Friday Freaky Fatwa; Can Muslims eat Fish Eyes?

A Muslim asks a scholar

I need to know whether we as Muslims are allowed to eat the eyes of a fish. I was eating at a seafod restaurant with a friend and I was enjoying the head of the fish and then I ate the eye and he was quite disgusted and said that it is not allowed in Islam. Is that true?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.

Allah has permitted us all the produce of the sea: 2:96 “Lawful to you is the pursuit of water-game and its use for food…”

It is strange indeed that a person could dare to forbid something that Allah has permitted. This is a very serious matter, as Allah says:
5:87“O you who believe! Make not unlawful all that is good which Allah has made lawful to you, and transgress not. Verily, Allah does not like the transgressors.”
Wow!  Can you believe they actually wrote that?

7:32 “Say: ‘Who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for His slaves, and all kinds of lawful things of food?’ Say: ‘They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) exclusively for them (believers) on the Day of Resurrection (the disbelievers will not share them).’ Thus We explain in detail for people who have knowledge.”
Totally going Quran, that’s awesome!

10:59 “Say: ‘Tell me, what provision Allah has sent down to you! And you have made of it lawful and unlawful.’ Say: ‘has Allah permitted you to do so, or do you invent a lie against Allah?’”
That’s what I’ve been saying to them…are they finally listening?

Allah has also warned His slave against forbidding anything without knowledge. He said (interpretation of the meaning):
16:116 “And say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely: ‘This is lawful and this is forbidden,’ so as to invent lies against Allah. Verily, those who invent lies against Allah will never prosper.”
Yes!  And the proof is all the poor Sharia/hadith run countries!

This person who has invented a lie against Allah by saying that it is haraam to eat the eye of a fish must repent to Allah, and not go beyond the limits in talking about the Religion of Allah. He should not speak without knowledge. Even if he is put off by something or feels disgusted by it, he has no right to say that it is haraam.
Daaayaam!  Even the commentary is Hadith free!

The Prophet hated the smell of garlic, and said:
“Whoever eats anything from this unpleasant plant should not approach us in the mosque.”
The people said, “It has become haraam (forbidden), it has become haraam.”
When the Prophet heard what was being said, he said: “O people, it is not for me to forbid something that Allah has permitted; this is just a vegetable whose smell is unpleasant.”
uh-oh….

Although the Messenger of Allah disliked the idea of eating lizard-meat, he did not forbid others to eat it, as is reported in the following story:

From Bukhaari, “Khaalid ibn al-Waleed reported that some grilled lizard meat was brought to the Prophet and put in front of him. He stretched out his hand to take some, but one of the people present said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is lizard meat,’ so he pulled his hand back.
Khalid ibn al-Waleed asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, is lizard haraam?’
He said, ‘No, but it is not known among my people and I cannot face eating it.’
So Khalid took some of the lizard meat and ate it, whilst the Messenger of Allah looked on.”
what the hell….whaat?....!

After explaining this answer to you, I want to warn you about something that I noticed in your question, where you said that you went to the seafood restaurant with a male friend. If this person is not your husband or a mahram (blood-relative whom you are permanently forbidden to marry), then you should fear Allah. Ask yourself: which is more serious, eating the eye of a fish or going out with a man to whom you are not related to sit and chat with him in a restaurant?
Allah dam-it!!  I just got punked!!!

There is nothing in the Quran that forbids having lunch with anyone!…damn fool scholar….had me going there for a minute….can’t eat fish eyeballs for lunch with the opposite sex…..pffftt….bet he has a rule on fish mingling… a dead female fish cannot be on the same table as a dead male fish- because their eyeballs are still open and they might see your awrah…because Bukhari said; someone said, someone else said, what someone else heard someone else say, the prophet said….I don’t like lizard meat.

A Muslim asks a scholar

Is it permissible to eat fermented foods made at home, such as pickled cabbage, soy sauce, leavened bread, in order to help the digestion process?

Praise be to Allah.

And the scholar replies

Firstly:  uh-oh. Firstly is code for; we’re gonna make it up now

The problem is the use of yeast in these pickles.
Pickles?

