WHY IS POLYGYNY ALLOWED IN ISLAM? By Abdullah Al-junaid ibn Ogungbemi

It is no more something new to encounter Non-Muslims asking question“why is polygyny allowed in Islam”. Is it to promote adultery and fornication?, is it to satisfy the sexual desire of men and many more questions like these. Before going deep in this article, I will like to highlight what polygamy is before moving to polygyny.

What is polygamy?
Polygamy simply means system of marriage where one person will marry more than one spouse. Polygamy is of two kinds,polygyny and polyandry

What is polygyny?
polygyny is a system of marriage where a man marries more than one woman. While polyandry is a system of marriage whereby a woman marries more than one man.

Islam allowed limited polygyny but totally prohibit polyandry, be it limited or not.

Now, going to the initial question, “why is polygyny allowed in Islam”
Islam is a total way of life and Qur’an is a complete manual of life of human beings free of errors, contradictions, anachronisms, as it covers all curriculums of life of human being.

Worthy to note, Quran is the only religious scripture in the world that says “ marry only one no any other book on the surface of earth that put restriction to marrying of wife, whether it is Vedas, Mahabrat, Geeta, Talmud or Bible.

Let us now analysis why Polygyny is allowed in Islam.

Why Is Polygyny Allowed
As I mentioned earlier, Quran is the only religious scripture on the surface if earth that says “marry only one ” . The context of the phrase is the following verse from Surah Nisah from the glorious Quran.
“ marry women of your choice, two ,three or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal with them justly ,then marry only one …”(Al- Qur’an 4:3).

Before Qur’an was revealed, there was no restrictions to the number wife men could have as men had scores of wife. In fact, Prophets of God practiced polygyny. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham AS) who is being regarded as father of faith also marry more than one wife, prophet Sulayman was recorded to have hundred of wives,
“ And He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. “(1 Kings 11:3)

“ 3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, He and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife”. (1 Samuel 27:3)

“ 3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife”.( Genesis 16:3)

Even though, the number of Solomon wives, had exceeded the number of wives allowed in Islam. That’s according to their book (Bible ). If we have this in bible, I will like to ask the pastors, Evangelists, Reverends and most especially fathers, “where in the bible did you see your own monogamy??, where is it stated to have only one wife (me and my wife) in your so called word of God (bible)??

No evidence to back it up. If your religious scripture (Bible) cannot give us concept of marriage in Christianity, despite its importance and how essential it is in life of every human being, then it is not worthy to be regarded as a religious scripture.

Furthermore, men are allowed to marry more than one wife in Islam, if and only if they can deal with them justly. This is a condition attached to polygyny in Islam.

However, it’s naturally impossible for human to deal justly with themselves accurately and efficiently. Only Allah (S.W.T) that can do justice and still maintain it as He is the supreme God and can do whatever He likes.

“ ( 129 ) And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging. And if you amend [your affairs] and fear Allah – then indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.”(Al-Quran 4:129)

Therefore, polygyny is not a compulsory rule but it is only permissible and allowed in Islam. Many non-Muslims are under the misconceptions that Muslims men must marry more than one wife.

Broadly, Islam has five categories of Do’s and dont’s
1. Fard I.e. compulsory or obligatory.

2. Mustahab I.e. Recommended or encouraged.

3. Mubah I.e. Permissible or allowed.

4. Makruh I.e. Not recommended or discouraged

5. Haraam I.e. Prohibited or forbidden

Polygyny falls in the middle category, things that are permissible. It cannot be said that a Muslim that marry two, three and four wives are better than men with one wife.

-Average life spans of females is more than that of male
By nature, males and females are born approximately in the same ratio. But in earlier times, war was very common which claims the life of men mostly, as men were the mostly the soldiers that will go to battlefield to confront the enemies. So, there were more men killed compared to women. If polygyny have not been made permissible, what will be the fate of the wives whose their husband has been killed during the war, they have partaken patriotically for the safeguard of their land. Polygamy gives solutions to this kind of situations. At any point in time, we would find more widows than the widowers in the world.
“Subhanaka Allahumma Wa Bihamdika;
Ashhadu An Laa Ilah Ila Anta, Astagfiruka Wa Atoobu Ilayk.

knowislam.com.ng…… Telling the Muslims stories.

SPIRITUALITY FOR SHOW
BY
SANNI KAY. YUSUF

The Grand Chief Imam showed up unannounced with a fleet of cars conveying his entourage – in their teeming number. Not surprised to see the number one muslim though, but startled to be visited uninformed. It was at the approach of Solaatul ‘Asr on a Jumu’ah day.

Brethren had dispersed after sermon and solah. But I was still physically present attending to certain clerical obligations. On sight, I swiftly stepped out to reverently welcome the august visitor. I helped open the car door. “As-Salaamu alaykum. Ahlan bikum, yaa sheikh.” I saluted. “Wa alaykum salaam. How are you?” He replied while his feet landed on the ground. So I shut the door and turned towards members of the convoy – greeting them one after the other.

