Marriage, Casts and Compatibility

Marriage, Casts and Compatibility

Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azîz bin Bâz [1]

Al-Istiqaamah Magazine - Issue No.7 - Rabî' ul-Awwal 1418H / July 1997

[COMPATIBILITY IS ONLY BASED UPON RELIGION AND PIETY]

From the evil and reprehensible matters is that some who claim to be from Banu Haashim (i.e. claim to be a Sayyid; someone related to the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam's family) say that there is no kafaa'ah (marriage compatibility) between them and someone from outside of their own clan. So they do not get married outside of their clan, nor allow anyone from outside of their clan to marry them. This is a great error, a monstrous ignorance, oppression against the woman, and it is a legislation which neither Allaah nor His Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam legislated or prescribed. Rather, Allaah - the Most High - said:

"O mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and have made you into nations and tribes; that you may know one another, Indeed the most noblest of you with Allaah is the one who has the most taqwaa (piety, fear, and obedience of Allaah)." [Soorah al-Hujuraat 49:13].

"Indeed the Believers are but brothers." [Soorah al-Hujuraat 49: 10].

"The Believers - men and women - are allies and protectors, one to another." [Soorah at-Tawbah 9:71].

"So their Lord accepted from them their supplication, and responded: Never will I allow to be lost the actions of any of you, be they male or female. You are one to another." [Soorah Aal-'lmraan 3:195].

Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Indeed there is no excellence for an arab over a non-arab, nor for a non-arab over on arab, nor for a white person over a black one, nor for a black person over a white one, except through taqwaa (piety and obedience to Allaah). The people are from Aadam, and Aadam was from earth."2

The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam also said: "Indeed my awliyaa (friends and allies) are not the tribe of so and so. Rather my friends and allies are the muttaqoon (those who possess taqwaa) - wherever they may be."3

The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "If there comes to you a person whose Religion and character are pleasing to you, then marry him (i.e. give the girl in marriage to him). If you do not do this, there will be Fitnah (trial and discord) and greet fasad (corruption) upon the earth." This was related by at-Tirmidhee and others, with a hasan isnaad (good chain of narration).4

The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam married Zaynab bint Jahsh of the Quraysh (i.e. the Prophet's clan) to Zayd ibn Haarithah, his freed slave. He married Faatimah bint Qays from the Quraysh clan, to Usaamah, the son of Zayd. Bilaal ibn Rabaah, the Ethiopian married the sister of 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf of the Quraysh. So the purpose here is to explain the falsehood of those who claim that it is forbidden, or detested, for someone from the Prophet's sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam's clan to marry outside of that clan or tribe. Rather, what it is obligatory in this matter is to consider only Religion as the compatibility factor. So the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam distanced Abu Taalib and Abu Lahab (his uncles) - because they were not Muslims and drew near Salmaan the Persian, Suhayb the Roman, and Bilaal the Ethiopian. This is because they possessed eemaan (faith) and piety, and they followed the Prescribed Laws and traversed the Straight Path. Thus, whosoever adopts this false and ignorant practice of barring Haashmee women from marrying from outside of their clan or tribe, will only achieve blameworthy results; such as corruption of the people, or adversely affecting the birth-rates, even though Allaah - the Most High - said:

"And marry those amongst you who are single, and the righteous from your slaves. If they be poor, Allaah will enrich them out of His Bounty, And Allaah is all-Sufficient for His creation, the all-Knowing about their state." [Soorah an-Noor 24:32].

So He commanded to marry those that are single, and to marry all other categories of Muslims - irrespective of whether they be rich or poor. Thus, since the Islaamic Sharee'ah urges and encourages the institution of marriage. So the Muslims should hasten to fulfill this command of Allaah and of His Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam when he said: "O youths! Whosoever amongst you has the ability to marry, then let him do so; for it lowers the gaze and restrains the private parts. But whosoever does not have the ability then let him take to fasting; for indeed it is a shield for him." Its authenticity has been agreed upon.5 Thus, it is incumbent upon the guardians to fear Allaah concerning their guardianship, since it is an amaanah (trust and responsibility) around their necks, and Allaah will question them concerning this trust. So it is upon them to hasten in getting their daughters, sons, and sisters married, to the extent that this task has taken full effect in life, and the corruption and harms of not doing so have been minimised. And it is known that when women are prevented from getting married, or if their marriage is delayed and deferred, then this is a cause for calamities to occur, a cause for shameful moral crimes to take place, and a cause for a decline in standards of behaviour. So - O worshippers of Allaah - it is upon you to fear Allaah regarding your own selves, and with regards to the daughters, sisters, and other women whom Allaah has been placed under your charge and authority, and that the Muslims should come in order to realise the good and the happiness for the society, and to follow the path that will increase the good and lessen the crimes. And you should know that you will all be questioned and held to account about your actions, as Allaah - the Most High - said:

