Too Much Sex from Wife

Q: How can I stop wanting too much sex from my wife?

A: The hadith states: "Verily, your body has a right over you." Over- indulgence in sex leads to physical and mental weakness, and subsequent failure to fulfil acts of worship and other important social activities. You should spend more time in recitation of the Qur'aan, Zikr of Allah, and reading Deeni books, etc. Although sex with the wife is absolutely permissible, there must be a balance in these matters. Make an effort to wake up daily for tahajjud, for this ibadat has a great effect on the carnal desires.

Men Shaving Chest Hair

Q: Is trimming or shaving of chest hair allowed for Muslim men?

A: It is permissible to remove the hair from the chest; there is no sin in this. However, it is advisable not to do so. It was not the sunnah of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to shave the chest. (Al-Fatawwal Hindiyyah)

And Allah knows best.

Prepared by Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and Ratified by:
Mufti Siraj Desai, Darul-Uloom Abubakr, Malabar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Women Attending Eidgah

Q: Can women take part in the eidgah?

A: FEMALE ATTENDANCE OF EID SALAH:
OVERVIEW OF THE MATHAA-HIB

The Hanafi View
It is stated in the Fiqh Encyclopaedia of Kuwait that according to the Hanafi math-hab, young girls and attractive women are prohibited from attending the Eid salah. As for old women, they are allowed to attend Eid on condition that they dress inconspicuously, avoid the use of perfume, and do not mingle with men to and from the Eidgah. This viewpoint of the Hanafi School is enunciated in every one of the renowned works of Fiqh, such as Fathul-Qadeer, Raddul-Muhtaar, Al-Bahrur-Raaiq, Al-Badaa’I, Al-Hindiyyah, etc. There is, therefore, no difference on this score according to Hanafis.

The Shaafi View
We once again turn to the book of Imam Nawawi, Al-Majmoo’. He states therein:
“Imam Shaafi’ and Scholars of his math-hab state that it is mustahabb (meritorious) for non-attractive females to attend the Eid salah. As for attractive females and women of exquisite beauty, it is forbidden for them to attend. This is the categorical statement of the math-hab and the definite ruling of the majority of (Shaafi’) Scholars.

Imam Raafi’e mentioned another view, which states that it is not mustahabb even for non attractive women to attend Eid salah. But this view has not been preferred by Ulema. When these (non-attractive) women do attend, they should don clothes that are simple and non-appealing. They should also avoid perfume. This is the ruling for elderly ladies who are past the age of desire. As for the young females and attractive (middle-aged) women, it is forbidden for them to attend the Eid salah due to the possibility of fitnah (zinaa) in their emergence.

If someone argues that this is contrary to the hadith of Umme Atiyyah (radhiyallah anha) (in which Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam allowed females to attend Eid salah), we will respond by quoting the statement of Hazrat Ayesha (radhiyallahu anha) that appears in Saheeh Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim: ‘Had The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam witnessed the things women have introduced (after him), he would have prevented them (from the Masaajid) like the women of Bani Israel were banned.’

Furthermore, the fitnah in today’s times are far greater compared to the time of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Imam Shaafi (RA) states in Al-Umm: It is far more desirable to me that elderly ladies attend Eid Salah instead of the other faradh salah.” (Al-Majmoo’ of Nawawi)

It is stated in Al-Mausoo’atul Fiqhiyya (Encyclopaedia of Fiqh, Kuwait):
“The Maliki, Hambali, and Shaafi’ Scholars have taken the view of prohibition for young and attractive females attending the Eidayn, due to the fitnah that lurks in such emergence. When old women emerge they should do so in simple, un-appealing dress.”

In Tuhfatul-Muhtaaj the following appears:
“It is sunnat for elderly women who are past the stage of desire to attend Eid salah and jamaat salah, in shabby, simply clothing, without any perfume. They should cleanse themselves with just water before emerging. If they apply perfume or dress in their finery and ornaments, then for these old women, too, it will be forbidden to attend, like it is forbidden for the young girls and women of fine looks and stature. Instead, these women should offer their salah at home.”

