Q 1. Is the following an Islamic/Qur'anic view: in the case of Zina, the woman is degraded; the man is the degrader, but is not degraded himself?
A 1. No, this is neither in the Qur’an, nor mentioned in any other authentic Islamic source. Zina is a major sin for any person who commits it male or female. The degradation is for both partners, unless one of them was forced into it against that person’s will, such as rape situation. According to the Shari’ah the punishment of Zina is same for both male and female, unless one of them was unmarried. For the unmarried the punishment is lighter than the punishment inflicted upon the married person. The punishment is not given by man to woman, neither by the father to his daughter, not by the husband to his wife. Men and women both, whosoever is found guilty of this crime are given punishment by the legal Shr’i authorities. Allah says in the Qur’an: “The woman and the man guilty of fornication, flog each of them with a hundred strikes…” (al-Nur 24:2) In Islam, there is no discrimination between men and women, whosoever does good will receive their reward and whosoever does bad will receive their punishment unless they repent. Allah says: “….to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn…” (al-Nisa’ 3:32)
Q 2. One of our Muslim brothers asked me, whether we are allowed to be “god-father” of a Christian child? Our Muslim brother told me, that one of his business colleagues asked him to be the godfather of his colleague’s daughter. He asked me whether it is allowed in Islam. I know that in our area being baptized is not because of religion, but rather a cultural custom. However I know that Allah has forbidden testifying falsehood, and we must not approve their polytheistic rituals. What shall I answer to this brother? (Mustafa Abdullah, Hungary)
A 2. Making someone a “Godfather” or “Godparent” is a Christian custom. As far as I know among Christians (especially in the West, although tradition differ from country to country and from denomination to denomination) a person is named as “Godfather” of the child at the time of child’s baptism. Among some Christians a godparent or godparents make profession of faith for the person being taken as godchild.” It is clear that a Muslim cannot participate in this custom and should not make a Christian profession of faith, neither for oneself nor for any one else.
However, if by "godfather" one means a guardian, or a supervisor of a child, then there is no prohibition for that. If there is a child from a non-Muslim family is in need for Muslim help or protection, then he/she should be provided this help as much as possible. Muslims can help any person of any religion who is in need. Allah says in the Qur’an: "If any among the polytheists seek your protection, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure…” (al-Tawbah 9:6) Muslims who have such non-Muslim children in their custody should take good care of them. Hopefully, these children will hear the word of Allah and accept the right path when they will grow up.
When we take any child or children into custody, we should keep in mind that they are not our biological children and when they will grow up they will not be mahram to other members of the family. The Muslim ladies and girls in the household will have to observe Hijab in the presence of the boys when they become adults and similarly the men in the household should observe the Islamic rules of non-mahram when these girls become mature.
Q 3. When non-Muslim parents or relative pass away, can a Muslim attend their funeral?
A 3. Muslims are not only allowed but they should attend the funerals of their non-Muslim relatives. In the worldly matters Allah commands us to treat the non-Muslim parents (and by implications other relatives) with goodness. (see Luqman 31:15) Providing a proper burial for deceased relative is also part of his/her good treatment. This is part of our Islamic courtesy. However, a Muslim should not participate in the funeral prayer of a non-Muslim. After the death of a person, the Du’a or prayer is only done for a Muslim.
Q 4. Since I live in the USA, part of the taxes I pay go to funding Israel. For this reason, friends back home say that it is wrong to live here, because I will have Palestinian blood on my hands. What is the ruling on living in countries like USA?
A 4. Israel is a country that is most brutal and oppressive towards its native people, the Palestinians. Israel is violating human rights as well as UN resolutions. It is indeed sad and painful to see that our country is blindly supporting Israel. But leaving US is not a solution. How many of us can leave? You may be able to go back to your native country, but there are millions of Muslims who have no other home except this country. The right solution is to get involved in social and political affairs of this country and help our fellow citizens and the government realize the unfortunate affects of our policies. We must help elect the right leaders. We must engage in dialogue with the people on all levels, speak the truth and remove the misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims from their minds.
American Muslims can play a very important role in helping the cause of justice in this land and in many other places. We must not run away from our responsibilities. Muslims must present their case in a logical and persuasive way. Change will come, but it requires wisdom and patience.
Q 5. What's does the Shari’ah say in regard to the pill that people use to enhance their sexual desire and to be stronger and create more excitement? Is it Halal?
