Your Questions Answered (volume 2)
Question : How Far Is a Muslim Allowed To Entertain Himself ? Is He Allowed To Entertain Himself With Music ?
Answer:
A Muslim is not allowed to entertain himself or herself with dance, music, gambling or drinking.
Question:
What is your opinion about the Christian theory of salvation through the crucifixion (death) of Jesus ? Is it justice to kill someone for another's salvation ?
Answer:
It is absolute non-sense. You have answered this question when you said: "Is it justice to kill someone for another's salvation ?'.'
Question:
Is the Christian thought about the cause of the death correct ? That man dies because of the disobedience of our father 'Adam' and 'Eve' ?
Answer:
This also is a myth. Nobody in his right sense would think like it seriously. It is a supposition to support the above mentioned theory of salvation.
Question:
Did our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) deliver his message to the Jinnis ? If the answer is yes, how did he do this, while the Jinnis are not usually seen by man ? And how is Islam maintained among the Jinnis now ?
Answer:
Yes, our Holy Prophet preached among the Jinns, and this fact is clearly described in the Sura 'Al-Jinn' in the 29th Juzw. The Jinns are not seen by men, as you have said, usually. But they may make themselves visible if they want. And the power of the eyes of the Holy Prophet was such that he could, and did, see the angels (who also are not seen usually by men); therefore, it is not a serious problem.
As about the maintenance of Islam among them now, it is described in our books, that they have their own scholars and preachers, as the human beings do. And it has been hinted in many traditions of our Imams that the Jinni Muslims were not misled by those who contrived to mislead the mankind; they are on right path.
Question:
May I know the Dua and manner of slaughtering the following animals : Chicken; goat; cow; camel; wild animals; an animal for Aquiqua; an animal for slaying Festival, i.e. Idd-ul-Hajj.
Answer:
Chicken, cow, goat and animals like these are slaughtered by knife. Camel is first pierced in the neck by spear, and then slaughtered by knife.
In all slaughterings, except Aquiqua and Sacrifice of Idd-ul-Hajj the only dua which is wajib is 'Bismillah'.
In Aquiqua and sacrifice, as mentioned above, it is necessary to have the 'niyyet' (intention) that you are slaughtering the animal for that particular purpose Qurbatan llallah (i.e., in obedience to the command of Allah).
Other necessary conditions for the slaughter of any animal are as follows:-
- The person who slaughters must be a Muslim.
- The knife must be of iron or steel.
- At the time of slaughtering, the face, hands, feet and stomach of the animal must be towards Quibla. Also, the person slaughtering that animal must be facing towards Quibla.
- Before begining the slaughter, when the knife is put on the animal's throat, the person must say 'Bismillah' with intention of slaughtering it.
- The animal should move its body or limbs after slaughter before dying. Also it is necessary that as much blood should come out of its body as normally comes out from such animals.
Aquiqua: Before slaying the animal for Aquiqua, this Dua is Sunnat :
Bismillahi wa billahi Allahumma hadhihi Aqiqatun an (name of the child and his father) Lahmuha bi lahmihi wa damuha bi damihi wa adhmuha bi adhmihi wa sh'aruha bi sh'arihi wa jilduha bi jildihi Alla-hummaj'alha waqa-an li (name of child and his father). If the child is a daughter, then after taking her name first time, the remaining Du'a will be recited as follows :-
Lahmuha bi lahmiha wa damuha bi damiha wa adhmuha bi adhmiha wa sh'aruha bish'ariha wa jilduha bi jildiha Allahummaj-alha waqa-an li (name of child and her father). Another Du'a :
Ya qaume' Inni bari-un mimma tushrikuun Inni wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fataras-samaawaati wal ardha hanifam muslimanw wa ma ana minal mushrikiin Inna Swlaati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamaati lillahi Rabbil-Aalamiina La sharika lahu wa bi dhaalika umirtu wa ana minal muslimiin Allahumma minka wa laka Bismillahi wallahu Akbar. After slaughtering, say:
Allahumma Swalli ala Muhammadinw wa Aali Muhammad wa Taqabbal min (name of child and his/her father).
