Ruling on imitating the kuffaar, and the meaning of the phrase, “What the Muslims think is good is good before Allah”

What is the Islamic ruling on the issue of imitating the kuffaar in their customs and dealings? What are the guidelines concerning that in Islamic sharee'ah? Is every imitation of the actions of the kuffaar regarded as a haraam kind of imitation, knowing that there are many things that the kaafirs do that are not haraam and are not condemned by sharee'ah, where the one who does them does not do them merely to imitate the kuffaar, but because he thinks those things are good, as Ibn Mas'ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "What the Muslims think is good is good before Allah"?  
Please advise us, may Allah honour you, and please give me a detailed answer and explain to me the guidelines on this matter.

Praise be to Allah.  Firstly: The Muslims have no need to imitate any of the other nations in matters of religious rituals and acts of worship, for Allah has perfected His religion and completed His Favour, and chosen for us Islam as our religion, as He says:  {ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ ... Continue Reading

How should we raise our children?

could you please advise us about how improve our manners, and raise our children to have good manners? As many of the scholars mentioned, they studied under their teachers for years to learn proper manners. I am very concerned because it seems that we are surrounded by bad examples and role models, and the standards of society are very low. I am a revert to Islam so I was not raised with good Islamic manners. I don't have the knowledge or training to be a very good role model. My childrens TV watching is very restricted, but they still interact with cousins and friends who pick up bad words and attitudes from TV. We also educate our children at home. But as much as we shelter them and instruct them, they seem to pick up some of the attitudes of the greater society. I am torn between whether I should continue trying to remain patient and remind them gently, or I should become more strict to enforce better behavior. We would really appreciate any advice that you could offer.

Praise be to Allah.We congratulate you for the blessing that has been bestowed upon you of guidance to Islam, and we ask Allah, may He be exalted, to make us and you steadfast in adhering to this religion until we meet Him when He is pleased with us. We also congratulate you for your keenness to ... Continue Reading

Raising children in an unrighteous environment

I try my best as a Muslim, but my husband says mean things against Islam, I try explaining things to him but he wont listen, he is educated whereas I am not, I do try and learn about Islam from the Quran and sunnah, but Im not perfect, I have 6 children three over the age of 13 and 3 under 9 years. how should I make myslef a better Muslim? and Instill it in my children as the older ones won't pray all they prayers. Sometimes ok most of the time it brings me down.

Praise be to Allah.Firstly: No matter how far a person is from Islam and its teachings, there still remains in him a kernel of goodness and natural inclination towards the truth, that needs someone to look for it and reach it, and  offer the call to faith and sincere advice. Your ... Continue Reading

The saheeh Sunnah is wahy (Revelation) from Allah

Firstly: I apologize for asking such a question, and so that there will be no room for doubt about my intention I will say that I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and I am completely content with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my religion and Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as my Prophet.   

I am asking about the Sunnah, because there are many reports of a single hadith. For example, we may find in Saheeh al-Bukhaari a hadith that appears in a form different than that in which it appears in Saheeh Muslim. Why isn't the Sunnah like the Holy Qur'aan? What is the difference between the Sunnah and the Holy Qur'aan? Is the Sunnah part of the Wahy that was revealed to the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or is it just his words and deeds? Is it one of the characteristics of Prophethood or what?

Praise be to Allah.Firstly:  It is essential that it be established in the mind and heart of every Muslim that the Sunnah; which is the words, deeds and approval that are attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), is one of the two parts of divine Revelation that ... Continue Reading

Is it correct to think that fatwas may vary according to time and place?

I read the words: "The scholars are unanimously agreed that fatwas may change according to time, place, local custom and situation so it is essential to take new developments into account". But I am not convinced of this. Is this view correct? I hope that you can answer with evidence from shareeطah and the Sunnah. May Allah reward you with good.

Praise be to Allah.  This principle is expressed by some scholars in the words: "Changing rulings according to changing times is not to be denounced", as it says in Majallat al-Ahkaam al-'Adliyyah al-Maaddah [39]; Sharh al-Qawaa'id al-Fiqhiyyah by al-Zarqa ... Continue Reading

When are the words of a scholar, whether he was a Sahaabi or otherwise, regarded as binding evidence?

