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Ideas on the Prophetic Hijrah
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 19-09-2016

Ideas on the Prophetic Hijrah

By Dr. Mufti Hassan Abu Arqoob

 

It isn`t out of the ordinary that Omar Bin Al-Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased with him) turned the event of the Hijrah (Prophet`s migration to Medina) into a starting point for the Islamic calendar to distinguish the Muslim nation from other nations as it is not only an earmark in the history of the Muslim nation, but also in that of mankind. This way, Omar (May Allah be pleased with him) teaches us (Muslims) how to have our own identity, how to make our own history and be proud of it and how to preserve our own character among other nations.

Our great Prophet (PBUH) emigrated from Mecca to Medina after having suffered all sorts of torture from Quraish in their attempt to force him to forsake calling people to Islam. They have also offered him wealth and authority in return for leaving the religion of Allah which he has brought to all mankind; however, he didn`t give up to worldly temptations. Despite the tactics of invitation and intimidation employed by Quraish, Prophet Mohammad remained steadfast in propagating the message of Islam until Allah commanded him to immigrate to Medina and leave Mecca, his beloved home.

The propagator of the divine message, Prophet Mohammad, was never deterred from delivering it since he is a man of principle. Worldly temptations couldn`t tempt him because he has firm belief that the Hereafter is better and more lasting. Once he was cornered, and not allowed to worship Allah and to deliver His message as commanded, he was permitted to leave Mecca since the whole universe is  Allah`s and all the creatures are His servants. Whatever the case may be, abandoning one`s beloved homeland isn`t a justifiable act because it contradicts man`s nature, and the love of country is part of man`s identity and character.

We learn from the School of the Prophetic Hijrah that the propagator of the message must strive and leave no stone unturned to deliver that message. Allah, The Almighty, Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque-may Allah free it-, is capable of taking him on the Buraq (a horse-like animal) from Mecca to Medina. Still, how could civilization be established and history made through such a miracle!!? It must be executed through the normal standards of human beings in order for delivering the message of Islam to fit every time and place, and so that none could argue that they (history and civilization) were based on the supernatural.

The Prophet(PBUH) emigrated in secret after having made a water tight plan to leave Mecca. This plan shows that adopting means to reach an end as well as planning for success are key foundations in man`s life. Although supported by Allah, the Prophet adopted the aforementioned means; therefore, it is imperative that all Muslims follow suit. The true meaning of trusting Allah is being satisfied at heart with his divine preordainment; of course after adopting means to reach an end.

I (writer) said "water tight plan" that takes different conditions and circumstances into consideration. As absurdity is rejected, so is foolish and naïve planning because "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Consequently, it is imperative that man employs wisdom, patience and reason when planning in addition to taking the various possibilities, conditions and circumstances into consideration because at time of crisis, vision is blurred and sound thinking becomes unattainable. Sound planning and sound management, expecting crises and coming up with early suitable solutions for them are all lessons that we learn from the blessed Hijrah of the Prophet (PBUH).

We also learn from the Prophetic Hijrah how to enhance women`s role in society since the Prophet (PBUH) entrusted Asma` Bint Abi Bakir (May Allah Be Pleased with them) with providing for him while he was in the cave of mount Hira. It was a delicate mission because she had to exercise caution getting into the cave and out of it without being noticed by the disbelievers so that they would never know the Prophet`s whereabouts. As we can see, woman has played a key role in this blessed event, proving that she is able to achieve, participate in making history and civilization, be an active member of society and prevent any attempts to marginalize her role. And Allah Knows Best.

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to recite the Quran from the computer without actually touching the Quran?

It is not permissible for a woman in her menstrual period, or in postpartum to recite the Quran, even by heart, or without actually touching the Quran itself. Recitation itself is what is prohibited on her regardless of how it is done. However, it is permissible for her to surf through the Quran by her eyes, or to recall it in her head without uttering the words. There is no harm for her to look at the Quranic verses on the computer without touching it, or to utter the words as this is called looking not reciting or reading.

"I told my family at night: 'I will fast tomorrow as qaḍā' (a make-up fast),' but I forgot to make the intention before sleeping. Is my fast valid?"

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
 
The intention is obligatory in acts of worship. For obligatory fasting, the required intention is to resolve to fast during the night [before dawn]. Its proper locus is the heart, while verbalizing the intention out loud in acts of worship is a sunnah — so that the tongue may align with the heart. If the intent behind the statement in question was the intention to fast, then it is valid; but if the intent was merely to inform someone, or reflected hesitation or doubt, then it is not valid.
 
It is stated in *Bushrā al-Karīm* (Vol.1/P.216): "It is a sunnah to verbalize the intention — that is, whatever has already been intended in the heart, whether an obligatory or a voluntary act — such as specifying the number of rak‘ahs, just before the opening takbīr — so that the tongue may assist the heart, and because this is further removed from whispered doubts (waswasah), and in order to accommodate the view of those who held it obligatory in every act of worship that requires an intention (even though this is a minority position), by analogy with Ḥajj."
 
Accordingly: if the intention to fast arose in your heart before the second adhān [i.e., before Fajr], then your fast is valid.
 
And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is incumbent upon the one offering the sacrifice if, after slaughtering the animal, they discover that one of its internal organs is damaged or diseased?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The presence of disease or defect in the internal organs of a sheep does not affect the validity of the sacrificial animal, unless the disease leads to the animal becoming emaciated and its meat becoming corrupted.
 
It is stated in al-Iqnā' (2/590) by Imam al-Shirbīnī: "The third disqualifying condition: an animal with a manifest illness — meaning one whose illness visibly results in emaciation and corruption of its meat. However, if the illness is minor and does not produce such effects, it doesn`t affect the validity of the sacrificed animal." And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on performing the Duha (forenoon) prayer before its time has begun, because I go to school early in the morning?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The Duha (forenoon) prayer is not valid if performed before its time has begun. Its time starts when the sun has risen to a noticeable height, that is, approximately fifteen minutes after sunrise, and it ends when the sun reaches its zenith (zawāl), shortly before the Dhuhr (noon) prayer. It is stated in Mughni al-Muhtaj (Vol.1/p.455): “Its time is from the rising of the sun [to a spear’s height] until the zenith.”
Accordingly, the Duha prayer is not valid if offered before the sun has risen, and its time remains open until just before Dhuhr. It may be performed at any time at school, during the break between classes or during recess. And Allah Almighty knows best.