Ibn Bazz: Obligation of Worshipping and Fearing Allah

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Obligation of Worshipping and Fearing Allah 

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds, and the good end will be for pious people. May peace and blessings be upon Allah's Servant, Messenger and Khalil (beloved Servant) and the one He is entrusted with His revelation and the best of His creatures our Prophet and Imam (leader) and Master Muhammad ibn Abdullah, his family, Companions and those who followed his path and were guided by his guidance until the Day of Judgment. 

I thank Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) for granting me this chance to meet with Muslim brothers and sisters to recommend one another to the truth, to cooperate in doing acts of piety and righteousness, to receive admonition for sake of Allah (Exalted be He), and to explain the purpose for which Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) created us and sent the messengers to us in order that we have a firm knowledge of our duties towards Allah until we meet Him (Glorified and Exalted be He) in the day of Judgment. I ask Allah (Glorified be He) to bless our meeting, to set right all our hearts and deeds, to support His Din (religion) and let it prevail over other beliefs, and to help our authorities to achieve everything that leads to the well­being of Muslim peoples and countries and their happiness both in this world and in the hereafter. 

Afterwards, I would like to thank my dear brother, the director general of King Faysal hospital at Al­Ta'if, Dr. Taha Al­Khatib for inviting me to join this meeting. May Allah bless him and his staff and help them all achieve what reforms the affairs of this world and the hereafter and benefits all those who are patient from among our brothers and sisters! May Allah render every body's efforts beneficial and successful! 

I talk to you in my speech under the title: The obligation of worshiping Allah and fearing Him and the relevant details on this issue regarding Allah's commands and prohibitions. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says in the Glorious Qur'an: O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al­Muttaqûn (the pious See V.2:2). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwâ (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All­Watcher over you. 

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Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures). Verily, Allâh is the All­Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: O mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Judgement) is a terrible thing. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: O mankind! We have created you from a 

male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At­Taqwâ [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqûn (the pious. See V.2:2)]. Verily, Allâh is All­Knowing, All­ Aware. There are many Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) to the same effect. In fact, Allah (Glorified be He) sent all His messengers from Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) to the Last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to call people to Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah), to obey Allah, and to fear Him. Different messengers were also sent to warn people against Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and disobedience of Allah. Allah (Glorified be He) says: And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Tâghût (all false deities i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides Allâh).” Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) but We revealed to him (saying): Lâ ilâha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allâh)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)." 

Allah (Glorified be He) created all men and women, Jinn (creatures created from fire) and mankind, rulers and peoples, Arabs and non­Arabs to worship Him Alone. Allah (Exalted be He) created all this in order that we may fear Him (Glorified be He) regarding all that we do and all that we abandon, and that we call ourselves to account for our deeds so that we remain firm on Tawhid, obey Allah, and hasten to fulfill His obligations, and abandon what He prohibited. Thus, it is Wajib (obligatory) on every male and female Mukallaf (person meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions) to worship Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) wherever they are. 

Each one of us has to conform to what has been mentioned, for this is the reason for which we have been created. This is the obligation that Allah (Exalted be He) commands us to adhere to both in His Divine Books 

and through His messengers (peace be upon them). Every Mukallaf whether a male or a female, Arab or non­Arab, Jinn or a human being, has to worship Allah, fear Him, and abide by Islam. 

Muslims have to remain firm and adhere to their Din. They have to learn the rulings of their Din to carry out its obligations with sure knowledge and abandon its prohibitions with sure knowledge. On the other hand, scholars everywhere have to call people to Allah (Exalted be He) and teach 

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them His Din. 

Scholars have to do so, because they are the successors of the messengers (peace be upon them all). The messengers were sent to teach people, guide them, call them to the truth, and warn them against Shirk and other sins. Therefore, Muslim scholars all over the world have to teach people, inform them about the rulings of their Din, and explain the things that they do not know. Scholars have to do these things in order to please Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger, fulfill the obligation of advising others, and convey the message of Allah (Exalted be He) with that which He (Glorified be He) sent His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). 

