Sneezing then Praising Allah while being led in Prayer Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aali ash-Shaykh

Question:

One of the people being led in prayer next to me sneezed and then said, “all praise is for Allah (al-Hamdullilah)” while in prayer. Is this permissible to do in prayer, and how should one respond?

Answer:

When one being led in prayer sneezes, then it is prescribed for that person to praise Allah. This is based on the narration of Mu’aadh bin Rifaa’ah bin Raafi’ from his father, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said,

“I prayed behind the Prophet, peace be upon him, when I sneezed and said al-Hamdullilah, Hamdan Katheeran, Tayeeban Mubaarakan feeh, Mubaarkan ‘alayhi Kamaa Yuhibu Rabbanaa wa Yardhaa (All praise is for Allah, many pure blessings, blessings upon him as our Lord loves and is pleased with).” So when the Prophet finished praying, peace be upon him, he asked who had spoken during prayer but no one answered. Then he asked a second time who had spoken so Rifaa’ah said, “I did Messenger of Allah.” Then he asked him what he had said and Rifaa’ah told him. The Prophet, peace be upon him said: (By the One who my soul is in His hand, I saw thirty or so angels scrambling to see which one would take it up to heaven.)

This narration is related by at-Tirmidhee who said it was a good narration as well as an-Nisaa’ee. Therefore this companion praised Allah after sneezing while he was in prayer and the Prophet, peace be upon him, approved this action, so this proves its permissibility.

From the Legal Rulings of His Eminence ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdullah Aali ash-Shaykh from the magazine Majallat-ul-Buhooth al-Islaamiyyah pages 42-43.

Translated by Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee – may Allah guide him

[Transcript] Important Principles Regarding Slaughtered Meat – Al-’Allaamah Saalih As-Suhaymee

The following is the transcription of the Speech of the Shaykh
You can watch the video with english subtitles @ my audio blog –  http://wp.me/p2sNCV-1tQ

Questioner (Shaykh Ramzaan al-Haajiree):

Shakaral-Laahu lakum. There are many questions about the asl (origin) with regards to the meat slaughtered by the Muslims.

Shaykh Saalih as-Suhaymee:

This topic demands some stances and the applying of some principles, so that the muslims may be aware of their affair in such issues.

Firstly: the asl (origin) in the meat slaughtered by muslims is that it is lawful. This is a principle about which no person disputes, while overlooking the possible mukhaalafaat(contradictions) that he might have.

So what is the origin in this? It is lawful. And the detailed explanation of this is that the people or countries are divided into three categories:

1. Muslim countries
2. Countries of the people of the Scripture (Jews & Christians)
3. Countries of idolworshippers

And the ruling revolves around these (three) descriptions.

So the origin of meat slaughtered by the Muslims, is that it is lawful. And even if some of them have contradictions or Shirk (polytheïsm) with them, especially in these times with regards to the worshipping of the graves, slaughtering and taking of oaths for the sake of it and the seeking of help with the dead and the likes. There is no doubt that this is Shirk!

But if you are present in Muslim countries, like: The Kingdom of Morocco, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey or Nigeria, because most of its people are Muslims. I say: if you are in a Muslim country, and the Muslims give you food, whether it is meat or something else, then mention the Name of Allaah and eat, while you are reassured!

And it is not permissible to be extreme in this issue and to leave the meat of the Muslims with the claim that they are polytheists; refuge is sought with Allaah!

Are all the Muslims connected to this issue and do all of them worship the graves?! Allaah forbid!

And if food is presented to you while you are in a Muslim country, then you should not ask! You should not ask about who slaughtered or ask about the man who came with this slaughtered meat; is he from those who connect themselves to the graves and go to them and supplicate to its people or not? Because, like I said, the origin of the slaughtered meat of the Muslims is what? It is lawful, without dispute! The meat slaughtered by the Muslims is lawful. And you concern yourself with the apparent (i.e. the outer), and Allaah takes care of the secrets (i.e. the inner).

This reminds me of some people, when a funeral from the funerals of the Muslims is brought, he then goes asking: “He used to pray or not? Did he have this and that?” You should not ask! You should not ask! The origin of a Muslim is as-salaamah (soundness). When the funeral of a Muslim is brought, then pray upon him. And you are not responsible for what is beyond that.

