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The Series of Values in Islamic Civilization... Joy
Author : Dr. Fadi Rabab`ah
Date Added : 11-10-2023

The Series of Values in Islamic Civilization... Joy

 

In this worldly life, every person experiences two states: a state of blessings and joy or a state of trials and sorrow. Both of these states are good for a believer. This is what the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, mentioned when he said: "Amazing is the affair of the believer, for all of his affairs are good, and this is for no one except the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful, and that is good for him. If something harmful happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him." {Transmitted by Muslim}. In Islam, there are two types of joy: praised joy and blameworthy joy.

 

Praised joy can be experienced for various reasons, whether related to the blessings of this world or the rewards of the Hereafter.

 

An example of praised joy from the blessings of the Hereafter is the joy experienced by believers during acts of worship, such as the happiness at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the joy of performing the Hajj pilgrimage, and the blessed celebration of Eid al-Adha. On the other hand, an example of praised joy from the blessings of this world includes celebrating happy occasions such as birthdays, weddings, successful achievements, obtaining a job, or accomplishing a significant project in one's life, as long as these celebrations align with the moral and cultural norms recognized by society. Allah, in the Quran, encourages believers to express their joy by saying, " Say: "In the bounty of God. And in His Mercy,- in that let them rejoice": that is better than the (wealth) they hoard.'" {Yunus, 58}.

 

One of the common joys for all Muslims and for all rational and fair-minded individuals among humanity is the celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). Allah, the Most High, described the Prophet as a source of mercy. He said: "We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures." {Al-Anbiya, 107). The mission of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) is indeed a blessing and favor from Allah. Allah says {what means}: "God did confer a great favour on the believers when He sent among them an apostle from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the Signs of God, sanctifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while, before that, they had been in manifest error." {Al-Imran, 164}. Allah also says {What means}: "It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered an apostle from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom,- although they had been, before, in manifest error;- As well as (to confer all these benefits upon) others of them, who have not already joined them: And He is exalted in Might, Wise. Such is the Bounty of God, which He bestows on whom He will: and God is the Lord of the highest bounty." {Al-Jumu`a, 2-4}.The Prophet Mohammad's (peace be upon him) birth is a cause for great joy and celebration, as it is a manifestation of the divine mercy and grace.

 

In the context of celebrating the birth of prophets and righteous individuals, Allah has mentioned in the Quran the joy and blessings associated with their births. For example, when describing the birth of the Prophet John (Yahya) (peace be upon him), it is said: " So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!." {Maryam, 15}. Similarly, when talking about the birth of the Prophet Jesus (Isa) (peace be upon him), Allah says: " So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!." {Maryam, 33}.

Even before that, the Quran narrates the birth of the righteous lady Mary (Maryam) (peace be upon her) with a graceful and joyful expression. Allah says {What means}: "Behold! a woman of ’Imran said: "O my Lord! I do dedicate unto Thee what is in my womb for Thy special service: So accept this of me: For Thou hearest and knowest all things." When she was delivered, she said: "O my Lord! Behold! I am delivered of a female child!"- and God knew best what she brought forth- "And no wise is the male Like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected." Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty: To the care of Zakariya was she assigned. Every time that he entered (Her) chamber to see her, He found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Mary! Whence (comes) this to you?" She said: "From God: for God Provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure."{Al-Imran, 35-37}.

 

The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) himself expressed joy at the day of his birth. Abu Qatada reported: "O Messenger of Allah, what do you think about fasting on Monday?" He said, "On that day, I was born, and on it, the Quran was sent down to me." {Transmitted by Abu Dawood}.

 

Additionally, the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) inquired about him, and he responded: "I am the supplication of my father Abraham, the good news for Jesus, and my mother was given the glad tidings with a light by which palaces of Sham were illuminated for her when she was pregnant with me." {Transmitted by Ibn Hibban}.

 

The mention of Abraham and good news for Jesus refers to the Quranic verses. In the case of Abraham, it points to the supplication he made to Allah for the sending of a Messenger among his descendants: "Our Lord! send amongst them an Apostle of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." {Al-Baqara, 129}.

