Oppressing Women the American Way!

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, the lord of men and women

Last few weeks, I have been struggling with something and researching. Also, I have been observing the two extreme of this spectrum of men applying their desires on women. On one end of the extreme are the Muslim brothers who would insist on women being hidden under full garment and also out of sight of Muslim men. This includes separate rooms for women in Masjid and the houses. On the other end of extreme, are Muslim brothers who would insist on women allowed to lead Salat or at least seeking "equal rights" for women.

Interestingly, they both claim to be the flag bearer of the Sunnah of Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH). So what is the true rights of women in this circumstance? Lets examine it.

Our local masjid, Islamic Center of Orlando, like many masajid, has a sperate room upstairs for sisters who attend Masjid for prayer and educational talks. However, women are not allowed to interact with Imam let alone with other men in the main hall in the Masjid. If a sister is on a wheelchair it will be almost impossible for her to get to the first floor. Also, if a woman had a question, they could not ask the Imam from where they are sitting.

Is this according to Quran and Sunnah? Does Allah wants women to be in this state of helplessness, where they have no way to participate actively in the masjid.

There is another person who struggled with this question like I did, and he was Umar bin Khattab (R.A.). He disliked women interacting with men and coming to masjid, and he even kicked out some women from the masjid because they were crossing the limits of decency, but he didn't create the first floor "prison".

Khawla bint Qays said: "We were women, in the Mosque [in Madina al-Munawwara], who may have mixed with the men at times and perhaps even flirted (ghazalna) and even harmed themselves in this intermixing; so `Umar said: 'I swear I shall make free women of you again.' So he brought us out (akhrajana) of the Mosque." Kanz al-`Ummal #23131 from Ibn Sa`d's Tabaqat.

We can certainly understand the best method to follow by reading about Umar ibn Khattab's life. Even Umar (R.A.) understood the order of the prophet to allow women to come to masjid. It is not for women to pray 4 rakat in a damp and dark room and go home covered in cloth from head to toe, without having any opportunity to interact during a mashwara, or annoucement, or talks. There is more to the masjid then just Ibadat.

Following are some verses of the Quran explaining how important women role is

The believing men and women, are associates and helpers of each other. They (collaborate) to promote all that is beneficial and discourage all that is evil; to establish prayers and give alms, and to obey Allah and his Messenger. Those are the people whom Allah would grant mercy. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Wise. (Al-Taubah 9:71)

Following are some ahadith where the companion struggle with the same question.

Narrated Ibn Umar: One of the wives of Umar (bin Al-Khattab) used to offer the Fajr and the 'Isha' prayer in congregation in the Mosque. She was asked why she had come out for the prayer as she knew that Umar disliked it, and he has great ghaira (self-respect). She replied, "What prevents him from stopping me from this act?" The other replied, "The statement of Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) : 'Do not stop Allah's women-slave from going to Allah s Mosques' prevents him." (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 23)

Ibn 'Umar reported: Grant permission to women for going to the mosque in the night. His son who was called Waqid said: Then they would make mischief. He (the narrator) said: He thumped his (son's) chest and said: I am narrating to you the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and you say: No! (Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 0890)

Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Do not deprive women of their share of the mosques, when they seek permission from you. Bilal said: By Allah, we would certainly prevent them. 'Abdullah said: I say that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said it and you say: We would certainly prevent them! (Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 0891)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that Atika bint Zayd ibn Amr ibn Nufayl, the wife of Umar ibn al-Khattab, used to ask Umar ibn al-Khattab for permission to go to the mosque. He would keep silent, so she would say, "By Allah, I will go out, unless you forbid me," and he would not forbid her. (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, Number 14.5.14)

If creating a separate room or having a partition for women was acceptable, Ibn Umar would not thump his son, because isolating women to a room or creating a partition will satisfy those who complained. And, yes, they had enough resources to make that happen. They did not do it, because, they knew that it will trample on the order of the Prophet (PBUH)

So, disallowing women from attending on the same floor, and from asking questions, is same as preventing women from attending masjid. For example, Dar-al-Uloom masjid in Kissimmee FL has neglected the women section, and frequently turn off air to it. It discourages women in that area from attending, and I have seen the situation of that room myself. Discouraging women by any means is same as not giving permission. Do we have more ghaira (jealousy) then Umar, or is it our ego, or is it our pagan traditions taking over?

