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- December 23, 2020 10:27 pm Why are the writings of the scholars unread? Address to the students of Madrasas (Islamic institutions)
- July 7, 2020 2:23 pm Questioning your studentship – an address to the students of Al-Salam Institute
- April 20, 2020 5:24 pm Contemporary Issues in Congregational Prayer: Live Broadcasting and Women’s Congregation
- March 24, 2020 8:03 pm Addressing Practical Religious Concerns During the Covid-19 Pandemicntroduction The Covid-19 pandemic has not only posed significant health challenges but has also raised important questions regarding the intersection of religious practices and public health measures. Medical professionals, who are on the frontlines of this crisis, face unique dilemmas that require thoughtful guidance. This article addresses specific concerns raised by Muslim medical practitioners in the UK regarding maintaining religious obligations while ensuring safety during these unprecedented times. 1. Shaving Beards for Effective Use of PPE Q: Some doctor brothers are having issues in hospitals at this critical time. They have been advised to shorten or shave off their beards because face masks do not fit properly and safely with beards, thereby carrying a risk of transmitting the virus to others. Your guidance on this matter will be greatly appreciated. A: First, let me take this opportunity to thank the medical staff in this country for their inspiring dedication to saving lives, even at the risk of their own. The present crisis has placed a terrible burden on their shoulders, and they are carrying it in a way that should motivate the rest of us to be mindful of the needs of others above our own, and to serve those needs to the best of our ability. The doctors, nurses, paramedics, and all the staff in hospitals, care homes, and related services deserve the applause of the whole country. May God bless them all and reward them in the best way. Understanding Emergencies and Religious Obligations Emergencies and compelling necessities are, by definition, different from normal conditions. In normal conditions, Muslims are expected to perform all their religious obligations to the best of their ability and attend to all aspects of their everyday lives. However, during times of emergency and compelling necessity, both religious obligations and everyday duties must be adjusted on a case-by-case basis for the duration of the exceptional circumstances. Once these circumstances end and normal conditions return, religious and everyday obligations revert to their norms. The general principle clarified both in the Qur’an and in the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is to make life easier for people rather than harder, without condoning or indulging in known forbidden actions. The Qur’an and Sunnah encourage tolerance, forgiveness, kindness, and leniency; they aim to give hope rather than provoke despair. This principle applies in normal times and is even more pertinent during emergencies and extreme hardships. Shaving Beards for Health and Safety Maintaining a beard is an emphasized Sunnah in Islam for men; however, it is not mandatory. In times of hardship, one is excused from practicing Sunnahs, even emphasized ones, when it is not possible to do so. In fact, even mandatory obligations (fard) can and should be relaxed in the face of necessity for the duration of that necessity. For example, while traveling, it is permissible to miss Sunnah prayers. An important command of the Qur’an and Sunnah is that we do not knowingly and willfully harm others or ourselves. For instance, if a man’s skin condition is aggravated by wearing cotton or wool, he may (and should) wear silk garments, even though it is normally reprehensible for men to wear such garments. In the current situation, the question is addressing a known and serious risk of harm—the risk of transmitting the virus—both to the health worker and to the patients they are attending. In this case, individual interest and the general public interest converge. Therefore, Muslim health workers who maintain beards for religious reasons should, for religious reasons as well, trim their beards or shave them to ensure that their protective equipment functions effectively. This adjustment safeguards both their health and that of their patients. Once normal times return, they are encouraged to grow their beards as they prefer. 