Yeast is used to make beer, and other alcoholic drinks. If the amount of yeast in these pickles and the like is very little, and it has dissolved in them, so that it does not have the effect of causing intoxication or languor, there is nothing wrong with using yeast in them, and eating these pickles.
Getting pickled by eating pickles….is that possible?

But if the yeast has a lasting effect on them, such that if the one who ate a lot of these pickles would become intoxicated or tired, it is haraam to use the yeast in them, or to eat anything to which yeast has been added in this way.
But you won’t know untill you eat 10.
It’s ok to eat pickles and to let Peter Piper pick a pack of pickles.

A Muslim asks a scholar

Is Ostrich meat permissible?  What about crocodiles and frogs?

And the scholar replied

Praise be to Allah.

Yes, it is permissible to eat ostrich meat. The basic principle concerning all of them is that in general they are permissible, except for those which have been excluded.

Bukhaari; It was narrated that ‘Ali said: “The Messenger of Allah forbade mut’ah (temporary marriage) and he forbade the meat of donkeys.
Because everyone knows those two things go together. 
They should of stopped with; yes.

Crocodiles. The correct view is that eating these is not allowed, because they have fangs.
But their God says they can eat you

Frogs. It is not permitted to eat them because the Prophet forbade killing them, as is reported in the hadith of Uthman, who said that the Messenger of Allah forbade the killing of frogs.
Is the Quran not complete without Uthman?

Otters and turtles.  It is permissible to eat them after slaughtering them properly, because they live both on land and in the sea.
Except for crabs which do not need to be slaughtered, even though they live both on land and in the sea, because they do not have blood.
Mmmmm….eating live crab…owch!  It’s better to kill them first!

Some scholars exclude sea snakes, but the correct view is that as they live nowhere except in the water, we are permitted to eat them.
I’m surprised they didn’t forbid lamb as it was a talking lamb chop that killed Muhammad…so says Bukhari Hadith.  Yeah, chew on that one Hadithians.

Everything that can cause harm is forbidden as food, even if it comes from the sea, because Allah says: “… And do not kill yourselves nor kill one another. and: “… and do not throw yourselves into destruction…”
Great, when they do use the Quran they pick out verses that have nothing to do with the topic.  Death by food…murdered with a pickle…thrown into a bag of chips…

A Muslim asks a scholar

Did Muhhamad(SAW) ever teach people not to eat Fish and Milk together??

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.

It was not narrated that the Prophet forbade drinking milk at the same time as eating fish.
Hmm…weren’t they saying earlier that no one could forbid what Allah had not?  ….seems fishy to me…

Since no such thing has been proven, then we should refer to the doctors concerning this issue. If they say that eating these things together is harmful, then they should not be eaten together, rather they should be eaten separately.
So how many of you are going to make a doctor’s appointment to find out if drinking milk at the same time as eating fish is harmful?  I can save you a trip. If you drink milk at the same time that you eat fish, you could choke.  Swallow, and then drink.

And Allah knows best.
Allah is still laughing

A Muslim asks a scholar

Is it permissible to eat fish and potato fries which have been cooked in oil, if non-halaal meat and /or pork has also been fried in it?
And is it necessary to ask the shopkeeper whether he fries everything in the same oil, or should you not ask and just eat?
This is a real day to day problem affecting many Muslims living in the West.

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.

We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, who replied as follows:

“If we know that most of the food cooked in it is impure, such as dead meat or pork, then we have to ask, but if we do not know that, then we do not need to ask.
Ah, don’t ask, don’t tell.

This answer is missing a Hadith so I’m going to throw one in.  Narrated Abu Huraira; It was forbidden to keep the hands on the hips during the prayer.

And Allah knows best

A Muslim asks a scholar

Can we speak while eating?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.

It is proven that the Prophet talked whilst eating.

It is narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah that the Prophet asked his family for condiments and they said: We do not have anything but vinegar. He called for it and he started eating it, saying: “What a good condiment vinegar is, what a good condiment vinegar is.”