Some try to explain the sunnah by saying that women were allowed to pray behind men in the same prayer hall, because level of piety was high among those people. If that is true, then why these ahadith are painting a different picture?

Ibn Abbas said: A beautiful woman, from among the most beautiful of women, used to pray behind the Prophet. Some of the people used to go to pray in the first row to ensure they would not be able to see her. Others would pray in the last row of the men, and they would look from underneath their armpits to see her. Because of this act, in regard to her, Allah revealed, "Verily We know the eager among you to be first, and verily We know the eager among you to be behind" (Surah al-Hijr ayah 24) -- this hadith is found in ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, Tayalisi, Baihaqi, Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and Nasai and it is judged SAHIH by Albani. He includes it as #3472 in his Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahih


Hadhrat ?aisha (Radhiallaahu ?nha) narrates that if Nabi (Sallallaahu ?layhi
Wasallam) knew what the women are doing he would have prevented them from
the Masjid just as the women of Bani Israaeel were prevented.' (Bukhari vol.
1 p. 120)

In reality, the fitnah existed since the days of Adam (PBUH), and Allah asked us to lower our gaze because the women will be in our line of sight. If women were suppose to be always out of sight, then this verse of Quran seems to be wasted, but we know that Allah's speech is free from flaw. It is absurd to try to reduce fitnah by preventing women. Aisha herself admitted that only the Prophet can change this order, if he was alive, but she knew this and every scholar knows this that Prophet's direct command cannot be disobeyed regardless of the new situation.

So, what I see here is men giving excuses, to keep the status quo, so they can follow their cultural values from Jahaliya, where women were nothing but property. Interestingly, men of Taqleed (blind followers) and free thinkers (Salafi etc) are both oppressing women by assigning them isolated quarters in the masjid and houses. This is a great pain for me.

Ibn Al-Jauzi narrated the virtues and merits of Umar bin Al-Khattab (Allah bless him) in the following words: Umar forbade the people from paying excessive dowries and addressed them saying: "Don't fix the dowries for women over forty ounces. If ever that is exceeded I shall deposit the excess amount in the public treasury". As he descended from the pulpit, a flat-nosed lady stood up from among the women audience, and said: "It is not within your right". Umar asked: "Why should this not be of my right?" she replied: "Because Allah has proclaimed: 'even if you had given one of them (wives) a whole treasure for dowry take not the least bit back. Would you take it by false claim and a manifest sin'". (Al Nisa, 20). When he heard this, Umar said: "The woman is right and the man (Umar) is wrong. It seems that all people have deeper insight and wisdom than Umar". Then he returned to the pulpit and declared: "O people, I had restricted the giving of more than four hundred dirhams in dowry. Whosoever of you wishes to give in dowry as much as he likes and finds satisfaction in so doing may do so".

In the above incident, a woman stood up in the masjid, and not only was present, but spoke, and not only spoke, but confronted a man, and not only confronted a man, challenged a ruling from the Ameer on an Islamic Sharia matter, not any Ameer, Umar, who was feared for his strong will and confidence. If the expectation from women was to act like sheep, then Umar would have stopped her and asked to discuss this in private.

Please explain it to me, How a woman in Islamic Center of Orlando can do the above today? By restricting this ability of women in the masjid, they are in essence are prevented from the Masjid, and the order of the Prophet (PBUH) has been disregarded.

Yes, preventing possible ways to sin is suggested in Islam, but not at the expense of opression of woman's right, where the order from Allah is clear to give permission to woman to "come to masjid" not "observe in the masjid".

In the rules of fiqh, Prophet's (PBUH) order can only be overturn by another order from him or Quranic verse. In this case no evidence of such exist. So, it is un-Islamic to create such isolated rooms in the masjid.

Actually, I understand the reasoning behind it. If we allow women to be in the same room, not all of them would wear proper clothing, and men will be distracted. So, men created this bubble inside the masjid, where they are not tempted, but that is like Ostrich putting head in the sand and thinking that it is safe. No, we can not live the double life. Men only club in the masjid, with a sober look and reading Quran in the corner, but a mix dinner party where cousins are in the same room. We should work on our piety and lower our gaze so we don't look at women in the masjid or out, and we should stop messing with the orders of the Prophet (PBUH).

