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Queries
Please Interpret my Dream
Question: Could you please interpret my dream: I saw a man praying in the dark and he was reciting Surah Kawthar.
Answer: I am not an interpreter of dreams. It is normally thought that people who have religious knowledge also have the ability to interpret dreams. This I am afraid is not the case.
No doubt certain Prophets of Allah had the ability to interpret dreams, but it seems that this ability was a special bestowal from God to them. Today, no man can claim with certainty that the interpretation he is offering of a particular dream is absolutely correct. It is based on conjecture, which may or may not ultimately turn out to be true.
So, I would advise you to stay away from a person who claims such ability. And if you are tempted to go to people who claim that they can interpret dreams, it is advisable that you do not base your decisions solely on what you are told.
Eating a Prey killed by a Bullet
Question: When you shoot an animal with a rifle, and the animal is killed by the bullet and you don’t have enough time to go and slaughter it so as to drain the blood in the prescribed way, then is it okay to eat the flesh of this animal. Is saying Allah’s name before firing the bullet enough, or you still must slaughter the animal from the jugular vein? What happens if you don’t have enough time to slaughter it, and it dies due to the bullet wound?
Answer: In this regard, the final decision should be taken in the light of the guidance provided by the shari‘ah regarding slaughter. According the guidelines provided, firstly, Allah’s name must be pronounced before sacrificing the animal and secondly, the slaughter should be done in a specific manner that is called tadhkiyah. As a term, it means to slaughter an animal in such way that it drains out all the blood in the animal’s body and the animal dies because of this very reason.
Now as far as killing an animal with a rifle bullet wound is concerned, the first condition stands fulfilled if the name of Allah is pronounced just before pressing the trigger. Whether the second condition has been fulfilled or not is a decision that must be taken after examining the animal. If the animal is found alive, then of course it should be slaughtered in the stipulated way. In case the animal is found dead, then one should try to ascertain as much as possible whether it dies because of loss of blood or because of some other reason. In cases, where one is not able to determine the cause, it is better not to eat the meat of the animal.
Dealing with an ‘inhuman’ Parent
Question: I have a problem with my father. I converted to Islam many years ago, but he is against Muslims and has mocked some practices of Muslims. I believe he is prejudiced out of ignorance, false pride, and personal insecurity. He is also an emotionally very unstable man and during my childhood has done many bad things to me of which I cannot even speak here. Must I have a relationship with him? Every time I try and connect to him in a respectful manner, I find that I must retreat in order to maintain my sanity and the scrap of respect that I believe I owe him on account, that as a Muslim, I am obliged to respecting him as my father nevertheless. However, after all that has happened, I cannot imagine sustaining a relationship with him. Is there any justification for me keeping away from him under these circumstances?
Answer: I understand the trauma through which you must be going regarding this relationship. If your father has broken all the limits in your childhood and is persisting with some wrong attitude, you are not required to have any sort of relationship with him -- although if you do so, you shall be greatly rewarded.
Blood relationships hold great sanctity in Islam. But if a person violates the sanctity of such a relationship, the affected person is not required to maintain this relationship. Consequently, if you sever your relationship with him or keep it very limited, then this can in no way be objected to.
Making Vows of Worship
Question: I heard that a person can make a vow that if his wish is granted he would keep a certain number of fasts or pray a certain amount of nafals. Now I have said that on a number of occasions and as a result am now required to keep 30 fasts and pray 70 nafals. Is there another way I could get around this?
Answer: Making vows of worship for the fulfillment of certain wishes was never the way of the Prophet (sws) and Companions (rta). It means that a person is imposing a condition to carry out certain virtuous deeds and also burdening himself with some thing which may ultimately be very difficult to fulfill, as seems to be the case with you. Worship done in this manner may also adversely affects a person’s relationship with his Creator. It becomes more of a mechanical act done often done in disregard to the spirit of worship. Worship should be done from the willingness of the heart and from the eagerness of the soul, otherwise it will fail to reap the real benefit it carries: purification of the inner self. In fact, worship done if one’s wish is not granted may at many times be more beneficial in achieving this end.