2. Combining Prayers Due to Continuous Work Q: Sometimes doctors are so continuously busy that they cannot pray on time. In this situation, can they combine the prayers? A: This question is even more straightforward. In situations of war and other similar emergencies, it is permissible to combine prayers, specifically Zuhr and ‘Asr, as well as Maghrib and ‘Isha’. People are generally aware that combining prayers in this way is permitted during the stress and hardships of traveling. Therefore, it should not be surprising that in life-threatening situations—such as doctors having to perform long procedures or being on duty for hours to handle a stream of emergency cases—Muslims are permitted to combine prayers when necessity dictates. Extending the Permission to Livelihood-Threatening Situations There is an argument that this permission extends to livelihood-threatening situations as well. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, in his work Kitāb al-Ṣalāh found in al-Insāf fī Maʿrifat al-Rājiḥ min al-Khilāf, preferred the view of permitting the combination of prayers for cooks, bakers, and others who feared the loss of their livelihood or the livelihood of others if they did not combine the prayers. This stems from the general human concern that, even when not obvious, the public interest in the work of some people requires leniency and flexibility. This rationale is why, in the UK and other countries during the present time, the nation’s supply drivers are regarded as essential to dealing successfully with the pandemic emergency, as are health workers. Conclusion The Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated adaptations in religious practices to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and the community. Islamic law provides flexibility in exceptional circumstances, prioritizing the removal of harm and the preservation of life. Health workers are encouraged to balance their religious obligations with their professional duties by making necessary adjustments, such as trimming beards and combining prayers, to effectively combat the pandemic while maintaining their faith. These measures embody the principles of compassion, practicality, and trust in God, ensuring that religious practices remain meaningful and respectful even in the face of unprecedented challenges. Footnotes Qur’an 4:59: “O believers […] If you are disputing about something, refer it to God and the Messenger, if you believe in God and the Last Day. That is better and more beneficial in the long run.” Qur’an 4:65: “No! By your Lord, they will not believe until they make you judge in what they disagree about among themselves, then find no resistance within themselves for what you decide, and accept it fully.” Qur’an 53:32: “Truly your Lord is vast in forgiveness; He knows you well from when He produced you from the earth and when you were hidden in the wombs of your mothers, so do not ascribe purity to yourselves; He knows best who is truly wary [of sin].”
Why study the Sirah?
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Non-Muslim Festivals
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Between Hadith and Philosophy
They asked: Clarify for us the real difference between ḥadīth and philosophy. I replied: Success from your Lord has drawn close to you if you are indeed concerned with this question. It is a dangerous but worthy quest…
The Book is Two Books
They asked: The compilations and works of the noble Prophetic ḥadīth from the first century to our day have become numerous, including the Ṣaḥīfah collections of the Companions and Followers…
Mawlana Muhammad Deedat
آج بدهـ (23 ربيع الثانى سنه 1439هـ مطابق 10 جنورى سنه 2018م) كى صبح كو فجر كى نماز كے لئے اٹها اور يه اندوهناكـ خبر ملى كه چند گهنٹے پهلے همارے محترم دوست، عالم با عمل اور انسان صالح مولانا محمد
How Should You Write an Article?
This post has 2 parts to it. First part: What can be considered to be a well-written Article? The answer to that is: 1) The topic of the essay should be clearly and completely defined in your mind and have a specific description.
Who Has Taught You Generosity?
قالوا: ما معنى السماحة؟ قلت: معناه السهولة والدماثة، والأريحية والكرم، وهي خلق في الإنسان أصيل نبيل، يجعل حامله مأنوسًا ميسِّرا للناس أمورهم مع احترام لهم وبذل المعروف لهم، والإنسانُ السمحُ هو الطيب اللين الرقيق، والجواد الفياح، حسن الظن بالورى،
Who Has Taught You Kindness?
قلت: الرفق هو لين الجانب في القول والفعل، والمداراة والتلطف في التعامل، وهو أخو التأني والتثبت، وضده الخرق والعنف، والرفق له صفة سيولة الماء ورقته، يدخل في النفوس مرحَّبًا به ومحتفًى، وبدون عنف أو تقريع، والرفق أيمن نهجا، والعنف أشأم منحى، والرفق
Who Has Taught You Perception?
قلت: النظر هو القياس، وهو الترتيب والترابط بين شيئين أو أمرين، بين معلوم ومجهول، أو بين مفهوم وشبه مفهوم، والنظر الصحيح هو الناشئ من ترتيب صحيح وترابط دقيق بين القضايا
Who Has Taught You the Remembrance of Allah?
قالوا: نسمعك دائمًا تُذكِّرنا بربِّنا عز وجل مسبِّحا له وحامدا، ولائذا به مستغيثا، وترغِّبنا في حبه وطاعته، والعبادة والتأله محرِّضًا إيانا ومشوِّقًا، فكيف نربِّي أنفسنا على هذه الصلة بالله تعالى وننشئها عليها إنشاءًا؟