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The Birth of the Prophet Mohammad: Glad Tidings for a New Beginning
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 18-10-2021

The Birth of the Prophet Mohammad: Glad Tidings for a New Beginning

 

 

The birth of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) wasn`t a mere casual passing event in history. Rather, it was a great occasion that led to the rise of the best nation produced for mankind promoting righteousness, establishing the foundations of what is true, enjoining good and forbidding evil. When he was born, the whole earth was illuminated with the light of Prophecy after it was dominated by the darkness of ignorance and polluted with sins. Allah the Almighty sent down the Quran to remove doubt and polytheism and save people from the darkness of disbelief to the light of belief paving the way for a new ray of hope for every misguided or bewildered individual. His mother saw light coming out of her while delivering him. Whoever followed his guidance and Sunnah is guided to the straight path. Allah Says (What means): "O people of the Book! There hath come to you our Messenger, revealing to you much that ye used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (that is now unnecessary). There hath come to you from Allah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book,- Wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness, by His will, unto the light,- guideth them to a path that is straight." [Al-Mai`dah/15-16]. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: "I`m the seal of the Prophets, the call of Ibrahim, the glad tidings given by Isa (Jesus), and upon delivering me, my mother saw light coming out of her illuminating the palaces of Sham (Syria)." [Musnad Ahmad].

 

Judge Eyaad said: "Among the wonders related to his birth is that he was born with his head held high and his eyesight fixed towards heaven." [Ash-Shifaa].

 

The glad tidings of his birth are a sign for change on universal level as the born isn`t like anyone else; he is the best of creation. He is the one who will be capable of changing historical events and steering the wheel of humanity. His destiny was in tune with the greatness of the responsibility placed on his shoulders. His birth has a announced the start of a new chapter in human history. According to religious tradition, on the night of the Prophet Mohammad`s birth, the Taq Kasra shook and its walls cracked, the fire that the Persians worshipped and kept burning continuously for a thousand years went out, and Lake Saawah dried up.

 

It is Allah`s Wisdom that he sent Mohammad (PBUH) to guide the people to the straight path, whereas He, The Most Exalted Said (What means): "Say: "I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your God is one God: whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner." [Al-Kahf/110]. He (PBUH) was known as Al-Sadiq (the Truthful) and Al-Amin (the Faithful). Allah described him in the following verse, as it Says (What means): "Now hath come unto you an Apostle from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that ye should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful." [At-Tawbah/128]. Allah also Praised creating him where He Said (What means): "And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character." [Al-Qalam/4]. He is the best of creation, the seal of Prophets and Messengers, the Chief of the children of Adam till the Day of Judgment, and the leader of those whose faces are bright and limbs are white because of Wudu`. As reflected in Hadiths, he was a man tantamount to a nation.

 

His birth anniversary is a beacon of hope enabling every Muslim to come closer to Allah. A window for a brighter and more promising future. Just as the Muslim nation was able to advance by virtue of his birth, it is able today to relieve itself from the burdens of ignorance and fanaticism. This is particularly since his teachings are carved in the hearts of Muslims and the Glorious Quran guides to all that is good.

 

This anniversary reminds us of our duty to make him known to others, defend him, show his morals and noble attributes, and follow his Sunnah. This will enable the Muslim nation to assume its leading role amongst the nations; just as Allah wanted. He The Almighty Says (What means): "Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God." [Al-Imran/ 110]. 

 

Celebrating his birth anniversary is an integral part of faith and acquainting others with his morals and attributes, and this is part of enjoining good and forbidding evil. This anniversary should motivate every Muslim to make change for the better, abandon sins, and draw closer to Allah with acts of obedience following the example of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH): "the best human being and leader. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "Verily Allah granted eminence to Kinana from amongst the descendants of Isma'il, and he granted eminence to the Quraish amongst Kinana, and he granted eminence to Banu Hashim amonsgst the Quraish, and he granted me eminence from the tribe of Banu Hashim." [Moslim].  And all praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

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.

If a woman becomes pure from menstruation shortly after Fajr in Ramadan, what is required of her?

If a woman becomes pure (from menstrual period) after Fajr, even shortly after, it is recommended (but not obligatory) for her to refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day. However, she must make up for that day after Ramadan.
She will be rewarded for both refraining from eating (imsak) and making up the fast (qada) since she was menstruating for part of the day.

What are the conditions governing the portion that must be distributed to the poor from a voluntary uḍḥiyyah (sacrificial offering)?

 
 
 
 
 
 

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The following conditions apply to the portion distributed to the poor from the sacrificial animal:
First: It must be meat — it isn`t valid to give the poor organs or offal such as the liver.
Second: It must be given raw — cooked meat does not fulfil the requirement.
Third: It must amount to no less than half a kilogram. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on the ablution of one who washes his arms from the wrist to the elbows?

In the school of Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him), washing the arms (hands) is achieved by washing the arms completely, from the fingertips to the elbows. Washing only the palms at the beginning is insufficient, as washing them at the beginning is a Sunnah, but after washing the face, it becomes obligatory (fard). The person performing ablution must wash his palms along with the arms after washing the face. If he does not wash his palms, his ablution is invalid and not correct. And Allah the Almighty knows best.