Non Muslim Reading Quraan

Q: My Muslim friend told me that it is haram to touch the Holy Quran if one does not have wudhu. What about if one is not a Muslim but is interested in learning about Islam and reading a copy of the Quran? A non-Muslim friend asked me for a copy of the Quran and I gave one to her, but advised her to please respect it and to not touch it when she is not cleaned and to not read it in the toilet etc. But since this Muslim friend told me about the wudhu thing I am concerned because my non- Muslim friend will not have wudhu when she reads the Quran.

A: If you told your non-Muslim friend not to touch the Quran when she is not clean or when she is in her menses, and you believe that she will respect that and follow your instructions, then you may allow her to keep a translation of the Quran and read it. Another condition for this permissibility is that you should have strong hope of her being attracted to Islam. If she is merely reading the Quran for interest sake or she is a student doing some research and there is no hope that she will embrace Islam, then it will not be permissible to give this non Muslim a copy of the Quran. (Al-Fataawal Hindiyyah)

You should also advise her to keep the quran wrapped in a clean cloth and on a raised place, and not to keep it in a room where alcohol is consumed, or where any un-Islamic activity takes place, and not to touch the Arabic text.

Under these circumstances it will be permissible to leave the Quran with her even though she will not have wudhu when holding the translation. Fataawa mahmoodiya vol.12, p.26

Mufti Siraj Desai

Reading English Translation of Quraan while Menstruating

Q: Is it permissable for me to read the Arabic Quraan with English translation when I am menstruating? I am reading the English text with a view of gaining the reward in Ramadaan and also to understand the message of the Quraan.

A: You may read the English translation during your haidh, but be careful not to hold the Quran unless you are using a cloth. Do not touch the Arabic text of the Holy Quran in that state.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Definition of "Our Spirit"

Q: Chapter 19, verse 17 of the Qur'an mentions the word "our spirit". What is the explanation of this?

A. In Surah Maryam (Ch 19), verse 17, the word Roohana, meaning ‘our Spirit’ refers to the Arch Angel Jibreel (Alayhis Salaam) when Almighty Allah sent him to Hadhrat Maryam (Alayhas Salaam) to give her the good news of a son. This is the unanimous Tafseer and explanation of all commentators that has been transmitted over the centuries. There is no 'tafseer bir-ra’iy' in this regard because it is an historical event.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Writing Quraan Backwards

Q: Once I saw a book of my sister-in-law with Bismillah written in reverse. I find this a bit dodgy. Is my sister-in-law sufferening from sihr (witchcraft)?

A: It is not permissible to read or write the Holy Qur'aan backwards, as Allaamah Suyooti and many other Scholars have mentioned in their books. This much should be told to your sister-in-law. However, there is no need to suspect her of Jaadoo or Sihr. If you have other evidence that is strong, indicating that she is involved in Jaadoo and other ‘jantar mantar’ things then contact your local ‘ulema so that they can speak to her and make her stop such evil. But without proof you should not suspect her. This is wrong.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Quraan on Phone and Wudhu

Q: Does one have to have wudhu when viewing the Quraan verses on ones cellphone?

A: One can hold the cellphone without Wudhu but should not touch the screen when the Quraanic verses appear on it.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Tilaawat of Quraan in English

Q: Can I make Tilawat of the Quraan in English?

A: Tilawaat of the Quran cannot be done in English. One must read the Arabic. You may read the English translation of the Quran but the reward for tilaawat will only be received by reading the Arabic.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Buying Bible, Psalms and Torah

Q: I wish to purchase the torah zaboor and injeel. Can I do this?

A: Before purchasing them, consider the following points:

a) The original books revealed by Allah Ta'aala to the respective messengers cannot be found anymore. The current books available are not in their original form, but have been changed and altered by man.

b) The final book which is the Qur'aan is our guidance. The Qur'aan has abrogated these previous books. Thus, there is absolutely no need to purchase and read the previous books, which, as previously mentioned, include many falsehoods.

