Important Advice for Sisters Attending Uni & The Niqab

Here are two extremely important answers given by most beloved and dear Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim sahib with regards to the status of Niqab in Islam and the wearing of it in university.

Tafseer Raheemi

Question 1:
Assalamu-alaikum. A teacher of mine is of the opinion that veil/niqaab is optional. He says: this is to cater for those women who want to adopt such professional fields which may involve relating with others e.g. Doctors, dentists a business woman etc hence it is optional. As a result the vast majority of people here do not where veil. Furthermore, whenever i would attempt to speak on the issue of veil and its obligation , i am often attacked with comments such as : you are being fanatical or that is not within hanafi teachings and the face is no part of the awrah . Can you please comment on this?

Answer:

The veil is indeed obligatory in Islam. There is no doubt about it. A verse was revealed about it:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا 59
O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks round them. That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.

The event behind this revelation was when Umar Radhiyallahu Anhu requested the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to order women to wear the veil. This hadith is in Bukhari:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِىِّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – كُنَّ يَخْرُجْنَ بِاللَّيْلِ إِذَا تَبَرَّزْنَ إِلَى الْمَنَاصِعِ – وَهُوَ صَعِيدٌ أَفْيَحُ – فَكَانَ عُمَرُ يَقُولُ لِلنَّبِىِّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – احْجُبْ نِسَاءَكَ . فَلَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – يَفْعَلُ ، فَخَرَجَتْ سَوْدَةُ بِنْتُ زَمْعَةَ زَوْجُ النَّبِىِّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – لَيْلَةً مِنَ اللَّيَالِى عِشَاءً ، وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَةً طَوِيلَةً ، فَنَادَاهَا عُمَرُ أَلاَ قَدْ عَرَفْنَاكِ يَا سَوْدَةُ . حِرْصًا عَلَى أَنْ يَنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ ، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ آيَةَ الْحِجَابِ بخارى – كتاب الوضوء – باب خُرُوجِ النِّسَاءِ إِلَى الْبَرَازِ – حديث 146 – ص 26 ج1 – قديمى كتب خانه

Likewise, there are other verses of the Quran and ahadeeth which show that the veil was to be worn and that all the Sahabiyyaat practised upon it: The women wore it and the men encouraged it. And this practice has been adopted from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam’s era through the centuries until this age. Therefore, this is also classed under Ijmaa’ (the type of evidence where something has been agreed upon by all the learned people).

Even if a command is not given in the Quran, we must still act upon it because Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has commanded so, and Allah has instructed us to obey His messenger’s every command:

قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ آل عمران:31
Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

وَمَا آَتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ الحشر:7
And whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it. And whatsoever he forbiddeth, abstain (from it). And keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is stern in reprisal.

وَحَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِىٍّ الْجَهْضَمِىُّ وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُوسَى الأَنْصَارِىُّ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مَعْنٌ عَنْ مَالِكٍ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ عَمْرَةَ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ إِنْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- لَيُصَلِّى الصُّبْحَ فَيَنْصَرِفُ النِّسَاءُ مُتَلَفِّعَاتٍ بِمُرُوطِهِنَّ مَا يُعْرَفْنَ مِنَ الْغَلَسِ. وَقَالَ الأَنْصَارِىُّ فِى رِوَايَتِهِ مُتَلَفِّفَاتٍ. (مسلم – كتاب المساجد – باب اسْتِحْبَابِ التَّبْكِيرِ بِالصُّبْحِ فِى أَوَّلِ وَقْتِهَا وَهُوَ التَّغْلِيسُ وَبَيَانِ قَدْرِ الْقِرَاءَةِ فِيهَا – حديث 1491)
المتلفعات : مستترات الوجوه والأبدان
المروط : جمع المرط وهو الكساء من صوف وغيره

To say ‘that is not within hanafi teachings’ and other similar comments, disproving what Islam has said is totally wrong. One needs to be very careful in these matters, particularly when refuting what has been said in the Quran as this could lead to one losing his faith in Allah. It is important for us to remain steadfast on deen and endeavour to have faith like that of the Sahabah, who would say:

سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا البقرة:285
We hear, and we obey.

With regards to the face, it is not considered part of the ‘awrah. This is due to the mas’alah of salah, as she is allowed to keep her face and hands up to the wrists open during salah. The rest of her body is awrah and thus if any part of it is exposed the salah will be void.

