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Research on the Equality of Sexes
Question: To my understanding, the feminists hold the view that men are women are equal in all respects. Therefore, all tasks which can be carried out by men can also be carried out by women. From what I have read, the research carried out in this century also supports this fact. Kindly comment.
Answer: Men and women are biologically as well as psychologically different in nature. In fact, they complement one another. It is precisely for this reason that they come together to form a family. Men are more suited to some tasks just as women are more suited to some. Therefore, responsibilities have been entrusted to the two by Islam keeping in view this biological and physiological reality.
Whether the proponents of feminism recognize this or not, many scientists in the West do. Here is what some of them say on this issue:
The desires and conduct of the two sexes are not similar, but are complementary and reciprocal. In courtship, the male is active; his role is to court, to pursue, to possess, to control, to protect, to love. The role of the female is passive... Consequent on this fundamental difference are certain others. For pursuit, greater ardour is necessary than for mere reception; and the courting activity of the male is, throughout the whole animal kingdom, more ardent than that of the female; and this greater ardour is connected with certain other differences. (Mercier, Conduct and its Disorders Biologically Considered, Pgs 289-290).
We have seen that a deep difference in constitution expresses itself in the distinctions between male and female, whether these be physical or mental. (Thompson and Geddes, Evolution of Sex, Pg 286).
Man perhaps even down to the protein molecules of his tissue cells, is biologically different from a woman. From the very moment of sex formation in the embryo, the biological dusting of the sexes develops along entirely divergent paths.... We must recognize the unquestionable existence of the biological inequality of the sexes. It goes deeper and is of far greater import than it would appear to those not familiar with natural sciences. (Nemilov, Biological Tragedy of Women, Pgs 76-78).
Will it be possible for woman’s emancipation to remove these differences between men and women which are rooted in their innermost beings? Even the most rabid advocates of woman’s rights must accept the undeniable fact that women bear children, not men; that women menstruate, not men. It remains equally true that these primitive functions will always be a hindrance to complete emancipation, though they do not preclude advance and improvement in the intellectual and social position of women, which every fair-minded man willingly recognizes as necessary.... According to Mrs. Hawthorne, home is the woman’s great arena, and will, she hopes, remain so. There she can exercise a sway that no king or emperor can rival. And it is compatible with culture, intellect and earnestness. I should like to cry aloud to the modern woman; Educate yourself; dedicate your time to sciences; take part in the thoughts and occupations of men, but do not seek to do so as he does. For you will never be his equal, even as he never will be your equal. (Bloch, Sexual Life in England, Pgs 48-49)
I venture to prophesy not only that the inherent differences between the sexes will not tend to diminish in the course of evolution but that man will continue, as now and in the past, to emphasize them by custom and convention. (Julian Huxley, Essays in Popular Science, Pg 63)
Celebrating Birthdays
Question: Is it forbidden to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in Islam? If this is a pagan practice, where may I find it the in the Qur’an and H~adith?
Answer: There is nothing in the Shari`ah against celebrating birthdays or anniversaries. However, it is desirable to avoid show and pomp at all functions and ceremonies, be they birthday parties or other occasions of celebration.
The Prophet (sws), it is known, used to fast on his own birthday. I think it would be nice to add this feature to birthdays. In the case of young children, one or both parents can fast as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty.
Wishing Christmas to Christian Friends
Question: I have many Christian friends. Some of them are very interested in Islam. I am working on them.I am hopeful that some of them might convert. In this situation, can I wish them “Merry Christmas” on Christmas?
Answer: There is no harm in wishing your Christian friends on Christmas even if they are not interested in Islam. Socializing with them is something very desirable. It gives a chance to the two greatest religious communities of the world to come together and understand each other’s viewpoint. This helps in removing many misunderstandings which prevail between the two. Furthermore, until and unless social relations develop between these two, there is little chance that sympathy and concern will develop between them – which, I believe, is the pre-requisite for any religious dialogue and discussion.
