Your Questions Answered (volume 2)

Question: What Are the Necessary Points That May Lead To Counting a Child As Illegitimately Born ?

Answer:

If the man and woman at the time of the conception of the child were not married to each other lawfully (or, at least, were not under the impression of already being lawfully married) the child will be illegitimate.

Question:

Can a child born illegitimately be converted to being lawfully born?

Answer:

No.

Question:

Suppose a man makes a girl pregnant before they are married (but both of them aimed at marriage and could not control their sexual urge till their marriage), will the child be counted as illegitimately born?

Answer:

Yes. He will still be illegitimate. Remember that Islam does not allow a person to mingle with a member of opposite sex (who is not within his/her prohibited degree - like mother, father, sister, brother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, uncle, nephew etc.) or with whom he/she is not legally married. For this reason, the mixing of men and women who are strangers to each other (in the sense mentioned above) is strictly prohibited in Islam. And the wisdom of this rule can be very well confirmed by the subject of your question itself.

Now, if somebody breaks a law, he must be prepared to suffer its consequences. If the said man and woman were so anxious to save their offspring from the stigma of illegitimacy, they should have remained separate till marriage. Or, alternatively, they could have married themselves before indulging in their sexual activities. After all, marriage in Islam is a very simple and swift process. It is a matter between the man and the woman and reciting the formula of Nikah is not the prerogative of any sheikh or scholar. Any body can perform his/her own Nikah, provided he/she is adult and discreet and of sound mind, and provided they observe all the conditions of reciting that formula. There is no other ritual or function to solemnize the marriage.

If, in spite of all these facilities, they did not marry before sexual intercourse, they have themselves to blame for the consequences.

Question:

According to Sunnis, a child born unlawfully is to be put to death. So are the father and mother of such a child. Is this correct to punish someone for the mother's offence, while the Qur'an says that 'no one will carry another's load ?'

Answer:

Your information is not correct. The child is not to be punished. In fact, the punishment of the woman is postponed till after the delivery and weaning of the child, to protect him from harm.

By the way, you have used the phrase 'for the mother's offence'. Fornication or adultery is not a one person's offence. It needs a man and woman together to make them fornicators. The man who put that child into the womb of the woman is equally criminal. The punishment of fornication and adultery differs according to the marital status of the man and woman. It ranges from 100 strokes to the stoning to death.

Question:

According to Sunnis, a dead body may be taken out of the grave if he is buried with some money or gold. But 'Sauti ya Bilal' (Vol.III no. 5) shows that Imam Husain was buried with gold. Is this not bad or was it done purposely?

Answer:

Imam Husain (a.s.) is not buried with gold. The dome above his grave (a photo of which was published in Sauti ya Bilal, Vol. Ill No. 4) is covered with gold.

Question:

I think the purpose behind the rule of 'Idda' period is to ascertain that the woman does not go with a child in her womb who belongs to her late husband and thus gives the child to the new husband. Can't we use scientific means to find out whether the widow has a child in her womb or not ? For, it is very hard to the widows and worries wives much when their husbands fall ill.

Answer:

Islam is the universal religion, meant for all mankind - scientists and illiterates, so-called civilized ones and bush-dwellers - to be practised everywhere and in all circumstances. It is not a 'scientists' club.' That is why its rules and regulations have been made by Allah in such a way that a Nomad of Arabia, an Eskimo of Greenland and a pigmy of the Central part of Africa can follow it with equal ease. That is the reason behind adopting lunar calendar, and prescribing the prayer-times by positions of the sun etc. . . .

And that is the reason of prescribing a certain period of 'Idda' (3 months in case of divorce, 4 months 10 days in case of the death of the husband) in which the woman cannot marry another husband.

I do not think any woman, at the approach of the death of her husband, would be worried of not being able of marrying another husband for a short period of 4 months 10 days, instead of grieving for her beloved present husband who is about to depart from this world. As for the scientific methods : How many women can get themselves scientifically examined? And even if such facilities were available world-wide and cheap enough to allow a begger-woman to take their advantage, there is always the possibility, nay probability, of wrong deduction by the doctors and technicians. You must be aware that in so many cases the experts draw diametrically different conclusions from the same X-ray photo. Therefore, the rule of 'Idda' can never be treated as out of date.

