ummtaalib

Touching Our Hearts - The Sincerity Between Co-Wives Bismihi Ta'ala On the author’s request, names and personal details are withheld to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. "We are like a set of scales – the three of us: my husband; his first wife and myself as the weighing plates – because it is we who keep our husband in the balance! In this way our happiness lies in each other’s good works, care and love and so is constantly reinforced, because a good wife protects her husband from wrong doing. "K" has many names for me – all depending on what role she is playing. Sometimes I am her daughter, sometimes her sister, sometimes she calls me by my professional title, sometimes a scholar, but always a friend. I know whenever I achieve anything she will be the most proud of what her sister has done and so I always tell my husband: “Please don’t tell K. I want to tell her myself.” - because I love to see the joy on her face. Like a child, I want her approval and as a woman I want her to share my success as only another woman can understand. We have many names for our husband too. When we talk about individual needs and rights, we say: ‘My husband’; when we talk to family and friends he is: ‘Our husband;’ and when he is in trouble he is: ‘Your husband!’ I wonder if there is something wrong in the way we are because it seems so unusual to love one’s husband’s other wife so much. But no matter how we try to formalize our relationship and protect it through distance, Allah brings us closer together. My Father and My Husband’s First Wife Here my father is our greatest supporter with the joy and happiness he feels at our sisterhood. Whenever we speak, he will always ask me first “How is your sister” and then “How is your husband?” I am so proud of him, that in his old age he is able to support us in this blessed Sunnah in a way which no one except a father’s concern for his daughter’s happiness can understand and he tells me “She is also my daughter.” and I feel so happy that he thinks in this way. My father is always a just person, reminding us to be good to each other. He laughs when I tell him my husband is in trouble with K because of something he has said to upset me. My father always makes Du`aa’ for my husband’s first wife. I feel it is his Du`aa’ that has made this relationship so special. K believes this too because she regularly tells me she prays for my parents – as I pray for hers. It is unusual for me to have a conversation these days without mentioning her. Indeed, one day I was telling a friend that my husband was on holiday with my sister K; my friend was rather disturbed that I had allowed my husband to go away with my sister. I quickly explained she was his wife and my friend laughed shaking her head, “You talk about her so much I thought she was your actual sister I never realized she was your husband’s first wife!” I have often just sat and watched K’s face while she is working or sharing her life with me or scolding her children and I feel in awe of her. She is so careful and cautious, yet so carefree and relaxed. She is so focused, yet so impulsive. She is so thoughtful, wise and so concerned. She is My Teacher It’s true to say that she, along with many of my friends, has taught me how to be a wife and has protected my marriage as much as her own but within the appropriate boundaries. She is possessive over me when I am upset, she encourages me when I want to do things in my life and she is severe with me when I want to give up – she is always there for me. I love whenever I make Du`aa’ for her and her husband to be together in this life and in the Hereafter how she always says “With you.” I have often wished that my mother – were she alive – could have met K and that I had known her when I was younger. Not because she is my husband’s other wife but because she is, in herself, a remarkable woman. One day, K and I were talking and I was wearing a ring of my mother’s which I took off and gave to K, with tears in her eyes she took it and put it on her finger. I notice how often when I come to visit or we go out together, she especially puts it on. Of course we are clear with our boundaries and we agree that we should each feel the freedom to be husband and wife within the boundaries of our religion. Yes, we live our own lives, we have our privacy with our husband but we cherish our own sisterhood equally. We do our utmost to protect our relationship from our husband and friends as much as we do for our individual marriages. Of course when we are together, we do not cross the Islamic boundaries of conversation about our personal relationship with our husband. Both, practically and psychologically, there is clear boundary. The only sadness that K and I share is about those women who feel unhappy that we are so close, who feel threatened at our example, fearing that if their husbands may see us happy, worry that they will also take their right and re- marry. This is the sad state of sisterhood for some Muslim women – who fear harm by their own lack of faith, so start the (co –wife) relationship by harming first. They forget that while they have power over the other wife, they lose respect in the eyes of their husband and clearly do not fear Allah SWT. But K and I agree that a good friend is one who is happy when you do good whatever that is and no matter who it affects. I could write many pages about all K has done for me. I was a stranger in the land in which I was married and I cannot count all the times she has been there for me, all the times she has supported me against her own friends, all the times she has just cared, put her arm around me and wiped my tears and enjoyed my laughter. I need only sneeze and she will send me a remedy for flu. I need only sound sad and she will come and see me or scold my husband for me! I will only mention I am tired and she will volunteer one of her children to come and ‘serve’ me as she puts it. My husband and I call her Mudirah (Director) – a perfect title for her because with her energy and love she organizes us all.. When we were married I said to my husband: "I hope when you marry me you will appreciate what a wonderful wife you already have and I hope that in my presence you will realize this about her." – I think K has – without need and without doubt – proved this to be true. I feel in many respects more fulfilled in my marriage because of her – as a woman she knows what women face, the challenges, the expectations and injustices and she is always there fighting my corner, no matter who the opponent. She is in my mind throughout the day as we live our own lives and when I pray I wonder if she has prayed and when I clean I wonder if she is cleaning also and I picture her busy in her home all day with her tasks and children. She tells me when she prays she thinks the same and when she eats always sets aside some food for me, before her husband and children, to send to me when my husband comes. She does not know how many times she has had my heart’s Du`aa’ for feeding me over the time we have known each other. Her reason is, she says, because “I will have to account to Allah on the Last day for how I treated my sister.” For me, this is Iman (faith). It is truly a miracle from Allah SWT when one wife can say that one of the greatest blessings of her marriage is her husband’s other wife. May Allah bless My K., Allah protect her, raise her in honor, grant her endless peace and happiness with her husband and keep them both for each other; and most of all keep her for me." آمِيْن ثُمَّ آمِيْن Posted by Sister Munawwarah on sunniforum.com