The correct way in this regard is to pray to the Almighty that a certain wish be granted. If the wish is granted, a person should express his gratitude by letting his feelings take their own course and manifest themselves in whatever form of worship at that particular time. Also, the quantity of worship does not matter in such cases: it is the quality that really counts.
Terrorism vs Struggle for Freedom
Question: How can we differentiate between terrorism and struggle for freedom?
Answer: The basic difference between the two is that the struggle for freedom is always non-violent while the latter is generally not. To be free and be part of a free country is one’s basic right. However, Islam does not allow a person to resort to violence in achieving this end. If a certain country is under the occupation of governments in which Muslims are oppressed and subjected to injustices and persecution, then they must try to bring a change in the political leadership in a democratic manner by uniting under a single leadership and then trying to win the majority in their favour.
If this struggle for freedom is to assume the shape of an armed uprising, then it should meet certain conditions of which the foremost is availability of a state – whether it is established for this purpose or whether an already established one is used to achieve this objective. If they are not able to meet this and other conditions of an armed uprising, then they are not authorized to resort to militancy in any form.
Should I marry a Banker?
Question: My father wants me to marry a banker. I myself did my first job at a Bank, but when I learnt through some authentic sources that interest is prohibited, I immediately resigned. Now I am upset because I can’t stand a life where the major source of income for me & my family would be that very corrupt & filthy system of banking. I have no other objection in this proposal because the boy and his family are good otherwise. Although he is not a practicing Muslim, he is very honest, decent and affectionate. Please advise.
Answer: Well in this regard what needs to be understood is that the real thing which is prohibited and haram is charging of interest. The money earned through a bank job is not haram. However, a banker is actually doing something undesirable by doing this job since this amounts to co-operating with evil and only in compelling circumstances should one do such a thing.
The other thing is that if a person is not a practicing Muslim, then this is something more alarming than being a banker. A lady should positively look for a practicing Muslim. I think if you make this criteria, then you will find practicing Muslims who are not bankers either. Also, there may be practicing Muslims who are convinced that bank-interest is not the interest prohibited by the Qur’an. If they have sincerely formed this opinion and are intellectually honest in this regard, then of course such bankers are a category apart. They have adopted a view point not in violation of Islam but because they are intellectually convinced about the fact that it is in conformity with Islam. I do not think that marrying such ‘bankers’ can be objected to. Of course, you may not be comfortable in marrying such people – in which case you should not.
Praying with Shoes on
Question: Where I am studying here in Makkah, I have seen many people praying without even removing their shoes. This looks quite strange to me. Is this allowed?
Answer: Yes, this is allowed. The need for praying with shoes on may generally arise in outdoor places like fields, tarmacs and pavements. Similarly, this need may also arise on bare floors inside houses. There is no harm in praying with shoes on in such places. One should just scrub the sole of the shoe to get rid of the big chunks of mud and dirt that may have accumulated there -- what little may remain is inconsequential.
Praying and Eating with Buddhist Parents
Question: My question has to do with praying in the homes of non-Muslims. I am a revert to Islam, and my father’s side of the family are traditionally Buddhists. They have statues of Buddha surrounded by all kinds of offerings (foods and flowers) and pictures of my grandparents and probably other dead relatives in one specific room where they do their worshipping. I was wondering if I am allowed to pray in their home when prayer time arrives or if I have to leave their house in order to pray. Another question pertains to eating the food they have cooked. I know that a part of the food cooked is usually ‘offered’ to the Buddha statues. I was wondering if I am actually allowed to eat their food at all considering the fact that they often offer some of it to the Buddha statue.
Answer: Praying between or among statues or images does not nullify the prayer – though it may affect your concentration. But then as you have mentioned that all the statues and images are in a specific room. So you can easily pray in a different room.
As far as eating with your parents is concerned, if the food is specifically cooked with the intention that it would be presented to the Buddha statues, then such food should be abstained from.Islam forbids a Muslim to eat food that is offered to some deity since this is an idolatrous practice. You can eat food (except meat) cooked by them which is not made with this intention. As far as eating meat of animals slaughtered by them is concerned, this should be abstained from. The reason is that Islam wants people to eat the meat slaughtered by people who basically subscribe to monotheism. Buddhists cannot be regarded so.
