Junob and cannot perform ghusl or tayammum

What about the case of one who is traveling by plane on a long trip and encounters janaba, and is not able to perform ghusl, and there is nothing on the plane that allows him to perform tayammum. If one waits until reaching the final destination, the time for salaat would be over (i.e., salaat that is not combinable with another salaat like fajr, or the time for combining the two salaat like dhuhr and asr would be over), since one may start travel before fajr and not arrive until after sunrise, or start travel before dhuhr and not arrive until after maghrib. So what should one do?

If we assume that he can not make ghusl on the airplane, then this is a case known to scholars of fiqh as the case of the one faqid al-tahoorain "missing the two purifications" (i.e. water for wudu' and soil for tayammum), and their sayings in this matter differ. Imam Ahmad and the majority of narrators say that the person should pray in his impurity, since this is what is within his capability and ability, and that Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear. The evidence in this situation is what Imam Muslim narrated in his authentic collection of hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent some people to search for a necklace that Aa'isha had lost, during which the time for prayer had entered, so they prayed without wudu' (due to the absence of water). Afterwards they went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and mentioned this situation to him. The verse allowing tayammum was then revealed.1 The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not disapprove their action and did not command them to repeat the prayer. A similar situation can happen to patients that cannot move their limbs completely (a paralyzed person who has no one to assist him) or prisoners in some cases of being tied-up or hung-up. The intention is one's prayer should performed and not delayed from its prescribed time depending on his situation and one is not required to repeat it. This is the most appropriate, as Allah did not burden us with religion.
From the book What Should You Do in the Following Situations... ?

1 Sahih Muslim 367

The wisdom behind the distortion of the Gospel

Why did Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, allow the Gospel to be distorted when He was able to preserve it?
What are the teachings that the Muslims followed before the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?.

Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:

Allaah delegated the preservation of the Torah and Gospel to their scholars and monks, based on the evidence of the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We did send down the Tawraat (Torah) [to Moosa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allaah’s Will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests [too judged for the Jews by the Tawraat (Torah) after those Prophets], for to them was entrusted the protection of Allaah’s Book, and they were witnesses thereto”

[al-Maa'idah 5:44].

Allaah did not guarantee to preserve them as He guaranteed to preserve the Qur’aan. There are a number of reasons for that:

1.

Allaah wanted the Qur'aan to remain the eternal Book and the law that would abide until the Day of Resurrection. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’aan) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures)”

[al-Maa'idah 5:48].

There is no need for the previous Books to be preserved, especially since the time of the Qur’aan was close to the time of the Gospel, and there were only six hundred years between them.

2.

That was to be a test for those who had been given the Book – would they play their role in preserving the Scripture? Would they believe in what it said? Would they follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, whom they found mentioned in the Torah and Gospel? Or would they persist in their stubbornness and distort, conceal and falsify?

3.

This was also a test for all the followers of Christianity until the Day of Resurrection. They can see that their Book in which they believe is not free of distortions, doubts and loss, and they can see that the Book of the Final Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has been preserved and transmitted by so many from so many that no one can doubt its authenticity, so that calls them to believe in the clear Book, the Holy Qur’aan.

Secondly:

During the Jaahiliyyah, before the coming of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the people were polytheists (mushrikeen) and idol-worshippers, and most of them had no real religion or decent laws, except a few who followed the way of the Messiah (peace be upon him), such as Waraqah ibn Nawfal, and a few Haneefs who followed the religion of Ibraaheem, who shunned shirk, idols, alcohol and immorality, and prostrated to Allaah alone, the Lord of the Worlds, such as Zayd ibn ‘Amr ibn Nufayl, of whom it is narrated in a saheeh report in al-Bukhaari (3614) that he said: “I will not eat of that which you slaughter on your stone altars, and I will not eat anything but that over which the name of Allaah has been mentioned.” And he also used to say: “O Quraysh, by Allaah, there is no one among you who is following the religion of Ibraaheem except me.” He used to try to stop people burying their daughters alive, and he would say to a man who wanted to kill his daughter: Do not kill her; I will sponsor her. And he would take her and when she grew up he would say to her father: If you wish, I will give her to you, and if you wish, I will sponsor her. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3616).