Sajdah Sahw for reciting a surah in the third or fourth rak'at of a fardh salah unintentionally Q. I was wondering if someone recited a surah in the third or fourth rak'at of a fardh salah unintentionally, is his salah valid? Does he have to make sajdah sahw? (There may be grammatical and spelling errors in the above question. Questions are published as received) A. It is sunnah to recite only Surah Fatiha in the third and fourth Rakaat of Fardh Salaah. However, if one unintentionally recites a Surah after Surah Fatiha in the third or fourth Rakaat of a Fardh Salaah, then the Salaah will be valid and Sajdah Sahw will not be necessary. Note: In Wajib, Sunnah and Nafl Salaah, Surah Fatiha and a Surah must be recited in all Rakaats. The exclusion of the Surah after Surah Fatiha is only in the Fardh Salaah. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah) And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Confirmation: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Umme Salamah was the daughter of Hadhrat Abu Ummayyah (Radhiyallaho anhu). She was first married to her cousin Hadhrat bin Abdul Asad known as Abu Salamah (Radhiyallaho anhu). The couple embraced Islam in the very beginning and emigrated to Abyssinia, due to the persecutions of Qureysh. A son was born to them in exile, who was named Salamah. After returning from Abyssinia, the family emigrated to Madinah. Hadhrat Umme Salamah’s (Radhiyallaho anha) story about her journey to Madinah, has been already given in the early part of the chapter. After reaching Madinah, Hadhrat Umme Salmah (Rad laho anha) got another son ‘Umar and two daughters Durrah and Zainab (Radhiyallaho anhum). Hadhrat Abu Salamah (Radhiyallaho anho) was the eleventh man to embrace Islam. He participated in the Battle of Badr as well as in Uhud. He got a severe wound in Uhud, which did not heal for a long time. He was sent by the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) in an expedition in Safar, 4 A. H. When he returned from the expedition, the old wound again started giving trouble and at last he died of the same on 8th Jamadil-Akhir, 4 A. H. Hadhrat Umme Salamah (Radi-allaho anha) was pregnant at the time. Zainab was born to her after the death of her husband. After Umme Salamah had completed her Iddat (waiting period), Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radlaho anho) proposed to marry her, but she declined. Later, the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) offered to marry her. She said: “O, Prophet of Allah! I have quite a few children with me and I am very sensitive by nature. Moreover, a people are in Mecca, and their permission for getting remarried is necessary.” The Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) said: “Allah will look after your children and your sensitiveness will vanish in due course. None of people will dislike the proposed marriage”. Hadhrat Umme Salamah then asked her (eldest) son Hadhrat Salamah (Radhiyallaho anho) to serve as her guardian and give her in marriage to the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) She was married in the end of Shawwal, 4 A. H. She says: “I had heard from the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) that a person struck with a calamity should recite this prayer: “O, Allah! Recompense me for this affliction by giving me something better than what I have lost: then Allah would accept his prayer.” I had been reciting this prayer since the death of Hadhrat Abu Salamah (Radhiyallaho anho), but I could not imagine a husband better than he, till Allah arranged my marriage with the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) .” Hadhrat Aishah (Radhiyallaho anha) says: “Umme Salamah (Radhiyallaho anha) was famous for her beauty. Once I contrived to see her. I found her much more beautiful than I had heard. I mentioned this to Hafsah who said. “In my opinion, she is not as beautiful as people say.” She was the last of the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) wives to die. It was in 59 or 62 A. H. She was 84 at the time of her death, and as such she was born 9 years before Nubuwwat. As already been said, the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) married Hadhrat Umme Salamah after the death of Hadhrat Zainab Khuzaimah (Radhiyallaho anha). She therefore lived in Hadhrat Zainab’s (Radhiyallaho anha) house. She found a had-mill, a kettle and some barley in an earthen jar, lying in the house. Hadhrat Umme Salamah milled some barley and after putting some fat cooked a preparation, which she served to the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) on the very first day of her marriage with him. Haq Islam

Hazrat Zainab bint Khuzaimah Hadhrat Zainab (Radhiyallaho anha) was the next to be married to the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) . There are divergent reports about her previous husbands. According to one report she was first married to Hadhrat Abdullah bin Jahsh (Radhiyallaho anho) who was killed in Uhud, as we have already seen in his story in chapter VII. According to another report, she was first married to Tufail ibnul al Harith and when divorced by him was remarried to his brother Ubaidah ibnul Harith, who was killed in Badr. The Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) married her in Ramadan 3 A.H. She lived with the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) for eight months only, as she died in Rabi-ul-Akhir, 4 A.H. Hadhrat Zainab and Hadhrat Khadijah (Radhiyallaho anha) are the two wives of the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) who died during his life time. All the other wives lived on after him and died later. Hadhrat Zainab (Radhiyallaho anha) spent very liberally on the poor, and was Ummul Masakin’ (mother of the poor) even before Islam Haq Islam