On the other hand, there are some (possibly in the reaction of the first extreme) who swing to other extreme, where they insist on woman being allowed to be Ameer or Imam, or having equal rights. This is a form of oppression as well, because Allah did not create women for that role, and he mentions it explicitly.

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means.)" (Quran 4:34)

Asking women to try to compete with men in everything, or creating a perception that if women can not have the leadership, they are somehow lower in capabilities is completely wrong. Women excel men in many fields, and men excel women in some fields, but there is no need for them to compete in every single field. Of course, women have right to compete in any field, except where Allah has decreed otherwise. For example, a woman can not choose their husband's friend, but a man is allowed to choose wife's friend.

Some quote Queen Sheba's story to claim woman's right to Imamat. Queen Sheba was a non-muslim, and the laws were pagan laws where a woman was a Queen. Allah has given man a degree higher in the administration, and there is no room for debate. There was no woman selected by the Prophet (PBUH) to head any of the villages. He knew that people to come for thousands of years will follow his example, and he understood that woman's right need to be spelled out, but he did not make any example to suggest that a woman could be a head of state.

Narrated Abu Bakra:

During the battle of Al-Jamal, Allah benefited me with a Word (I heard from the Prophet). When the Prophet heard the news that the people of the Persia had made the daughter of Khosrau their Queen (ruler), he said, "Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler." (Bukhari Vol 9 Book 88 #219)

Some thinks that this hadith is weak, but Imam Bukhari is well known to select authentic hadith, so someone has to prove that Imam Bukhari made a mistake, and it will be a pretty tough job to go against a giant like Imam Bukhari. It is possible, but not likely. Regardless. The Quran is very clear on this matter, so this hadith is an additional supporting evidence anyways.

So, Islam is the middle path between the extreme in sacred law like Judaism, where women are banned from congregation in fear of sin, and the extreme of Innovation like Christianity, where women sit side by side to men in congregation, in order to prove their equal rights. Islam provides the balance of "Equitable" but not "Equal" rights for women to protect them from either extreme of men desires.

The danger of these two extremes has been articulated by Imam Malik who is reported to have said, “He who practices Sufism without learning Sacred Law corrupts his faith, while he who learns Sacred Law without practicing Sufism corrupts himself. Only he who combines the two proves true.”

Furthermore, Imam al-Shafi’i is reported to have said, “A Jurist and a Sufi, do not be one without the other, for the Jurist [only] has not tasted piety in his heart, and as for the Sufi [only], he is an ignorant one, and how can an ignorant one ever prosper? I am, by the right of Allah, giving you sincere advice.”

Women are humans, and they are believers, and have the same right as men to use Masjid. It is not prohibited for women to interact with non-mahram men, unless they cross the limits of Allah. It is however, prohibited for them to have a physical contact when there is a possibility of desire, so women sitting arrangement should be segregated if possible, because there is no way to prevent physical contact without segregating the seating. That is exactly what having different rows in salat provides us.

"...And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise." (Quran 2:228)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Salamah said, "O Messenger of Allah! Men go to battle, but we do not go to battle, and we earn one-half of the inheritance (that men get).'' Allah sent down,

(And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others). At-Tirmidhi also recorded this Hadith. (Ibn Kathir)

So, Allah has created rules for this world to test us, and made some of us poor and some rich, some men and some women, some handicap and some able. It is his will to create differences between sexes and it is his will to give a slightly upper-hand in administration to men, and give many allowances to women in return. Fighting Allah's word is not wise. If man is in charge in the house to make the administrative decision relating to family, it is only logical to extend that to community, since community is a large family. This slight upper-hand does not mean that men are better, but they just have a different role in this world. More importantly, these rules will not apply in the hereafter, which should be our goal. Regardless, Allah has clearly stated that men are to be the leaders, and all Prophets followed this.

I ask sisters and brothers to help me change this, so we can start following the command of the Prophet (PBUH). Don't use excuses like, changed times, Ghaira, and general indecency to circumvent the Sunnah. Sunnah is that women are allowed in the main hall of the masjid, and they can not be the head of the community.

In Islamic Center of Orlando, we can remedy this by allowing women to occupy left side of the masjid, with soft partition during Salat, and allow women to ask questions during the Tafseer on Sundays, and "Allow women to attend Masjid".

