Saluting the Flag

Ruling Regarding Standing for National Anthems or Flags

Question:
Is it permissible to stand up out of respect for any national anthem, or any national flag?

Answer:

It is not permissible for the Muslim to stand up for any national anthem, nor any national flag out of respect. Rather, this is from the evil innovations which did not exist at the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), nor at the time of the Rightly Guided CaliphsAnd this action negates the obligation of the completeness of Tawheed, and the purity of respect for Allaah alone, and it invites towards Shirk. And in this action is resemblance of the disbelievers, and blind following of them in their despicable customs, and deviating along with them in their extreme attitude towards their leaders and their ceremonies. Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) prohibited resembling them and emulating them. And the success is with Allaah. And may the Prayers and Peace be upon Muhammad and his Family and his Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fataawal-Lajnatud- Daa'imah (1/2123)
Translated by Maaz Qureshi (radiyallaahu 'anhum).

Seeing the Dead

Seeing the Dead

Question: Does it signify that one's death is near when one sees dead people in dreams? What should a person do to rid himself of these dreams?

Answer: These dreams and others that frighten the believers are from the Shaytan, for the Shaytan is diligent in trying to bring sadness and terror into the heart of every Muslim, Allah Almighty said: Secret counsels (conspiracies) are only from Shaytan in order that he may cause grief to the believers, But he cannot harm them in the least, except as Allah permits.[1] And that is why the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam ordered the Muslim to spit three times to his left after he sees a bad dream. Then he may say three times: I seek refuge in Allah from the Shaytan and from the evil I saw. Then he should go back to sleep on the side opposite of that he was sleeping on, and not to inform anybody of what he saw. When you see a bad dream, go back to sleep if you please, but sleep on the opposite side you were sleeping on. If you apply what is mentioned above, if you donýt tell any body about your bad dream, then you will not be harmed by it. Therefore, if someone has a dream about death , this does not prove that he is about to die; rather, it is from Shaytan who wishes to install sadness and fear in him, so let him seek refuge in Allah from him and not inform anyone about it. 1.Al-Mujadilah 58:10

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

Fatawa Islamiyah Darussalam Vol:8 page no.133

Wearing a Pendant that has Allaah's Name Inscribed on it

Wearing a Pendant that has Allaah's Name Inscribed on it

Question: All praise is due to Allaah alone: The following question was addressed to the Permanent Committee for Scientific Researches and Religious Verdicts by Muhammad 'Abdul-'Aziz: Along with this letter, I am sending to you a piece of gold jewellery with Allaah's name inscribed on it; our Muslim women wear it for the sole purpose of adorning and beautifying themselves. For a time now the brothers from the Office for Propagating Good and Forbidding Evil have warned us that wearing jewellery with Allaah's name on it is unlawful. I would like to add that only the Muslim women wear this to adorn themselves in a way that differs from the Christians and Jews. The Christians inscribe the cross on their jewellery, and the Jews inscribe the Star of David. Please look into this matter for us.

Answer: Because this jewellery has the name of Allaah inscribed on it for the purpose of Muslim women wearing it on their chests like Christian women with the cross and Jewish women with the Star of David, because they might wear it as a charm to bring them good or ward off evil, and because they might debase something that has Allaah's name written on it by sleeping on it or taking it to filthy places (like the toilet), the Committee holds the view that it is not permissible to wear such jewellery. This is in keeping away from resembling the Christians and Jews which the Muslims are forbidden from imitating. This is also out of the sense of preservation for Allaah's Name and its importance as well as the generality of the prohibition of wearing amulets. With Allaah is the facilitation to do what is right. May Allaah send peace and blessing on Muhammad (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam), on his family, and on his Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts

Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7, Pages 386-387, DARUSSALAM

The Character of the Caller to Islaam

The Character of the Caller to Islaam

Question: What should be the qualities of one who invites to Allaah?

Answer: He should be diligent in seeking knowledge, and struggle in being aware of the Shari’ah proofs. He should expend all of his energies in calling the people to singling out Allaah in worship, following His Shari’ah, abiding by His orders and prohibitions, with his entire self, struggling to bring about the judgements of the Shari’ah until he reaches the rank of those who invite to Allaah Almighty in his speech, actions, conduct, and character. Indeed with Allaah is the facilitation to do what is right.

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz

Fatawa Islamiyah Vol.8, p.46, DARUSSALAM

Which is the Greater Sin, Fornication or Abandoning the Prayer?