Question I told my wife: "I divorce you." I just told her once. Does it count as a divorce? Also is there a 3 month waiting period for man too or is it just for woman? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Divorce is of two types. Divorce may either be Sareeh or Kinayah. A Sareeh divorce is one in which clear words of divorce are used. Kinayah divorce is where the intention of divorce is expressed using ambiguous words. A divorce that was issued with clear words maybe revocable. However, a divorce that was issued with ambiguous words may not be retracted without having to re-perform a nikah. To say “I divorce you” are clear words of divorce and falls under the category of Sareeh Divorce. To issue a divorce once using clear words is sufficient for divorce. If it was said once or twice, the husband can revoke the divorce before the expiry of the three months period (iddat). This could be by saying “I take you back as my wife” or to be physically intimate with your wife etc. There is no waiting period of iddat for a man. Iddat of divorce or death is only for women. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Mawlana Saeed Ahmed Golaub Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by Mufti Ebrahim Desai daruliftaa.net http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/21148

Question I'm a new muslim. I got married 6 months ago.. My husband told me by text message I DIVORCE YOU 3 times I don't speak arabic, I don't what he means after he said that. He never told me front of me after that day we were living in the same house like normal marriage. he was so angry at the moment the text me . We are divorce? Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh It is unclear from your query whether your husband sent you a text message saying “I divorce you three times” or whether he sent you three text messages, each message saying “I divorce you”. The ruling may be different in both cases. Hereunder are the rulings for both cases: 1) If your husband sent you a text message saying “I divorce you three times”, then three talaaqs (divorces) have taken place whether he intended talaaq (divorce) or not. You are no longer husband and wife. Your iddah (waiting period) started the moment he wrote the text message. You cannot marry anyone before the expiry of your waiting period. The waiting period is three menstruations if not pregnant or birth of the child if pregnant. You cannot marry him again unless you marry someone else, consummate the marriage and happen to get divorced again. الكتابة على نوعين : مرسومة وغير مرسومة ، ونعني بالمرسومة أن يكون مصدرا ومعنونا مثل ما يكتب إلى الغائب ... ( وبعد أسطر ) ... وإن كانت مرسومة يقع الطلاق نوى أو لم ينو ثم المرسومة لا تخلو إما أن أرسل الطلاق بأن كتب : أما بعد فأنت طالق ، فكما كتب هذا يقع الطلاق وتلزمها العدة من وقت الكتابة إلخ ( رد المحتار: ج 4 ص 442 ط دار المعرفة ) 2) If your husband sent you three text messages and in each text message he said “I divorce you”, then in this case also three talaaqs (divorces) have taken place and the same rulings as above will apply. If, however, by sending the second and third text messages, the intention of your husband was merely to emphasize the talaaq (divorce), then in this case one revocable divorce (talaaq raj’i) has taken place. In a revocable divorce, the husband may take his wife back during her iddah (waiting period) by saying “I am taking you back into my nikah (marriage)” or “I am going to maintain you as my wife and I will not let you go.” or by kissing or fondling her, etc. If your waiting period has expired and both of you wish to get back together, then you may do your nikah again. ( فتاوى دار العلوم ديوبند: ج 9 150 ط دار الإشاعت ) ( بهشتي زيور: ج 1 ص 463 ) في الدر المختار: كرر لفظ الطلاق وقع الكل ، وإن نوى التأكيد دين ؛ وفي حاشية ابن عابدين: ( قوله كرر لفظ الطلاق ) بأن قال للمدخولة : أنت طالق أنت طالق أو قد طلقتك قد طلقتك أو أنت طالق قد طلقتك أو أنت طالق وأنت طالق إلخ ( قوله وإن نوى التأكيد دين ) أي ووقع الكل قضاء ( رد المحتار: ج 4 ص 510 ط دار المعرفة ) Please note that the rulings mentioned above will not change because of the fact that your husband was angry when he sent you the text message/s; and neither will the rulings change because of you not having understood what he meant by the text message/s. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best Wassalaamu `alaykum Ml. Faizal Riza Correspondence Iftaa Student, Australia Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah http://askimam.org/public/question_deta