Question:

How do the Shias mourn for a dead person ? Explain for me all that is done for a dead Shia after his death to the ending of the mourning period ?

Answer:

Mourning has two aspects: showing natural grief and uttering words tantamount to complaining against Allah. The first is allowed in Islam; the second is strictly forbidden and Haraam. Even in the fist case, restraint is preferred except in the mourning for the Holy Prophet or his family members.

When a Shia dies, people start reciting the Holy Quran for his/her 'thawab'. The dead body is washed thrice - by water mixed with a little water squeezed from the leaves of lote-tree, by water in which a little camphor is mixed, and finally by pure water -; then he is given the 'kafan' (shroud); then he is taken to the grave-yard. In East Africa, the people joining the funeral procession recite Kalema on the way. At grave-yard, and sometimes in the mosques, the prayer of 'Meyyit' is held; after prayer a short 'majlis' is recited in which the sufferings of the Holy Prophet and his Ahlul-Bait are narrated. Then the 'Meyyit' is buried.

On second or third day, 'Ziyarat' is held, in which people recite the Holy Qur'an for the 'thawab' of the dead person, and at the end a short 'majlis' is recited. People give whatever they like to the charities and its 'thawab' is intended to be given to the dead person. Then, after about a month or so, 'Arbain' is held, in which 'majlis' is recited.

After about a year, 'Haul' is held just like 'Arbain'.

Question:

How do the Shia send reward to their dead (Fateha) and when ?

Answer:

The answer is almost fully explained in the previous description. So far as 'when' is concerned, there is no time fixed for it. Apart from the functions mentioned above, most of the Shia Ithnaasheris go to the grave-yard on Thursdays and recite Sura Fateha for their dead relatives.

Question:

The Sunnis say that during the Day of Resurrection, everyone is going to get beautiful ladies; the 40th being his wife in this life. Is this story true ? Suppose a lady got married to more than one man in her life, whose wife will she be on the Resurrection day ?

Answer:

The existence of 'Huur' ('Houri') has been affirmed in the Qur'an in numerous places; and no Muslim (whether Sunni or Shia) can doubt it. If you are afraid of the objections of the Christians, read the recent Light which has already been posted to you. There in the article 'Quiyamat' you will find that, according to Shia belief, everyone who will go to paradise, will find happiness according to his own spiritual perfection. That is quite reasonable; otherwise, if you give a man of little literary knowledge a book of highest literary standard, what will he do with it ? He can never enjoy it, because his standard is not so high. Likewise, people of high spiritual perfection will be happy in company of the angels, and so on. Those who have not attained such height of perfection, will find joy in material things. Hence the provision of milk, honey, fruits, rivers, streams, and 'houri' in the paradise. This much will be sufficient to show the reason behind the basic idea. Now coming to the number 40, it is not for us to determine who will get what and how much. If God wants to give someone 40, or 400, or 4,000, it is not our concern.

So far as the believer wife of a believer husband is concerned, she will be with her husband. If she was married to more than one man in her life, she will go to that husband who was more considerate to her and of better behaviour.

Question:

Nowadays, it seems as if Muslims are filled with bad feelings about the landing of Americans on the Moon. What do the Qur'an and Islam say about science and exploration of the solar system ?

Answer:

This question needs detailed answer. You may have to wait for sometime for the full explanation. Meanwhile, to put your mind at ease, I may tell you that it is not the "Muslims" who are filled with 'bad feelings'; it is only the East African Sunnis.

According to the Qur'an and the traditions of the Holy Prophet and Imams, it is quite possible to reach heavenly bodies. You may refer to the booklet 'Islam' (page 12) where I have pointed this out. Also see the article 'Space Travel', published in The Light (Appendix 'C').

