Ibn Bazz: Questions and Answers on `Aqidah

Questions and Answers on `Aqidah 

Q 1: An Iraqi man asks: In our country, when someone feels sick, he goes to some people who write something on a piece of paper to be worn. Is this act permissible? Another question: some people swear by things, other than Allah and swear by those people who write these things, what is the ruling on this act? 

A: Wearing amulets to ward off the evil eye, to seek protection from the Jinn, or to prevent sickness of children or old people is impermissible. This act implies reliance on someone other than Allah. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, May Allah thwart the affairs of he who ties an amulet. May Allah leave him vulnerable, he who ties a cowrie shell. 

According to another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Whoever wears an amulet commits Shirk. The amulets refer to pieces of bones, talismans, shells, wolf's bone, or the like 

matters worn around the neck of a child, a sick person, or any other person as a guard against the evil eye, Jinn, or sickness. They may contain pieces of paper having writing on them. This is a prohibited and detestable act, even if they contain Qur'anic Ayahs according to the preponderant view. The relevant Hadiths are general and free from exception. 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) made no exception. Therefore, all amulets are prohibited. Wearing an amulet, which contains Qur'anic Ayahs or good supplications may lead to wearing forbidden kinds of amulets. So, the sound Shari`ah blocks the means to evil acts and Shirk, which may result from wearing it. 

Every Muslim is advised to ask Allah to grant him safety and heal him using lawful medications. It is also permissible to use Ruqyah (reciting Qur'an and saying supplications over the sick seeking healing) as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, There is no harm in using Ruqyah, which does not smack of Shirk. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) practiced Ruqyah with some of his Sahabah and so did Jibril (peace be upon him) who applied the Ruqyah to the Prophet (peace be upon him). 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 307) 

In the light of the above mentioned Hadiths, wearing amulets is impermissible. It is a form of minor Shirk (associating others in worship with Allah). It may also be a form of major Shirk, if they are used to ward off evils without Allah's help. On the other hand, if a person thinks that wearing amulets is a cause of recovery, it is minor Shirk. 

It is obligatory to remove and tear the amulets. Swearing by anyone or anything other than Allah is impermissible and involves minor Shirk. It may also involve major Shirk when the person who swears by anyone other than Allah thinks that the one by whom he swears is like Allah, qualified to be invoked instead of Allah, or to control the universe. This is major Shirk, may Allah protect us. 

To sum up, it is not permissible to swear by anyone or anything other than Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Whoever swears, let him swear by Allah or keep silent. and Do not swear by your fathers, or by your mothers, or by rivals to Allah; 

He (peace be upon him) also said, Whoever swears by anything other than Allah has committed kufr or shirk. Another narration reads, Whoever swears by anything other than Allah has committed shirk. He (peace be upon him) said, Whoever swears by honesty is not one of us. These are all authentic reports from the Prophet 

(peace be upon him). 

One day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) heard his Sahabah (the Prophet's Companions) while they were swearing by their fathers. He (peace be upon him) said, Verily! Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers. If one has to take an oath, he should swear only by Allah or otherwise keep quiet. 

The Imam Abu `Umar Ibn `Abdul­Bar (d. 463 A.H.) (may Allah be merciful with him) stated that the scholars unanimously agreed that swearing by anyone or anything other than Allah is impermissible. Therefore, swearing by honesty or by the Prophet (peace be upon him), by Ka`bah, or by the life or honor of so­and­so is not permissible. One may swear by Allah alone. Allah is the One Who grants success. 

Q 2: My wife suffers from a psychological disease that causes her to fear everything and causes her loneliness. Another person has the same case and can not go to the Masjid (mosque) to perform Salah in congregation. He wants to know a remedy for his case apart from soothsayers and charlatans. 

A: Every disease that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) wills to exist has its cure. However, some know it 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 308) 

and others do not. Allah has made the revelation He made to His Prophet (peace be upon him) as good, guidance, and remedy for all sufferings including the physical and psychological diseases. This remedy is beneficial for the slaves and brings many good things that none but Allah knows their number. Man may experience certain conditions that cause him to fear without knowing the reason behind it.

Allah makes His revelation through His Prophet (peace be upon him) good, safety, and a remedy for many sufferings that none but Allah knows their number. 

