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A Statement Over the Denouncement of the Caricature Insulting Prophet Mohammad
Author : Articles of the General Mufti
Date Added : 18-01-2015

The Statement of the Board of Iftaa' Over the Denouncement of the Caricature Insulting Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

 

 

The Board of Iftaa' Researches and Islamic Studies reviewed in the first session held on Thurdsday (24/Rabi' Al-Awal/1436 AH) corresponding to (15/01/2015 AD) and issued the following statement: 

Allah`s prophets and messengers are the best of all creation, the dearest to Him and the most honorable. He sent them as a guidance and a mercy to mankind, so insulting one of them is tantamount to insulting all of them because we, Muslims, make no distinction between any of Allah`s messengers for He, The Most Exalted Says in the Holy Quran (What means): "The Messenger believes in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and the believers; each one believes in God and His angels, and in His Books, and His messengers, 'we make no distinction between any of His messengers'. And they say, 'we hear and obey; your forgiveness, our Lord; to you is the homecoming'." [Al-Baqarah/285]. Therefore; We don't tolerate any minor distortion against our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

 

Those who have insulted the Messenger (PBUH) have no idea who he really is; they have committed their act out of ignorance, or in pursuit of some worldly profit. Had they reviewed his biography and personal attributes, they would have realized that he is a role model and a charismatic leader, and so they would have stood up in respect and admiration for this great Prophet. Allah has praised him in His Eternal Book (Quran) where He Says (What means): "And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character." [Al-Qalam/4].

 

The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies confirms that the insulting caricature published by the French satirical newspaper is a clear proof of intentional instigation of hatred and trial the world over, and it should be countered  with decisive measures. Therefore, Muslims shoulder the responsibility of defending the Prophet (PBUH) through applying his Quranic etiquettes, bringing out his beautiful image before the whole world, refuting suspicious matters targeting him and his biography, and abstaining from violence, terrorism and killing as these only lead to distorting the beautiful image of Islam and Muslims.

 

On its part, the Board calls for defending Islam as well as its honorable Prophet via various means of mass media, social and cultural events, initiating dialogue with influential parties and spreading his Sunna (Prophetic tradition) throughout the different aspects of daily life in order for us (Muslims) to be the best followers of the best of prophets and messengers.

 

The Board of Iftaa', Researches and Islamic Studies

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a woman to offer the obligatory prayer after Adhaan (call for prayer), and before Iqamah (The announcement that the prayer is about to begin) in the mosque?
 

Yes, it is permissible for a woman to offer the obligatory prayer immediately after the Adhan and before the Iqamah in the mosque. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling on the use of an inhaler by a *muḥrim* (a person in the state of *iḥrām*)? [An inhaler is a medicinal device used for inhalation, containing various herbal ingredients.]؟

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is permissible for the muḥrim (a person in the state of iḥrām) to use incense (bakhūr), sprays, and inhalers that contain aromatic substances for the purpose of treatment, because the intention is medical treatment, not the use of perfume (taṭayyub). No expiation (fidyah) is required of him for doing so.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Bujayrimī ʿalā al-Khaṭīb (Vol.2/p.455): “That which is intended for eating or for medical treatment, even if it has a pleasant scent, such as apples, spikenard (sunbul), and the various fragrant spices such as mastic (muṣṭakā), is not forbidden, and no fidyah is due for it, because what is intended for eating or treatment carries no fidyah.”. And Allah Almighty knows best.

In the Sharia-compliant viewing  at a prospective bride (*al-naẓrah al-sharʿiyyah*), is it permissible for the man to see the woman without a veil (*ḥijāb*)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is sunnah for the suitor to see the woman he is seeking to marry within the limits the Sharīʿah permits, namely looking at the face and the hands (palms and backs), based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Look at her, for it is more likely to bring about harmony between you.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhī.
The suitor may also ask one of the women to look at the woman he is seeking to marry. In that case, she is permitted to see of her what she is normally permitted to see, which is not limited to the face and hands, and she then describes these matters to the suitor. It is narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Umm Sulaym to look at a girl, and said: “Smell her breath, and look at her heels.” Narrated by Aḥmad in his Musnad.
It is stated in Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.7/p.192): “For one who cannot easily look, or does not wish to look himself, it is sunnah to send someone who is permitted to look at her, to observe her and describe her to him, even regarding what he himself is not permitted to look at. He thereby gains through the sending what he would not gain through looking. Because of the added need for this, it is excepted from the prohibition of a woman describing another woman to a man.”
The permissibility of looking is conditional upon his resolve to marry her once he is able to, his predominant assumption that his proposal will be accepted, and his assumption that the woman is free of marriage and of a waiting period (ʿiddah). Otherwise, looking is forbidden.
Accordingly, it is not permissible for the suitor to look at anything other than the face and hands. He may ask one of his maḥram women, such as his mother or sister, to see the woman unveiled, and the Sharia-compliant viewing (of a prospective bride) must take place in the presence of one of the woman’s maḥrams. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on praying in congregation at the mosque?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Congregational prayer (Salat al-Jama‘ah) is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah) for resident men regarding the performance of the prescribed (obligatory) prayers. For men, praying in congregation at the mosque is better than praying elsewhere, such as at home. On the authority of Abdullah bin Umar, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven degrees more excellent than the prayer of a person alone' (Reported by Bukhari & Muslim). Furthermore, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Shall I not tell you that by which Allah erases sins and raises ranks?' They said, 'Of course, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Performing wudu thoroughly despite difficulties, taking many steps toward the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after the prayer; that is your Ribat (steadfastness)' (Narrated by Muslim).
 
As for a woman, her praying in congregation at home is better for her than in the mosque, according to the saying of our Master the Prophet ﷺ: 'Do not prevent your women from attending the mosques, but their homes are better for them' (Narrated by Abu Dawood). Young boys should be encouraged to attend the mosques and congregational prayers so they may become accustomed to them. And Allah the Exalted knows best.