Carelessness of some Women concerning Traveling by Airplane without a Mahram

 

By Sheikh Uthaimeen رحمه الله تعالى

There is a very regrettable thing with regard to this matter which is the carelessness of some women concerning travelling by airplane without a Mahram.

They are very negligent in this matter: One finds women travelling by airplane alone, and their justification for doing this is that they say that her Mahram escorted her in the airport from which the airplane took off and the other Mahram will meet her in the airport at which the airplane lands, and that in the airplane she is safe.

This justification is weak in reality, because the Mahram who accompanies her does not admit her onto the airplane, he only admits her to the departure lounge.

It may also be that the airplane is delayed in taking off and so this woman remains lost, or the airplane might take off and then be unable to land at the intended airport due to some reason or another, and so it lands at some other place, else and so this woman will be lost. Or, the airplane might land at the intended airport, but the Mahram who is supposed to meet her does not arrive due to one reason or another, such as illness, sleep or a car accident which prevents him from getting there, or something else.

Even if all of these things did not happen, and the airplane landed at the correct time of arrival and the Mahram who was supposed to meet her was present, there might be some man sitting next to her on the airplane who does not fear Allaah, the Most High and does not respect the worshippers of Allaah, and he might be attracted to her and she to him, which might lead to Fitnah (temptation, trial) and unlawful deeds, as is well known.

O Abu ‘Abdullah! Are you groaning?

There are also some Angels who write down the deeds of human beings.

وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَافِظِينَ
‘But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you,’

كِرَامًاكَاتِبِينَ
‘Kirâman (honourable) Kâtibîn writing down (your deeds),’

يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
‘They know all that you do.’

 (Al-Infitar 82:10-12)

مَا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ

“Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).”

(Qaf 50:18)

One of the companions of Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله) visited him while he was sick. He found him groaning from the sickness. He said:

“O Abu ‘Abdullah! Are you groaning? Tawus said ‘Indeed, the Angels write down everything, even the groan of a sick person, because Allaah says:

مَا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ

Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it.”‘

(Qaf 50:18)

Therefore, Abu ‘Abdullah began to have (more) patience, and he stopped groaning,[¹] because everything is written down. “Not a word does he (or she) utter? – Meaning any word uttered by you is written. However, you might be rewarded or punished for it. This is based on the saying that was said.

Neither Slumber, Nor Sleep overtakes Allaah

– Sheikh ibn Uthaimeen

In His Saying:

{ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ}  

‘Neither slumber, nor sleep overtakes Him’,

Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى did not say (what means): “He does not sleep,” instead He said: {لا تأخُذُهُ} (which means) “does not overtake Him” in order to comprise the sleep which overcomes and that arising by choice. If you say, “Does not sleep,” it would imply that He does not sleep by choice. However, Allaah, سُبحانه وتعالى does not sleep neither by ghalabah (overcoming) nor by choice, because sleep is an imperfect attribute which contradicts both the perfection of the Self and the perfection in relation to others.

The person who is given to sleep misses a lot of his work because of His sleeping. Consider, for example, the case of a person who has many people working for him and he sleeps a lot. He is unable to reckon with nor manage the business or other related matters. This is an imperfection with respect to others.

As regard to self-perfection, sleep is a deficiency because it  indicates that the person’s body got tired and thus he needed the sleep as a rest from what has passed, as well as a means to renew his activity to engage in what will come ahead. That is the why the people of al-Jannah do not sleep — because of the perfection of their lives and bodies. No illness or the like touches them.

If someone says, “We know that the person who does not sleep is unable to do so because of some kind of sickness or a defect, while you say that the lack of sleep is a perfection. Explain.”

Be firm upon the Truth!

Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Saleh al-Uthaimeen رحمه الله said:

“Be firm, and do not change (your stance) because of the large number of attacks on you nor due to (their) being offended by your words. As long as you are upon the truth then be firm, for truth is never budged (by falsehood). Thereafter, defend (the truth) if you are in a weak position. There is nothing lesser than defending (the truth). But if you are in a strong position, then upon you is to attack (the falsehood). For the days take turns (sometimes in your favor and sometimes otherwise).

But (remember) the most important thing is that even if you are in a weaker position, then you should remain firm. And never say: ‘Oh, all the people are in opposition to this.’ Rather, be firm, for Allaah aids His Deen, His Book, His Messenger throughout the ages.

No doubt that you will face harm (from the people). Here is Imaam Ahmad رحمه الله, he was dragged by a mule in the market and was whipped. But he was patiently firm.