Which is the greater sin, fornication or abandoning the prayer?

Question: Allaah has forbidden us from commiting illegal sexual intercourse just as He has prohibited us from abandoning the prayer, so which of the two sins is greater than the other?

Answer: Abandoning the prayer is the greatest sin over the one who commits illegal sexual intercourse. That is because abandoning the prayer is Kufr Akbar (major disbelief) that expels one from Islaam. As for the one who commits adultery, then this is considered from the major sins that does not make one a disbeliever unless that individual says it is permissible to do this act, but the legislated punishment is obligatory (to be established upon him) when the matter is raised to the Muslim ruler.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz Shaykh `Abdullah bin Ghudayaan Shaykh `Abdur-Razzaaq al-`Afeefee

Fataawa al-Lajnatud Da'imah: Volume 6, Page 5, Number 10618

Ruling on Muslims Eating the Meat of Ahl al- Kitaab

Ruling on Muslims eating the meat of Ahl al-Kitaab
Fatawa Islamiyyah
Fatwa by Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Saleh Al-Uthaymeen

Question:
Is it permissable to eat poultry which is sold in the markets o­n the
basis that it is meat of the people of the book…or is it impermissable
o­n the basis that it is a carcass slaughtered by unknown means i.e.
was it done by cutting off the head or electrocution or some such
means….and are the Ahl-Kitab today truly to be considered in this
ruling [as those of the past]?

Answer:
Yes eating the poultry is permissable because that which is slaughtered by
the Ahl-Kitab today is just as what was slaughtered by Ahl-Kitab in the
time of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam). The Ahl-Kitab are of
the kufar whether they are in the time of the Prophet (sallallahu
alaihi wa salaam) or now. Allah says in His noble book:

لَقَدْ
كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ
وَقَالَ الْمَسِيحُ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ

رَبِّي
وَرَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللّهُ عَلَيهِ
الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ

أَنصَارٍ


Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allâh is the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)],
son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)] said: "O
Children of Israel! Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord." Verily,
whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allâh, then Allâh has
forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong­doers) there are no helpers. (Al-Ma'idah 5:72)

لَّقَدْ
كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلاَثَةٍ وَمَا مِنْ
إِلَـهٍ إِلاَّ إِلَـهٌ وَاحِدٌ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُواْ عَمَّا

يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allâh is the third of the three (in a
Trinity)." But there is no ilâh (god) (none who has the right to be
worshipped) but o­ne Ilâh (God -Allâh). And if they cease not from what
they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among
them. (Al-Ma'idah 5:73)
Allah also says in the same chapter:

الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلُّ لَّهُمْ

وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ

أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذِي
أَخْدَانٍ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ

وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ


Made lawful to you this day are At-­Tayyibât [all kinds of Halâl (lawful)
foods, which Allâh has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable
animals, etc., milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits, etc.). The
food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals, etc.) of the people of the
Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to
them. (Al-Ma'idah 5:5)
As far as the methodology of the slaughtering, we do not inquire about the
method because if an action has occurred min ahlihi {at the hands of
those suited to perform such acts} the condition surrounding that act
are not asked about. We find in Sahih al-Bukharee:
It is narrated by Aisha (radi allahu anha) that a group of people said to
the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) ‘Some people came to us with
some meat about which we didn’t know whether the name of Allah was
mentioned over or not’ and he (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) replied "Say the name of Allah over it yourselves and then eat."

She [Aisha] said that these people had just been from the kuffar [i.e. just
became muslim and the question was not asked as to the method of
slaughter]. Volume 7, Book 67, Number 415

This rule therefore applies to the Jews and Christians about whom we don’t
know whether or not they have mentioned Allah’s name or not because
their slaughtered meat is halal to us.

Question:
Please clarify the fatwa – esteemed Sheikh, if a Muslim goes to the markets
and eating places in a Christian land and purchases the lamb, beef, or
chicken and does not ask about how it was slaughtered?

Answer:
Yes, he does not ask about the method of slaughter.

Question:
What if he is informed however that the meat has been stunned by electric
shock, or has been chocked or shot? What is the ruling for meat
slaughtered like this? Is it considered a carcass?

Answer:
It is not permissable if it is known with certainty because the meat would then be considered a carcass.

Question:
Can we understand from the hadith of Aisha (radi allahu anha) which is
related in the fatwa that the question which was posed by the people to
the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) was o­nly in
relation to whether Allah’s name was mentioned over the animal being
slaughtered and it was not about the actual method of slaughter?

