IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PERCENTAGE (%) ALCOHOL STANDS HARAM IN ISLAM
By Ibrahim Teslim, Abdullahi
Wine-drinking, taking of alcohol or any intoxicating drug used is forbidden (Haram) in Islam. The word for an intoxicant used in the Qur'an is Khamar which is derived from Khamara meaning the covered or veiled thing. Thus it will mean any fermented juice of grape, barley, dates, local herbs, dry-gin or any other thing which may make one intoxicated after drinking. It may also include any liquor or thing which has the same property.
Gradual Prohibition Introduced In Islam
Drinking wine or the taking of an intoxicant is a great sin in Islam although there may be possibly be some benefit in drinking it, but the harm, according to the Qur'an guidance, is greater than the benefit, especially when one looks at it from a social as well as an individual point of view. The Arabs, even after they had accepted Islam used to drink wine. They used to ask the Prophet (SAW) many questions about it when the following verse was revealed:
"They ask thee (O Prophet SAW) concerning wine and gambling. Say: In them is a great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." (Qur'an 2:219)
The above verse only pointed out the evils of wine-drinking but did not prohibit it. Later, the Divine Revelation forbade its use partially as they were asked not to pray when they were drunk:
"O you faithful, do not pray while you are drunk until you come to your senses and know what you say". (Qur'an 4:43)
The above verse is also part of the due-process stage Allah used to reduce the addictive habits of the early Arabs from drinking of alcohol.
Final Rule
Allah states in Suratuh Maidah chapter 5:93-94 thus:
"O you who believe, wine and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an abomination, a handiwork of Satan. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed. Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of wine and gambling, and would keep you from remembrance of Allah and from prayer; will ye not then desist?"
The Jahiliyyah Arabs before the advent of Islam were victims of these two vices. While intoxicated, they used to commit many a horrible crime which are recorded in the Books of history. They continued drinking after the advent of Islam until the Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah in the year 632 A.D. Gradually, they were weaned away from this vice. The above verse contains the injunction on final prohibition of wine or alcohol drinking in Islam.
Drinking: The Mother Of All Evils
The Prophet (SAW) said:
"An intoxicant is a mother of all vices. Whosoever drinks it, his prayers (salat) will NOT be accepted (by Allah) for forty days. If he died and there is wine in his stomach, he has died the death of the Jahiliyyah (the period before the advent of Islam)" [Agreed Upon]
The prayers (salawat) save a man from evil thought and action. By doing this evil (of drinking alcohol), a devotee stands to lose not only guidance from Allah but will lose the blessings and acceptance of his prayers for forty days and will move nearer to Shaytan and fall in his net again and again.
This is the reason why, wine-drinking once started, quickly becomes a habit and becomes difficult to get rid of. The Prophet (SAW) has also called it an embodiment of all the sins:
"The Prophet (SAW) said: "The wine is an embodiment of all the sins". (Muslim)
The Holy Prophet (SAW) has described a drunkard as a cursed man:
"The Prophet (SAW) said: "A drunkard or an alcoholic is a cursed man". (Bukhari)
The wine and Iman (faith) cannot go together in one person and he is not a faithful (Mumin) while he drinks wine as mentioned in the following Hadith:
"The man who drinks wine, wine and Iman can never remain together in the heart of the same person". (at-Tirmidhi)
"All intoxicants are unlawful of whatever thing a large quantity intoxicates, even a small quantity is prohibited."
From the above Hadith, it is clear that hemp, hashish, opium, marijuana and other drugs are equally Haram. The Hanafi jurists, call the hemp smokers 'irreligious innovators' (zindiq mubtadi)
The Messenger of Allah has said that:
"Allah has cursed wine or an intoxicant, and the person who drinks it, the person who serves it, the person who sells it and buys it, the person who brews it, the person who gets it brewed and extracted, the person who carries it and the person to whom it is carried." (Ahmad)
All the jurists of the four schools have a consensus that a drunkard must be punished through flogging. The Maliki, the Hanafi and the Hanbali jurists say that the hadd punishment for wine-drinking will be eighty lashes, but the Imam Shafi' says that the punishment will be forty stripes only.