Yes! we can do this. We can segregate seating during the sunday classes, yet have mix gathering providing women to participate in the masjid, yet allow them to be seen by muslim visitor to our homes, if we allow women to go for grocery. Are non-muslim men more trustworthy then muslim brothers?

And Allah knows best.

JazakAllah Khairin

A feminist like Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH)
Abu Arman (Adnan Jumani)

Limits of Husband's rights on his wife

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, the one who created everything.

If I make a mistake, it is from my ego, and if I say something good, it is from Allah.

"And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." (Quran 30:21)

This world depends upon the societies that exist in this world. Society of Humans. Society of bacterias. Societies of animals. Societies of plants. Societies of rocks. So on and so forth. Society of humans depends upon families. Family depends upon the relationship of wife and husband. All other societies were created to serve the society of humans. In essence, the whole world revolves around the bond between a husband and wife.

In order for this bond to exist, there are pulls and pushes (rights on each other), just like a bond between a sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) atoms have, in the salt molecule. God, due to his immense love for his creation, sent us the balanced push and pull model to keep the molecule of the family stable. Slight imbalance in this ratio can result in an explosion or disintegration. Either is bad.

Islam is the only system that provide those details, and if one doesn't follow the rules provided in Islamic Sharia, they are taking a chance with their relationship.

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means.)" (Quran 4:34)

Since Allah created the man and women different, with different abilities and different needs, it is absurd to think that the bond between a big atom and a small atom can be created by an equal force of push and pull (rights). Non-Islamic culture try their best to setup that bond, but sometimes explosions are happening (man abusing their wives), and sometimes disintegrations are happening (divorce). Only if they read Quran and follow it that they will find the best balance of rights and duties. So What is this balance prescribed by the creator himself?

"...And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise." (Quran 2:228)

Following is the explaination of this verse by the second most knowledgable person in Quranic understanding.

Ibn `Abbas said, "I like to take care of my appearance for my wife just as I like for her to take care of her appearance for me. This is because Allah says:


[وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِى عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ]


(And they (women) have rights similar (to those of their husbands) over them to what is reasonable.)'' This statement is reported by Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abu Hatim (Ibn Kathir)

In a nutshell, husband and wife has same rights over each other, except what is distinguished or reasonably different. If we don't find an instruction in Islam which differentiate the rights of man from woman, and there is no logical difference in the rights, equal rights must be applied.

Some of the examples of Allah's command to distinguish the rights of man from woman is follows.

- Woman has the right to be fed, and provided, without any promise of anything in return ( such as house work or cooking etc)

- Woman has the right to own property without sharing with husband, but she has the right to share in husband's earnings.

- Woman has the right for extra liniency during her menstural periods from Allah and man.

- Man has the right to go to the wife, unless she is physically unable to like sickness. Woman can not refuse because she does not feel the urge. This is to prevent man from commiting adultery, because man is weaker than woman in perseverance

- Man has the right to chose who his wife befriends (male or female).

- Woman has the right to sin, as given to every human by Allah, and husband is not responsible for her sins, but he is responsible to share the knowledge required to make the decision.

- Man has the right to divorce, if there is an acceptable reason

- Woman has the right to seek divorce from the authorities, if she is being opressed.

- Woman has the right to work, if it doesn't interfere with other rights.
....

I understand that many rights listed here are contraversial, and if you beleive that I got them wrong, please contact me with evidence and logical proof using that evidence for Quran and Sunnah.

I would like to discuss the right to sin that I listed above. Many men confuse the slightly higher status Allah gave to man as a permission to police the wife's piety. They will compel her to follow Islam like she is a child. Now, children have to be compelled to pray Salah, but thats only until they reach pubirty. We are not allowed to compel anyone over the age of pubirty to follow Islam. And, establishing marital relation is not allowed before the age of pubirty in Islam.

"There is no compulsion in Islam" (Qur'an, 2:256)


This command applies to husbands towards their wives as well, because there is no evidence of an exception. Upperhand given to man is to resolve conflict and make decision in the matters of family, and not to make the wife pious. For example if wife did not follow the command of Hijab before marraige, and the husband try to compel her to wear hijab, it is an opression. He accepted her in marraige with her existing piety level. On the other hand, if she was wearing hijab, and then stops wearing it after marraige, then the rules of indecency will apply and husband has several choice and one of them is to divorce her. There is no option to imprison her or compel her to follow.

