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Prophet Mohammad`s Birth Anniversary: "A Light that Shone in the Hearts of the Believers"
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 26-09-2023

 

Prophet Mohammad`s Birth Anniversary:

"A Light that Shone in the Hearts of the Believers"

 

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the master of the first and the last, the one sent as a mercy to all the worlds, and the leader of the honored prophets, our master Mohammad, and upon his family, companions, followers, and all those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgment:

 

In the blessed atmosphere enveloping the Prophet's noble birth, believers experience moments of deep faith, surrounded by the fragrance of the Beloved, the Chosen one, peace be upon him. In these moments, a spark of the pure prophethood shines upon them, and the radiance spreads from the east to the west of the earth. Allah, the Most High, says, "O Prophet! Truly We have sent thee as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, and Warner,- And as one who invites to God’s (grace) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light." {Al-Ahzab, 45-46}.

 

The birth of the Prophet, peace be upon him, was indeed an extraordinary event and a momentous occasion. Humanity had awaited it after a long period of darkness, marked by ignorance and blind misguidance. The advent of the Prophet, the Guide and Bringer of Good News, came to restore balance to humanity and faith to their hearts, dispelling the pitch-black night. Hope for relief often arises after the intensification of hardships.

 

As the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "I am the seal of the prophets, and it is through me that the line of prophets began. Let me tell you about the beginning of this: it was the supplication of my father, Ibrahim, the glad tidings of Isa, and the dream of my mother when she gave birth to me. She saw a light emitting from her that illuminated the palaces of Greater Syria."

 

Indeed, commemorating this blessed occasion signifies the connection of believers with their Prophet, peace be upon him. The light that shone on the day of his birth continues to illuminate hearts with the light of monotheism, love for Allah, love for His Prophet, peace be upon him, and enlightens minds with the guidance, wisdom, and insight. Our mosques come alive with the remembrance of this love, and the practical manifestations of this love are evident in the actions that kindle the flames of hope for the Muslim Ummah. It reminds us that we have a beloved and noble Prophet among us, whose memory never fades, whose light never dims, whose message remains steadfast, and whose call endures unwaveringly.

 

The commemoration of the Noble Prophet's birth is a remembrance of the essence of true Islam. It is a call to honor humanity and spread mercy among people. The Prophet, peace be upon him, came to rectify misconceptions, establish justice among people, and clarify that every human being is dignified, and their sanctity cannot be violated, nor can their honor be diminished, regardless of their religion, color, or ethnicity. This is what Allah, the Most High, emphasized in His saying: "We have honoured 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}. In fact, it was one of the last instructions given by the Prophet, peace be upon him, in his Farewell Sermon during the Hajj season. He said: "No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; no white person has any superiority over a black person, nor does a black person have any superiority over a white person; none have superiority over another except by piety." People are all descended from Adam, and Adam was created from dust."

Commemorating this occasion is an opportunity to revive the meanings of mercy in our hearts. It is the very purpose for which the Prophet, peace be upon him, was sent – to be a mercy from Allah, the Almighty, to all of creation. This mercy encompasses the upbringing, purification, education, and guidance of humanity towards the straight path. Allah, the Most High, says, "And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds." {Al-Anbiya, 107}. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "I have only been sent as a gift of mercy."

 

Nowadays, there is a great need to reflect upon these profound meanings of the birth of the Guiding Prophet. He called us to goodness in this world and the Hereafter and advised us to show compassion towards one another. Let us remain a community where brotherhood and love prevail. May his birth anniversary, peace be upon him, be an occasion for us to renew these noble values and to be reminded of the qualities of prophethood. Thus, we may remain as Allah, the Most High, described us: "You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah." {Al-Imran, 110}.

 

And all perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on performing Tarawih in sets of four rak‘ahs with only one Tasleem?

It is not permissible to combine more than two rak‘ahs with a single Tasleem in Tarawih prayer. Whoever does so, their prayer is invalid. Shaykh al-Islam Imam Muhammad al-Ramli (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: "If a person prays four rak‘ahs of the Tarawih prayer with a single Tasleem, it is not valid if they did so intentionally and with knowledge [of the prohibition]. Otherwise, it becomes an 'absolute voluntary prayer' (nafl mutlaq); because it is contrary to what has been prescribed." [Nihayat al-Muhtaj, Vol.2/P.127].

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.

What is the ruling on the Friday bath (ghusl al-Jumu'ah)?

The Friday bath is a confirmed Sunnah, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever performs ablution on Friday, it is good for him, and whoever takes a bath, bathing is better." (Reported by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi who said it is a hasan hadith). It is recommended for everyone who wants to attend the Friday prayer, even if they are not from its usual attendees, like a woman or a boy.
If a person is in a state of major impurity (junub) and intends by his bath both lifting the major impurity and the Friday bath, he achieves both. If he intends only one of them, he achieves only what he intended. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What advice do you have for those who spend their nights and days of Ramadan watching TV?

Time is too precious to be wasted on entertainment, let alone in the blessed month of Ramadan, where a Muslim should strive for reward and forgiveness.