In these hadiths there is evidence that it is permissible to speak whilst eating. As for the hadiths that forbid doing so, none of them are reliable.
Well that Hadith only says that you can talk about vinegar.
And Allah knows best. and said that whilst eating a pickle

Ramadan will soon be over and Eid will begin.  To all those who fasted faithfully, I wish for you many blessings.

Fridays Freaky Fatwa-- Angels and Jinn, Jews and boobs

A Muslim asks a scholar

Is it possible for the jinn to kidnap a human being?
I have heard many stories about the jinn kidnapping human beings.

I read a story which said that a man of the Ansaar went out to pray and the jinn took him prisoner and he was lost for years. Is this possible – I mean that the jinn could kidnap a human being?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen answered this question as follows:
That is possible. It is well known that Sa’d ibn ‘Ubaadah was killed by the jinn when he urinated in a hole in which was their dwelling place, and they said, “We have killed the leader of Khazraj Sa’d ibn ‘Ubaadah; we struck him with an arrow and we did not miss his heart.”
NOTHING pisses off a Jinn more than getting pissed on!

At the time of ‘Umar, a man was kidnapped by the jinn and stayed with them for four years, then he came back and told the people that some mushrik jinn had kidnapped him, and he stayed with them as a prisoner, then some Muslim jinn launched a campaign against them and defeated them, and brought him back to his family. This was mentioned in Manaar al-Sabeel and elsewhere.
He wasn’t kidnapped, he just split for awhile...yep, that's what I think

A Muslim asks a scholar

I'd like to know about the 2 Angels, who write our lives in a book (good and bad things) is it true they won’t come to the house with picture? When i pray and there is a picture. I must give Salaam to the angels and the angels aren't here, because there are pictures in the house..?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.
The words “the angels do not enter” mean: the angels of mercy, not the recording angels or the Angels of death.
Yes, angels have jobs

The mercy angels who do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image, they are the angels who go round with mercy, blessings and prayers for forgiveness.
The real message here; take your dog on a walk every day, because birds fly, fish swim and dogs walk...might want to take the image with you...

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: If the images are treated without respect, such as images on carpets or pillows, the majority of scholars are of the view that they are permissible.
Great, the scholars decided you can leave those images at home when you walk your dog.  Just so you know, this is all based on hadith
Bukhari said; “The angels do not enter a house in which there is an image or a dog.”
So for him, an image of a dog would be totally out of the question.
But Allah has no problem with dogs or images so long as they are not worshipped. So, don’t worship your pillows or your carpet especially if your dog is laying on them.

The recording angels write down the deeds of the son of Adam because they are enjoined to list and record their deeds.

o do lots of good deeds everyday!

The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord”
And I'm telling ya, the Lord WILL ask if you walked your dog!

A Muslim asks a scholar

Does the Shaytaan call the dying person to become a Jew or Christian? And what is meant by the “trials of death”?

And the scholar replies

There is no evidence for this from the Quran or hadith, rather this is what some scholars say, but that does not happen in the grave, rather it happens when a person is dying, before the soul is taken. Some scholars stated that this comes under the heading of “the trials of life”.
But that depends on which hadith you read or what scholar you follow

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
The presenting of other religions to a person at the time of death does not happen to everyone, but we cannot say that it does not happen to anyone
In other words, their just making this stuff up as they go along.

A Muslim asks a scholar

I saw one of the women in Makkah, charging her mobile phone from the electricity of the Mosque. Is what she did permissible?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.

It is better for the Muslim not to do that, and to err on the side of caution. The Prophet said: “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.”
Maybe she had no doubts and needed to charge her phone

But if a Muslim needs to do that, there is the hope that there will be no sin on him for that, insha Allaah, if the people in charge of the Haram do not disallow that. But he should limit it just to what he needs and no more, so that he will not prevent any of his Muslim brothers from also charging their mobile phones, because they may need it just as he does, or more.
And Allaah knows best

Interesting that in other fatwas the scholars are quick to say; do not be friends or copy anything of the disbelievers--the infidels---but when it comes to the cool things that the infidels invent then it's ok to copy them.
This fatwa is not based on anything from the Quran, but maybe the infidels should enforce it...based on fatwas

A Muslim asks a scholar

The sign of NIKE printed on T-Shirts, shoes and caps. Should Muslims avoid purchasing and wearing these types of itemns? Many people say that is Shirk" it means I obey another  GOD (other than Allah) Please provide me brief answer; the history of Nike (if it is Truth).