But this does not mean that it is lawful to expose it in front of non-mahram males. To put it in an easier perspective, according to the laws of our countries the two main private parts and breasts for women are considered to be part of the ‘awrah. But you don’t see women going to work or other public places in a bikini on a daily basis. It is still considered inappropriate and most women would still feel ashamed to expose themselves that much. The reason why the face must be covered is that it is the most handsome and attractive part of the body and as such revealing it could lead to temptation, resulting in adultery.

( وَتُمْنَعُ ) الْمَرْأَةُ الشَّابَّةُ ( مِنْ كَشْفِ الْوَجْهِ بَيْنَ رِجَالٍ ) لَا لِأَنَّهُ عَوْرَةٌ بَلْ ( لِخَوْفِ الْفِتْنَةِ ) كَمَسِّهِ وَإِنْ أَمِنَ الشَّهْوَةَ لِأَنَّهُ أَغْلَظُ (الدر المختار)
الشَّرْحُ
قَوْلُهُ وَتُمْنَعُ الْمَرْأَةُ إلَخْ ) أَيْ تُنْهَى عَنْهُ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَوْرَةً ( قَوْلُهُ بَلْ لِخَوْفِ الْفِتْنَةِ ) أَيْ الْفُجُورِ بِهَا قَامُوسٌ أَوْ الشَّهْوَةِ ).
وَالْمَعْنَى تُمْنَعُ مِنْ الْكَشْفِ لِخَوْفِ أَنْ يَرَى الرِّجَالُ وَجْهَهَا فَتَقَعُ الْفِتْنَةُ لِأَنَّهُ مَعَ الْكَشْفِ قَدْ يَقَعُ النَّظَرُ إلَيْهَا بِشَهْوَةٍ رد المحتار

Question 2:
Can you shed some light on the need for our Muslim sisters to go more into the field of higher education in universities, to have Muslim women doctors, midwives, dentists and teachers in all subjects?

Answer:
Jazakallah for your detailed question which I have summarised. Please bear in mind that a lady is a wife and mother first and everything else second. Today we need good wives and mothers who care for their husbands and children fully and reap the rewards from Allah.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam once saw some ladies approaching with children. He said:

حَامِلاَتٌ وَالِدَاتٌ رَحِيمَاتٌ لَوْلاَ مَا يَأْتِينَ إِلَى أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ دَخَلَ مُصَلِّيَاتُهُنَّ الْجَنَّةَ ابن ماجه ،كتاب النكاح، باب فِى الْمَرْأَةِ تُؤْذِى زَوْجَهَا، ص١٤٥، قديمى كتب خانه
“These ladies bear the child, give birth, then have mercy upon the children. If it was not for what they do to their husbands, they would definitely enter Jannah.”

In another hadith he, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:

المرأة إذا صلت خمسها وصامت شهرها وأحصنت فرجها وأطاعت زوجها فلتدخل من أي أبواب الجنة شاءت حلية الاولياء ، الربيع بن صبيح ، ص٣٠٨ ج٦
“When a woman prays five times a day, fasts through the month of Ramadhan, is obedient to her husband and protects her modesty, then she may enter Jannah from whichever gate she wishes.”

Her kingdom is in her house. She should be provided with her basic needs and taken good care of. This is what Shari’ah teaches us. She should never be forced to earn livelihood or be put in a position where she has to do so.

Now, going into a professional field is of personal interest. Whoever wants to pursue a particular career will definitely do so. We would never discourage any individual from entering the field of her interest. There have been professional ladies in the past, they are available today and they will remain in the future.

What we do need to encourage is for them to study while guarding their modesty. There are limits to everything. They should study while holding onto those limits. Alhamdulillah many young women are doing this.

I once went to the University of Toronto, where I saw many girls in their hijab come to the prayer facilities, perform salah, do their Iftar and go back to the lessons.

Once, a girl who was punctual of her niqab sent in a question. Her superiors were extremely kind. They let her wear the niqab while studying medicine. She was a very bright student. When the time came to go on hospital rounds, the professor called her in office and explained, “I don’t mind you wearing niqab. However, all patients are not the same and some may cringe at seeing you in the niqab, so you should consider your position.” She was reluctant from removing the niqab as she had never opened her face in front of a non mahram.

After some consultation with my colleagues, I gave the answer that, when on hospital rounds, she should remove her black niqab and put on a facial mask. This way, her face will be covered and the patients won’t feel bad either.

