Letters to the Editor

Q. I am a new reader and I think YMD is great. In fact, I was looking for something of this kind where I can get my problems solved. I have a question where I am confused. What is Shirk? Please define it in the best possible way, and provide me with a list of this kind of sin.

Hussain,
Calcutta-14

YMD

Herewith a short list of Shirk.

Definition: Shirk is to ascribe partners to ALLAH (swt) or to worship others with Him. The various ways by which most people indulge in this unforgivable sin are given below:

a) To believe that there are more than one gods,
b) To believe that someone has a share in Allah’s divinity,
c) To believe that anyone has a share in Allah’s Qualities,
d) To prostrate oneself/ bow down before any other than Allah (swt),
e) To call upon pious persons, saints or prophets for help,
f) To love anybody more than Allah (swt),
g) To think that those pious persons who have passed away, can act as mediators,
h) Sacrificing an animal for other than Allah (swt),
i) Consulting palmists,
j) Swearing by other than Allah (swt) and
k) To think that other than Allah (swt) can give a better law.

Q. In your recent issue you have answered to one of the questions asked by a lady. She claims that her parents-in-law are bida’tis. Through your media I would like to ask her a few questions:

YMD

Since she has not allowed us, we cannot disturb her privacy. Now few questions to yourself:

Q. Why are you jumping to conclusions that reading of books on virtues of prayer is responsible for practicing bida’at?

YMD

We have not stated that.

Q. Is there any feedback from the people who have followed your suggestions? Results? What is the time frame?

YMD

Interesting question.

Q. Which is your group? Do you not belong to any group? Or your group is a collected few? Then you are saved, you will not be questioned for the mis-deeds of your group members.

YMD

We couldn’t make out what you are trying to say.

Q. Are your answers authenticated by patrons like Moulana Qazi Mujahidul Islam, Moulana Abdul Kareem Parekh, Moulana Rifai Nadvi? If yes, ask them whether tajassus is not haraam. In your recent answers, you have written that people who give sermons, wear lengthy pajamas in their private lives. Is this not tajassus?

YMD

It is not. Further, we didn’t say pyjamas. We said pantaloons.

Q. I am a reader of YMD since the time when it cost 25 paise. I am hurt and I felt I should respond.

Ahamed Sharif,
Bangalore

YMD

It is not clear what it was that hurt you.

Q. Please answer as soon as possible: can a husband say three times talaq to his wife for any silly reason, and thereafter they are no more husband and wife?

eNajm
On Email

YMD

For a thorough understanding, this question will require a long answer. That we shall do some time in future, Allah  (swt) willing. In the meantime, let us ask you: What do you mean by pronunciation of divorce for any “silly reason?” Can you walk into the school principal’s room and tell him, “I want you to strike off my son’s name from the registers?” And then go back the next day and say, “Well, I didn’t mean it.” What do you think the principal will think of you? A lunatic?

Or, can your boss tell you in the office that you are fired? And then say after a couple of day, “Well, I was only joking.” Is that acceptable norm of behavior? Or, will you allow your wife to walk off from the house and say while shutting the door, “I am going away to my parents and I am not coming back any more,” and then turn up after two hours and say, “Well. I had just lost my temper; it’s OK now!” Will you allow that? So, what exactly do you mean by saying that the husband pronounces three divorces for “some silly reason?”

Q. I am a regular reader of your magazine. I would be obliged if you can answer my questions: Is it enough if a woman covers herself well, in loose pants and shirts, without wearing a burqa, and without a scarf?

YMD

No scarf, no burqah, no veil? What kind of Hijab that would be? No, that kind of exposure is not allowed in Islam. To follow the rule precisely, to the point, a Muslim woman must cover herself head to foot, including her face.

Q. Is it right for us to chat on the net?

F. A. F,
Hyderabad

YMD

If the chat is with other women, obviously, there is no harm. So also, if it is with someone you can never marry (a mahram), then too it is allowed. In fact, it should be encouraged. Because that keeps blood kin in contact and increases love and understanding.