A 5. It is permissible to use any medicine or special food items to increase the energy and strength in order to perform anything that is permissible according to the Shari’ah. However, the balance and moderation is the general rule in Islam. One should not become obsessed with this desire and should not be over occupied with it. Sex is a need and a pleasure and it should be enjoyed in Halal ways and with moderation. Also, one must keep in mind that some of these so-called ‘energy pills” have side effects and they could be dangerous to one’s overall health and may disable a person to function properly to fulfill other duties that Allah has made obligatory.
Q 6. Please explain a matter of Aqida to me. Is Allah swt everywhere (I know He has power over everything)? Does believing that Allah swt is everywhere lead to shirk, as it seems to indicate He is everywhere in creation and therefore a part of creation (na'wuzubillah)?
A 6. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala is infinite and we are finite. We, the finite human beings, cannot totally comprehend the nature of the infinite. The Qur’an says: “He is with you wherever you are.” (al-Hadid 57:4) Some scholars have interpreted the “with ness” (ma’iyyah) of Allah in terms of knowledge, meaning that Allah knows wherever we are. There are others who do not define the “with ness” in this way. They say that the Qur’an says that He is with us wherever we are, and we accept this without any explanation. Allah is with us according to His own Glory and Majesty.
There are other Ayat in the Qur’an in which Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala speaks about Himself that He is near (Qarib, see al-Baqarah 2:186; Hud 11:61; Saba’ 34:50). He says that He is closer to us than our jugular veins (Qaf 50:16), or that He is closer to us than our own selves (al-Waqi’ah 56:85). What is this “nearness” or proximity? How near He is to us and in what way He is near? We cannot define these concepts. We should not explain these words with some our own definitions and explanations. We should rather take them as they are without any ta’wil (allegory), or tashbih (anthropomorphism) or ta’til (nihilism). This is the moderate way as given to us by our pious and knowledgeable elders (salaf).
Q 7. Is there any sunnat-e-muakkadah in Jum’ah prayer? How many Raka’ats is it and when should it be prayed, e.g. before or after?
A 7. On Friday, one should pray 4 rak’ah before the Khutbah. Then there are 2 rak’ah Fard. After that one can pray 4 rak’ah Sunnah. Some jurists mentioned 6. The Prophet –peace be upon him- used to pray 4 rak’ah after the Fard in the Masjid and 2 when he returned home. It is for this reason there are some variations in the opinions of the scholars.
Q 8. According to the Qur'an, in how many days were the Earth and Heavens created?
A 8. The Qur’an has mentioned in several places that Allah created the Heaven and the Earth in 6 days. (Surah 7, verse 54; Surah 11, verse 7; Surah 25, verse 69; Surah 32, verse 4; Surah 50, verse 58; Surah 57, verse 4). However, in Surah Hamim al-Sajdah (41:9-12) Allah says:
Say: "Is it that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two Days? and do ye join equals with Him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds." He set on the (earth) mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, in four Days, in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance). Moreover, He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly." They said: "We do come (together), in willing obedience." So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full of Knowledge. (Hamim al-Sajdah 41_9-12)
This may give the impression that the Qur’an is talking about 8 days of creation: first two days are mentioned for the creation of earth, then four days for all things on earth, then two days for the heavens. But the commentators of the Qur’an point out that the four days in the middle mentioned include the first two days also. So in other words it is said that Allah created the earth in two days and then put its provisions in it, thus altogether four days and He created the heavens in two days. Thus the total number remains six without any inconsistency in the words of Allah.
It is important to remember that the words ‘yaum’ and ‘ayyam’ (day and days) are not used in the Qur’an always to mean a 24-hour period. The day could be as long as 1000 years (al-Hajj 22:47) or 50,000 years (al-Ma’arij 70:4) or more. We should not say that Allah created the Heavens and the Earth in 6 X 24 Hours. Only Allah knows the length of the days of His creation. However, there is a wisdom in mentioning 6 days and this, it seems to us, to indicate order and gradation in the creation. It also points to the power of Allah as well as His Mercy that he gave His creation this time. Everyday of the week we should thank Allah and at the end of the week we should express even more thanks and plan for the next week.
The Qur’an, however, has rejected the idea which is mentioned in the Bible that Allah created the Heaven and Earth in six days and on the seventh day He took rest. Allah says in the Qur’an: “We created the Heavens and Earth and that which is between them in six days and no fatigue touched us” (50:38).