c) Once Sayyidina Umar (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) came in the august presence of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) with a copy of the Taurah and said: O Rasool of Allah! This is a copy of the Taurah. Sayyidina Umar started reading the Taurah and the face of Rasulullah started changing (he was becoming annoyed and angry). Sayyidina Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) noticed this and reproached Sayyidina Umar. When Sayyidina Umar saw the face of Rasulullah (filled with anger) he immediately said: "I seek refuge in Allah from the wrath of Allah and the wrath of His Rasool. We are pleased with Allah as our Rabb, with Islam as our Deen and with Mohammed as a Nabi". Thereafter, admonishing the Sahaabah, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: I take an oath on that being in whose hands my life lies; if (Nabi) Moosa appears among you and you follow him and stop following me, you would deviate from the straight path. If he (Nabi Moosa) has to be alive and live during my prophet hood, (he would have no choice) but to follow me". (Sunan Ad Daarimi V1 P126). We learn from this narration that; there is no need to read the previous books, reading the previous books is a means of displeasure to Allah and His Rasool, If Nabi Moosa (Alayhis salaam) lived during the era of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam), he would have had no choice but to discard his Shari'ah and follow the Shari'ah and Sunnah of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam).

d) There is no goodness in the previous books which cannot be found in the Qur'aan and Sunnah. The Qur'aan and Sunnah encompass all goodness of all previous Shari'ahs. Study the Qur'aan and Sunnah under expert guidance. By doing this, you will benefit greatly in this world and the hereafter, Inshaa Allah Ta'aala. Aameen.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Khatam in a Gathering

Q: Is the act of Khatam (completion of the Quraan) permissible in a gathering? Do acts of Riya (show) take place in a gathering? Does this method of Khatams have any sunnah basis?

A: The method of Khatams in vogue are not proven from the Sunnah, nor was it the system of the noble Sahaabah Kiraam (Radhiyallaahu Anhum). Thus, it is best not to participate in such Khatam gatherings, though it is permissible to do so. One should not regard these gatherings as Sunnah, nor so necessary, that those who don't participate in them are condemned and criticized. As far as Riya is concerned, it depends on the intention of the individual.

Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

No Bismillah for Surah Taubah

Q: I noticed that Surah Taubah does not begin with bismillah. Is there a reason for this?

A: Two reasons are mentioned for this:

a) Surah Taubah is actually part of the previous Surah, thus no need for the Bismillaah here.

b) In this Surah (Taubah) Allah Ta'aala speaks of Jihad, etc., expressing His wrath and anger. Bismillaah is a means of drawing the mercy of Allah. Due to expressing respect for the Divine wrath at this juncture (Surah Taubah), we will not call upon Divine mercy at such a time.

Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Not Ruling According to Qur'aan

Q: Recently a Shaikh who studied in Madinah was here from overseas. In several of his lectures he referred to the Saudi Arabian government as ‘kaafier’ (non-Muslim), as well as those Muslims who do not govern according to Quran. He quoted verse 44 of Surah 5 (Al-Maaidah) wherein Allah states that whosever does not rule according to what Allah revealed is kaafier. Is this view correct, and can one listen to such lectures?

A: The view espoused by this Shaikh is totally incorrect and erroneous. All the classical and authentic tafseers such as Ibni Katheer, Qurtubi, Tabari, etc. refute such a concept. These tafseers mention quite clearly that the meaning of verse 44 of Surah Maa-idah is that those who reject and refute the Law of Allah (in belief) and consequently rule in conflict with this Law are out of the fold of Islam. However, Muslim rulers who adopt western and un-Islamic democracies while still believing in the Law of Allah are faasiq and open sinners, but they are not kaafier. They have abandoned the Law of Allah in practice, but not in belief. Today some Muslims neglect salaah or fasting, but they still believe these are faraa-idh of Islam. We call such people ‘faasiq’ (rebellious sinners) but they remain Muslims. The only time iemaan leaves the Believer is when he or she mocks at Islam or openly rejects Islamic Law. The belief and view articulated by this Shaikh is typical of radical Salafis, who maintain very rigid views on tauheed and shirk. They are quick to brand people as kaafier, without understanding the reality of pure tauheed. People should not listen to such talks, for clearly these are highly misleading. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) took the pledge of allegiance from Sahaaba with the condition inter alia that they will obey the rules and not rebel against them, but added: “except if you see clear kufr;” (Bukhari, Muslim) This hadith proves that rulers who do not apply Shar’ee Law are sinners but not kaafier, for in belief they have not rejected the Law of Allah. It is a serious sin to brand such people kaafier and even call for their blood.

Names of Surah Faatiha

Q: Please tell us what are the twelve names of Surah Faatiha?