The above are the standards laid down in Shari'ah as regards alcohol. No matter how small the percentage of the wine might be or how beautiful the name might sound like red-label, champagne, brandy etc it is still forbidden in Islam. Remember a drop of it equivalent to one loosing the blessings of his Lord in salat for 40 Days and Nights.
Ramadan has always been a month of turning point, which has worked for so many people. Kindly repent, reflect and finally desist from drinking alcohol or having anything to do with intoxicants. May Allah make it easy for alcohol addicts to finally let go of this hideous habits which at the same time make them dishonourable before Allah. May this year Ramadan 1436/2015 be a huge turning point for you to defeat this self desired evil, ameen.
Sunday, 19 July 2015
HOMOSEXUALITY: YET ANOTHER EVIL LEGALIZED BY AMERICA
By Ibrahim Teslim, Abdullahi
There is no doubt that United States of America is arguably one of the most sought countries in the world. Even when growing as a child I remember one of our prayer points (especially during naming ceremony) is for a child to travel to America. As traveling to America was the peak of achievement to any child born in Africa continent. Similarly, we grew up to know that anything abroad is synonymous to America.
In fact, it took a lot of time before I could segregate 'abroad' from 'America' (as a growing kid then).
USA is a country that controls virtually the entire world. Although colonized by the British but stands as the world super power. As it is popularly known to all that this is a developed country that render aids to developing and under developed countries around the world.
In spite of their magnanimous support render to developing and under-developed countries, America has been able to infuse a lot of corruption, immoral practices and other social vices into the world. They mostly show interest in troubled countries endowed with crude oil, whereby supporting one party against another in order to promote their feud by technically siphoning their oil to their own reservoir. There is no uprising in the world that you don't find the print of the US government. Example of these countries are Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Palestine to mention a few.
The recent imbroglio is their enactment of same sex marriage into law. This particular act had been a forbidden act from time immemorial. By revisiting it now to show "sympathy" to some possessed group is the height of perversion and aberration. The onus will definitely be on the US proteges i.e developing countries and under-developed countries domicile in Africa continent. Because pretty soon the world super power may soon use it as a bait in assisting these countries.
Good and happy to know the stand of my country Nigeria on this evil practice. As we have it as an act NEVER to be considered let alone debated upon. One of the most great achievements I saw in the last administration. To self acclaimed human rights activists who may want to clamour for a pseudo "rights" for these pathetic gay group, there is need to remind you that such act (gayness) is frankly prohibited by the Almighty which cut across in the scriptures referencing to both Christianity and Islamic religions.
HOMOSEXUALITY
This is an aberration whereby a person is sexually attracted to people from the same sex. This may reach the level of performing intercourse among members of the same sex. Homosexuality is divided into "sodomy" for men and "lesbianism" for women.
Sodomy
Sodomy (in Arabic is called liwat) is for a man to perform anal intercourse with another man. Sodomy is the most appalling sexual aberration for men. It indicates a marked deviation in a man's nature from the pure and clean state upon which Allah created him. It is a major sin that was not committed by any human beings prior to the Sodomite people of Lut (ASW). Allah (SWT) says:
"And (remember) Lut, when he said to his people, 'Do you commit such depravity with which no one has preceded you from among the peoples? Indeed, you direct your desire to men instead of women - rather, you are a transgressing people'. But his people's only response was, 'Drive them (Lut's family) out of your town, for indeed they are folks who purify themselves (from sinning)'. So We saved him and his family, except for his wife- she was of the doomed ones. And We sent down upon them a rain (of stones). Thus, see how was the end of the criminals." Suratuh Al-'Araf Chapter 7 verses 80 to 84.
