Is Allah not always there?

Question:

Can you explain why Islamic clerics state that certain prayer times are more important than others? Is God not always available? I always think about how we are told all these things and what is true. Is intention not important. At times I think and thank Allah, but do not offer salat. I think I want to be REAL as opposed to pretend or just pray with an empty heart just to show off to other Muslims. Anyways, where does it say that one prayer is more important then the others? This makes no sense and I doubt God with his infinite wisdom limits his grace, his love, and his mercy. Where are such thoughts coming from?

Answer:

Offer salat alone if you prefer but you need to offer salat. Humble constancy in obeying our Prophet (upon him blessings and peace) is the best guarantee here and hereafter.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

Posted in Salat - Prayer | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Is Allah not always there?

Dream: Long hair, Durood Shareef

Dream:

Salaam,

I have had some dreams in the past where I have seen myself with long hair around the length of a long zulf, in one of the dreams I was stroking and enjoying playing with it. Also on many occasions I have dreamt that I was in some sort of difficulty, sometimes like I was dying but then I would start praying durood shareef and I would feel at peace. Also, once I had a dream that I got out of bed and walked out of my bedroom and it was if a shadow hugged me, I felt a sense of comfort. I had this dream when I was spending a lot of time thinking of death and was worried about the trials of the grave.
JazakAllah Khair.

Interpretation:

wa `alaykum salam,

1) Thick and long hair in a dream also can be interpreted as having many children, or it could represent fear of wrongdoing,

2) Darood Shareef is the solution and prevention for all kinds of difficulties and results in endless favors for the reciter in this life and the next.

3) This is good tidings from the spiritual world, indicating that your way of thinking is protection for what happens in the grave. Continue that kind of meditation.

Taher Siddiqui

Posted in Dream Interpretation | Comments Off on Dream: Long hair, Durood Shareef

Dream: Dogs and robber

Dream:

Salaam,

My sister had a dream about me, that I had 2 black dogs running in front of me and a robber dressed in black chasing me from behind. What does this mean? JazakAllah.

Interpretation:

Audhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim
Bismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm:

Wa alaykumusalaam,

This dream can mean that you have to check your friends (2 dogs) who are not going to stand up for you.

And Allah knows best.

Yassir Chadly

Posted in Dream Interpretation | Comments Off on Dream: Dogs and robber

Were the Ancestors of the Prophet (s) Believers?

Question:

Were the ancestors of the Prophet (s) believers?

Answer:

Out of adab towards The Best of Creation, sall-Allahu `alayhi wa sallam, we are under obligation, as Ahl as-Sunnah wa ‘l-Jama`ah, and as those striving to be lovers of Sayyidina Muhammad (s), in any way possible, through the ijtihad of the scholars, to show that not only were the parents of the Prophet (s) muwahidoon (believing in Allah Alone as Creator and the sole object of worship), in Paradise with him, but so were all of his ancestors all the way to Sayyidina Adam (as).

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, in his Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine states:

“the majority of the scholars is that the Prophet’s parents are of the dwellers of Paradise as Ahl al-Fitra, the People of Primordial State.” and he cites Imam Suyuti’s statement, “The majority of the scholars have agreed to the preceding, namely that the Prophet’s parents are in Paradise…”

Shaykh Hisham then cites Imam Razi, in Asrar al-tanzil that some scholars have said that Azar [who debates with Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) regarding idols] was not Ibrahim’s father but his uncle because, among other proofs, the parents of prophets are not unbelievers. Proving the latter, is the verse:

الَّذِي يَرَاكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ وَتَقَلُّبَكَ فِي السَّاجِدِينَ

{[Your Lord] Who sees you when you stand, and your turning (taqallubak) among those who prostrate themselves} (26:218-219),

i.e. your descent through the loins of your ancestors, who are called: worshippers.

Imam Razi continues:

And what proves that the Prophet’s parents were not idolaters is his saying:

لم أزل أنقل من أصلاب الطاهرين إلى أرحام الطاهرات

“I was carried from the loins of the pure men into the wombs of the pure women” Therefore it is necessary that none of his ancestors be a mushrik. [end of cite of Imam Razi]

In addition, to claim that they are in hellfire contradicts the Qur’an since they both died before the Prophet’s mission and therefore are from Ahl al-Fatra [the People of the Prophetless Era]:

وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولاً

{nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent an apostle (to give warning).}(al- Najm, 17:15)

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani then states:

I remind you of his status as the Imam of Ahl al-Sunna among his contemporaries, the principal upholder of belief against the various sects of innovators, the one who defended the truth of the Ash`ari creed in his time, and the Mujaddid (renewer) of this Umma in the sixth century.

