Is the segregation of men and women an Islamic requirement? Part 5

Question:

Salaam u alaikum warahmatullah, I really like to learn about Islam but don’t know where else to ask. Can you please send all the Hadith pertaining to Ash Shifa bint Abdullah, preferably translated to English. Is it true that she was a market controller? I read that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) used to visit her house much so she kept a separate mat for him. Can you please cite that Hadith as well? And doesn’t this go against the rules of segregation in our religion? Jazak Allahu Khayr.

Answer:

Salam dear sister,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
The only hadith (tradition) that is classified as hasan ghareeb (sound but strange) was narrated by Ash-Shifaa bint Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with her) where she said:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about the best of deeds and he said: "Believe in Allah, Aljihad fi sabeel-lillah (struggle in the path of Allah), and hajj mabroor (accepted pilgrimage)" (Ibn Asaker)

There are other traditions that are classified as daeef (weak) so I won't be able to cite those for you. However, I can narrate to you what we know about her:

She became a Muslim before migration and was known to be pious and wise, and among the best of women of her time. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to rest at her house and she had a bedding for him and an izar which is a piece of cloth to rap around his waste.
She used to be a healer in pre-Islam so she asked once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) if she could show him how she did it; and he approved of her way and asked her to show the same to his wife Hafsa. (Ibn Mindah)
The grandson of Ash-Shifaa, Abu Bakr Ibn Sulaiman Ibn Abi-Hi'ma narrates that his father did not attend the fajr prayer during the time of Umar Ibn Al Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them); so Umar came to inquire from Ash-Shifaa about her son and she said that he was up praying at night and sleep overcame him; so Umar replied: “It would have been better to pray fajr in congregation than to pray at night and miss fajr.” Umar used to also ask her opinion and requested her to look after some affairs of the market (it was not exactly specified what).
She passed away at the time of Umar on the 20th year of Hijrah (migration).

However, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to also rest at the place of Umm Sulaim. We don't have an authentic narration that he used to rest of Ash-Shifa Bint Abdullah, but if he did someone else must have been in the house, such as her children.
We know for sure from the following hadith with Umm Sulaim that her child was present since he is the one who narrated the hadith:

Narrated Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (peace be upon) entered our house and rested during mid-day (Qailula). He sweated during his sleep, so my mother brought a small bottle and started collecting his sweat inside the bottle. Thereupon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) woke-up and said: "O Umm Sulaim! What are you doing?" She replied: "This is your sweat we mix it with our perfume and it is the best of perfumes; sweeter and better smelling than the perfume." (Muslim, who said it was authentic - Sahih)

This is how much love the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) had for him. There is no known kind or leader whom his followers have loved him more than the love of the Prophet's companions for him (peace be upon him).
So the issue of segregation did not even occur and the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not stay with these ladies if he knew that they were alone.
I hope this helps answer your question.

Salam and please keep in touch.

http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-about-islam/ethics-and-values/muslim-character/461008-was-muhammad-breaking-rules-of-segregation.html

Is it haraam to draw in Islam? Part 2

Question:

As-salamu `alaykum, respected scholars. Is it permissible in Islam to draw pictures of animals and people? I know that drawing pictures of the prophets is haram. Jazaka Allahu khayran. Answer: Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. Dear brother Mustafa, many thanks for your question that discloses a keen desire to acquire knowledge and to abide by the ethics and teachings of your religion. First, we would like to state that there is nothing wrong in drawing as long as the images do not depict nudity or any other form of indecency. Also, the picture or image should not be revered or glorified. The detested pictures and images are only those which are worshiped and venerated. Within these restrictions drawing humans, animals, nature scenes, and so on is permitted. What is prohibited is making a statue or a sculpture of a living being that has shade (depth or is three dimensional). In his response to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto,Ontario, Canada, stated: It is not haram to draw such pictures for the purpose of education through illustration. The intent of the law prohibiting images was that in pagan times, it was a direct means and way to shirk(associating other beings with Allah). In other words, these things were only forbidden because they served as direct means and avenues to shirk. Therefore, if there is not even the remotest possibility of shirk, there is no reason to consider it as haram, especially if there are tangible benefits in drawing them. It is important to keep in mind that today drawing has become a very powerful medium of communication. For this reason, Muslims cannot simply afford to neglect this vital medium of communication; if they do, they only do so at their own peril. Therefore, as long as you are drawing pictures for the purpose of education or as a medium of communication there is no need to consider it sinful or haram (forbidden). May Allah help us to see the intents and purpose of the Divine Laws and thus, practice them with understanding. Ameen.    http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/muslim-creed/177186.html

