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Mawlid: Revival of the Islamic Nation
Author : An Article by His Grace Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Date Added : 19-11-2018

 

Mawlid: Revival of the Islamic Nation

 

Upon the arrival of the month of Rabi Al-Awwal, Prophet Mohammad`s birth anniversary (Mawlid) arouses overwhelming emotions in the hearts of all Muslims reminding them of a history, a present reality and a future.

That history started before the Prophet (PBUH) was even born in the Arabian Peninsula. He (PBUH) is a descendent of the Prophet Ismail (PBUH) from Bani Kinana, from Quraish, from Bani Hashim; the best of the best and the noblest of tribes in respect to lineage. 

While the Arabian Peninsula was preoccupied with tribal warfare, the Persians and the Romans were in the vanguard of civilizational procession; followed by the Greeks and the Indians. Those civilizations had their share of scientific, cultural and philosophical products that had a significant impact on the making of a full-fledged human civilization.

The Prophet (PBUH) was born on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, in the 'Year of the Elephant'. Upon his delivery, his Mother Aminah saw a light that illuminated what`s between the east and the west. A light that had later infiltrated the illiterate nation of the Arabian Peninsula: a light of knowledge, civilization, mercy, good morality and justice. The first verse revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) was (What means): "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists)?" It gave life to the illiterate nation as well as the Arabian Peninsula announcing a turning point from illiteracy to knowledge, civilization, urbanization, good conduct and universal values. The Islamic civilization was so advanced that it overshined that of the Persians, Romans, Greeks and the Indians. It has established the general principles of human civilization, and liberated human beings from the yoke of slavery and despotism. This is reflected in the words of the Caliph Omar Bin Al-Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased with Him) that states: "Since when did you enslave the people though they were born from their mothers in freedom?"

Islam has also created a system for the family, and established, for humanity, the principles of fraternity, religious tolerance, equity and equality.

The contributions of the Islamic nation in the fields of science, arts, literature and philosophy have enriched the human civilization, and this was even recognized by non-Muslims. For example, The German historian Siegrid Honke wrote the book "The Sun of the Arabs Shines over the West." Will Durant has also written the book "The Story of Civilization."

In his book, "Arabs Civilization," Gustave Le Bon said: "If we take a closer look at the Arab and Muslim civilization, scientific books, inventions and arts, we arrive at the conclusion that they have the credit for the spread of knowledge in the middle ages. For over than five centuries, they were the sole source of scientific knowledge for the west. They have even civilized Europe materially, intellectually and morally, in addition to taking the lead in the field of artistic creativity."

The Islamic civilization, whose foundations were set by non-other than Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), has addressed the various intellectual, psychological, spiritual, physical and material needs of humanity.

His call to Allah was founded on the achievements of the elite Muslim scholars in different fields, such as Al-Khawarizmi, Ibn Al-Haytham, Al-Idrisi,  Al-Rāzī , Ibn Sina… and many others; where the Europeans have utilized the latter`s achievements in building their own civilization. 

The orientalist George Sarton in his book: "Introduction to the History of Science", also recognized their distinguished accomplishments. He said:  "The greater portions of the tasks of the human intellect were shouldered by the Muslims: Al-Farabi is the greatest of philosophers, Al-Masoodi is the greatest of Geographers and Al-Tabari is the greatest of historians."

Yes, on this occasion we remember a past glory of the Arabs and the Muslims and feel a sense of superiority, dignity and pride. However, a quick overview of our current situation would make us feel disappointed. At present, Muslims and Arabs are living a bitter reality as division, weakness and intra-conflicts dominate them.  They have become in the rear of human civilization although they are the nation of (Read) and the seal of Messengers and Prophets.

In light of this harsh reality, we remember the beautiful attributes of our beloved Prophet (PBUH), and his tremendous efforts in elevating and uniting the Islamic nation. He (PBUH) said, "I have left two matters with you. As long as you hold to them, you will not go the wrong way. They are the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet."

No matter what the case may be, The Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet (PBUH) are the one and only solution for all our problems and suffice to raise our morale. Allah, The Almighty, Said (What means): "And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves" [Al-Imran/103]. In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart." [Moslim]. Besides, Allah, The Almighty Said (What means): "Such days (of varying fortunes) We give to men and men by turns" [Al-Imran/140] and He Said (What means): "When will that be?" Say, "May be it will be quite soon!" [Al-Isra/`51].

