Wearing a T-Shirt during Salat

Question:

Asalam alaikum,
I was just wondering whether it is acceptable or not acceptable to wear a short sleeved t-shirt whilst reading salat. I know that during hajj or Umrah a man is required to wear a cloth which does not cover one arm. Could you please resolve this issue for me.

Jazak allah

Answer:

wa `alaykum salam,

It is disrespectful although not forbidden, as a matter of fact Salat is acceptable being offered with short sleeved t-shirt. However, we are to read between the lines. Our respected shaykhs teach us to think over every verse in the Noble Qur’an and not stay just on the surface. Look at this verse (Ayah):

O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters. (Surat al-`Araf, 7:31)

Do we go to a wedding in our t-shirts, to an interview, etc.? No, we don’t. Then why do we tend to present ourselves before Allah with less care?

Umra and Hajj have specific instructions as they are to remind us of our death when we will be dressed in Kafans – white fabric similar to Ihrams.


Imam Senad Agic

Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
American Islamic Center – Chicago

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Temporary Marriage Contract

Question:

Salams. I am a sunni muslim girl(24) living in a westernised land far away from my homeland. i am also a mureed of shaykh nazim. I am trying to educate myself as much on islam. I am at a point in life where I wish to start my own family. I have tried a muslim matrimonial site so as to find a suitor. I ended up having a meeting with a Shia guy who proposed me a contract marriage for a certain period of time in order to decide our compatibility in view of a real marriage in the future. I sort of refused it and ceased all contact with that person. Now, after a few days, I am asking myself if I did the right thing. I would like to know the Sufi(sunni) standing point in regards to contract marriage. Thanks a lot. Salams

Answer:

Permanent marriage is to be promoted. However In Shia tradition temporary marriage (Mut’ah) is not necessarily a sexual relation. It  serves to enable a girl to come to know her future husband – without consuming marriage. This may last a few months before the official permanent marriage takes place. Allah knows best.

Imam Senad Agic
Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
American Islamic Center – Chicago

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Dream: Meeting Hajjah Naziha

Dream:

Assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah,

My mother had a dream where she meets Hajjah Naziha who puts her hand on my mothers head, and says that Allah (swt) will give [private], my sister, a baby. There are other people over there as well. Hajjah Naziha then takes a picture of [private] and places it slightly above Grandshaykh’s (q) picture on the wall. My mom kisses her feet , she is wearing a long white skirt.

Please give our love to Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, Mawlana Shaykh Hisham, Mawlana Shaykh Adnan and Hajjah Naziha, may Allah (swt) infinitely increase their stations. Jazakallah Khai.

Interpretation:

a`udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem
Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem:

wa `alaykum salaam,

Mashaa-Allah, very nice dream. Inshaa-Allah Grandshaykh is supporting your family.

Dr. Karim

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Dream: Meeting Mawlana

Dream:

Bismillahirahmanirrahim!

Assalamu alaykum Ya Sayiddi and the esteemed eShaykh team,
My mother had a dream which she requested the meaning of. She is going to meet Mawlana, and on the way she saw two women with platters of sweetmeats. They ask her to give Mawlana the sweets to touch so that they can distribute them blessed. There are also a lot of thick white garlands of flowers she sees on her way. She says to her self that they smell beautiful, so she will take them for Mawlana as a present and then goes and sees him.

We love you! Jazakallah Khair

Interpretation:

a`udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem
Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem:

wa `alaykum salaam,

Inshaa-Allah your mother’s love to Mawlana is accepted.

Dr. Karim

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Dream: Man with High Maqam

Dream:

Salaam Alaykum,

I had this dream a couple of years ago: I was taking a non-Muslim friend to Cyprus to meet Sheikh Nazim. We were in Sheikh Nazim’s house with many people and Sheikh Nazim entered the room with a man. He was young had a glowing face and a friendly smile. I think he looked Tibetan. He was wearing a dark red (I think) tunic and trousers and a shawl over one shoulder. The shawl was many colours but mainly gold. Someone went to kiss Sheikh Nazim’s hand, but Sheikh Nazim said “Do not kiss my hand in front of this man as this man has a much higher maqam than me”. Please can you tell me who this man is and what the dream means?
Thank you

Interpretation:

a`udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem
Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem:

wa `alaykum salaam,

Mawlana is teaching humility and adab.

Dr. Karim

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Dream: Two Silver Rings

Dream:

Selam eleke may allah bless you all,

I was in a strange room and I was sitting up in bed. In another bed was a blue-eyed black haired man, then then in my dream I fell a sleep. I  saw a heavenly vision in front of me. I saw a man and woman dancing together, they were very happy. Then I saw two silver wedding rings &  they put on each others finger. They were to get married & I saw wheat in my hand. I was rubbing it then a woman gave some white colored diamonds to me.
Thank you for your time.

Interpretation:

a`udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem
Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem:

wa `alaykum salaam,

Mashaa-Allah all very good signs, showing heavenly knowledge and material support coming, inshaa-Allah.

Dr. Karim

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Women Working

Question:

Madad ya Mawlana! Bismillah Ir-Rehman Ir-Raheem.