If the chat is with non-mahram men, then, if the talk is purely intellectual, or, at least informative, then too there is no harm. However, personal identity should not be revealed. After all, why should someone chatting with you over the net be interested in knowing your sex? Or your age? Or whether you are married or not? He is chatting with a mind and a person of certain mental capabilities. Personal details should be of no interest to him. If he insists on knowing your personal details, then he is not interested in your mind and soul. He is interested in other aspects of your personality. Cut him out. Similarly, you should also not ask for personal details. If he gives them without asking, either cut him out, or tell him you are not interested in his physical entity. Also, such chatting should be done through the keyboard. Chatting with a non-mahram through voice, should be avoided.

These conditions will ensure that the conversation will remain purely intellectual, something which Islam appreciates. As for people doting on each other, Islam disapproves of it.

Q. YMD is doing a great job in spreading the message of Islam especially among youngsters. It spreads the light of Islam and enlightens about every school of thought without adhering to any one. Notwithstanding that, YMD does not compromise on any basic or fundamental issue of Islam. May Allah, (swt) the Benefactor reward you for this.

Please do inform us if there is any cable/ satellite channel telecasting programmes about Islam. The Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, and in South Asia, Pakistan, should have taken the lead. Kindly inform and mention addresses so that viewers in Kashmir valley can watch Channels which enrich our knowledge about Islam and benefit mankind.

Nazir Ahmed Wani,
Rangwar Baramulla, 193101.

YMD

We regret we have no idea at all about TV channels. Moreover, TV is one of the worst possible means of education. There is no alternative to books. Allah (swt), sent the Qur’an in the form of a book. He said (2: 2), “This Book, there is no doubt about it: a guidance for the god-fearing.” He said in another place (20: 113), “And that is how We have revealed unto you a Book.”

You see, TV programs are but images, and a mind cannot retain images – not for short, not for long: because of the memory-space required. Just like the computers: to store images you need a big memory and a large space. So, you can store but a few images on the hard disk. Most will have to be stored separately on CDs to be attached in times of need. In a similar manner, the mind has a capacity. It cannot store many images.

Only those TV programs are somewhat beneficial in which someone is delivering a lecture. But, also, you don’t learn much from lectures since – scientifically – lectures cannot be more than 20 minutes long if they have to retain the interests of the listeners. In 20 minutes, half the time is taken off by the starting and ending sentences. So all you get is ten minutes talk worth listening. That means, about two pages of a book. Thus a simple analysis tells you that lectures can give you very little.

There is a saying: There is no short cut to learning. If somebody is serious about learning, and at that, such truths as concerning one’s being, life, about the Creator, the after-world, etc., such major topics which require immense bits of knowledge to come to grips with, then, one has to get a bit serious about it, and devote himself to studies through books with the help of scholars; else, he will remain ignorant all his life.

Q. This refers to a question regarding concentration in the Prayers, in the Oct, 2000 issue. I may add the following: In order to offer your Salah (prayer) with full concentration, one should learn the meaning of whatever is read during the Prayers, i.e., Thana, Surah Fateha and other Surahs.

YMD

This surely plays an important role in what is defined as “Khushu’“. However, how many Arabs are not there who lack concentration?

Q. Secondly, one should be more particular about the “Arkaan” of the Prayers, for e.g., one must be very particular as to where the hands have to be kept, where to look during “Ruku” and “Sajdah.”

YMD

Once again, this refers to Khushu`, but not to concentration. The presence of the heart and mind requires a different sort of exercise.

Q. One of the scholars has said that while offering the Prayers, “I think of the Ka’ba as in front of me, with the Bridge ahead of me, Paradise on my right and Hell on my left. This kind of imagination should also help.

Fareha Aziz,
On Email

YMD

This modified and shortened para is one of those several ways in which concentration in the Prayers can be improved.

Q. I have two questions: why Hazrat Umar Farooq (ra) introduced 20 Rakah of Tarawih? What is its background?

YMD

There have been personalities in early Islam that no one could dare question why they did this or why they did that. ‘Umar was one of them. The Prophet (saws) said, “Had there been a Prophet after me, it would have been ‘Umar.” Unless, a man had a very good reason for questioning what ‘Umar did, by which we mean a good legal reason, he would have been whipped for raising an objection to what ‘Umar did. This applies especially to the number of raka`ah for Taraweeh Prayers. For, in this case, the unanimity of the Companions had been obtained before ‘Umar announced his decision. So, to ask today, “why,” would not be right because that would amount to, firstly, rejecting consensus of the earliest Companions, and secondly to express lack of confidence in the Companions – something that the Shi`ah do.