As such, interacting with them on a festival as Christmas can prove very helpful.
Men Wearing Wedding Bands and Pendants
Question: Is it allowed for men to wear a wedding band?. Also is it wrong for them to wear a necklace (pendant) that bears the inscription of Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim)
Answer: It is not disallowed for men to wear a wedding band unless of course there is some superstition attached with wearing it. Also, there is no harm in wearing the type of pendant you have referred to, if it isnot made of expensive material such as gold etc.
Greeting Non-Muslims
Question: Can we greet non-Muslims by saying Assalamu ‘alaykum?
Answer: Greeting a non-Muslim is no different from greeting a Muslim. The Prophet (sws) himself said Assalamu ‘alaykum to the non-Muslims of his own times. Uthamah Ibn Zayd reports:
The Prophet (sws) once passed by a mixed gathering of the Muslims, the Idolaters and the Jews and said Assalamu ‘alaykum to them. (Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad)
However, some people on the basis of the following H~adithare of the opinion that non-Muslims should not be greeted with Assalamu ‘alaykum:
When the People of the Book greet you, reply them by saying wa alaykum. (Bukhari, Kitab al-Isti’dhan)
If all the texts of this H~adithare collected and analyzed, what comes to light is the fact that the People of the Book used to mischievously twist their tongue in a swift manner and instead of saying the proper words of the salutation would say Assamu ‘alaykum (Death be to you all), which when quickly pronounced sounded very near to the original words of Assalamu ‘alaykum. It was to counter this devilish prank that the Muslims were directed to say: Wa ‘alaykum (To you too). It must be borne in mind that the Muslims were asked to give this particular reply only after the truth had been revealed in its ultimate form by the Prophet (sws)to the People of the Book after many years of propagation, and in spite of that they were not willing to submit to it. Had this ultimate stage not come, one can safely conclude that Muslims would never have been asked to reply with equally harsh words and would have continued to say the words: Assalamu ‘alaykum, the best of prayers and the best of wishes.
Today no Muslim preacher can speak with the same authority as the Prophet (sws), and neither can he speak on behalf of the Almighty as the Prophet (sws). Therefore, he can never be in a position to say that the truth has been unveiled in its ultimate form. He must continue his efforts of propagation all his life, and remain a well-wisher of all the non-Muslims of the world*, and continue to greet them with Assalamu ‘alaykum.
Repentance
Question: Can a Muslim enter Paradise if he repents his past (bad) actions when he is about to die?
Answer: The following verse of the Qur’an spells out the conditions of repentance:
Allah accepts the repentance of those who do evil while being overcome with emotions and repent soon afterwards; to them will Allah turn in mercy. For Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. Of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil until death faces them and he says: Now I have repented indeed; nor [the repentance] of those who die rejecting faith* [avail them]. For them have We prepared a punishment most grievous. (4:17-18)
If we deliberate a little on the above quoted verses, it becomes clear that the Almighty will necessarily accept the repentance of people who repent immediately after doing a sin not in cold blood but in a state of emotional frenzy, on the contrary, people who postpone their repentance till death approaches them will never be forgiven by the Almighty. Similarly, the repentance of those who die in a state of rejection of faith* will not be accepted. However, these verses do not mention the case of people who do not repent immediately afterwards nor do they defer their matter of repentance to their death. This lack of mention produces both fear and hope at the same time in such a person. What will happen to him will only be known on the Day of Judgement. He should try to seek forgiveness from the Almighty as much as he can.
The Fate of Non-Muslims
Question: All Muslims shall go to Heaven while all Non-Muslims shall go to Hell. Is this statement true?
Answer: This statement is not true. According to the Qur’an only those people, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, shall go to Hell who knowingly deny a truth which reaches them and do not fulfil the requisites of their beliefs in the truths they come across. Those who do, shall go to paradise whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims.
Belief in Allah, in the Hereafter and in all the Prophets are some of these truths.