And here is the ridiculous answer

Praise be to Allaah.
This well known registered trademark, Nike, which may be the most well known of sporting brands in the world, bears the name of the Greek goddess of victory. They chose this name as a symbol of good luck and hope of victory for sportsmen who wore this brand and propagate the symbol of this god.
Nike was the god of victory among the ancient Greeks, who was usually presented in the form of a winged maiden, carrying a crown in one hand and a palm branch in the other.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
As for us, what we must do is boycott these things, and not spend our money on that which is bad for us, because at the very least a boy may start accept accepting these words that say that he is a Jew or a Christian, when we know that the Jews and Christians have been our enemies since ancient times.
Seriously? Scholars believe Muslims are stupid enough to worship a check mark?
And telling Muslims that all Christians and Jews are the enemy does not promote peace and tolerance. And neither worship Nike even if they do wear their shoes and caps. 
This fatwa is not based on Quran as no one worships a check mark.
Stupid schoars!

A Muslim asks a scholar

I hope that you could explain the presence of the Jews in Madeenah, as it is narrated that the Prophet expelled them from the city?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.
The Prophet commanded that the Jews be expelled from the Arabian Peninsula, and said that no two religions should co-exist in the Arabian Peninsula. This is a Sharia ruling. It is not permissible for any mushrik to remain there. With regard to the presence of the Jews in Madeenah, Khaybar, etc., this was before the command to expel them, as is well known. The command to expel them came during the final illness of the Prophet, then ‘Umar expelled them after that.

Notice that this scholar could not back up this bad Hadith with anything from the Quran. I’ve written a couple of blogs that prove, (from the Quran), that Allah gave Israel to the Jews.  Sharia sucks.

Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said. “The Jews will fight you and you will prevail over them until a rock will say, “O Muslim, here is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.”
The rocks remain silent. The Jews have prevailed, and Umar was stabbed to death by a Christian who was upset about high taxes.
Stupid hadith

A Muslim asks a scholar

I hope that you can give some advice to graduating women, those who have finished their university studies. What should they do after graduating and before marriage or until they get married?

And this is the foolish answer this young woman received.

Our advice to our sisters is not to be too keen to finish their studies or look for work, because unfortunately in most Muslim countries there is no work that befits women or is free of haram (forbidden) elements.
This is true.  Islam as a government cannot work well anywhere, and there are 57 sharia run countries that prove it.

Fatwas may be issued for a small number of sisters, in some specialities, allowing them to complete their studies or work, but that is after consulting scholars whose knowledge and religious commitment they trust, and in circumstances that apply only to them.

This is especially true in the case of females, because the burden of temptation they face is greater and the protection they have is weak.
Obviously the scholars believe that there has only been one strong, smart, educated Muslim woman in the history of Islam and that was-- Khadija, Muhammad’s first wife. Other than than that, all Muslim women are weak, lack faith, secretly want to run away from Islam and can’t trust her Muslim brothers.
Brilliant advice-- if you want Muslim women to desire western men.
This fatwa is not based on the Quran.

A Muslim asks a scholar

Once the deceased has been placed in the grave, is it permissible to uncover his face or should we leave it covered?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:
It should not be uncovered, rather his entire body should be covered, unless he is a muhrim (in ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah), Do not cover his head or his face, for he will be raised on the Day of Resurrection.”

And he also said:
But if the deceased is a woman than her face should be covered with the shroud even if she was in ihraam, because it is ‘awrah (genital).
Eww and Holy Crappy Haidth!!

A Muslim asks a scholar

I know that breastfeeding establishes the relationship of being a mahram, and that if a woman breastfeeds a child she becomes his mother through breastfeeding. A man had blood taken from him to be given to his wife. Does that have any effect on his married life with her?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.