The background is simple. The Prophet hadn’t instituted Taraweeh Prayers. ‘Umar saw people Praying separately. After two or three years he decided to get it organized: he appointed an Imam, and asked him to do twenty raka`ah. Nobody asked why. Nobody then dare ask why. Indeed, had somebody done that, he would have perhaps got more than whipping.

Q. Can we name our children with word starting with ‘Ghulam’? For example, Ghulam Nabi and Ghulam Qadir?

F. A. Bhat,
Aligarh Muslim University

YMD

In Urdu, and sometimes in Arabic usage also, “Ghulam” stands for a slave. Ghulam Nabi would mean “the slave of the Prophet.” But a believer is the slave of Allah alone. Therefore, such names may not be adopted.

Q. I have a few questions and hope you will clarify them. Can a girl offer Salah during her period?

YMD

No. Isn’t it enough that she should offer when in her clean state?

Q. Is she considered pure during her menstrual cycle?

YMD

Yes, she is quite pure during her menstrual cycle. That is because, menstrual cycle reduces her to an unclean state, but does not render her impure.

Q. Nikah on the phone is becoming common nowadays. The question is, to what extent does Islam permit this or is such type of Nikah lawful according to Islam?

YMD

If certain conditions are met, then, according to the Hanafiyyah, Nikah over the telephone is legal.

Q. Is love marriage allowed in Islam? If yes, during this period there is no purdah between male and female. So how does Islam permit this?

Muhammad. I. Siddiqui,
Hyderabad

YMD

Maybe you have read in this magazine that love marriage is allowed in Islam. By which what was meant is that a couple is in love and wishes to get married. Can they? The answer was, yes, they could. Now, the answer does not go into the question of how it happened that the two fell in love with each other.

But, the definition you have of “love marriage” seems to be different from ours and hence you are confused as to how we allowed such a thing.

Perhaps what you mean is, whether a couple can make an effort at love marriage. In other words, a man wishes to get married. So, he goes about looking for someone he could fall in love with. He goes through a period of hunting, introduction, familiarization, understanding, love and finally marriage.

Well, if this is the definition you have in your mind, then obviously it is disallowed in Islam.

Q.  I am a student of Engineering. I have two questions. My aim was to appear at the test of GRE TOEFL for doing MS. I offered Salah al-Istekhara to know whether I should appear for the test or not. First day, I felt yes; second day, I felt nothing, and third day, the answer said that I should not appear for the test.

But my friend has told me that first I should take decision whether this exam is suitable for me or not. If we cannot judge then we should do Istekhara. I want to know whether my friend’s advice was correct or not. If he is wrong, then which decision of the Istekhara I should follow, the first one or the last one. If my friend is right, then what I should do? Should I cancel the Istekhara and make a new decision?

YMD

Your friend was right. You need to determine if taking the examination will be of some use or not. If it is determined that taking the tests will be beneficial in some way or another, then, there is no need for an Istikhara. That is, if it is determined that taking the test will benefit you in some way, then, all that you have now to do is to balance the costs with the benefits. If, for e.g., it costs 5,000 to take the test, whereas you will retire from service in a couple of months, then perhaps the cost outweighs the benefits – unless then you hope to find another job after retirement. Conversely, there may be various benefits involved. For e.g., the certificate maybe valuable, when you apply for higher studies, or, if you didn’t, when you apply for a job. The employer will know from the number of certificates attached to your application whether you are a lethargic, active or a dynamic person. Further, the tests might force you to study and prepare for them, which will improve your language capabilities (your present letter carried several grammatical errors!). Finally, even if you failed the tests, they will lead you to a proper self-assessment (and not imagine yourself too smart), and secondly, it will add on to your experience, so that you don’t fail another test of another kind. So, in all, you stand to gain. Therefore, there is no need for an istikhara.

Q. Please guide me how to serve Islam through Computer and Information Technology?

Name & address withheld

YMD
This is similar to a carpenter asking: let me know how can I serve Islam through carpentry?

This is a wrong approach that many young men have adopted and are wasting their time in front of the computer.

What happens is, moved by an impulse, they sit before the computer and “begin to offer some kind of service to Islam.” What they do is to enter into a site on the internet and if they like something there, download it and send it across by e-mail to as many as they can. Or, they read something that they dislike, and so immediately send an e-mail to the author protesting over the article or seeking for an explanation.