"By your Lord! We shall call them all to account for all that they used to do." [Soorah al-Hijr 15:92].

And Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - said:

"And to Allaah belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth, that He may punish those who do evil with that which they have done; and reward those who do good with Paradise which is best." [Soorah an-Najm 53:31].

So hasten in getting your sons and daughters married, following in the footsteps of your Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and the footsteps of the noble Sahaabah (Companions) radiallaahu 'anhum, and all those who follow their path and guidance. I also advise you all not to seek excessive sums for the mahr (dowry), but rather be moderate in this, and that you strive to select pious and righteous people for marriage.

We ask Allaah to grant us the understanding of the Religion; grant us firmness upon it; and that He protects us and all the Muslims from the evil promptings of our own souls, and our evil resultant actions; and that He keeps away from us the deviating trials and discords, whether open or hidden. And We ask Allaah also to correct all those who have a position of authority over the affairs of the Muslims, and that He rectifies them. Indeed he is the One having the power to do so. And may Allaah extol and send blessings of peace upon Muhammad, and upon his Family, Companions and all those who follow them.

---

1. Majmoo' Fataawaa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah (3/100- 103).
2. Saheeh: Related by Ahmad (5/411). It was authenticated by Ibn Taymiyyah in Kitaabul-lqtidaa (p.69).
3. Related by al-Bukhaaree (10/351) and Muslim (no.215), from 'Amr ibn al 'Aas radiallaahu 'anhu.
4. Hasan: Related by at-Tirmidhee (no.1085), from Abu Haatim al-Muzanee and Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu 'anhumaa. It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Irwaa'ul-Ghaleel (no.1868).
5. Related by al-Bukhaaree (4/106) and Muslim (no.1400), from Ibn Mas'ood radiallaahu 'anhu.

 

Al-Ihsaan

Al-Ihsaan

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-`Uthaymeen

Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Islaam
© 1997 al-Hidaayah

Al-Ihsaan is the opposite of behaving badly, and it means that a person strives to do what is good and to repel harmful things. So he strives to benefit the servants of Allaah through his wealth, position, knowledge and his person. So as for the case of doing good with ones wealth, then he spends and gives in charity, and pays the zakaat, and the best of the types of doing good through wealth is the zakaat since it is one of the pillars of Islaam, and one of its great foundations. A person's Islaam will not be complete without it. It is the charity most loved by Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and that is followed by that which it is obligatory upon a person to spend upon his wife, mother, father, children, brothers, children of his brothers, sisters, paternal uncles, paternal aunts, maternal aunts, and so on. Then by charity given to the poor and to the rest of those deserving of charity - such as students of knowledge for example.

As for the case of doing good by means of ones position, then it is that people are found in different levels. Some of them have status with someone in authority and so strive to benefit the people by means of his position. So if a man comes to him and requests that he should intercede for him with the one in authority then he does so, either to repel some harm from him or to attain some good for him, As for doing good by means of his knowledge, then it is that he strives to pass on his knowledge to Allaah's servants, in open and private gatherings and assemblies. Even if people sit socially, to drink coffee, then it pertains to good and fine behavior that he should teach the people. Even if you are in a public gathering it is from what is good that you teach the people. However wisdom is to be used in this matter. So you should not weary the people making it a habit that every single time you sit in a gathering you admonish and address the people, since the Prophet used to give them admonition now and then, and not too frequently. This is because the souls become weary and bored. When they become bored they become languid and weak and may even come to dislike what is good merely because of the frequency with which the per son stands and addresses them.