Question:

A certain person in this area does not think that there is any need for an African to accept an Arabian religion. He counts Islam as Arabic religion. He says that every nation has its own prophets. He says that Sambaa people had some prophets, one of whom was Kighobo of the 10th century who prophesied about the coming of Europeans, the birth of children who will not care about their parents and the ending of the Kilindi dynasty rule in Usambaa - all these have come to truth.

Answer:

This question also needs detailed answer; and I am terribly busy these days. I would like you to read my "Thought For The Week" (copy attached) in which I have touched this subject.

In short, your friend does not know the significance of the term 'Nabi' This word is translated as 'prophet' and 'prophet' in English lanquage conveys the meaning of 'one who prophesies'. But prophesying can be done by so many people: astrologers, crystal-gazers, sooth-savers, all make prophecies. Even the meteorological department has scores'of 'prophets' (in the sense of English language). But prophesying does not make them 'Nabi'. A Nabi is the one who, being the representative of Allah, conveys His message to the people and leads them to the path of God, giving them a code of life based on love and justice. He must have many qualifications, most important of which are 'sinless-ness', appointment by Allah, and showing of miracles after the claim of Nubuwwat, without any practice, medicine or tools.

And nobody has succeeded in substantiating such claim of Nubuwwat after the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad Mustafa (s.a.w.)

So far as the question of 'nation' is concerned, it must be remembered that Islam is not a 'national' religion, like Judaism and Christianity. It is the 'Universal' religion sent by Allah for the whole mankind, through Muhammad, who, of course, was an Arab; but being a human being, he was bound to be born in some place.

It is really surprising that at a time when all thinking people are dreaming of a world government, your friend cherishes the idea of tribal religions. Such thinking cannot take mankind any further from the present chaotic situation. It was to curb such separatism that God sent Islam as the Religion for 'al-Alameen' (the whole universe).

Question:

He also proves his theory that when any person of any religion prays for anything, he gets it. It shows, according to him, that all religions in the world are true and from God. Answer:

Well, here is an episode which will throw some light on this question. Once Hadhrat Musa (a.s.) prayed to Allah saying that one apparent cause of the pride of Firaun was the limitless bounties which Allah had bestowed upon him. Allah replied: "Musa, if Firaun has forgotten that he is my creature, how can I forget that I am his Creator ?" According to the sayings of Ahlul-bait (family members of Holy Prophet), Allah, Who is Rehman and Rahim and Whose love to His creatures knows no bound, sustains everyone, and provides all the needs of all His creatures, in this world, irrespective of the beliefs of the individuals. Therefore, He provides even the atheists (who pray to no one) with their needs.

So, you should understand that those who ask some gods other than Allah, do not get their needs from their supposed deities. They still get them from the only source of life which has power and strength to grant anything to anyone, and that is Allah. You may ask that, in this condition, what is the need of asking things from Allah, as He would give us our requirements, anyhow. But you should remember that, among other things our prayers to Him and our asking requirements from Him show our gratitude to Him and confirm the fact that we realize from where we are getting our sustenance. Thus, we improve our ethical and spiritual standard by praying to Allah. It is a way of strengthening our relationship with Allah.

Imam Zainul-Abedeen (a.s.), the great-grandson of the Holy Prophet, said in one of his invocations (Duas) : "O Allah, Who gives to those who ask Him, and even to those who do not ask Him."

As I said above, even atheists get their sustenance from Allah, though they believe in no god at all. Therefore, getting their requirements after praying to the supposed deities does not prove that "all religions must be true". Otherwise, such a man would have to admit that even atheism is true. In fact, such a claim as you have narrated is so foolish that it does not deserve any attention. There are religions claiming hundreds of gods and semi-gods; there is Christianity, claiming 3-in-1 god; there is Islam denying more than one God; ....

Can all these diametrically different religions be true at one and the same time ? There are religions believing in a Day of Resurrection; there are religions believing, instead, in perpetual transmigration of souls. Can both these views be true and from God ? Remember, only those people make such claims who are unable to prove the truth of their religious beliefs. So they want to hypnotize people of other faith by claiming the divine origin and truth of 'all religions'; thus making sure that their illogical superficial beliefs also will be treated as divine truth.

