Articles

The Distortion of Islam`s Good Image by Enemies
Author : The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies
Date Added : 08-10-2014

 

The Distortion of The Tolerant Image of Islam`s by Enemies and Extremists

 

Islam is a comprehensive, global, divine religion with which Allah, The Almighty sent our Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) as a mercy to the Worlds and as a savior to humanity from temptation and straying from the right path through propagating what is right and just as well as calling people to follow the way of Allah with wisdom and beautiful preaching; therefore, the Prophet delivered the message of Allah and fulfilled His Trust. As a result, the bright image of Islam was reflected on the whole universe and Muslims started propagating the values of tolerance, justice, and human dignity in adherence to Allah`s injunction, whereas; He The Most Exalted Says in following verse (What means): "God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition." [An-Nahil/90].

Islam has done its part in establishing noble human values that propagate justice, tolerance, and mercy. Similarly, Muslims have done their part in founding human civilization throughout the different stages of history. However, nowadays, we can clearly notice the barbaric campaign, against this religion, which aims at degrading it and distorting its true image. This campaign is orchestrated by enemies and by some Muslims as well.

Enemies have manipulated extremist groups and so, they depicted Islam as their enemy, over distorted its image, and done wrong to its Prophet (PBUH). Consequently, , The Message of Amman-the message of the true Islam- was released in 2004 as a warning against this distortion, and as a denouncement to terrorism regardless of its form, or source, which is embodied in transgressing against human life through killing the innocent and terrorizing the peaceful.

Non-adherence to the righteous path by some doesn`t legitimize stigmatizing Islam and Muslims with extremism and terrorism. It is imperative that scholars, intellectuals, and people of bright minds clarify the true image of Islam as well as its great principles. They must also refute the suspicious matters of the extremists and reflect the true nature of extremism and methods of addressing it since a true Muslim is one who calls to the way of Allah with wisdom and beautiful preaching as He, The Most Exalted Says (What means): "Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." [An-Nahil/125].

We, The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies, stress a number of principles that can`t be manipulated under any circumstance. The most important of these is that any transgression against life, wealth and honor is forbidden since protecting them is among the aims of Islamic Law. Another principle is confirming the maintenance of social peace and security for the Prophet says in this regard: "He who sleeps safely among his people, enjoys good health, owns his daily food is as if he owns the whole world." A third principle is to bring forward the bright image of the moderate Islam, which is free from all aspects of extremism, terrorism and transgression.

Accordingly, we call on all Jordanians to unite steadfastly against calls of violence, extremism, bloodshed, and to be aware of biased rumors, and not to circulate them without considering the consequences and evils which could lead to the destruction of society and undermining its pillars.

We also call on the various means of mass media to carry out their role in portraying the true image of Islam, not to trust rumors, and to solidify the true Islamic values. This is because media shoulders a great responsibility as it represents the conscience of the nation and society. Thus, it is incumbent on those working in this field to do their job responsibly without distortion, counterfeiting, or exaggeration since a word is a dangerous weapon which can be double-edged since once it is true, reliable, and good it leads to goodness and construction, but once it is untrue, unreliable, and corrupt it leads to evil and destruction.

We beseech Allah The Almighty to keep our country safe and secure through the united efforts of its loyal citizens, Amen. And all perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a woman in her menstrual period to recite from the Mus-haf (copy of the Quran ), or to recite by heart?

A menstruating woman is permitted neither to recite nor to touch the Quran according to what Ali Bin Abi Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported about the Prophet (PBUH) who was only held from reciting the Holy Quran by Janabah (Major impurity) [Al-Tirmizi in a sound Hadith]. Although Janabah and menstruation are major impurities, a menstruating woman is permitted to supplicate Allah (Duaa`) and make Zikr (Tasbihat ), even if these involved saying words from the Holy Quran, provided that she does not mean the words for themselves but as a supplication, or Zikr. Moreover, she is rewarded for not reciting the Quran during her menstrual period because she abided by the injunctions of Allah.

What is the correct point at which to raise the hands when standing up for the third rak‘ah (after the middle tashahhud)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Raising the hands while saying the takbīr [when rising for the third rak‘ah] is a recommended sunnah, and omitting it does not affect the validity of the prayer. The proper time for this is after rising from the middle tashahhud, once one has fully stood up.
It is stated in I‘ānat aṭ-Ṭālibīn (Vol.1/P.158): "His statement, 'and rising from the first tashahhud' — meaning, this manner [of raising the hands] is also a sunnah when he rises from the first tashahhud, that is, when he stands upright from it.
Consider [the question]: when precisely does the raising of the hands begin? Is it at the very start of rising from the first tashahhud, or after he has reached the minimum position of rukū‘ [i.e., once fully upright]? The apparent, [correct] view is the latter — even though the outward wording [of the text] might suggest the former — because at the very start of his rising, he is still relying on both hands [to push himself up, and therefore cannot yet raise them]."
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik (p. 53): "If his prayer extends beyond two rak‘ahs, he sits after them in the iftirāsh position, recites the tashahhud, and sends blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ alone, without [mentioning] his family [at this point]. He then stands while saying the takbīr, supporting himself with his hands; and once he has stood upright, he raises them level with his shoulders." And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

In the Sharia-compliant viewing  at a prospective bride (*al-naẓrah al-sharʿiyyah*), is it permissible for the man to see the woman without a veil (*ḥijāb*)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is sunnah for the suitor to see the woman he is seeking to marry within the limits the Sharīʿah permits, namely looking at the face and the hands (palms and backs), based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Look at her, for it is more likely to bring about harmony between you.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhī.
The suitor may also ask one of the women to look at the woman he is seeking to marry. In that case, she is permitted to see of her what she is normally permitted to see, which is not limited to the face and hands, and she then describes these matters to the suitor. It is narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Umm Sulaym to look at a girl, and said: “Smell her breath, and look at her heels.” Narrated by Aḥmad in his Musnad.
It is stated in Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.7/p.192): “For one who cannot easily look, or does not wish to look himself, it is sunnah to send someone who is permitted to look at her, to observe her and describe her to him, even regarding what he himself is not permitted to look at. He thereby gains through the sending what he would not gain through looking. Because of the added need for this, it is excepted from the prohibition of a woman describing another woman to a man.”
The permissibility of looking is conditional upon his resolve to marry her once he is able to, his predominant assumption that his proposal will be accepted, and his assumption that the woman is free of marriage and of a waiting period (ʿiddah). Otherwise, looking is forbidden.
Accordingly, it is not permissible for the suitor to look at anything other than the face and hands. He may ask one of his maḥram women, such as his mother or sister, to see the woman unveiled, and the Sharia-compliant viewing (of a prospective bride) must take place in the presence of one of the woman’s maḥrams. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on offering an Udhiyah on behalf of another with their permission?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible for a person to offer a sacrifice (Udhiyah) on behalf of someone else with their permission, even if the person performing it has not offered a sacrifice for themselves. It is stated in Sharh Manhaj al-Tullab (Vol.5/P.261) by Zakariya al-Ansari: "No one may offer a sacrifice on behalf of another without their permission... as opposed to when permission has been granted." And Allah the Almighty knows best.