Assalam-Alaikum,

I want to know the spiritually correct position on women working, as I believe certain aspects of fiqh can be confirmed from spiritual knowledge. Therefore, I wanted to know what is the correct position regarding women working outside the home, especially as held by Mawlana? When is it permissible? When is it not?

Answer:

Women can work but under certain conditions:

1. She is in need to make money
2. Her job is to be suited to the nature of woman
3. She should be in the company of women
4. She can not be led to a situation to neglect looking after her house and family

Mawlana holds the view that a working woman brings more money but less barakah (blessings). Surat al-Yusuf is full of advice for women to keep themselves busy with doing what is beneficial rather than being idle.

Imam Senad Agic
Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
American Islamic Center – Chicago

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Dream: Mum’s Dream

Dream:

Today my mum had a dream in the late morning of me & herself. She dreamt that me and her were standing above a beautiful green hill that was surrounded by beautiful green scenery of grass and trees etc. in her dream i was a younger child than now. All of a sudden a group of men came along who according to my mum looked like kidnappers. My mum became worried and then gave me a quick sign to go in our house which was placed upon the beautiful hills. i was a child so didn’t understand her message and stayed outside. They looked as if they were here to kidnap me therefore my mum became worried. In real life i woke her up and that is when the dream ended.

My mum is worried for me and would be grateful if you could interpret this dream. Thank you.
JzkAllah

Interpretation:

a`udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem
Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem:

This dream can mean that you are going to be safe from anyone trying to harm you because you are on top of the hill and it is hard for the kidnaper to go up hill. And your mother has the top view of who wants to marry you.

And Allah knows best.

Yassir Chadly

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Dajjal and Bermuda Triangle

Question:

Assalam u alayekum!

There’s a theory that Dajjal will emerge from Florida and that he is currently in the Bermuda triangle. He’s been capturing airplanes and ships to increase his army. Is this perception right? If not then what is the explanation of supernatural mystery of Bermuda triangle?

Shukran.

Answer:

Wa `alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullah,

The accursed Dajjal is chained on an unknown island. Islamic legend situates this island in the Indian Ocean, which at the very least accords with his expected appearance in the East.

The supposition that he is gathering technology piecemeal for his purpose fails to account for the signs of the times. In the words of Sultan al-Awliya, Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani, may Allah sanctify his secret, “The Anti Christ depends fully on technology with the aim of taking away all spirituality.” Since this is the case, it is perhaps instructive to consider a Tradition mentioned by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani in his book on Armageddon that describes the Dajjal as having the power to show images of the dead on his hand, “like a television screen.” Is not this power to be compared with the modern attachment to screens that are held in the hand; and if so, what better reason for their use than to accustom modern people to the customs of the Dajjal? The airplane itself – identified in this forum with the Ass of the Dajjal – is from its origin a mockery of the Muhammadan miracle of the Night Journey and Ascension. No doubt countless indications exist of the ubiquity of this commander of the “Saints of Shaytan.” There is no need for the Dajjal to co-opt modern technology, since the latter has already succeeded in distracting humanity from its Heavenly aspiration.

If technology fails to function properly in the Bermuda Triangle, might this not indicate the presence of an authority greater than and without dependence upon technology? It is at least worth noting that the seminal mystery in the Bermuda Triangle concerns the fate of Flight 19, since 19 relates especially to an authority greater than hellfire.

And Allah and His Messenger and His Knowers know best.

Mahmoud Shelton

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Imam Jilani’s Sirr al-Asrar

Question:

salamu alaykum,

Is the book Sirra al-Asrar of Shaykh Abdal Qadir Jilani authentically reported from him ? Is the book we have today authentic from him ?

Answer:

Wa `alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullah,

I know of no doubt concerning the attribution of Sirr al-Asrar to the Ghawth al-`Azam – may Allah sanctify his secret – although there are, of course, other books with this same title. Moreover, it may be said that the book in question is integral to the understanding of this great saint’s other writings.

On the subject of writings attributed to the greatest saints, it is perhaps worth observing that even when an attribution is historically unlikely, there may exist less obvious reasons for the persistence of claimed authorship. To identify a book as belonging to the legacy of a saint places it within the sphere of concern of students dedicated to that legacy, and such books may be especially beneficial for such students. Less obvious still is the “stabilizing” of certain writings of an occult character by their attachment to the names of the saints, thereby serving to remind students of the need for sanctity in approaching such subjects.

Despite their historical separation, the very great Naqshbandi-Qadiri Amir `Abdul-Qadir al-Jaza’iri could consult with the Shaykh al-Akbar, may Allah sanctify their secrets, concerning the Greatest Master’s writings, and the matter of authentic attribution was naturally addressed in the course of their association. Their spiritual relationship no doubt provides a clear example of how certainty may be attained in such matters. If we are unable to follow such an example, it is better not to refuse guidance belonging to the legacy of a saint; even if an attribution is uncertain, the intention of the student to be careful with his manners places him safely in the care of the Guide.

Mahmoud Shelton

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