I advise those two questioners to use the revelation of Allah to get safety, tranquility, peace, and protection from satanic tricks. Among these things is reciting Ayat­ul­Kursy (the Qur’anic Verse of Allah’s Chair, Surah Al­Baqarah, 2:255) after each Prayer following the Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah). In this Ayah, Allah (Exalted be He) says, Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al­Hayyul­Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists). To the end of the Ayah. 

This Ayah is the best and greatest Ayah in the Qur'an, for it stresses the principle of Tawhid and devotion to Allah (may He be Praised) and shows His sublimity and that He is the Ever Living, the Owner of everything and nothing weakens Him. 

When a man reads this Ayah after each Prayer and before going to bed, it protects him from every evil. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever recites it once before going to bed, there will be a guardian appointed over him from Allah who will protect him during the night and Satan will not be able to approach him until morning. The patient should try this proven prescription and he will not see any harmful thing as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not tell anything except the truth. 

He is also advised to recite Say (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم): "He is Allâh, (the) One. and Al­ Mu`awwidhatayn (Surahs Al­Falaq [number 113] and Al­Nas [number 114]) after each Prayer. 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 309) 

Reciting these Surahs is one of the causes of safety and treatment for all harms. It should be noted that Surah Al­Ikhlas Say (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم): "He is Allâh, (the) One. is equal in reward صلى االله عليه and merits to one third of the Qur'an. These three Surahs, namely, Say (O Muhammad He is Allâh, (the) One. , Say: "I seek refuge with (Allâh), the Lord of the daybreak, and I seek refuge with (Allâh) the" :)وسـلم Lord of mankindshould be recited once after Zhuhr, `Asr, and `Isha' Prayers and three times after Fajr and Maghrib Prayers. When going to the bed, these Surahs should be recited three times according to the Hadith authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this respect. 

Another thing to obtain peace of heart and mind, safety, and tranquility is to seek refuge with the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He created three times in the morning and in the evening as follows, I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created. The authentic Hadith indicates that this is a means of keeping safe from all evil. 

He may recite In the name of Allah, when Whose name is mentioned nothing on Earth or in Heaven can cause harm, and He is the Hearer, the Knower. three times in the morning and evening. The Prophet (peace be upon him) 

said that whoever says this in the morning three times is saved from any harm until the evening, and whoever says this in the evening three times is saved from any harm until the morning. These Adhkar which are taken from the Qur'an and Sunnah are among the greatest means of warding off evil and obtaining peace. 

Every believing man and woman should recite them regularly with sincerity and faith, putting his trust in Allah and depending upon Him, for He is the One who manages everything and in Whose Hand is giving, deprival, benefit, and harm, and He is the Owner of everything. 

He should also believe in the Messenger (peace be upon him) as the most truthful one, for he 

never speaks of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation revealed to him as Allah says, By the star when it goes down (or vanishes). Your companion (Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation revealed. 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 310) 

(May Allah's best peace and blessings be upon him) 

Q 3: These Adhkar are prescribed as weapons for every believer. Are there any other requirements for those who bear weapons? 

A: Yes, among these requirements are placing trust in Allah, believing the Prophet (peace be upon him), believing that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is Al­Haqq (the Truth) and that He never says anything but the truth, being sincere with Allah and following His Messenger's path. Additionally, the believer should say these Adhkar while placing his trust in Allah and hoping to obtain what Allah has. He should be a true believer that Allah is the One Who manages and disposes the affairs and that He is Omnipotent over all things with no doubt or ill thoughts. He should be certain that if his desire delays or does not occur, this will be for some underlying wisdom. 

The servant has to fulfill the means and Allah is the Originator of these means and He is the All­Wise and All­Knowing. The patient may try the medical treatment but the recovery may not occur for other reasons that the servant does not know but Allah has wisdoms and secrets that none but Him knows. This applies to physical and spiritual treatment. The physical treatment includes medications, surgeries, and the like whereas the spiritual one includes reciting supplications, Adhkar, and the like prescribed means. 

However, things sought may be delayed for many reasons including heedlessness of invoking Allah, committing sins, particularly devouring property through unlawful means and others. It is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that, There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah with words in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allah will give him one of three things: 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 311) 

either He will answer his supplication soon, or He will save it for him in the Hereafter, or He will remove something bad from him that is equivalent to what he is asking for.” They said, “Then, we should make a great amount of Du`a'.” He said, “Allah is greater.” 