The conclusion is that ladies should pursue with the course of their interest and stay within the limits. If unable to cover the face with niqab, they should at least avoid heavy make-up and avoid revealing parts of the body and hugging the opposite gender or any other kind of intimate contact with male students.

Explanation of the 12 Imams Hadith

Question:
Jazakallah for the post, plz brother can u answer a very important question i have, do sunni's believe in the 12 imams? from what i know there is a hadith on that on the net but im not sure if we should believe in it or not...

Answer:
Assalamu Alaykum dear reader,

You have asked a very good question. The Hadith you have mentioned with regards to the Twelve Imams does exist. It is a Hadith which is agreed upon and Ahadith upon this particular topic are also recorded in both Bukhari & Muslim.

و عن جابر بن سمرة رضى الله عنه قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يقول لا يزال الإسلام عزيزا إلى اثني عشر خليفة كلهم من قريش (متفق عليه – مشكوة المصابيح - باب مناقب قريش و ذكر القبائل

It is reported by Hazrat Jabir ibn Samurah radiallahu anhu, he states that he heard Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam saying, “The strength of Islam will not diminish until (after) the (emergence) of the Twelve Imams. They all will be from the Quraish.”

I have compiled for you the explanation of this Hadith from Mirqaatul Mafateeh, Sharh at Teebi and Mazaahirul Haqq. However, it is important to know that the article at hand is one which delves deep into the interpretation and explanation of Hadith. The simple answer to your question would be, “Yes, we do believe in the Twelve Imams but not as the Shi’ah do.” However, this answer in itself is one which is far too casual and requires much more commentary.

The reality of this issue is that there are many opinions in relation to its actual meaning and the Ulama have shown their reservation for it. It is evident that the summarised meaning of this hadith is, “After Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam, Twelve Imams will consecutively emerge in whose generation Islam will prosper and gain strength. Due to their existence (in society) Islam will regain its grandeur (magnificence) and power. And this is not to say that those leaders will be firm and obedient on Deen but rather it is to say that their leadership will be one of justice and fairness in matters of authority (i.e. they may be sinful in terms of obedience but in terms of their leadership, they are create fairness in society).”

However, whatever has presented itself so far in history has not bore testament to this. Through the establishing of Khilafat by Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam, Bani Marwaan (this is the name of a tribe) can claim success to the various leaders they produced. They had leaders who lived their lives in such a manner which did not conform to the principles of Deen. In fact, the believers were troubled hugely by their oppressive rule. There is also an authentic Hadith in which Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam has stated, “After me, the manner of a (proper) Khilafat will be established for thirty three years. After this, leadership will be based upon transgression and disobedience.” It is the agreed opinion of all the Ulama that after Khilaafatur Raashidah (which ended thirty three years after the death of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam), the manner of leadership which was undertaken would not be called a Khilaafat but rather it would be called a monarchy or general leadership. And it is due to this that Ulama have interpreted the hadith in different ways. From amongst those opinions is:

1. The term “Twelve Imams” is in reference to those Khulafa (Muslim Leaders) who came after Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam in whose reign the appearance of the Muslims, their transactions, their looking after and their benefits were strengthened. The state of the Muslims was fortified despite some of the leaders being sinful, unfair and unjust. The emergence of this frightful state and detriment came during the leadership of Waleed ibn Yazeed ibn Abdul Malik ibn Marwan. He was the twelfth from the Imams (i.e. the Khulafa who succeeded Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam starting with Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu). He came in to power when his uncle Hisham ibn Abdul Malik passed away. In the beginning of his reign, people were united in supporting Waleed ibn Yazeed and this lasted for four years. However, after four years there was an uprising amongst the people and as a result, Waleed ibn Yazeed was killed. Since that day, Fitnah and Fasad (trials and tribulation) have increased and the firm leadership that was once enjoyed has weakened immensely (there has not been such a strong Khilafat since then.) This opinion has been attributed to Qazi Iyaaz Maliki rahimahullah and Hafiz ibn Hajar Asqalani rahimahullah has also inclined to this explanation. He said, “Out of all the explanations and opinions given in relation to this matter, this opinion (of Qazi Iyaaz) is the most acceptable and most preferred.”