From the above ayat, we see that sodomy is a major sin that deserves a most severe punishment. Some of today's cultures are sympathetic with it, giving it misleading names such as "sexual preference", "alternative lifestyle", and "gayness". They also sympathize with the criminals who commit it and allow them social rights that reach the level of offending the "straight" people. This only points to the serious degree of corruption that the modern civilization has reached.
Sodomy is one of the major sins that deserve Allah's curse. Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:
"Accursed is he who curses his father. Accursed is he who curses his mother. Accursed is he who slaughters to other than Allah. Accursed is he who changes the landmarks (to take someone's land without right). Accursed is he who misleads a blind man. Accursed is he who copulates with an animal. Accursed is he who does the doing of Lut's people." [Ahmad]
Under the Islamic law, a person who is convicted of sodomy is subject to the capital punishment of killing. Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:
"Whomever you find doing the deed of Lut's people, kill the doer and the one to whom it is done." [Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others].
Thus, what we hear nowadays of some so-called Muslims establishing so-called "Muslim gay associations" is clear non-sense. A person who is afflicted by indulgence in such a major sin must hide away sin and repent to Allah rather than insisting on it and daring to openly advertise his wickedness.
It is important to emphasize what we previously mentioned. The Islamic penalties for various crimes are only handled by the ruler of the Islamic state or his authorized representative. It is not to the individuals or local community Imams to establish such penalties.
LESBIANISM
Lesbianism (in Arabic is called sihaq) is an aberration whereby two women perform sexual acts together. This would normally involve many violations to Islam, mainly:
1. Exposing their 'awrah (nakedness) to each other.
2. Stimulating each other's private parts, and performing other acts of intimacy that may only be done between a woman and her husband.
3. Performing various perverted acts in order to reach sexual gratification.
All of the above contradicts the wisdom of marriage and violates Allah's command to the believers to guard their private parts from other than their spouses. Because of this, sihaq is clearly prohibited in Islam. Its penalty under the Islamic law is same as that of sodomy.
Can someone please tell the US government not to export the introduction of homosexuality to this part of the world as we have rejected it before so shall we do it again. We use this medium to beg the new government of Nigeria not to reconsider or debate this evil practice as it stands rejected in all spheres.
Lastly to the free-thinkers, atheists who don't believe in the above quotations of the Qur'an from the Almighty Allah should kindly seek spiritual exorcism or if you like deliverance. Gay is evil and its penalty will forever be capital punishment of killing.
By Ibrahim Teslim, Abdullahi
There is no doubt that United States of America is arguably one of the most sought countries in the world. Even when growing as a child I remember one of our prayer points (especially during naming ceremony) is for a child to travel to America. As traveling to America was the peak of achievement to any child born in Africa continent. Similarly, we grew up to know that anything abroad is synonymous to America.
In fact, it took a lot of time before I could segregate 'abroad' from 'America' (as a growing kid then).
USA is a country that controls virtually the entire world. Although colonized by the British but stands as the world super power. As it is popularly known to all that this is a developed country that render aids to developing and under developed countries around the world.
In spite of their magnanimous support render to developing and under-developed countries, America has been able to infuse a lot of corruption, immoral practices and other social vices into the world. They mostly show interest in troubled countries endowed with crude oil, whereby supporting one party against another in order to promote their feud by technically siphoning their oil to their own reservoir. There is no uprising in the world that you don't find the print of the US government. Example of these countries are Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Palestine to mention a few.
The recent imbroglio is their enactment of same sex marriage into law. This particular act had been a forbidden act from time immemorial. By revisiting it now to show "sympathy" to some possessed group is the height of perversion and aberration. The onus will definitely be on the US proteges i.e developing countries and under-developed countries domicile in Africa continent. Because pretty soon the world super power may soon use it as a bait in assisting these countries.
Good and happy to know the stand of my country Nigeria on this evil practice. As we have it as an act NEVER to be considered let alone debated upon. One of the most great achievements I saw in the last administration. To self acclaimed human rights activists who may want to clamour for a pseudo "rights" for these pathetic gay group, there is need to remind you that such act (gayness) is frankly prohibited by the Almighty which cut across in the scriptures referencing to both Christianity and Islamic religions.