Drinking Non-alcoholic Wine in Wine Glasses
Question: I attended a wedding where the Muslim bride and groom were drinking non-alcoholic wine in wine glasses. I found this unacceptable because it is like imitating non-Muslims (even though the wine is non-alcoholic). So I do not think Muslims should take part in that tradition. What do you think? Is it just a harmless tradition and okay if non-alcoholic wine is drunk?
Answer: Drinking non-alcoholic wine in wine cups cannot be regarded as prohibited as far as the Shari‘ah is concerned. One must know that what has been forbidden is alcohol. The cups or glasses in which it is generally drunk do not bear any label of prohibition if they are properly cleaned and used for non-alcoholic drinks.
Of course, a Muslim might find it to be against his taste and disposition to drink from such glasses, but then this is a matter of personal choice and cannot be generalized for all occasions and for all peoples.
Why is Islam so Violent?
Question: Why is Islam so violent? Why do Islamic countries have no religious freedom. I am from India and very proud to be a Christian but my respect for Islam as a faith is diminishing day by day.
Answer: Islam is not a violent religion. It does not condone the use of force in suppressing humanity in any way. On the contrary, the only basis on which it allows its followers to use force is to liberate suppressed human beings from the clutches of oppression and injustice. In such cases too, it only allows a state to take up this task. Muslim individuals and groups are in no way allowed to take up arms.
In the wake of recent events, I understand and appreciate the agony you feel regarding Muslims. I am afraid some Muslims have tarnished the shinning face of Islam through violence, terrorism and intolerance. They have besmeared Islam and totally distorted a religion that came to upgrade humanity from the clutches of evil.However, I have no doubt in mind that many of these Muslims are very sincere people who have been misguided.
I would request you to disregard such people and draw your conclusions about Islam not from their actions but from the Qur’an -- the book of Islam. I respect you and your views and hope that someday a cordial interfaith dialogue be initiated at least between the three great Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The Dress of a Pilgrim
Question: Can sweaters, socks or an underwear be worn in Hajj with the ihram?
Answer: The apparel that has been prescribed for pilgrims is one that reflects simplicity in its ultimate sense. It symbolizes his detachment from the world he generally lives in. Men are required to wear two un-stitched woven sheets. Whatever else they may wear should also be un-stitched. Sweaters, socks and underwears should therefore be avoided. Women are exempted from this requirement.
Family Planning
Question: The argument against family planning services is that it negates the concept of Allah being the sole person responsible for the physical sustenance of the human beings. Second, the family planning campaign is in fact a great planning against the Muslim community by the enemies of Islam (European Community) as the greatest stress is upon the Muslim world for its promotion so as the Muslim strength and manpower be reduced. The government’s point of view is: The fast growth of population has several implications for our socio-economic development and this is being regarded as a serious issue confronting the nation. Please comment, in detail, upon these two, apparently, opposing concepts.
Answer: In this regard, my observations are as follows:
1. Common sense is a great gift of God which people tend to forget. While planning a family, using one’s common sense is imperative. For example, if one’s wife is not in a position to bear or raise more kids owing to medical, emotional or psychological reasons, then this must be given due regard. Similarly, whether parents would be able to give enough attention to the new born is also something which must be decided. Similarly, if the size of the existing family is such that the parents cannot afford more children, then this is also another factor that must be considered. This does not negate that the Almighty is the Sustainer of all human beings because He has not taken the responsibility to provide sustenance to everyone person born on this earth. On the contrary, He has created us to try and test us and for this He sometimes gives little sustenance to a family and to another He gives sustenance in abundance. Man must plan to obtain sustenance according to the scheme and will of the Almighty. No doubt the Almighty has bestowed this earth with ample food resources but it is up to man to benefit from them by understanding this scheme.
2. I think that Muslims must do away with the habit of blaming the West to cover their follies. To me it is unethical to conclude that family planning is a conspiracy hatched by the West against the Muslims simply because this is all conjecture. One can never have certain knowledge of someone’s intentions.
3. The strength of Muslim population does not depend upon their numbers: it depends upon their superiority in ethics and morality and in science and technology.
4. The government instead of fixing the number of children for a family should educate the masses that they should use their common sense while planning a family. Some families may need two and others may need four or six children. It all depends on the circumstances each family is in.