Answer:
Yes they did inquire about the mentioning of the name of Allah and not the
actual method of the slaughtering, and it is evident in the hadith that
it is not necessary to ask about either of the two.

Question:
Is it possible to say that if there are stores in a city where the Muslim
lives, and those stores carry meat slaughtered according to Islamic
method – even if it is more expensive – that it is not then permissable
to buy the meat of the Christians?
Answer:
No. It is not possible to say that because the slaughtered meat of the
Christians and the Jews is halal.. However whoever leaves it [i.e.
doesn’t eat it] out of a sense of piety [tawar’an] we see no fault upon
him.
[Tawar’a or wara is when a person has such piety that they will avoid even that
which is permissable to do for what is even better from wanting to
please Allah and also eliminating any possibility of doing something
wrong]

Question:
One of the readers ask about a narration from Ali ibn Abi Talib (radi
allahu anhu) in which he reportedly said: "Do not eat the meat
slaughtered by Bani Taglab because they adhere to christianity by
drinking alcohol." Can this be used as a proof considering the
Christians of today, the majority of who drink alcohol, that it is not
permissable to eat their slaughtered meat?

Answer:
I do not know the authenticity of this statement [narrated by Ali] and if
it is authentic, its meaning would be that they [Banu Taglab] were not
actually following the religion of the Christians and therefore they
would not fall under the ruling of permissability of their slaughtered
meat.

Question:
If it is known that some of the slaughterhouses in this country slaughter
sheep and cattle along with swine, is it permissable to eat that meat
meat especially when the same instruments are used to slaughter both at
the same time?

Answer:
In this case, if we know that the knives are used for both [pork and non
pork] then the [non pork] meat should be washed and it will be purified
through washing.

Translated from Al-Sirat Al-Mustaqeem Safar/Rabi al-Awwal 1414
taken from: http://www.calgaryislam.com/imembers/Sections+index-req-viewarticle-artid-289-page-1.html

Ruling on Putting Muslim Children in the Schools of the Kufaar or Ahlul-Bid'ah

Ruling on Putting Muslim Children in the Schools of the Kufaar or Ahlul-Bid'ah

QUESTION:

Is it permissible for Muslims to put their children in the schools of the non-Muslims, knowing the many contradictions to the the Islaamic Sharee'ah that are found in their schools and the effects they have on our children? Specifically for:

(a) those who have a proper Islaamic school in their city, but it is expensive

(b) those who do not have a proper Islaamic school in their city, rather there are "Islaamic" schools run by people of innovation

(c) those who do not have any kind of Islaamic school whatsoever in their city

ANSWER:  by Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Baazmool, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah

What is apparent to me, and Allaah knows best, is that it is not permissible under any circumstances for the Muslims to put their children in the schools of the non-Muslims. This is not permissible, expecially when these schools teach things that are foreign to the Deen, like the beliefs of the Christians or the Jews, or other impermissible things.

This is the case whether there is an Islaamic school in the city or not. No doubt, when one puts his children in the non-Muslims' school while there is an Islaamic school in the city, this is even more severely prohibited than the one who does so and does not have an Islaamic school in his city.

[ This was the end of the shaykh's answer on the cassette. When asked over the telephone about the issue of Muslims putting their children in the schools of the people of bid'ah, the shaykh requested that the following be added to his answer: ]

And it is not permissible for the Muslims to put their children into schools where innovation is being taught, or things that are in contradiction to the Sunnah. The scholars are preventing students of knowledge from reading the books of the innovators, so how can it be permissible for little children to study in schools where innovations are taught?! Especially when they are not able to distinguish between Sunnah and bid'ah, their hearts may become attached to innovations, and Allaah's Refuge is sought. So it is not permissible to put children in schools where innovation is taught.

SOURCE

This was translated exclusively for www.bakkah.net from a cassette recording with the knowledge and permission of the shaykh, file no. AAMB010, dated 1423/6/25.

Talking About Worldly Matters Inside the Masjid

Talking about worldly matters inside the masjid

Question: Is it permissible to talk about worldly matters inside the masjid and at a time other than the salaat?