And Allaah knows best.

Accusing the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) of being mentally ill

Recently, I read an article concerning Prophet Muhammed's validity. The article explained Prophet Muhammed was insane and suffering from a terribe psychological problem. Is this true? I think it is not, but a majority of people believe so. Is there any way YOU can defend Prophet Muhammed as being a true prophet?.

Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:

The Muslim must realize that there is a difference between defending Islam before Muslims, which is done by quoting from the Qur’aan and Sunnah and other reliable sources, and defending Islam before non-Muslims who do not believe in the sources of sharee’ah, so we have to address them on the basis of reason and common sense.

In order to answer this question we should realize that such things could not be said by a Muslim who believes in the sharee’ah of Islam, and that such words undoubtedly constitute kufr and heresy. Based on that, it is obvious that the people who said this are not Muslims and do not believe in sharee’ah, rather they are kaafirs who do not believe in Allaah or in the religion of Islam. So we should debate with them on the basis of reason, therefore we say to them the following:

This claim can only come from one who hates and is jealous of the religion of Islam, for jealousy and hatred only come to a person when he sees an obvious blessing, which gives rise to hatred and envy in his heart. When those who came up with this claim saw the Muslims and the obvious blessings that they enjoy such as peace of mind and tranquility of heart, and the rare occurrence among the Muslims of evils such as adultery and alcohol consumption, and the low numbers of Muslims afflicted by physical and mental diseases which are rampant among them (the non-Muslims), such as AIDS and other illnesses, and when they saw the glowing history of the Muslims and how they were masters of the world when they adhered to Islam, and other manifest blessings to which everyone attests, and they saw how many people were becoming Muslim every day throughout the world, that upset them and they feared the spread of Islam, but they could not resist it except by using the feeble trick of slander.

Intelligent people agree that anyone who makes a claim has to produce evidence to confirm the truth of what he is saying, otherwise it is to be rejected and thrown back in his face. Where is the proof of their sinister claims?

If an intelligent man is told that some person managed to convince many people, numbering in the billions, of a specific idea, and that they followed him in that, or that a man on his own was able to succeed in the elections – for example – or to convince the people to vote for him, this intelligent man would attest that this person was brilliant and intelligent and wise. So how about out Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) – may my father and mother be sacrificed for him – whom the Arabs and non-Arabs followed, whose message of Islam spread everywhere and whose message with which Allaah sent him has remained strong until our own times, facts which are attested by everyone? Even those who make these sinister claims believe this deep in their hearts, but their envy and hatred have made them blind.

Many of the enemies of Islam, such as the Orientalists who study Islam, affirm the virtues of Islam and the status of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and they testify that he was wise and perfect. When enemies testify to the virtues of their opponent, this carries great weight.

The Muslim should not pay any attention to these people with ulterior motives who lay in wait to attack Islam and its followers, and try to undermine Islam. Islam is not affected by the slurs of such people or by their praise either.

And Allaah is the Guide to the Straight Path.

A new Muslim wants to learn the religion

My questions involves many things..i am a very new convert an at first i was praying all prays as best i could (i dont know arabic)someone told me i should only speak in arabic ...so in the end i have stopped praying ..i think of allah many times in the day ..an follow the teachings ..but some things i know are wrong i cannot stop ..since allah called me i have improved my life immensley an am happier than i have been in a very long time ...i used to be drunk every day ..now i almost dont drink at all ..i used to gamble all my money ..now i almost dont gamble at all .....when i do do these wrong things i can feel it is wrong an dont want to go back to my old ways ...i can feel allah is guiding me in ways i dont understand ..i dont feel guilty i just feel why am i doing this ....i have asked a few muslim people i work with an even a person i met online to teach me to pray properly an help me in other ways ..but because i am australian they dont feel i am being serious about being muslim ..so they have been reluctent..i am not a good person i think ..but i am much better than i have been an with his help an guidence i know i will succeed ..there are many things for me to learn ...please give me your advise ......should i keep trying by myself ..or continue to seek help from other muslims evn though they seem not to want to .

