Articles

The Culture of Building
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 03-02-2019

The Culture of Building 

 

Work, building, and development are key features of civilized countries as it is highly unlikely for one to find an civilized country whose progress rests on the ignorance or laziness of its citizens. Actually, countries are built through quality education and hard work, and this is Allah`s Law in the universe. Further, Allah has combined means to results and ordered us to make use of all available means and to do whatever is possible in order to get the result that we aspire to. At the same time, we should believe, deep down, that Allah will help us when using those means. However, belief alone isn`t sufficient; rather, it must be accompanied with actual work where available means are taken advantage of, as enjoined by our Islamic creed. 

 

If we ponder on the biography of our role model, Prophet Mohammad (Blessings and peace be upon him), we can`t help but to notice that it is replete with lessons urging us to building and development. When the Prophet (PBUH) entered Medina and wanted to build a mosque, he helped his companions in moving stones and this is a practical example of how the role model should be. After a while, it was brought to his attention that one of the companions was very good in mixing and preparing mud, so he made him in charge of that task. Actually, many benefits can be derived from this narration: A leader should be familiar with every skill that his followers have, appoint the right person in the right position, and choose individuals according to their skill and knowledge, and not according to the degree of kinship or love. 

 

This is how the Prophet (PBUH) taught us to explore and invest other`s capacities. Therefore, if a person is good at particular thing, then he should be set apart on that basis. This reflected in the following narration: In which Anas Ibn Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The most merciful of my nation to my nation is Abu Bakr, and the most severe of them concerning the order of Allah is 'Umar and the most truly modest of them is 'Othman bin 'Affan. The best reciter (of the Qur'an) among them is Ubayy bin Ka'b, the most knowledgeable of them concerning (the laws of) inheritance is Zaid bin Thabit, the most knowledgeable of them concerning the lawful and the unlawful is Mu'adh Bin Jabal. Truly, every nation has a trustworthy one, and the trustworthy one of this nation is "Abu 'Ubaidah Bin Al-Jarrah."  Therefore, as mentioned above, a leader should discover the skills of his followers and choose them accordingly.

 

Further, he (PBUH) taught us how to make use of other nations' experiences, and never criticize any unfamiliar or weird experience based on its source. This is because, during Al-Ahzab battle, Salman Al-Farisi (May Allah be pleased with him), suggested digging a ditch as a defensive line for Al-Medina since the Persians have used this strategy in warfare, so the Prophet (PBUH) approved of that. Furthermore, a wise word is the lost property of the believer, so wherever he finds it, he has more right to it, therefore, making use from other nations experiences and developing them, is one of a successful leader's aspects.

 

Moreover, he (PBUH) is our role model when it comes to consulting others and not listening only to one`s-self, although none will blame him for that, since he is Allah's Messenger and many of his acts and words are divinely inspired. Nevertheless, he used to consult his companions and listen to what they have to say in almost every matter. This is reflected in the following examples:

 

The Prophet (PBUH) Took Al-Habab Ibn Al-Monther's opinion regarding the spot that the Muslim army should be stationed at in the battle of Bader, gave the companions the permission to negotiate with the disbelievers regarding the prisoners, consulted them in the battle of Ohoud and took Salman's opinion as mentioned earlier. Thus, a good leader should be keen on consulting his followers and listening to what they have to say, and this can only be achieved in an atmosphere full of freedom and respect, and finding such an atmosphere is a leader`s prime responsibility..

 

In conclusion, every person is a leader in his position-capable of changing and developing- and all we need to do is to take the initiative towards that end [Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.] So is it time for hard work? 

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

A pious man proposed to me and my father was hesitant in this regard because he is black, am I sinful if I accepted his proposal?

If the suitor is pious, color isn`t a drawback. However, try talking to your father kindly, so that he approves of your marriage with contentment, and that is better for you.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law regarding one who slaughters a ewe and it turns out to have been pregnant, and is it permissible to slaughter the ewe if one knows it is pregnant?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
If a person slaughters a ewe and it turns out to have been pregnant, the fetus becomes lawful (ḥalāl) by virtue of its mother's slaughter (tabaʿan li-ummihā).
It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.6/P.158): "A fetus found dead [after the mother's slaughter], or found alive but in a state resembling that of a slaughtered animal [i.e., dying shortly after], becomes lawful — whether or not it had grown fur — provided it is found in the womb of a mother that was lawfully slaughtered, whether her slaughter was by cutting the throat, or by an arrow or hunting dog sent after her. This is based on the ḥadīth: 'The slaughtering of the fetus is [effected by] the slaughtering of its mother' [narrated by al-Tirmidhī, who graded it ḥasan, and by Ibn Ḥibbān, who graded it ṣaḥīḥ] — meaning that the slaughter which rendered the mother lawful renders the fetus lawful as well, by virtue of following her; and because the fetus is one of her constituent parts, and her slaughter renders lawful all of her parts."
This ruling differs, however, from the case of one who knows from the outset that the ewe is pregnant [and intends to sacrifice her specifically as the udḥiyah while pregnant] — in which case, according to the Shāfi'ī school, she does not fulfill the requirement of a valid sacrifice.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Bujayrimī 'alā al-Khaṭīb (Vol.4/P.335): "A pregnant animal does not fulfill the requirement [of a valid sacrifice], and this is the authoritative position (al-mu'tamad), because pregnancy diminishes the quality of the meat. As for why such an animal is nevertheless counted as complete [i.e., fully valid] in matters of zakāh, that is because the intent there is reproduction (nasl), not the quality of the meat.". And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

What is the ruling on the ablution of one from whom blood exits from his nose or a wound?

Blood flowing from a wound or a nosebleed does not invalidate ablution. However, performing ablution is recommended to avoid scholarly disagreement with those who make ablution obligatory after blood flows. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What are the Sunnahs and etiquettes recommended for the person offering the Udhiyah?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
There are several Sunnahs (prophetic traditions) and etiquettes that are highly recommended for the person offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) to observe:
 
First:
It is a Sunnah for anyone intending to offer a sacrifice to refrain from cutting or removing any of their hair or nails once the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah begin. This is based on the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "When the ten days [of Dhul-Hijjah] begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not touch any of his hair or skin." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
However, if someone does happen to remove any hair or nails, they have not committed a sin, and their sacrifice remains perfectly valid.
 
Second:
The person offering the sacrifice should ideally slaughter the animal themselves. If they are unable to do so, they should at least witness its slaughter. This is drawn from what our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said to Lady Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her):
 
"Stand up and witness your sacrifice, for with its very first drop of blood, every sin you have committed will be forgiven." (Narrated by Al-Tabarani in his Mu'jam, Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, and Al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan)
 
Third:
Face the Qiblah (the direction of prayer) at the time of slaughtering, as the Qiblah is the most honorable of directions.
 
Fourth:
Pronounce the name of Allah (Tasmiyah) at the moment of slaughter by saying: "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim" (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). Even if one forgets to say it, the meat remains lawful (Halal) to eat. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, says:
 
"So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned." (Al-An'am: 118)
 
It is also recommended to send blessings upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and to follow it with the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
 
Fifth:
Supplicate for acceptance by saying: "Allahumma hadhihi minka wa ilayka, fa-taqabbal minni" (O Allah, this is a blessing from You and is offered back to You, so please accept it from me). This means: This sacrifice is a blessing that originated from You, and I am offering it to draw closer to You. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.