Wishing Merry Christmas

Question:

Assalamu alaikum Syekh Gibril,

May Allah Bless your good works and grant you good health.

I have a question to ask regarding the fatwa that was given in Indonesia. Some scholars there forbid Muslims to wish their Christians neighbours and friends ‘ Merry Christmas’.

According to them, it is against our aqidah as Christmas is actually a celebration that originated from the Romans who were pagans.

I would like to know your thoughts on this matter if it is permissible/not permissible to wish them as such.

Syukran. May Allah Bless you.

Answer:

Alaykum Salam,

“There is no legal impediment to participating in celebrating the birth of ‘Isa (alayhis salam).” Dr Ali Gomaa.

As for the 1981 and 2012 Indonesian fatwas that “for Muslims to wish a happy Christmas is akin to confirming the misguided teachings of Christianity”: such a claim is evidently incorrect.

In fact, Christmas wishes are merely a verbal courtesy practised at the social and local politics level, and contains little religious meaning even for Christians let alone Muslims, who are strict Monotheists.

Additionally, a nominal form of respect or customary acknowledgment of mutual festivals in mixed-religion countries goes a long way to strengthen peace and healthy inter-community relations. Sunni Muftis of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Egypt and other countries for centuries have even visited churches on such occasions, for the sake of peace and to quell national division and fitna.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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Prayer request & right advice

Question:

Assalamuwalaikum my beloved shaykhs,

Hope you all are well by the grace of Almighty Allah subhanu ta ala. Please accept my respectness from the deepest level of my heart. I believe, you might know my current status more then me so please pray and give advice which is fit for me. Also include me within those people whom do you love and never leave me within the ocean. My name is [private]. Forgive me for lack of adab. Jazak Allah

Answer:

Alaykum Salam,

Mawlana Shaykh Nazim and Mawlana Shaykh Hisham (may Allah bless their secrets) are praying for you in sha Allah.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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Earning Halal/Haram.

Question:

How can one keep ones self safe from haram earnings of the people one is dependent on? Like children are dependent on parents. Is there any mistake that will render illegitimate upon you even the halal earnings of the parents?

Answer:

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

If your parents claim that they earn Halal money then you are to take their words and accept it as Halal.

Keep in mind that the concept of “disowning” a child does not exist in Islam. You are your parents’ child whether they agree with you or not and their support to you will always be legitimate.

Imam Senad Agic
American Islamic Center – Chicago
Majlis #1 Head Imam (IABNA)
www.aicchicago.com
www.imamsenadagic.com
www.iabna.org

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Meat in Arab Countries

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullahi Wabarakathuhu,

Dear Shaykh,

I live in Dubai, UAE. The meat available in almost all the supermarkets over here are imported from various countries and mainly from Brazil. Other countries are New Zealand, France, India and Pakistan.

Some of the packs contains Halal mark and some don’t. Even if they have just a Halal mark are we to consider it Halal?

What is the ruling about this? Please explain.

Answer:

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

Each emirate has its own procedure to verify halal compliance but as of today there are no general standards and regulations. A new system will be put in place soon to make sure that halal mark means halal.

Imam Senad Agic
American Islamic Center – Chicago
Majlis #1 Head Imam (IABNA)
www.aicchicago.com
www.imamsenadagic.com
www.iabna.org

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Death trough Epilepsy – Afterlife?

Question:

Asalaam aleikum,

My cousin from Hongkong died in his mid-twenties from consequences of epilepsy. He suffocated on his vomit in a state of unconsciousness with no-one near to help him. He suffered most of his lifetime from this sickness. He was not Muslim by Shahada, but half a year before he died he visited me for a week and got catch a glimpse of Islam and he really liked me. Is there hope for him regarding a peaceful afterlife?

Thank you for your efforts and your answers.

Best regards

Answer:

Alaykum Salam,

Allah planted that attraction to Islam in your cousin’s heart and facilitated it through his visit to you. Perhaps He used all this to bring him to belief before death, and He used his suffering to cleanse him and raise him. It is up to Him alone. And it is up to us to thank Him for guiding us and ask for His enduring protection.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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Istikhara Salaah

Question:

Slmz,

I’ve made istikhara salaah for 6 nights now, and last night I had a dream that I was getting married – in my dream I was getting married to someone I don’t particularly like/get along with. Furthermore, in my dream I was complaining that my wedding dress was too short and indecisive as to wear flat shoes or heels because I did not want to be taller than my husband. Overall I wasn’t happy in my dream ( I had nothing that I wanted) but I kept telling my husband that he was all I needed.