Also with regards to the slaughtered meat: the meat slaughtered by Muslims is lawful. So when it is presented to you, then eat from it without asking! Without any questioning or asking for details. Except in one situation; if you saw him with your own eyes doing this, and you are certain that he is from those who slaughter for the graves or worship them besides Allaah by asking them for help. In this situation it is better to stay away [from eating it], even if it is said to return back to the issue of “is he excused or not?”, but this another issue. Rather, if you are sure and you saw him doing this, then stay away [from eating it]. As for the general meat slaughtered by the Muslims and their restaurants, food and drinks… And while you are going around the earth and each time you enter a restaurant you want to ask: “Who slaughtered? Who skinned? Who did this and that?” In reality, I don’t know anyone from the people of knowledge who has said this, never!

As for the people of the Scripture, then it’s also lawful, as long as we didn’t see them electrocute it or that it was killed by a voilent blow and the likes. So if we have seen this, then we don’t eat. But if the meat comes to us and we don’t know [how they slaughtered it], then we just eat from it. Because Allaah – ‘azza wa jalla – says:

“The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them.” [Surah al-Maa'idah (5): verse 5]

So if the people of the Scripture come to you with food, that doesn’t have pork or alcohol in it, then you eat from it. Except in one situation where you yourself saw that the food was slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than Allaah, then stay away from [eating] it. But if they initially came with this food to you, then you just eat it.

The Prophet – salla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – was asked:

“We recieve food but we don’t know if the Name of Allaah has been mentioned on it or not?” [This was asked] before Islaam was fully established and while there were polytheists in the Arabian Peninsula. So what did the Prophet – salla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – say? “Mention the Name of Allaah on it and eat it.”

Thirdly: when I am in a country of the idolworshippers, like China, Vietnam, Laos and some parts of India, with worshippers of Buddha and the likes; here you don’t eat [their meat]! Except if one of the Muslims or people of the Scripture comes to you with food. But with them [idolworshippers], it is obligatory to ask for details! If it is with those idolworshippers, then you must ask for details in this situation.

So the Muslims have to fear Allaah in the issue of fataawaa (verdicts) with regards to this topic and others. And they must return back to the scholars who are grounded in knowledge, so that they may clarify the truth to them with its proof. And instead of ingaging in an issue where the person is not fit to give fataawaa or speak about it… And it is from the calamities that the small students of knowledge like us do not return back to the scholars who are grounded in knowledge and who research their fataawaa. And he comes and engages in giving fataawaa; this is from the great [sins].

May Allaah grant all of us succes to what He loves and what He is pleased with. And may Allaah raise the rank of our Prophet Mohammed and grant him peace.

Prophet’s (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) Amazing Advice to Abu Dharr (radhiyallaahu ‘anhu)

After delivering the Friday sermon this last week (1/6/2012) and the previous week (25/5/2012) in the discussion of the beautiful and lengthy hadeeth of Abi Dharr Al Ghifaari Radhiyallaahu Anhu who was advised by the Messenger – Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi wa salam – after asking him numerous questions, some of my beloved brothers (May Allaah reward them) requested that I send the hadeeth out for benefit.As I mentioned in the sermon, some parts of the hadeeth are saheeh, some parts hasan and some Da’eef (weak). For benefit I will mention firstly the authentic (whether saheeh or hasan) parts of the hadeeth as one text so that the reader benefits from the flow of the text, then I will follow that up by mentioning which parts are Saheeh and hasan and I will also add the da’eef sections of the hadeeth (inred) as they occur in the original text, that the reader may be aquainted with it, quoting in that regard, the rulings of Shaikh Al Albaani upon it.Thus here is the text of the Hadeeth, and I ask Allaah that He benefits my brothers and sisters with it.

–

Upon the authority of Abi Dharr – Radhiyallaahu ‘Anhu – who said: “I entered the masjid (on an occassion) and found the Messenger of Allaah – Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Was Sallam – sitting alone. He said (to me): ‘Oh Abaa Dharr! Indeed the masjid has a greeting and its greeting is to pray two rak’ah, so stand and pray them.’ So I stood and I performed them.

Then I returned and sat with him and said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah!, Indeed you have commanded me with Salaah, so what is Salaah?’

He said: ‘The best (act of worship) sent down! So perform much of it or little!(meaning the choice is yours, but the more of its ‘legislated’ forms you perform the better).’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Which action is best?’

He said: ‘To have belief in Allaah and to make Jihaad in his way.‘

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Which of the believers is most complete in Faith?’

