worse.
     Fourthly: You should not look at her with disapproval only, rather you should express your approval of good things that she does and you should give her gifts if she does good things.
     Fifthly: you could advise her via a person whom she likes, such as a teacher or friend, etc.
     Sixthly: You should try to give her audio materials or books containing teachings in an indirect manner, such as putting them near her or listening to the audio in the car whilst she is riding in it.
     With regard to her not praying, this is an extremely serious matter. The status of prayer in Islam is that of a foundation on which the entire structure rests. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “The covenant that stands between us and them is prayer; whoever does not pray is a kaafir (disbeliever).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2621; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2113)
     And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Between a man and shirk (polytheism) and kufr stands his giving up prayer.” (Narrated by Muslim, 82).
     So you have to advise her and preach to her and guide her to the right way; for this purpose you may combine encouragement and threat, gentleness and strictness; if the matter requires some harshness sometimes, there is nothing wrong with using it.
     The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Teach your children to pray when they are seven years old, and hit them (lightly) if they do not pray when they are ten, and separate them in their beds.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 495; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 466.
     This strictness and harshness is only in her best interests.
     We ask Allaah to set the affairs of the Muslims straight.

  • Q n A : A new Muslimah wants to study but cannot


    Q
    A new Muslimah wants to study but cannot


    A

    Praise be to Allah.Firstly: 
    Who has guided you to Islam. This is a great blessing that
    cannot be matched by any other blessing on earth. 
    Secondly: 
    Undoubtedly the committed Muslim who is new in Islam will face some difficulties
    and problems, especially when they come from a way of life which has to be changed when one enters Islam. As a result, the new Muslim may face
    some difficulties with his family and the society in which he lives. 
    Thirdly: 
    The new Muslim must look for committed and righteous friends who can help him,
    teach him and give him advice so that he will not be affected by the atmosphere around him, and so that the Shaytaan or bad friends cannot make
    him slip or go back to his former ways.  
    Fourthly: 
    I advise this Muslim sister to fear Allaah and to wear proper Islamic hijab. She
    may face some difficulties but Allaah will help her and will protect her if He knows that she has a sincere and pure intention. 
    Fifthly: 
    I advise her not to go to university because that will lead her to doing some
    things that are forbidden in sharee’ah, such as dealing with riba (interest) – as mentioned in the question – or taking off her hijab or mixing
    freely with men. 
    Sixthly: 
    I advise her to look for a Muslim husband who will keep her chaste and under whose
    protection she can live, as that Muslim taxi driver mentioned to her. She should seek the help of Allaah to achieve that. And she should strive to
    learn Islam so that she can call others to Allaah and save whoever she can among her family, relatives and society from dying in shirk. This is
    the best and most important of deeds. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
    “And who is better in speech than he who [says: ‘My Lord is Allaah (believes in
    His Oneness),’ and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allaah’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and
    says: ‘I am one of the Muslims’”
    [Fussilat 41:33]
    I ask Allaah to make you steadfast in Islam and to guide your family. 
    And Allaah knows best.