Answer: All praise is due to Allaah. It is not permissible to take the masaajid as places of selling, trading, and their like from the worldly affairs, in which the voices are raised. Because the masaajid… they were built for the remembrance of Allaah, recitation of the Qur’aan and making of the salaat, in them. But it is permissible to speak a little about worldly matters as long as it does not distract the reciters (of the Qur’aan) or the one’s making the salaat. And with Allaah is all tawfeeq. And may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and on his family and on his companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz Shaykh `Abdullah bin Ghudayaan Shaykh `Abdullaah bin Qu`ood Shaykh `Abdur-Razzaaq al-`Afeefee

Fataawa al-Lajnatud Da'imah

Marrying More than One is Desirable

Marrying More than One is Desirable

Question: Some men marry more than one woman out of pride or in order to compete with one another and due to a genuine need. Is such a thing permissible? And what is your advice to those men and women who object to plurality when there is a need for it?

Answer: Marrying more than one wife is a desirable thing - on condition that the man has the financial means and the physical ability to act with justice between his wives. This is because through plurality of wives, good is acheived, such as protecting the private parts of the women who he marries (from illegal sexual intercourse) and broadening of unity between the people, and increasing the number of births, as indicated by the Prophet sallallaahu alahi wasallam: 'Marry loving, productive women.' (Abu Dawud 2050, An-Nasaai' 3229, Ibn Hibbaan 4028, & Ahmad 3/158-245) It also contains many other benefits. As for a man marrying more than one wife out of pride and competitiveness, it is something which falls into the category of waste, which is not permitted. Allaah, the Most High says: 'Waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance).' (Al-'Araaf 7:31)

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

Fatawa Islamiyah, Darussalam, volume 5, page 355-356

The ruling on wearing cologne

The ruling on wearing cologne

Question: There has been much argument regarding the wearing of cologne; is it necessary for the Muslim who is a state of ritual purity to renew his ablution because of it, or to wash away what is on his body?

Answer: The perfume commonly known as cologne is not free from the additive called spirit, which is an intoxicant, according to what we are informed by doctors. Therefore it should not be used and should be avoided in favour of some purer perfume. As for making ablution because of it, it is not necessary….nor is it required to wash away the parts of the body affected by it, because there is no clear evidence that it is impure. And Allah is the Granter of success.

Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 2, p41, DARUSSALAM.

The Husband is Required to Provide

The Husband is Required to Provide

Question: If the wife has a job and she receives a good salary, is it incumbent upon the husband to provide for her? And what will the situation be, if his income is little?

Answer: It is an obligation upon the husband to provide for his wife, even if she has a good salary, because his providing for her is in return for the pleasure which he gets from her - even though his income may be little, unless the woman is good-natured and is indulgent towards her husband regarding provision, then the matter is up to her.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

Fatawa Islamiyyah, Darussalam, volume 5, pages 183/184

Offering condolences to the relatives of the deceased

Offering condolences to the relatives of the deceased

 

Question: Someone died and we went to bury him, and (afterwards) some of us offered our condolences to the relatives of the deceased at the graveside. So is this permissible?

 

Response: This is permissible, and there is no specific time nor place (legislated) in which to offer condolences.

 

And with Allaah lies all the success, and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

 

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Verdicts

Fataawa li Ahlil-Mayyit - Question 32, Page 36

Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa - Volume 9, Page 134

 

...

Published: 29 June 2001

When do we say that a common person is Salafi?

When do we say that a common person is not a Salafee?

The common person, like the average raafidhee, or the average soofee, or their likes from the people of partisanship, if he affirms their ideas and he follows them, befriending people for their sake, and opposing the Salafees for example, then he is from them. But if he is not active (doing the aforementioned), and he is a person who accepts the Truth, then he is to be advised and taught the Salafee manhaj. There should be no rush in judging him. But if he is active with them and accepts their ideas as I have mentioned, then he is from them. Other than this, the ordinary person who does not understand what they are on, the one who holds no animosity or stance against the Salafee methodology, such a person should be dealt with patiently, taught, and advised. There should be no rush in judging him.

Shaykh Rabee` bin Haadee

SOURCE This was translated exclusively for www.bakkah.net from a cassette recording with the knowledge and permission of the shaykh, file no. AARM001, dated 1423/7/23.

The Mediums for Dawah

The mediums For Da'wah

Question: Are the means of Da'wah set, meaning that is it not allowed to utilize new mediums, such as that of the media? Does that mean we can only use those means that were used during the life of the Messenger of Allaah Salallaahu alayhi wasallam?