He said: ‘The one that has the best character.’

So I said: ‘Which of the believers has the best Islam?’

He said: ‘The one who the people are safe from his tongue and his hand.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah which Salaah is best?’

He said: ‘The one that has the longest standing (I.e for recitation).‘

So I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Then which migration is best?’

He said: ‘The one that migrates from evil deeds.‘

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah then what is fasting?’

He said: ‘A compulsory action that one is rewarded for, and with Allaah the reward is many times multiplied.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Then which Jihaad is best?’

He said: ‘The one in which one’s riding beast is injured and his (i.e. the warriors) blood is spilt.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Then which charity is best?’

He said: ‘The (Charitable) effort of the one who has little, given secretly to the poor.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Then what is the greatest of that which Allaah has sent down to you?’

He said: ‘Aayatul Kursi.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! How many were the Messengers?’

He said: ‘Three hundred and thirteen, a large amount.’

He said: I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! who was the first of them?’

He said: ‘Aadam – ‘Alaihi-salaam.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! was he a Prophet that was sent?’
He said: ‘Yes! Allah created him with his hand, then blew his spirit into him, and spoke to him directly! 
The intelligent person, as long as his mind has not been overcome (i.e. by mental illness) should have (a number of) periods. A period wherein he calls upon his lord, a period wherein he takes account of himself, a period wherein he reflects upon the creation of Allaah and a period that he spends seeking his needs from food and drink. 
Likewise the intelligent person should avoid travel except for three reasons, (to gain) provisions for the hereafter, seeking his livelihood or taking enjoyment in that which is not prohibited. 
It is likewise upon the intelligent person to have insight into his era, to proceed towards his affair (i.e. to head diligently towards the affairs that benefit him) and to guard his tongue. And whosoever evaluates his speech in comparison to his actions, will speak little except in that which concerns him.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! What were the scrolls of Musaa?’

He said: ‘They were all lessons (and admonitions).
I am amazed at the one who is certain of death, then he is happy. And I am amazed at the one who is certain of the (presence) of the fire then he laughs, and I am amazed at the one who is certain of pre-decree (concerning that which has been allotted to him) then he wears himself out. And I am amazed at the one who sees this world, and how affairs change for its people, then he is tranquil within it. And I am amazed at the one who has certainty that the reckoning is tomorrow yet he doesnt act.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! advise me!’

He said: ‘I advise you with the fear of Allaah, for indeed it is the pinnacle of all affairs.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Cling to reciting the Qur`aan and the remembrance of Allaah, for indeed it is light for you in the life of this world and it is preserved for you in the heavens.‘

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Be aware of laughing excessively, for indeed it kills the heart and removes light from the face.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Make Jihaad, since it is the monasticism of my Ummah’ (meaning that when monasticism revolves around abstention from the world and selflessness there is no greater form of this than that a person participates in battle).

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Love the poor, and sit with them.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Look to those who are lesser than you (i.e. are less well to do) and don’t look to those who are above you (i.e. have more than you) as it is better in preventing one from looking down with disdain at Allaah’ blessings upon you.’

I said: ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah! Increase me!’

He said: ‘Speak the truth even if it is bitter!’

Ruling on wiping over the Ka’bah (to seek blessings) – Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan

Question:

Ahsanal-Laahu ilaykum. Another questioner says: “Is the du’aa (supplication) in front of the Ka’bah from the places where du’aa is accepted? And what is the ruling on holding and wiping over the covering of the Ka’bah?”

Answer:

Holding and wiping over the covering or the stones of the Ka’bah has no basis [in the religion]. Nothing from the Ka’bah is touched except ar-Rukn al-Yamaanee (the Yemeni Corner) and al-Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone); this is touched and the Yemeni Corner is only touched. And the Black Stone is touched and is kissed if possible, or [only] touched or pointed to from far away if he faces it. As for the rest of the Ka’bah, then he should not wipe over or attach himself to anything of it, nor to its door. This is from the khuraafaat (myths or superstitions). Rather, the Ka’bah serves to make Tawaaf around it, to pray towards it and to supplicate near it, without attaching oneself to it or to its covering. He supplicates near it, especially in al-Multazam; what is between the Corner and the door or between the Black Stone and the door. He stands there and supplicates. This is a place where the du’aa is accepted, if Allaah — subhaanahu wa ta’aala — wills and if the supplicating person has a sincere intention. Na’am.