Articles

Islam Prohibits Violence and Transgression
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 14-02-2023

 

One of the objectives of Sharia for which the Master of mankind, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), was sent and without which societies and civilizations would go astray is spreading love and mercy among people as well as combating all forms of transgression and vandalism from which Islam is innocent. These cowardly acts tarnish the beautiful image of Islam, twist its objectives and tie violence and vandalism to its compassionate principles.

Pondering upon the evidences from the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah shows the magnitude of the texts that indicate that a human being is honored, forbidden to oppress or violate his faith, life, honor and wealth. Almighty Allah Says {What means}: "We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation." {Al-Isra`/70}.

According to Islam, it is unlawful to frighten a Muslim and spread discord amongst members of society. Narrated Abdur Rahman Ibn Abu Layla:

The Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) told us that they were travelling with the Prophet (PBUH). A man of them slept, and one of them went to the rope, which he had with him. He took it, by which he was frightened. The Prophet (PBUH) said: It is not lawful for a Muslim that he frightens a Muslim." {Abu Dawud}. Abu Huraira reported: Abu'l-Qasim (the kunya of Allah's Messenger, may peace be upon him), said: He who pointed a weapon towards his brother the angels invoke curse upon him even if he is his real brother so long as he does not abandon it (the pointing of weapon towards one's brother Muslim)." {Muslim}. Narrated `Abdullah:

The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (evil doing) and killing him is Kufr (disbelief)." {Bukhari}.

The duty of advising others dictates that we raise the awareness of Muslims everywhere and explain to them the dangers and repercussions of violence in the sense that it breeds hatred and enmity amongst the members of society, sows the seeds of sin and transgression, and prevents achieving security and safety for humanity. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancor: fear Allah. for Allah is strict in punishment." {Al-Ma`idah/2}.

We affirm that violence occurring at the family, university or community levels is an intrusion on our Jordanian Muslim society and Arab-Islamic culture and values stemming from authenticity, compassion and mercy. The only fruit for this violence is damaging and corrupting public and private property, thereby causing harm to citizens and their interests. This is mischief in the land and Allah doesn`t love those who do mischief. He, The Almighty Says {What means}: "But seek, with the (wealth) which God has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as God has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for God loves not those who do mischief." {Al-Qasas/77}. If Allah The Exalted Forbade transgressing against the property of others and prescribed penalties for that in this life and the next, He also Forbade violating properties and public funds, which belong to all members of society, and considered this as an unjust act for society and self since Allah Loves not the unjust.

In this regard, there is a Sharia maxim that states: "There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm." What is the use behind killing, beating or abusing someone? What is the use behind destroying property and disrupting schooling other than spreading evil and corruption in the land? The escalation of violence leads to increasing human and material losses. This is destroying the crops and the cattle and a sinful transgression against the right of society, and the doer of this along with whoever assisted him/her will be held accountable for that on the Day of Resurrection.

Undoubtedly, acts of violence increase tribal dissension about which the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Leave it. For it is something disgusting."{Bukhari}.

We all know that violence spreads discord and boosts rumors, thereby spreading fear, terror and dismay among people leading to the elimination of security, peace and stability. This is in addition to extinguishing the flame of knowledge that our universities, institutions and families spread; consequently, losing our leading role, which Allah Praised us for when He Said (What means): "Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God. If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors." {Al-Imran/110}. " 

This is a call for our blessed society to resort to reason in all its affairs and adhere to the guidance of Islam concerning kindness, mercy and tolerance. It is also a call for all researchers, scholars and preachers to work on remedying this extraneous phenomenon to spread the culture of compassion and tolerance and eliminate all forms of violence.

Oh Allah! Bless this country and the other Muslim countries with safety and security. And all perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds.

 

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]

Read for Author




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

Is fidyah required for someone who breaks their fast due to a valid excuse?

● If the excuse is permanent, such as a chronic illness with no hope of recovery or old age, then fidyah is required. This means feeding one needy person for each missed fasting day.
● However, if the excuse is temporary, such as menstruation, postnatal bleeding, or a temporary illness, then only making up the missed fasts (qada) is required, and fidyah does not apply.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on performing ṭawāf on the upper floors of al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, given that these floors are situated above the level of the Ka‘bah, and that the one performing ṭawāf passes by certain barriers, such as pillars and walls, during the ṭawāf?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
There are numerous conditions for the validity of ṭawāf (circumambulation around the Ka‘bah), among them: that the one performing ṭawāf be inside the Masjid (al-Masjid al-Ḥarām) — even if the Masjid has been expanded, so long as the expansion does not extend out into al-ḥill (land outside the sanctuary boundaries). It suffices for the ṭawāf to be performed in the airspace of the Masjid or upon its roof, even if that roof is higher than the Ka‘bah (the House) itself.
Al-Khaṭīb ash-Shirbīnī (raḥimahullāh) said: "It [ṭawāf] is valid upon the roof of the Masjid, even if the roof of the Masjid is higher than the House — just as prayer [is valid] upon Mount Abū Qubays despite its elevation above the House. This is the relied-upon (mu‘tamad) position." [Mughnī al-Muḥtāj, Vol.2/P.246]
The validity of the tawaf isn`t affected by the pillars and walls standing between the one performing ṭawāf and the House, since the condition is only that the person performing ṭawāf be within the boundaries of the Masjid and outside the boundaries of the Ka‘bah itself.
Ash-Shirbīnī said: "It [ṭawāf] is valid inside the Masjid, even if it is expanded, and even if a barrier stands between the one circumambulating and the House — such as a water-supply structure (saqāyah) or pillars (sawārī)." [Mughnī al-Muḥtāj, Vol. 2/P.246]
Accordingly, ṭawāf performed on the upper floors is valid, and the presence of barriers such as pillars and walls during the ṭawāf does not affect its validity. And Allah, the Exalted, 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.

How is the Night Prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) performed?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Night Prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) refers to the voluntary (Nafl) prayers performed by a person after the Sunset prayer (Maghrib) and before the Dawn prayer (Fajr). As for Tahajjud, it is the voluntary prayer performed during the night specifically after waking up from sleep, as an act of devotion to Allah. Allah the Exalted says {what means}: "And from [part of] the night, pray with it [i.e., recitation] as additional worship for you." (Al-Isra/79). Thus, in terms of reward,Tahajjud is superior to voluntary prayers performed before sleeping. And Allah the Exalted knows best.