Question:

We Muslims are much blamed by non-Muslims for using Holy Book for witch-craft. What really astonishes the non-Muslims is that those sheikhs and sharifus are the leaders of such activities - especially in the Coast area. My question is : How can Islam teach both religious tenets and witch-craft ?

Answer:

There are two aspects of this question which must be explained separately:

First: Is there any harm or evil in healing the people or benefiting them with the help of the name of God ? Certainly not. Hadhrat Isa (a s ) used to do so; and the fact is admitted by the Christians and Muslims both. Also, it is written about his 12 disciples that "he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases" (Mathew, 10:1), and he ordered them that: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils". (Mathew, 10:8).

When he removed some evil spirit from some people afflicted by those spirits, his enemies accused him of being in league with demon, saying that "he hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan ?" (Mark, 3:22-23).

So you will see that healing with the name of Allah is not evil; and it is not 'witch-craft'. If the Christians have lost that power, it is because they are not the followers of Jesus Christ. Otherwise, they would have been able to "say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and thou cast into the sea" and it would have been done (Mathew, 21:2).

Second: What is the difference between healing with the help of God and the witch-craft ? It is the same difference which exists between a medicine and a poison. The poison brings harm to body, while the medicine removes the harmful effects. Therefore, if any Sheikh tries to benefit someone with the name of God, or the ayat of the Qur'an, it is like curing someone of his sickness by the medicine, and therefore, should not be ridiculed. On the other hand, if he tries to bring harm to someone, or uses methods other than the name of Allah or ayat of Qur'an, it is witch-craft, and it may be likened to poisoning someone. But this does not mean that Allah has taught the witch-craft as you have asked in your question.

But, remember that, according to true Islamic belief (i.e., of Shia faith) a man is obliged to strive to the utmost limit of his capacity to improve his condition and then he should pray to Allah to bless his efforts with success. It is no use to sit idle and pray to Allah to send him his food. He must try hard to earn his living, and side by side should pray to Allah to give 'baraka' in his earnings. Likewise, if a man is sick, he should go to the doctor and use the medicine prescribed by him faithfully following all his instructions, and side by side should pray to Allah to give him back his health. This praying is more important than hanging some 'hirizi' in the neck or binding it on the arm.

Unfortunately many Sunni Sheikhs have made this 'hirizi' writing a source of their income, bullying people to procure goats, or cock of such a colour, or so many yards of a cloth of such a colour, or so many shillings; certainly they have crossed the limit of religion, and deserve condemnation as exploiters and 'mirija'. They have disgraced the name of Islam.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK (ISLAM : A UNIVERSAL RELIGION)

"And We did not send thee (Muhammad) but for the whole mankind". (Quran, 34:28). Look at the major religions of the world minutely and you will find that it is only Islam which claimed from the beginning to be the religion for the whole mankind.

God sent, before Muhammad, thousands of prophets and apostles to different places and nations to guide their people to the right path. It should be mentioned here that the word 'prophet', when used by Muslims, does not mean 'one who foretells the events'. Foretelling the events is not a very important function of a 'prophet'. A prophet, according to Islam, is sent by God to call people to His path. He is the link between Allah and His creatures; and by following his foot-prints the followers can be sure of receiving the glory of God. Anyhow, when as a result of the efforts of these prophets, mankind reached the stage of maturity, the Holy Prophet of Islam was sent by God for the whole mankind. He reaffirmed, revived, consolidated and perfected the teachings of the earlier prophets (which by passage of time had become distorted and disfigured).

Muhammad came in the world, announcing that, "I have been sent to all people - red and black and yellow." Among his early followers were people from Ethiopia, Iran, Rome and India.

According to the Qur'an, Allah is not a tribal god but the 'Lord of Universe'; Qur'an is the 'Declaration for the universe'; and the Holy Prophet is 'The Mercy for the universe' By sending his messengers to Asia Minor, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Umman and many other places, calling those people to come within the fold of Islam, Muhammad left an undeniable proof that his was the universal religion, unfettered with shackles of tribe, region, colour or race.