"O People! it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste." (Last Sermon of Muhammad (PBUH))

In fact, rights of husband and wife are equal to each other, except a few matters where Allah has given man a upper hand, and that is for a reason. Allah has given man the upper hand on administrative matters, and he has the final authority on matters that relate to family in general. If no one has an upper hand in those matters, it would be very difficult to run the family. Allah has given man the right to approve his wife's friend and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used his last sermon make that ruling. If man had the right to decide for everything in wife's life, it was a waste of our Prophet (PBUH) time to mention that, whereas he never said more than what was needed. And he reminded men that they will be judged for their treatment of their wives, which I think is the most important part of the relationship.

A pious huband should be more afraid of abusing his authority then his wife not looking like a pious woman, because the former leads to Hell fire, and the later leads to a personal jealousy. So, extra precaution should be taken when invoking the upperhand right, and it should be similar to President of the United States invoking the right to veto a bill.

Here is how I deal with my wife, and if you like you can follow it. My wife was a non-muslim, and accepted Islam before we got married. After 9 years of Marraige, I started practicing Islam, and wanted her to practice Islam, but I was scared to become tyrant, and never asked her to wear hijab. I did however pointed out the verse in the Quran to her ordering women to wear hijab, and made the case when the opportunity arose. Once she accepted Allah as the final authority on everything, she chose to wear hijab, and my dua was accepted. If she didn't chose it, I would have died married to her, and died praying for her. She will answer for her own deeds, and I will answer for my deeds.

This does not mean that if the husband or wife is commiting indecent acts that you do not warn them and separate from them. It just means that we should have enough taqwa and understanding to convince our spouses regarding the truth, instead of telling them that they ought to do "this".

If we live in a unIslamic society (which is the whole world right now), we should be extra linient towards women, except what ordained by Allah.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was reported to have said: 'The most perfect Muslim in the matter of faith is one who has excellent behavior; and the best among you are those who behave best towards their wives" (From Mishkat al-Masabih, No. 0278(R) Transmitted by Tirmidhi).

And Allah Knows best

JazakAllah Khairin

A Struggling Husband
Abu Arman (Adnan Jumani)

Do you give preference to some people?

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, who created all of us.

أيها الناس إن ربكم واحد وإن أباكم واحد كلكم لآدم وآدم من تراب أكرمكم عند الله اتقاكم، وليس لعربي على عجمي فضل إلا بالتقوى
(Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH))

I saw many translation of this statement, but none match the arabic exactly. I am going to try to translate it literally so we can understand this better. Please correct me if I make mistakes here.

"O People! Your lord is one, and your father is one, Adam, and Adam was created from dust. In the sight of Allah, Arab is not preffered over Non-Arab, except in Taqwa"

Of course, the meaning of the statement is paraphrased many ways, but it is good to stay close to Arabic then using the various translations.

I don't know how many of you come across this, but I get different reaction from people when I dress differently. If I am wearing Paksitani Kameez and Shalwar (national dress), Arabs will not be eager to extend their hands to me, and some Pakistanis/Indians will recognize me. On the other hand, If I wear "Taub" (Single long Arabic shirt), Arabs would receive me with a smile and Pakistanis/Indians will see through me like they didn't see me.

Interestingly, one day the Mauzzin of the masjid told me that he is having hard time recognizing, because I wear different caps every day. I just smiled, because I didn't know what to say. It is true that I wear all types of dress to Masjid, because I do this outside the masjid. Why would I pretend to be someone in the masjid that I am not? Of course, the requirements is that clothes should be clean, loose, and the best when attending Masjid.

This biast opinion is not only due to appearence, but it leaks into person's wealth, political affiliation, social status, size of the beard, color of the beard, age, race, ethnicity, etc. This is visible in Muslim countries many folds, and sometimes people are opressed due to incompatibility of these attributes, which they have no control over, and Allah has chosen for them.