On the other hand, people who are called to adhere to the instructions of the Din have to respond to the command of Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger, to learn their Din, to enquire about things that they do not know, and to worship Allah Alone sincerely for He (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him) 

Allah (Glorified be He) also says: O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al­Muttaqûn (the pious See V.2:2). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) He (Glorified be He) also says: And I (Allâh) created notthejinnandmankindexceptthattheyshouldworshipMe(Alone). Thus,mankindandJinnhavebeenthuscreatedto worship Allah Alone. They are commanded to do so both by Allah (Glorified be He) and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). 

Accordingly, when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) received the revelation of Allah, he (peace be upon him) conveyed the message to people and said: O people, say: No god but Allah in order to be prosperous. The Prophet (peace be upon him) called his people to Islam before calling any body else. He called them to worship Allah (Exalted be He) and to abandon the Shirk that they used to indulge in. He called them to give up worshipping idols, trees, stones, deceased people, stars, and so on. Conversely, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded people to offer their `Ibadah (worship), Du`a's (supplications), vows, sacrifices, Salahs (Prayers), Sawms (Fasts), and the like for the sake of Allah Alone. He (Exalted be He) says: And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allâh. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allâh, any other ilâh (god), of whom he has no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al­Kâfirûn (the disbelievers in Allâh and in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be successful. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And when My slaves ask you 

(O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. 

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Therefore, it is Wajib on all male and female Mukallafs (persons meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions) amongst jinn and human beings, rulers and their peoples, Arabs and non­ Arabs to worship Allah Alone and to comply with the meaning of La ilaha illa Allah for it really means that: There is no true deity but Allah. This is what is meant by Allah's saying: And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him) Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). This is the major obligation that all Mukallafs all over the world have to fulfill; to worship Allah Alone, which is the basic foundation of the Din of Islam. 

The foundation of the Din of Islam is to surrender to Allah (Exalted be He) through Tawhid, sincerity, abandoning Shirk, and submitting to Allah by carrying out His commands and giving up His prohibitions. This is the very meaning of Islam itself. 

Allah (Glorified be He) says: Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm. He (Glorified be He) also says: And whoever seeks areligionotherthanIslâm,itwillneverbeacceptedofhim,andintheHereafterhewillbeoneofthelosers.Allah(Glorifiedand Exalted be He) also says: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion. This Ayah (Qur'anic verse) was revealed on the Day of `Arafah (9th of Dhul­Hijjah) while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in `Arafah during his Farewell Hajj. In this Ayah, Allah (Glorified be He) points out that He has perfected His Din, completed His Favor, and chosen for His slaves the Din of Islam, which is to have sincere belief in Tawhid, to be humble before Allah, to comply with His commands, and to abandon His prohibitions by firstly abandoning Shirk. As stated earlier, this is the meaning of La ilaha illa Allah (there is no true deity but Allah). This is what is meant by Allah's saying: Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût 

and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All­Hearer, All­Knower. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. Allah 

(Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Worship Allâh and join none with Him (in worship) Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: So worship Allâh (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only. Surely the religion 

(i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allâh only. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: That is because Allâh — He is the Truth (the only True God of all that exists, Who has no partners or rivals with Him), and what they (the polytheists) invoke besides Him, it is Bâtil (falsehood). 

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Muslims have to abide by this foundation, which is believing in Tawhid, being sincere to Allah, and abandoning Shirk while continuing to carry out all other commands and abandon all other prohibitions. 

Amongst the commands of Allah (Exalted be He) are the remaining pillars of Islam, which are Salah (Prayer), Zakah (obligatory charity), Sawm (Fast), and Hajj. In fact, Islam is founded on five pillars of which the first is to bear witness that there is no true deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Thus, a slave of Allah abides by this so that he worships Allah Alone, abandons Shirk, follows the way of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and believes that he was sent by Allah to both Jinn and mankind, that he is the last of all the prophets, that Muslims have to love him more than their own selves and more than all other creatures, and that Muslims have to obey him, and follow the Shari`ah (Islamic law) صلى االله that he conveyed and be firm in doing so. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Say (O Muhammad 