I led them in, still in surprise. And we all sat on the floor. “You are highly welcome, sir. It’s really a great privilege hosting you extempore, sir. To what do we owe this rare visit, sir?” I inquired. “Are you the Imam.” Quizzed the Grand Chief Imam. “Yes, I am, sir.” I answered. “Who made you Imam?” Shocked by the probe, I answered: “Members of the mosque.”

“Have you been turbaned?” Puzzles set in. “Noooo!” I answered confusedly. “And you said you were Imam. You are not yet an Imam until you had been turbaned by us, because there can never be a king without a crown. And a king cannot pride himself except he had passed through the requisite traditional rites. So you are just acting. You are not yet substantive.” That sounded like a detonated bomb. In smiles, I replied: “I will relay your message to the executive and other members of the mosque. We will pay you a visit to tell you the outcome of our meeting, sir.”

In our own teeming number, too, the sheikh was visited. Our message was laconically clear: “With due respect, sir. We are not interested in the proposed turbaning, sir. It’s been a while we installed our Imam, and we are okay with the simple process.” We declared frankly, albeit respectfully.

I have witnessed different turbaning ceremonies of imams and oloyes – Baba Adini, Iya Sunnah (with no traits of sunnah in their personalities), Giwa Adini, Seriki Adini, Taosiri etc. They were nothing but spirituality for show – wining, dining, in fact, singing and dancing. All sorts of forbidden acts, including intake of alcohol, did play out.

What correlation has amaanah (trust) with partying? What is the ecstasy about? That you are doubly sure your road will be smooth on the day of recompense – when the Imam, the Baba Adini, the Iya Sunnah et al will be questioned over the spiritual trusts they were saddled to handle.
People fight to be Imam, to be oloye because of the turbaning and the paraphernalia that accompany it – the more reason some go the extra mile to get installed at all costs.

People who are worth responsibilities are not appointed. Money is the key, even if the person’s Islam is indisputably questionable. Even if he is morally bankrupt, it doesn’t matter. If you are wealthy, you are worthy.

Today, people who combine Islam and paganism are made oloyes in the mosque, and every Friday, spaces are created for them behind the imam. No one dares occupy any of such spaces except that he receives word bruises of his life.

On Jumu’ah, Eid and any mosque occasion day, baba oloye is donned in babariga and his head turbaned, too. Conversely, on Isese or any other fetish fiesta, the same person is clad in pakaja and freely roams and dances round the community with the gbedu band. What a contradiction – taoheed and shirk (monotheism and polytheism)! What is wrong with us?

Spirituality for show!

THE JINNS, PART 1.

By Bashir Habeeb A.

The word Jinn in ‘Arabic refers to something that is concealed and hidden.

It says in Lisaan al-‘Arab: Janana means to cover or conceal. Everything that is concealed from you is Junna ‘Anka (concealed from you). Jannahu al-layl means the night covered him. The Jinn is so called because they are concealed and hidden from view. Hence the fetus is called al-Janeen because it is concealed in his mother’s womb.

Jinns are one of the creatures of Allaah. Jinns are creatures created with free will (the ability to do good or bad). An average Muslim does not know if jinns truly exist due to their nature of existence (invisible or hidden from view).

However, it is expedient for a Muslim to know that jinns truly exist without doubting. Perhaps the creation of jinn existed before the creation of man.

While humans are created from earthly sand, the Jinns are created from smokeless fire. Among them are Muslims and Kuffar, Male and female. They procreate like humans too but live extremely long ages compared to man.

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن صَلْصَٰلٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ

Quran 15:26-27

There are some Muslims who believe jinns are evil spirit, thus this belief is wrong and contrary to the teachings of Islam about jinns, jinns are creatures just like mankind. Mankind and jinns are created to worship Allaah

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

Quran 51:56

There are some differences and similarities between mankind and jinn. Before then, let’s talk on the types of jinns.

TYPE A: THOSE WHO ARE GOOD AND ARE MUSLIMS

There are different types of jinns, there are some who do good and are Muslims likewise there are some who do otherwise and are companions of shaytan (devil).

وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَۖ كُنَّا طَرَآئِقَ قِدَدًا

Quran 72:11

These type of jinns are doers of good deeds, thus they perform their prayers, learn the Quran, and seeking Allaah’s protection against the evil ones. Allah commands prophet Muhammad (peace be up on him) to inform his people that the Jinns listened to the Qur’an, believed in it, affirmed its truthfulness and adhered to it. So Allah says,

قُلْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ اسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْانًا عَجَبًا

Quran 72:1-2

Narrated ‘Abdur-Rahman: “I asked Masruq, ‘Who informed the Prophet (s.a.w) about the Jinns at the night when they heard the Qur’an?’ He said, ‘Your father ‘Abdullah informed me that a tree informed the Prophet (s.a.w) about them.’ ”

[Ref: Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 5, Book 58, Hadith 199]

TYPE B: THOSE WHO DWELL IN THE HOUSE ARE CALLED “AWAAMIR”

These group of Jinns live in the house, they can change from their own nature to a snake guise and thus, they do not harm.