A: Imam Qurtubi (RA) has mentioned these names in his commentary on Surah Faatiha. We enlist the names with their meanings:

1. Suratul-Hamd: The Surah of Praise
2. Faatihatul-Kitaab: The Opening of the Book.
3. Ummul-Kitaab: The Mother of The Book.
4. Ummul-Quran: The Mother of The Quran.
5. Al-Mathaani: The Oft repeated verses.
6. Al-Quranul-Azheem: The Majestic Quran
7. As-Shifaa: The Cure
8. Ar-Ruqya: The Talisman
9. Asaas: The Foundation.
10. Al-Kaafiyah: The Sufficient
11. Al-Waafiyah: The Faithful
12. As-salaah: The Prayer.

Correct Pronunciation of Arabic Letters

Q: What is the correct pronunciation of Arabic letters?

A: Proper pronuniciation of Arabic letters can only be acquired from a qualifed Qaari or Hafiz. This cannot be obtained or learnt from writings. However. there is one point that we can provide guidance on, and that is the Arabic alphabet must not be uttered like the Urdu alphabet. For example one should say Baa, Taa, Thaa, Raa, Zaa, Haa, Khaa, etc., and not Be Te Se, etc.as is normally said for the Urdu letters. Beyond this, I reiterate, one has to go to a qualified Qaari for such learning.

Issued by:
Mufti Siraj Desai

Reading Qur'aan in Menstruation

Q: If a female is in the state of haidh or nifaas, can she read Quran without touching it?

A: It is haraam for a woman in haidh or nifaas to recite the Holy Quran from memory, even if she does not touch or hold the Quran. (Al-Majmoo’)

Iemaan and Throwing Down the Qur'aan

Q: Will a person’s iemaan leave him if he throws the Quraan down due to anger?

A: If this was done deliberately out of disrespect for the Holy Quran then such a person loses his iemaan. However, if it was done out of anger and not in violation of the sacredness of the Holy Quran, then though the person remains a Muslim, but the act is very serious and a major sin for which abundant istighfaar must be made.

Difficulty with Tajweed

Q: About 2 weeks back I asked about reading with tajweed. It is not that I do not know how to read with tajweed, it is just that I have difficulty pronouncing the second haa in certain instances. If I am not able to pronounce it correctly will my salaah and Quraan recitation be invalid? Also is Aarif Soobrathie's recitations a good guide to follow for proper tajweed?

A: In the case you mentioned your salah will be valid. As long as you try your best, your recitation will be accepted by Allah. We have not heard Soobrathie’s recitation so we cannot comment. However, there are other Qaaris whom you could listen to in order to learn better tajweed, for example, Qaari Ziyaad Patel locally, and then the famous Arab Qaaris such as Shaikh Husri, Shaikh Abdul-Basit, the famous Imams Sudais and Shuraim, and Shaikh Abubakr Shaatri.

Covering the Head and Reading Qur'aan

Q: Can a person read Quran without a cap? What is the ruling 4 men and women?

A: The Ulema have mentioned that among the aadaab or ettiquette of Quran recitation one is to cover the head. So though it is permissible to read Quran with the head open, it is makrooh (disapproved) because this is contrary to respect.
For a woman it is not permissible to recite Quran with the head and hair uncovered. This law will be stricter in the case of woman, as is the case in salah. A man's salaah is makrooh but valid if he does not wear a cap (topi). However, the woman's salaah is not valid at all if she performs salaah without head and hair covered. The same principle will apply to Quran reading.

The Saabieen

Q: Some people believe that the followers of the Zaboor were the Sabieen. Is this correct?

A: The Saabieen are mentioned twice in the Quran: in Surah Baqarah and in Surah Hajj. There are different views among the Ulema as regards to the exact nature and religion of these people. One view shared by Imams of Tafseer Dhahhaak, Ishaaq bin Rahaway, and Suddi is that they were the followers of Zaboor. However, the more preferred view is that they believed in the Oneness of Allah but did not follow any Divine Scripture or Prophet. Allah Knows Best.

Reading Qur'aan without Headcovering

Q: Can a person read Quran without a cap? What is the ruling for men and women?

A: The Ulema have mentioned that among the aadaab or ettiquette of Quran recitation one is to cover the head. So though it is permissible to read Quran with the head open, it is makrooh (disapproved) because this is contrary to respect.
For a woman it is not permissible to recite Quran with the head and hair uncovered. This law will be stricter in the case of woman, as is the case in salah. A man's salaah is makrooh but valid if he does not wear a cap (topi). However, the woman's salaah is not valid at all if she performs salaah without head and hair covered. The same principle will apply to Quran reading.