This analogy is not correct. The relationship of mahram that is proven in sharia applies only in the case of breastfeeding.

The Standing Committee replied:
Perhaps the questioner is thinking of an analogy between blood and the milk that establishes the relationship of a mahram (one you cannot have sex with). This analogy is not valid for two reasons:
1- Blood is not a source of nourishment as milk is;

2- That which establishes the relationship of a mahram according to the text is breastfeeding that fulfils two conditions: (i) that the breastfeeding occurs five or more times; (ii) that that takes place within the first two years of the child’s life.

Based on this, the blood that has been taken from you and given to your wife does not have any affect on your married life.
You’ve all heard of the fatwa that said if a Muslim woman wants to work with men she has to breastfeed them 5 times so they won’t be marriage material, right?
It failed because the other fatwa makers were afraid their wives would demand the right to work.

It was narrated from Sahl ibn Sa‘d that the prophet said:

“Whoever protects that which is between his jaws and that which is between his legs will be guaranteed Paradise.”
There was no point to that- I just thought it was funny.

It's Friday, you have to laugh on Fridays!

Friday Freaky Fatwa--Sex in paradise with clean ears

A Muslim asks a scholar

When I wash my ears during wudoo’, do I have to insert my finger into the whole ear? What is the ruling on the waxy substance in the ears? Must it be removed so that the water can each all parts of the ear from the inside, knowing that this waxy substance may come out from the ear?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.

What is proven from the Prophet is that he used to wipe his ears, not wash them. He would wipe the outer part with his thumbs and the inner part with his forefingers, with whatever water was left on his hands after wiping his head.
And here is the Hadith to prove it…

Al-Nasaa’i narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said, describing the wudoo’ of the Prophet: Then he wiped his head and his ears, the inside with his forefingers and the outside with his thumbs.

The outside of the ear is the part that is closest to the head and the inside is that which is closest to the face.
Wow!  Who knew?  Thanks scholars!  I always wondered where the outside of the ears were….

This is what should be done according to most of the scholars, who think that the ears should be wiped, inside and outside.
Unless you read this Hadith….

Abu Dawood narrated that al-Miqdaad ibn Ma’di Yakrib said: I saw the Messenger doing wudoo’ and when he reached the wiping of the head, he placed his hands on the front of his head and moved them until he reached the back of his head, then he brought them back to the place where he started, and he wiped his ears, inside and outside, and put his fingers in his ears.
That Hadith caused this guy made the following ruling;

Imam al-Haramayn, al-Ghazaali and others said: He should take water in his hand and put his forefingers inside his ears and rotate them, and pass his thumbs over the outside of his ears.

Unlike that which is inside, as it is not prescribed for water to enter the ear, if there is any waxy substance over the opening of his ears, it should be removed.
Gee, ya think?  Gross.  I don’t even want to know what they did before these brilliant scholars came along….

And Allaah knows best
Hadith make Allah look stupid.

A Muslim asks a scholar

Some people regard it as a good or bad omen when they hear a sound in one of their ears, or if their eyelid twitches, and so on. Is there any basis for this?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allah.

There is no basis for this. The Muslim has to put his trust in Allah. Regarding things as bad omens is a kind of belief in evil omens, which the Prophet declared to be false and stated that it is a form of shirk.

If a person notices any such thing (ringing in the ears, etc.), he should ignore it and go ahead with his plans, and not hesitate.
Maybe the scholars want you to die…?

As for seeing something and interpreting it in an optimistic manner, this is good, and the Prophet used to like optimism. Optimism means thinking well of Allah.
Well I read that Allah likes brains, so use yours.

A Muslim asks a scholar

I'm wondering will the men from amongst the human race that enters paradise, will they have sexual intercourse with the "HOURIS" women in the paradise .

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allaah.