Praise be to Allaah.
Praise be to Allaah first and last, and thanks be to Him always. He blesses whomsoever He will with guidance, and deprives whomsoever He will of happiness. He saves His slave from misguidance and supports His close friends until the Hour begins.

My dear Muslim brother, congratulations on your being blessed with guidance. We ask Allaah to make you steadfast until death.

It was a great achievement when you decided to embrace Islam and give up the misguidance in which you had grown up and the shirk [association of others with Allaah] which is forbidden. We welcome you as a new brother in Islam and we welcome you as a visitor to this site.

First of all, we would remind you that in this world man passes through great tests and trials, which require him to be patient and steadfast, and to stand firm until death.

“O man! Verily, you are returning towards your Lord  with your deeds and actions (good or bad), a sure returning, and you will meet (the results of your deeds which you did)”

[al-Inshiqaaq 84:6 – interpretation of the meaning]

One of the trials with which Allaah tests His slaves is the enjoining of obligations and duties such as prayer, fasting, zakaah, Hajj and other acts of worship, and the things that He forbids them to do such as lying, cheating, adultery, homosexuality and all other forbidden things, so as to see the sincere believer who obeys the commands of Allaah, so that He may admit him to Paradise, and the liar and hypocrite who does not obey Allaah, so that He may send him to Hell.

Try to do your best to learn what Allaah commands, and do it, and what He forbids, and avoid it.

There are many commands, and many prohibitions, and it is impossible to list them or explain them all in one place. But we refer you to what is mentioned in this site of ours of questions that deal with the teachings of Islam, so you can look at it and read what it says, and may Allaah benefit you thereby.

With regard to what you mention in your question about having to learn Arabic, this is true, but you do not have to learn the whole language, rather just what you need for religious purposes. See question no. 6524. The fact that you do not know Arabic does not justify your not praying, because you can learn what you need for prayer in a short period of time, and until you learn it you should still continue to pray regularly on time, and pray according to what you are able to do. “Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope” [al-Baqarah 2:286].

With regard to how to pray, you will find the answer to that on this site, under Question no. 13340. See also 8580, 2427, 11040.

Finally we advise you to look for an Islamic Centre in your city, and to keep company with Muslims who practise their religion. Do not forget to read trustworthy websites, and try to benefit from them as much as you can. We will also be happy to help you and others like you who are looking for things that will benefit them, and we will offer whatever advice we can, so keep in touch with us. May Allaah protect you and take care of you.

The Ten Commandments

i'm trying to determine if there is anything in the Quran similar to the Ten Commandents in the Old Testament, particularly the line "thou shalt not kill." i have been using search functions on several Quran translation sites to no avail. thank you very much

Praise be to Allaah.

Thank you for your question, which shows an interest in the Qu’ran. We are happy to answer your question here.

There are in the Qur’an certain aayaat (verses) which some scholars call the verses of the Ten Commandments, because they include ten important commandments given by Allaah to mankind. These aayaat are to be found in two passages of the Qur’an.

The first is in Soorat al-An’aam, where Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to al-fawaahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.), whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allaah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand.

And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e., judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of Allaah. This He commands you, that you may remember.

And, verily, this (i.e., Allaah’s commandments mentioned in the above two verses) is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious).” [al-An’aam 6:151-153]

The second passage occurs in Soorat al-Israa’, and may be considered as a commentary on the passage quoted above. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one or them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honour.

And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.’

Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is ever Most-Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.

And give to the kindred his due and to the poor and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.

Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the shayaateen (devils), and the Shaytaan (Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord.

And if you turn away from them (kindred, poor, wayfarers, etc. whom We have ordered you to give their rights, but if you have no money at the time they ask you for it) and you are awaiting a mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then, speak unto them a soft kind word (i.e., Allaah will give to me and I will give to you).

And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, not stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and in severe poverty.

Truly, your Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills and straitens (for whom He wills). Verily, He is Ever All-Knower, All-Seer of His slaves.

And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Surely the killing of them is a great sin.