Answer: We must first learn the principle that means are in accordance with their objectives. The scholars, who stipulate that those means in no way consist of anything unlawful, recognise this principle. This is because there is no good in what is unlawful. On the contrary, if the means are lawful and they lead to the realization of the Shari'ah objective, then there is nothing wrong with those means. However, this does not mean that we should turn away from the Qur'aan and Sunnah and from what they contain in terms of profound wisdom. There are means of Da'wah that some deem to be beneficial to use while others do not; in this case, it is perhaps better to use those means that are accepted by all, to avoid discord. There is a difference, however, between amicability and Da'wah. Sometimes, it is best to unite the youth with lawful activities after we have already invited them to the Qur'aan and Sunnah, activities that are not harmful to the religion or to the Da'wah, activities that give them a break from constant seriousness.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

Fatawa Islamiyah vol.8, p.78, DARUSSALAM

The Importance of Good Manners

http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/miscellaneous/dawah/0081031.htm

How the Shaytaan Finds His Way into Somebody's Heart

How the Shaytaan Finds His Way into Somebody's Heart

Question: Through what avenues does the Shaytaan find a way to make suggestions to man?

Answer: There are many avenues; he might try to incite someone to fornicate, for example. He first incites his victim to be alone with women, then to look at them, then to talk to them, then perhaps to listen to them sing, and so on until he achieves his end: when his victim fornicates. Shaytaan may attack a person through his stomach, by tempting him into eating what is unlawful, into drinking alcohol, or even into taking drugs. Shaytaan may find that a person has an inordinate love for owning things, so he biguiles him into gaining wealth through unlawful means: stealing, swindling, practicing usury, usurping, cheating. He may find that a person has a great deal of pride, so he will encourage him to belittle others, to be haughty with those inferior to him in society, and the list of Shaytaan's tricks is endless. May Allaah send peace and blessings on Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts

Fataawa Islamiyah, vol. 8, p314

Regarding Innovations in the Religion

Regarding innovations in the religion

Question: His eminence, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) was asked concerning bid’ah (innovations).

Answer: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said regarding innovations: “Be careful about the invented matters for every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the fire.” And if this is so, then one has to be warned from following any innovation, whether it is initial or continual, for it is, as the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “in the fire”, meaning that misguidance is the cause of the punishment in the fire and the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) warned his nation from the innovations necessitating that that they are a sheer corruption because the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said generally concerning this: “every innovation is misguidance”. Therefore, the innovations, in reality are indirect criticisms of the Shari’ah; because they necessicate the implication that the Shar’iah is incomplete and that the innovation is a more perfect form of worship to seek nearness to Allaah as the innovator claims. Then to the innovator we say: “Every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the fire". And it is a duty to warn about all the innovations and that mankind not worship Allaah except by what Allaah and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) have legislated. In this way, one’s Imaam will truly be the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), for whomsoever follows the path of innovation then he has made the innovator his Imaam in that innovation, instead of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

Majmoo' Fataawa wa Rasaa'il - Volume Two, Number 345

Using Abbreviations in Islamic Terminology

Question:

Is it permissible to write the letter (S) [Saad] instead of (writing) ((sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)), and why?

Response:

The Sunnah is to write the entire phrase ((sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)) - since it is a supplication; And the supplication is a (form of) worship, such as verbally saying it (the phrase), and the abbreviation for it using the letter (S) [Saad] or (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) [Saad 'Ayn Waaw] (or (SAAW) or the like) is not (constitute) a supplication, and nor a (form of) worship, whether it be by speech or writing. And because of this, this abbreviation was not used by those of the first three generations about whom the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) bore witness to their excellence.And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa, comprising -
Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez Ibn Abdullaah Ibn Baaz; ((Raheemahullaah))
Member: Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Ghudayyaan;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Qu'oodFataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa., - Volume 12, Page 208, Question 3 of Fatwa No.5069 

Saying "Shukran"

The ruling on saying ''shukran'' to the one who rendered goodness to a person

Question: What is the ruling on saying "shukran" to the one who rendered goodness to a person?

Answer: Whoever did that has abandoned that which is more superior, which is the saying, "JazaakAllaahu khayran" (may Allaah reward you with good). And in Allaah lies success.

Shaykh Ahmad bin Yahyaa an-Najmee

Fath Rabbil-Wadood Fil-Fataawaa war-Rasaa'il war-Rudood 1/68, no. 30

Translated by Abu `Iyaad Amjad Rafiq

The Correct Explanation of the Abbreviations in the Beginning of some Surahs

The correct explanation of the abbreviations in the beginning of some Surahs


Publishing Date : Monday 1 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1422 AH, corresponding 20 August 2001 AD. Fatawa Source : From the Fatawa Delivered by Shaykhul-Islam Ahmad Ibn Taymeeyah Fatwa Reference : Al-Fatawa, Page 444

Question: What is the correct explanation of Allah's saying: Hâ-Mîm.'Aîn-Sîn-Qâf and the like of this in the beginning of some Surahs?