Q: What are the Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) that overcome Sihr (sorcery)? 

A : It is necessary for overcoming and getting rid of Sihr to keep Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah), invocations for refuge and protection as mentioned in the previous question. Of the means of getting rid of Sihr when it strikes someone is to recite Al­Fatihah, Ayat­ul­Kursy (the Qur’anic Verse of Allah’s Chair, Surah Al­Baqarah, 2:255), Surah Al­Kafirun Say: (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلمto these Mushrikûn and Kâfirûn): "O Al­Kafirûn (disbelievers inAllâh,inHisOneness,inHisAngels,inHisBooks,inHisMessengers,intheDayofResurrection,andinAl­Qadar)! SurahAl­ Ikhlas: Say (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم): "He is Allâh, (the) One. and Al­Mu`awwidhatayn (Surahs Al­Falaq [number 113] and Al­Nas [Surah number 114]) and repeat these three Surahs three times along with blowing over his body or on water and then drinks from it and washes with the rest. 

It is also beneficial to recite the Ayahs for avoiding Sihr in Surahs Al­A`raf, Yunus and Taha. All these are means of treatment. The Ayahs in Surah Al­A`raf reads: And We revealed to Mûsâ (Moses) (saying): "Throw your stick," and behold! It swallowed up straight away all the falsehoods which they showed. Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So they were defeated there and returned disgraced. 

The Ayahs in Surah Yunus reads: And Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) said: "Bring me every well­versed sorcerer." And when the sorcerers came, Mûsâ (Moses) said to them: "Cast down what you want to cast!" Then when they had cast down, Mûsâ (Moses) 

said: "What you have brought is sorcery; Allâh will surely make it of no effect. Verily, Allâh does not set right the work of Al­Mufsidûn (the evil­doers, corrupters). "And Allâh will establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) may hate it." 

The Ayahs in Surah Taha reads: They said: "O Mûsâ (Moses)! Either you throw first or we be the first to throw?" [Mûsâ (Moses)] said: "Nay, throw you (first)!" Then behold! their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast. So Mûsâ (Moses) conceived fear in himself. We (Allâh) said: "Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand. "And throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow up that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician’s trick, and the magician will never be successful, to whatever amount (of skill) he may attain." 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 312) 

This treatment also works in case of Sihr that separates a man and his wife and benefits by the Will of Allah in removing Sihr and being safe from it. All praise and thankfulness be to Him. 