And come not near to unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a faahishah [i.e., anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allaah forgives him).

And do not kill anyone which Allaah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed (intentionally with hostility and aggression and not by mistake), We have given his heir the authority [to demand qisaas – Law of Equality in punishment – or to forgive, or to take Diya (blood money)]. But let him not exceed limits in the matter of taking life (i.e., he should not kill except the killer only). Verily, he is helped (by the Islamic law).

And come not near to the orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength. And fulfil (every) covenant. Verily! The covenant will be questioned about.

And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight. That is good (advantageous) and better in the end.

And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not or witness not, etc.) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned by Allaah.

And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance. Verily, you can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature like that of the mountains in height.

All the bad aspects of these (the above mentioned things) are hateful to your Lord.

This is part of al-hikmah (wisdom, good manners and high character, etc.) which your Lord has inspired to you (O Muhammad). And set not up with Allaah any other ilaah (god) lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected (from Allaah’s mercy).” [al-Israa’ 17:23-39]

Perhaps after enjoying reading these verses, you will have a better idea of the Qur’aan than before, and this will be the beginning of a fundamental change in your life, the start of your way to Islam. May Allaah guide and help you always. Peace be upon those who follow true guidance..

Circumcision and Choosing a Name for a New Muslim

Assalam alaikum
I am a young man from Denmark, who for some time have been interested in Islam. I have now reached a point where I am absolutely sure that I want to become a Muslim. My questions are as follows:
- Since I would have to be circumcised to become Muslim (this I gladly accepts) I would like to know how this comes about. Is it done by a doctor, an imam or by oneself?
- I feel changing my name as I become Muslim is a truly happy occasion. But I would like to now which of the following names you find to be most suitable as my new first name?
Qasim
Aasim
Taymullah
or Sayyid

I will be very grateful indeed to get a response to my letter.
Sincerely

All Praise is due to Allah,

All Praise is due to Allah for having guided you to this path which you would not have been guided to without Allaah’s Guidance. Your interest in embracing our religion is very pleasant news for us tonight. We pray to Allaah that you successfully embrace Islam and become steadfast on it.

As for your first question, if circumcision does not cause you harm, you can have it performed by a surgeon who’s experience and skill you trust. If it would cause you harm, then you don’t have to do it and that will not adversely affect your Islam, InShaa'a Allah (Allah Willing).

As for changing your name, note that the most beloved names to Allah are: Abdul-llah (The Slave/worshipper of Allah) and Abdul-Rahman (The Slave/worshipper of the Most Merciful – one of the names of Allah). This came to us in the authentic Hadeeth (sayings) of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) which was narrated by Muslim (hadeeth number 3975).

If you want us to choose one of the names that you have listed, you can use Aasim which means: protector – preserver – defender – guarder.

We pray to Allaah for you to have a Blissful and Pleasant life in the shadow of the Great Islam.

He wants to specialize in calling Christians to Islam

I have seen Christians in Morocco came from Europe for missionary work. They left their homes and desires and are using the best techniques their civilization could reach in service for their belief. They are spreading in all Africa. Truthful is Allah who says: “And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if they can”. I want to be specialized in facing Christians. I want to study Christianity, I think we are in need of such specialty. Especially in our country; I heard that young men here wear the cross and put it on their clothes. I need your guidelines to enlighten my way to this study. I wish you provide me with a program includes both Islamic and Christian studies. May Allah reward you!.

Praise be to Allaah.
What you mention about the activities of some missionaries and their patience in travelling and making sacrifices is something that is well known. If this is their state even though they are promoting falsehood and striving for the sake of falsehood, then how about the Muslim whom Allaah has blessed with guidance and taught him the path of truth? Undoubtedly he, of all people, should be striving and making the effort, sacrificing that which is most dear to him, in order to spread the religion of Islam and teach and guide people, whether they are Christians or others. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Advance cautiously, until you reach their open space, then invite them to Islam, and tell them of their duties before Allaah. By Allaah, if Allaah were to guide one man through you, that would be better for you than having red camels.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3009) and Muslim (2406).