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree said: The Apostle of Allaah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said: “Some snakes are jinn; so when anyone sees one of them in his house, he should give it a warning three times. If it return (after that), he should kill it, for it is a devil.”

[Saheeh Muslim (4158), Sunan Abu Dawood (5258)]

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: That he heard the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam delivering a sermon on the pulpit saying, “Kill snakes and kill Dhu-at-Tufyatain (i.e. a snake with two white lines on its back) and ALBATROSS (i.e. a snake with short or mutilated tail) for they destroy the sight of one’s eyes and bring about abortion.” (‘Abdullaah bin ‘Umar further added): Once while I was chasing a snake in order to kill it, Abu Lubaba called me saying: “Don’t kill it,” I said. “Allaah’s Apostle (pbuh) ordered us to kill snakes.” He said, “But later on he prohibited the killing of snakes living in the houses.” (Az-Zuhri said. “Such snakes are called Al-‘Awaamir.”) 

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3299)]

TYPE C: THOSE WHO ARE EVIL ARE CALLED SHAYTAN (PLURAL ‘SHAYATEEN’).

The term Shaytaan can also be applied to evil men too

Allaah ta’ala says: 

And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies – Shayaateen (devils) among mankind and jinn

Qur’an 6:112

Jinns are oftenly found in abandoned settlements and buildings, the open dessert. They also occupy places of impurity like toilets, garbage – dumps, and graveyards. Soofi (mystic) saints (Peer Babas) who perform satanic feast often retreat to such places where devils most often reside.

The kuffar Jinns are called shayateen. Evil humans by means of filth, kufr and shirk Sometimes be friend the evil Jinns who aid their human friends and even enable them to perform supernatural deeds of variety of kinds. The evil Jinns perform extraordinary feats by which they mislead the benighted and gullible ones who run after miracles, thus tricking them into believing that they are the friends of Allaah “Auliya” (Saints). When these “shaytani Auliya” propitiate the evil jinn with Kufr, shirk and immorality, the jinns then fulfils their desires.

Supernatural deeds are manifested by shayateen on the hands of their Auliya (friends) to mislead people. The clueless and ignorant are cast into severe trials when they observe men demonstrating acts which appear to be miracles when in reality, they are satanic manifestations. Many ignorant Muslims destroy their imaan by submitting to the dictates and demands of the shayateen. May Allaah guide and protect us from the evil inclination if the shayateen. Aamyyn.

TYPE D: THOSE WHO RESIDE IN THE TOILETS ARE KNOWN AS KHUBUTH.

These kind of Jinns reside in the toilets and bathrooms. these Jinns are capable of possessing human most especially the females, if he or she failed to say her prayers from entering toilets. Hence it is necessary to say the adhkar before entering the toilets.

Anas reported that when the Messenger of Allaah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam entered the privy he would say, “In the name of Allaah. O Allaah! I seek refuge in you from male (khubuth) and female (khabaa’ith) noxious beings (devils).” 

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (142) & Muslim (376)]

Below is the prayer to say before entering the toilet.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ. اللَّهُـمَّ إِنِّي أَعُـوذُ بِـكَ مِـنَ الْخُـبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ

Reference: Al-Bukhari 1/45, Muslim 1/283, Fathul-Bari 1/244

❓What is meant by lowering the gaze

Praise be to Allaah
Firstly:

Lowering the gaze (ghadd al-basr) means restraining the gaze and not allowing it to wander or dwell upon anything.

Ibn Faaris said in Mu’jam Maqaayees al-Lughah (4/307):

Ghayn and daad indicate restraining, as in the phrase ghadd al-basr (lowering the gaze)… End quote.

Ibn al-Manzoor said in Lisaan al-‘Arab (7/196):

Lowering the gaze (ghadd al-basr) means restraining it. End quote.

Secondly:

In Islamic terminology it refers to a number of things:

1 – Refraining from looking at people’s ‘awrahs, which includes the beauty of a non-mahram woman.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (15/414):

Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, has enjoined us in His Book to lower the gaze, which is of two types: refraining from looking at ‘awrahs and refraining from looking at the site of desire.

The former refers to a man refraining from looking at the ‘awrah of another person.

The second refers to looking at uncovered parts of a non-mahram woman. This is more serious than the former, just as alcohol is more serious than dead meat and blood and pork, and the hadd punishment should be carried out on the one who drinks it, because these haraam things are not as desirable as alcohol may be. End quote.

2 – Refraining from looking into people’s houses and things that are behind closed doors

Ibn Taymiyah says in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (15/379):

Just as lowering the gaze includes not looking at the ‘awrahs of other people and other haraam things, it also includes refraining from looking into people’s houses. A man’s house conceals his body just as his garments conceal him. Allaah has mentioned lowering the gaze and guarding one’s private parts after the verse about asking for permission to enter, because the house covers a person just as the clothes on his body do. End quote.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Madaarij al-Saalikeen (1/117):

Haraam kinds of looking include looking at ‘awrahs, which is of two types: the ‘awrah behind a garment and the ‘awrah behind doors. End quote.