Answer : There are twenty nine Surahs in the Holy Qur'an beginning with such letters, or what we call abbreviations, which are recited separately such as Alif Lam Mîm. Some of these Surahs begin with o­ne letter o­nly such as Sâd, Qâf, and Nûn. Some others begin with two letters such as Ta-Ha and Ya-Sîn. Still others begin with three letters like Alif-Lam-Mîm. The rest of these kinds of Surahs starts with more than three letters such as Kâf-Ha-Ya-'Aiyn-Sâd and Hâ-Mîm-'Aîn-Sîn-Qâf.

Hâ-Mîm-'Aîn-Sîn-Qâf are the letters with which Surat Ash-Shura begins. Surat Ash-Shura is o­ne of the seven Surahs beginning with Hâ-Mîm that known as the Hawamîm. It is worth mentioning that all the Surahs starting with such letters are from among the Makkan revelation to the exclusion of Surat Al-Baqarah and Surat Al-'Imran, which are Madinite. All the Makkan Surahs concentrate o­n manifesting monotheism, revelation, the Prophets' mission and the resurrection in the Hereafter. Surat Al-Baqarah and Surat Al-'Imran contain the debate with the People of the Book regarding their denial of the revelation that was descended o­n the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

There are no distinct meanings for these letters in Arabic except their meanings within the words formed by these letters. There is no authentic Hadith reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that shows the meanings of these letters and therefore people differ among themselves regarding the meanings of these letters.

All the opinions in this subject can be summarized in two opinions:

First: The majority from among the Companions and the Successors said that the meanings of these letters are confined to Allah and thus none knows their meanings except Him.

Second: Some scholars claimed that these letters have different meanings with which the books of Tafsir are filled. Among these assumed meanings is that they are the Names and the Attributes of Allah. According to this opinion, every o­ne of the Names and Attributes of Allah is specified for the letter with which this Name or Attribute starts. For example, the letter Alif is specified for the Name Allah, the letter Lam is specified for the Name Latif, the letter Mim is specified for the Name Malik and so o­n.

Some others said that these letters are signs for events that will occur in the future recognized by the way of the famous calculation of the statements or by the narrations which are baseless or by the way of guessing.

A third group maintained that these letters stresses the challenge that the Holy Qur'an poses for the disbelievers in that it consists of the same letters from which their speech is composed and thus the material is neither strange nor hidden from them. Thus, their inability to produce something like it represents a concrete evidence that the Holy Qur'an is not the making of human beings but a revelation from Allah the Creator of all strengths and powers.

The most correct opinion is the first o­ne, which refers the meanings of these letters to the knowledge of Allah. Of course, there is some wisdom behind starting the Surahs with such letters. This wisdom can be derived from the distinctiveness of these letters and their positioning in the beginning of the Surahs as a proof of the significance of the Holy Qur'an because the disbelievers used to recommend each other to refrain from the listening to it. Allah said:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَسْمَعُوا لِهَذَا الْقُرْآنِ وَالْغَوْا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَغْلِبُونَ

"And those who disbelieve say: 'Listen not to this Qur'ân, and make noise in the midst of its (recitation) that you may overcome.'" [41:26]

They were astonished by the strange beginning of the Holy Qur'an which knocked their ears and pushed them to listen to it. So, these letters are similar to the stimulating letters in Arabic.

There is a narration reported by At-Tabari that [Hâ-Mîm-'Ain-Sîn-Qâf ] are letter that refer to the destruction of two cities which will be founded beside o­ne of the rivers in the east; as the river will take its way between them, etc. But this narration is not reliable. It is not proper to tell such narrations while explaining the Holy Qur'an as they are baseless, unreasonable and disturbed narrations.

The proper stand for the Muslim is to believe in these letters as he believes in the Holy Qur'an as a whole. It is the duty of the Muslim to believe that Allah [may He be Glorified] has special secrets in His Book about which none but He has the absolute knowledge as He has special secrets in His universe.

Allah said:

وَلاَ تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولـئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاً


"And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those o­ne will be questioned (by Allâh)" [17:36]

Translation of this fatwa provided by The King Fahd Quran complex