How your kids treat you in your old age depends on how you have raised them❗

Sheikh Uthaimeen رحمه الله:

If they are disobedient to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى now, they will be disobedient to you when you most need them.
“O Muslims! Don’t you fear of this responsibility? 
Don’t you fear that (how) you end up (in your old age) depends on how you have raised your children?
When you DON'T discipline them, they will grow up being disobedient to you – a fitting recompense! 

No doctor can remove that which you have in your heart!!

 

The Etiquettes of Slaughtering

By:  Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen

There are certain etiquettes one must abide by when slaughtering an animal for a sacrificial offering. However, these etiquettes are not conditional for the validity of a sacrifice. So the sacrifice is still valid even in their absence. Among these etiquette are:

1. He should face the Qiblah with the animal at the time of slaughtering.

2. He must slaughter the animal in a good manner, which is by quickly and firmly passing a sharpened blade over the neck area.

Some scholars hold the view that this etiquette is obligatory based on the implication found in the Prophet’s saying: 

“Verily Allaah has prescribed proficiency in everything. So when you kill, kill proficiently. And when you sacrifice, sacrifice proficiently. Each of you should sharpen his blade and lessen the pain inflicted on his sacrificial offering.” 

(Muslim)

This opinion is the correct view.

3. The slaughter of a camel must be done by cutting the area just below the neck and above the chest. This is known as nahr. As for all other types of animals, their necks should be sliced.

E-Book on Prayer & Zakat

 


A Beneficial E-Book in English on:

‘The Prayer & Zakat’

(Brief description of some important matters of the prayers and Zakat as taken from Sheikh’s explanation of Riyadh-us-Saaliheen.)

By Ash-Sheikh Al-Uthaimeen رحمه الله

click to read & download pdf

Not every person who extends his hand for Zakaah is Deserving of it

Q. 381. Is every person who extends his hand for Zakaah deserving of it?

Answer by Sheikh Muhammad bin Salih Al- ‘Uthaimeen رحمه الله

Not every person who extends his hand for Zakaah is deserving of it, because there are those among mankind who extend their hands for money while they are wealthy. This type of person will come on the Day of Resurrection while his face will not have a bit of flesh on it, ^[1] may Allaah protect us from that. He will come on the Day of Resurrection, on the Day when the witnesses will stand and the bones of his face will be visible, may Allaah protect us from that, and the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

"He who begs the riches of others to increase his own wealth is asking only for burning coals (in the Hereafter), so let him ask a little or much."^[2]

I would like to take this opportunity to warn those people who ask people in an importune manner when they are in possession of wealth. Indeed, I warn everyone who accepts Zakaah when he is not entitled to receive it. I say to him: If you took Zakaah to which you are not entitled, you are only consuming ill-gotten gains, may Allaah protect us from that, and a person should fear Allaah, for the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

"Whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient, Allaah will make him self-sufficient; and whoever abstains from asking others, Allaah will make him content." ^[3]

But if a man extends his hand to you, and you believe it is most likely that he is entitled to it, and you gave him, then the Zakaah will be counted, and you will have discharged your obligation, even if it became apparent after that that he was not entitled to it. There is no need to think that you have to pay the Zakaah again (to someone else).

The evidence for this is the story of the man who gave money in charity, and he gave charity first to a prostitute and the people began to talk, saying: “Have you given money tonight to a prostitute?” He said: “All praise and thanks are to Allaah.”

“Knowledge searches for action; if it does not find it, it will depart.”

 

Question: What is your advice regarding acting upon knowledge?

Answer by Sheikh Al-‘Uthaimeen رحمه الله : It is mandatory that a person acts upon his knowledge, because the fruit of knowledge is action. If a person does not act upon his knowledge, he will consequently be from amongst the first people to be punished in the fire on the Day of Judgement.

It was mentioned (in lines of poetry):

“The scholar who did not act upon his knowledge will be punished before the worshippers of idols.”

Thus, if a person does not act upon his knowledge, this will lead to failure in knowledge, loss of blessing, and forgetfulness of knowledge.

This is based on the statement of Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى:

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ وَنَسُواْ حَظًّا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُواْ بِهِ

'Due to their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them.'

(Al-Maa’idah 5:13)

The student of knowledge is the first of the people to act upon his knowledge

With regards to the student of knowledge being the foremost to put his knowledge into practice, the scholar Muhammad ibn Saalih al Uthaimeen رحمه الله stated:

Upon you – baarak Allaahu feekum – is to act upon what you know because this is the fruit of knowledge.