3 – Refraining from looking at what people have of wealth, wives, children, worldly goods and so on.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Look not with your eyes ambitiously at what We have bestowed on certain classes of them (the disbelievers), nor grieve over them. And lower your wings for the believers (be courteous to the fellow‑believers)”

Ibn Sa’di said in his Tafseer (434):

i.e., do not admire them in such a way that you will distracted with desire for the worldly pleasures enjoyed by those who live in luxury and by which the ignorant are deceived. You should be content with that which Allaah has given you of the seven oft-repeated verses and the Holy Qur’aan (cf. al-Hijr 15:87). End quote.

He also said (p. 516):

i.e., do not be impressed and do not look repeatedly admiring worldly pleasures and those who are enjoying them, such as delicious food and drink, fine clothing, beautiful houses and adorned women, for all of that is the adornment of this world in which those who are deceived rejoice. And those who do wrong enjoy it by ignoring the Hereafter. But it will all soon end and cease to be, and those who love it will die, then they will regret when regret will be to no avail, and they will realize the state they are in when the Resurrection begins. Allaah has made it a test and a trial, so that it may be known who will be deceived by it and who will be better in deeds. End quote.

Thirdly:

The scholars have mentioned many benefits of lowering the gaze, including the following:

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Jawaab al-Kaafi (125):

There are a number of benefits in lowering the gaze:

1 – It is obedience to the command of Allaah, which brings happiness to man in this world and in the next. There is nothing more beneficial to a person in this world and in the next than obeying the commands of his Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, and those who are happy in this world and the next can only attain that happiness by obeying His commands, and those who are doomed in this world and in the next are only doomed because they ignore His commands.

2 – It prevents the poisoned arrows (of the shaytaan), which may lead to his doom, from reaching his heart.

3 – It creates a heart that is devoted to and focused on Allaah. Letting the gaze wander distracts the heart and keeps it far from Allaah. There is nothing more harmful to a person than letting his gaze wander, as it creates alienation between a person and his Lord.

4 – It strengthens the heart and brings it peace, just as letting the gaze wander weakens it and makes it sad.

5 – It brings light to the heart, just as letting the gaze wander brings darkness to it. Hence Allaah mentioned the verse of light immediately after the command to lower the gaze, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts…”

Then straight after that He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as (if there were) a niche and within it a lamp”

i.e., the likeness of His light in the heart of His believing slave who obeys His commands and heeds His prohibitions. If the heart is enlightened blessings will come to it from all sides, but if it is darkened, calamity and evil will come to it from all places. Whatever exists of innovation, misguidance, following whims and desires, avoiding true guidance and turning away from the means of happiness and focusing on the means that lead to doom, that will be recognizable by means of the light that is in the heart. If that light is lost then one will left like a blind man stumbling in the darkness.

6 – It generates true insight which can distinguish between truth and falsehood, sincerity and lies. Allaah rewards His slave for his good deeds with something similar and if he gives up something for the sake of Allaah, He will compensate him with something better than it. So if he lowers his gaze and refrains from looking at things that Allaah has forbidden, Allaah will compensate him with enlightenment; he will compensate him for restraining his gaze for the sake of Allaah, and will open to him the doors of knowledge, faith and true insight which he only attained by means of the light in his heart. The opposite of that is the blindness which Allaah attributed to the homosexuals, which is the opposite of insight. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, by your life (O Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly”

7 – It creates a heart that is steadfast, brave and strong. Allaah will give him both insight and power and strength, as it says in the report: “The one who goes against his whims and desires, the shaytaan flees from his shadow.”

On the other hand, the one who follows his whims and desires will feel a sense of humiliation, indignity, worthlessness and insignificance, which is the punishment which Allaah has decreed for those who disobey Him as al-Hasan said: “Even if they ride the finest of mounts, the effect of sin will never depart from them. Allaah insists that the one who disobeys Him will be humiliated.”

Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, has connected strength to obedience to Him, and humiliation to disobedience to Him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“But honour, power and glory belong to Allaah, and to His Messenger (Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and to the believers”

“So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers”

Faith is both words and deeds, inward and outward. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to Allaah belong all honour, power and glory [and one can get honour, power and glory only by obeying and worshipping Allaah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allaah unless and until they are followed by good deeds)”

i.e., whoever desires power, let him seek it by means of obedience to Allaah and remembrance of Him, by speaking good words and doing good deeds. In Du’aa’ al-Qunoot it says: “he is not humiliated whom You have befriended, nor is he honoured who You take as an enemy”. Whoever obeys Allaah is His friend in as much as he obeys Him, and he will have support and honour from Him commensurate with his obedience towards Him. Whoever disobeys Him is His enemy in as much as he disobeys Him, and he will have humiliation from Him commensurate with his disobedience towards Him.