Q 5: How should a Muslim treat his female colleague at work, irrespective of her religion, taking into consideration that he may need to speak to her in matters of work? With regard to immodestly dressed Muslim woman, is it permissible for a Muslim man to greet her or answer her greeting? Moreover, how should a Muslim say farewell to a woman and vise versa?  As usual, work obliges one to deal with female workers and speak to them concerning matters of work and sometimes his gaze may fall on parts impermissible to look at of a woman and especially if they are immodestly dressed, is one sinful for this? In addition, when a Muslim speaks to a woman, should he look at her or at the ground? If the nature of the work necessitates that the Muslim manager speaks to the female worker separately and he in this case will have to be alone with her in his office, can the door be closed so that no one hears their conversation, what is the ruling on this case and similar cases such as the working of female sales and purchase representatives whose work obliges them to discuss with traders the matters of work separately and sometimes there are more than one male representative with a woman in a closed room, so what is the ruling in this regard?  A: The issues your referred to is of utmost importance.  ( Part No : 5, Page No: 313)  Before anything, it is necessary for a Muslim to avoid work among women and if he is already working among them he should make the effort to be rid of this situation and to seek another kind of work where there will no mixing with women. In fact, working among women is a wide door to religious troubles and great dangers because Satan tries his best to excite seduction between man and woman.  Therefore, a believer at any place should not consent to work among women and likewise students in mixed universities and schools; they should search for unmixed alternatives of these things. Moreover, the existence of young men near to young women is a means to a great evil and corruption. If a Muslim is afflicted with these matters, he should fear Allah until Allah grants him relief and a way out. He should avoid looking at woman and her charms and beauties and should fix his gaze at the ground; if this happens of him accidentally he should keep his gaze lowered and not look at her.  It is authentically reported that The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about the sudden glance. He (peace be upon him) said to the questioner, “Turn away your eyes.” In another narration, he (peace be upon him) said: “You are not to be blamed for the first (glance), but you would be so for the second.” Allah (may He be Exalted and Glorified) says, Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) The Ayah (Qur’anic Verse) commands the believer to lower his gaze and protect his private parts. Then, if he his eyes perceived something of that unintentionally, he should turn away his eyes and Allah will forgive him the first accidental glance that was unintentionally cast.  Moreover, if he is obliged to deal with a woman and speak to her concerning matters of work, he should speak to her without standing face to face with her or looking at her beauties, but should look away and keep his gaze fixed on the ground until they end their meeting and he leaves.  Indeed, this is among the matters which every Muslim should pay careful attention to.  ( Part No : 5, Page No: 314)  As for woman, she is not permitted while buying or selling or in other situations to be alone with a (non­ Mahram) man, whether he is a president or a manager, and the same applies to him owing to the great dangers that this involves. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No man should be alone with a woman unless there is a Mahram (the husband or an unmarriageable male relative) with her.” (Agreed upon by Imams Al­Bukhari and Muslim)The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No man should be alone with a woman,forthethirdofthemisthedevil.”(RelatedbyImamAhmadwithanauthenticIsnad[chainofnarrators]on the authority of ‘ Umar ibn Al­Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him)  I want to stress that being in seclusion with a woman poses serious danger, even if it is concerning certain needs related to the woman or her work. It is necessary to be cautious against this. Allah (may He be Exalted and Glorified) says: And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. and whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him. Q 6: We often hear that the cause behind the lack of rain is the evil deeds committed by people. If this is correct, then what about those people in India and other countries and the great floods which occur to them? Do they worship Allah more than us or that the matter of rain is an astronomic phenomenon? Please, enlighten us concerning this issue for it occupies the people’s minds.  A : Every Muslim should know that Allah (Exalted be He) is the One Who brought the creatures into being

and He guarantees the sustenance of all people, whether they are Muslims or non­Muslims. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And no moving (living) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allâh. 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. 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 315) 

And so many a moving (living) creature carries not its own provision! Allâh provides for it and for you. He (Exalted be He) created jinn and mankind, believers and disbelievers, and has undertaken to provide them with sustenance, for He sends down the rain, makes rivers run with water through the lands and provides all His creatures with sustenance. 

Allah (Exalted be He) punishes His Muslim Slaves when they disobey Him and do what contradicts His Shari‘ah (Revealed Law) to desist from their wrongdoings and keep away from the causes of His Wrath. Allah’s Punishment may be in the form of withholding the rain. This case happened during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in spite of the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is the best of people, his era is the best era and his Sahabah (Companions, may Allah be pleased with them) are the most excellent slaves following the Prophets (peace be upon them). They were afflicted with drought and aridity which made them ask the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to supplicate Allah to bring down the rain for them: They said, “O Messenger of Allah, our wealth has been destroyed and our children are hungry, supplicate to Allah for us.” 

So, he raised his hands (making supplication), and we did not see any cloud in the sky. But by the One in Whose hand is my soul, hardly had he lowered (his hands) but there appeared clouds like mountains, and hardly had he come down from his Minbar (pulpit) but I saw rain running down his beard (peace be upon him). It rained that day, and the day after, and the day after, until the following Friday. Then that Bedouin or someone else stood up and said, “O Messenger of Allah, our buildings have been destroyed and our wealth had been flooded. Supplicate to Allah for us.” So he raised his hands and said, “O Allah, around us and not on us.” Each time his hand pointed to part of the clouds they parted, and the clouds formed a ring around Madinah. The valleys flowed with water for a month and no one came from any direction but he spoke of the heavy rain.” 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 316) 

We deduce from this incident that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were afflicted with drought and sought Allah’s Help. The Sahabah were the most righteous people who best learned the Teachings and Directions of Allah. They were the most guided group so they resorted to Allah (Exalted be He) and asked Him for His Grace and returned to Him in repentance from their shortfall and sins, for they realized that drought and other disasters are advisory warnings that draw attention and direct towards the means of salvation, for them to humbly invoke Allah (Exalted be He) and know that Allah is the All­Provider and He is the Doer of what He wills. 