For example, When I landed in Jeddah for Hajj, Saudi Airline agents treated me like I was asking them for loan, whereas I was willing to pay them money for two seats for me and my mother. As I stepped back, an Arab couple walked up and got the seats without paying anything, because we all missed the same flight, so we all had the old boarding pass. My sin was that I spoke with them in English, and I was not someone they preffered. So, me and my mother slept on the foot path for 24 hours, watching all Saudi citizen escorted to the gate without waiting in the line like others. Anyways, this is the story of some other day. I seek justice against those Saudis from Allah alone.

Everywhere I go among Muslims, I see preference is being given to people who have wealth or influence. Even among my relatives, service will be provided to you on the basis of how much benefit you could provide for them in return. Even in my masjid, all Arabs line up on the right side of the first row, and all Non-Arabs line up on the left side of the first row.

However, when dealing with non-muslims, preference is given to the one who has the best character or more need. For example, When standing in the line of IRS service center, an officer will not come and say, "Hey, aren't you the son of the Detective John? You don't have to stand in the line, come with me" or "Hey, let him (a white caucacian) come ahead of you".

In fact, when I went to get a refund for my same ticket that they will not extend to next flight in Saudi Airlines office, there is a ticket machine to get a number. The office is right behind The grave of the Prophet (PBUH). I walked up to the machine and start selecting the options to get the ticket. I had some trouble so I tried a couple of times. Meanwhile a local with nice clean traditional dress walked in behind me. He came and stand behind me, since I was still using the machine. Security guard cam running, and start waving me to step back and indicated that the Arab shoud go first. I got mad, so I stared at him, and put my hand forward, and turn to the machine and got my number. My patience had run out by then, and I was only been to Saudi for two days. I got the ticket and sat right in the front, leaving behind the two Arabs wondering about me. May Allah forgive me for the rudeness.

Now, how did we got to this point that right behind the grave of the person who uttered the above words, Arabs are being preffered over non-Arabs. May be my taqwa indicator on my forehead was malfunctioning and the security guard was confused by that, or may be some Saudis have degenerated in obedience to the Prophet that they disobey right in the vicinity of his grave.

Similarly, I visited Pakistan, and saw similar preference but the preffered people were with connections and wealth. Some have gone to the extent to demand the preference as their right due to their father's political connection or wealth. One difference is that if you force the issue with Arabs, they will accept your right sometimes, and help you out. However, in Pakistan, they will physically grab you and throw you out. God forbid that you have a beard, and traditional clothes, because that is an open invitation for any Pakistani to treat you like illiterate and you may not be able to enter a restarunt.

This has to end, and all of us have to change that. Would you smile and greet a person of your race, but pass right by the person of other race? I see this everyday in the masjid.

I would like to challenge everyone on this thread to greet arabs if they are non-arabs, and non-arabs if they are arabs in the masjid, out of their way to balance it out. Don't bend backwards if the relative has more wealth, and ignore the one who is poor. Avoid the people who sin openly, and connect with the ones with more taqwa, or atleast the ones who don't sin openly, because there is more chance of having higher taqwa, if you don't sin in public and have shame.

Please obey the Prophet (PBUH), and ignore people's appearence, wealth, political influence, age, race...and treat them equally in all matters, and please don't wear kameez shalwar and taub in the masjid consistently, and Paints and shirt in your clinic or offices.

I have suffered greatly because of treating people equal, and most of the people don't invite me, or come to my home, but it gives me such a pleasure to know that I am obeying the Prophet (PBUH), and willing to go through this Isolation for the rest of my life, in hopes to be among the ones liked by Allah, and meet my guide at kauthar and have him recognize me for a second. Ameen

We should love who Allah loves, and despise who Allah despise.

JazakAllah Khairin
Son of Adam and nothing more.
AbuArman (Adnan Jumani)

Is wudu valid with Nail Polish?

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, the owner of the day of judgement.

Anything wrong I say is from my ego, and anything good is from Allah.

"Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded." Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 38

Someone close to me asked me if nail polish need to be remvoed for wudu to be valid?

Everywhere I read it said that there is no ruling against wearing nail polish and salat is accepted with it, except the wudu will not be valid with nail polish on. I thought there must be a hadith regarding this for them to require removal of nail polish. The reason given was that water will not touch the nail when nail polish is on, because the water will not go through the polish to touch the nail.

I agree that Wudu or bath is not complete unless all areas are wet and wiped.