Sacrifice at Eid-ul-Hajj time: Before killing the animal, this Dua is Sunnat: Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fatarassamaawaati wal ardha hanifam muslimanw wa ma ana minal mushrikiin Inna swalaati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamaati lillahi Rabbil-Aalamiina La sharika lahu wa bi dhaalika umirtu wa ana minal muslimiin Allahumma minka wa laka Bismillahi wallahu Akbar.
After slaughtering, say:
Allahumma Taqabbal minni. Hunting wild animals: If a wild animal whose meat is Halal, is killed by hunting, it will be Halal on the following conditions :-
The weapon must be sharp (like spear or arrow) which pierces the body by its sharp edge. Also, the bullets of a gun are allowed. But small gun like air-gun is not allowed.
The Person who uses that weapon must use it with intention of killing that animal. If, for example, an animal is killed by his bullet accidentally, its meat will not be Halal.
The said person must be a Muslim.
At the time of using that weapon, he/she must say 'Bismillah'
The animal, at the arrival of the hunter, must be dead by that weapon (or so near to death that slaying it in normal way is not possible). If at the arrival of the hunter it is alive, and there is enough time to slay it in normal way, it must be slaughtered accordingly; otherwise, its meat will be Haram.
Yours sincerely, S. S. Akhtar Rizvi. 4th November, 1970. Maulana S. S. Akhtar Rizvi, How are you Maulana ! ! ! How is your family and the Mission staff there ?
I promised to write to you on the day we met in Arusha, but the situation did not allow me. We were not allowed to go out of the camp, nor were there stamps in our shop for some reasons. The first reason also has hindered me from the prayer practice you arranged for me in Arusha.
I hope to leave this wonderful place on or before 24th November. Therefore, I think it would be better if you do not send me anything by this address. I will send you my address after my arrival at home. It may be that I am transferred from Sunga. Much greetings to your family and to the Bilal Muslim Mission staff. May Allah accept our Taubas in this Holy Month of Ramadhan - Amin.
Your son in Islam, Dhikiri O. Mohamed Kiondo. 3rd December, 1970. Dear Maulana S. S. Akhtar Rizvi, How are you Maulana ? How has it been, the Idd-el-Fitr ?
I am very well, by the blessings of Allah; and my family at Kwe-mkole in Korogwe District is all well.
I am glad to inform you that I will still be in this place using the same address. I hope, after few days, I will send you Shs. 15/- for the registration and first payment of the fees for the Correspondence Course. May Allah help us.
Your son
Dhikiri O. Mohamed Kiondo. 11th December, 1970. My Dear Dhikiri, Thank you for your letter of 3rd December, 1970. You will charge. be enrolled as a student of Islamic Correspondence Course, free of The application form is enclosed, which please return duly filled. With best wishes. Yours sincerely, S. S. Akhtar Rizvi. My Dear Dhikiri, Here are the answers to your questions
Question:
Have the Scientists recognised the need of a Planner and a Designer ?
Answer:
You should find its answer in Unit 2 (God of Islam). Apart from other chapters, the 13 th and 14th chapters specially deal with this question.
Question:
How Pascal used Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib's (A.S.) idea ?
Answer:
I am publishing an article on it in June issue of "Light". (Now see 'Need of Religion', published by this Mission). Question: How have the other sects of Islam failed to fulfil the necessary qualities of a Religion ? Answer:
All right. Look into chapter 5 of 'Need of Religion' and start comparing :-
A) Ashaira (i.e., Sunnis) do not accept that reason or intellect has any place in religion. In fact, they do not accept any relation between a cause and its effect. And unless the relationship of cause and effect is accepted, nothing can be proved by any argument.
B) By the same reasoning, the teaching of Sunni'ism neglects 'mind' and thus prevents the development of a human being as a "whole".
C) The belief in Pre-destination is enough to show how Sunni'ism fails this test. Question:
How do the Qadariyyas share with God in Legislating the Shariat ?
Answer:
Qadariyyas believe that human beings are 100% independent of Allah in their actions, and Allah has no control over their deeds. They are counted as 'Mushrik' because, according to that belief, they treated themselves as equal to and independent of Allah in their actions. I am afraid that the sentence in 'God of Islam' concerning this topic is not very clear. I will make it more clear in the next edition.