HOMOSEXUALITY
This is an aberration whereby a person is sexually attracted to people from the same sex. This may reach the level of performing intercourse among members of the same sex. Homosexuality is divided into "sodomy" for men and "lesbianism" for women.
Sodomy
Sodomy (in Arabic is called liwat) is for a man to perform anal intercourse with another man. Sodomy is the most appalling sexual aberration for men. It indicates a marked deviation in a man's nature from the pure and clean state upon which Allah created him. It is a major sin that was not committed by any human beings prior to the Sodomite people of Lut (ASW). Allah (SWT) says:
"And (remember) Lut, when he said to his people, 'Do you commit such depravity with which no one has preceded you from among the peoples? Indeed, you direct your desire to men instead of women - rather, you are a transgressing people'. But his people's only response was, 'Drive them (Lut's family) out of your town, for indeed they are folks who purify themselves (from sinning)'. So We saved him and his family, except for his wife- she was of the doomed ones. And We sent down upon them a rain (of stones). Thus, see how was the end of the criminals." Suratuh Al-'Araf Chapter 7 verses 80 to 84.
From the above ayat, we see that sodomy is a major sin that deserves a most severe punishment. Some of today's cultures are sympathetic with it, giving it misleading names such as "sexual preference", "alternative lifestyle", and "gayness". They also sympathize with the criminals who commit it and allow them social rights that reach the level of offending the "straight" people. This only points to the serious degree of corruption that the modern civilization has reached.
Sodomy is one of the major sins that deserve Allah's curse. Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:
"Accursed is he who curses his father. Accursed is he who curses his mother. Accursed is he who slaughters to other than Allah. Accursed is he who changes the landmarks (to take someone's land without right). Accursed is he who misleads a blind man. Accursed is he who copulates with an animal. Accursed is he who does the doing of Lut's people." [Ahmad]
Under the Islamic law, a person who is convicted of sodomy is subject to the capital punishment of killing. Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:
"Whomever you find doing the deed of Lut's people, kill the doer and the one to whom it is done." [Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others].
Thus, what we hear nowadays of some so-called Muslims establishing so-called "Muslim gay associations" is clear non-sense. A person who is afflicted by indulgence in such a major sin must hide away sin and repent to Allah rather than insisting on it and daring to openly advertise his wickedness.
It is important to emphasize what we previously mentioned. The Islamic penalties for various crimes are only handled by the ruler of the Islamic state or his authorized representative. It is not to the individuals or local community Imams to establish such penalties.
LESBIANISM
Lesbianism (in Arabic is called sihaq) is an aberration whereby two women perform sexual acts together. This would normally involve many violations to Islam, mainly:
1. Exposing their 'awrah (nakedness) to each other.
2. Stimulating each other's private parts, and performing other acts of intimacy that may only be done between a woman and her husband.
3. Performing various perverted acts in order to reach sexual gratification.
All of the above contradicts the wisdom of marriage and violates Allah's command to the believers to guard their private parts from other than their spouses. Because of this, sihaq is clearly prohibited in Islam. Its penalty under the Islamic law is same as that of sodomy.
Can someone please tell the US government not to export the introduction of homosexuality to this part of the world as we have rejected it before so shall we do it again. We use this medium to beg the new government of Nigeria not to reconsider or debate this evil practice as it stands rejected in all spheres.
Lastly to the free-thinkers, atheists who don't believe in the above quotations of the Qur'an from the Almighty Allah should kindly seek spiritual exorcism or if you like deliverance. Gay is evil and its penalty will forever be capital punishment of killing.
DANGOTE RAMADAN LARGESSE
By Ibrahim Teslim, Abdullahi
I got an authentic report from a reliable muslim brother (my colleague at work) that Alhaji Aliko Dangote sends cash gift to muslims secluded in some mosques (performing I'tikaf) during this last 10 days of Ramadan.