Among the blessings that Allah has prepared for His slaves are: 44:54 “So it will be. And We shall marry them to Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes”

52:20 “They will recline with ease on thrones arranged in ranks. And We shall marry them to Hoor (fair females) with wide lovely eyes

55:70-76
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions;
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
With whom no man or jinni has had Tamth [opening their hymens with sexual intercourse] before them.
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
Reclining on green cushions and rich beautiful mattresses.”
After reading the Hadith I can almost understand why Allah would have to tell the desert Arab men about all the sex they will have in heaven.  What I can’t understand is why the scholars still believe that all Muslim men are as stupid as those in the 7^th century.

Al-hoor al-‘iyn are extremely beautiful, such that the marrow of their shins will be visible from beneath their garments.
It doesn’t say that-- because that would be scary

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi said; A man will have intercourse in Paradise with his wives from among al-hoor al-‘iyn and his wives from among the people of this world, if they enter Paradise with him.
and..
A man will be given the strength of a hundred men to eat, drink, feel desire and have sexual intercourse.
Don’t believe it?  Well, here’s the Hadith to prove it..

It was narrated from Anas that the Prophet said:
“The believer in Paradise will be given such and such strength for sexual intercourse.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, will he really be able to do that?” He said, “He will be given the strength of one hundred (men).”
I was wondering what such and such meant…100.  Interesting.

It was narrated from Zayd ibn Arqam that the Messenger of Allah said: “A man among the people of Paradise will be given the strength of a hundred men for eating, drinking, desire and sexual intercourse.
Because that’s all real men care about…

A man among the Jews said, ‘The one who eats or drinks needs to excrete!’
The Messenger of Allah said to him: ‘The excretion of any one of them will be in the form of sweat which comes out through his skin, then his stomach will reduce in size again.’”
Absolutely believable…right?  Pfft

The Quran says 36:55 “Verily, the dwellers of Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things”

They said, it means they will be busy deflowering virgins.
Ibn ‘Abbaas said, according to a report narrated from him, that “busy in joyful things” means listening to stringed instruments.
But…
Abu Haatim said: he misheard the phrase iftidaad al-abkaar (deflowering virgins) and thought it was samaa’ al-awtaar (listening to stringed instruments).
but…
Ibn Katheer In fact the correct phrase is iftidaad al-abkaar (deflowering virgins).
And that’s what happens when you rely on Hadith…and probably why there is a punishment attached to following Hadith.

With regard to children, the scholars differed as to whether children would be born as a result of this intercourse or not. Some said that there would be children if the man wants them, but the pregnancy and birth would take just one hour.
Because of this Hadith..

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi; that the Prophet said: “If the believer wants a child in Paradise, the pregnancy and delivery will take only an hour, then the child will be the age that the man wants.”
Because real men do not like pregnant women..?

We ask Allah to admit us to Paradise and to keep us far away from the Fire. May He bless us, for He is the One Who is Able to do that. Allah knows best.
Translation; we hope these Hadith make you very hungry as there is lots of bitter fruit waiting for those who follow stupid scholars and their damn, dumb, Hadith.
And guys, try and act like you’re smarter than a 7^th century desert Arab, ok?

Friday Freaky Fatwa--Ramadan and the damn dumb scholars

A Non Muslim asks a scholar

What is Ramadan?

And I replied

They say that Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

It is the Islamic month of fasting, where doing good deeds and giving in charity are highly rewarded.

Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and all sexual activities from dawn until sunset.
Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality.

Ramadan starts on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

This year Ramadan started on August1st and ends on September 1st, depending on where you live.

The beginning of Ramadan is based upon the Islamic calendar and observing the first waxing crescent moon.

This is also where the crescent moon that symbolizes Islam originated.

The Quran says;
2:183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-

2:184 Fasting for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number Should be made up from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is poor. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew.

2:185 Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear Signs for guidance and judgment Between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present at his home during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period Should be made up by days later.
Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. He wants you to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance you shall be grateful.

According to the earliest hadith, this refers to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur.

Muslims fast during Ramadan to understand what it feels like to be without food while having to work and take care of family, such as those who are poor and less fortunate.

Muslims are expected to read the entire Quran during Ramadan and attend special Taraweel prayers which are only said during the month of Ramadan.

