Fiqh

IBADAAT -> Miscellaneous

• MISCELLANEOUS MASA'IL
  • 1. It is mustahab to remove the hair of the pubic region and the armpits once a week. If one does not remove these hairs weekly, one should at least remove them every fortnight. If one cannot even do this, one should remove them before forty days. If a person leaves these hairs for more than forty days, he will be sinning.
    2. It is makruh for women to call their husbands and parents by name as this shows disrespect. However, certain occasions may demand that they be called by name. In such circumstances it will be permissible to call both the husband and parents by name. Under all conditions and in all circumstances, one should always be mindful of being respectful to one's husband and parents.
    3. It is not permissible to burn any living creature, e.g. it is not permissible to smoke bees in order to get rid of them. It is also not permissible to catch bugs, flies, mosquitoes, etc. and to throw them into a fire. However, if there is no other way of getting rid of them, it will be permissible to do so, e.g. at times it is difficult to get rid of bees. In such a case, it will be permissible to smoke them. It will also be permissible to get rid of bed-bugs by pouring boiling water on the bed if there is no other way of getting rid of them.
    4. It is not permissible to take bets, e.g. a person says: "If you eat a full kilo of sweets, I will give you Rs.1. But if you cannot do that, you will have to give me Rs.1." In other words, it is not permissible to take two-sided bets. However, one-sided bets are permissible.
    5. When two persons are talking in privacy, one should not go and sit near them. It is a major sin to try and listen to their conversation. It is mentioned in a Hadith that on the day of judgement, boiling lead will be poured into the ears of the person who tries to listen to the private conversation of others despite their disapproval. We learn from this that it is a major sin to spy on the bride and bride groom or to try and listen to their private conversation.
    6. It is not permissible for the wife to discuss or announce the private affairs and conversations that transpired between herself and her husband. It is mentioned in a Hadith that Allah Ta'ala becomes extremely angry when a person discusses or mentions all that transpired between him and his wife.
    7. It is not permissible to joke with a person to such an extent that he feels insulted or angered by the joke. One should only joke to the extent that the other person laughs and is amused.
    8. It is not permissible to wish for death or to curse oneself when afflicted by any problem or calamity.
    10. Once boys reach the age of ten, they should not be allowed to sleep or lie down next to their sisters, brothers or mothers. Once girls reach the age of ten, they should not be allowed to sleep or lie down next to their brothers and father. However, the son can sleep next to his father and the daughter can sleep next to her mother.
    11. When a person sneezes, he should say Alhamdolillah. It will be wajib on the person who hears him saying Alhamdolillah to say Yarhamu kAllah. If the latter person does not say this, he will be sinful. Upon hearing this reply, the person who sneezed should say Yaghfirullahu lanaa wa lakum. However, it is not wajib, but good for the person who sneezed to give this reply.
    12. After sneezing, a person said Alhamdolillah which was heard by several persons. It will not be wajib on all of them to give a reply to it. If one of them gives a reply, it will be sufficient. However, if none of them gives a reply, all will be sinful.
    13. If a person sneezes continuously, it will be wajib to say Yarhamu kAllah up to three times and not more.
    15. It is not permissible to shave the head of a child in such a way that a certain portion is entirely bald and another portion is left long. Either shave the entire head bald or leave all the hair unshaven.
    16. It is not permissible for women to apply perfumes or any other fragrant creams, lotions, etc. in such a way that ghayr mahrams get the smell of the fragrance.
    17. It is not permissible to give clothing which is not permissible to wear, e.g. it is not permissible for the husband to purchase clothing that is not permissible for his wife to wear. Similarly, it is not permissible for a tailor or dressmaker to sew clothing which is not permissible for Muslims to wear.
    19. The custom of making salaam, shaking hands with each other is also sunnah for women. Women should adopt these Islamic customs among themselves.
    20. If a person is a guest at someone's house, he should not give any food or anything else to a beggar from his host's house without permission. If he do so he will be committing a sin.
• GLOSSARY
  (Explanation of Islamic Terms)
  • 1. Arsh: The throne of Allah Ta'ala.
    2. Banu Isra'eel: Literally means the children of Isra'eel. It refers to the progeny of Hadrat Ya'qub alayhis salaam.
    3. Barakah: Literally means "blessings". It refers to the experiencing of abundance in things which are apparently insignificant or little, both in value and amount.
    4. Burqah: A head covering worn by women.
    5. Dua: Invocation to Allah, supplication, prayer, request, plea.
    6. Durood: The sending of salutations upon Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
    7. Eid ul-Ad'haa: The 10th of Zil Hijjah. Literally means "the festival of sacrifice". It is referred to as ad'haa because it is on this day that animals are sacrificed in the name of Allah and for His pleasure alone.
    8. Eid ul-Fitr: The first day of Shawwaal. Literally means "feast of breaking the Ramadaan fast". It is referred to as fitr because it is on this day that the month-long Ramadaan fast comes to an end.
    9. Fard: Literally means "compulsory". In Islam it refers to those acts and things which are compulsory on a Muslim. Abandoning or abstaining from a fard act is a major sin. Rejecting a fard act amounts to kufr.
    10. Ghayr mahram: Refers to all those people with whom marriage is permissible. Based on this, it is also incumbent to observe purdah with all ghayr mahrams.