What is the benefit of knowledge which the person does not act upon? There is NO benefit in it – rather it will be something harmful for the person.

By Allaah, the ignorant person is better than the person of knowledge who does not act upon his knowledge.

So the proof has been established against the person of knowledge who does not act (upon his knowledge) and the excuse has been cut off for him.

So, sometimes the ignorant person learns (something) and (then) acts; but as for the man who is a person of knowledge but he does not act, then his knowledge is a harm for him. Therefore the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

Be firm upon the Truth!

Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Saleh al-`Uthaimeenرحمه الله  said:

“Be firm, and do not change (your stance) because of the large number of attacks on you nor due to (their) being offended by your words. As long as you are upon the truth then be firm, for truth is never budged (by falsehood). Thereafter, defend (the truth) if you are in a weak position. There is nothing lesser than defending (the truth). But if you are in a strong position, then upon you is to attack (the falsehood). For the days take turns (sometimes in your favor and sometimes otherwise).

Keeping away from the indecent Mahram

Question posed to Sheikh ‘Uthaimeen (رحمه الله):

We know that the paternal uncle of the woman is from the Mahaarim (non-marriageable male relatives), those whom it’s permissible for her to uncover in front of. However, what is the case when the paternal uncle of the woman jokes with her with indecent jokes, is it permissible for her not to kiss him due to his indecent joking (with her)?

Answer:
If the paternal uncle jokes around with his nieces in a manner that’s doubtful, it is not permissible for them to go to him nor uncover their faces in front of him. That’s due to the fact that the scholars who allow that the woman can uncover her face in front of the Mahram make it a condition that there’s no Fitnah. And this man that jokes around with his nieces in a manner that’s evil, this means it’s feared that some fitnah will come upon them from him. And that which is obligatory is that one keeps far away from the causes of Fitnah.

The Ruling on going to Amusement Parks !!

Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan حفظه الله said:

واحذر أيها الأب الغيور من الذهاب بأسرتك إلى الملاهي المختلطة، والشواطئ والمنتزهات التي تظهر فيها المنكرات

"Beware, O' Jealous father, from going with your family to free-mixing amusement parks and recreational beaches which have evils apparent in them."

Sheikh ibn al-Uthaimeen رحمه الله

Question: Many Parents go with their children to what is called Children’s amusement parks. In it are oppositions to the Shari'ah, such as some women displaying their bodies. The children are severely eager to go to these amusement parks. So what is the legislated ruling on going there?

Answer: “These amusement parks, as our questioner mentioned, have in them evils. So if a place has evils, then if a person is able to remove these evils it is obligatory upon him to attend to remove them. As for if he is unable, then it is haraam upon him to attend. So now we say: Take your children to the open land and that will suffice.

The “Honeymoon”...!!

An Imitation of the Non-Muslims and a Great Waste of Money....

Sheikh ibn Uthaimeen رحمه الله said:

“With regard to what is called the “honeymoon”, it is even worse and more reprehensible, because it is an imitation of the non-Muslims and it is a great waste of money. It also leads to neglect of many religious matters, especially if this time is spent in a non-Muslim country, after which they come back with habits and customs that are harmful to them and to their society. These are matters which are dangerous to the ummah. But if the man were to travel with his wife to do ‘Umrah or to visit Madinah, there is nothing wrong with that, inshaAllaah.”

{From Fataawa Islâmiyyah, 3/176}

A Father Teaching His Children Tawheed

Sheikh Saalih al-Uthaimeen رحمه الله was asked:

How does a father teach his children Tawheed?

He answered:

‘He teaches them Tawheed just like he teaches them other matters of the Deen. From the best of what is in this subject is the book ‘The Three Principles’ by Sheikh-ul-Islam Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhaab رحمه الله. If he makes them memorize it by heart and explains to them its meanings appropriately to their understanding and their intellects. Then there comes a lot of goodness from this. This is because this book is built upon questions and answers, and clear easy expressions, which have no complexity.

Then the father shows them the Ayaat of Allaah (His signs) so that he can practically implement what is mentioned in this small book.

For example, (about) the sun, the father asks, 'who created it?' Likewise (about) the moon, the stars, the night and day. You say to them:

The sun, who created it? Allaah.

The moon? Allaah, the night? Allaah, the day? Allaah.

Allaah سُبحانه وتعالىcreated all of these.