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Aqeedah and Fiqh

Issues and Concerns

Published

The first in a series of papers tackling a variety of issues and concerns. It includes: does the 73 sects hadith imply most Muslims will go to Hell? Being distinct from non-Muslims in dress. Can parents oblige their son to divorce his wife? Reciting Qur’an for the dead. 40 day retreats.

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Abu Aaliyah is the founder of The Jawziyyah Institute, a leading institute for Islamic moderation and contemporary thought in the United Kingdom. Sidi Abu Aaliyah has been in involved in Dawah and Islamic teachings since 1986. He has translated a number of books from the Arabic language into English such as "The Exquisite Pearls". Abu Aaliyah's written works and audio lectures can be found online.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Abu Hossan

    June 19, 2008 at 11:39 AM

    Assalaamu ‘alaykum and jazaak Allaah khayr for an excellent compilation. I have a question which I hope you can answer.

    About wearing pants and shirts, imitation is not the only issue of concern here, modesty is as well. I know of many scholars who consider the western style of dress to be immodest, since there’s no free flowing garment over one’s private areas. Often times while sitting or in sujood, the trousers cramp up around those areas and expose some of the shape and form of the genitals. Thus these scholars deem these clothes to be immodest and unislamic. They say that western clothes can be worn with some modification, that the shirt should be let out and not tucked in, and should be long enough to at least cover up to the middle of the thighs. Of course all the above applies only to men. Could you please comment on this, jazaak Allaah khayr.

  2. IbnAbbas

    June 19, 2008 at 11:46 AM

    Assalaamu alaikum warahmatullah.

    Jazakallahu khairan for the article. I am a bit surprised reading that the MAJORITY of the scholars believed the recitation of the Quran over the deceased is permissible. I didn’t know that it has some valid daleels on the other hand as well. I remember Yasir Qadhi saying, and he was so true, that there are many issues that are not simply “Black & White” for the laymen to comprehend.

    I would love to see what Sheikh Yasir Qadhi has to say about it????

  3. Ibn Masood

    June 19, 2008 at 5:46 PM

    Jazakallahu Khair. Nice post lol!

  4. Muslim007

    June 20, 2008 at 2:34 PM

    the 40days rasme chilam that we do back home in Pakistan is not Sunnah. bcz this never happened during the time of Rasoolullah Sallalhu Alaihi Wasallam nor during the times of Sahaba Karaam. where did this come from?

  5. Atif

    July 3, 2008 at 3:02 PM

    Assalamu’alaykum
    If someone can please answer these 2 questions:
    1. As we can see from the answer regarding donating recitation to the dead: the scholars infer by analogy that if hajj, charity, and fasting are permissible to donate, then any act of worship can be donated to the deceased.
    My question is, what are the conditions of Qiyas such that it doesn’t allow to an innovation in to the religion? Isn’t it possible that someone could say, “Since Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) allowed X, the act Y is permissible and not an innovation.”?

    2. Does this then allow what we know today as a “Quran khaani”? That is, is it permissible for muslims to gather together as a group, divide reading the entire Qur’an into parts, and then donate the reward?

  6. Abu Muslim

    December 27, 2008 at 2:22 AM

    Assalamu alykum,

    1. I understand the concern. Qiyas is one of the major evidences we use for fiqh. As long as the result is in conformity with the Shariah the Qiyas will be acceptable. If qiyas could lead to something unacceptable then it would certainly be a blameworthy innovation.

    2. The answer from a Sheikh is below:
    “It is permitted to gather for the recitation of the Qur’an. In fact, this is a praiseworthy sunna of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).

    However, there isn’t specific proof for holding a gathering to complete the Qur’an on a specific day–and deeming that such specification is religiously binding or necessary would be a reprehensible innovation.

    Thus, the ulema mention that it is best to hold such gatherings, with proper observation of Islamic propriety, on other than the 40th day after someone’s death.

    And Allah alone gives success.”

    Therefore in essence the Quraan Khaani is something good according to Islam as it involves people gathering to recite the book of Allah. Even if there is not direct evidence for it we have many indirect evidences.

    Assalamu alaykum.

  7. umar

    May 7, 2009 at 2:33 PM

    I think it was pretty clear from this article that quran khatams if done properly is sound and in accordance to the practices of the salaf.

    I hope this ends the bickerings on forums between various factions on this issue.

  8. Sunie

    May 12, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    There is a typo on page 6 paragraph 3 (know instead of no).

    Also, I am quite convinced that it is permissible to gift a good deed to a deceased person. However, would the fact that people gather specifically and religiously, on the 4th or the 40th day in order to transfer their deeds be considered impermissible? They believe that this has to be done, and feel deprived if they are prevented, and may do some wrong or forego a greater good, in holding this gathering. I would love to know the answer.

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