8 – It blocks the shaytaan from a means of entering his heart, for he may enter with looking, and penetrate the heart faster than the wind blowing through an empty space, and he may present to him the image that he looked at and make it attractive, like an idol to which his heart becomes devoted, then he encourages him and gives him hopes, and fans the flames of desire in his heart, adding the fuel of sin which could not have reached his heart without looking at that image. So his heart becomes inflamed and surrounded with fire on all sides, resulting in infatuation and frustration, and he is in the midst of it like a lamb in the oven. Hence the punishment for those whose desires were fuelled by haraam looking is that in al-Barzakh they are placed in an oven of fire.

9 – It distracts one from thinking of what is in one’s best interests, so his affairs become neglected and he follows his whims and desires and neglects to remember his Lord. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, and who follows his own lusts, and whose affair (deeds) has been lost”

10 – Between the eyes and the heart there is a connection which means that the one is affected by the other, and if one of them becomes good, the other will also become good, and if one becomes corrupt the other will become corrupt. If the heart becomes corrupt the gaze will become corrupt, and if the gaze become corrupt the heart will become corrupt, and similarly if one is sound the other will also be sound. End quote.

And Allaah knows best.

Source : IMADAWAH

See also question no. 1774, 20229.

Islam Q&A

WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY ABOUT FAMILY PLANNING (FP)?

Family PLANNING (FP) remains one of the most debated topic in marital issues today, no thanks to the ill-perceived ideology and antics of the west, Family planning is the practice of controlling the number of children in a family and the intervals between their births.

In their thought, they believe that “Raising” a child requires significant amounts of resources: time, social, financial, and environmental. Planning can help assure that resources are available. Although family planning helps in creating space between child and help to take control but we are it in the negative way, what I mean here in the negative way means that the drugs or the kind of planning at times damages the womb leaving a woman the inability to give birth again or distubs once health also even those that are yet to be married also engage in it so as to prevent unwanted pregnancy while doing so is a sin then when will it not lead to haram.

The institution of Marriage and the staunch desire to have children was the custom of the best of creation, the prophets and messengers chosen by Allah. Allah says about them
“And indeed We sent messengers before you and made for them wives and offspring” (al-Raad 38)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) not only encouraged marriage but he encouraged marrying those women who are child-bearing. He stated: “marry the loving, child-bearing women for I shall have the largest numbers among the prophets on the day of Resurrection.” (Recorded by Ahmad and ibn Hibban.)

From the Islamic perspective, children are a gift and a blessing from Allah. Allah mentions some of the bounties that He has bestowed upon mankind in the following verse: “And Allah has made for you spouses of your own kind and has made for you, from your wives, sons and grandsons, and has bestowed upon you good provisions.”
(al-Nahl 72).

In other words, we can say some of single ladies also engage in family planning using contraceptives. As such, family planning in some way aids fornication (zina), but for the married once it is okay doing it irrespective that to create space and proper upbringing of children, basically when we look at the economy aspect we can say point out that most couple who engage in family planning thinks of :

1. Giving special attention to children by having fewer children or
2.Either for poverty.

there is poverty everywhere then how do we expect us to give birth to more than we can bear wen we can hardly eat that is the excuse most give but let’s think deeply into this “are we the one feeding ourselves” if not for the bountiful mercy of our Creator.

The only true provider for all mankind is Allah. If Muslims follow what Allah has prescribed for them, Allah will provide for them. Allah has warned about killing one’s children out of fear of poverty for either parents or the child. Allah says: “Kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them” (al-Anaam 151).

Even if you will engage in family planning that should be through the given Hadith: As Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with said): “We used to engage in ‘azl [coitus interruptus, a form of contraception] at the time when the Qur’an was being revealed. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5208) and Muslim (1440). ‘Azl (coitus interruptus) means ejaculating outside the woman’s vagina in order to avoid pregnancy.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) quoted this hadith as evidence for it being permissible to space having children in order to give them a proper Islamic upbringing, when he said:

If a woman has a lot of children, and it is difficult for her to give them a proper Islamic upbringing because they are so many, then there is nothing wrong with her taking something to space her pregnancies in order to achieve this important purpose, so that pregnancy will not adversely affect her or her children, as Allah has permitted ‘azl (coitus interruptus) for this and similar purposes.

Similar measures are permissible in principle, because the Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them) used the method of ‘azl (coitus interruptus) during the time of the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and he did not forbid them to do that. But it is contrary to what is preferable, because having a lot of children is something that is prescribed and is desirable.The Prophet did not forbid them that, but he told them that it could not stop Allah’s work. If He wants us to create something, or in this case, if He wants a child to be born, the resort to contraception would not prevent the mother from getting pregnant.