The cash gifts is N50,000 to each person secluded in this mosques. The mosques in question are Ikoyi Central Mosque popularly called Ruxton Mosque, Syrian Mosque and some other mosques around the jurisdiction of Ikoyi area of Lagos state. This is such a laudable and a rewarding Sadaqah from the richest man in Africa to have extended his generosity to his muslim folks in this glorious month of Ramadan.
However, something struck me to check his financial net worth. Then immediately I checked his Wikipedia page for that. Alas, I found Alhaji Dangote's net worth to be $17.7 billion as at June 2015.
As a student of Zakat, I pondered deeply that if this man's net worth is what we have above, then 2.5% will be charged annually from this net worth. It will interest you to know what I arrived at as the percentage he is to pay as Zakat for this year to the muslim Ummah. He is to pay $708 million to Zakat foundation to the Muslims in Nigeria.
Now, before you ask for my head, I'm not criticizing his N50,000 largesse to muslim performing I'tikaf in Ikoyi as this is plainly Sadaqah (charity) in Islam. But what the Ulama are to demand from Alhaji Dangote is the payment of Zakat, which is a compulsory pillar of Islam. In fact it is the 3rd pillar out of 5 pillars of Islam.
Zakat is the most neglected pillars of Islam among muslims of this world. In as much as it is the most easier form of alms giving to assist the less privileged of the society. I crave to know if Alhaji Dangote is paying Zakat annually to Muslim ummah's account. As $708 million isn't a child's play amount that will better the lives of many muslims in Nigeria. As Allah as stated the 8 categories of people to collect Zakat in Suratuh Taubah Chapter 9 verse 60 thus:
"As-Sadaqat (here means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (Zakat fund); For those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer; ordained by Allah, And Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom."
Now, this where I want the Nigeria Muslim leader His eminence Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar (the III) to play a significant leadership role by arranging Alhaji Dangote's Zakat fund and by instituting a National Muslim Zakat and Foundation. Although there are so many Zakat foundation in town but majority of them are "privately" owned foundation. So there is need to have a national one that will see to the needs of many muslim in this country. We shouldn't just know the function of our muslim leader only in the sighting of Ramadan moon but across the remaining pillars of Islam.
And if Alhaji Dangote has been paying Zakat before now, whoever that has an authentic link of it should kindly avail us to know how much he is being paying annually so far. As some scholars may misguide him that whenever he performs an act of Sadaqah it is equivalent to Zakat. No! It is not equivalent as the two are different in meaning and applications. While Sadaqah is voluntary charity, Zakat is compulsory act upon those who are qualified like the billionaire Alhaji in question. We emphasize more on his Zakat because the 2.5% of it is humongous and can alleviate a lot of poverty in our land. Who knows, this may help us forestall the Boko Haram insurgency. As majority of terrorists are forced into such acts courtesy of poverty.
So if Alhaji has not been paying Zakat (compulsory alms giving) all these while and he has been paying Sadaqah instead, there is need to let him do the needful with immediate effect. Islamic scholars close to this man should help and tell him the truth about the payment of Zakat.
And if he has been paying Zakat and the muslim scholars close to him are the ones siphoning the amount to their personal accounts. They should fear the Day Of Judgement where they will be accountable to Allah (SWT). There is need to tell him the truth by paying the right dues other than deceit dues or peanut out of what Allah has blessed him with.
Mind you we have many muslim billionaires in Nigeria who have not been paying Zakat of their net worth instead they dish out Sadaqah as a disguise of paying Zakat. So let's start from evaluating the richest man in Africa, his statutory role to his spiritual constituency (Islam & Muslims in Nigeria). Perhaps we may have an head way in this course which may simultaneously assist other muslim billionaires in payment of Zakat to a national and an authorized Zakat foundation in Nigeria.
May Allah restore our ummah properly, may He grant us beneficial knowledge of the Deen and the hearts of accepting the truth, ameen.