It must also be appreciated that after the Companions of the Prophet (sws) have borne witness to the religion of truth in their times to the non-Muslims, it is now the duty of every non-Muslim to give a sincere thought to Prophethood of Muhammad and to the consequences of professing disbelief in him.
Sadaqahon Someone else’s Behalf
Question: It seems that the Prophet (sws) has allowed giving of Sadaqah on someone’s behalf in the following H~adith? Isn’t this a form of Iithal-i-Thawab you have criticized in one of your answers?
The mother of Sa‘ad Ibn ‘Ubadah died in his absence. He said: O Allah's Apostle! My mother died in my absence; will it be of any benefit for her if I give S~adaqahon her behalf? The Prophet said: Yes. Sa‘ad said: I make you a witness that I gave my garden called al-Makhraf in charity on her behalf. (Musnad Ahmad Ibn H~ambal, ‘an Musnad Abi Hisham)
Answer: If all the texts of the above H~adithare collected and analyzed, it becomes evident that the mother of Sa`ad Ibn ‘Ubadah (rta) had vowed to give some money in charity and before she could, she died. It is this vowed (nadhr) S~adaqah which her son had asked the Prophet (sws) about and to which the Prophet (sws) had given his consent.
This is similar to paying off a debt which is outstanding in a dead person’s name, and in no way can be regarded as Iithal-i-Thawab.
Zakahto Dependants
Question: Should one give Zakah to non-dependants only? I read that Zakah should first be given to your close ones (kith & kin). The question is: Should one limit oneself to giving Zakah to the close ones only, considering that one has a limited amount of money to give out .
Answer: A person cannot give Zakah to fulfil the personal needs of those whose financial responsibility rests upon him. Barring them, one should naturally give Zakah to those who are more close to him and so on. However, this is not a hard and fast rule which is to be strictly followed. It may hold good in general circumstances, but if one comes across some unknown needy person who really deserves one's help then he can certainly give him the Zakah money.
Cosmetic Surgery
Question: Is cosmetic surgery for facial uplift forbidden in Islam? A friend of mine had a severe accident in which his face was disfigured. I advised him to undergo plastic surgery. Did I do something wrong?
Answer: There is no explicit directive of the Shari`ah which forbids plastic or cosmetic surgery done merely for the purpose of facial uplift. Therefore, we have no right to forbid what Allah and His Prophet (sws) have not forbidden.
At best, it can be said that the taste which generally develops in a person when he follows Islam both in letter and in spirit is that he begins to dislike doing things which are artificial in nature. He begins to thank Allah for what he has been blessed with and does not complain on what he does not have.
Cosmetic surgery done to restore a person’s looks after an accident or some other mishap is of course a totally different case and should be considered more of a medical treatment than a beauty treatment. As such, I think you gave a sound piece of advice to your friend.
When should Women Cover their Heads?
Question: Is it obligatory for women to cover their head when they hear the A%dhan and while reading the Qur’an?.
Answer: Women are required by the Qur’an to keep their head covered when other people are present except if they are mah~ramrelatives:
[O Prophet!] tell believing men to restrain their eyes and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. And Allah is well aware of what you do. And tell the believing women to restrain their eyes and to guard their private parts and to display of their finery only that which is apparent by drawing their coverings over their chests. They should not reveal their finery to anyone save their husbands or their fathers or their husbands' fathers or their sons or their husbands' sons or their brothers or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons or other women of acquaintance or their slaves or male servants lacking in physical needs or children who have no awareness of the hidden aspects of women. [In order not to reveal their finery except which is apparent], they should [also] not stamp their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. Believers turn to Allah in repentance that you may prosper. (24:27-31)
The word Khimar in Arabic is used for a shawl that covers the head.
If a woman is alone or there are just ladies around her or she is reading the Qur’an or hearing the A^dhan,then this is not necessary.
Zakahfrom the Husband’s Money
Question: Does a wife need to get the permission of her husband if she wishes to give someone Zakah from his money ?