As for seeking to benefit the people with ones person, then the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "... that you help a man to mount and ride his riding beast, or you lift up his luggage on to it for him, is a charity" [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. Transl. 4/90-94/no. 161) and Muslim (Eng. transl. 2/483-484/ no. 2204)]. So you help this man to carry his luggage, or you guide him to the correct road to take and so on, all of this pertains to ihsaan. So this is with regard to striving to do good to the servants of Allaah.

As for ihsaan in the worship of Allaah, then it is that you worship Allaah as if you were seeing Him, as the Prophet ( said. So worship done in this way, that a person worships his Lord as if he were actually seeing Him is worship that is accompanied by yearning and seeking. So a person will find that his soul encourages him upon worship done in this way, since he is yearning for the one he loves. Therefore he worships Him as if he were seeing Him, and he directs his heart to Him and turns to Him and seeks to draw near to Him, He the One free of all imperfections and the Most High.

"Then even though you do not see Him, then He certainly sees you." This part shows worship done whilst fleeing and fearing, and is therefore the second level of ihsaan. So if you do not worship Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, as if you are seeing Him and seeking Him and your soul is encouraging you towards Him, then worship Him keeping in mind that He sees you. So you will then worship Him as one who fears Him and seeks to flee from His retribution and punishment.

This level is held by those having knowledge of these affairs to be lower than the first level. Worship of Allaah, the Perfect and Most High, is, as Ibn al-Qayyim, rahimahullaah, said: 'Worship of the Most Merciful is utmost love of Him, along with the worshippers submission and humility, they are its two pillars.' So worship is built upon these two matters: utmost love, and utmost humility and submission. Love causes one to desire and seek, and humility causes one to fear and flee. This is ihsaan in the worship of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. If a person worships Allaah in this manner, then he will become one who is pure and sincere in his worship of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. He will not desire with his worship that he is seen by the people, or heard of, nor will he desire their praise. It will be the same to him whether the people notice him or do not notice him.

He will worship with ihsaan in every condition. Indeed part of the completion of purity and sincerity of worship (al-ikhlaas) is that a person should seek not to be seen by the people when he worships, and that his worship should be a secret between him and his Lord. That is unless there is some benefit for the Muslims or for Islaam in his performing it openly, for example if he is a person who is followed and taken as an example and he wishes to manifest his worship to the people so that they should take it as an example to follow; or that he manifests his worship so that his companions, friends and associates should follow his example, then this is good. This benefit which he takes account of may be more excellent and greater than the benefit of keeping it hidden. Therefore, Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, has praised those who spend of their wealth in charity secretly and openly. So whenever performing it secretly is better and more beneficial for the heart, and causes one to be more humble and submissive, and to turn to Allaah more attentively, then they give in secret. But when performing it openly produces benefit for Islaam, due to manifestation of its prescribed practices, and will mean that the people follow this persons example, then they do this openly. The Believer looks to what is most appropriate. So whatever is most appropriate and most beneficial in worship, then it will be what is most complete and most excellent.

Ten Causes that Result in Allaah’s Love For His Slave and the Slave’s Love for his Lord

Ten Causes that Result in Allaah’s Love For His Slave and the Slave’s Love for his Lord

Author: Ibnul Qayyim al Jawziyyah, Source: Madarij as-Saalikeen (vol. 3, pp. 17-18 )

First, reciting the Qur’an while pondering over its meanings and what is meant by it.

Second, getting closer to Allaah by performing voluntary deeds after completing obligatory deeds. This is as is stated in a Hadith Qudsi: “My slave continues getting closer to Me by performing voluntary deeds until I love him.”

Third, continual remembrance of Allaah under all circumstances, with one’s tongue, heart and actions. The extent of one’s love of Allaah is determined by this.

Fourth, giving precedence to what He loves over what you love when you are overtaken by your desires.

Fifth, the heart being avid of Allaah’s Names, and Attributes and the heart roaming in that garden of knowledge.

Sixth, observing Allaah’s kindness, goodness and bounties, both hidden and open.

Seventh, and this is the most wonderful, the heart being soft, subdued and meek before Allaah.