O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allâh to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and" :)عليـه وسـلم the earth. Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allâh صلى االله عليهthe Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad ,)صلى االله عليه وسلمand His Messenger (Muhammad "!who believes in Allâh and His Words [(this Qur’ân), the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and also Allâh’s Word: "Be ,)وسـلم andhewas,i.e.‘Isâ(Jesus)sonofMaryam(Mary),عليهماالسلام],andfollowhimsothatyoumaybeguided."Allah(Glorified

and Exalted be He) also says: Say (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلمto mankind): "If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e.acceptIslâmicMonotheism,followtheQur’ânandtheSunnah),Allâhwillloveyouandforgiveyouyoursins.Themeaningof 

this Ayah is: Say, O Messenger, to people that if you are sincere in your love for Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you. Consequently, whoever loves Allah and His Messenger sincerely has to follow Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by carrying out the commands and giving up the prohibitions that he conveyed from Allah (Exalted be He). This starts by believing in Tawhid and abandoning Shirk then performing the five obligatory Salahs, continuing to perform them at their appointed times with humbleness and tranquility during its Qiyam (standing), Ruku` (bowing), Sujud (prostration), between every two Sujuds, and when rising up from Ruku`. Male Muslims have to perform Salah in the Masjid (mosque) and female Muslims have to perform it at home in a perfect manner as Allah (Exalted be He) commands. 

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Moreover, it is related in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al­Bukhari and Muslim): That a man entered the Prophet's Masjid (mosque) in Madinah while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was sitting with some of his Sahabah 

(companions of the Prophet). The man offered Salah but did not perfect it. He then came and greeted the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) returned his greeting and said: 'Go back and pray, for you have not offered the prayer.' He prayed again as he had prayed before, and came to the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) and greeted him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) returned his greeting and said to him the same and this was done three times. Upon this, the person said: 'By Him Who has sent you with Truth, I cannot do better than this, please teach me'. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him: 'When you get up for the prayer, perform ablution properly and then face the Qibla and say Takbir (Allahu Akbar), and then recite of what you know of the Qur’an'. According to another narration: Then recite with Umm Al­Qur’an (the Mother of the Qur’an: Al­Fatihah) and what Allah wills for you to recite then bow until you are tranquil in bowing, then rise (from bowing) until you stand straight. Then prostrate until you are tranquil in prostration, then sit up until you are tranquil in sitting. Then, prostrate until you are tranquil in prostration, then sit up until you are tranquil in sitting, and do that throughout your whole Salah. 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) thus explained to him the way he had to perform the Salah which Allah (Exalted be He) ordained for His slaves and commanded him to continue performing it in the same manner. 

The great Hadith quoted above signifies that tranquility is a condition of the validity of Salah so that whoever misses it will not have their Salah accepted. The same applies in cases of obligatory and voluntary Salahs alike though greater concern has to be paid to obligatory Salahs. 

Therefore, it is Wajib on all male and female Muslims to perform Salah as Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger commanded. Allah (Glorified be He) commands us to establish Salah i.e. to perform it perfectly. Muslims also have to give Zakah for Allah (Glorified be He) commands them to do so by saying: and perform As­Salât(Iqâmat­as­Salât),andgiveZakât. AllMuslimshavetolearntherulingsofSalahandZakah.Theyhaveto ask scholars about doubtful matters. Moreover, all Muslims have to perform Sawm during Ramadan of every year, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. In addition, all male and female Muslims have to make Hajj to A l­Bayt Al­Haram (the Sacred House: another name for the Ka`bah) at least once in a person's lifetime, if they are able to do so, for Allah (Glorified be He) says: And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence) 

All Mukallafs have to carry out all the other commands of Allah (Exalted be He) such as being dutiful to parents, maintaining the ties of kinship, 

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being truthful and trustworthy, and abandoning all the prohibited sins such as Zina (premarital sexual intercourse and/or adultery), drinking Khamr (intoxicant), being undutiful to parents, severing ties of kinship, dealing with Riba (usury), treachery, false testimony, and so on. 