And they are expected to be more compassionate during Ramadan, to be more giving and understanding. It is also a special time for families, friends and fellow Muslims around the world.

According to hadith, the person who observes Ramadan properly will have all their past sins forgiven. According to another hadith, "When Ramadan arrives, Heaven's gates are opened, while Hell's gates are closed and Satan and the Jinn are chained up and who ever dies during this time will enter paradise."

Not all Muslim agree as to when Ramadan starts. The Saudi tradition of sighting the moon with the naked eye works for them, but there are differences for countries who are on the opposite side of the planet. Many Muslims now lean towards using astronomical calculations to avoid this confusion.
Last Friday's Fatwa was about women sighting the moon.

The name "Ramadan" had been the name of the ninth month in Arabian culture before the arrival of Islam; It means intense heat scorched ground and shortness of rations.

The month after Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to fast for another 6 days. When the fasting is over, Muslims go to their mosques in formal clothes to pray. Afterwards they give presents to young children and greet their friends and families and thank Allah for the bounties he has given to them.

Not every Muslim is required to fast. People who are travelling more than 40 miles in a day do not have to fast. The same is true for those who are mentally ill, the elderly or those who are gravely ill. Also pregnant women, nursing women and, women who are menstruating are all exempt from fasting as the Quran states. However, they must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fast.
In some Muslim countries, failing to fast during Ramadan is considered a crime.

Fasting for 12 hours a day is not easy, fasting for 12 hours a day for a month is extremely difficult especially when you have to continue to work and take care of the family.  In many countries the heat in nearly unbearable, yet devout believers suffer through.  No other religion has such a demand placed upon them.  But for over 1400 years believers have been fasting as proof of their love of Allah.  If you think this is easy, try it.

When the sun goes down each family has a huge feast to celebrate their day and their victory over hunger, and they are reminded of the poor and less fortunate.

Doing good deeds and giving in charity is especially highlighted during Ramadan as a reminder of Allah's mercy.

Fighting, bickering and all negative behaviours are not acceptable.  Understanding, tolerance and a helpful nature is what is required of all believers during this month as it is the most Holy month of the year.

2:187 It has been made lawful for you during the night of fasting to approach your women sexually. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them.
God knows that you used to betray your souls so He has accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now you may approach them and seek what God has written for you.
And you may eat and drink until the white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn; then you shall complete the fast until night; and do not approach them while you are devoted in the temples.
These are God’s boundaries, so do not transgress them. It is thus that God makes His revelations clear to the people that they may be righteous.
For all my believing readers, I wish you each a Happy Ramadan and may Allah bless you and your family through out the year with peace and prosperity.


Now, how can the scholars possible screw up this sacred month?

A Muslim asks a scholar

What is the ruling on a wife who refuses intimacy with her husband during Ramadaan because she is preoccupied with worship and drawing close to Allaah?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allaah.

The month of Ramadaan is an important occasion for worshippers to increase their worship and for sinners to give up their ways and reconcile themselves with their Lord by giving up their sin and doing more acts of worship and obedience, so that they may turn over a new leaf and start a new life.

Women should understand that their husbands have great rights over them. It is not permissible for a woman to refuse her husband these rights, or to refuse them for the sake of naafil acts of worship.

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Awfa said: The Messenger of Allah said:
“By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, no woman can fulfill her duty towards Allah until she fulfils her duty towards her husband. If he asks her for intimacy even if she is on her camel saddle, she should not refuse.”
On her camel saddle, huh? Interesting visual...bad advice

What this means is that women are urged to obey their husbands, and that they should not refuse them even in this situation, so how about in other situations?
.
Because of the importance of husbands’ rights, women are enjoined to ask their permission before doing some acts of worship which may conflict with their rights, such as:
Observing fasts.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:
“No woman should fast when her husband is present except with his permission.
Allah didn’t say that, neither does the Quran.  A bad scholar can screw up the best of intentions.

A Muslim asks a scholar

What is the ruling on touching women with one's hand only during Ramadaan and the emission of semen as a result?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allaah.