Some others, the more enterprising, open their own sites, place some material there and invite everyone to visit and comment. There are others who pen down articles of their own, quite ordinary ones, and then send them across for approval and appreciation. In all the above cases, it is enough if they get a single reply. That keeps them happy for several weeks – and, of course busy.

They don’t realize that hardly any service is offered in this manner. In fact, the Ummah does not stand in need of the posting of selections from the Internet (those interested will go after them and pick them up themselves), nor in the banal articles that are sent across through bulk-mail. This is not to deny that there are materials of interest that might be exchanged, or an article (of truly special significance) that can be passed on. But, by and large, the activities of the novices with plenty of time on hand has forced Internet providers to produce software for handling junk mail.

Service, on the other hand, is the other name of sacrifice. Sacrifice in terms of money and efforts. (Time is included by default). If, the time they spend before the computers, was spent in teaching the children the Qur’an, or helping others in their school studies, then that would be some service. Or, they could get together school dropouts, win their confidence by engaging them in sports or other such activities, and gradually work on them to convince them that going back to school is the best thing they could do. Or, they could adopt a family in the slums, visit them regularly, sort out their affairs, help them solve their problems, and instill some moral values. These are efforts that would receive Islamic approval.

Obviously, services of this nature require sacrifices: one’s own money and efforts. But, that’s what service is about.

Yes, there are ways in which one can serve Islam through the Internet. That would be to invite people to Islam through say “chat” programs. But, invitation to Islam is not something everyone can do. One needs to train, study, practice, and learn how to speak and write effectively. That requires lots of preparatory works. Most of all, it requires consistency. If somebody began now, and put himself onto the proper course of study and training, he might be able to say something meaningful only after a couple of years of consistent homework. That doesn’t seem to be a thing of interest for computer literates of today.

By the above remarks we do not wish to discourage, rather call for better preparations.

Q. I am in love with a Christian girl. I convinced her about Islam and she fully agreed. Now she is ready to accept Islam not for my sake but for herself. She is trying to convince her parents and relatives to embrace Islam.

YMD

We cannot understand why is she delaying her acceptance of Islam if she is convinced about it? And, how can she convince others to embrace Islam when she has not done it herself?

Q. After marriage we want to tell this to few people and want to tell them the right path.

YMD

Don’t wait for the marriage. You can tell about your achievements in the field of “call to Islam” even before marriage.

In fact, there is no need at all that you get married to serve Islam. Islam stands strong on grounds of reason, exemplary teachings, and the strength of a true religion. It does not need episodes for people’s conviction.

Q. Am I doing anything wrong in loving that girl if I have good intention to tell them the truth about Jesus Christ (saws)?

YMD

Why should you have to fall in love to speak out the truth about Jesus Christ?

Our opinion is that you must first establish your position. What are you? A preacher, or a lover? If preaching Islam is your main objective, then, obviously, it should not matter if you love someone or someone loves you. As a preacher you do your work to win Allah’s rewards. Love affair is secondary, if it is not deliberately sidelined. But, if you are going through all this to ultimately get married to a girl, then, this is a worldly affair, in which event, if your choice of the girl is right, you will enjoy a trouble-free life. But if wrong, you will be opening a door to evil.

To check on yourself and on your beloved, that is, with regard to your respective intentions, tell her that it is doubtful that you will marry her. See the reaction. If she stops there in her preaching activities, then, of course, the whole thing is a facade to cover up false intentions. In fact, that would be a good test for your own self.

You may note here that we are not saying that either of you should stop preaching Islam. Whatever your other intentions, whether this-worldly or next-worldly, the call to truth should go on. That is the silver lining in what appears to us as a murky affair.

Q. What should I do if my parents don’t agree to our marriage?  Should I cheat that girl who loves Islam and me?

Name and address withheld

YMD

If the girl embraces Islam for Islam’s sake, and if you have preached her Islam for Islam’s sake, why should either of you feel let down if your parents don’t agree to your marriage?  Indeed, both of you should be ready for that situation.

Further, Islam or no Islam, preaching or no preaching, should you marry someone whom your parents do not accept? Is the girl worthy enough to pay the price of your parents’ displeasure? The displeasure might last, and you both may have to lead a lonely life. These are issues that you have to consider.

Q. I have been reading your illustrious and informative magazine for three years. Here, I would like to reveal a fact that before these three years, I was ignorant of Islamic laws. Your magazine has enthused Islamic spirit into me and shown me the right path. Surely, the credit goes to YMD.

YMD

The credit goes to Allah (swt). He is the Guide. YMD was only a means, and an indeterminate one at that. Who knows what other factors did their work? So, thanks to Allah (swt), first and last.

Q. I like a few columns of your magazine especially ‘Question & Answer’ column. I have some questions and hope you will guide me by answering those questions: I have often heard and seen that eunuchs are looked-down and despised by one and all. Are they not creation of Allah (swt)?

YMD

If you begin to blame Islam for everything Muslims do, then you will end up hating your religion just like the non-Muslims do. How can you conclude, following Muslim behavior that these are the Islamic guidelines?

Islam does not look down upon the eunuchs. In fact, the Prophet (saws) has said that if somebody calls another “a eunuch,” he may be given 20 lashes.

Q. Have they been destined to be criticized?

YMD

Contrary to common belief, hermaphrodites are not a sex in between. They are either male or female. If they have a physical problem, they should get themselves treated. Eunuchs are eunuchs in many societies simply because people are ignorant of the treatment available.

As regards their ill-treatment, it is self-earned. They act funny, for profession’s sake. That is, they make money by pretending to be what they are not. If somebody is not impressed and does not throw down some money, they act obscene. How can they earn respect? It is because these people have no self-respect that Imam Zuhri has said that he wouldn’t prefer to pray behind a eunuch.

In fact, that was the reason the Prophet disapproved of them. Once, as he entered into the house of his wife Umm Salamah, he heard a eunuch describing how a woman of a particular tribe walks forward and backward. He was recommending her brother to seek her from the Prophet if she was captured in the battle that was going on. The Prophet told Umm Salamah to never allow such a person to enter into the house again.

Q. I have heard a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saws) that “He (saws) ordered Muslims to settle them outside their locality.” Is this Hadith an authentic one?  If so, why?

YMD

We do not know of a hadith in which he ordered a colony made for eunuchs. Rather, once he saw a man in the mosque who had applied henna to his hands and feet. He enquired who he was. He was told that he was trying to look like a woman: something the Prophet had prohibited. He ordered that he be sent to live in a certain place in the outskirts of Madinah. He was asked if he could not be beheaded. He said, “I have been prohibited that I should kill someone who Prays.”

Q. My maternal aunt was married some years back. After one or two years her husband died in an accident. Now her in-laws force her to leave the house. I have posed this question to many scholars and Moulvis but to no avail. Even they emphasize on her leaving the house. They also tell that Islam tells her to do so. What is your opinion in this regard? She has a baby also. She is uneducated. Her own family members don’t pay any heed to her. What will she do now? How can she earn her livelihood? I am afraid, is not the Islamic law a little difficult here?

Abdul Lateef Rather,
Srinagar

YMD

This is a good case to show what propaganda can achieve. It can pervert the best minds. It can make an apple look like a potato and a potato like an apple. But more. It is so powerful that it can hand down a potato and convince the victim that the thing in his hand is actually an apple.

The fear, all around, in the East and the West, that Islam might spread into the masses is so great, that if the media is unanimous over anything, it is on Islam-bashing. Propaganda against it is a regular theme. As a result, even its protagonists lay blame on Islam where it deserves praise.

Then, there is that perpetual confusion over the status of women. Her status in other religions and social systems has remained as enigmatic as periodic stock market crashes. So, when there is no one around to receive the blame, somehow it is placed at the doors of Islam. A case is made in the court of appeal, the journalist sits as the jury, Islam is tried, proven guilty and condemned. All these things are done in order that Islam should not be given a hearing when it says, “Mankind! God is One.”

As distinct from the Islamic world, the rest of the world is in a muddled situation. Confusion reigns supreme. Homes are shattered. Societies have become a mere conglomeration of individuals: no rights and no dues, but for the taxes paid to the state. The hands of the marriage counselors are full. Social scientists are in disarray. Psychiatrists are going crazy. On the social level, nothing is working well. Islamic laws, in contrast, are revolutionary. For nothing like it preceded it or followed it. But no one should hear about it, and so are under attack as an imaginary enemy that will destroy the social order: as if there is one.

Islam is the only answer to the quagmire in which the world is. It needs study, and not attack.

This month we are devoting the editorial to this issue.