23rd January, 1970 Dear Maulana S. S. Akhtar Rizvi,

Mr. Mwangamilo has written me in December, 1969 concerning the "Answers to my Questions" which have been sent to my home address (Kwemkole, Kizara-Korogwe).

I wrote to my brother, there, about the matter so that he may send the answers here. Up to this time I have neither received any reply from my brother concerning this, nor did I receive the answers as I hoped, because the postman at Kizara was directing all letters of mine to this centre. Have they returned the letter there ? If so, please send the letter here. If not help me in getting the answers.

May Allah help you all in all matters. Yours in Islam, Dhikiri O. Muhammad Kiondo. 7th February, 1970 Dear Sir,

I enclose the passage you have asked for in your letter of 30/1/70. Concerning the letter No. BMM/40/201/69, the reply of which you are waiting for, I think is the letter signed by Mr. Mwangamilo which does not bear any date, This letter tells me that, the answers to my questions of early March, 1969 have been sent to me on my home address - Kwemkole Village, Kizara Upper Primary School, P.O. Korogwe. If at all you mean such a letter, up to this time, I have not received the answers although I have written to my brother at Kwemkole concerning this. Please help me in this matter. May Allah be with you all.

Your brother in Islam, Dhikiri O. Muhammad Kiondo. 9th February, 1970 Dear Maulana S. S. Akhtar Rizvi,

This is to inform you that I have received the answers to my questions yesterday 8/2/70. Thanks for troubling yourself in trying to show me where the truth is. Now it is clear to me that I am lost and I should find the right path.

It has taken me a long time to realize that I am in a wrong way. I thank Allah for showing me the right way by means of your services. May He save others also. I kindly ask your service to give me more guidance so as to get more knowledge about my new and true faith.

Question: (a) Should I have a particular "Baptism" and who shall baptize me while all here are Sunnis ? (b) Islam encourages much congregational prayers. Will I be allowed to pray with Sunnis and in Sunni style ? (c) Much of my religious knowledge is Sunnic. How can I get much Shia knowledge. - Please give me a list of Religious books used by Shias, from the simplest to the hardest so that I can buy them, and study them if I get a teacher to teach me. (d) How can I help in the spread of Shiaism in Tanzania, East Africa, Africa or in the whole world ?

May Allah bless your holy works, and reward you with heavenly rewards.

Your brother in Islam, Dhikiri O. Mohamed Kiondo. 21st February, 1970. Dear Dhikiri Omari Moh'd Kiondo,

I was very glad to receive your letter dated 7th instant. I got your previous letter after I sent my letter on 30/1/70. I sent the copy of the replies to you per Registered Post, and from your latest letter dated 9th February, I gather that you have got that letter. I welcome you most gladly to the Shia Ithna-asheri faith of Islam. As regards your questions, please see the following :-

(1) There is no baptism in Islam. You are already a Muslim and if you believe in the tenets of Shia'ism, you are a Shia without any need of any rite. But for the purpose of our own record, I would request you to fill up the enclosed declaration form and send it to us.

(2) For the time being you may pray with the Sunnis. We will discuss it in detail when we meet, fnsha-Allah.

(3) So far as the knowledge of Shia faith is concerned, I would be glad to receive you in Dar es Salaam. Please let me know whether you can get transfer to Dares Salaam. If it is possible, then you can easily get necessary religious training in our Night Class here. But if it is not possible, then we will have to make some other plan for you. Meanwhile, I am collecting some good books for you and will send them within a week by surface mail.

(4) You have asked: "How can I help? 'n the spread of Shia'ism in Tanzania, East Africa, Africa, or in the whole world ?"