Almost all forms of birth control are thought to be permissible in Islam. Those that are not accepted include surgical sterilization (unless it is medically necessary), as it is viewed as a form of castration as well as alters the body without need, and the
Instances when Islam permits the use of contraception include:

Allowing a woman to rest between pregnancies
Preventing the transmission of infectious disease, such as an STD
A women’s health requires the use of birth control
A husband cannot financially support more children.

from Fataawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darb by al-‘Uthaymeen (22/2)

So you may rest assured that if husband and wife decide to delay having children, that is not regarded as a sin or disobedience in principle, unless there are other considerations that have an impact on this individual or personal choice, which may be dictated by present-day circumstances:

Firstly:
If the decision to delay having children is widespread, at the societal, national or ummah-wide level, then in this case it becomes a destructive and negative choice, and in that case the ruling is that it is not allowed, because it has moved from being a permissible and natural matter to one that is imposed from without and will lead to negative consequences, and is therefore blameworthy.

Secondly:
If the motive for delaying having children is fear for their provision and livelihood, then this reflects a serious doubt concerning our belief in the will and decree of Allah and our belief in the abundant provision of Allah and that He will help those who strive to earn a living in the land. It reflects an unjustified fear of the future and a failure to produce and strive. In that case it is blameworthy and is not allowed, and there are clear fatwas that speak of it.

The session of the Islamic Fiqh Council held during its fifth conference in Kuwait, 1-6 Jumaada al-Aakhir 1409 AH/10-15 December 1988 AH.

After studying the research papers presented by council members and experts on the topic of family planning, and listening to the discussion that took place on the topic, and based on the fact that one of the aims of marriage according to Islamic teaching is to produce children and preserve the human race, and that it is not permissible to undermine this aim, because undermining it is contrary to the texts of Islam and their teachings which call for having a lot of offspring, protecting them and caring for them because protecting offspring is one of the five holistic principles that are promoted by Islamic teaching,
The council determined the following:

Firstly: it is not permissible to promulgate laws restricting the freedom of couples to have children.

Secondly: it is prohibited to completely eradicate the ability to have children in the case of either the man or the woman, which is known as sterilisation, so long as there is no necessary reason, according to Islamic standards, for doing so.

Thirdly: it is permissible to use temporary methods of birth control for the purpose of spacing pregnancies, or preventing pregnancy for a specific length of time, if there is a valid reason, according to Islamic teachings, for doing so, according to what a couple decide on the basis of mutual consultation and consent, on condition that this does not lead to any harm and that the method used is Islamically permissible and does not cause harm to any existing pregnancy.

There are fundamentally two methods of Contraception or family planning.
(1) Permanent methods
(2) Temporary methods
(1) Permanent Methods : Permanent methods include, Vasectomy in males and
Tubecotomy in females. All the scholars unanimously AGREE that permanent methods of family planning are COMPLETELY HARAAM (prohibited) since they involve changing human physiology.

Says Allah in the Qur’an: “So set you your face steadily and truly to the Faith: (Establish) Allah’s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made humankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.” (Al-Qur’an 30:30)

The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said: “Marry the one who is loving and fertile, for I will be proud of your great numbers before the nations [i.e., on the Day of Resurrection].” (Abu Dawood Hadith no. 2050, Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 1805).

(2) Temporary Methods:
Following are various different temporary methods.

a) M.T.P. (Medical Termination of Pregnancy) or Abortion: All scholars unanimously agree that M.T.P. or abortion is HARAAM (prohibited.)
Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an “…kill not your children on a plea of want; We provide sustenance for you and for them;” (Al-Qur’an 6:151)
“Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you: verily the killing of them is a great sin.” (Al-Qur’an 17:31)
However, scholars unanimously agree that any permanent method of family planning, or even abortion, can be done if the life of the mother is in danger . For e.g. if the woman is suffering from certain diseases like heart disease or has under gone multiple caesarean operations and in her case the continuation of pregnancy or another pregnancy may be detrimental to her life, then the woman can be aborted or a permanent method of family planning can be adopted to save the life of the woman.

b) Taking birth control pills:
Almost all the scholars including Shaykh Ibn Baaz, Council of the Senior Scholars [of Saudi Arabia] agree that it is not allowed to take birth control pills (Fataawa al-Marah) because of its side effects and changes in the normal physiology.

c) Copper-T: A very common temporary method of family planning or contraception is Copper-T.
Though it is known as ‘contraception’ but technically it is contra-implantation . The sperm fertilizes the ovum but the zygote formed is destroyed by the Copper-T and is prevented from being implanted on the uterine wall (mother’s womb). Thus it is a very early abortion, which is prohibited in Islam.

Some “scholars” out of ignorance permit this temporary method of family planning without knowing its detail.

Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an “…Kill not your children on a plea of want; We provide sustenance for you and for them;” (Al-Qur’an 6:151)
Allah (SWT) also mentions in the Qur’a n “Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you: verily the killing of them is a great sin.” (Al-Qur’an 17:31).

Both these verses seems to convey the same message but on scrutiny we realize that the first verse is meant for poor parents, who fear that if one more child is born in the family neither they will be able to survive nor the child, thus Allah (SWT) says we provide sustenance for you and for them. In the other verse Allah (SWT) says We shall provide sustenance for them and as well as for you, referring to rich parents who feel that if they have less children they can concentrate on them better and give them better education and quality life. Here Allah (SWT) reverses the order and mentions first the children and then the parents.