2. The second opinion is that the term “Khalifah” has come for those leaders who are fair, impartial but also pious and righteous. They will be called “Khalifah” due to their praiseworthy nature and they will be people who will erect governments. It can also be said that meaning of this Hadith is not that they will appear one after the other consecutively but rather, they will each come at different times. The point of this Hadith was only to highlight their number, not their order in arrival. It is possible that the Twelve will come any time before Qiyamat. Hazrat Imam Turpushti rahimahullah has said that this opinion is better and more acceptable in light of the Ahadith and explanations given.

3. The third opinion is that that these Twelve Imams are those leaders who will erect their leadership after the time of Imam Mahdi alayhis salam. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam had said whilst talking about the future, “In the final era, those who have correlating lineage with the Quraish will enjoy such peace under the leadership of Twelve individuals (from them) that the Deen will be elevated and Islam will become magnificent.” In another hadith it is related that ‘After the passing away of Imam Mahdi alayhis salam, five individuals will become leaders one after the other. They will be from the offspring of Imam Hassan radiallahu anhu and after they pass, the leadership will come to five individuals from the offspring of Imam Hussain radiallahu anhu. Then the fifth individual from the offspring of Hazrat Hussain radiallahu anhu will give the leadership back to one of the offspring of Hazrat Hassan radiallahu anhu (again). In this manner, the number of Khulafa will reach eleven (one short of the number mentioned in the Hadith). Then, when the eleventh leader has fulfilled his reign as the Khalifah and passed away, his son will be appointed as Khalifah thus completing the number of Imams prophesised by Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. Each one of these Twelve will be just, pious and spiritual leaders by whose justice, popularity and righteousness Islam will gain enormous respect, power and magnificence.’ If this hadith is considered to be authentic, then this explanation will be considered to be a better explanation of the hadith. In another hadith reported by Hazrat ibn Abbas radiallahu anhuma about the characteristics and beauty of Imam Mahdi alayhis salam, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam also stated, “Allah Ta’ala will remove every sadness and distress by his (Imam Mahdi alayhis salam) presence. By him, every door of evil and transgression will be closed. After his era, the leadership will come into the hands of those Twelve individuals who will come one after the other and they will look after the leadership for 150 years.”

4. The fourth opinion is that the Twelve Leaders will be present in one era but in different areas where different people will follow them in different ways. This opinions is strengthened by the Hadith in which Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam said, “That time will soon come after me when there will be many leaders.” The point wanting to be made by Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam is that new trials, disagreements and fights will break out to such an extent that it will result in twelve different leaders emerging in different places (during the same era) and each one will make a claim for leadership. The meaning of the Hadith in discussion could possibly mean be that things will be at peace until the era of these Twelve (scattered) leaders. The Muslims will remain impressively united, organise, fortified, strong and will have much respect however, when the Twelve Imams will appear (all in one era), fights, disagreements, trials and tribulations will spread and the Muslims will become disunited and divided.

The Shi’iah have explained this hadith to mean that the leadership will fall upon the Ahlul Bayt (the Members of the House of Rasulullah alayhimus salatu wat tasleem). Some of these leaders were such that even though they were in reality deserved of being the Khalifah, they were not able to due to some occurrence. According to the Shi’ah the Twelve Imams are: Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Hassan, Hazrat Hussain radiallahu anhum, Hazrat Zaidul Aabideen, Hazrat Muhammad Baaqir, Hazrat Ja’far Sadiq, Hazrat Musa Kaazim, Hazrat Ali Raza, Hazrat Muhammad Naqee, Hazrat Ali Naqee, Hazrat Hussain Askaree and lastly, Hazrat Muhammad Mahdi.

Lastly, I would urge you not to search the internet with matters regarding your faith. Do go to your local scholar in your local Masjid.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Q&A: I am waiting for exam results. Is there anything I can do/pray so that I can get good results?

Source: Tafseer Raheemi

The following question has been taken from the website of Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Sahib. Inshallah this will be of benefit to many people:

Question

Assalamu alaykum,

I have just done my exams and I am waiting for the results. Please Shaykh Moulana Saheb I humbly request you to make dua for me that I get good results. Is there anything I can do/pray so that I can get good results?

Jazakallah. May Allah reward you, your family, your teachers and everyone involved with this website abundantly in this world and in the hereafter…Ameen. You are doing a great job and you have benefited me a lot. May Allah give you the strength to carry on this great work for many years… Ameen

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Read two rak’ats of Salat ul-Hajat everyday until you get your results. I am making dua for you. May Allah give you the highest grades in this world and the loftiest ranks in the hereafter. Ameen.