If people do not return to Allah in repentance from their evil deeds, Allah may punish them with drought, sterility, defeat by enemies andsuchtrialstilltheygivethatupandreturntoHimandshowpenitence.He(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: Andwhateverof misfortunebefallsyou,itisbecauseofwhatyourhandshaveearned.AndHepardonsmuch.(SeetheQur’ânVerse35:45). Allah (Exalted be He) addresses some of the Muslims after the Battle of Uhud following the defeat, killing and injuries which the Muslims sufferedduringit,saying, (Whatisthematterwithyou?)Whenasingledisastersmitesyou,althoughyousmote(yourenemies)with one twice as great, you say: “From where does this come to us?” Say (to them), “It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds).” 

In the Battle of Badr victory was for the Muslims and defeat was for the Kafirs (disbelievers); seventy of the Kafirs were taken captive and seventy of them were killed, whereas in the Battle of Uhud the Muslims were afflicted with troubles incurred by mistakes they had committed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered the archers to remain in the place he determined for them behind the Muslims. They were fifty archers under the leadership of ‘ Abdullah ibn Jubayr and the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered them, saying, "Do not leave your positions even if (we are massacred so that) birds snatch us, whether we are victorious or defeated. (At any case) do not leave your positions."

When Allah (Exalted be He) granted the Muslims victory and the Kafirs were defeated, the archers thought that the war had ended and that it was time for the booties. They left their place even though their commander had ordered them to remain in their position and reminded them of the command of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to them, but they did not obey him and said that the war had ended and the Kafirs were defeated, and so they left their place. 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 317) 

Upon that, the troops of the Kafirs attacked the Muslims from behind and overtook them, so the Muslims caused to themselves the affliction they suffered by their own action. 

I want to state that Muslims may be afflicted with ordeals so as to be tested and tried. Moreover, these trials help the forgiveness of sins as well as other benefits, such as receiving admonition, and realizing that victory is in the Hands of Allah (Exalted be He) Alone, for although the Sahabah were true Slaves of Allah and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon them) was among them, this was not sufficient for the Muslim must continue to abide by obedience to Allah, fulfill His Commands and be patient in fighting His enemies. Allah(ExaltedbeHe)saystothem: (Whatisthematterwithyou?)Whenasingledisastersmitesyou,althoughyousmote(your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say (to them), "It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds)." And Allâh has power over all things. So, if the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and his Sahabah were afflicted by the punishments of sins and troubles, then what about other Muslims who do not measure up to the Sahabah? 

As for the Kafirs who pursued Satan, the enemy of Allah, and followed in his footsteps, in many countries of the world, the Blessings of Allah they live in, the means of livelihood and the rains are nothing but a kind of gradual leading to punishment and their end will be bad.Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: So,whentheyforgot(thewarning)withwhichtheyhadbeenreminded,Weopenedforthemthe gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them (in punishment), and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows. Consider not that Allâh is unaware of that which the Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrong­doers) do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror. 

Sometimes Allah (Exalted be He) hastens for them the punishment in the worldly life, such as the sufferings that befell them during the wars as a result of their disbelief and evil sins. They may be punished by other things such as epidemics and other diseases so that 

they may give up their wrongdoings. 

( Part No : 5, Page No: 318) 

For a great wisdom Allah (Exalted be He) may give respite but no wrongdoer can escape His punishment. He (Exalted be He) says: And Allâh is not unaware of what they do.We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not. And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong. Allah (Exalted be He) may give respite to the Kafirs and keep giving them bounties, such as rain falling, rivers flowing, and abundant fruits etc. then He seizes them, if He so wills, a seizure of the All­Mighty, All­Capable of doing what He wills. Similarly, He may also give respite to the Muslims in spite of their numerous sins then He punishes them with what He wills. 

The Muslims ought to be cautious and not to be deceived by the delay of punishment or the respite that Allah grants to them or to others while persisting in sins. Instead, they should hasten to sincere repentance before punishment befalls them. We ask Allah to protect us all and keep us safe of the causes of His Wrath and the pain of His Punishment.