Your Questions Answered (volume 5)

Q.40: Who Were Followers of Nnabi Dawood?

Who were the followers of Nabii Dawood? Where did they live? Are there any left and what were the beliefs taught to them by the Prophet?

A. Prophet Dawood (a.s.) was not a messenger; he followed the shari'ah of Hazrat Musa (A.s.). He was given a book, Zabur, which consisted of Du'as and Munajat. It is included in the Old Testament, and its name in English is the Psalms.

Q. 41: IMPORTANCE OF GOOD MORALITY

What is the importance of good morality in the eyes of Islam? A. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has explained the most important objective of his mission in these words:-

"Indeed I have been sent only to perfect good manners."

Q. 42: SOME CHARACTERISTICS CONSIDERED GOOD IN ISLAMIC ETHICS

Can you enumerate some things which are good and important in Islamic ethics? A. To do good deeds with sincerity and honesty; Dependence upon God; to do justice to one another; to do good to both parents; to look after one's blood-relations; to help each other in good deeds; to reconcile people; truth.

Cultivating good habits, acquiring knowledge; bravery; humility; mercy and gentleness; to deal well with people; generosity; leading a moral life; helping the weak. To salute aloud; patience; to entertain; forgiveness; fulfilling peoples needs; equity; fearing God; cleanliness; respecting others;thanking God.

Q. 43: SOME OF THE FORBIDDEN THINGS

And some forbidden and bad things?

A. Rebelling against and disobeying parents; fornication/adultery; sodomy; lesbianism; drinking liquor; gambling; eating flesh of swine and other forbidden things; usurping other people's property; bribery, foresaking religious duties; stealing; pimping and helping adultery;

lying; backbiting and creating discord; usury; murder; embezzlement; oppression. Masturbation; breach of promise; cheating; adulteration in merchandise; spying in other peoples' affairs; abusing and recrimination; indecent dressing by women; helping the oppressor; judgement against the tenet of Islam.

Niggardliness; envy; cowardice; lack of courage; treachery and enmity; vengeance; complaining when in distress.

Boasting, greed; laziness, vain talk and self-humiliation.

Q.44. WHAT ARE THE BRANCHES OF RELIGION?

And what are the branches of religion? A. There are many branches, i.e. the rules of Shari'ah. But generally ten are considered most important.

They are:

  1. Salat-Prayer

  2. Saum- Fasting

  3. Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca

  4. Zakat-Welfare tax

  5. Khums-Paying one-fifth of saving

  6. Jihad-Fighting in the cause of religion.

  7. Amr bil Ma'ruf-To exhort others to do good

  8. Nahy 'anil munkar-To forbid others to do evil

  9. To love the Prophet and his family members and to remain aloof from their enemies.

Q. 45: ON WHICH THINGS SAJDAH IS ALL0WED?

In the book, Digest Peshawar Nights, published by Mis Peer mohamed Etrahim Trust, Karachi, in Chapter III: (Why Do Shias Perform Sajda (Prostration) On dust), it is said: "... according to Quranic injunction prostration must be performed on pure earth which includes dust, stone, sand and grass and all things that grow from earth,

provided they are not used in eating or wearing." In which Surah I can find the ayat speaking about that subject? That is the question put by some Sunni students studying here and I could not show them the Qur'anic injunction.

A. I could not find here (in London) the original Persian copy of "Shabha-e-Peshawar" (Peshawar Nights); but I am almost certain that the mistake has been done by the English translator, not the original writer. The law, that sajdah should be done on earth or a thing which grows from earth and is not used in eating or wearing, is based on ahadith, not on Qur'an. There are scores of ahadith even in Sunni books to this effect. Some of those books are:

Sahih at-Tirmidhi Sunan Abu Dawood Sunan an-Nasa'i Mustadrak-u-Sahihayn of al-Hakim Kanzul-'Ummal al-Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal If you need detailed references, please write to me

Q. 46.ABOUT 'QASR' PRAYER

Here in Zanzibar, when our brothers go to a distance of 8 farsakh (= 27 miles 48 yards) or more, they offer Qasr prayer, and break their fast. Now, the town is Zanzibar, the island is Zanzibar. Even at that distance they are not out of Zanzibar.How can they break their fast or pray Qasr?

A. Your brothers' action is absolutely correct. Your confusion arises because of the sameness of the names. Now if you call the island with its Swahili name, "Unguja", and speak of the town as "Zanzibar", there will be no problem at all.

Q.47. DEMOLISHING OLD MASJID TO BUILD A NEW ONE

Is erection of a new mosque in place of the old one allowed in sheri'ah if the old structure is still sound?

If the old mosque building in whatever circumstances has been demolished, how should the old corrugated sheets, doors, windows, stones and debris be disposed off? Can a Non-Muslim be employed to demolish a mosque?

A. Masjid may be demolished if it has become weak or dangerous or if it is necessary to enlarge the Masjid. Non-Muslim labour should not be used for demolishing the Masjid, nor should any non-Muslim be allowed to enter the area of old Masjid, because the site remains Masjid even when there is no structure on it.

The building material (including stones and debris) of the old Masjid should be used in other Masjids (even of Sunnis). If this too is not possible, then it should be sold for use in other religious buildings of Shi'as or Sunnis or to a Muslim who would know its sanctity. The price thus realised should be used in new Masjid's construction.

Q. 48: PRAYER BEHIND A SUNNI IMAM

On salat, should we pray behind sunni? If so, what about the saying that those who pray with their hands folded their prayer is not accepted?

A. There are a few situations when a Shi'a may pray behind a Sunni Imam. The most obvious case is of taqiyyah when one has to hide his belief because of danger to his life, property or honour.

Another is the occasion when the Islamic unity has to be demonstrated. And according to the ruling of Ayatullah al-'Uzma as-Sayyid Abul Qasim al- Khoui, in all such cases one must recite Surah al-Fatiha and the other surah (which he is required Not to recite behind a Shi'a Imam).

Q49. I AM NOT WELCOME AT SUNNI MOSQUES

From your previous correspondence, it is clear that a Shi'ite is not prevented from joining Sunni Jamaat prayers. I also realize the emphasis for Muslims to join Jamaat prayers. Although living near a mosque, I hesitate in joining congregational prayers for the following reasons:-

a) When the Sunnis see me praying without folding hands, they look upon me as one gone astray; with the majority turning their eyes on me, making me uneasy. The same applies when I do masah on feet in ablution instead of washing legs as they do.

b) In most daily prayers, the Imam prays too quickly for a Shi'ite to follow him, or to keep pace with him (Imam). For example,the Imam rushes Surahs to such an extent that he goes to Ruku before the Shi'ite has even started the surah after surah Fateha. In general, in local Sunni congregational prayers, there is a tendency of rushing prayers as compared with strict Shi'ite rules for prayers.

A. In the above circumstances, you may discontinue going to that mosque at the time of their Jamaat prayers. Please go therein after the people have gone away. If that too creates difficulties, then stop praying in that mosque altogether; pray in your home.