 

In the case of Jesus, it refers to a similar verse that alludes to Jesus (peace be upon him) giving the glad tidings of the coming of a Messenger after him: " And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of God (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Apostle to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, "this is evident sorcery!". {As-Saff, 6}.

 

These narrations and Quranic verses emphasize the significance of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and the joy of his birth, as he was foretold and blessed by the previous Prophets.

Due to the significance of the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), many Islamic scholars have written special works dedicated to his birth. Some of these works include:

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami's book "Al-Ni'ma Al-Kubra Ala Al-Alam Bi Mawlid Sayyid Adam."

 

Imam Al-Qastallani's book "Al-Mawahib Al-Laduniya Bi Al-Minah Al-Muhammadiya," in which he mentioned that the night of the Prophet's birth is superior to the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr).

Imam Ibn Kathir, Imam Al-Suyuti, Imam Ibn Dayba Al-Shaibani, Al-Birzangi, Al-Samhudi, and Imam Ibn Al-Jazari, among others, have also written on this topic.

 

Additionally, celebrating and rejoicing in the birth of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is a common practice among Muslims, both on an official level in many Islamic countries and on a popular level. The birthday of the Prophet (peace be upon him) remains a day of joy, celebrating the mercy, blessings, and grace of Allah upon humanity.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

In life insurance with the Potash Company, enrollment is mandatory, and employees have the right to receive a cash amount from the insurance for surgeries and illnesses while employed by the company. Is the amount given by the insurance in this case permissible (Halal) or prohibited (Haram)?
 

Since the insurance is compulsory, then what the insurance company pays in return for medical treatment is similar to donation, and I pray to Allah The Almighty that this is lawful even if this service is deducted from your salary in return of it, so in this manner you take back some of the amount you paid in form of above treatment. And Allah Knows Best.

I`m married to an American citizen who used to be married to a man in Mexico and filed for divorce there. It is worth pointing that in America she isn`t registered as married. When she arrived in Jordan, her lawyer called and told her that she got the divorce, and based on this we got married in Jordan. What is the ruling of Sharia on this?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
 
You haven`t mentioned whether this woman has converted to Islam or not. If she had embraced Islam and three menstrual cycles passed, but her first husband hasn`t converted to Islam, then her relationship with him is over. If you married her after this (Passing of three menstrual cycles and first husband not having embraced Islam) then your marriage is valid. However, if she didn`t convert to Islam then your marriage contract with her is invalid and you have to wait until she gets divorced by her first husband and observes Iddah, which is three menstrual cycles. Afterwards, you can conclude the marriage contract. We pray that Allah doesn`t hold you to account for what you have done because you thought she was divorced. We recommend that you seek Allah`s forgiveness as much as you can and do righteous deeds. We also advise you to marry a Muslim woman to preserve your and your children`s religion since Almighty Allah Says (What means): "Wed not idolatresses till they believe…" [Al-Baqarah/ 221]. It is true that marrying a Kitabi (One who believes in a book of sacred scriptures and with whom a Muslim may marry in what is deemed a lawful marriage) is permissible, it involves great risks, as stated in the aforementioned verse. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
 

Is it permissible to single out Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to make up for missed fasting without fasting a day before ,or after each ?

Yes, it is permissible to make up for missed fasting during the aforesaid days, and it is also valid to offer non-obligatory and vowed fasting as well. However, fasting a day before or after each isn`t obligatory. And Allah Knows Best.

1- A young man whose father and grandfather are dead. Unfortuntly, he passedaway leaving a mother, two sisters and a brother. Do his paternal uncles inherit him? 2- A man died leaving daughters, a wife, brothers, a mother or no mother. It is well known that the daughters inherit two thirds and the wife one eighth. To whom does the rest of the estate go and what is the evidence on that from the texts of Sharia?

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
1- The full brother or the paternal half-sibling disinherits the paternal uncles. The paternal half-sibling takes one sixth and because they are from the Asabah (Male relatives on the father`s side) of the deceased they take the rest of the estate. The proof of this is that Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah Be Pleased with them) reported God’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying: "Give the shares to those who are entitled to them, and what remains over goes to the nearest male heir." [Agreed upon]. In this case, nothing is left to them.
2- The brothers take the rest of the deceased`s estate and the full brother disinherits the paternal half-sibling, and the proof of this is the aforementioned narration. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

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