wslm...sure go ahead, i'll change it here as well

....So I said to him: “And the likes of her truly deserve that from you.”.... This story was recounted by Prof. Khalid Al-Jubeir, consulting cardiovascular surgeon, in one of his lectures: Once I operated on a two and a half year old child. It was Tuesday, and on Wednesday the child was in good health. On Thursday at 11:15 am – and I’ll never forget the time because of the shock I experienced – one of the nurses informed me that the heart and breathing of the child had stopped. I hurried to the child and performed cardiac massage for 45 minutes and during that entire time the heart would not work. Then, ALLAH decreed for the heart to resume function and we thanked HIM. I went to inform the child’s family about his condition. As you know, it is very difficult to inform the patient’s family about his condition when it’s bad. This is one of the most difficult situations a doctor is subjected to but it is necessary. So I looked for the child’s father whom I couldn’t find. Then I found his mother. I told her that the child’s cardiac arrest was due to bleeding in his throat; we don’t know the cause of this bleeding and fear that his brain is dead. So how do you think she responded? Did she cry? Did she blame me? No, nothing of the sort. Instead, she said “Alhamdulillah” (All Praise is due to ALLAH) and left me. After 10 days, the child started moving. We thanked ALLAH and were happy that his brain condition was reasonable. After 12 days, the heart stopped again because of the same bleeding. We performed another cardiac massage for 45 minutes but this time his heart didn’t respond. I told his mother that there was no hope. So she said: “Alhamdulillah. O ALLAH, if there is good in his recovery, then cure him, O my Lord.” With the grace of ALLAH, his heart started functioning again. He suffered six similar cardiac arrests till a trachea specialist was able to stop the bleeding and the heart started working properly. Now, three and a half months had passed and the child was recovering but did not move. Then just as he started moving, he was afflicted with a very large and strange pus-filled abscess in his head, the likes of which I had never seen. I informed his mother of the serious development. She said “Alhamdulillah” and left me. We immediately turned him over to the surgical unit that deals with the brain and nervous system and they took over his treatment. Three weeks later, the boy recovered from this abscess but was still not moving. Two weeks pass and he suffers from a strange blood poisoning and his temperature reaches 41.2°C (106°F). I again informed his mother of the serious development and she said with patience and certainty: “Alhamdulillah. O ALLAH, if there is good in his recovery, then cure him.” After seeing his mother who was with her child at Bed#5, I went to see another child at Bed#6. I found that child’s mother crying and screaming, “Doctor! Doctor! Do something! The boy’s temperature reached 37.6°C (99.68°F)! He’s going to die! He’s going to die!” I said with surprise, “Look at the mother of that child in Bed#5. Her child’s fever is over 41°C (106°F), yet she is patient and praises ALLAH.” So she replied: “That woman isn’t conscious and has no senses”. At that point, I remembered the great Hadith of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam): “Blessed are the strangers.” Just two words… but indeed two words that shake a nation! In 23 years of hospital service, I have never seen the likes of this patient sister. We continued to care for him. Now, six and a half months have passed and the boy finally came out of the recovery unit – not talking, not seeing, not hearing, not moving, not smiling, and with an open chest in which you can see his beating heart. The mother changed the dressing regularly and remained patient and hopeful. Do you know what happened after that? Before I inform you, what do you think are the prospects of a child who has passed through all these dangers, agonies, and diseases? And what do you expect this patient mother to do whose child is at the brink of the grave and who is unable to do anything except supplicate and beseech ALLAH? Do you know what happened two and a half months later? The boy was completely cured by the mercy of ALLAH and as a reward for this pious mother. He now races his mother with his feet as if nothing happened and he became sound and healthy as he was before. The story doesn’t end here. This is not what moved me and brought tears to my eyes. What filled my eyes with tears is what follows: One and a half years after the child left the hospital, one of the brothers from the Operations Unit informed me that a man, his wife and two children wanted to see me. I asked who they were and he replied that he didn’t know them. So I went to see them, and I found the parents of the same child whom I operated upon. He was now five years old and like a flower in good health – as if nothing happened to him. With them also was a four-month old newborn. I welcomed them kindly and then jokingly asked the father whether the newborn was the 13th or 14th child. He looked at me with an astonishing smile as if he pitied me. He then said, “This is the second child, and the child upon whom you operated is our first born, bestowed upon us after 17 years of infertility. And after being granted that child, he was afflicted with the conditions that you’ve seen.” At hearing this, I couldn’t control myself and my eyes filled with tears. I then involuntarily grabbed the man by the arm, and pulling him to my room, asked him about his wife: “Who is this wife of yours who after 17 years of infertility has this much patience with all the fatal conditions that afflict her first born?! Her heart cannot be barren! It must be fertile with Imaan!”Do you know what he said? Listen carefully my dear brothers and sisters. He said, “I was married to this woman for 19 years and for all these years she has never missed the night prayers except due to an authorized excuse. I have never witnessed her backbiting, gossiping, or lying. Whenever I leave home or return, she opens the door, supplicates for me, and receives me hospitably. And in everything she does, she demonstrates the utmost love, care, courtesy, and compassion.” The man completed by saying, “Indeed, doctor, because of all the noble manners and affection with which she treats me, I’m shy to lift up my eyes and look at her. So I said to him: “And the likes of her truly deserve that from you.” The End… ALLAH says: And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient; Who, when calamity strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to ALLAH, and indeed to HIM we will return.” Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the guided. (Surah Al-Baqarah 155-157) Umm Salamah (the wife of the Prophet) said: I heard the Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) saying: “There is no Muslim who is stricken by a calamity and says what ALLAH has commanded him – ‘Indeed we belong to ALLAH, and indeed to Him we will return; O ALLAH, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with that which is better’ – except that ALLAH will grant him something better in exchange.” When Abu Salamah passed away, I said to myself: “What Muslim is better than Abu Salamah?” I then said the words, and ALLAH gave me the Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) in exchange. (Sahih Muslim Sharief)