NAMING THE NEWBORN ON THE SEVENTH DAY IN ISLAM
By Ibrahim Teslim, Abdullahi
Naming ceremony in any society is virtually a thing of joy that is usually celebrated with pomp and pageantry irrespective of the financial wherewithal of the celebrant, because having a newborn is a proverbial gift from God in any part of the world.
In Islamic circle, there seems to be one controversy or the other over the precise day of celebrating naming ceremonies in Islam. Where you see scholars of Islam arguing on the fact that it is suppose to be celebrated on 7th day while other claims 8th day. This issues of which particular day to celebrate Aqeeqah (naming ceremony) has polarized some marriages and families due to misunderstanding the precise day it should be carried out in Islam. Majority of our fathers have religiously hold onto celebrating it the 8th day, and some parents can go extra mile in dis-owning any of their children who tries to do otherwise from "traditional practice" of the 8th day.
What is the position of the Prophet (SAW)sunnah on this?
Some authentic Hadiths require for a newborn to be named on its seventh day. Samurah Bin Jundub (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:
"Every child is mortgaged with its 'aqiqah, which is to be slaughtered for it on its seventh day. On that day, it should also be named, and its head should be shaved". ( Ahmad, Abu Dawud and others)
And Abdullah Bin Amr (RA) reported:
"The Prophet (SAW) commanded us to name a newborn on its seventh day, and to remove filth off it and perform its 'aqiqah." (at-Tirmidhi)
Naming A Child Before The Seventh Day
On the other hand, there are authentic reports indicating that the Prophet (SAW) named some newborns before the seventh day.
Anas (RA) reported that on the morning following the birth of the Prophet's (SAW) son Ibrahim, the Prophet (SAW) said:
"A baby-boy was born for me this past night. So I named him with my father's name, Ibrahim". [Bukhari & Muslim]
Anas (RA) also reported that as soon as his mother, Umm Sulaym, gave birth to his young brother, Abdullah, she told him, "O Anas, take these dates, and do not let the baby eat anything until you first hand him to Allah's Messenger (SAW) in the morning".
In the morning, Anas took the baby to Allah's Messenger (SAW). He found him wearing a striped cloak and marking some cattle that he had received. When he saw the baby he asked Anas, "Did Milhan's daughter deliver?" He replied, "Yes!" He said, "Wait until I finish what I am doing".
He then put away what he had in his land, held the baby, and asked, "Did you bring anything with him?". He replied, "Yes, some dates".
The Prophet (SAW) took some dates, chewed on them, mixing them with his saliva, opened the baby's mouth, and rubbed the chewed the dates inside his mouth. The baby began to hungrily suck the sweetness of the dates together with Allah's Messenger (SAW) saliva. Thus the first thing to enter that baby's stomach was the saliva of Allah's Messenger (SAW). He then said:
"Watch how the Ansar love dates!".
Anas then said, "O Allah's Messenger! Give him a name." The Prophet (SAW) rubbed the baby's face and named him Abdullah. [Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad and others].
From the above, we see that the Prophet (SAW) commanded naming a newborn on the seventh day. However, his practice shows that he named some newborns as soon as they were born.
A few among the 'Ulama, such as al-Hasan al-Basri (RML) and Imam Malik (RML), hold the opinion that it is not permissible to name a child before the seventh day.
Most of the 'Ulama, however, are of the opinion that it is permissible to name a newborn as soon as it is born, buy naming it should not be delayed past the seventh day.
We find the latter opinion more appropriate for the following reasons:
1. It is not clear from the Prophet's (SAW) above commands that he prohibited naming a newborn before the seventh day. In other words, we do not have a text saying, for example, "Do not name a baby before the seventh day".
2. The best way to reconcile between the Prophet's (SAW) statement and actions is by allowing both of them to hold simultaneously- if possible. This reconciliation is possible in this case, and there is no need to assume that either of the two forms of evidence abrogates the other.
Who Names the Child?