It is a misconception that if there are fewer children you can provide better education and quality life to your child:
However, its worth notable that one never knows which child could be a blessing from the Creator for the family. It is quite possible that the child, which the parents

anticipate to be a bane, may turn out to be a boon for the family and the society. History bears witness to the fact that many of the great scientists, thinkers, and revolutionaries were not from only amongst the first two children of their parents.

Thus the child whom the parents consider unwanted may be a blessing to the family religiously and economically.

Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an “ And they plotted and planned and Allah too planned and the best of planners is Allah (SWT)” (Al-Qur’an 3:54).

If you feel you can plan the family better, the choice is yours or else leave it to Allah (SWT) to do the best planning for your family.

Source: misssion islam

Dr Abdul Kareem zakir Naik and more

IGNORA-CITY

Shall I tell you the story of a city?!
A city that walks with its hands,
Sees with its legs,
and bears upon it’s back.
A city that walks on the road with empty- headedness,
With two eyes that carry blindness with callowness.

O dear!
Shall I tell you the tales of a city?!
A city that has its days as black nights,
With firmament so dark with not a ray of lights,
Ocean that houses knowledge reaching out for rain in the season where even the eyes shed tears of dryness.

Listen,
Listen as i narrate the story behind the fall of a city,
A city that wallows in the obsolete of the other side of the earth,
Not the Mars nor the Mercury,
But in a small room that cloaked the tattered hope of our tomorrow.

Knowledge with every breath
People are more in need of knowledge than food and drink because they only need food and drink once or twice a day – but they need knowledge with every breath they take”
.~ Imam Ahmad

~Dream-Arike(Amori lateefah)

Getting a cordial connection with Allah Through Good Manners!
By Lawal AbdAfeez Arishekola

“The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in morals.” – Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

The discussion on good manners in Islam is recurring because of its great importance in one’s position of being an upright Muslim, and having one’s deeds accepted in the sight of Allah on the day of bright and dull faces. But today, what do we see in the Muslim space? It is the obvious opposite of good manners, especially on Muslims interaction with Muslims and non-Muslims on physical and social platforms.

Do we know that we will be held accountable with our Qwerty, Swift and Non-Qwerty keyboard attacks on social media?
Do we know that our cyber bullying can earn us Allah’s punishment?
Do we know that our each usage of vulgar words can inhibit us from getting closer to Allah?
Or do we forgot that the hallmark of our Noble Prophet’s depended on the exemplary manner he exhibited?

If we haven’t missed the road to being a better Muslim on the path of Jannah (Paradise), it is important to know that it is by virtuous manners that magnanimous fortune can be achieved in this life and Hereafter. The issue of having great manners is highly expedient that one can’t have a balanced religion without good manners, if righteous manners are missing then we can conclude that such person don’t understand what Islam is.

We tend to be unknowing about the extent at which lack of good manners take us away from having cordial connection with Allah is disastrous, and this is why we should talk extensively about the ample benefits in exemplifying good manners in all sense.
What is Manners?

Al-Imaam Al-Qurtubi (R. A) defined manners by saying, “It is a person’s way of dealing with others, and it is either to be praised or dispraised. Praised manners are generally achieved by being [good] with others [even] against yourself, and following justice even it is against yourself. In particular, it includes forgiveness, patience, tolerance, generosity, compassion, leniency and so on. On the contrary, dispraised manners include lying, deception, lack of mercy and so on.”

“What is the relationship between Good manners and aqeedah (beliefs)?

One of the reason why we see today’s Muslims been far from good manners is because they (in every sense) do not understand the relationship between good manners and the ultimatel belief in ‘La illaha illa-Allah’, most Muslims ordinarily believe that the ‘Shahadah’ is all about saying it verbally, but that’s not all, it completely involves working and acting by it through good manners, as the Apostle of Allah was reported to have said that “I have been sent for the purpose of perfecting good morals.” – (Recorded by al-Hakim & others, graded by al-Albani as Saheeh in Saheeh al-Jami al-Sagheer, number 2349).

This is a clear pointer to the fact that the Messengership of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is to extend the tent of good manners to everyone and earn Allah’s rewards through that, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) also said in another narration that in regards to the bountiful rewards in showing good manners to everyone:

“I am a guarantor of a house in the highest part of Paradise for the one who makes his behavior good.”
(Recorded by Abu Dawood. Graded hasan by al-Albani as Saheeh in al-Jami al-Sagheer, number 1464).
And that:
“There is nothing heavier in the scales than good character.” (Recorded by Ahmad and Abu Dawood. Graded saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jāmi al-Sagheer, number 5721).

Of worthy mentioning is to know that the ‘shahadah’ is something that encompasses all the life of a Muslim whether it is Solah, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj etc., including our manners with humans and animals.

Where do we get our manners from?