A SUMMARY OF THE ABOVE
The ruling of all four Schools of Fiqh emerges quite clearly from the above: In today’s times there lurks great fitnah in the emergence of young and attractive women for Eid salah, hence all mathaa-hib prohibit their attendance for Eid and even for the five daily salah. For old women and ladies who are beyond the stage of being attracted to men or being the cause of attraction for men, the condition for their emergence is that they dress in plain, simple, and old garments, and avoid the use of jewellery and perfume.

QUESTION: How can the Mathaa-hib prohibit women from the Eid Salah when The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam allowed them to attend, in fact ordered that they attend, as it appears in the authentic work of Imam Bukhari (RA)?

ANSWER: This objection betrays lack of understanding of sunnah. It must be born in mind that we are commanded to follow the Sunnah, not a particular hadith. Sunnah is the broader picture of Deen, comprising the practices of Rasoolullah and his illustrious Sahaaba. Sunnah is the collective application of different ahadeeth as well as statements of Sahaaba. The big mistake modern-day “mujtahids” and those aligned to the Salafi ideology fall into is the misconception that one must follow ‘hadith’ while disregarding the broader Sunnah of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and his illustrious Companions. When following a particular hadith one is bound to discard other ahadeeth on the subject, and end up discarding many authentic ahadeeth. The Imams and Jurists of Islam (may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with them) played a great role in codifying Islam, defining the parameters of Sunnah, and extrapolating the Laws ad Injunctions of Islam from Quran and Sunnah. Through these great efforts today we, the followers of the math-hab, find it easy to practice on Islam, and the Sunnah in particular.

Therefore, in our times no Muslim may use a hadith to contradict or oppose a practice of the Sahaaba, for this infers that a Sahaabi of Rasool is doing something of Deen contrary to his Rasool. This is not possible. How can a Sahaabi, who understood The Messenger of Allah far better than any person from among latter generations, ever dare contradict the command of Rasool sallallahu alaihi wa sallam? How is it possible for people like Umar bin Khattab, a walking Jannati on earth, and Ayesha Siddeeqa, whose chastity was affirmed by not one but ten long verses of the Holy Quran, issue fatwa contrary to the command and instruction of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam? Who can make the audacious and bold claim that it is preferable to follow a particular hadith of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and discard the practice of the bulk of the Sahaaba?

The dazzling star in the firmament of Islam Knowledge, our Mother Ayesha (radhiyallahu anhaa) said: “If Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam only knew what the women of today are getting up to, he would have stopped them (from the Mosques) like the woman of the Bani Israeel were stopped.”(Bukhari) This statement proves that Hazrat Ayesha understood the Messenger of Allah and his decision of allowing females to attend the Musjid and the Eid Salah during his time. She also affirmed that this concession was confined to his time only, and should not apply to times after him. We challenge anyone to answer this statement of Hazrat Ayesha (radhiyallahu anha)

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam also said: “And adopt my sunnah, and the sunnah of the Khalifas after me; hold fast to it. Clutch onto it with your teeth..” (Tirmizhi)

And Allah Knows Best

Prepared and edited by:
Mufti Siraj Desai, Darul-Uloom Abubakr, Malabar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Cure for Masturbation

Q: I am addicted to masturbation. I can't help myself and I'm only 13 years old. What can I do?

A: Your important query refers. You should seek counsel with a learned (Aalim), pious person in your area, who can assist and advise you. Ponder over a few points; the physical harms of this harmful act, also the spiritual harms. A person, who excessively commits this act, will not be physically fit for marriage in later life, eyes and memory becomes weak, etc.