Answer: If the husband has given some money to his wife, then she has become the owner of that money, and there is no need to seek permission from him. Of course! If she is keeping his money as a trust (amanah), then she must ask her husband about wherever she intends spending it whether on Zakah or on something else.
Niyyah of Salah
Question: Is it a Bid‘at to mumble or say the Niyyahof S~alahin a very low tone which may not be audible to others ? I read somewhere that Niyyahshould only be in the heart.
Answer: The heart's intention to do something is called Niyyah. It is therefore something which pertains to the heart only and is not required to be pronounced. One should not utter the Niyyahof Salah by mouth since the Prophet (sws) never did so. There is not a single directive of the Prophet (sws) which directs us to pronounce the Niyyahin the manner the Hanafites of this age generally do. The principle is that in all matters of worship, the Prophet (sws) must be followed exactly.
This is what the celebrated scholar Ibn Qayyim says while describing the prayer of the Prophet (sws):
When the Prophet (sws) would stand up for the prayer, he would say: Allahu Akbar. He would never say anything before this nor would he ever pronounce his Niyyah, nor would he say “I am offering this particular prayer consisting of four Rak‘ats for Allah facing the Qiblah singularly or as an imam”, nor would he say: “[I am offering this prayer] within the stipulated time or after the stipulated time or that these are the obligatory Rak‘ats of this time.” These ten innovations have never been narrated by anyone – not a single word of them -- either as a Sahih or a D~a‘ifor a Musnad or a Mursal narration. There is nothing in this regard that has been narrated from the Companions of the Prophet and no one from among the Taba‘inor the four imams ever regarded it as desirable. Actually, some scholars of the later period have misinterpreted these words of Shaf`i‘i (rta): “It [the prayer] is not like the fasts. No one can begin it unless he pronounces [some words]”. They thought that this meant the pronunciation of the Niyyat, whereas Shaf‘i‘i actually meant the pronunciation of Allahu Akbar, which are the words that commence the prayer. For how can Shaf‘i‘i regard something as desirable which the Prophet never did even in one single prayer and which no one from anyone of his Caliphs and Companions did either. This is the guidance [they have provided us] and this is their practice. If we had found that a single word had been narrated by them in this regard, we would have accepted it and faced it with submission and compliance for no guidance is more complete than their guidance and there is no established practice [in religion] except that which has been received from the Prophet – the law giver. (Zad al-Ma‘ad, Vol 1, p. 201)
Standing up in Respect
Question: I have read somewhere that the Prophet (sws) disliked that anyone should stand up for him in respect. What should we do in this age where showing respect by standing up for the other person has become a vital part of good manners?
Answer: The Prophet’s dislike for standing up in respect for him by his followers was an expression of humility on his part, and of course does not mean that standing up in respect for someone is a bad thing. The Prophet (sws) did not like it for himself, and many of our own elders do not like it either.
If an elderly and respectful person for whom you stand up stops you from doing so, then your compliance in this regard is out of sheer respect for his wishes, otherwise he certainly deserves this since standing up for him is just meant to show respect to him.
When Should a Child start Worshipping
Question: What is the age in which a child should start offering the prayer and begin keeping fasts?
Answer: In Islam a person is held accountable for his deeds once he develops the ability to distinguish between good and evil. Consequently, it is at this time when he should start offering these rituals. Obviously, no age can be fixed for this, since this awareness comes at different times for different people.
Men Turning into Monkeys and Swine
Question: I have a question about the following Qur’anic verse:
Shall I point out to you something much worse than this (as judged) by the treatment it received from Allah? Those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshipped Evil; these are [many times] worse in rank and far more astray from the even Path. (5:63)
Which nation was turned into apes and swine and for what reasons ?
Answer: If context of this verse is taken in consideration, it becomes evident that the addressees of this verse are the Jews of pre-Islamic times. It is not necessary that their bodies were turned into apes and swines; it could have been that their nature and behavior was transformed into that of these animals since they repeatedly denied Allah's revelations and persisted in their evil conduct.