All Mukallafs have to abide by the pillars of Islam of which the greatest one is Tawhid, sincerity to Allah, and 

abandoning Shirk. They all have to carry out Allah's commands and abandon His prohibitions. Thus, believing women should not intermix with men. Male doctors and nurses have to treat men while female doctors and nurses have to treat women. The same applies to clerks. Men should not intermix with women and vice versa as free intermixing (of men and women) entails Fitnah (temptation) and great danger. Our noble Prophet (peace be upon him) says in a Sahih Hadith: After me I have not left any Fitnah more harmful to men than women. i.e. at times of free intermixing between the two sexes while people are not cautious. He (peace be upon him) also says: The life of the world is sweet and green (alluring). Allah makes you generations succeeding one another so that He may try you in respect of your actions. So beware of the beguilements of the world and those of women. The first Fitnah of Banu Israel was through women. 

When a woman appears in front of men while being dressed up and adorned, this causes great danger to herself and the men she intermixes with. Therefore, only female doctors should treat female patients and vice versa. Authorities issued instructions in this regard and they have to be followed. Only in cases of extreme necessity when only a qualified doctor of the opposite sex is available may there be an exception to the rule mentioned above. However, female doctors have to abide by the Islamic code of dress and Khulwah (being alone with a member of the opposite sex) must always be avoided. The staff at all hospitals has to abide by that. 

My advice to this particular hospital, its officials; doctors or other laborers men and women alike, and to the director general in the first place is to abide by the commands of Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger (peace be upon him), to cooperate to achieve acts of righteousness and piety, and that male doctors and nurses treat and look after male patients and vice versa. 

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The same has to apply to clerks as well, so that every body is far removed from the means of Fitnah and prohibited Khulwah. Conforming with the foregoing will help you to accomplish the purpose for which human beings were created which is not just to eat, drink, fulfill sexual desires, and enjoy the pleasures of this world but to worship Allah Alone and fear Him by sincerely and devoutly obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. 

Allah (Glorified be He) granted us different pleasures in this world such as clothing, houses, means of transportation, and various kinds of food and drinks not to make us busy and take us away from obeying Him but to help us to obey Him and achieve righteousness. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: He it is Whocreatedforyouallthatisonearth. Allah(ExaltedbeHe)createdallthatisonearthi.e.differentkindsoffood, drinks, things that we use as means of transportation, and so on, for us. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth Allah (Exalted be He) subjected to us all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth including rain, stars, the sun, the moon, all other graces on earth, and the Rizq (sustenance) that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) provides for us. All these are examples of Allah's favors, which are a manifestation of His mercy that He bestows upon us. 

Thus, we have to thank Allah (Glorified be He) not only by words but by carrying out His commands and abandoning His prohibitions for thanking Allah (Exalted be He) is to be expressed by words, actions, and hearts. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Work you, O family of Dâwûd (David), with thanks! Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying), I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me. He (Glorified be He) also says: And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allâh), I will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily My punishment is indeed severe." Giving thanks should be through heart, tongue, and deeds, as the poet says: 

I thank Your favors by three things: 

My hands, tongue, and hidden conscience 

We thank Allah (Exalted be He) for His Bounties by our actions, tongues, and hearts. Thus, a person has to thank Allah (Exalted be He) by loving and exalting Him and by being sincere to Him with regard to all kinds of `Ibadah (worship) and all good deeds which are offered to Him (Glorified and Exalted be He). We must not associate in `Ibadah 

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any one or thing with Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). We have also to thank Allah (Exalted be He) by words i.e. by praising Him, calling people to His way, enjoining Ma`ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and forbidding Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and so on. Likewise, we have to thank Allah (Exalted be He) by actions i.e. by carrying out all the obligations of Din such as Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj etc. and abandoning all prohibitions. The foregoing is the proper way of thanking Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). 

My advice then to myself and to you all i.e. male and female doctors and nurses, patients, and all those in charge of this hospital, is to fear Allah (Exalted be He) in secret and in public for He (Glorified be He) says: And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At­Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding! Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: O you who believe! Fear Allâh and keep your duty to Him. Andleteverypersonlooktowhathehassentforthforthemorrow,andfearAllâh.Verily,AllâhisAll­Awareofwhatyoudo.Allah 

(Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islâm [as Muslims (with complete submission to Allâh)]. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. 

