Articles

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

 

 

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

Is it recommended (mustaḥabb) for the one offering  a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ) to eat from its meat?

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is recommended (mustaḥabb) — not obligatory — for the one offering a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ) to eat from it. Allah Almighty says {what means}: "So eat from them and feed the desperate (qāniʿ) and the beggar (muʿtarr). Thus We have subjected them to you that you may be grateful."— [Sūrat al-Ḥajj (22): 36]
 
Explanation of terms:
 
Al-Qāniʿ — the poor person who does not ask people for money, food..eccetera.(beg)
 
Al-Muʿtarr — the poor person who does ask people for money, food..eccetera (begs)
 
And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the virtue of performing ‘Umrah in Ramadan?

Ibn ‘Abbas narrated: "When the Prophet ﷺ returned from his Hajj, he said to Umm Sinan Al-Ansariyyah: ‘What prevented you from performing Hajj?’ She replied: ‘Abu So-and-so (referring to her husband) had two camels—he performed Hajj on one of them, and the other was used to irrigate our land.’ The Prophet ﷺ then said: ‘Performing ‘Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj with me.’" [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet ﷺ also said: "An ‘Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to a Hajj." [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]
For those who miss the opportunity to perform ‘Umrah in Ramadan, there are many other ways to earn great rewards. One of them is praying Fajr in congregation, then remaining in the mosque remembering Allah until sunrise, and praying two rak‘ahs.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, and then prays two rak‘ahs, will receive the reward of a complete Hajj and ‘Umrah—complete, complete, complete." [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]

What is the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr?

It is enough to know its great status that Allah revealed an entire surah about it—Surah Al-Qadr. Moreover, the Quran was first revealed on this night.
Allah says {what means}:
"We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!... This until the rise of morn!" [Al-Qadr/1-5]
The Prophet ﷺ taught us to observe I‘tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan, seeking Laylat al-Qadr. Whoever worships Allah and revives this night will receive the reward of worshiping for a thousand months—excluding Laylat al-Qadr itself.

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering a sacrifice (Udhiyah) on behalf of the deceased is permissible. This is the position of the Hanbalis [Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti (Vol.6/P.428)], and it was held by al-Abbadi of the Shafi’is [Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah (Vol.4/P.358)]; it is also narrated from some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
Abu Dawud included a chapter in his Sunan titled "Chapter: Offering the Sacrifice on Behalf of the Deceased," in which he narrated from Hanash, who said: "I saw Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) sacrificing two rams. I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined me to sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You and for You, on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah; in the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," then he slaughtered it. It is well known that among the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him) are those who have passed away, yet he (peace be upon him) dedicated it to his entire Ummah.
 
Furthermore, multiple Sharia texts have consistently indicated that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. This includes the permissibility of fasting on behalf of the deceased if they died owing fasts, as well as the permissibility of performing Hajj on their behalf, both of which are established in authentic Hadiths. Since the rewards for fasting—a physical act of worship—and Hajj—a physical and financial act of worship—reach the deceased, then the sacrifice (Udhiyah) is even more likely to reach them.
 
Moreover, the scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charities reach the deceased, and the Udhiyah is a form of charity and falls under its general category. Based on all of this, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is permissible. And Allah the Almighty knows best.