Please help me, what does it mean?

Does the fact that there was another man in my dream mean that the one I was reading instikhara for is not for me?

Answer:

Salam alaykum,

Your dream shows modesty, humbleness and generosity so no matter what in sha Allah there is goodness in store for you. Allah will grow love between you and your spouse.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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Need help for marriage.

Question:

Assalamu aaleikum WR WB,

I am in a relationship with a Hindu girl for past 8 years. I never forced her but she is very interested in Islam and told me that someday she will convert to Islam. Now suddenly she is trying to leave me. We found her mother used Islamic magic on her to change her mind. She is in a bad state of mind. Often crying. Thinking of suicide. Please help to get back everything to normal.

Answer:

Alaykum Salam,

She may take Shahada and elope with you if you are able to support her and give her a new life and safety from any harm from relatives. You should have married her a long time ago but if you are not ready for that then you should move on. Allah is a better Protector.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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Asking through Wasilah

Question:

Asssalamualaykum,

I’ve met someone who intends to marry me. He generally has good deen and character, however he and his family don’t believe in wasilah, and are not mureeds. They believe we can ask directly from Allah ta’ala.

Am I responsible for trying to influence his thinking?

My understanding is that the husband should be the leader of the home, how can that be if I will be the one teaching him certain important aspects and not vice versa? Especially in raising children, I hope for a husband to be at least knowledgeable and practicing of things as wasilah.

What can be said to him to redirect his understanding of visiting Auliya Allah and asking through them and not to them. Should I continue speaking with him with intention of marriage?

Shukran

Answer:

Alaykum Salam,

Fundamental differences, even if they can be discussed intellectually, nevertheless are not the ingredients of a good match, especially in light of your and your family’s strong beliefs on this point. For example if one is a tariqa person and their prospective spouse is anti-tariqa it will create difficulties even if everyone is willing to discuss matters very reasonably; because a successful marriage requires more than just reasonable logic and mutual education, it involves an effective or emotional harmony of hearts even on marginal matters sometimes, not to mention doctrinal ones.
Perhaps you will see reasons to go ahead and build up the relationship if there is hope of spiritual growth; but if not, then you are not responsible to guide others when they do not depend on you.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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Japanese doll and knotted thread

Question:

As-Salaamu alaikyum wr,

My mother has an old Japanese doll which she was given whilst in Japan. I have been pointing out that it is a negative thing to have in the house for a while, which has caused heavy contentions. She agreed to move it after about a year and she now keeps it in her bedroom. When she moved it, a person from Japan got in touch out of the blue. I have a mind to break it, as I believe it is a very negative thing that is bringing evil. What should I do?

Also, I stayed in India for some years. Mawlana Shaiykh Hisham mentioned the man was an honourable person as he was sayyid. As a taweez followers wore a black knotted thread which he or someone else blew on. Should I burn it and pictures I have?

Requesting Mawlana’s Prayers
Thank you,

Ma Salaama.

Answer:

Alaykum Salam,

Quit what causes doubts and misgivings and cling to what brings peace of mind. If in doubt destroy it by burning it and burying it or throwing it into a river.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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Prayer Request: Protection against rape and other evils

Request:

Asalam alaikum,

I want to know apart from Ayat ul Kursi, is there any other dua or verses Mawlana Hisham would recommend to keep ourselves (women) safe from rape? Today women are being raped on the streets and I request this dua/verse to be read so all my sisters can benefit through it.

Can you please make dua for me as there are 3 people in my office who keep staring at me.

Secondly, I keep getting dreams of numbers 21, 22 and 9. They pertain to Surah Anbiya, Hajj and Tawbah. I read istigfar everyday even before getting these dreams- what is the meaning of those numbers? I’m confused.

Response:

Alaykum Salam,

Read Surat Yasin every morning and Surat Tabarak every evening for protection. Find another job if you suspect co-workers of plotting such evil.

The numbers refer to Surat Tawba verses 21-22 and it means excellent tidings and husn al-khatima for you in sha Allah.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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