The 'Ulama agree that the father has the first right to name the newborn. This is because Allah appointed him for the responsibility of leading the family. Allah (SWT) says:
"Men are in charge of women by (right of) what (qualities) Allah has given one over the other and what they spend (in support) from their wealth". [Qur'an 4:34].
However, it is recommended for the father to show kindness to his wife by consulting with her and seriously considering her suggested names, especially if they are within the guidelines of good names that we discuss below.
It is also recommended for the parents to consult with individuals of knowledge and wisdom who can help them find the most suitable names for their offspring.
It is also the responsibility of the parents to give the child a good name. A good name is a name that is known to be pleasing to Allah (SWT) , approved by His Messenger (SAW), or acceptable to the righteous 'Ulama of Islam.
Thus we conclude that the normal standard of Islam is to name a child as he/she is born before the naming ceremony and also to hold the naming ceremony on the 7th day which is in consonance with the authentic narration of the Prophet (SAW) as quoted above and NOT the 8th day that is generally practiced in our society today.
The term 'Aqiqah simply means slaughtering of animal in the 7th day which is one of the essential things to be done that day. Another essential right we give the newborn is shaving the baby's hair on the 7th day.
FOR EXAMPLE:
If a baby is born today Saturday 18th of July,2015 by 10am, the child's naming ceremony will hold on Friday 24th July,2015 to complete the 7th day he/she is born and NOT Saturday 25th July because counting that will make it 8th day which has no basis in the sunnah of Rasul (SAW) and Islam in general.
However, if another baby is born today 18th July, 2015 by 8:30pm or let's say the baby was born after Maghrib Prayer such birth has automatically springs into another day Islamically. Because in Islam whenever it's Maghrib time we have already cross into another day.
So such child will be regarded as being born on Sunday owing to Islamic calculation of time. Therefore the baby's naming ceremony will hold on the 7th day which will now fall on 25th July, 2015 unlike what we have in the above scenario.
May Allah grant us more understanding of this Deen and Soften our hearts of accepting the truth, amin.
We conclude that a newborn should be named in Islam no later than the seventh day from birth and nothing wrong if named immediately after birth as this culture as now being a borrowed one in the west today.
Let us return to the pristine and avoid evil innovation in our affairs (Islam).
BANNING OF BEGGARS: GOV. NASIR EL-RUFAI TOES THE LINE OF SUNNAH
By Ibrahim Teslim, Abdullahi
At the second week of the month of July, 2015 I watched in the news that Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai placed a ban on beggars to curtail the Boko Haram insurgency in the state. Although there were many eyebrows from several quarters on what the government will provide as an alternative to these beggars which will alleviate their suffering. Interestingly I watched with amusement on Channelstv how the beggars were protesting on the ban action. I even saw one of them who spoke very good English impressive!
Without an iota of doubt, vast majority of beggars in Nigeria are Muslims. To place on percentage I think it won't be an exaggeration if I peg it at 95% muslim beggars in Nigeria. To make the matter worst, they even beg "Fisebilillah" meaning "in the path of Allah" as if Allah or Islam permits begging in all ramifications. And majority of non-muslims in Nigeria think there is a portion either in the Qur'an or the Hadith of Prophet (SAW) that authorizes people to beg as we have majority of muslim beggars all over the country.
As an Islamist, this is where I think I should come in to clearly state the position of Islam on begging and beggars in any society. To proceed, there is a need to know who a poor man is in the light of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him). The Prophet defines a poor man in the following hadith:
"The Prophet (SAW) says: "The poor one is not he who goes about begging for alms from one person to another and he is given a morsel or two, or a date fruit or two. 'Who then is the poor, Oh Apostle of Allah?' people asked. He replied: "He is the one who does not have any sufficient means, yet he is not noticed, so he is not given any charity, at the same time, he does not beg for anything from people". [Muslim]
The above quoted Hadith is self-explanatory. The Prophet (SAW) defines here who a poor man is. The position of Islam on begging for alms is made clear in this Hadith. People must work to earn decent living. Most of those who go about begging for alms in the name of Allah or culture are just exploitative and lazy. They should be told to desist from their dishonourable practice and learn a trade as Kaduna State Governor as rightly did.