Q. I want to know - is it true that in Islam a guidance of a husband is the law for his wife, she must implicitly obey him. And may a husband forbid his wife to visit her parents? If between the husband’s guidance and parents guidance there is a contradiction (the conflict), whom of them the wife must obey? (Query published as received) A. Islam has emphasized on the wife to be obedient to the husband and on the husband to treat the wife with kindness, compassion and justice. Both components are necessary in a successful marriage and if both husband and wife play their proper roles in the marriage, the objectives of marriage will be fulfilled. Sayyiduna Qays bin Sa’ad (Radiyallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said after explaining to the Sahabah that it is prohibited to prostrate to anyone besides Allah: لو كنت آمرا أحدا أن يسجد لأحد لأمرت النساء أن يسجدن لأزواجهن لما جعل الله لهم عليهن من الحق “If I had to command prostration to anyone, I would have commanded wives to prostrate to their husbands due to the great right they have over them” (Abu Dawood, Hadith #: 2140) In another Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: إذا صلت المرأة خمسها، وصامت شهرها، وحفظت فرجها، وأطاعت زوجها قيل لها: ادخلي الجنة من أي أبواب الجنة شئت “When a woman is punctual on her five daily Salaah and fasts for the month of Ramadaan and safeguards her chastity and obeys her husband, it will be said to her (on the day of Judgment): Enter through whichever door of Paradise you wish” (Musnad Ahmed, Hadith #: 1661, Narrated by Abdurrahman bin Auf) And with regards to husbands treating their wives with compassion, Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ فَإِنْ كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا And treat them (your wives) in a good manner. If you dislike them, then it is quite likely that you dislike something and Allah has placed a lot of good in it (Surah an-Nisaa, Verse: 19) In the Hadith, the Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, خيركم خيركم لأهله وأنا خيركم لأهلي “The best of you is he who is good to his wife and I am good to my wife” (Tirmizi, #: 4269, Narrated by Aa’ishah) It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Anhu) that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, استوصوا بالنساء خيرا “Treat your wives with kindness”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, #: 5186, Narrated by Abu Hurayrah) So as you can see from the abovementioned divine texts, it is the duty of the wife to obey her husband whilst it is also the duty of the husband to be kind and fair to his wife. However, it should be noted that with regards to the obedience of the husband, the wife is not allowed to obey her husband in matters that are not permissible. For example, if the husband commands the wife to accompany him to a casino or pub, it will not be permissible for her to obey him in this regard. This leads us to the other part of your question. Should she obey her husband if he forbids her from visiting her parents? If she obeys her husband and does not visit her parents at all, this will result in her breaking off ties with her parents which is a major sin. So she cannot be expected to obey her husband in this regard. However, at the same time, she cannot also visit her parents so often where it leads to a problem in the marriage. A balance has to be struck between the obedience of the husband and the visiting of her parents. Likewise, a balance has to be struck between the pleasing of the parents and the husband as both are equally important. In situations where the commands of both come into conflict, the wife will have to weigh the situation and look at the best interests of preserving her marriage, as long as the wish of the husband is not in contradiction to the laws of Shari’ah. The jurists have provided the guideline that the wife should be allowed to visit her parents at least once a week if they are nearby. If they are distant or it is difficult to go to them, she should be allowed to visit them based on the usual practice of people. (Raddul Muhtar & al-Bahrur Ra’iq). ينبغي أن يأذن لها في زيارتهما في الحين بعد الحين على قدر متعارف The husband and wife should form some mutual agreement as to when and how often she can visit her parents. He should be considerate of her feelings and she should also be considerate of his position as the husband. And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Fooling ourselves with Aprils Fool Responding to a question regarding Aprils Fool, Khalid Baig writes: The question is why do you want to take part in it? Think about it, research it, ask those who do urge or encourage you to do so. Why? When you do, you will discover that real fools are the persons who foolishly follow this practice while they have no idea why they are doing it. A Muslim does not follow the mob. He, or she, never does things simply because other people are doing it. He is a thinking, reflecting, person who does not waste any of his time in doing things that will not bring him any benefit in the hereafter or in this world. The Hadith says: "From the beauty of a person's Islam is his abandoning of vain things." (Tirmizi) In contrast, in Jahiliyya (ignorant) societies people do things simply because others are doing it. They blindly follow whatever the media or the mob tell them is the latest in thing or cool idea. That is why Qur'an says that they are deaf, dumb, and blind. They are like animals. Rather they are worse than animals. "Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle, nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning)." (Surah: 7, V: 179) Islam liberates you from the Jahiliyya society. Indeed it would be tragic if someone, instead of cherishing it, were to question this liberation. Adapted from Al-Balagh Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians 223 Alpine Road, Overport, Durban

Allah created the body from the dust of the earth So its nourishment (food and drink) comes from the earth Our soul (nafs, rooh) has come from Allah and the heavens So too the nourishment of the soul comes from Allah and the heavens So what is the nourishment of the soul? It is the Holy Quran, words of Allah, spirituality, our connection with Allah and Ibadaat. Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadhul Haqq

Saved at the Last Minute! "This is a true story that happened in Egypt (related by Shaykh Wahid ‘Abd al-Salam Bali in his lecture): A young man flagged down a taxi in order to take his ill mother to the hospital. They both got in and the driver made his way to the hospital. However, on the way, the son asked for the taxi to be stopped so that he could get out and quickly get some medication for his mother. As he was away, the mother’s health suddenly plummeted and subhan’Allah, the driver noticed the signs of death on her. He immediately went to her side and guided her through the Shahadah (testimony of faith), in accordance to the hadith: “Whoever’s last words are la ilaha illa’Allah (there is no God but Allah), will enter Paradise.” [Abu Dawud]. The mother looked at the driver acknowledging it, and finally she uttered the words of faith before breathing her very last. When the son returned, the driver informed him of the news. The son went into a natural hysteria whereupon the driver consoled him saying, “Don’t worry, I helped her utter the Shahadah and she said it in a clear voice.” The son then exclaimed, “What! Why did you do that? Don’t you know we are Christians?!” Subhan’Allah, the wonders of the Qadr (Decree) of Allah. You just don’t know where it will take you and what your last words/deeds will be. This was a Coptic Christian mother in the throes of death and Allah saved her just in time. May Allah grant us all a good end, ameen. The Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “Iman is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and the Decree; the good thereof and the bad.”" [Muslim] http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?103954-Amazing-Story-of-accepting-Islam

assalaamu 'alaykum I have had a quick look (without reading it thoroughly dur to lack of time).I think it looks like a good article which would dispell misconceptions so I recomment it is scrutinised for mistakes, checked etc and then the completed article be posted when you decide to release it rather than just a link at this time...only a recommendation and also its good policy to post full article rtaher than a link..jazakallah

The people around you are your Jannah(Paradise)or Jahannam (Hellfire). Jannah is not far. It could be earned through the people you associate with in your daily life. Jahannam too is not far. One could end up in Jahannam through the people you associate with in your daily life. Sheikh Mufti Ebrahim Desai (Hafidhahullah)