However, I disagree that nail polish invalidates wudu, because the same way water doesn't go through the polish the impurities doesn't either

Don't we do masah over socks and the wudu is accepted, so water touching the skin is not the requirement, if the skin underneath was purified before putting on the leather socks. So, if the woman purifies herself, and puts on nail polish, the same rules must apply.

What if one works as a worker where he paints houses, and there is a time for salat. He has paint drop all over his hair, his face, and his hands. Does he need to remove every single drop of paint so the water can touch the skin? No sane person would ask him to do that for every salat. Yes, he should try to rub his hands with soap for wudu and try to remove big chuncks as much as possible, but his wudu would be valid and salat be valid with wudu done over paints, given that he purified himself before starting.

Why is that men socks that he can remove in a jiffy is ok to massa on, but a permanent layer that won't allow dirt under it makes a person unclean? It does not.

When something is covering our skin which is afixed in a way that it doesn't allow anything pass it should not be a bearer for being clean, and performing wudu.

Following is the fatwa where the reason for allowing masah is given as that leather socks don't allow imprities to touch the skin

http://www.daruliftaa.com/question.asp?txt_QuestionID=q-20085196

Similarly, nail polish is a covering that doesn't allow the impurities to enter either. Hence, it must be allowed for women to perform wudu while having nail polish.

Let us not create double standard for women, because they don't have a voice in these matters, and be extra fearful on their matters for that same exact reason. As a follower of Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH) I will fight for women rights till my death.

And Allah knows best.

JazakAllah Khairin
A struggling Muslim
AbuArman (Adnan Jumani)

What is wrong with Valentine's day?

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, the owner of the day of judgement.

If I make a mistake, it is from my ego, and anything good I say is from Allah.

"And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Fahishah (immoral sin)" (Quran 17:32)

The above ayah of Quran is prohibiting not only the act of Zina (illegal sex), but going close to it. It means that any activity or tradition, or gathering, or clothing, or habbit, etc that could lead to desires of Zina is prohibited. In light of this ayah, muslims are prohibited to participate in such activities, regardless of their background.

Valentine's day has roots deep in paganism, and there are many stories describing pagans celebrating fertility gods, and choosing wives randomly, and such. Only Allah knows the truth, and we don't need to discuss that, because there is not alot of evidence of that.

Today, this day represents celebrating love between a couple who are tied with a bond of physical attraction, and it is very popular. Every one is under the spell, and running around buying gifts and cards, and jewelery. On the surface, it seems very innocent, and harmless, and may be a catalyst for love in the world of hate. I would like to present the other side of the story.
Some who celebrate this day are married, and some who are unmarried. First, lets discuss the ones who are unmarried. Celebrating Valentine's day requires two non-mahram to communicate romantically, and is the definition of getting closer to Zina. Hence, the intention is to get involved in a romantic relationship, which is prohibited by the above ayah. Following hadith should be an eye opener for us.

Imam Ahmad recorded Abu Umamah saying that a young man came to the Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Give me permission to commit Zina (unlawful sex).'' The people surrounded him and rebuked him, saying, "Stop! Stop!'' But the Prophet said,

(Come close) The young man came to him, and he said,

(Sit down) so he sat down. The Prophet said,

(Would you like it (unlawful sex) for your mother) He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said,

(Neither do the people like it for their mothers.) The Prophet said,

(Would you like it for your daughter) He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said,

(Neither do the people like it for their daughters. ) The Prophet said,

(Would you like it for your sister) He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said,

(Neither do the people like it for their sisters.) The Prophet said,

(Would you like it for your paternal aunt) He said, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger! may I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said,

(Neither do the people like it for their paternal aunts.) The Prophet said,


(Would you like it for your maternal aunt) He said, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger! may I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said,

(Neither do the people like it for their maternal aunts.) Then the Prophet put his hand on him and said,

(O Allah, forgive his sin, purify his heart and guard his chastity.) After that the young man never paid attention to anything of that nature.

How beautiful this explaination was from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). If you are trying to establish romantic relationship with non-mahram woman or vice versa, would you mind if another man do the same to your sister, daughter, or mother? We should always think in this fashion when these indecent desire come to us.

If you like someone of opposite sex, get together with them under supervision to get to know them, and propose for marraige right away, leaving no room for Zina. This is the key to successful life.

Now, lets talk about married muslim couple celebrating Valentine's day.