Question:
What were the ten intellects that the ancient Greek philosophers believed to have created the Universe ?
Answer:
This thing has no existence; it was a creation of the mental luxury of Greek philosophers. They said that the Creator created the first intellect; this first intellect created the second intellect and first sky; the second intellect, in its turn, created the third intellect and the second sky; and likewise, the ninth intellect created the tenth intellect and ninth sky. The tenth intellect created this Earth. According to them, the Creator, after creating the first intellect, is powerless to do any other work.
Question:
How can the name Rahim be used for others besides Allah
Answer:
The word 'Rahim' literally means 'Merciful'. In Arabic language it was being used for merciful persons. And it continued to be used in that way. In the Qur'an this adjective has been used for our beloved Prophet also. But 'Rahman' was not used before Islam and in the Islamic terminology the difference in the meaning and usage of the two names was prescribed, as I have mentioned in the book, 'God of Islam'.
Question:
How can the belief in one God create brotherhood ?
Answer:
As children of one father have a feeling of brotherhood because all are the off-springs of one father, likewise, the creatures of One God are bound to have brotherly feelings towards each other because they are the creation of One Creator.
Question:
Suppose a Muslim eats something forbidden in his religion - will he need a special purification? What is it?
Answer:
There are no special purification rites. The method of cleansing by water, as described in 'Elements of Islamic Studies' applies here also. But one must ask forgiveness of Allah for disobeying His Sheriat. With best wishes, I am, Sincerely yours, S. S. Akhtar Rizvi.
Question:
Satan was one of the Angels. Angels were not given the power of doing things according to their free will, power and intention. How did Satan come to disobey Allah while he was bound to Allah's commandments and guidance?
Answer:
Satan was not from the angels. Qur'an repeatedly says that he is from Jinns. Jinns, like human beings, have been given free will and they are expected, like human beings, to obey, the commands of Allah by their free will and power.
Question:
According to our belief (Shia), a prophet is sinless. Why should we pray for our Holy Prophet of Islam during prayers and other times, when we believe that he was Masum? Answer:
We pray for our Holy Prophet in obedience to the command of Allah: - The benefit of 'Salawat' returns to us as the Holy Prophet has said: 'Whoever among you sends one Salawat to me, I pray for him 10 times." The Mercy and Grace of Allah is limitless. Our Holy Prophet was already bestowed with Grace of Allah more than any one else. But it does not mean that the Grace has reached its limit: it has no limit. Therefore, we pray for him so that Allah may bestow him with His ever-new Graces and Mercies.
Moreover, we praise and thank Allah and pray before him, though He has no need of our prayers, thanks and praises. But by doing so, we express and show our relation and gratitude to Him. Likewise, the Holy Prophet has no need of our 'Salawat'; but by ordering us to recite 'Salawat' Allah wants us to express our relation with, and gratitude to, the Holy Prophet.
Question:
How is it that there are differences in praying while the prayer was taught by our Holy Prophet himself?
Answer: I am sending you "Light" Vol. I No.1. You read it and will find out how the system of prayer was changed.
Question:
What support do the Sunnis have, that Music is allowed provided that it is not "Kufur"?
Answer:
I do not know but it seems that this rule was established to justify the music parties of the kings of Bani Ummaya and Bani Abbas Sincerely yours
S.S Akhtar Rizvi 6th September 1971 Dear Maulana S.S Akhtar Rizvi Assalam Alaykum Thank you for your letter of 19th August, 1971. I am happy that I am warmly welcomed there. My visit to Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania will be postponed because there will be no holiday this year for most of the schools in Tanzania. With best wishes. Yours faithfully, Dhikiri O. Mohamed Kiondo. 30th September, 1971. My Dear Dhikiri, Alaikumussalaam ! I got your letter dated 6th September; but could not reply it soon because of some other engagements. I am sorry that you will not be able to come to Dares Salaam. But I would be glad if you come here any time you are free - even for two or three days. Wish best wishes.