The path of da’wah (calling others to Islam) is the path of the Prophets and Messengers, because they were the most compassionate of people towards people, and the keenest of people to guide people. But it is a path that needs provision, namely knowledge, patience and certainty of faith. You have done well to ask about the way to specialize in debating with the Christians, because some people indulge in this field without preparation, and that may lead to his putting his opponent off or making him cling more steadfastly to his falsehood, or it may lead to him becoming weak himself and being filled with doubts.

Hence the one who wants to strive for the sake of Allaah and call these people to Islam and debate with them should pay attention to a number of matters:

1 – Studying sound ‘aqeedah from reliable sources, directly from scholars if possible.

2 – Acquiring shar’i knowledge which will correct his worship and interactions with others, because learning this is an individual obligation, and it takes precedence over the duty of calling others.

We have previously explained the program that the seeker of knowledge should follow and the most important books that he needs at the initial stage. Please see question no. 14082, 20191 and 21590.

3 – Paying attention to Islamic sources which deal specifically with calling Christians to Islam and discussing their situation and their specious arguments. There are many such sources, among the most important of which are: al-Jawaab al-Saheeh li man baddala Deen al-Maseeh by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah; Hidaayat al-Hayaara fi Ajwabah al-Yahood wa’l-Nasaara by Ibn al-Qayyim; Izhaar al-Haq by Shaykh Rahmat-Allaah al-Hindi (available in English); Manaazirah bayna al-Islam wa’l-Nasraaniyyah by Shaykh Muhammad Jameel Ghaazi; al-A’qaa’id al-Wathaniyyah fi’l-Diyaanah al-Nasraaniyyah by Muhammad Taahir al-Tanneer; Muhaadiraat fi’l-Nasraaniyyah by Shaykh Abu Zahrah; al-Mawsoo’ah al-Muyassarah fi’l-Adyaan wa’l-Madhaahib al-Mu’aasirah; al-Nasraaniyyah min al-Tawheed ila al-Tathleeth by Dr Muhammad Ahmad al-Haaj; Muhammad fi’l-Kitaab al-Muqaddas by Prof. ‘Abd al-Ahad Dawood [available in English under the title Muhammad in the Bible]; Diraasaat fi’l-Adyaan: al-Yahoodiyyah wa’l-Nasraaniyyah by Dr. Sa’ood al-Khalaf; and Rasaa’il wa Manaaziraat by Shaykh Ahmad Deedat [Shaykh Ahmad Deedat’s booklets and videos are widely available in English].

You can also benefit from websites that specialize in this topic, such as the following (in Arabic):

http://www.alhakekah.com/

http://www.ebnmaryam.com/web/

http://www.khayma.com/nsara/

4 – He should strive to debate in a polite and fair manner, and look at the one who disagrees with him in a compassionate manner. So he should be keen to guide him and strive to convey the truth to him, like a sympathetic doctor treating his patient. So he should not mock him or laugh at him, and he should not act superior or arrogant, rather he should call him to the way of his Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and respond in the way that is better, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to them): ‘We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilaah (God) and your Ilaah (God) is One (i.e. Allaah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims)”

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:46].

Al-Qurtubi said in his Tafseer: It is permissible to argue with the people of the Book in the way that is better, in the sense of calling them to Allaah and pointing out the sound evidence and proofs, in the hope that they may respond to the call of faith, not by way of proving them to be wrong and treating them harshly.  End quote.

Many Christians, when they hear the arguments of the Muslims and realize that what they were following is wrong, believe and are guided, and they succeed and prosper. Using good methods in calling people has a powerful effect in that regard.

We should re-emphasize at this point the importance of arming oneself with shar’i knowledge and studying this matter in depth, which has become a branch of knowledge in its own right nowadays, before indulging in it, because if you indulge in this matter before preparing yourself and studying enough about it, your weakness and incapability will backfire against the religion which you want to promote and defend.

Strive to make contact with people in your country who are specialized in this field, and whose religious commitment and knowledge can be trusted, to help you with this matter and guide you to what you need.

We ask Allaah to help and guide you.

And Allaah knows best.