Read Islamic Books

Q. “Can one recite the Holy Qur’an with moderate loudness, when one is offering not in congregation (jama’ah) please elaborate the correct position in the context of Shari’ah”. (Muhammad Yousuf Ghani, Karachi)

A. Yes, it is permissible, rather advisable, to recite the surah al fatihah and other verses of the Holy Qur’an with moderate loudness, when one is offering individually, the salah of fajr, maghrib and Isha’ but it is not allowed to recite loudly in the Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers. Loud recitation is also available in the nafl Salah which is offered in the night hours, like tahajjud or Awwabin. As for the nawafil offered in daytime, it is also permissible, though not advisable.

Q. I asked a relative of mine to take to the recitation of the Qur’an, a part of it, everyday. Two weeks later when we met again, he said he had finished half of it. Later, when I found out that he had read a translation of the Qur’an and not the text, he told me that there was no use reading the text without understanding it, so he read the translation. Please guide us to the correct approach in this respect?  Read more... (911 words, estimated 3:39 mins reading time)

Q. About being employed in bank. Is it correct Shari’ah-wise?

A. To begin with, employment in a bank, run on the basis of interest, is not permissible. However, a person employed in a bank is advised that he should not leave his job there immediately. He is rather told that he should look for some other permissible job elsewhere, and when he succeeds in getting one, he should leave the job with the bank – but, the important point here is that he should make all possible efforts he can in this direction.

Q. What if he cannot find a suitable job?  Read more... (186 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

Q. We hear a lot of talk about Jihad these days, like the Afghanistan Jihad, the Kashmir Jihad. Then, we have the proliferation of shaheeds in our society with political parties and activist groups claiming shahadah for those dead from among their ranks. All this is very confusing. We seem to have lost the yard-stick which could help us distinguish between Jihad or bilateral hostility, shahadah or natural or crime-oriented death and straight self-ruination. Please help us with your advice.

A. The first subject requires a larger frame of discussion where we have to determine what becomes Jihad, and when, and what conditions are binding therein. It is difficult to cover all these aspects within the scope of the occasion we have here. The best course is to isolate the inquiry to a particular case of Jihad and try to find out whether or not it is Jihad. As for Shahadah, the rule is that one who lays down his life fighting in the way of Allah is a Shaheed. Then, anyone killed ‘zulman’ or unjustly is a shaheed. But, here are two Muslims fighting each other for no reason whatsoever or for the wrong reason, while one of them kills the other, that is, for no reason, then, as the hadith rules, the killer deserves Hell and so does the killed. Both must go to Hell because the one killed, had he managed to lay his hands on the killer, he would have been the one to have killed his killer
.
Q. Let us take the case of Jihad in Afghanistan. So many Muslims were killed there in genocide style, by the invading armies of Russia. Then, the long stiff resistance made them withdraw and in their wake came America with all sorts of game plans. They are still playing… .  Read more... (393 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Q. There are a number of books which contain the full translation of the Holy Qur’an without giving the Qur’anic text in Arabic. Please explain whether reading of such translations has the same reward as the recitation of the Arabic text of the Holy Qur’an is supposed to have. Moreover, can one touch such translation in a state of impurity and if somebody reads the translation of the verse of ‘Sajdah’ is it incumbent upon him to perform the sajdah of tilawat? (Anonymous)  Read more... (340 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

Q. The word ‘Shaheed’ has been frequently used in the books, newspapers and magazines for different type of people. I am sure that this word should have a specific connotation in the Islamic terminology. I will be grateful if you please explain the true meaning of this word and the categories of persons for whom this terms may be applied in Shari’ah.
(Abdul Sattar, Chicago)

A. In fact ‘Shaheed’, is a specific term, used in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. It has certainly a specific meaning and one should be careful before applying this term to a person and you should ascertain whether hi is really qualified to be called a Shaheed.  Read more... (523 words, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

Q. 1. Is it all right for me to follow the Jamia Mosque for Eid-ul-Adha celebration although I do not agree with this decision to celebrate it with Hajj day in Saudi Arabia (i.e.next to Hajj day).

2. What is the true significance of the details given in the attached brochure on the light of the Fiqh followed in different schools?

3. Does it agree with the decision taken by Fiqh council of Saudi Arabia which has members from all over the Muslim world.
(A Canadian Muslim)  Read more... (1553 words, estimated 6:13 mins reading time)

Q. “What is the procedure for a Christian to convert to Islam in order to marry a Sunni Muslim girl? Which reputable institution in Karachi arranges for such a conversion and Nikah, so that it is a widely accepted in our society?”
(Anonymous)

A. It is not correct practice to embrace Islam for the sake of marrying a Muslim girl only. Islam is a composition of certain beliefs and acts. It is a way of life. It is a matter of faith and conviction. In order to become a Muslim, it is necessary to accept all its basic teachings with one’s heart and soul. If one’s real purpose is only to marry a Muslim girl, and he wants to register himself as a Muslim only because he cannot marry that girl without it, while he does not have faith in the basic beliefs of Islam, he cannot be a Muslim in reality.  Read more... (728 words, estimated 2:55 mins reading time)

Q. “Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the city limits of Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah. The entry of non-Muslims in the Haram limits of Makkah was banned in 9th Hijrah by a Quranic order contained in the Surah al-Bar’ah, verse 27.

Did this order apply to the Haram of Makkah only or also to the Haram of Madinah? The Qur’an does not say so.

Imam Malik and Umar bin Abdul-Aziz etc. Interpreted the verse to apply to all the masjids.  Read more... (731 words, estimated 2:55 mins reading time)

Q. “In respect of distribution of inheritance, please respond to the following situations :

1. A widow passes away leaving behind the following relatives :

(i). A married sister and a married brother with children

(ii). A married daughter with children

(iii). A widowed daughter-in-law

(iv). Orphaned grand children.

2. A widow passes away leaving behind the following relatives :

(i) A married daughter with children

(ii) Children of two deceased sisters How will the assets (minus the liabilities) of the deceased be distributed in each of the above situations?  Read more... (1018 words, estimated 4:04 mins reading time)