Well, people like you can do a lot because you have access to the young minds and you can influence their way of thinking even indirectly. First of all, you should yourself acquire the necessary knowledge. Secondly, you should make yourself a good model of Ithna- asheri faith, so that people are attracted first to you and then, through you, to your faith. That was the way of Tabligh of Holy Prophet and our Imams. Thirdly, you should have friendly discussions and discourses with your friends and thus help in removing the prejudice and ignorance which is prevalent in this part of the world regarding our faith. Yours in Iman,

S. S. Akhtar Rizvi. 3rd March, 1970 Dear Maulana S. S. Akhtar Rizvi,

Thank you for accepting me in the Shia Ithna-asheri faith of Islam. Concerning the transfer to Dar es Salaam as you have asked me, is very difficult as my employer is Lushoto District Council which has no connection with Dar es Salaam. Let me buy some books of Shia faith at present. After having completed my National Service duty, I will arrange with you to send me a young teacher to teach me religion. I will be able to pay that teacher a little sum of money monthly.

My home address may change later to the one in the form, because I am building a house there, and planning to have a permanent station there.

May Allah allow us to meet and may He spread Islam all over the globe as well. Yours in Islam (Shiaism),

Dhikiri O. Mohamed Kiondo. 9th April, 1970. Dear Dhikiri, I was in Congo for some time and came back on 28th March, 1970. The books (which I promised you) could not be sent because of my absence. Today I have despatched the following books for your perusal :-

Book of Salaat (Illustrated). Mubahela. Islam the Religion with God. Co-existence of Shia and Hanafi Muslims. Muhammad the Man. Saheefa-e-Kamelah. Discourses on Tauheed. Muhammad the Legislator.

Teachings of Islam (Unity of God). God of Muhammad (S). Bhooli Huwi Baten. Book of Islamic Part 1-11.

Husain (a.s.) The Prince of Martrys and the Saviour of Humanity. The Boundry Line between the Shias and the Sunnis. Tragedy of Hussain. The Sacrifice at Karbala, its Causes and results Also, I Would like you to wite a short article on "Why I became a Shia?" in English or Kiswahili; and if possible send us your passport size photograph. Please treat it as urgent. Thanking you Your sincerely S.S. Akhtar Rizvi 16th April 1970 Maulana S. S. Akhtar Rizvi, Assalamo Alaikum, Maulana,

Thank you very much for the books you have sent me. I have received all 27 books. I also thank the Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania for taking so much trouble for my Islamic studies.

In order to take benefit from the books, I have concluded as follows :

(a) Because Shiaism is new to me, I must spend much time in studying it so that I may have as much knowledge as possible about it - therefore, I kindly ask you to make a syllabus equivalent to Std. XII level, covering Qur'an and Sheriat.

(b) Because I have a little knowledge in Arabic handwriting, I kindly ask you, to send lesson of "Arabic language" equivalent to English for Std. I, if possible. (c) I kindly ask you to help me in getting the best Quranic commentary ever translated into English. Let me know its price.

I am sending you the article, my picture and my questions to be answered by you, so that I may have good knowledge of Islam. (See Appendix 'D'). I am very well here by mercy of Allah. Much greetings to you and your family from my wife. May Allah let us meet one day.

Your Brother in Islam, Dhikiri O. Mohamed Kiondo 20th June, 1970 Dear Maulana S. S. Akhtar Rizvi, How are you Maulana, The only purpose of this letter is to inform you that I will be out for five months. I am going for National Service at Oljoro, Arusha. I will be back in November, 1970 if Allah wills. But before I am back - I will kindly ask you to find for me a suitable teacher willing to teach me both Arabic language and Nahow at this place. I am ready to pay him a little sum of about 100/- a month according to what I can afford.

I prefer a single person; feeding and clothing will be provided by me. Please help me in this matter. Insha-allah Allah will let us meet one day and bless our good aims. Yours in Islamic faith Dhikiri O. Mohamed Kiondo. 26th July, 1970. Dear Dhikiri,

Thank you for your letter, dated 20th June, informing me that you are going to Oljoro, Arusha, for National Service. I do not know how far this place is from Arusha; but if it is near Arusha, I may be able to see you sometime in August.

You asked about best Tafseer of the Qur'an in English. There is a very detailed Tafseer in English. In fact, its only defect is that it is too detailed. But I think you will get benefit from it. Its price is Shs. 100/-. If you want it, I may send it to you on the address you propose. About Arabic Language : I am looking out for such a Muallim as you want. I will send to you some books when you are free from National Service.