Is it haraam to draw in Islam? Part 1

Question:

Is it haram to draw portraits or beings? What is the Islamic view on drawing?

Answer:

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, thank you very much for having confidence in us, and we hope our efforts, which are purely for Allah's Sake, meet your expectations. 
 
We’d like first to state that there is nothing wrong in drawing as long as the images do not depict nudity or other indecent representations. Also, the picture or image should not be revered or glorified. The detested pictures and images are only those, which are worshiped and revered.

Within these restrictions drawing humans, animals, natural scenes, etc. is permitted. What is prohibited is making a statue or a sculpture of a living being that has shade (depth or three dimensional).

Here, we’d like to cite for you the following Fatwa:

"One may draw pictures of people, animals, etc. as long as they don’t depict anything against Islamic guidelines. It is important to understand that Muslims don't replicate 'images' because they believe that on the Day of Judgment, they will be asked to put a soul in the 'images' they made, challenging Allah’s creation. Also, they don't replicate 'images' believing that the Angels will not enter their houses. This is based on several authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

 

However, in the Arabic Language, what we call Sourah or commonly translated as 'image' can mean several things, and in the context of the prohibition, it means a statute or a sculpture of a living being that has shade (depth or three dimensional) and not a photographic picture.

Therefore, while statutes are prohibited, pictures in magazines, televisions, newspapers, books, computers, drawings, etc. are allowed. Such pictures can however be prohibited if they depict nudity or other indecent representations. But even being allowed, they should be done when necessary and not to pass time."

 

Allah Almighty knows best.

http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/arts-and-entertainment/drawing-and-photography/175773-drawing-from-an-islamic-perspective.html?Photography=

Does a husband have the right to beat his wife?

Question:

As-salamu `alaykum. Dear brothers and sisters, I'm a practicing Muslim lady; I dedicate my all free time in learning religion trying to understand it better and share knowledge with others. I'm a married woman, full covered, living within laws. I can say this makes us real problems in our marriage. I'm giving my best to be kind with his mother and father but it seems they are worse every day. They always have some caprices; they affect our every decision; they enter our bedroom without knocking, messing in my cooking, cleaning, and all aspects of life. One time, I couldn't stand anymore, and I complained to my husband. I said your mom did that and that, can you ask her to have little more consideration? My husband got so angry and hit me. It wasn't painful, but I felt humiliated. I can say it was painful for my personality. I went to another room crying and after some time he came and said it was necessary, I need to learn my limits. My husband finished Islamic university in Cairo but I think this time his knowledge in Islam failed. I believe this wasn't a reason for hitting me. Can you, please, tell me reasons where it is approved for my husband to hit me? I would like to hear some examples. I know there need be first dialogue and separation and at the end hitting. But, which situations lead to hitting? When can dialogue fail?


Answer:

Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

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

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister, thank you for trusting us and for your question. First we implore Allah Almighty to relieve your suffering and grant you ease in all your matters. 
 
As for you problem, you are advised to be kind to your husband's parents. In case of wrongdoings, you could point out your view kindly and wisely. Beating one's spouse is contrary to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

In his response to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states,

Hitting one’s spouse is contrary to the Sunnah or the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). His beloved wife `A’sihah was narrated to have said, “The Prophet never hit anyone, a male or female, a servant or anyone else, for that matter.”