We have to fear Allah (Glorified be He) by worshipping Him and carrying out His commands and abandoning His prohibitions while fearing His punishment, longing for His reward, extolling the sanctity of His instructions, and having true love for Him (Glorified be He), for His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) and for all other messengers and believers. Verily, we have to love Allah (Exalted be He) with all our hearts more than we love any one else. We also have to truly love the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) more than we love our own selves, our fathers, our mothers, our children, and any body else. We also have to love all the messengers (peace be upon them) and all the Muslims for loving Allah (Exalted be He), Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), other prophets, and all the believers and this is one of the most important obligations. The chief importance is to love Allah (Exalted be He). However, love for Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger (peace be upon him) implies carrying out religious commands and abandoning prohibitions, for Allah (Glorified be He) says: Say (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلمto mankind): "If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins. So it is clear that true love for Allah (Exalted be He), His Messenger (peace be upon him), and the believers involves obeying Allah (Exalted be He), not associating any thing or any one with Him in `Ibadah, and abandoning disobeying Him. It also involves obeying the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 

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following his example, avoiding what he prohibited, abiding by the limits which are set by him, and giving preference to his Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) and the Shari`ah that he conveyed over our own desires. Similarly, loving Allah (Exalted be He) involves loving the believers, helping them to achieve all that is good, enjoining them to do Ma`ruf and forbidding them to indulge in Munkar, wishing them all the best, rendering back their trusts to them, and the like. 

Hospital officials and officials in other places must be trustworthy. All staff members of this hospital have to fulfill the rights of the responsibility with which they have been entrusted. This applies to treatment, medication, being kind to the patient, and so on. Every body has to fulfill the rights of the responsibility that they have been entrusted to do with all sincerity and care. Doctors have to use beneficial medicines at the appropriate times. They have to make sure that they give the correct prescription and they have not to be careless in this regard. They have to be gentle with the patient and speak nicely to them for this helps to get rid of the disease and to recover by the permission of Allah (Exalted be He). 

The point mentioned above also applies to female doctors. All doctors have to be kind and gentle with patients. Doctors should make patients feel this and that they are really eager for their recovery. Doctors have also to give the appropriate quantity of medicine, no more or less than necessary and thus not beneficial. 

All officials in the hospital have to do as possible as they can. They must all fulfill the responsibility that they have been entrusted with. This is all a part of being sincere to Allah (Exalted be He), exalting Him, and fearing His Wrath (Glorified and Exalted be He). Doctors have to exert all their efforts to care for patients. They have to be honest with them, and nice to them so that Allah (Exalted be He) may make you, male and female doctors, a reason for their recovery. All hospital officials have to fear Allah (Exalted be He) and exert all their efforts for the well­ being of the patient and for all that lightens the patient's pains. Undoubtedly, good words and a positive attitude along with perfect care softens the patient's agony, enables him to feel ease, and helps him get rid of his diseases by Allah's support, help, mercy, and kindness (Glorified and Exalted be He). 

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I ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) by His Most Beautiful Names and Supreme Attributes to guide us all to do all that pleases Him, to bestow upon us the sound understanding of His Din, to set right our hearts and deeds, and to grant success to all those who are in charge of this hospital chiefly the honorable brother Dr. Taha Al­Khatib. I also ask Allah (Exalted be He) to guide hospital officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to do everything that pleases Him. May Allah help them to carry out their duties, fulfill the trust, bless their efforts and avail all Muslims of them. I ask Allah (Glorified be He) to benefit all physicians, and to set right people's hearts and actions. I ask Him (Exalted be He) to set right the conditions of Muslims every where, to set right their rulers, and to grant everyone the sound understanding of Din, the continuous adherence to Shari`ah, and the avoidance of all that opposes it. Verily, Allah is the Supreme Master and the All­Able. 