First of all, selecting a day a year to celebrate our loves to our spouses is not fair, because it should be a continuous show of affection, and gifts of compromise, respect, and sacrifice should be given on a weekly if not daily basis. Jewelry and material gifts do not strengthen the bonds, but showing the willingness to sacrifice our desires for them is the real bond.

Second, any celebration that is a gateway to Zina, as is Valentine's day, should not be even discussed in muslim families. Let alone celebrated. Why not give the gifts on Eid day, instead? Why not give on occassions when least expected to increase the excitement? Why not give the money in charity on their behalf, so it is converted to currency of hereafter, where we will spend most of our lives, if we beleive?

Would you attend a gathering, where Zina is the theme? I wouldn't. Muslims should stay away from Valentine's day, and enjoins other to do the same.

And Allah knows best.

JazakAllah Khairin
A loving Muslim
AbuArman (Adnan Jumani)

Celebrating Prophet's Birthday (Milad)

In the name of Allah,

All Praise is due to Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

If I make a mistake it is from my ego, and anything good I say is from Allah.

I just came back from Isha Salat, and feel like avoided a big gathering of weirdness. It was surreal. Imam gave a long speech after Salah about everyone should either become a scholar or a student of Deen. I love the Imam from bottom of my heart, and he looked very sincere. But, Why would a lame person do that? Why would they learn deen? If they need Nikah done, they will come to the Imam. If they need a fatwa on if Talaq took place, they will ask Imam. If there is an occassion, they will ask Imam to "perform" dua.

See there is no incentive for lame person to learn deen, and it is like telling me to learn about medicine so when I get sick, I can diagnos myself and make myself healthy. Well, I am not learning medicine, and lame person is not learning about deen. Taqleed is enough for them, because all they need to know is that hands should be tied below the navel. If we remove Taqleed, people will come to deen because then it will have an attraction for them. With all answers provided, there is no motivation. Interestingly, after my recent blogs, many more took interest in the tafsir class, and it will continue, if we allow muslims to explore the deen. Ameen

I am sorry, but this was not my intended topic. What happened is that Imam told everyone that celebrating Milad (Birth day of Prophet (PBUH)) is Bid'aa meaning an innovation to the method of worship, which is a major sin. I felt really proud to be sitting there, but at the end he said something that made me think. He said that there will be dinner after rest of the salah.

Hold on a sec! I may be jumping the gun but what is the dinner for? Is that for the Milad? Finally, I realized why there were more people in the masjid. We can't condemn others for celebrating Milad, and allow the dinner to take place. At that point I knew that I had to run for the exit, because I was having hard time breathing. Suddenly the masjid became the marraige hall, and people start talking loud and laughing while others pray salah. I tried to warn them, but there were too many of them, and I was alone.

Celebrating Milad is the symptom of a cancer that has been spread among muslims. Since a person is discouraged from questioning the evidence and validity of the opinions formed by some scholars, common person blindly follow (Taqleed) what scholar would tell them to be permissible. It is like spreading honey on the floor intentionally, and then try to wave the flies off.

Muslims are not doing Milad because they want to do shrik, and worship Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In fact, Chrstians don't do shirk because they want to associate partner with God. They do it, because the Priest told them it is the truth. Similarly, "Mawlwis" would announce that it is a blessing to attribute siffat of Allah with Muhammad (PBUH) a human.

Actually, the scholars are not to be blamed either, because their hands are tied, because Taqleed asks them to not challenge anything unless they have reached the highest level of Ijtihad. Excuse me! but that is an impossible status to reach. Oh I see. That is the plan. Hence, the story of four brothers continues, and Milad continues, sajda on grave continues.

Here is a thought. Challenge Everything! Whenever you don't agree with your Imam, ask him for proof. Whenever you are ask to follow a method, ask for proof. Whenever someone asks to do dinner in Masjid on 10 Rabialawwal, say No.

I will let these great scholars of deen provide the proof against Milad, as I am just a common person who unfortunately has opened his eyes during a global slumber. Going back to sleep now...

Shaikh Bin Baaz
http://www.qss.org/articles/milad.html

Mufti Taqi Uthmani
http://www.albalagh.net/qa/milad_qa.shtml

JazakAllah Khairin
Definately a non-scholar, and proud to be one,
AbuArman (Adnan Jumani)