    11. Haid: Monthly periods or menstruation experienced by a woman.
    12. Hoor: Large-eyed women of paradise promised to the believers.
    13. Ibaadah: Literally means "worship". In Islam it refers to all those acts with which one renders worship to Allah Ta'ala.
    14. Iddah: In Islamic law it refers to the period of waiting during which a woman may not remarry after being widowed or divorced.
    15. Iftaar: The time of opening one's fast. This time commences immediately after sunset.
    16. Ihraam: Two pieces of unstitched cloth which are donned by the person performing hajj or umrah.
    17. Jumu'ah Musjid: Refers to the musjid in which jumu'ah salaat is offered. It is also referred to as a jaame musjid. It is generally the main musjid in a town or city.
    18. Kaafir: Literally means a "disbeliever". In Islam it refers to one who rejects Allah and does not believe in Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as the final messenger of Allah.
    19. Kaffarah: Literally means "penance, atonement, expiation". In Islamic law it refers to redemption from the omission of certain religious duties by a material donation or a ritual act.
    20. Kalaam-e-Majeed: Refers to the Holy Quran.
    21. Kalimah: Refers to the basic tenet of Islam, i.e. bearing witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
    22. Kuffaar: Plural of kaafir.
    23. Kufr: Refers to the state of disbelief.
    24. Kurta: An Urdu word meaning "shirt". However, due to constant usage, it refers to the long flowing robe worn by Muslim men and which has come to be regarded as an Islamic dress.
    25. Lungi: A loin cloth worn by men especially in eastern countries. A lungi is wrapped around the waist and extends up to the ankles.
    26. Mahram: Refers to the person with whom marriage is not permissible and with whom strict purdah is not incumbent.
    27. Meelad: Literally means "birth, birthday". In this context it refers to the birthday celebrations held in respect for Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In most cases these celebrations are innovations which are accompanied by many other evils.
    28. Miswaak: A thin stick or twig which is used to clean the teeth.
    29. Mt. Uhud: Name of a mountain outside Madinah.
    30. Muharram: The first month of the Islamic calendar.
    31. Mustahab: That which is preferable or desirable.
    32. Nafl: That which is optional.
    33. Nifaas: Refers to the flowing of blood after child-birth.
    34. Purdah: An Urdu word meaning "seclusion". It is an equivalent of the Arabic word "hijaab". Refers to the seclusion of women from strangers. There are different stages of purdah, the highest of which is that the woman should not come out of her home except for a valid Islamic reason.
    35. Qada: Literally means "carrying out or fulfilling". In Islamic jurisprudence it refers to fulfilling or completing those duties that one may have missed due to some reason or the other.
    36. Qiblah: The direction in which one faces when offering salaat.
    37. Qiyaamah: The day of resurrection.
    38. Qurbaani: Literally means "sacrifice". In Islam it refers to the sacrificing of animals solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala on the day of eid ul-ad'haa and the two days following it.
    39. Rajab: The seventh month of the Islamic calendar.
    40. Rakaat: Literally means "bending of the torso from an upright position". In kitaabus salaat it refers to one unit of salaat which comprises of the standing, bowing, and prostrating postures.
    41. Ramadaan: The ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
    42. Sadaqah: Literally means "charity". This word is also used as an equivalent of zakaat.
    43. Sadaqatul fitr: Refers to the charity that is given on or prior to the day of eid ul-fitr. For further details, refer to the chapter on sadaqatul fitr.
    44. Sajdah: The act of prostrating.
    45. Salaam: Literally means "peace". In salaat it refers to the saying of "as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" which denotes the end of the salaat. It is also a way of greeting among Muslims.
    46. Satr: An Urdu word derived from the Arabic "sitr", which means "cover, shield". In the Urdu context it refers to that area of the body which has to be covered. It is also referred to as the "aurah".
    47. Sehri: Refers to the meal partaken before dawn by the person who intends fasting. For further details refer to the chapter on sehri and iftaar.
    48. Sha'baan: The tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
    49. Shirk: Polytheism or ascribing partners to Allah Ta'ala.
    50. Subah saadiq: Literally means "true dawn". It refers to the time when whiteness (brightness) can be noticed on the breadth of the horizon. It is at this time that the time of fajr salaat commences.
    51. Sub'haanallah: Means "glory to Allah".
    52. Sufis: A term used to refer to mystics or saints. Such persons are also known as the auliyaa of Allah, i.e. the close friends of Allah. These are the persons who have dedicated their entire lives in the ibaadah of Allah Ta'ala.
    53. Surmah: Antimony. A black powdery substance that is applied to the eyes. It is sunnah to apply surmah.
    54. Tasbeeh: Saying "sub'haanallah". A rosary that is used to glorify Allah Ta'ala is also called a tasbeeh.
    55. Umrah: Commonly referred to as the lesser pilgrimage. It is similar to hajj with the exception that many of the rites of hajj are left out and that it could be performed throughout the year.
    56. Wajib: Literally means "obligatory'. In Islamic jurisprudence it refers to that act which has not been established by an absolute proof. Leaving out a wajib without any valid reason makes one a faasiq and entails punishment.
    57. Zikr: The remembrance of Allah Ta'ala.
    58. Zil Hijjah: The last month of the Islamic calendar.
    59. Zil Qa'dah: The eleventh month of the Islamic calendar.