Sayyidina Ataa' was asked regarding this. He said that a group of people will be resurrected on Qiyaamah and their hands will be pregnant. It will be these people who had been doing this and did not repent. Their fault will be witnessed by everyone on Qiyaamah.

Sayyidina Sa'eed ibni Jubayr says that Allah will punish those people who play with their private parts.

Stay away from seeing, reading, viewing such people (girls), and material which encourages this act, e.g. magazines, such internet sites, etc. Read Deeni books to build up within you love and fear of Allah.

Ponder regularly over these points and seek advice from a learned person you trust.

Sit alone a few minutes every day thinking about the Power and Punishment of Allah.

Spend a lot of time in the company of an elderly Aalim or pious person. Ponder regularly over these points and seek advice from a learned person you trust.

Make thikr of these words as much as possible:

لاَ حَوْلَ وَ لاَ قُوَّةَ اِلاَّ بِالله

Trans: There is no power to do good, nor strength to abstain from evil, but with Allah.

May Allah Ta'aala assist you in your fight against this disease Aameen.

Prepared by Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and Ratified by:
Mufti Siraj Desai, Darul-Uloom Abubakr, Malabar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Hanafis, Shafis, Malikis, Hambalis

Q: We are Muslims ... not Hanafis, Bukharis, Malikis, Hambalis, or Shafis. Let us live according to the Quran.

A: Are you implying that a Hanafi or Shaafi'ee is not a Muslim? There is nothing further from the truth. Many of us are Hanafi Muslims, Shaafi'ee Muslims, etc. We follow one of these great Imams, who understood the Qur'aan and Sunnah, and laid out the laws of Islam for laymen like us. Following one of them IS following the Qur'aan and Sunnah. Where did they derive the laws that they formulated from? It is gross ignorance to believe that by following one of the Imams, one is not following the Qur'aan and Sunnah. In fact, there is the distinct danger of going completely astray by not following one of these illustrious Imams. Experience has proven that those who do not follow one of these great Imams become confused and misled. By living according to their teachings we are living according to Quran. May Allah Ta'aala guide us to His pleasure. Aameen.

Prepared by Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and Ratified by:
Mufti Siraj Desai, Darul-Uloom Abubakr, Malabar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Unpaid Zakaat

Q: If I had not paid zakaat in Ramadaan, can I pay it after Eid?

A: If zakaat was not paid during Ramadaan, you can and should pay it after Eid. It is sinful to delay the fulfilment of Zakaat once it is due, irrespective of the month. Zakaat becomes compulsory after one Islamic year has passed on one's wealth, whether that year ends in Ramadhaan or any other month. People fulfil their Zakaat in Ramadhaan with the hope of gaining extra reward and because it is easier to keep track of the Islamic year. But if one had not fulfilled the zakaat in Ramadaan, it must be done soon thereafter.

Prepared by Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and Ratified by:
Mufti Siraj Desai, Darul-Uloom Abubakr, Malabar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Waxing Hands While Fasting

Q: Is waxing of hands haram (prohibited) while fasting?

A: Waxing is not Haraam while fasting, nor does it break the fast. However, if this is done for purposes of beauty in imitation of non-Muslims style, then it is not permissible whether one is fasting or not. Doing any sin while fasting is obviously a greater crime. In any case, the fast does not break.

Prepared by Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and Ratified by:
Mufti Siraj Desai, Darul-Uloom Abubakr, Malabar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Short Surahs in Taraweeh

Q: Is it permisible to read short surahs in Taraweeh Namaaz?

A: The Sunnah is to recite the entire Qur'aan at least once in Taraweeh. Short Surahs should only be recited if there is no Hafiz available. Notwithstanding this, the Taraweeh is valid if short Surahs are recited, for short Surahs are also part of the Qur'aan-e-Kareem. (Al-Fataawal Hindiyyah, Fiqhul-Ibadaat)

Prepared by Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and Ratified by:
Mufti Siraj Desai, Darul-Uloom Abubakr, Malabar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa