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Lessons from the Birth Anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 19-11-2018

Lessons from the Birth Anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

 

 

The birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad is very close to the heart of every Muslim. Worldwide, Muslims dwell upon the Prophetic biography praising the Prophet (PBUH) in prose and poetry, sending prayers upon him and giving food in celebration.

 

His birth (Mawlid) teaches us that calling people to the way of Allah requires patience and is never a walk in the park. When a person undertakes this sacred task, he should expect aggression from the stupid and mockery from the common. He could even be attacked by the closest of kin. This is the situation that was experienced by the Prophets (PBUT) including Mohammad (PBUH). In simple terms, this is the legacy of Prophethood, and whoever continues this mission will have a taste of it.

 

We also learn that good morality has a great impact on people`s acceptance of this call and this is why the Prophet (PBUH) had the best of morals: merciful, lenient, kind, loving, pious, generous, truthful and honest. People loved him for these beautiful attributes and thus entered into Allah`s religion in crowds. In light of this occasion, the lesson that we should learn is that good morality for the one calling to the way of Allah is like the capital for the trader: once that capital is lost, the trade is rendered stagnant.

 

Moreover, such a person should have one face, be it with his household or society since, nowadays; we can notice that many people have two faces. This double personality wasn`t part of our Prophet`s morals and thus it doesn`t befit those who are entrusted with continuing his message. Accordingly, a caller to the way of Allah must have one face everywhere and at all times.

 

Further, we realize that this call entails the exertion of time, effort and wealth on the part of the caller and this is one of the best types of Jihad as calling to the way of Allah and guiding people to the right path become his one and only concern. By this, he alienates his ego and absorbs others because he means to guide them and achieve what`s best for them. 

 

In addition, we learn that companionship is of key importance, because a person is known by the company he keeps. If his companions are evil, he will be as such, but if they are good, he will be as such too. Accordingly, one should be extra careful when choosing his company, because, obviously, it has a direct effect on the life of the individuals as well as the society. When the Prophet (PBUH) wanted to build the nation of Islam, he was keen on choosing the company that was fit for that mission, and they did succeed in achieving that.

 

The Prophet`s birth isn`t a mere anniversary; rather, it is a lesson from his biography that we remind ourselves with so that it remains present in our minds. It is similar to a lighthouse that guides one though the pitch-black nights. The Prophet (PBUH) is our role model and the lantern of the truthful callers to Allah.

 

Celebrating this anniversary stresses the tight bond between the Muslim nation and its leader Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Year after year, we renew our pledge of loyalty to this honorable Prophet (PBUH) and pray that Allah, The Almighty, gathers us with him on the Day of Resurrection, Amen to that.

 

 

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on performing prayer on the upper floors of al-Masjid al-Ḥarām?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Facing the actual structure of the Ka‘bah (‘ayn al-Ka‘bah) is one of the conditions for the validity of the prayer. The scholars have clarified what is meant by "the actual structure of the Ka‘bah."
Imam ash-Sharwānī (raḥimahullāh) said: "What is meant by its ‘ayn (actual structure) is its physical body, or the airspace directly aligned with it — if the person praying is not inside it. But if he is inside it, then the airspace alone does not suffice; rather, the actual physical structure must be faced, such that even if he faces a projecting part of it measuring roughly two-thirds of a dhirā‘ (cubit) or more, this would be sufficient." [Ḥāshiyat ash-Sharwānī ‘alā Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj, Vol.1/P.484]
Sheikh al-Qulyūbī (raḥimahullāh) said: "Unlike one who prays outside it — i.e., outside the Ka‘bah — for him the airspace (directly above it) suffices, even if he is higher than it, or even if he is at the location where it (hypothetically) has been demolished." [Ḥāshiyat al-Qulyūbī ‘alā Sharḥ al-Minhāj,  Vol.1/P.154]
Accordingly, the prayer is valid on the upper floors of al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, even though these floors are higher than the roof of the Ka‘bah itself. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

If the menses lasted for over than 9 to 10 days, considered menstruation?

If the duration of the bleeding does not exceed fifteen days, it is all considered menstruation, even if the usual pattern changes.

What are the legal and religious consequences for a charitable organization in the event that a sacrificial animal is damaged or spoiled after slaughter?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
Charitable organizations entrusted with slaughtering sacrificial animals (uḍḥiyyah) and distributing their meat on behalf of their owners are obligated to safeguard the meat from spoilage, damage, theft, and any other harm. This is because such organizations act as agents (wukalā') on behalf of those offering the sacrifice, and an agent holds what is entrusted to them in trust (amānah) — whether they receive a wage for their work or act on a voluntary basis.
If the sacrificial animal is damaged after slaughter during the processes of packaging, transportation, or storage due to negligence or oversight — whether on the part of the organization's own staff overseeing the operation, or on the part of third parties contracted by the organization such as transport or shipping companies — then liability falls upon the negligent party, who is required to compensate for the value of the sacrifice. It is not permissible to cover such compensation from the organization's other donor funds.
However, if the damage to the sacrificial animal occurs without any negligence in its preservation and storage on the part of any party involved in the transportation, shipping, or storage process, and is instead attributable to force majeure circumstances beyond their control, then no financial liability is borne by any party in such a case. And Allah Almighty knows best.

A man wishes to offer more than one uḍḥiyah (sacrificial offering), and intends by these sacrifices "on behalf of everyone whom Allah and His Messenger love." Is this intention valid?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The uḍḥiyah (sacrificial offering) is not valid with this intention, because if the sacrificial animal is from sheep or goats, it suffices for one person only; and if it is from cattle or camels, it suffices for seven persons.
However, one may sacrifice it on his own behalf, and then gift the equivalent of its reward to whomever he wishes.
Imam ar-Ramlī (raḥimahullāh) says: "Ash-Shāfi‘ī (raḍiyallāhu ‘anh) said: It is within the vastness of Allah's bounty, the Exalted, that He rewards the one giving charity as well. From this, the scholars of the madhhab said: it is recommended for a person to intend the charity on behalf of his parents, for example — for Allah, the Exalted, will reward them, without this diminishing his own reward in any way." He then relates, as the relied-upon position, the permissibility of saying: "O Allah, convey the reward of what I have recited specifically to so-and-so, and to the Muslims generally." Az-Zarkashī said: "For reward varies in degree — its highest form is what one designates specifically, and its lowest form is what one dedicates generally [alongside others]." [End of quote from Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj]. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.