While those of other creeds may adopt another stance, based on their proofs, out of adab, we seek the most appropriate proof from our greatest `ulama, and we don’t debate with the opposers about this topic, for their deplorable statements would only harm our Prophet (s) and themselves.

Taher Siddiqui

Posted in Belief & Doctrine | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Were the Ancestors of the Prophet (s) Believers?

Modeling Islamic Wear

Question:

Dear Eshaykh,

Is it permissible for a covered woman to model for hijab/abaya (100% covered & loose clothings) photo shoots on Islamic magazines or shops selling Islamic wear with the intention of promoting and attracting other women to cover up and making them see that covering up is more beautiful?

Answer:

It is absolutely permissible to propagate halal and modern dress for Muslim women.

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

Posted in Halal & Haram, Women's Issues | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Modeling Islamic Wear

Regarding Aqiqa

Question:

Assalamo Alaikum,

We all know that we ordinary Muslims can consume the meat of an animal slaughtered for aqiqa. But can Sayyad, the descendant or progeny of Prophet Muhammad sallalaho alaihi wasallam consume the same? I have heard that the aqiqa meat is a sadaqa of a child to relieve the child from suffering and the sayyads cannot take or consume sadaqa. Is it correct?

Thank you for your answer.

May Allah subhanuwataala guide us in the right path.

[private]

Answer:

Wa`alaykumussalam,

It is permitted for Ahl al-Bayt to consume, as ‘Aqiqah is not sadaqah.

Abdul Shakur

Posted in Halal & Haram | Comments Off on Regarding Aqiqa

Bayat

Question:

As salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

I wanted to ask permission to be a servant to help others to make Bayat with sheikh Nazim al Haqqani.

I can carry out the bayat to others? I heartily wish it could be, as many people come to me for help …

Thanks for your reply …
With all my heart,

Answer:

wa `alaykum salam, wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Yes, you may call people to Naqshbandi-Haqqani Tariqat and to make baya` online.

Let us know your location and contact information.

Taher Siddiqui

Posted in Permission | Comments Off on Bayat

Dream: Black Snake

Dream:

Assalamu Alaikum,

I have been separated recently from my husband and things have been a a bit uneasy.

In my dream, I was next to a snake. The head was black and the body was green. I was fascinated by it’s colour it was beautiful. The snake hated my presence and started following me around I was scared and tried to hide from it but it found me and bit my right hand.

Interpretation:

Audhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim
Bismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm:

Wa alaykumu’s’Salaam,

This dream can mean that an enemy wanted to take advantage of your situation. Block him by doing the dikr of “Wa ufawwidu amri ila Allah inn-Allaha baseerun bil-`ibad” at least 300 times a day.

And Allah (swt) knows best.

Yassir Chadly

Posted in Dream Interpretation | Comments Off on Dream: Black Snake

Dream: Scary looking man

Dream:

My friend saw a dream in which he was sitting in his house. Suddenly a cage came around him and a crocodile tried to attack him but he was saved because of that cage then he attacked that crocodile with an axe and because of that that crocodile turned into a man man started torturing his fiancé and her sister. His beard of made of snakes when he asked who he was he said I am god, then he and his fiancé’s father tried to stop that man but he ran away and he disappeared suddenly two pictures came & on first one it was written “MUHAMMAD” and second one “Allah”.

Interpretation:

Audhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim
Bismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm:

It could be a Shaytan inspired dream, or a dream which shows that something which your friend idealizes is the cause of hardship in his family. It could be something like seeking worldly wealth without giving regard to other things in life.

Allah knows best,

Ali Elsayed

Posted in Dream Interpretation | Comments Off on Dream: Scary looking man

Dream: Gold Eyes

Dream:

I am nearly 9 months pregnant and I had a dream, in the dream I was holding a baby boy with bright gold eyes. I  felt the baby was mine but felt scared in the dream. Please, can you tell me what this means. Jazak-Allah.

Interpretation:

Audhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim
Bismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm:

This dream can mean that you have fear that the baby may not have normal eyes. Do the dikr of “Hasbunal’lahu wa nimal wakeel” at least 300 times a day, Insh’Allah you will have a beautiful baby with no fear.

And Allah (swt) knows best.

Yassir Chadly

Posted in Dream Interpretation | Comments Off on Dream: Gold Eyes