It is also unforgotten that when a person hears a speech that pleases him, he may say Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) or Subhanallah (Glorified be Allah). The point here is that the clapping that some people do is impermissible. It is a sort of Munkar and one of the acts of Jahiliyyah (pre­Islamic time of ignorance). What is ordained is that whenever a person hears something that pleases him whether in a lecture or something said by their director or any body else, they may say Allahu Akbar or Subhanallah. Likewise, whenever a person hears something that they disapprove, they are to say Subhanallah or Allahu Akbar. This is the way that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to glorify Allah and Exalt Him. He (peace be upon him) used to say Subhanallah to forbid Munkar and also to express his joy when he heard about good things. Thus, we have to thank Allah (Exalted be He) and make Takbir (saying: "Allahu Akbar") and Tasbih (saying: "Subhan Allah") when we hear something that delights us. We have to forbid Munkar whenever we hear it by saying 

Subhanallah, Allahu Akbar, or any other good word that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say, for it is narrated that when some Sahabah saw some Mushriks (people who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) extolling trees and hanging their weapons on; those Sahabah said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): Make for us a place of hanging (Dhat Anwat) like they have a place of hanging. So the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)! By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, you said just as the people of Musa (Moses) had said: ‘Make for us a god as they have gods.’ 

In another occasion, when a man said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): "We intercede with Allah to You"; He (peace be upon him) said: Subhanallah (Glorified be Allah)! Subhanallah! It is improper to make Allah intercede withanyofHiscreatedbeings. Thus,itisaSunnah(acommendableact)oftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)that he would make Takbir, Tasbih, and mention Allah (Exalted be He) whenever he heard or saw something that pleased him or that he disapproved of. We have then to follow his example 

( Part No : 6, Page No: 16) 

(peace be upon him) regarding this issue. It is worthy mentioning that the patient should offer Salah while standing up. If they cannot do so, they have to offer it while sitting. If they cannot do so, they have to offer it while lying on their side. Otherwise, they are to offer it while lying on their back. Delaying Salah until the expiry of its time as some patients do thinking that they may offer it perfectly after they recover is impermissible. Rather, a patient has to offer Salah on time in the manner that their condition allows them to do so. It is narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to one of his Sahabah while the latter was sick: Pray while standing and if you cannot, pray while sitting, and if you cannot do even that, then pray lying on your side. (Related by Al­Bukhari in his Sahih Book of Hadith).Al­Nasa'y added If you cannot do even that, you can pray lying on your back. The Prophet (may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) explained in this Hadith that patients have to perform Salah according to their ability. They have to perform Salah while standing up; but if they are unable to do so whether they are males or females, they are to perform Salah while sitting either cross­ legged or not, even though being cross­leged is better as long as this is possible. The foregoing is supported by the Hadith of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) on this matter. If a patient is unable to offer Salah while sitting, they are to offer it while lying on their side preferably the right side if possible, or otherwise the left one. If they are unable to do so, the patient has to perform Salah while lying on his back while his legs are directed to the Qiblah (direction faced for Prayer towards the Ka`bah). Moreover, a person must perform Wudu' (ablution) so long as he is able to do so. If the person is unable to make Wudu', he may make Tayammum (dry ablution) using dust. Thus, hospital officials must make sure that a bag or a vessel of dust is available by or under the beds of the patient so that they can use this for Tayammum in cases that they are not able to use water. The foregoing is supported by a Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: I have been granted five things that were not granted to anyone before me: Allah made me victorious by awe (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month’s journey, and the earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due... 

According to another narration: Its dust has been made a purifier for us in case water is not available. 

Allah (Exalted be He) says in the Glorious Qur'an: and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. All the officials of different hospitals and of this hospital including male and female doctors have to take care of this matter so that the patient does not stop performing Salah. 

( Part No : 6, Page No: 17) 

Rather, patients have to be told and directed to perform Salah according to their different conditions i.e. either sitting, standing, or lying on their sides. Patients also have to be directed to make Tayammum if they are unable to use water. They have to be directed to perform Salah on time. However, patients may combine Zhuhr (Noon) and `Asr (Afternoon) Prayers at the time of the earlier or later one and they may do the same with regard to Maghrib (Sunset) and `Isha' (Night) Prayers. 

May Allah guide all to what pleases Him! May He set right the conditions of us all! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, Companions, and all those who followed him rightly until the Day of Judgment!