Eighth, being alone with Allaah during the time when the Lord descends during the last portion of the night while reading His Book and ending that by asking for forgiveness and repenting.

Ninth, sitting with the beloved and sincere, benefiting from the most fruitful of their speech. And not to speak unless speaking is more beneficial and you know that it will improve your state and be beneficial to others.

Tenth, remaining away from every cause that comes between the heart and Allaah.

The Qur'an is a Cure

The Qur'an is a Cure

Compiled and translated by

Abdulilah Lahmami

 

 

Allaah said that his Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said,

 

"And He feeds me and quenches my thirst And when I fall sick then He (Allaah) cures me." [Soorah Shu'araa: 80]

 

Some scholars of Tafseer explain that there is a relation between what we eat and drink and falling sick since most people fall ill because of their diet. This could be a reason why Allaah mentioned that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) recognized that Allaah is the One who provides sustenance for us but that sickness is due to our own self and this is why sickness is mentioned after food and drink in this Verse.

"And We sent down of the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe." [Soorah Israa: 82]

A healing to 'those who believe" showing the importance of rectifying our belief and actions such that we are true believers if we want the Qur'an to benefit us.

Ayub (peace be upon him) called upon his Lord, "And remember Ayub when he cried to his Lord: Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." [Soorah al-Anbiyaa: 83] When he was inflicted with harm.

And the reply came from his lord:

"We answered him and removed the distress that was on him…" [Soorah al-Anbiyaa: 84]

"O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (Qur'an) enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil, and a healing for that which is in your breasts, a guidance and a mercy for the believers." [Soorah Yunus: 57]

This shows us that the Qur'an has four benefits:

A good advice

Cure for our hearts from all diseases

Guidance

Mercy for mankind

 

"Say: it (the Qur'an) is a healing for those who believe, a guide and healing…" [Soorah Fusilaat: 44]

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 amatika naasiyati bi yadika, maada fi hukmika, ‘adlun fiy qadaa’ika. 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 male and female slave, 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’an the harvest of my heart and the light of my chest, 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.”

"And if Allaah tests you with affliction, there is none who can remove it but He…" [Soorah Yunus: 107]

"And He will give you victory over them and heal the breasts of a believing people." [Soorah Tawbah: 14]

When you sleep read ayat al-Kursi

Abu Hurairah reported  that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "When you are about to sleep recite Ayatul Kursi till the end of the Verse for there will remain for you a protection from Allaah and no devil will draw to you until morning." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

The last two Verses of Soorah al-Baqara

The prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said, whoever recites the last two Verses of Soorah al-Baqara at night, those two Verses shall be sufficient for him." [Saheeh al-Bukhaarree and Saheeh Muslim]

The last three chapter of the Qur'an

When retiring to his bed every night, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would hold his palms together, blow into them, recite the last three chapters of the Qur'an and then wipe his entire body as much as possible with his hands, beginning with the head and face and then all parts of the body, he would do this three times." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah Naas

Aisha said "when someone fell ill from the Prophet's family he did 'nafath' on them (to blow three times over them reciting the two chapters of seeking refuge -Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah Naas). When he himself fell ill, the illness which lead to his death… I would (similarly) do 'nafath' on him and would wipe him with his own hands for it was more blessed that my hands. [Saheeh Muslim]

We turn to Allaah in distress

Allaah said regarding Dhun Nun when called upon Allaah to remove his distress and Allaah replied,

"We answered his call and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers." [Soorah anbiyaa: 87,88]

We turn to Allaah when people try to harm us

"And you will remember what I am telling you, and I leave my affair with Allaah, verily Allaah is ever watchful over His slaves." [Soorah Ghaafir: 44]

And after it Allaah said:

"So Allaah saved him from the evils that they plotted (against him), while an evil torment encompassed Fir'aun's people." [Soorah Ghaafir: 45]

Soorah Faatihah is a cure

It is also a cure when read over the sick. They are cured by the permission of Allaah because the Prophet  said to Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) after he read it over a person who had been bitten by a scorpion and was cured, “How did you come to know that it is a cure?” [1]

[1] Agreed upon, Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2276) with the additional wording, “You have done the right thing.”

(Taken from www.MarkazMuaadh.com)