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on following the actions of the imam in prayer and how this following is achieved?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The follower (ma'mum) is required to follow his imam in the actions of the prayer. This "following" (mutaba'ah) means that the follower performs each action of the prayer after the imam has begun it but before he has finished it. For example, the follower bows (in ruku') after the imam has reached the position of bowing, then rises after the imam has risen. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The imam is only appointed to be followed, so when he says the takbir, say the takbir; and when he bows, then bow; and when he prostrates, then prostrate" (agreed upon, i.e., reported by both al-Bukhari and Muslim).
It is stated in Mughni al-Muhtaj (1/505): "Among the conditions of valid congregational prayer (iqtida') is following the imam in the actions of the prayer... meaning that following the imam is obligatory in the physical actions of the prayer, not in its verbal utterances... Complete following (kamal al-mutaba'ah) is achieved when the follower's beginning of an action comes after the imam's beginning of that same action, while the follower's beginning of the action precedes the imam's completion of it" — end of quote, with slight paraphrasing.
And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on a fictitious marriage for the purpose of obtaining citizenship?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
There is no such thing in our noble sharīʿah as a "nominal" or "fictitious" marriage or divorce. Marriage and divorce are among the sacred ordinances of Allah, and it is not permissible to manipulate them or use them as a stratagem to obtain worldly gains.
The foundational purpose of a marriage contract is the permanence and continuity of the relationship between the spouses — to establish a family, and to bring forth righteous offspring. So sacred is this bond that Allah the Almighty Himself described it as a solemn covenant (mīthāq ghalīẓ), saying {what means}: "And if you wish to replace one wife with another and you have given one of them a great amount of wealth, do not take any of it back. Would you take it in injustice and manifest sin? And how could you take it while you have gone in unto each other and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?" [Al-Nisāʾ/ 20–21]
Accordingly, it is not permissible to resort to manipulation and deception in contracts that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has described as a "solemn covenant" — all for the sake of material and worldly benefit. Marriage is built upon permanence and does not admit of a fixed time limit. If a time limit is stipulated in the contract, the contract is rendered invalid by the consensus of the jurists. Similarly, marriage is impermissible when there exists a mutual, concealed intention to limit its duration — even if no time limit is explicitly mentioned in the contract — for this constitutes a form of unlawful circumvention of the sharīʿah. This is to say nothing of the lying and deception that such conduct involves, the prohibition of which needs no elaboration. Lying, deception, and fraud for the purpose of obtaining worldly gains are among the gravest of sins.
If, however, the marriage contract is first concluded in a valid sharʿī manner and then registered civilly, it is sound and fully valid. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the meaning of the Prophetic statement that a boy is held in pledge (murtahan) for his 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The first interpretation: That if the boy dies in infancy without an 'aqīqah having been performed on his behalf, he will not intercede for his parents on the Day of Resurrection. This is the position of Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, and Imam al-Khaṭṭābī concurred with him, stating: "The finest of what has been said regarding this matter is the position adopted by Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." — [Fatḥ al-Bārī by Ibn Ḥajar,{Vol.9/P.594]
The second interpretation: That the child is likened to a pledged object (marhūn) — one from which full benefit and enjoyment cannot be derived until it is redeemed. A blessing is only made complete upon the one blessed when they fulfil the obligation of gratitude (shukr), and the prescribed expression of gratitude for this particular blessing is what the Prophet ﷺ established as Sunnah — namely, the slaughtering of the 'aqīqah on behalf of the newborn as an act of thankfulness to Allah the Almighty and as a supplication for the wellbeing and safety of the child. This is the position of Mullā 'Alī al-Qārī. See: [Mirqāt al-Mafātīḥ Sharḥ Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Vol.7/P.2688]
And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on the fasting of a woman who has reached menopause if menstrual blood flows?

If a woman reaches the age of menopause (which is usually sixty-two) and her menses have ceased, then she sees blood after that, and its duration is not less than a day and a night (24 hours), it is menstruation (hayd). If it is less than a day and a night, she is considered as having non-menstrual vaginal bleeding (mustahada), so she fasts and prays. However, she must perform ablution for every obligatory prayer after its time enters, pray immediately, and be treated as a person with a continuous condition. There is no specific end limit for a woman's menstruation; it is possible as long as the woman is alive. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

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