Manners, for Muslims are to be gotten from the Qur’an and sunnah. Indeed, our life and our behavior should be a mirror of the Qur’an and sunnah. This is exactly what Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) came to preach. When Aisha,the Prophet’s wife, was asked about the character of the Prophet, sallalahu allayhe wa salam, she answered, “His character was the Qur’an.” [Recorded by Muslim]

The Qur’an and the sunnah show us all good manners we need in our everyday life, including dealing towards our ourselves, fellow Muslims, non-Muslims, wives, neighbors, friends, foes, animals, in religious gathering, with elders, with parents, at work, at home and every other place we find ourselves.

“The most beloved of Allah’s servants to Allah are those with the best manners.” (Al-Bukhari)

Having good manners isn’t just an advantage when dealing with others in this transient world, but also, it is a huge way of earning Allah’s love.

Some Good manners and how they enhances connection to Allah always:

1. Sincere Repentance becomes Easy

“Verily, when a believer commits a sin, a black spot was formed in his heart. If he repents and abandons the sin and seeks God forgiveness, his heart is cleaned. But if he continued sinning, then the black spot will be increasing. This is the rusting of heart mentioned in the Quran” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah)

And this Hadith Qudsi :

Indeed the Devil vowed, ‘My Lord, by Your honor and might! I will never stop misleading Your servants as long as their souls remain in their bodies!’. Hence Allah (Exalted Is He) responded, ‘By My honor, might and majesty, I will not stop forgiving them as long as they seek My forgiveness (Ahmad).

This is man’s nature, to sin and sin, but having the right manners makes one’s heart endowed with Allah’s Guidance to repent always.

2. Makes Prayers and Remembrance of Allah one’s life-long duty.

3. Greeting

It is the duty of all muslims to great each other by sayin ‘As-Salaamu ‘alaykum’ (peace be upon you)

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, ‘Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations) of your offspring.’ So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, “As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi” (i.e. Peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam’s salutation the expression, ‘Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi,’ Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam’s creation.”

4. Praying for someone who does good to you

Praying for the one who treats you kindly by saying “Jazak Allaahu khayran”

It was narrated that Usaamah ibn Zayd (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever has a favour done for him and says to the one who did it, ‘Jazak Allaahu khayran,’ has done enough to thank him.

5. Sneezing

When someone sneezes, they should praise Allah by saying ‘Alhamdulillah’ (Praise be to Allaah.

If you here someone sneezing and praising Allah, you should ask Allah to bestow His Mercy on them by saying ‘Yarhamukallaah’ (May Allaah bestow His Mercy on you).

If someone says this to you, you should reply, ‘Yahdeekumullaahu wa yuslihu baalakum’(May Allah give you guidance and improve your condition).

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“If anyone of you sneezes, he should say ‘Al-Hamdulillah’ (Praise be to Allah), and his (Muslim) brother or companion should say to him, ‘Yar-hamuka-l-lah’ (May Allah bestow his Mercy on you). When the latter says ‘Yar-hamuka-llah”, the former should say, ‘Yahdikumul-lah wa Yuslih balakum’ (May Allah give you guidance and improve your condition).”

6. Eating with the Right Hand always

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allaah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying:

“When any one of you intends to eat (meal), he should eat with his right hand. and when he (intends) to drink he should drink with his right hand, for the Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.”[11]

7. Saying Bismillah before eating

It is Sunnah to say ‘Bismillaah’ (In The Name Of Allaah)

Narrated ‘Umar bin Abi Salama (may Allaah be pleased with him): I was a boy under the care of Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) and my hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said to me,

“O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” Since then I have applied those instructions when eating.”

8. Aids in eschewing Lies

Narrated ‘Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.”[16]

Narrated Samura bin Jundub (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“I saw (in a dream), two men came to me.” Then the Prophet narrated the story (saying), ‘They said, ‘The person, the one whose cheek you saw being torn away (from the mouth to the ear) was a liar and used to tell lies and the people would report those lies on his authority till they spread all over the world. So he will be punished like that till the Day of Resurrection.’

9. In the portfolio on good manners in having cordial relationship with Allah, the Prophet did encourage gifts for one another. Gifts are yet another way to foster relations based on kindness for each other. Prophet Muhammad advised:

“Give gifts to one another and you will love one another.” (Al-Bukhari)

10. Treating the young ones well
Anas ibn Malik related:

“I served the Prophet of Allah for ten years. During that time, he never once said to me as much as ‘Oof’ if I did something wrong. He never asked me, if I had failed to do something, ‘Why did you not do it?’ and he never said to me, if I had done something wrong, ‘Why did you do it?’” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Prophet Muhammad explained that:

“He who does not show mercy to the young and show esteem for our elders is not one of us.” (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi & Al-Hakim)

As Muslims anticipating Paradise, we should totally follow Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in order to become among the best of Muslims with the best possible manners as a stepping stone closer to Allah, and a permanent dwelling abode in Paradise.

“O Allah! I ask You for good health, for trust, for self-control, for good manners, and to be satisfied with the divine decree.” (Al-Bukhari)