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullah 'Alayh) We want Islamic law to conform to our liking, so much so that we will find some Fatwa (Juristic ruling) to justify our actions. The ordinary laymen, and so too many who are highly qualified in the secular field, read the Qur`aan Shareef and authentic Hadeeth kitaabs[1] such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, and find some Ayah (verse) or Hadeeth to justify their actions. Often, the Ayah or Hadeeth is taken out of context and expounded to justify grave and major sins. Each Ayah and Hadeeth has an explanation and commentary. If there was no need for explanations, we would not have had Allama Sayyid Mahmood Baghdadi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), Ibn Katheer (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) and other Mufassireen (commentators of the Qur`aan Shareef), or Hafez Asqalani (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), Mulla Ali Qaari (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) and other Muhadditheen[2] writing volumes in commentary. Therefore, to just read and present an Ayah from the Qur`aan Shareef or a Hadeeth from a kitaab is not sufficient to justify one’s actions. Despite the fact that there are so many law books and medical journals at the disposal of the layman, not everyone is qualified to understand or explain and interpret these. One has to spend many years in study and research under one already qualified in the field of law, medicine, etc. before one can do so. …If some quack has to give a wrong opinion or an incorrect diagnosis, he would be sued for malpractice. So in the field of Ifta[3], only those qualified in the science of Qur`aan and Hadeeth may issue verdicts. No matter how many certificates, degrees and other qualifications and titles a person may have acquired in the secular field, these do not give him (or her) the license and authority to issue Fatwas in the sphere of Religion. …Then there are so many who have a superficial knowledge of just the Arabic language but consider themselves qualified to interpret the Qur`aan Shareef and Ahaadeeth. The Sahaba-e-Kiraam (RA), who were perfectly acquainted and versant in the language of Arabic, were still required to formally learn the Qur`aan Shareef from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam). It would therefore be false and arrogant of a person, with a basic study of Arabic, to lay claim to having more knowledge and understanding than the noble Sahabah (RA), by presenting his own commentary of Qur`aan. There are so many who have not studied Shariah under the guidance of Ulama-e-Haq, but who reject the teachings of the Mujtahideen[4] and present their own concocted theories and commentaries; others are quick to quote Ayaah and Ahaadeeth in support of their sinful actions, or misinterpret the same. Such people should seriously heed the warnings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) in regard to their careless and erroneous statements and ignorant behaviour. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said : “Whosoever, in interpreting the Qur`aan, says therein anything of his own opinion commits a mistake even if he is correct.” In another narration, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) mentioned : “Whoso interprets the Qur`aan without knowledge, let him seek his abode in the Fire.” And: “Whoso interprets the Qur`aan according to his opinion, let him seek his abode in the Fire.” [Tirmizi Sharif] In regard to misquoting Ahaadeeth, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi waSallam) stated explicitly : “Be careful of (narrating) traditions from me except what you know. Whoso imputes falsehood to me intentionally, let him then seek his abode in the fire.” [Tirmizi Sharif] Yes, when it comes to etiquette, character, the stories of the Ambiyaa (‘Alaihimus Salaam) and nations of the past, the causes of rise and decline; paradise and hell, reward and retribution, then read and quote authentic Tafseer or translation; but when it comes to the laws of Shariah, Fatawa (Shar’i rulings), commentary of Qur`aan and Hadeeth, leave it to those who have spent years mastering these sciences and are experts in these fields. Nowadays, the title of ‘Mufti’[5] has also become very cheap. Some spend a few months or a year in a Darul Ifta[6] and become rubber stamp “Mufti so and so”. Before enquiring about matters pertaining to Deen, verify the person’s qualifications, just as we do in worldly matters. …Women have a weakness, that if a woman gives a powerful speech on a subject, having read some Islamic books, she is asked questions on all subjects. The speaker too will reply to all questions even though ignorant. Just giving a good speech is no qualification to answer all questions on the Qur`aan Shareef and Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam). We should be cautious and selective regarding whom we acquire Ilm-e-Deen from. …There is a famous statement of Muhammad bin Sireen (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh): “This knowledge is a matter of Deen, so be careful who you take your Deen from.” We should keep this in mind and we should not lay claim to qualifications we do not possess. [1] kitaabs : books [2] Muhadditheen : Scholars of Hadeeth [3] Ifta : Legal Shar’i injunctions [4] Mujtahideen : Scholars certified as capable to interpret Islamic Law [5] Mufti : Muslim Jurist [6] Darul Ifta : Institution offering a course concentrating on Islamic Law and passing verdicts http://fragrance-of-a-rose.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/islamic-law.html

It is obligatory upon every Muslim to recite Durud at least once in his lifetime. (Si'aaya p.38) It is Sunnah Mu'akkadah to recite Durud after tashahhud in the final sitting of salaah. (Si'aayah p.38) It is compulsory to recite Durud when the name of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم is taken in a gathering. If the name of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم is taken a number of times in a gathering, then it is compulsory to recite Durud the first time. The rest of the times it will be Mustahab. According to Imaam Tahaawi þ it is compulsory at every time. (Si'aayah, Bahr ur Raa'iq vol.1 p.346) It is correct to suffice on Durud, without reciting Salaam. (Al Qawl p.26) If the wording of the Durud only has those of Salaat and not Salaam, then it is Mustahab to join the words of Salaam. If the Durud is repeated, then it will be Mustahab to join the words of Salaam now and then. (Nuzul ul Abraar p.129) It is prohibited to join words to the forms of Salaat and Salaam narrated in the Ahadith. (Nuzul ul Abraar p.129) Alislam.co.za

May Allah subhaanahu wata'ala crown our efforts and endeavours with acceptance even though not worthy, aameen