Sometimes we hear opinions that were narrated from the Sahaabah, or sometimes other opinions that were narrated from the imams (leading scholars) on various occasions, although the basic principle directs us to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah. When does the Muslim have to follow the opinion of the Sahaabi or imam? How can we reconcile between this and the obligation of following the Qur'an and Sunnah?

Praise be to Allah.The obligation of following the Qur'an and Sunnah does not contradict the idea of learning from the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and from the imams who are known to have been men of knowledge and virtue. In fact learning from ... Continue Reading

Types of hadith according to who it is attributed to

I have a question about some terminology that I would like you to explain to me. In some audio lectures I hear words such as (a marfoo' hadith) or  (a maqtoo' hadith)..

Praise be to Allah.The scholars of Hadith have a number of categories for reports, which vary according to the criteria they are looking at. One such case is the division of Hadith into categories based on who the Hadith is attributed to.They say: Hadith may be divided into categories according to ... Continue Reading

Is there a difference between the words Hadith and Sunnah?

I hope that you can clarify this topic for me in some detail: Are “hadith” and “Sunnah” synonymous, or is there a difference between them? I am asking this question because I read that some Orientalists and some Muslims who specialise in Islamic sciences do not regard these two words as different in meaning. Do you agree with that? I hope that you can explain to me in some detail.

 Praise be to Allah.The difference in terminology among scholars is one of the issues that is usually a difference in wording. That is because terminology results from a scholar choosing a particular word to refer to something; hence when differences occur, the difference is in wording but not ... Continue Reading

Is it proven that the righteous wife will have a reward like that of one who fasts and prays qiyaam?

I once read a hadith in an islamic forum but the reference for the hadith was not mentioned. The hadith sounds beautiful but i'll love to confirm it's authenticity before i quote it to anyone. The hadith goes like this, the Prophet(saw) said, " When one of youdoes her best to be a good wife, The reward equals someone who is fasting all day and praying all night." I'll really appreciate your help.

Praise be to Allah.Perhaps you are referring to the report that was narrated by at-Tabaraani in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat [6733], and Ibn 'Asaakir in his Tareekh [43/348], via 'Amr ibn Sa'eed al-Khawlaani from Anas ibn Maalik, according to which Salaamah the nurse of ... Continue Reading

How should a Muslim deal with his kaafir family?

A woman became Muslim and lives with her family who are not Muslims, and now they do not object to her being Muslim. She tried to call them to Islam by various means, but to no avail. How should she deal with them in their misguided state? Should she uphold ties with them or limit her relationship with them?.

Praise be to Allah.The one whom Allah has guided to Islam must hasten to convey this light to his family and relatives, because they are the first people whom he should call and to whom he should bring the light of Islam. If there are among them people who do not object to Islam, then this is a ... Continue Reading

It is not permissible to congratulate the kuffaar on their festivals in any way whatsoever

What is the ruling on eating the food (rice, meat, chicken or cake) that is given to us by a Christian friend that he made for his birthday or for Christmas or the Christian New Year? What is your opinion on congratulating him by saying, "Insha Allaah you will continue to do well this year" so as to avoid saying Kull 'aam wa antum bi khayr (approx. "season's greetings") or "Happy New Year" etc?

Praise be to Allah.It is not permissible for a Muslim to eat things that the Jews and Christians make on their festivals, or what they give him as a gift on their festivals, because that is cooperating with them and joining in with them in this evil.It is not permissible for him to congratulate ... Continue Reading

Ruling on buying an apartment from the bank by instalments

Is it permissible to buy an apartment from the bank by instalments?

Praise be to Allah.There is nothing wrong with buying an apartment from the bank by instalments, on condition that the contract with the bank to buy the apartment should only be after the bank buys it from its first owner; if it buys it and it becomes its property, then it becomes permissible to ... Continue Reading
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