Articles

Glorifying the Prophet (PBUH) is an Obligation upon every Muslim
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 20-02-2023

 

The General Iftaa` Department in this Hashemite Arab Muslim country led by the Hashemites, the direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammad, blessings and peace be upon him, has the honor of following our Master Prophet Mohammad, blessings and peace be upon him. The Department reaffirms that it totally rejects any offence directed towards the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, or any member of his noble household, and doesn`t accept such an evil act from anyone no matter who that person is.

 

The Prophet blessings and peace be upon him, is of perfect human attributes whereas, Allah The Exalted Commended his character where He Said {What means}: "And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character." {Al-Qalam/4}. He The Almighty also Commended his intellect as He Said {What means}: "Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled."{An-Najim/2}. He, The Most Exalted also Commended his sight because He Said {What means}: "(His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!" {An-Najim/17}. He also Commended his tongue, for He Said {What means}: "Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.' {An-Najim/3}. He also commended his heart where He Said {What means}: "The (Prophet’s) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw." {An-Najim, 11}. And commended His Teacher "Gabriel PBUH" where He Said {What means}: "He was taught by one Mighty in Power," {An-Najim/5}. The attributes that Allah Combined in His Apostle don`t exist in any other human being and He The Almighty Chose him to be His Prophet and Messenger for the virtues, competence and perfection that He the Exalted had instilled in him, blessings and peace be upon him. He The Almighty Says {What means}: "God knoweth best where (and how) to carry out His mission" {Al-Ana`am/124}.  In addition, Allah and His angels have sent blessings upon him in honor of him, and to show his merits. This is in addition to the fact that Allah has commanded the believers to send blessings upon him as a sign for glorifying his noble status. Allah Says {What means}: "God and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect." {Al-Ahzab/56}. Moreover, it is prohibited to favor any human being over the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, and whoever denies this has transgressed big time.

 

The Prophet Muhammad, blessings and peace be upon him, enjoys perfect attributes in terms of words and deeds, and a believer doesn`t attain complete faith unless he/she has deep conviction in that, and utters both testimonies of faith: (ASH-HADU ANNA LA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH

WA ASH-HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASULU ALLAH/I bear witness that no one deserves to be worshiped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).

 

Since the era of the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) until this day, Muslims have realized the praised status of the Prophet Mohammad, the Master of Creation, and this necessitates glorifying and revering him, blessings and peace be upon him. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "In order that ye (O men) may believe in God and His Apostle that ye may assist and honor Him, and celebrate His praise morning and evening." {Al-Fateh/9}. Therefore, scholars said that one who does any of the following has insulted the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him: accusing him of a defect in his person, lineage, religion, characteristics, treating him with contempt, insinuating, cursing, reviling, criticizing, accusing him of unchaste behavior, and the like.

 

Allah The Almighty Has Warned the believers against disobeying the commands of His Apostle and Banned them from addressing him familiarly as they would address one another. This is to show his merits and his rights over them. Allah The Exalted Says {What means}: "Deem not the summons of the Apostle among yourselves like the summons of one of you to another: God doth know those of you who slip away under shelter of some excuse: then let those beware who withstand the Apostle’s order, lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them." {An-Nur/63}.

 

Judge`s characteristics mentioned in the Magazine for Judicial Rulings ( Majalla al-Ahkam al-Adliyya) can exist in any human being; especially one who studied law and Sharia sciences. These aren`t amongst the attributes of Allah, as some have understood; rather, people of reason are agreed on them.

 

The General Iftaa` Department reaffirms that it is an obligation upon every Muslim to adhere to the rights of the Prophet blessings and peace be upon him over him/her. The first of these rights is loving him and following his Sunnah. Moreover, we remind Muslims that it doesn`t befit the noble status of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, to mention him in gatherings where vile language is used or while there is gossip and backbiting. At the same time, no room should be given to the vile and base people to talk about the status of the Prophet blessings and peace be upon him. This is to be cleared from liability Before Allah The Almighty, His Apostle, blessings and peace be upon him, and the believers. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said: "A man utters a word pleasing to Allah without considering it of any significance for which Allah Exalts his ranks (in Jannah); another one speaks a word displeasing to Allah without considering it of any importance, and for this reason he will sink down into Hell." [Al-Bukhari]. 

 

In addition, it is highly unexpected that a true Muslim would belittle the Apostle of Allah and whoever did so should race to make repentance and Ask Allah for forgiveness. 

 

We pray that Allah Guides us to the right thing to say, do, and bless this country of ours and other Muslim countries with safety and security. And All perfect praise and blessings 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 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.

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

I have a brother who is harsh in his dealings [with me], and many problems have occurred between us, and I do not intend to reconcile with him. What is the ruling of Islamic Law on that?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon or boycott his fellow Muslim brother for more than three days. This is based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "It is not lawful for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three [days], meeting each other but one turns away and the other turns away, and the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting (salam)." (Reported by al-Bukhari.)
A Muslim must strive to end such estrangement (hajr), so as not to fall under the prohibition mentioned in the hadith. If he takes the initiative to reconcile but the other party does not respond, then there is no sin upon him. We remind [ourselves] of the saying of Allah, the Exalted: "And let them pardon and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (An-Nur/22). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Which takes precedence: the 'aqīqah or the uḍḥiyyah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah is an act of worship through which a servant draws closer to Allah the Almighty in gratitude for the blessing of a newborn child. It is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are financially capable, and Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear.
However, the uḍḥiyyah takes precedence, as it is a confirmed Sunnah established from the Prophet ﷺ through stronger and more numerous narrations — indeed, the Ḥanafī scholars hold it to be obligatory. Furthermore, its time is narrow and limited, expiring with the passing of the days of Eid, whereas the 'aqīqah may be delayed until one becomes financially capable of performing it.
And Allah Almighty knows best.