Question Aww, respected Ulama, first I would like to thank you for this site, it’s very helpful, may Allah swt reward you for your efforts. My wife recently went for a cervical smear test, the process involves a nurse inserting a plastic instrument through the private part and taking a swab of the cervix, does this make ghusl compulsory? Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh Inserting a plastic instrument in the private part of a woman does not necessitate ghusl. (و) منها (إدخال إصبع ونحوه) كشبه ذكر مصنوع من نحو جلد (في أحد السبيلين) على المختار لقصور الشهوة (مراقي الفلاح المطبوع بحاشية الطحطاوي، كتاب الطهارة، فصل عشرة أشياء لا يغتسل منها: ص 101؛ العلمية) And Allah knows best Wassalaamu `alaykum Ml. Abrar Mirza, Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah

Why Do I Wear Hijab? By Sultana Yusufali I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a “rebel”. I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercing. I do not possess a leather jacket. In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of “oppressed female.” The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: “Do your parents make you wear that?” or “Don’t you find that really unfair?” A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harboring an Uzi underneath it! Of course, the issue at hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear the hijab. And the concept of the hijab, contrary to popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment. When I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof. Compare this to life in today’s society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewelry, hair and makeup. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this? Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this Earth. But it is the vessel of an intelligent mind and a strong spirit. It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars! Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing. It is a myth that women in today’s society are liberated! What kind of freedom can there be when a woman can not walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being “checked out”? When I wear the hijab I feel safe from all of this. I can rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between me and those who would exploit me. I am first and foremost a human being, equal to any man, and not vulnerable because of my sexuality. One of the saddest truths of our time is the question of the beauty myth and female self-image. Reading popular teenage magazines, you can instantly find out what kind of body image is “in” or “out.” and if you have the “wrong” body type, well, then, you’re just going to have to change it, aren’t you? After all, there is no way that you can be overweight and still be beautiful. Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, taller, slimmer and more attractive than average, dressed in skimpy clothing. Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this? Whether the 90s woman wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mold. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats and overweight adolescents hanging themselves. When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision out of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don’t give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females. My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that. I am also able to say “no” comfortably then people ask me if I feel as though my sexuality is being repressed. I have taken control of my sexuality. I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose/gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin color. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them. So next time you see me, don’t look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshipping female captive from those barbarous Arabic deserts! I’ve been liberated.

When someone with a lot of free time arrives again and again knocking on the door when one is busy one will not welcome the unwanted guest after the first couple of times. One will get fed up with the visitor thinking they have nothing to do but visit others. However it is the opposite with our Lord. He likes us knocking on His door and asking Him for all our needs. He is always there to listen to us.

A man had bought a goat and was on his way home when a few people decided to trick him out of it. As he walked with the goat the first person greeted him and commented, “Nice dog”. The man immediately said angrily, “Cant you see? It’s a goat!”, and so saying carried on. Further on a second man said the same thing. This time he looked back at the goat and with a little less confidence said, “It’s a goat”. When a third person did the same he became doubtful and his confidence dwindled to a low but he nevertheless answered that it was a goat. However when a fourth person commented, “Nice dog”, he lost all confidence and remained silent. He looked back and rubbed his eyes thinking it looks like a goat but since people are saying it’s a dog, perhaps it’s a dog and with this thought he let the goat go free. This is exactly our state. Despite knowing we are lower than dogs, when people praise us and ask us to made du’a and address us respectfully, we fall for it and become convinced we are “someone” when in reality we are "no-one"! May Allah subhaanahu wata'ala grant us the reality of our insignificance. This story has been taken from the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah)...it made me realise how easily we fall for the deception of Shaytaan who makes us concentrate on the little good which we do (and even that little good is only through the sheer grace of Allah subhaanahu wata'ala)!

An important Dua حَسْبِىَ اللّهُ لاَ اِلهَ اِلاَّ هُوْ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمِ Allah is sufficient for me, there is no deity except him, upon him I place my trust and he is the Rabb of the great throne. Any person that recites the above Dua seven times morning and evening (i.e. after Fajr Salaah and Maghrib Salaah), Allah Ta’ala will take care of his problems (grief) pertaining to the world and the hereafter. Hadrat Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum says, “If Switzerland could manufacture a watch that is water proof, what is it difficult for Allah Ta’ala to make one’s heart worry proof.” When Allah Ta’ala will protect the heart, then Allah Ta’ala will protect the body as well. The commentators of Hadith have written what is meant by worry, الهم هو الذى يذيب الانسان Worry is such a thing that will destroy the human being. When a person is afflicted with problems and worry, one lies in bed and is reluctant to even get up. Many a times these worries drive a person to the act of suicide. Hadrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum explains that Allah Ta’ala is that being who is the Rabb of the great Arsh (throne). The throne of Allah is that place where all decisions are finalised, such as the increase of the petrol price, the fluctuation of the rand dollar exchange, the decision made by any judge is actually made there and then implemented in the world etc. If a person strengthens his bond and relationship with the owner of the Arsh, such a person will not suffer any form of grief. The decision of Allah Ta’ala If a person realises that whatever occurrences or mishaps take place in one’s life is in reality the decision of Allah Ta’ala, such a person will not waste his energy blaming others and fighting with others. من كان نظره الى مجارى القضاء لا يفنى ايامه الى مخاصمة الناس In one Hadith Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, من اصلح ما بينه وبين ربه اصلح الله ما بينه وبين خلقه Whoever corrects his relationship with his Rabb, Allah Ta’ala will correct his relationship with the creation. A poet beautifully states, اگر تو میرا تو ہر شیء میری زمین میری آسمان میرا اگر تو نہیں میرا تو کوئی شیء نہیں میری If you are mine (O Allah), then everything is mine, the heavens are mine, the earth is mine If you are not mine, then nothing is mine. A beneficial incident A group of Mujahideen were deputed to fight against the Romans. Whilst travelling one Sahaabi slipped and fell, breaking his thigh bone. The remainder of the army were unable to remain behind and attend to the Sahaabi. They fastened his horse next to him and left some food at his side, and proceeded. Suddenly a person appeared and asked the Sahaabi, “What is the matter?” He replied, “I had fallen from my conveyance thus breaking my thigh bone.” The person then advised the Sahaabi to place his hand on the injured section and recite the following verse, فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ If they turn away then say, Allah is sufficient for me (even if the entire world turns against me). There is none worthy of worship but Him, On Him only do I rely and He is the Rabb of the glorious throne. Allah Ta’ala caused the broken bone to heal, he mounted his horse and then departed. The above Dua should be recited with conviction, but always bear in mind that cure is only from Allah Ta’ala. One should always place his trust on Allah Ta’ala. Allama A’loosi Rahmatullahi Alaihi, the great Mufti of Baghdad, author of the Tafseer Ruhul Ma’aani states, “I have been reciting this verse of the Quraan Sharif for many years and it is a part of my daily recitals, I am extremely grateful to Allah Ta’ala for this.” May Allah Ta’ala grant us goodness by the blessings of this daily recital. We should also make Dua that Allah Ta’ala suffices us by the blessings of this Wazifa. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of practising. Ameen! www.khanqahashrafiaislamia.co.za