Sins in general – including touching women – are more serious in Ramadan. The Standing Committee was asked:
I suffer from seminal discharge during the days in Ramadan without any wet dreams or engaging in the “secret habit” (masturbation). Does this have any effect on the fast?
They replied:
If the matter is as described, the emission of semen without any feelings of pleasure during the day in Ramadan does not affect your fast, and you do not have to make up that day.
He only suffers this affliction during Ramadan? Very suspicious, indeed.

A Muslim asks a scholar

It is well known that the devils are chained up in Ramadan and that yawning comes from the Shaytaan, so why do we yawn in Ramadan?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allaah.
There should be no confusion stemming from the fact that people yawn during Ramadaan even though the devils are chained up at that time, because what is meant by saying that it is from the Shaytaan is that he likes it.
So what's the point of chaining him up if he can still cause mischief?  No answer to that question.

A Muslim asks a scholar

What is the ruling on one who inhales the smell of food deliberately when he is fasting?

Praise be to Allaah.

And the scholar replies

There is nothing wrong with a fasting person smelling good smells, from food, perfume etc, but he should not inhale bukhoor (incense) or the steam coming out of the cooking pot because these have particles which may reach his stomach

If the smoke of bukhoor or steam from the cooking pot reaches the throat, the day must be made up… if it reaches it through inhaling deliberately, whether the one who does that is the one who is making it or someone else.
But if one of them reaches the throat without him wanting it to, then he does not have to make it up, whether he is the one who is making it or someone else according to the correct view. End quote.

The point is that simply smelling food does not affect the fast, but one should not inhale the steam from the cooking pot.
As it might burn your nose and throat.  A fatwa came out this week forbidding eye drops as the drop may reach your throat.  The intent of the fast is to abstain from eating-- not thinking.

A Muslim asks a scholar

We have a foreign driver who is not Muslim. Can we give him food during the day in Ramadan?

And the scholar replies

Praise be to Allaah

The ruling on this and similar issues comes under the ruling on whether minor issues of Islam are addressed to kaafirs too. The correct view is that they are addressed to them, and this is the view of the majority. Hence it is not permissible to enable him to eat during the day in Ramadaan or to help him to do so.
The next question will be…our kaafir driver quit because we wouldn't let him eat during Ramadan, now no other driver will work for us, what should we do?

Fire your stupid scholars.

Proof that stupid fatwas make for stupid laws...and change is good!

'Medicinal ear or nose drops render fast invalid'

But eye drops allowed

By Staff Published Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Use of medicinal ear or nose drops would render Ramadan fast invalid, according to fatwas issued by Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).

Interestingly, the fatwa allows the use of eye drops while fasting, Gulf News reported.


However, Muslim scholars differ about using eye drops while fasting.
The Al Malikiyah and Al Shafiyah schools hold the view that eye drops end the fast if they reach the throat - though this is not usual.

The Al Ahnafi school and a group of other scholars are of the opinion that eye drops do not break the fast since they are not contrary to fasting even if one feels the taste of medicines in the throat.

This is also the opinion of Shaikh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyah and a group of contemporary scholars.

The general conclusion is that the use of eye drops is not tantamount to ending the fast. However, it is preferable to delay using such medication until night just to avoid the disagreement. However, if one must use it during the day, he should spit it out on feeling any taste of the medicine, a religious scholar at Ifta' Fatwa centre in Dubai told Gulf News.

Fatwas from stupid scholars...are stupid

Tajik bill bans minors from entering mosques

By Agencies Published Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Tajikistan's authoritarian leader has approved a law barring minors from praying in mosques as his secular government seeks to minimize the rising influence of Islam in the Central Asian nation.

President Emomali Rakhmon signed the bill Wednesday despite vocal resistance from rights activists and the opposition Islamic Revival Party.

The law also requires people under the age of 18 to study in secular schools thus barring thousands of students from attending mosque schools seen by authorities as a breeding ground of Islamism.

The impoverished and predominantly Sunni Muslim nation shares a long and porous border with Afghanistan.

The country was ravaged in the 1990s by a civil war between government forces and a loose alliance of Islamists and democrats.
Progress...it's a good thing because religion should not make people stupid