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Birth of the Awaited Prophet
Author : Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassnat
Date Added : 18-10-2021

Birth of the Awaited Prophet

 

The birth of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) was exceptional in the sense that all humanity awaited it. Jews as well as Christians were awaiting that moment with all their hearts. They even knew that he was coming. The moment he was born, the whole universe was illuminated and peace and tranquility prevailed. This sign, led the People of the Book to know that the awaited Prophet was born.

 

The Jews came to Medina before the Prophet (PBUH) was sent with the Message of Islam, because they knew that it is the place where the awaited Prophet will appear. They even threatened the Arabs that they and the awaited Prophet of the end-time will kill them. Abu Na`im reported in [Dala`il An-Nobowah] that Abi Namlah said: "The Jews of Banu Qurayza mentioned Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in their books and taught their children his name, attributes, and migration to Medina. 

 

However, when he appeared they became envious, transgressed and met him with denial. Before he was sent with the Message of Islam, they sought his intercession and turned to him for help against the pagan Arabs. It is stated in Sirat Ibn Hisham: "The Jews said: "A Prophet will be sent now and we will follow him and kill you like the people of "Aad" and "Aram." Since the Prophet (Peace be upon him) descended from the clan of Quraysh, the Jews refused to believe in him." Allah Says (What means): "When there comes to them that which they (should) have recognized, they refuse to believe in it but the curse of God is on those without Faith. Miserable is the price, for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny (the revelation) which God has sent down, in insolent envy that God of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases: Thus have they drawn on themselves Wrath upon Wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith." [Al-Baqarah/89-90].

 

Similarly, the Christians were awaiting the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). As reported by Abu Na`im in [Dala`il An-Nobowah], Qis Bin Sa`idah stood one day in Makkah and said: "A man from the lineage of Lu`ai Bin Ghalib will be sent to you and he will teach you to worship one God. Should I live to see that, I would be the first to believe in him…" Amongst the Christians who awaited for his arrival of is Waraqah Bin Nawfal who followed the religion of Abraham.

 

Waraqa gave the Prophet (Peace be upon him) the glad tidings that he (PBUH) is the Prophet of the end-time. When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) returned from the Cave of Hira` trembling, Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) called Waraqa to hear what happened with the Prophet (PBUH). Waraqa asked: "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Messenger (PBUH) described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said: "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) asked:  "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly."

 

He (PBUH) was born under Allah`s Care. His father died when his mother was pregnant with him and she died when he was an infant. Having lost both his father and mother made him draw closer to Allah and being taken care of and raised by Him The Almighty. Allah Says (What means): "Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)? And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance. And He found thee in need, and made thee independent." [Ad-Duhah/6-8]. The Messenger of Allah said: "My Lord has taught me good manners."

 

Having taken care of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) means having taken care of his nation. Allah has honored this nation with being Mohammad`s (PBUH). It is the best nation produced (as an example) for humankind. A nation of truth, mercy, and guidance to all humanity. A nation that didn`t tolerate transgression and injustice. A nation whose roots extended from the east to the west, as reflected in the remnants of its glorious civilization. Today, we are in dire need to revive the concepts of mercy and guidance with which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was sent. This is to be considered worthy of him and his birth becomes truly the birth of a nation. And all praise be to The Lord of The Worlds. 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on water present on the floor of a toilet/bathroom?

The default ruling is the purity of this water present on the bathroom floor. If one is certain or strongly suspects its impurity, then one washes whatever part of the body or clothing this impure water has touched. If one doubts its impurity, the default is purity, and we do not rule it impure based on mere doubt. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) on behalf of a deceased person is permissible. This is the official position of the Hanbali school (as stated in Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti,Vol.6/P.428) and was also upheld by the prominent Shafi'i scholar Al-’Abbadi (mentioned in Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah,Vol. 4/P.358). It has likewise been narrated as a valid view among some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
In fact, Imam Abu Dawud dedicated an entire chapter in his Sunan collection entitled, "Chapter on Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased." In it, he recorded a narration from Hanash, who said: "I saw 'Ali sacrificing two rams, so I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me to offer a sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Imam Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You, for You, and on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah (community). In the Name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," and he then slaughtered the animal.
 
The textual evidence here lies in the fact that our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), offered a sacrifice on behalf of his entire community—and it is well-established that his community includes those who have already passed away.
 
Furthermore, there is an abundance of sacred texts demonstrating that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. For instance, it is permissible to fast on behalf of a deceased person who passed away with missed obligatory fasts, and it is equally permissible to perform Hajj on their behalf, both of which are firmly established in authentic Hadiths. Therefore, if the reward of fasting (which is a purely physical act of worship) and Hajj (which is a joint physical and financial act of worship) can reach the deceased, then the reward of an Udhiyah reaches them with greater reason (by way of A Fortiori argument). This is because it is a purely financial act of worship, falling under the general category of charity (Sadaqah).
 
Additionally, scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charity reach the deceased, and since the Udhiyah is inherently an act of charity, it falls under the same ruling. Consequently, based on all the aforementioned evidence, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is entirely permissible. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible to slaughter sacrificial animals in public squares and streets?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The slaughtering of sacrificial animals (udhiyah) should take place in locations designated for slaughter, such as abattoirs (slaughterhouses), or in sites allocated by the relevant authorities for this purpose.
 
It is not permissible to perform slaughtering in a random or haphazard manner—such as in public squares, on roadsides, or in front of houses—in a way that creates health hazards, causes public nuisance, or endangers public safety. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the semi-circular structure attached to the Holy Kabah?

The semi-circular structure attached to the Holy Kabah is Hijr Al-Kabah (is a low wall originally part of the Kabah) and passing behind it is an obligation while making Tawaf because it is a part of the Holy Kabah. And Allah Knows Best.