The Prophet himself was also narrated to have said, “The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives.” (Sunan Ibn Majah from Ibn 'Abbas)

Although you should respect your husband’s parents as you would respect your own parents, and treat them kindly, you are not to justify the wrong they do. You have the right to point it out to them. However, you should do it gently and never put them down.

You need to be creative; ask yourself: is there a gentler way of dealing with the issue without creating ill-feeling and malice?

Allah Almighty knows best.

http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/family/marital-relationships/460928-does-my-husband-have-right-to-beat-me.html

What's the ruling on apostasy?

Question:

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Is it true that in Islam a person must be put to death if he or she converts to another religion? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Answer:

Wa`alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
 
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother in Islam, thanks a lot for your question, which reflects your care to have a clear view of the teachings of Islam. Allah commands Muslims to refer to knowledgeable people to learn more about the teachings of Islam.

It is absurd for anyone to suggest that Islam advocates killing people who choose to leave Islam. To kill anyone who chooses to follow a religion other than Islam is against the fundamental teachings of the Qur'an. Freedom of conscience is a fundamental principle of the Qur'an that is clearly stated. Thus, if apostates cause no harm to the Muslim community and do not call for spreading hostility towards Islam, they should not to be punished; rather they should be advised kindly and wisely to learn the truth about Islam.

 In his response to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the following:

Freedom of conscience is one of the fundamental rights of humans enshrined in the Qur'an; it is therefore, absurd for anyone to suggest that Islam allows putting people to death just because they convert to another religion.

 Even a casual reader of the Qur'an will not fail to be impressed by its emphasis on the freedom of conscience as a cornerstone of its moral structure. To cite a few verses as follows:

 [There shall be no compulsion in religion. Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing] ( Al-Baqarah 2:256)

 [If it had been your Lord's will, all who are in the earth would have believed. Will you, then, force the people to become believers?] (Yunus 10:99)

 [And if they surrender themselves unto Him (i.e. God), they are on the right path; but if they turn away – behold, thy duty (O Muhammad,) is no more than to deliver the message: for God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His creatures.] (Aal `Imran 3:20)

 [Hence, pay heed unto God, and pay heed unto the Messenger, and be ever on your guard [against evil]; and if you turn away, then know that Our Messenger's only duty is a clear delivery of the message [entrusted to him].] (Al-Ma'idah 5:92)

 [But if they turn away [from thee, O Prophet, know that] We have not sent thee to be their keeper: thou art not bound to do more than deliver the message [entrusted to thee] .] (Ash-Shura 42:48)

 I should further state that all of the moral teachings of the Qur'an are based on the notion of moral responsibility, which entails the freedom of choice. Therefore, to state that one must be put to death for choosing to disbelieve would only undermine the entire moral edifice of the Qur'an.

 Furthermore, the Qur'an does not allow anyone to harm those who are leaving in peace, no matter what religion they hold on to. This principle has been clearly stated in the Qur'an as follows:

 [Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them.] (An-Nisaa' 4:90)

 In pursuance of this policy, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) issued clear directives to his soldiers never to disturb those who are engaged in any form of worship. The policy of living and letting others to live is firmly enshrined in the following verses:

 [Say: O disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship, Nor do you worship what I worship. ... to you your religion, and to me, mine.] (Al-Kafirun 109:1-3, 6)

 In full conformity with the above teachings, neither the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) nor any of the four rightly guided caliphs who succeeded him were in the habit of hunting down people and executing them for merely changing their religions. Rather, they refrained from doing so except in rare cases involving treason. Treason, however, is another matter. The punishment for treason in the Qur'an is as strict as it is in the Hebrew Bible. But it must never be confused with mere change of religion.

 In conclusion, it is absurd for anyone to suggest that Islam advocates killing people who covert to another religion.

http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/crimes-and-penalties/apostasy/172501-should-an-apostate-be-put-to-death.html