'Neither love nor hatred can be allowed to compromise justice.' By Khalid Baig Source : http://www.albalagh.net There is one word that captures the essence of all Islamic laws and all Islamic teachings; one word that describes the overriding value that permeates all Islamic values. Justice. The Qur'an says: "We sent aforetime our messengers with clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance, that men may stand forth in Justice." [Al-Hadeed 57:25] The sole purpose of sending the prophets was to establish Justice in the world and end injustice. Broadly speaking, doing justice means giving everyone his due. But this simple statement camouflages all the complexities of life in their myriad and ever-changing relations; all the temptations; all the apprehensions and concerns; all the conflicts and dilemmas. To guide the people, Allah sent down the prophets with clear signs, the Book, and the Balance. The Book contains the revelations that spell out what's fair and unfair or right and wrong. The Balance refers to our ability to measure and calculate so we can follow the path shown by the Book and explained by the Prophets. Together these sources taught us what are the rights of Allah, of other people, and of our own persons on us and how to balance them. A life lived in obedience to Allah, then, is a continuous balancing act, both individually and collectively. Under normal circumstances many people can be just. But Islam commands its followers to be just even in the face of strong conflicting emotions. In dealing with other human beings, two major impediments to justice are love and hatred. See how the Qur'an teaches us to overcome the first impediment when we are dealing with our closest relatives or even ourselves. "O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do." [An-Nisa 4:135] Here is the resolution from the Qur'an of the perennial conflict between self-interest and justice. Be just, even if it is against your narrowly defined self-interest or of those very close to you. Ignorant people think they are protecting their self-interest by being unjust to others. Their decision to be just or unjust may be based on a cold calculation of self-interest. But real faith in Allah elevates one beyond that narrow-mindedness. These verses remind us that the real protector of interests of all people is also Allah and He will protect us when we follow His command to be just. The justice demanded by Islam permits no favoritism. The other equally potent impediment is hatred. Here again Qur'an commands: "O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do." [Al-Maidah 5:8] In other words you cannot do injustice even when you are dealing with the enemy. The natural, uneducated, and uncivilized tendency is to treat the enemy as less than a human being; one who has no rights and deserves no justice or fairness. It was as true in the pre-Islamic tribal jahilya (based on ignorance) society as it is today. See how Islam directly curbs it. It is a command to the believers, with a reminder that Allah is watching you, that enmity of others cannot be used as an excuse for committing injustices against them. Justice does require retribution and Islam does call for, "an eye for an eye." But it does not mean an innocent eye for an innocent eye; it means the eye of the perpetrator for the eye of the victim. It is amazing how those who call the latter as barbaric, actually rally for the former when a real crisis develops. Fourteen hundred years ago these commands created a society where rich and poor, friend and foe, Muslim and non-Muslim, the ruler and the ruled, were all treated equally and all of them could count on receiving justice. The qazis (judges) were independent and no one, including the khalifah was above the law. If a dispute arose between the Khalifah and an ordinary person, both had to appear in court and provide their evidence. Islamic history is full of stories of this justice that filled the earth wherever Muslims ruled in their golden era. Even during their period of decline, we find sporadic incidents that are just unparalleled. One example from recent history may suffice here. During the British Rule in India, once a dispute arose between Hindus and Muslims over a piece of land. Hindus claimed it belonged to a temple while Muslims claimed it to be mosque. Emotions were high on both sides and the possibility of a riot was real. The English judge could not find any means of ascertaining the truth. It was one group's words against the other's. Finally the Judge asked both groups if they could trust the testimony of any person. They could. It was a particular Muslim imam (religious leader) who was known for his piety. The person was requested to come to the court as a witness in a very charged atmosphere, with the entire community urging him to help them win the case through his testimony. His testimony was brief. "The Hindus are right," he said. "The Muslim case is baseless." He had not betrayed the community. He had once more affirmed its unflinching commitment to truth and justice above all else. That is the justice the world needs today. "Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; and when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: verily how excellent is the teaching which He gives you! For Allah is He Who hears and sees all things." [An-Nisa 4:58]