They should be helped to settle down after learning the trade while everybody should take a proper care of the physically handicapped members of his immediate family. Worst still, some people live on the beggars. They claim to be keeping their money for them, while in reality they are exploiting the beggars. Muslims should not engage in this un-Islamic practice.
Similarly, the Prophet (SAW) in another hadith where he was talking on spending for other people. He relays as follows:
"Allah, the Most Exalted says: "Oh son of Adam, spend (for others), and I (Allah) will spend for you". [ Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported this Hadith and was recorded by Bukhari]
Explaining the above Hadith, the welfare of the weak, the oppressed, the needy and the poor is paramount in Islam. The religion expects its adherents to cater for this category of people and ameliorate their appalling condition. Such people should be trained to earn their living rather than imbibe the culture of living on begging. It is high time we sit down and address the issue of beggars in our midst. One of the reasons I'm throwing my support to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on the ban of beggars in Kaduna State. Meanwhile the factors responsible for their abject poverty must be identified and addressed while a realistic solution is actualised.
This Hadith also teaches us to reciprocate a good gesture, after all, one good turn deserves another. In another hadith the Prophet is reported as saying that if we show concern for our fellow human beings, Allah in the heaven will continue to take a good care of us. But that does not give room for people to begging as begging is totally prohibited in Islam.
Equally, still quoting from the sayings of the Prophet (SAW) on frowning at begging and beggars in all spheres. He (SAW) advised for a beggar to fetch fire-wood to earn a living than begging. He said thus:
"If one of you takes a rope (goes to a bush) and comes back with a bunch of fire-wood on his back, sells it and and have his problem thus solved by Allah is better for him rather than begging people for alms whether or nor they give him". [Bukhari & Muslim]
Dignity of labour is the focus of this Hadith. The Prophet (SAW) teaches everybody to work hard in order to earn a living instead of becoming a professional beggar.
This Hadith clearly depicts the position of Islam on begging. The religion does not encourage it, rather, it discourages it. What is true of Islam is that it is sympathetic to the cause of the poor, the needy and the oppressed in every society while it encourages Muslims to show interest in the welfare of such people.
Our society today is replete with beggars roaming the streets and begging for alms in the name of Allah. It is the responsibility of Muslim leaders in particular to educate their followers on the teaching of Islam concerning begging. Many of the beggars could be rehabilitated and earn decent living.
We Muslims should be more alive to our responsibilities as parents. We should take a proper care of our handicapped children instead of pushing them into the streets to go and beg for alms. We should also consider our financial resources before we marry additional wives. Likewise we should give a serious thought to the issue of the poor people who are living on others and yet give birth to many children whom they can not take care of. It is un-Islamic to give birth to a child whom we can not feed and clothe. As Allah said in Qur'an 2:233:
"The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, for him who desires to complete the term. But he (the father) shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear."
In other place in the Qur'an Chapter 9:60 that: "Sadaqat (alms giving) are for the poor and the needy..." Here most people who support the act begging used to quote as an evidence to support beggars. Not knowing that they are misinterpreting the message of the Qur'an as the Tafsir (Qur'an explanation) of the verse never posit or considers beggars rather those whom we know in our society that are poor or indigent but will rather be honourable with their conditions than begging in the street for alms.
Finally, having lauded the giant step taken by Governor El-Rufai to ban beggars off the street of Kaduna, there is need to rehabilitate these destitutes and he should not do it alone. He should partner with religious leaders in the state to preach and nurture the spiritual beings of these beggars.
And more importantly the government of Kaduna State or any other states that is ready to toe the path of Governor Nasir El-Rufai should ensure they deliver the promises they make to these destitutes and do it with sincerity of purpose not for political gain or for the sake of sending beggars off the streets. Before taking such decision there ought to have been an already made palliative measures to alleviate the vulnerable beggars in our society.
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